Persist and Resist – July 20, 2020
Message from Mavis Brauer, Chair, Prescott Indivisible
Twitter
As we’re getting closer to the election, The Twitter Army is stepping up the amplification of our collective progressive voice. If you go on Twitter and would like a quick and easy way to join our megaphone, let me know. We’d be thrilled to have you join us! Contact: chair@prescottindivisible.org
Voter Values Project
The Voter Values Project has been working hard to notify Independents in Yavapai County of the importance of signing up for the Permanent Early Voter List. The group has also been gathering surveys from Independent voters and is now emailing those survey respondents with information on electoral issues. This effort is being done to educate and sway independents.
The VVP has sent out 3200 (with 1400 more to be mailed next week) postcards to date with texting to voters receiving postcards who have a cell phone listed. Our goal is to send 10,000 postcards before the middle of October.
We need additional help with texting. Contact Louise Clara to volunteer – lclara5250@msn.com
Racial Equity Education
Last week I asked for your recommendations and I received these two responses, the first of which was anonymous.
1. “I highly recommend “The Vote” that is streaming on PBS free for the month of July. It addresses a number of issues – feminism, racism, suffrage and the importance of the vote.
I also recommend the PBS three part documentary “Asians” that highlights the historical racism toward Asians in America. Many people do not know they suffered the same issues as black Americans – no representation, lynching, ostracization, no access to citizenship, and more.”
2. I received the second recommendation from Charles Matheus of The Rocket Feather Podcast at rocketfeather.com.
“If I can be so bold as to recommend one of our recent podcast episodes. Last month we interviewed a young man who was a mentee of mine but who descended into darkness and joined a white supremacist gang. His story of getting in and getting out is chilling, inspiring, and uplifting. Hayden is now an outspoken supporter of #blacklivesmatter and of anti-racism in general.
Our podcast is ad-free and we don’t make any money doing it. We hope adding a local podcast to your list of resources will be a helpful community-building addition to your newsletter. Here’s the Link to the episode on our website.”
A Reminder of the Principles of Prescott Indivisible
- Resist Trump’s agenda. We believe Trump’s agenda is racist, misogynistic, authoritarian, and corrupt, and it must be stopped.
- Embrace progressive values. We model inclusion, respect, and fairness in all of our actions.
- Coordinate and collaborate. We partner with other Indivisible groups on advocacy, elections, and national Indivisible campaigns.
- Build a strong and strategic movement. We focus our efforts to maximize our impact, winning progressive policy victories and taking power at the local, state, and federal level.
Really? There is a pandemic?
Trump’s Wall is lined with coffins, but Mr. “I don’t take responsibility at all” placed blame on Dr. Anthony Fauci this week. “I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci” on Monday, turned into an attack a day later – “…a nice man, but he’s made a lot of mistakes”. Who believes? – 67% for Fauci; 27% for the other guy.
As I was writing this, Trump told Chris Wallace on FOX News: that some of the states are rolling back their reopening not because of the ravages of new coronavirus infections, but because they are trying to hurt his chances of reelection. “Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day. They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test. Many of them — don’t forget, I guess it’s like 99.7 percent, people are going to get better and in many cases they’re going to get better very quickly,” he said.
Maybe their moms dunked those young people in Clorox!
News from our front line: YC Community Health Services no longer reports Covid-19 cases on weekends.
On 7/17, Yavapai Co. had 1329 confirmed cases; 26 deaths and 516 recoveries. So there are 813 active cases in the county.
On 7/13, 5 days prior, there were 1,167 positive cases, 15 deaths and 480 recoveries. There were 687 active cases in the county.
In five days there were 126 more active cases in the county.
How do you protect yourself, your loved ones? Wear a mask everytime you go out of the house; stay home as much as possible, wash those hands, and socially distance.
Many of the big box stores are now requiring masks. There is no ADA (American Disabilities Act) exemption for masks. However, the CDC says children under 2 and people who have trouble breathing, are unconscious, incapacitated or can’t take off a mask without help shouldn’t wear one. That’s it!
I had to take care of a number of things this weekend and couldn’t “stay home”. What I observed – WalMart, PV – everyone entering was wearing a mask; everyone socially distanced. Fry’s, Miller Valley Rd., same thing. Trader Joe’s – same, with store limit of 50. It seems that the “herd instinct” is catching on here, but what about visitors who do not comply, because there is no statement requesting compliance by the cities/towns?
Mask Donations Continue! Prescott Indivisible and the Democratic Women of the Prescott Area and other community members have now donated over 5,000 masks to the Navajo Nations. Masks are still needed, so if you sew, please contribute. Contact Maria Lynam, maria488@icloud.com.
EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR A MASK!
Our local politicians refuse to pass any local ordinance requiring masks, leaving it to the “public conscience”, but here are three actions you can take:
1. PLEASE MAKE SPECIFIC REQUESTS to the PRESCOTT, PRESCOTT VALLEY AND CHINO VALLEY MAYORS AND COUNCILS as follows:
Formal Action Agenda Item for Mandatory Use of Cloth Face Coverings
The citizens of _______ deserve to know your reasons for being one of the few cities in Arizona (and a popular tourist destination) to refuse to mandate the wearing of cloth face coverings except when not feasible for medical reasons or for children under the age of two. It seems that the majority of public opinion favors wearing of cloth face coverings when out in public. We deserve to know the reasons that each and every one of you have for not considering such an ordinance. Yavapai Co. is accelerating in cases and deaths.
If you want to avoid deepening our economic crisis and save lives, you must de-weaponize those who are still well and mandate mask wearing.
Please consider drafting an ordinance and placing this item for discussion on the next regular City Council agenda. There are plenty of cities in Arizona with good ordinances that can used as an example.
RESPONSE TO THIS COMMENT IS REQUESTED.
Send to: Prescott
michael.lamar@prescott-az.gov (City Mgr)
greg.mengarelli@prescott-az.gov (Mayor)
Council:
steve.blair@prescott-az.gov billie.orr@prescott-az.gov
steve.sischka@prescott-az.gov alexa.scholl@prescott-az.gov
phil.goode@prescott-az.gov cathey.rusing@prescott-az.gov
Prescott Valley
Mayor Kell Palguta – mayor@pvaz.net
council@pvaz.net
Chino Valley
Darryl L. Croft, Mayor – dcroft@chinoaz.net
Council:
Jwmiller@chinoaz.net mbest@chinoaz.net
ckelly@chinoaz.net cmendoza@chinoaz.net
aperkings@chinoaz.net lturner@chinoaz.net
2. Sign this petition; it will be presented to the Prescott City Council and the Mayor at the next public meeting.
3. Dear-Doug – Gov. Doug Ducey insists, “this is not a crisis situation,” even as the state’s COVID-19 death toll has climbed to nearly 2,800 people. His inaction has led to a total of 143,624 virus cases in Arizona. Measures of hospital stress remain high.
Now, frustrated Arizonians can go to Dear-Doug.com, which generates letters to Ducey to be used for email, web form, Facebook, phone text, or US mail. There are simple instructions on the website. For example: “DEAR DOUG, Arizona is in danger. We are citizens who have science-based ideas to keep AZ safe. And, we’ve got a message for you!” appears on the new website. By clicking on “Today’s Message,” the site automatically creates a fact-based message for Gov. Ducey. The message will change every few days, depending on the news of the day. Visitors can copy the latest message and paste it online or on paper.
Trump sends in the G(OP)estapo!
Last Friday, the acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, referred to protestors in Portland as “anarchists” because they are demanding that police stop using excessive force in interactions with Black Americans. Wolf authorized the use of DHS officers in military combat gear to arrest protestors by throwing them into unmarked vans. See NYTimes, “US Official Visits Portland, Calls Protesters’ Anarchists’.” In effect, Trump is using the Department of Homeland Security to supplant the local police function—a function that is reserved to the states by the 10th Amendment to the Constitution.
The Portland mayor has demanded that the federal officers leave the city, and the Oregon Attorney General has filed suit against DHS to stop the arrests. See Forbes, “Outcry In Oregon: State Sues Homeland Security As National, Local Officials Tell Troops To Get Out.” The federal agents are “masked, camouflaged [and] without identification badges” as they push protestors into unmarked vans, leading to confusion and fear over who, if anyone, those officers are representing. They are acting like a “secret police”—a hallmark of dictatorships. See USA Today, “‘Secret police force’: Feds reportedly pull Portland protesters into unmarked vehicles, stirring outrage.”
It is clear that Trump is using Homeland Security to make a show of “law and order” for his shrinking base. Trump knows that he cannot declare martial law in Portland because the courts, the police, and the local government are still functioning. The purpose of martial law is to restore the operation of civil government. Trump is attempting to make an end-run around this limitation on martial law by using Customs and Border Patrol agents to arrest American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights. State and local officials have told the federal government they do not want its help. That should be the end of the matter. As usual, Trump is making a bad situation worse. (courtesy of Blog of Arizona)
Primary Election Information
Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Ballots were mailed on Wed. July 8.
Early voting has started.
IF YOU SEND IN YOUR BALLOT BY MAIL, PLEASE SEND IT IN EARLY! Mail delivery can be problematic, so allow for delays.
- If you are a registered Independent, Other, Party Not Designated, or Green Party and are on the Permanent Early Voting List, you must tell the Yav. Co. Recorder’s Office which party ballot you want mailed. Call 928-771-3248 or visit yavapai.us/GoVote to request a one-time early ballot. You do not have to re-register!
- You can register to vote anytime. It is too late to register for the Primary.
- Election materials cannot be forwarded. If you have changes to your residential or mailing address, call 928-771-3248 or visit www.servicearizona.com to update your information.
- Wed. July 29 – Last day to mail a ballot
- Fri. July 31 – Last day to vote early – in person
- Tues., Aug. 4 Election Day – Vote Centers (aka Polling Places) are open 6am-7pm
- Click here for all Voter information, including locations of drop boxes, voting centers, hours, etc. Our Board of Elections is a phenomenal resource; please contact them with questions.
- How safe is it to vote in person? Very – read this!
Want to be a Poll Watcher?
aka Election Observer, 2 hour shifts – contact Vivian Perry, vivianperry45@msn.com
Don’t forget to vote for ALL THREE AZ CORPORATION COMMISSION CANDIDATES ON THE DEMOCRATIC BALLOT.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our Endorsed Candidates continue to need your assistance. What can you do to help them?
1. Open your pocketbook – contribute on ActBlue or send a check!
2. VOTE! Judy requests that you only vote for her in the primary and presidential elections.
3. Volunteer! Click on the logo below to volunteer help out. John needs postcard writers!
Yavapai County Ferris Wheel Project – Tuesday, July 21st, at 4 pm, will host a phone bank to support the Native Vote 2020 effort!
“Join us for an evening of important voter mobilization with Rachel Hood, the Native American Outreach manager for the AZ Democratic Party. Register for this event at: https://www.mobilize.us/yavapaicounty/event/289152/ and share this event with your friends and family! We’ll do training on zoom and then use the virtual open phone bank to make calls. Can you help out for 2 hours? Democrats have been demoralized in this district for years. But this election is different, and with your help, we WILL flip the state Blue!”
Reply to this email madison.lisle@student.prescott.edu,, text, or call her (575-956-3035) if you can join us on Tuesday or if you have any questions. Then you will send the zoom link and directions on how to do the phone bank.
Mark Kelly Campaign – To phone bank for the campaign, contact Linda Meigs: 256-509-9414 or linda@meigsmade.com
Important Community Need!
PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE YAVAPAI CO. START-RIGHT BACKPACK PROGRAM -The annual backpack program now includes a Back-to-School Fair and hopes to provide backpacks with school supplies to 4,000 children from low-income, military, and families affected by COVID-19. This is a joint effort between the Firefighter Angel Foundation, AZTV7 “Stuff the Bus”.
Yavapai County schools need more help this year because of increased need; due to budget cuts, schools are limited in what they can provide.
These past few months have been hard on everyone. If you are in a position to help a child this year, please do so. Donations can be mailed to the Yavapai County Food Bank, P. O. Box 4151, Prescott 86301, or donated on their website. Designate funds as “Yavapai Start-Right Program” or note “Backpacks” in the comments section. Funds not designated go towards the primary purpose of providing food and will not be captured as part of the backpack program.
AZResist has the latest information on progressive meetings and actions around the state.
PRESCOTT INDIVISIBLE
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Prescott Indivisible
P. O. Box 12694
Prescott, AZ 86304
