When the news is bad, make better news
We’re about one year away from the Most Important Election of Our Lifetime. (Sorry to keep saying that, but it’s always true!) And we’re just six days away from some critical state elections that will set the tone for the year ahead. It’s no time to be fretting over the Middle East or Ukraine. Or the president’s approval numbers or the new House speaker. Or the migrants crisis or climate change. The healthy thing to do when the news is bad is to make some good. Now’s the time to get busy:
- Join the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for their One Year to Win weekend. They’re phone banking to connect with voters for the election season to come, and to protect state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz from Republicans’ ridiculous threats of impeachment. In addition, a crew from Indivisible Chicago is joining them to canvass in Kenosha this Saturday
- In Ohio, meanwhile, Democrats and abortion rights activists are phone banking to pass an amendment that will protect women’s reproductive rights in the state constitution—a measure that has moved Ohio Republicans to new heights of lowness. Join the fight here
- Or join our comrades at Sister District Greater Chicago to phone bank for a blue Virginia. They’re aiming to flip the state House by focusing on two key districts. According to Democratic guru Simon Rosenberg, polling and fundraising look good in Virginia but we need a little ground game to get over the top. That’s you.
Since 2020 we’ve scored win after win over extremists, authoritarians, and reactionaries clinging desperately to their power and privilege. The only way to be rid of them is to keep winning.
➔ Phone bank this weekend with Wisconsin Dems
➔ Canvass in Kenosha Saturday with Indivisible Chicago
➔ Phone bank through November 7 to protect abortion rights in Ohio
➔ Phone bank Wednesday night and/or Saturday to turn Virginia blue
Winter is coming: How you can help our new neighbors
Closer to home, our colleagues at Indivisible Chicago-South Side are calling attention to the plight of our asylum-seeking neighbors as winter sets in:
“Our neighbors are still staying at police stations. But since many busloads continue to be sent to Chicago from Texas, there are hundreds of people awaiting shelter placement at each police station and they cannot all fit inside the buildings. The recent drop in temperature is a problem; people are trying to live in tents while the weather dips into the 30’s.” Here are two ways to help:
- Donate coats: Block Club Chicago reports that a national nonprofit is working with the city to provide 18,000 coats to migrants. One Warm Coat asks people to collect coats and drop them off with a local partner. Coats must be clean and have functional zippers or buttons. Find dropoff locations and instructions here.
- Support the purchase of needed supplies: Brenda Delgado, lead volunteer for the Chicago Police Station Response Team in police districts 2 and 3, is purchasing items to fulfill specific needs at those stations. Crucial supplies include clothing, tents, tarps, hand warmers, and other items to make outdoor living endurable as Chicago winter approaches. To help purchase needed items you can send funds to Brenda Delgado via Venmo.
Save the date: November 16 is Blue Thursday
As we devoutly hope you know by now, Blue Thursday is our (almost) monthly political mixer/happy hour, held at Blue Beginning World Headquarters, aka the Hideout Inn, aka the coolest bar in town. We gather, have a drink, and mingle with fellow progressives, pols, and political insiders. This month we’ll hear from ultra-insiders, namely Robert Creamer and Pete Giangreco, two Democratic strategists/campaign consultants who between them have worked dozens if not hundreds of statewide and national campaigns. They’ll survey the political landscape and tell us what to look for, and look out for, in the year ahead.
The bar opens at 5:30, program starts at 6. Blue Thursday is free and open to all, but please let us know you’re coming. And bring a few friends!