IC-SS Weekly News: November 27, 2023
Vote Forward Letters – Results: This Thursday
In 2023, thirty members and friends of Indivisible Chicago-South Side wrote letters to voters in key districts and states, including Ohio, Wisconsin, and Virginia. This summer and fall, we wrote over 2000 Vote Forward letters, included in the total of over 1.15 million sent by writers this year with Vote Forward.
Webinar on Vote Forward Results
Do our Vote Forward letters really make a difference? (Hint: The answer is YES.) Vote Forward conducts experiments and tracks results. Now they’re ready to report on last year’s work. This Thursday, November 30th at 7:00 pm CT, join an online video call on 2022 Data & Research Results.
Sign up here to attend the Vote Forward webinar on 2022 Data & Research Results. Thursday, November 30th 7:00 pm CT.
Vote Forward Shout-Out
Vote Forward gave Indivisible Chicago-South Side a visual shout-out on social media, using one of our photos in their Thanksgiving greetings. Look for our October mailing photo at the top left. We thank Vote Forward for providing us with the opportunity to reach voters in other states — we thank letter leader Steve Kagan and all letter writers for your work!
Indivisible IL Panel on Migrant Crisis: Dec 4
From Indivisible Illinois: Join Indivisible Illinois Monday, December 4th at 6:30pm on Zoom for a discussion panel on the Migrant Crisis: Causes, Challenges, and Solutions. By understanding the causes, challenges, and potential solutions, we hope to foster empathy, cooperation, and informed decision-making in addressing this global issue.
The panelists are Rep. Delia Ramirez – U.S. Congresswoman, IL03; Fred Tsao – Senior Policy Counsel, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant Refugee Rights; and Dr. Janice Jayes – Professor of History specializing in Human Movement in a World of Nation-States, Illinois State University.
To attend the Migrant Crisis: Causes, Challenges, and Solutions webinar on Zoom, Mon Dec. 4th, 6:30 pm, register here.
Defend Democracy – Resist Autocracy
We’ve got our eyes open to the threat posed not only by Donald Trump but by all his MAGA backers in Congress and powerful groups like the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. Join the fight – stay in the fight!
Understand the Threat
- Learn about the far-right Project 2025
- Analysis Exposes Trumpian Project 2025 as Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism – by Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams
- Project 2025: The Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism –
by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE)
- Analysis Exposes Trumpian Project 2025 as Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism – by Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams
- Learn about the dangerous agenda of Trump and allies:
- Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term – Washington Post
- Trump’s Immigration Plan Is a New Level of Extreme – Mother Jones
- Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term – Washington Post
Please feel free to suggest other authors, organizations, or articles to share.
Get Active
2024 is right around the corner. Whether you have a lot of time or a little, you can help protect our democracy and prevent autocracy. Some options:
- Get involved with Indivisible Chicago-South Side – find events and actions in our weekly newsletter (this!) and follow us on Facebook
- Indivisible Chicago-South Side is a local chapter of the Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA). Learn more at the Indivisible Chicago Alliance website & sign up for ICA Daily Actions (M-F each week) and other alerts
- Follow national Indivisible at the Indivisible website
- Follow Swing Left at the Swing Left website
- Follow Sister District at the Sister District website
Organizations and Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Community Banquet in Woodlawn – This Thursday
From First Presbyterian Church of Chicago: Join us Thursday Nov. 30th at 5:00 pm at First Presbyterian for an evening of love and solidarity. Enjoy delicious West African cuisine from Dozzy’s Grill, music, friendship and fun!
Come along to be a part of inter-generational and cross-cultural conversations with our community members. We will welcome new neighbors in our community. We will also have an optional conversation you can join: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (this interactive and peaceful conversation will be led by Rev. Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding). Sign up.
Banquet: Thursday, Nov. 30th, 5 pm at First Presbyterian, 6400 S. Kimbark
Volunteers needed on Nov. 29th to set up and Nov. 30th (All volunteers will also be able to partake in the food, fun and conversation.)
- Register to attend and/or volunteer: RSVP/sign up here
- Help support this important community event: Donate here via Paypal (please write “Nov. 30 banquet” in memo line)
Treatment Not Trauma Panel Discussion: This Wed.
From UIC’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP): Join UIC’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and co-sponsors for a timely conversation about the work ahead to support mental health wellness and people experiencing a mental health crisis. (You may attend in person or virtually.)
This panel will discuss Chicago’s long history of organizing for public mental health services, the Treatment Not Trauma campaign, the importance of this for Black and Latinx communities, and how to ensure that mental health services are attentive to the needs of people with disabilities.
Panelists Include: Arturo Carrillo, Deputy Director of Health & Violence Prevention, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council; Jessica Gimeno, Mental Health Policy Analyst, Access Living; Rossana Rodríguez-Sanchez, Chicago Alderwoman for the 33rd Ward; Kathryn Bocanegra, Assistant Professor, UlC Jane Addams School of Social Work; Brenikki Floyd, Associate Dean for Community Engagement, UIC School of Public Health
- When: Wednesday, Nov 29, 4:00-5:30pm
- Where: UIC School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor (or virtual)
- RSVP: To attend either in person or online, register here.
Building a Welcoming Future – Virtual Event, Dec 7
From ICIRR: On Thursday, December 7th at 12:00 noon, ICIRR is hosting an online community panel discussion Building a Welcoming Future: Caring for All. Leaders who’ve worked on the ground in Black & Brown communities will discuss current tensions and how to build solidarity to create a society that cares for everyone.
To be livestreamed at ICIRR’s Facebook page and on YouTube. Sign up here for reminders and links to the event.
Panelists include Rev. Julian DeShazier (Senior Pastor, University Church), Andrea Ortiz-Landin (Director of Organizing, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council), Dixon Romeo (Executive Director, Not Me We), and Fasika Alem (Programs Director, United African Organization). Sign up here.
Donate – Concord MB Church Winter Clothing Drive
From Concord MB Church: Concord MB Church, at 6319 S. Kimbark, is asking for donations of new or clean and gently used hats, gloves, scarves, boots, and winter coats.(Please donate these items only.)
100% of your donations will be given to Woodlawn’s homeless and to asylum seekers staying in Wadsworth School or elsewhere in the district. To arrange drop-off:
- Email cmbc6319@gmail.com or info@chicago4all.org
- Call 773-363-1377 (this is an office phone; not for texting)
Give to the RonnieMan Holiday Toy Drive
The ninth annual RonnieMan Holiday Toy Drive is underway. The toy drive is organized by founder Dorothy Holmes, whose son Ronald “RonnieMan” Johnson III was killed by a police officer in 2014. Get the full story in this Block Club Chicago story.
Read Block Club Chicago’s toy drive story
Ways to give to the RonnieMan Toy Drive:
- Drop off unwrapped new toys or gift cards for young teens at Chicago Torture Justice Center, 6337 S. Woodlawn or other locations.
- Donate to the RonnieMan Toy Drive’s GoFundMe.
- Buy items from the drive’s Amazon wish list.
- Get more info in the Block Club Chicago story.
