Chuck the Filibuster (or Lose Democracy)

Actions for Week of July 25, 2021

The deadline is coming. Pass voting rights or let the GOP and a racist relic destroy democracy

Any time this week

CHUCK THE FILIBUSTER

Contact Senator Schumer and tell him reform isn’t enough. We need to eliminate the filibuster in order to get the For the People and John Lewis Voting Rights Acts passed.  Otherwise, our democracy is at the mercy of the GOP’s lies. This must be done by August 5 in order to protect the midterms! Email at the link, or call the number below.

Phone: (212) 486-4430 
Email: https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
 

CLIMATE CRISIS RECOVERY BILL

Add climate crisis reduction to the grocery bill. We want mapping of overly polluted areas with funds directed to those communities, a civilian climate corps (think the WPA for the earth), and an increased focus, with standards, on renewable energy

Call our reps and tell them to get this done!

Senator Chuck Schumer: (212) 486-4430 
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:  (212) 688-6262
Representative Carolyn Maloney: (212) 860-0606
 

Tuesday, July 27
REGISTER GEORGIA VOTERS
3 PM

We have to keep GA blue (especially since Senator Warnock has to run again in 2022).  Join with Field Team 6 to make calls to eligible voters in Georgia and help them register as Democrats. You can also help them to request applications to vote from home. This is especially important with all the new voting restrictions.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021
BOE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND REFORM HEARING
10:00AM
Founders Auditorium, Medger Evers College
1650 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

The BOE screwed up (again).  If you would like to tell them about it and offer solutions to fix it, attend this hearing (or submit testimony in writing).

Note: this will be in Brooklyn, but you can also submit written testimony in advance or by close of business on the day of the hearing.

OR

INDIVISIBLE REDISTRICTING TRAINING
3 PM

New congressional and district maps are being drawn.  How much do you know about how this works?  Take the redistricting quiz and then find out more at this training session. You’ll learn how it works in each state, how to participate effectively, and the best way to make sure your testimony and participation has an impact.

FUN

The girl with one pebble 
Art recreated in pebbles on the beach

Topological bagels
This sort of hurts my brain

Rivers and Blues concert
July 29
6 PM
Wagner Park, 20 Battery Place
(Bring your own snacks and blanket)

Find that lizard!
Can you spot him?\

Ancient History Day!
Do myths contain any actual history? Can they be used as historical sources?

 

It's All About the Vote

Actions for Week of July 19, 2021

Swing those swing states, keep the pressure on the Senate, and stop GOP vote suppression dirty tricks

Tuesday, July 20

STOP VOTER SUPPRESSION IN MICHIGAN
2 - 6 PM (shifts)

Call Democrats in Michigan and urge them to stop the Michigan GOP and their phony claims of voter fraud.  They have 39 bills on the table, trying to make it harder to vote.  No vote, no democracy.

There will be training to start, along with talking points so you know what to say.

Wednesday, July 21

PASS S1 AND PROTECT OUR VOTE
6 PM

Call voters in WV and NH, connect them to their senators, and urge them to support this critical legislation (that is, if we want to keep democracy).  It will halt the flow of secret contributions, protect voting rights, and end the gerrymandering that lets the GOP win more seats with fewer votes.

The session starts with training, and all you'll need is your computer and headphones. There’s a script too, so you will know what to say.
 

Thursday, July 22

FAIR DISTRICTS WiTHOUT GERRYMANDERING
6:30 PM

Redistricting is coming! This will determine who represents us, where the lines are drawn and which council members we have (remember the current election was only for a two year term).

Join the League of Women Voters to learn how to testify effectively, and make sure we get the reps we want.

OR

VIRTUAL LETTERS TO VOTERS
7 - 9 PM

Get together virtually to make an impact! Join a virtual letter writing party to reach potential voters in important upcoming elections. Go to  votefwd.org/swingleft, create an account, download twenty letters, and join in to write them.

FUN

Origami art
All made from one sheet of paper

Shakespeare in Carl Schurz Park: King Lear
Tuesday, July 20 - Sunday, July 25
7pm
Carl Schurz Park (East 87th Street and East End)

Squirrel!
Look at those eyes!

And now... the DEE GEES
Took me way too long to realized DEE GEES was for DG (David Grohl)

Ooohshiny!
That is just gorgeous!

For the People

Actions for Week of July 11, 2021

The deadline is coming. We must make sure S1 (For the People) passes this summer. Or the GOP will steal our votes.

Monday, July 12
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
5:30 – 6:30pm

The “For the People Act” can still pass. Join a ”Letter to the Editor" Zoom Workshop to make sure our reps (and those in other states) understand just how important this bill is to the future of our country. 

Common Cause has created an easy tool that will look up local papers (not just the big ones) and help you send letters to all of them with a single click.  This Zoom meeting will show you how it all works.

Tuesday, July 13
POSTCARDS FOR THE PEOPLE
4-5:30 PM
Au Jus Cafe
2621 Broadway

If you’d like some company with your activism, join Swing Left to write postcards supporting The For the People Act (H.R.1/S.1), which will guarantee every citizen’s right to vote, end gerrymandering, improve campaign finance laws and provide essential ethics reforms. 

Write to constituents of moderate Senators to ask them to thank their reps for supporting the bill and requesting that they help get the bill approved by the Senate.  Postcards will be easy to fill out: they only require a short, handwritten message and placement of an address label and stamp on the card. Each packet of 25 costs $3.50.

Wednesday, July 14
REGISTER DEMOCRATS WITH FIELD TEAM 6
2 PM - 3 PM

Join Field Team 6 for a Postcarding Party! They'll teach you everything you need to know about their voter registration outreach through postcards.  You can order their Shephard Fairey specially designed cards, or use your own.
 

Thursday, July 15
FOUR FREEDOMS MEETING WITH REBECCA SEAWRIGHT
7:00 PM
Draesel Hall at the Church of the Holy Trinity (316 E 88th St) and on Zoom

Join Four Freedoms and special guest Rebecca Seawright, who will speak on the recovery of our community from the effects of the pandemic.  They will also be joined by Steven Romalewski, Director of the CUNY Center for Urban Research, who will talk about redistricting.

Please only attend in person if you are fully vaccinated and not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Or join via Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/2125550212?pwd=YjhEZ0gyai9vT05GaG96S3FGS3J1UT09 or by phone at 1.646.876.9923

Conference ID:212.555.0212

FUN

Five minutes to love symphonies
This is the symphony, that Schubert wrote and never finished.

Meow (or Nyan)
The 3D effect is purrfect (sorry, not sorry)

Humans go whale watching
Or maybe the other way around

Are some species more important than others?
New series from Emily Graslie (of the Field Museum)

I believe I can fly!
Mars helicopter takes its longest flight yet

Democracy, not Tyranny

Actions for Week of July 4, 2021

Yes to democracy, no to the filibuster and no to gerrymanders

Tuesday, July 6
DEMOCRACY CAN'T WAIT PHONE BANK
7 PM

We must stop voter suppression in its tracks to protect our democracy.  Phone bank to people of color in key states and help them tell their senators that voting should be easy, not hard. And we won't stand for inaction.

OR

WORKING FAMILIES TEXT BANK
6 -8 PM
Fight for progressive candidates, against climate change, and join the West Virginia summer jam for democracy.
 

Wednesday, July 7
INBK MEETING WITH JULIETTA LOPEZ
(from Chuck Schumer's office)
7 PM

Join INBK (Indivisible Nation Brooklyn) for their monthly meeting,  with special guest Julietta Lopes, (Senator Schumer’s Director of Engagement). It’s a good way to keep up the pressure to pass voting rights bills and end the filibuster.

Thursday, July 8
REGISTER PA VOTERS
5-7 PM

The GOP members of the PA legislature keep trying to make it harder to vote.  We need more blue voters to keep voting accessible. Help sign them up with a virtual phone bank!

Any time
BOE REFORM

The ongoing Board of Elections mess makes reform even more urgent. Sen. Krueger has a bill to fix some of the problems (all of them might require amending the state constitution).  Let’s tell her we support this, and urge our other reps to join her and take it up in the Assembly). Bill text and summary at the link.

Liz Krueger: (212) 490-9535
lkrueger@nysenate.gov

Dan Quart: (212) 605-0937
quartd@nyassembly.gov

Rebecca Seawright: (212) 288-4607
SeawrightR@nyassembly.gov

Senator José M. Serrano: (212)-828-5829
serrano@nysenate.gov

FUN

Sculptures made from circuit boards
Trash transformed into art

It’s not easy being green
No wrecked cakes here, just fun ones

Better late than never! 
Plus she got to hang out and throw out the first pitch

Jeff Bezos does the right thing
Mercury 13 candidate finally gets to go to space

AI restores Rembrandt’s The Night Watch
The edges were cut off (!) 200 years ago

Democracy Deadline

Actions for Week of June 27, 2021

Sure we won, but if the GOP gets its way, we never will again. Tell Schumer to kill the filibuster and stop GOP dirty tricks

WEEKLY GROUP ACTION

Monday, June 28
DEMOCRACY ON THE LINE
5:30-7:30 PM

Join Indivisible Nation BK and more outside Senator Schumer's house. We are  forming a long line of voters at our Senator's doorstep to demand that he unite his WHOLE caucus, end the filibuster and pass S1/For the People Act, to protect voting rights, end partisan gerrymandering and unrig our elections before it's too late. Get more details and sign up here!

OR

DEADLINE FOR DEMOCRACY RALLY
6 – 6:45pm EDT
96th and Broadway (by the subway station)

Don't want to schlep to Brooklyn? Go to the Upper West Side instead. Bring your voices and your signs and show our senators that there is overwhelming grassroots support for voting rights. Join us!

Wednesday, June 30
TURN TRUMP'S BASE WITH SCIENCE
 5 PM

Galvanize Action will show you how to reach out to Trump's base and turn them to the bright side using neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and data science to understand how voters think and more importantly, how to change their minds.  

Join Zoom Meeting:https://condenast.zoom.us/j/94368730415?pwd=amxkem85WDdEdDF5WVpjem1aL290Zz09

Meeting ID: 943 6873 0415
Passcode: 663956

Thursday, July 1
FOR THE PEOPLE PHONE BANK
6 PM

Yes, the GOP filibustered. But we can still make this happen. And we have to. Because otherwise, the GOP's attempts to suppress voters they don't like (i.e., anyone who isn't rich), are more likely to succeed. So Common Cause and Swing Left are making sure Joe Manchin knows what's at stake, by calling his constituents and urging them to tell him to get on board.

FUN

That’s a moray
Bravo to whoever wrote the headline and captions for this (the article is good too)

Native portraits
Join experts for a conversation about Karl Bodmer's paintings of Native Americans (there is also a current exhibit at the museum)

The Macy's fireworks are back!
Tune in on TV or check at the link for in-person viewing spots

Olive & Mabel
A sportscaster, sidelined by the pandemic, took to narrating his dogs' antics instead. He's still at it.  

Coltrane
Some jazz for your Sunday evening.

Everybody vote now!

Actions for Week of June 20, 2021

Go green, go vote, and grow our Dem majority!

VOTE!
If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to vote! Check your polling location at the link.

Monday, June 21
PROMOTE THE THRIVE ACT
4 PM 

Phonebank for clean energy, family-supporting jobs, and a robust economy!

Make calls to West Virginia voters to discuss green new deal jobs,THRIVE, and infrastructure. If the voter is supportive, they will be connected to Sen. Manchin and Sen. Capito's offices to leave a comment or voicemail message.

The THRIVE Act would invest $1 trillion a year to provide over 15 million family-sustaining jobs in sectors across our economy, such as ecosystem restoration, clean manufacturing, regenerative agriculture, upgrading infrastructure and buildings, clean energy and transportation, public services, and care for children and the elderly.

Tuesday, June 22 (plus other dates)
STOP GOP VOTER SUPPRESSION BILLS
6 PM

Call Democrats in Michigan who are represented by Republicans in the Michigan Legislature. Let them know about the 39 (!) different ways the GOP wants to suppress their votes. Training provided. 

Saturday, June 26
WRITE LETTERS TO VOTERS
4-5 PM

Start the 2021 election cycle with a bang and write letters to voters in Viriginia.

Virginia has one of only two governors races this year, and it will be test of public approval for the Biden administration and governing Democratic trifecta at both the Federal and state level. It will also show whether Democrats can continue the successes from the past few years into 2022 and maintain momentum in a post-Trump presidency political environment.

NEXT WEEK’S ACTION

We’re going to tell Senator Schumer how important S1 is.  Pick your action on Monday (either at his house at 5:30, or on Broadway at 96th St. at 6 PM).  Details to come.
 

FUN

Bye bye King George
I knew you could still see the marks on the fence, but not that the New-York Historical Society had bits of the statue.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - A Little Busy
A little night music

Sculptures
Part human, part tree

Juneteenth
Celebrations across NYC and the US

Awww….
Disabled tortoise gets a custom wheelchair

Protect our votes!

Actions for Week of June 13, 2021

Sen. Schumer Town Hall, defend voting rights, and stamp out voter suppression

Monday, June 14
STACEY ABRAMS VOTING RIGHTS TOWN HALL
8 PM

With Stacey Abrams, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, and special guests.

After you sign up,  share this registration link with at least three family members or friends! Together we can protect our freedom to vote by demanding that our Senators support the For the People Act now. 

Wednesday, June 16
FOR THE PEOP TOWN HALL WITH SEN. SCHUMER
7:30 – 8:30 6:30 PM

Let’s tell Chuck Schumer to corral Joe Manchin, and the rest of his caucus, channel his inner LBJ, and pass the For the People Act! Otherwise, we risk losing everything we all worked so hard to get.

Thursday, June 17
FIGHT VOTER SUPPRESSION
3 PM - 6 PM

Phone-bank on Center for Common Ground and Common Cause campaigns:

• fight state-level voter-suppression laws

• pass the For The People Act (S1/HR1)

• work to register voters, or get out the vote (GOTV)

S1 prevents locking in partisan gerrymandered districts for 10 years! And, it would expose donors who pay for shady political ads, increase the impact of small grass-roots donors, and impose a code of ethical standards on elected officials. It would also make voting easier and more secure. 

US Senators Sinema and Manchin are critical to passing S1. 

The calling tool will automatically connect voters to their offices, to urge the Senators to do what is necessary to pass S1.

OR

Thursday, June 17
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
5 PM

The easy way to show your support for S1. Join Common Cause to write letters to the editor, with their special tool.  Organizers will be there to help you tell your personal story, find local papers, get it all in the word limit, and send it off.

VOTE
(all this week)
Don't forget to vote! Find your polling place at the link.
 

FUN

Wow!
She is truly the GOAT (greatest of all time). Look closely, and you'll see a sparkly goat on her costume.

Eclipse
In case you weren't up at the crack of dawn.

Bird ball
Hey, better than the Knicks!

Nature Photography Winners
Check out these winning photos from the Big Picture Competition

Daily Rothko
Get your daily image here

Canvas, Vote, Action!

Actions for Week of June 6, 2021

Canvas for Kim, Elect More Democrats, and Decide Who Runs NY

WEEKLY ACTION

Sunday, June 13
INDIVISIBLE DAY OF ACTION FOR KIM MOSCARITOLO

Robert Wagner Middle School
220 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021
1 PM - 3PM (canvassing)

and/or

4-6 PM Virtual Phone Bank to Get Out the Vote

Monday, June 7

COMPTROLLER AND MANHATTAN BOROUGHT PRESIDENT ROUNDUP
7PM - 8:30 PM

There's been a lot of focus on the mayoral race, but we've also got to choose a Comptroller (the city's CFO), and a borough president. This is your chance to talk about the issues, and the candidates, with other voters like you. This is not a debate (no candidates will be present).

Tuesday June 8, 2021 
BUILDING PROGRESSIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE AND LOCAL PARTIES
8 PM

In order to spread a progressive agenda we can't just concentrate on federal races. We need grassroots relationships at the local and state level too.  This helps get better candidates, increases local turnout, and stops dangerous GOP attempts to suppress the vote and cut back on equal rights.

Featuring:
* Saira Amir Draper, Director of Voter Protection, Democratic Party of Georgia.
* Chaunté Gilmore, Director, New Leaders Council, Oklahoma Chapter.
* Timicia Grant, Lead Organizer, Greenville County, Register 46 Voter Registration Team, South Carolina Democratic Party.
* Alyse Maye Quade, Political and Organizing Director, Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.

* Moderator: Anne Isenhower, Member, Advisory Team, Action Together Network.

Thursday, June 10
COMPTROLLER DEBATE (NY!)
7 PM

Saturday, June 12
WE ACT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP CANDIDATES FORUM FOR MANHATTAN DA
10 AM

Find out how the DA candidates intend to tackle environmental racism in our community. Members will also have an chance to ask them questions.

NY VOTING INFORMATION

• Don’t forget, early voting starts this Saturday, June 12! Rank choice voting applies (except for DA).

• In case you missed the Manhattan Borough President debate on NY1, the recording is here.

FUN

Martian clouds
They’re iridescent! 

Why did the chicken, puma, deer, coyote cross the road?
To get to the other side!

Sure, we’ve all seen illuminated books, but how about illuminated cookies?
Definitely too pretty to eat

Thunder only happens when it's raining
Fleetwood Mac and friends at the Palladium in London

Watch the eclipse
If you're a super-early riser, watch the sky on the morning of June 10 for a ring of fire eclipse
 

**** Your steering committee: Jodi, Margo, Nicole, and Jonathan

People Power!

Actions for Week of May 30

Insist on health care, stamp out voter suppression, and going to the candidate debate

NY HEALTH ACT

With Obamacare hanging in the balance, pending a Supreme Court decision, the NY Health Act is more important than ever.  Too many of us -- whether we are insured or not -- simply can’t afford the health care we need (if you need further proof, look at the enormous bills left behind by the pandemic). 

Use the easy tool at the link to tell our state legislators, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie that we want a vote on the New York Health Act before the legislature adjourns in June.

SENATE RACES IN SWING STATES

Write postcards to folks who voted for the first time in 2020, helping to make sure Democrats stay engaged and make voting a habit for these crucial upcoming elections.

TurnOut Pac will send you free postcards, you provide the stamps and write in their message and addresses. (Minimum order is 200 postcards).

FOR THE PEOPLE ACT
Tuesday June 1
5:30 PM - 8PM

or 

Saturday, June 5
4 PM-6:30 PM

Stop voter suppression by passing the For the People Act! Call West Virginians and patch them through to Senator Manchin. Tell him democracy matters, and we want to keep it. The goal is 3,000 patch throughs to Manchin (current total is 1,000). 

Wednesday, June 2
MAYORAL CANDIDATE DEBATE
7 PM, ABC-TV

FUN

You snooze, you lose
Ha ha ha!

Feed the birds!
Feed me! Feed me mama!

Hear the NY whales
Translation:  IIIIIII love New York

Black hole group noun vote
What should a group of black holes be called? Vote for your favorite(s) at this poll put up by Kelly Holley-Bockelmann of the NASA LISA Study Team (It’s ranked choice, so good practice for the primary).

Nothing I can say, partial eclipse of the sun. 
Join the AMNH on June 4, at 1 PM to learn about the eclipse coming on June 10.

**** Your steering committee: Jodi, Margo, Nicole, and Jonathan

Establish Justice (and Keep It)

Actions for Week of May 24, 2021

Special weekly action, write for the jobs act, and halt climate disruption

Thursday, May 27
7 PM
ZOOM

We need to pass S1 and stop the filibuster. And do it now.  Otherwise, our progressive agenda is dead in the water. 

Arizona Senator Sinema is refusing to go along.  So, we’re going to call people in Arizona, have them contact her, and insist that she stand with democracy, not Mitch McConnell.

Sign up here to make calls with us. We will start with a brief training, so no worries if you're new to phone banking!

Monday, May 24
RANKED CHOICE VOTING TEACH-IN
7pm

If you missed our ranked choice voting forum, still aren’t sure how it works, or would like a refresher, you can get the rundown with Markers for Democracy. They will explain it all to you, and demonstrate how it works.

MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM
7 PM/7:45 PM

We Act for Environmental Justice is hosting a series of candidate forums. The first, for mayor, will feature Shaun Donovan and Maya Wiley. Forty minutes for each candidate, starting with Mr. Donovan, so tune in for the candidate you want to hear from.

Wednesday, May 26
AMERICAN JOBS ACT LETTER WRITING
8PM

Team up with Swing Left to support the American Jobs Plan.  This will fund repairs to crumbling infrastructure, expand broadband access, invest in green jobs, and help protect our environment. 

All you need is a few stamps, some paper, and a pen.
 

Any time
NYS CLIMATE BALLOT INITIATIVE

We all know there’s an election coming soon. But, did you know there will also be a climate ballot initiative?  I confess I didn’t! 

A coalition of Indivisibles and other groups is working to get out the news about this. The goal is to guarantee clean air and water for all New Yorkers. More details here.

We know you have a strong interest in environmental issues, so we’d like one or two people to help out on this and spread the word.

Hit reply to join up and save the planet. Since there’s no Planet B.
 

FUN

Patrick Stewart in Macbeth
Tomorrow tomorrow and tomorrow...engage!

Seeger sessions with Bruuuce
Not what you might expect, but fun!

Oscar Peterson
C Jamm Blues

A different kind of jammin'
A little palate cleanser (after Macbeth)

Cocktails with a Curator
It's hot and sticky out there.  Cool off with a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) and find out a bit about ancient Chinese art at the same time.