Fix the Supreme Court!
While the media is focusing on Biden’s debate performance, many would argue that the Supreme Court’s devastating rulings were the most alarming story of the week. Read about the recent SCOTUS decisions here.
Scenes from 6/28 rally at the Supreme Court (Photos: Betsy Rubin)
On Friday, the United for Democracy coalition held a rally at the Supreme Court, demanding that Congress stand up to the MAGA justices’ power grab and commit to fixing the Supreme Court.
The coalition’s message? “Extreme right-wing justices are exploiting their power, breaking judicial norms and ignoring decades of legal precedent to impose their own radical agenda on our country. … We’re demanding that Congress rein in this extreme Supreme Court, so it can serve as a bulwark of our democracy, protecting the freedoms of all Americans.”
IC-SS co-leader Betsy Rubin with Meagan Hatcher-Mays, UFD at 6/28 rally
IC-SS co-leader Betsy Rubin was in the Washington, DC area and attended the rally, repping the citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance.
“Each new Supreme Court decision we heard was a gut punch,” she said. “But we knew those rulings were coming, and it was heartening to see so many strong advocacy organizations out there doing the work and to hear Congresswoman Jayapal speak.”
We need to keep pushing our reps in the House and our senators — especially Senator Durbin — to take all actions they can to rein in the corrupt justices who answer to their wealthy donors and far-right supporters.
We also need to raise the alarm about the Supreme Court — let others know that the 2024 election is all about the Court. The next president could appoint two justices, and the next Congress can make a difference in the size and operation of the Court.
The make-up of the Court will affect our lives and our democracy for many decades to come — beyond many of our lifetimes. You can take action from Chicago — see below!
ACT
Actions from Stand Up America:
Be a Supreme Court Voter! Join Stand Up America’s push to center the Supreme Court in Americans’ voting decisions.
- Pledge to be a Supreme Court Voter and get updates you can share.
- Share the Supreme Court Voter website with friends: courtvoter.com/
- Use Stand Up America’s Supreme Court Voter toolkit to reach your friends and followers.
Quick actions from United for Democracy:
- Send an automatic message to Senators Durbin and Duckworth and your own House Rep, calling on them to take action to rein in the extreme Supreme Court. This action is via United for Democracy.
- Read more and sign up with United for Democracy.
Quick action from national Indivisible:
- Send an automatic email – you can add your own comment – to your senators asking them to take a stand against corruption among the MAGA Supreme Court justices.
Take your own action:
- Call or email Senator Durbin, Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and tell him to use the power of his position to take aggressive action against corruption among the MAGA justices and to fix the Court in the long term.
- Note: Share your own opinion — from calling on Senator Durbin to subpoena Alito and Thomas and hold public hearings to asking him to work to expand the Court and implement term limits.
- Call or email Senator Duckworth, asking her to urge Senator Durbin to take these steps.
About That Debate – and Our Work
Let’s acknowledge that Biden bombed last week’s debate, and that became the story of the week. The media focused almost solely on Biden instead of the steady stream of hateful lies that the CNN moderators let Trump spew for 90 minutes. Even the week’s catastrophic Supreme Court rulings got short shrift.
Whatever our differering thoughts may be about the Biden campaign, we will stay fierce in our work to keep Trump out of the White House and Republicans out of Congress and statehouses. We are up against an anti-science, racist, xenophobic religious nationalist threat, detailed in the 920 pages of the MAGA Project 2025. Our work goes forward.
Talk to Voters, Make a Difference
We Chicagoans have close ties with Michigan and Wisconsin. Both of those states are vital to win in the November elections.
Michigan Mondays: Phonebank July 8 & 22
From the comfort of home, talk to Michigan voters using your computer and phone. This month, join Indivisible Chicago on Zoom on Michigan Mondays July 8 and July 22 from 3:00-5:00 pm.
Friendly organizers will train you to persuade like-minded voters to go to the polls in the November election. You’ll get all the support you need during your shift plus a fun debrief session at the end. Get info/sign up!
Canvass in Michigan and Wisconsin
See anyone you know? Yes that’s IC-SS Co-Leader Sarah Lincoln right up front. Sarah’s also a member of the board of citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance, which organizes canvassing trips to nearby Michigan and Wisconsin.
Indivisible Chicago canvassers in Wisconsin in late June
Sarah says, “Canvassing – knocking doors and talking to voters – is truly the gold standard for getting out the vote where it matters. If you’re a first-timer, don’t worry — Indivisible Chicago will train you and pair you with a buddy before you head out. This election will decide whether or not democracy continues in the United States. So come on out, join us and make a difference!”
This summer, come along with citywide Indivisible Chicago knocking doors in the critical swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin as we work to maintain the Midwest Blue Wall and defeat Trump. Info/sign-up
Whether you choose to canvass in Michigan or Wisconsin, Indivisible Chicago picks locations less than two hours away. They provide all the info and prep you’ll need and help arrange carpools for anyone needing a ride. Sign up today, and Indivisible Chicago will be in touch with details.
Write to Voters in July – Join Us!
We’re continuing our work writing Vote Forward letters to voters. Can you join us on one or both of these dates?
- Thursday, July 18th, 6:00-8:00 at The Nile, 1162 E. 55th St,
— either indoors or on the patio, depending on weather - Tuesday, July 30th, 6:00-8:00 pm at Jimmy’s (Woodlawn Tap), 1172 E 55th St.
RSVP here. At either the Nile or Jimmy’s, IC-SS orders some nibbles for the table, and we ask people to purchase their own food and drink to support the venue. The Nile is BYOB, so feel to bring wine or beer to share; Jimmy’s has a full bar. NOTE: Jimmy’s is CASH ONLY, though they have an ATM.
Letter leader Steve Kagan brings letter printouts, envelopes, and pens for you. If you can, bring stamps to donate. If you’re writing letters from home, you are welcome to bring along your own letters to work on. RSVP here.
Price of Stamps Going Up on July 14
Our letter leader, Steve Kagan, shares this alert! On July 14, the price of first-class forever stamps is going from 68 to 73 cents, so stock up on stamps for your Vote Forward letters now. You can order stamps from US Postal Service here.
Write at Home from Now to October
We encourage you to sign up with Vote Forward, so you can print, write, and mail your own letters from home. Create a free account with Vote Forward, choose a state or states, and then print and write the number of letters that fit in your schedule this summer and early fall.
Action Calendar: Indivisible Chicago Alliance
It’s July, and the November election is just four months from now. What are you doing to help prevent a Trump/GOP power grab of the White House, Congress, and the states?
To find specific actions to sign up for, check ALL the July 2024 options on the Indivisible Chicago Alliance action calendar. (Want to see a LIST of actions instead? Here’s the list view.) NOTE: The calendar is updated frequently. Check back often!
The ICA calendar is a project of the citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance and is curated by Wendy Posner.
Organizations & Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Act for Community Control of Police
From CAARPR: The fight for the Referendum for Community Power Over Policing is heating up! Now that the referendum ordinance has been introduced into City Council, it’s time to pile on the pressure.
The Referendum for Community Power Over Policing would increase the power of the existing citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) and make it directly elected.
When passed, this referendum would:
- Make the Commission (CCPSA) a truly democratic body with 9 elected positions and 2 appointed positions. The 2 appointed positions are reserved for youth and those with a history of incarceration who are otherwise excluded from running for public office.
- Give the Commission power to negotiate the Fraternal Order of Police contract, set the CPD budget, and directly appoint and remove the Superintendent and members of the Police Board
This means putting the people in charge of who polices our communities and how our communities are policed.
ACT: You can help in the fight for community-powered policing. Check out this action toolkit from the CAARPR to learn more about the referendum and see steps you can take today!
NOTE: Per CAARPR, the following South Side alderpersons are among those co-sponsoring the Referendum ordinance. If one of the co-sponsors is your alder, call and thank them for co-sponsoring the Referendum for Community Power Over Police.
- Ald. Lamont Robinson (Ward 4)
- Ald. Desmon Yancy (Ward 5)
- Ald. Julia Ramirez (Ward 12)
- Ald. Jeanette Taylor (Ward 20)
- Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (Ward 25)
If your South Side alder is not among the co-sponsors, call and ask them to support the Referendum for Community Power Over Police.If you live in another part of the city, look at the CAARPR action toolkit to find out if your alder is already a co-sponsor.
Need to find your alder’s contact info? Not sure who your alder is? Check here.
Sat., July 6th: Gunshot Wound Workshop
From 2nd District Council: [Chicago’s 2nd District Council], in collaboration with Ujimaa Medics, will host a FREE Basic Gunshot Wound and First Response workshop on Saturday, July 6th, 10:00 am-1:00 pm at Church of the Good Shepherd, 5700 S. Prairie. Register here.
This workshop educates the community on emergency response techniques, equipping residents with essential skills to address critical situations and enhance public safety and resilience. This knowledge can help save a life. Registration Required:register here
Questions? Contact District Councilor Alexander Perez at Alexander.perez@cityofChicago.org.
Indivisible Chicago-South Side
Email: Indiv.Chi.South@gmail.com
Follow IC-SS on Facebook, Instagram, Threads (& Twitter for now)
Co-Leaders: Esther Peters,Betsy Rubin, Teri Watkins, Sarah Lincoln
About: Group & Co-Leader Statements
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