INDIVISIBLE VENTURA

Hi everyone!

(We are going to start today’s newsletter off with a rant. We’re upset over the ridiculously low turnout of the primary election, the unsurprisingly disappointing results and “OMG, with all that’s going on in the world”, how many on our side just couldn’t bring themselves to vote.)

We’re still slogging through the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, but we noted an increasing amount of organizations and people who are joining us in taking this well-advertised threat to democracy seriously. We are working with others to present a forum to introduce this monster to those just learning of it.

Why is awareness of Project 2025 important? Our primary elections had a shamefully low turnout of Democrats. From conversations we’ve had, Californians are resting easy in their belief of immunity to the creeping authoritarianism across our state borders and that we still have the privilege of refusing to vote, “boycotting Biden,” or voting for third party candidates, to “send a message.”

Message sent. To the GOP. And that message is that we are political naifs who are not even playing the same game.

This dangerous, radicalized minority has slowly, quietly, built up almost unassailable rule in statehouses across the nation. (Read David Pepper’s “Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines”). They’ve been infiltrating our courts with far-right, Christian nationalist jurists since the 80’s. We are seeing the damage now, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, along with other infuriating decisions.

Individual states have been test-driving parts of Project 2025 – book banning, criminalizing librarians and teachers, voter suppression, removal of abortion rights, suing people who aid in an abortion, and harsh laws against transgender individuals – these are all components. It is also now legally hazardous to organize a mass protest in Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas. These are not anomalies – they are well-organized experiments in repression and the successful strategies spread like a cancer to other states. If Project 2025 is installed with the election of a Republican president, these policies will ultimately become the law nationwide. California will not be spared.

We are not exaggerating when we say that Project 2025 is the most dangerous reversion of civil rights for women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and immigrants that our country has ever experienced, and it promises the destruction of public education, the environment, unions, freedom of speech, and even our most established social safety nets like Medicare, Social Security and Head Start, if Trump takes over.

The GOP is patiently waiting for us to make that final mistake – not actively supporting Biden over Trump in November – to spring their trap shut.

Reagan used 60% of the Heritage Foundation’s manifesto. Trump used 2/3rds of his version. If he returns, he will enact it all, along with his revenge-centric overlay of Agenda 47. If we can use climate-warming’s tipping point as an analogy, if Trump wins, we will wake up after the election to an America we no longer recognize.

ACTIONS
Join in. Spread the word to your social circles. The GOP has played the long game and they are ready to win.

Friends don’t let friends contribute to the fall of democracy. Find out more about Project 2025 with our TLDR link, (tinyurl.com/Project-2025-TLDR) and share with those who say they are going to boycott the election.

Link to the main landing page: https://indivisibleventura.org/2024/01/20/join-in-were-translating-project-2025-the-gops-plan-to-destroy-democracy/ This post contains our continued unveiling of this ±940 page manifesto and a number of actions you can do
right now.

LGBTQ Rights Action: The GOP is bullying minorities in America for political gain. Where have we seen this tactic before?
Health care Action: The GOP is lying about Medicare to enrich their corporate donors.
Immigration Rights Action: We need immigrants as much as they need us! Don’t let Republicans crash our economy!
Reproductive Rights Action: Project 2025’s goal is to ban abortion and contraceptives nationwide.

Emergency! Solar bills gutted & high utility bills will follow! Call state legislators TODAY and Monday

OK, team! Just in from the Indivisible CA Green Team – The Assembly Utility and Energy Committee allowed two good solar bills to be gutted, making them so meaningless that their authors pulled them from consideration.
This Wednesday, we have another shot, but the utility company shills do too!
Tell the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Chair Petri-Norris AND your own assemblymember that you want AB 1999- which caps utility taxes at $10/month, and AB 2256 – which requires the CPUC to consider benefits of rooftop solar in calculation of consumer credits, presented and PASSED!
https://indivisibleventura.org/2024/04/19/emergency-solar-bills-gutted-high-utility-bills-will-follow-call-state-legislators-today-and-monday/

EVENTS
Wednesday – 04/24/2024 – VENTURA – Ventura County Public Defender – Fresh Start Free Legal Clinics (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm) GEO-RCC, 4601 Telephone Road, Suite 102, Ventura.

Sunday – 04/28/2024 – OXNARD – SWAP MEET JUSTICE – SOCIAL JUSTICE FAIR returns to Oxnard College’s Marketplace from 9:00 am – 3:00! We are located near the gym.

Website: swapmeetjustice.org
sitio web: (español) swapmeetjustice.org/justicia-tianguera-espanol/
Media
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1160321378325097
- X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwapMeetJustice/status/1780001933337690378
- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5zIrx_PAtv/?img_index=1
Family Resources/Recursos Familiares: swapmeetjustice.org/family-resource-fair/
Expungement Clinic/Clínica de Expurgación: swapmeetjustice.org/expungment-fair/
Location/Mapa de localización: swapmeetjustice.org/location-mapa-de-localizacion/
Volunteer/Voluntarios: swapmeetjustice.org/volunteer-voluntarios/
- New Volunteer On-site Training – 8:30 am at each fair
- Teens welcome/We need bilingual speakers, but “English-only” welcome & necessary.
- We reserve the right to refuse services from any volunteer. This is a strictly non-partisan activity and no political clothing is allowed./ Nos reservamos el derecho de rechazar los servicios de cualquier voluntario. Esta es una actividad estrictamente no partidista y no se permite vestimenta política.
Call (805) 616-2715 (Hablamos español)

SPECIAL MAY EVENTS AND SERVICES / ¡EVENTOS y SERVICIOS ESPECIALES DE APRIL

FREE SHUTTLE BUS/Transporte Gratuito:(Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ventura, Nyland Acres and La Colonia) Information here/ Información aquí: https://swapmeetjustice.org/shuttlebus/

The College is having a family festival while we’re there! ¡La universidad está teniendo un festival familiar mientras estamos allí! https://www.oxnardcollege.edu/events/3rd-annual-oxnard-college-family-festival

Friday – 05/17/2024 – NEWBURY PARK – “1946 – The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture” film and discussion (7:00 pm) 3327 Old Conejo Rd, Newbury Park, CA

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON EVENT!

What if the word “homosexual” was never meant to be in the Bible?

This feature documentary chronicles the discovery of evidence that casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. “1946” is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring.

Event location: Chalice – 3327 Old Conejo Rd., Newbury Park, CA
Please register for the forum in advance here:
https://bit.ly/1946TheMistranslationThatShiftedCulture

Our program is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Sunday – 05/19/2024 – VENTURA – Paint It Blue (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm) Ventura Beach Marriott, Ventura

TICKETS & Event Info:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pib2024
A DCV gallery event to benefit endorsed Democratic candidates and support operations of the Democratic Club of Ventura.

Hosted champagne & cocktails, Hot & chilled hors d’oeuvres, Dessert buffet, coffee & tea

Keynote Speaker ~ Betty Yee, CA Democratic Party Vice Chair, CA State Controller 2015-2023 Candidate for CA Governor 2026
The Democracy Galleries Celebrating Liberty, Equality and Social Justice themes, a curated collection of works by local Ventura professional, college and high school artists
The Rule of Law Awards ~Honoring immigration, labor, pro bono, VC Public Defenders and the attorneys who embody Democratic values and ideals
Live jazz quartet ~
Cocktail attire ~ Gentlemen (he;him): jackets, Ladies (she;her): go sparkly, Gender neutral (they): joyous
Event Emcee & Electeds ~ To be announced April 2
Sponsor Committee in formation. Podium, program and publicity recognition awarded to corporate, small business, nonprofit, union, Dem club & individual sponsors. All sponsors enjoy preferred seating and additional cocktail tickets
-Golden Wave ~ $2500 (10 tix)
-Silver Wave ~ $1500 (8 tix)
-Blue Wave ~ $1000 (6 tix)
Ask about specially designed Dem Club & Union sponsorships: kraftomat@gmail.com

Tickets before April 8 ~ $85
Tickets after April 8 ~ $100

Field Team 6 Phone banks

Saturday – 04/27/2024 – VIRTUAL – Phone Bank – Register Dems in AZ (11:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Join Field Team 6 in calling eligible voters (likely Dems) in the crucial state of Arizona!You’ll be reaching out to get people registered as Democrats, or signed up to vote from home (vote by mail) if they’re already registered.Making sure people are registered to vote, and that they can vote safely from home, is a super-effective way to make a difference. In 2024, we can flip this seat back to a Democrat.But we need your help. Join us as we turn voices into votes! All training provided!Facebook link:

Facebook link: https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/576010/

Saturday – 05/11/2024 – VIRTUAL – Phone Bank – Register Dems in AZ (11:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Facebook link: https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/576010/

Saturday – 05/18/2024 – VIRTUAL – Phone Bank – Register Dems in AZ (11:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Facebook link: https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/576010/

TEXT BANKS

Thursdays – 04/25/2024 – 5/16/2024 – VIRTUAL – Text Bank – Register Dems in AZ (3:00 pm – 4:30 pm)

Help Field Team 6 text millions of unregistered likely Democrats in the key swing states before 2024’s elections!

We love free texting! We call it BYOP or Bring Your Own Phone, although it actually uses your own computer with an anonymized Google Voice number or Apple’s iMessage app. And it’s a great way to register new Democrats!

There are a few things you’ll need to set up on your computer but they aren’t difficult, and we provide all the training you need at our BYOP Boot Camp sessions. If you’re tech savvy and want to do the set up on your own, this training document provides all the information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RQeU1Z9YVpnqI0dLFD7CV2HBEgP–R2-OfGITkfd34g/edit?usp=sharing
Read more here and sign up: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/433467/EARTH DAY EVENTS

Thursday – 04/25/2024 – OXNARD – Celebrate Earth Day (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market, Plaza Park – 500 S. C St.
Visit Public Works staff on Thursday, April 25, 2024 between 9:00am and 1:00pm at the Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market (Plaza Park – 500 S. C St.) to get free conservation tools and tips to help you be more environmentally friendly at home!/ Celebra el Día de la Tierra 2024. Visite al personal de Obras Públicas el jueves 25 de abril de 2024 entre las 9:00 a.m. y la 1:00 p.m. en el mercado de agricultores del centro de Oxnard (Plaza Park – 500 S. C St.) para obtener herramientas de conservación y consejos gratuitos que le ayudarán a ser más ambientalmente responsable en su hogar.

Sunday – 04/28/2024 – SANTA PAULA – Earth Day Rally & Community Fair (12:00 pm – 3:00 pm) Veterans Memorial Park, 114 S 10th St. Santa Paula

CAUSE youth organizers and leaders from Santa Paula, Oxnard, and Ventura invite you to our first ever county-wide Earth Day on Sunday, April 28th! Join us at Veterans Memorial Park in Santa Paula for an Earth Day Rally, Community Fair, and to learn about ways you can get involved in our movement for environment justice – RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo4dQmmu4lO7ltEZXvq7sZlRog0FiHnnAVA6l4OLzo1oQ9nw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

OTHER NEWS
What should I do with my eclipse glasses now?
1. Donate your glasses to Eclipse Glasses USA. (https://eclipse23.com/pages/donate-eclipse-glasses) They are accepting donations through Aug. 1 so they can be sent to Latin America for school-aged children to view the October eclipse. You can contact the organization through the form here (https://eclipse23.com/pages/contact) or by e-mail at info@eclipse23.com. You can send the glasses to:

Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC
P.O. Box 50571
Provo, UT 84605
OR
Donate your glasses to Astronomers Without Borders. (https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/…/solar-glasses…) They collect solar eclipses glasses and gets them to locations around the world, including Africa and Asia, so people around the globe can enjoy eclipses safely.
– For Californians, you can send them to:
Lauren Maddock
3413 Pageant Dr,
Sacramento, CA 95826
– For other states, go here: (https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/…/solar-glasses…)

Wrrap – Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project

Share your story, a message, or a few kind words of encouragement and make a positive difference in someone’s life today. https://wrrap.org/get-involved/write-a-letter-to-a-clinic-or-woman/

SHARE ON YOUR MEDIA

#AidUkraineNOW! Toolkit to use: https://app.sosha.ai/toolkit/8f9ba849-96af-4429-b3cf-97bc939b637c
Clothing needed! (From Ventura County ACLU page). Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) is in dire need of gently used men’s clothing to ensure vulnerable patients are discharged in weather appropriate clothing. Pants, shoes, coats and jackets any size. Please drop off at 300 Hillmont Avenue lobby donation box outside the gift shop. Please pass along this message. It takes a village!

Please DONATE to the cause!
Indivisible Ventura is completely volunteer run and your donation will support the direct costs of organizing in Ventura — things like expenses for Swap Meet Justice, posters, art supplies, stamps, transportation, and more! Although we’ve defeated Trump and taken back the Senate, we have to act urgently to save our democracy and enact other desperately needed reforms. Getting it done depends on all of us. Let’s stand together, indivisible. Indivisible Ventura is one of 6,000 grassroots Indivisible groups across the country. Together, we will win. (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ven383907253)
The usual caveats…

Keep ahead of us on our calendar scroll here: tinyurl.com/VC-calendar
If we screw up a link, our apologies. You can find the original post here: tinyurl.com/VC-calendar
We’re putting up information on local protests and actions by others we’re finding from informal sources.
These listings are not endorsements nor guarantees as to time/place/type of protest or participant safety. Events can and have already been cancelled without notice.
Check ahead for future events there as well. We often miss morning event postings and these newsletters are often tardy as hell.
If we screw up or miss information about an event, please send an email to indivisibleventura@gmail.com

Adriene
Co-Director
Indivisible Ventura
indivisibleventura@gmail.com