IC-SS News: April 10, 2024
Our Letter Writers Make a Difference
When it comes to voter turnout in key districts, do our letters matter?
YES, says Vote Forward: “Over the past six years, Vote Forward has tested the effectiveness of its letters on voter turnout more than 20 times through RCTs [randomized-controlled trials]—the gold standard in research for evaluating the effectiveness of a particular intervention—and measured a positive impact nearly every time.”
Vote Forward reports they have “consistently demonstrated that Vote Forward letters mobilize voters at the polling booth and via absentee ballot, in multiple states, and in multiple types of elections.” Learn more on Vote Forward’s impact page and on their labs page.
Let’s Keep Writing – See You Wed., April 24
Thanks to the 21 people who turned out last week at the Nile to write letters to Michigan and Arizona voters — and to all who donated stamps.
Join us again on Wednesday, April 24th, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Nile Restaurant (1162 E. 55th). RSVP here (or email your full name, cell phone number, and attendance date to Indiv.Chi.South@gmail.com).
Letters to voters, good food, camaraderie at the Nile – RSVP here
How does it work? Our generous letter leader, Steve Kagan, brings pens, envelopes, and pre-printed Vote Forward letters for you to personalize to help get out the vote in key states and districts. We get a plate of appetizers for the table, and you can purchase your own meal.
We encourage you to bring first-class stamps to donate, and you’re welcome to bring wine or beer to share. But the most important thing is to be there! RSVP here.
21 letter writers last week – special thanks to letter leader Steve Kagan!
Can I Write from Home?
Yes! You can write letters on your own, too.
Register for a free Vote Forward account, and get all the necessary tools and information. You just need envelopes, paper, a printer, first-class postage stamps, and a pen. If you’re writing letters on your own, let us know so we can include your name and your number of letters in the overall count for our group.
Plan Your Actions: April 2024
It’s 2024 – time to act. In this vital election year, Indivisible Chicago Alliance will be focusing on races in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. For ways to get involved, check ALL the April 2024 options on the Indivisible Chicago Alliance action calendar!
The calendar is a project of the citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance and is curated by Wendy Posner.
The Danger of Project 2025 – How to Respond
Have you been reading about Project 2025, the right-wing’s comprehensive plan to overturn democracy and take away our rights and freedoms?
What Is Project 2025?
Media Matters describes the Republicans’ Project 2025 as “a comprehensive transition plan organized by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to guide the next GOP presidential administration… Its extreme agenda represents a threat to democracy, civil rights, the climate, and more.”
Graphic from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE)
Read more about the authoritarian Project 2025:
- A Guide to Project 2025, the Extreme Right-Wing Agenda for the Next Republican Administration (from Media Matters)
- Project 2025: The Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism (from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE)
- Expose Project 2025 (from Accountable.US)
Indivisible’s Response: Don’t Let Them Win
Indivisible Chicago-South Side will continue to act with the Indivisible Chicago Alliance to provide opportunities to prevent a second Trump presidency and GOP control of Congress. But you can also act with national Indivisible through their “Project 2024: Majority Over MAGA.”
National Indivisible writes: Through Project 2024: Majority Over MAGA, Indivisibles across the country will work to turn out a winning electoral coalition in key races that will win a new Democratic trifecta.
No matter where you live, you’ll be able to plug in to the highest-priority races in the country through our national volunteer program that will bring people power to the places it’s needed most. This work will include tried-and-true tactics like phone banking, postcarding, and direct-to-voter texting — as well as our groundbreaking community canvassing strategy, Neighbor2Neighbor, in target races and competitive elections.
Sign up [with national Indivisible] now, and we’ll send you everything you need to join in when we launch our tools in your area. Together, we will save our democracy, restore reproductive freedom, defeat Trump (again), and finally end the MAGA threat.
Organizations & Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Learn about the FOP Contract
From the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression (CAARPR): The fight for community control of the police is heating up! We are excited to invite you to get trained on the anti-accountability measures in the Fraternal Order of Police Contract, why the police need to be held accountable, and how we’re going to win the power to do it.
Trainings are held on Zoom or in person as indicated:
- Monday 4/8 at 8 pm
- Friday 4/12 at 7 pm (in-person)
- Thursday 4/18 at 8 pm
- Saturday 4/20 at 10am
- Wednesday 4/24 at 7pm (in-person)
In-person meetings will be held at the CAARPR office at 6350 S Cottage Grove Ave. Register here.
Investing in Pretrial Justice in IL: April 18
From the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice: Join the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice on Thursday, April 18th at 6:00 pm for the virtual launch event of our new report: Investing in Pretrial Justice in Illinois: A Vision for Supporting Communities After the End of Money Bond.
While the end of money bond is what caught headlines, the Pretrial Fairness Act went far beyond ending wealth-based jailing—it transformed the state’s pretrial legal system. These changes have led to questions about whether certain court actors, law enforcement agencies, and service providers need additional funding to adapt to the new system. “Investing Pretrial Justice In Illinois” responds to these urgent questions and puts forward a framework to holistically address them.
This event will take place online and feature an overview of the new report along with two short panel discussions with public defenders and service providers about the resources our communities need to thrive!
Featured Speakers: Briana Payton (Chicago Appleseed), Colette Payne (Women’s Justice Institute), Lauren Wright (Illinois Partners in Human Services), Stephanie Kollmann (Children Family Justice Center), and more. Register here.
Indivisible Chicago-South Side
Email: Indiv.Chi.South@gmail.com
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Co-Leaders: Esther Peters,Betsy Rubin, Teri Watkins, Sarah Lincoln
About: Group & Co-Leader Statements
Newsletter Notes
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