IC-SS News: July 15, 2024
This Thursday: Write to Voters with Us
We give each other strength! Join our work writing Vote Forward letters to voters. Can you join us on one or both of these dates? RSVP here.
- THIS THURSDAY, July 18th, 6:00-8:00 at The Nile, 1162 E. 55th Street — 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.
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.
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.
We Deplore Violence in the U.S.
We deplore political violence in the United States, most recently the attempt to assassinate Donald Trump and the killing and injuring of people attending his rally. We deplore the incitement by Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, and others that led to direct threats of assassination of Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi, and others on January 6, 2021. We deplore the easy availability of assault weapons that have injured or taken the lives of thousands of children and adults in mass killings. We will continue our peaceful work to prevent the election of Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress and statehouses.
Let’s Help Michigan: Text, Phone, Canvass
At risk: reproductive freedom, democracy, protections for everyone who’s not male, white, Christian, or born in the US. Take heart – we can act. Whatever our differing views may be, we all know we must defeat Trump and the GOP. That means getting out the vote for Democrats up and down the ballot in swing states like Michigan. Connect with Indivisible Chicago for training, support, opportunities!
Get on Zoom & TEXT Michigan Voters
From Indivisible Chicago Alliance: On Thursdays from 5:30-7:30, come join us as we send texts to Michigan voters from our computers. See the info/sign-up page for dates and info.
Text messaging is a great way to reach voters directly on their cell phones. You’ll be helping them with voting by mail, finding their polling place, and more. We make text banking easy by being with you every step of the way.
Our text banks begin with a Zoom orientation hosted by Indivisible Chicago Alliance text team leaders and end with the opportunity to debrief and compare notes. Your leaders are available online throughout the session to solve problems and answer questions. Come join us — saving democracy will make you feel good!
Michigan Mondays: Get on Zoom & CALL
From the comfort of home, talk to Michigan voters using your computer and phone. This month, join Indivisible Chicago on Zoom on Michigan Mondays. Coming up: Monday, July 22 from 3:00-5:00 pm, and then every Monday from August through Nov 4.
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!
Knock Doors in Michigan: CANVASS
This August, come on a Sunday and join citywide Indivisible Chicago knocking doors in Michigan as we work to maintain the Midwest Blue Wall and defeat Trump. Dates are Sunday, August 4th and Sunday, August 18th. Info/sign-up
On Sundays August 4 and 18, we’ll make a drive of about 90 minutes from Chicago to our meetup locations in Michigan. We’ll have a pre-canvass briefing once we get there, then split off into pairs to knock doors and find the voters that are going to help us deliver a win in November.
Indivisible Chicago will provide all the info and prep you’ll need and will have carpools for anyone needing a ride. Sign up today, and Indivisible Chicago will be in touch with details.
What About Wisconsin? We Got You!
Indivisible Chicago provides opportunities to get out the vote in Wisconsin, as well.
- Wisconsin Wednesdays: Phone banks on Wed. July 17 & 31, 6:00-8:00 pm – Info/sign-up
- Wisconsin Canvassing: Knock doors in nearby Wisconsin cities Sun July 21, Sat July 27, and more – Info/sign-up
Call Your Rep: Impeach Alito, Thomas!
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced articles of impeachment last week against MAGA justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas after a series of revelations about their corrupt practices. Read AOC’s press release.
To date, the only House representative from Illinois to support AOC’s filing has been Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03).
ACTION: Call on your member of Congress from Chicago’s South Side to join with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and demand that Alito and Thomas be impeached.
Suggested script: Hello, I’m ______________ in zip code ___________, and I’m a constituent of Representative ___________.
Both Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have accepted substantial gifts – or bribes – from wealthy right-wing benefactors and then ruled in their interests. Both Alito and Thomas have connections to organizers of the January 6 insurrection, yet neither recused himself in Trump’s immunity case.
I’m calling today to ask Representative ____________ to support Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in filing for the impeachment of Justices Alito and Thomas.
Contact information for our South Side House reps:
- 1st District: Rep. Jonathan Jackson – (202) 225-4372
- 2nd District: Rep. Robin Kelly – (202) 225-0773
- 7th District: Rep. Danny Davis – 202-225-5006
Not sure who your House representative is? Live in another district? Get all the info you need here.
Q: Why bother with articles of impeachment since Republicans control the House and they’ll never agree?
A: Read this reply from Nicholas Grossman, professor of international relations at University of Illinois: House Republicans won’t let Justices Thomas and Alito get impeached, of course. But those justices’ financial conflicts of interest are documented, and at least in Thomas’s case, sure look like bribes. Inquiring into that is in the public interest. And drawing attention to it has political benefits too.
See also Professor Melissa Murray of NYU school of law on Twitter: It won’t lead to their removal from SCOTUS because the Dems don’t have a Senate super-majority to convict. But it makes clear that Congress *can* hold SCOTUS to account–if there are the votes to make it happen. SCOTUS is on the ballot in every Senate race this November.
Project 2025: Learn, Beware, Share
Project 2025, the brainchild of the far-right Heritage Foundation, is the comprehensive 920-page plan to turn the United States into a christo-fascist state, center power on the presidency and political appointees, and dismantle the rights and freedoms that the US has achieved since the 19th century.
To prevent fascism in the United States, we must prevent Republican control of the White House, Senate, and House, where they can implement Project 2025.
Let’s make sure all our friends and associates are aware of the very real danger that Project 2025 represents — and vote so that Trump and Republicans cannot seize full power. Together, we can write letters, phonebank, text, and canvass to encourage people in key states and districts get out and vote for Democrats.
Here are some new resources about the threat of Project 2025 to share with your family and friends:
- Amber Phillips in the Washington Post: What is Project 2025?
- Daria Rose, a lawyer (video on Instagram): Project 2025 explained by a Yale Law grad
See our full resource list. Find videos, articles, and websites devoted to spreading the word about the dangers we face in Indivisible Chicago-South Side’s Project 2025 resource list.
Action Calendar: Indivisible Chicago Alliance
We’re halfway through July, and the November election is just a few months away. 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.
Tell Your Reps: SAY NO TO NETANYAHU
From national Indivisible: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is corrupt and continuing the war in Gaza for his own political gain. His relentless bombings of hospitals and refugee camps have killed tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. He has made it clear that he is more interested in his far-right agenda than in bringing an end to the brutal war and securing the release of the hostages.
Having Netanyahu speak to Congress would undermine efforts by President Biden and the international community to end the war and get desperately needed aid to the people of Gaza.
Tell your members of Congress you expect them to say No to Netanyahu and to skip his address. They must send a clear message to him that they do not support his prolonged war or the bloodshed it has caused and take a stand in support of a ceasefire.
ACT: Use national Indivisible’s simple form to email your members of Congress and tell them to say NO to Netanyahu.
Organizations & Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
A Big Day at City Hall: Wed July 17th
1. Support a Community Benefits Agreement for South Shore
Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP) wants people in South Shore and Woodlawn to be able to stay in their homes and communities. They are calling for the Chicago City Council to pass a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to stop displacement from their communities. Read the proposed ordinance.
From Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP): On Wednesday, July 17th, let’s meet up at 9am. Then at the beginning of the 10am City Council meeting [at City Hall, 121 N. La Salle], our CBA representatives will offer public comment in favor of the South Shore & 63rd and Blackstone Housing Preservation Ordinance to stop displacement.
PLEASE SIGN UP at bit.ly/July17CBA so you can get directions on how to meet up with the rest of the group.
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2. Call for a Referendum for Community Power Over Policing (CPOP)
From CAARPR: Show up at City Hall, 121 N. La Salle, on Wednesday July 17th at 9am to demand that the Chicago City Council support the Referendum for Community Power Over Policing!
Chicago fought to create the most democratic police accountability structure in the country, but the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is fighting to undermine it. We’re fighting back by pressing for greater power!
We need the City Council to approve holding a Referendum for Community Power Over Policing. If approved, the referendum would:
- Create a directly elected city-wide Commission
- Give this Commission to the power to negotiate the FOP Contract
- Give this Commission power over the Chicago Police Department budget
- Give this Commission power to hire and fire the police superintendent
Read more about the Referendum for Community Power Over Policing at the CAARPR website. Find the CPOP toolkit 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
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