IC-SS Weekly News: July 31, 2023
See You *This Thursday* at the Nile!
Democracy in the US depends on democracy in the states! This Thursday, August 3rd, we’re turning our eyes to Virginia, in advance of their state legislative elections in the fall. (And again on Tuesday, August 22nd.)
New Letter Parties: Aug 3 + 22
Join our Vote Forward leader Steve Kagan and IC-SS friends to write letters to Virginia voters in swing districts – on Thursday August 3 and Tuesday August 22. This letter campaign targets people who are unlikely to vote but are likely to vote for Democrats when they do cast a ballot. Sign up for one or both dates!
Will you write with us? We’ll meet Thursday this week (Aug 3) and again on Tuesday, August 22, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Nile Restaurant – 1162 E 55th St – on the outdoor patio (indoors if weather or air is bad). Sign up
- We’ll provide a few appetizers for the table and encourage everyone to support the Nile by purchasing their own meals and soft drinks.
- The Nile is BYOB, so feel free to bring wine or beer.
- If you can, bring along first-class stamps for the letters.
- Most important, bring yourself!
Ohio Update: 18 Writers, 250+ Letters
In July, we’ve written over 250 letters to Ohio voters, urging them to vote no on the state’s anti-democracy measure, Issue 1. Add to this Steve Kagan’s personal total of over 1000 letters (!) and a nationwide total of over 250,000.
All told, 18 Indivisible Chicago-South Side friends joined in the letter-writing this month. Can we top that number in August? Sign up
Thanks to July writers Barb Schmidt, Barbara Brotman, Betsy Rubin, Carlton Ferrono, Clairan Ferrono, David Derbes, Elaine Hadley, Esther Peters, Joyce Mannis, Kathleen Atlass, Lisa Oppenheim, Sarah Lincoln, Sarah Rubin, Sophia Watson, Stephanie Weaver, Steve Kagan, Teri Watkins, William Weaver.See you in August!
Tell Members of Congress: Act on SCOTUS
MAGA Supreme Court judges, bankrolled by billionaires, have ruled to make freedom a luxury for only the straight, wealthy, white few. We must make the United States a place where people of all races, backgrounds, and genders are free to learn, love and thrive.
Toward that end, Democratic senators have introduced the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 — the SCERT (“skirt”) Act.
Senator Durbin is an original co-sponsor of the SCERT bill. However, Senator Duckworth is not yet a co-sponsor.
ACT TO END CORRUPTION: Let’s ask our senators to end corruption and hold corrupt Supreme Court judges accountable by passing the SCERT bill.To encourage our senators, you can:
- Thank Senator Dick Durbin for his co-sponsorship and for his work on the Judiciary Committee in support of the SCERT bill. Contact info for Senator Durbin
- Urge Senator Tammy Duckworth to become a co-sponsor of the SCERT bill. Contact info for Senator Duckworth
- OR: Connect with our two senators via national Indivisible – get more info and a script, and Indivisible will directly connect you to each senator. Find the info/take action here.
ANOTHER ACTION: You can also contact our senators and reps and ask them to support the Judiciary Act of 2023, which would expand the Supreme Court. National Indivisible gives info and helps you connect.
Organizations and Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Be a Court Watcher
From the Coalition to End Money Bond and the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice: Join the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice for another round of community court watching! Starting in September, we’ll be watching pretrial hearings across the state to monitor the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act.
Participants will receive training on how to record observations from these pretrial hearings. Sign up here.
Volunteers must be able to attend one training and take at least two shifts (each lasting between 2-5 hours) observing pretrial hearings in the county they were trained in between Monday and Friday during September or October. Trainings will take place virtually but all court watching will happen in-person. Sign up.
You Can Help Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers continue to arrive in Chicago, and the City of Chicago is struggling to find shelter and services for them. Read:
- A day with Chicago migrants: Sleeping in tents, hoping for progress: WBEZ article
- Updates from Alice Yin, Tribune reporter: Twitter thread
VOLUNTEER: Volunteer with the District 2 Chicago Police Station Response team by preparing or delivering meals to people sleeping at Districts 2 & 3: Meal Train for Districts 2 & 3
DONATE: Support the all-volunteer Chicago Police Station Response Team here.
Newsletter Notes
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