Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Well, we have managed to make it through another
week of sheltering in place. And we know we have at least the rest of this
month to do the same. And hopefully you are finding ways to sane and calm. If
you need some ideas on how to do that better, read this post from our blog last week.
It’s time for us to start figuring out how to be
activists in an age of quarantine. I think this will be an ongoing
discussion. And today I’m going to include some suggestions of actions you can
take this week.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Please donate to Western Front to help us fund an ambitious postcard writing campaign. We are
joining with other Indivisible groups to commit to send 2 million postcards to
voters in Michigan and Wisconsin before the November election.
Can you help us? We need to raise $1,500 before
May 31. The good news is that contributions will be matched by
Indivisible National, up to $500. That means your contribution today can
be doubled. Make a contribution here.
The postcards will be coming
May 1 and our postcard parties will be solitary ones.
Or virtual ones. Even if you can’t write postcards, you can support this
campaign with a donation. Please do that today.
LET’S HANGOUT. ZOOM WITH US
These are regular meetings. Every week while we
are isolated, we’ll stay in touch. Join us if you can. We’ll find out how
everyone is doing and discuss what we are doing to help others, and what
activism steps we are taking.
TUES, APRIL 7
Western Front Coffee Klatch 10 AM
Grab your coffee. Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/756102112?pwd=SmJZdlh1bERtYVF5T2pZNXI3emgyZz09
Meeting ID: 756 102 112
Password: 025349 One tap mobile
+13126266799
FRI, APRIL 10 4:30
PM Western Front Happy Hour
Meeting ID: 535 060 640 Password:
219013 One tap mobile
+13126266799
And put this on your calendar!
Our regular April meeting. APRIL 19 3PM
Meeting ID: 596 345 047
Password: 182317 One tap mobile +13126266799
HOW ABOUT WRITING SOME EMAILS
That’s right. This week I’m suggesting you write
some emails to legislators. There are a number of issues: gun violence, civil
rights, protection for indigenous tribes, prioritizing human health and
safety. Support solutions to public health hazards in immigration
system. Advocate for a People’s Bailout.
Advocate for disaster-proof voting nationally and locally.
Please go to this page where you can find out about the issues and what we are asking
for. You’ll find emails and links to email forms as well as suggested
scripts for your letters. The good thing is that you can do this anytime, and
not have to worry about a voice mailbox that is too full.
YOU CAN STILL WRITE POSTCARDS
If you can’t wait till May to write more
postcards, here is what you can do:
Sign up with Postcards to
Voters and they will provide you with addresses and
the message for a current campaign. You can use your own blank postcard, or you can order from them at their Etsy page.
HELP US MAKE CALLS TO SENIORS
We are working with other groups to start
calling seniors in Illinois Congressional District 7. We’ll provide
information on where people can get assistance and check in to see how they are
doing.
Would you like to help with this project?
If so, please email us at westernfrontindivisible@gmail.com
CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING IN JAIL AT THIS TIME?
The situation at Cook County Jail has continued
to worsen dramatically. More than 150 incarcerated people have now tested
positive for COVID-19. If county officials don't act soon, many more people
will continue to become infected. Many will suffer serious illness and death. Let’s make calls this week
to advocate for inmates who are just waiting to
get infected.
DONATE BLOOD
During this time of crisis, there is a severely
declining availability of blood. If you are able and willing to donate, please
visit Versiti, Vitalant, or the American Red Cross to
find a local blood drive or donation center, and to read more information about
extra precautions they are taking for your safety.
INDIVISIBLE VIRTUAL TRAINING
The Indivisible Training Team is dedicated to
assisting Indivisible groups as they transition how they organize during this
difficult time. They are offering a new month-long webinar training series
focused on how we can continue to organize in the time of COVID-19. For the
entire month of April, Indivisibles and partner activists will be able to dive
into a plethora of topics such as building community via social media, deep
canvassing during social distancing, and more. Each training will have two
dates to sign up so you can make it work with your schedule. The first
training is: Using Social Media to Build Community and Take Action
Indivisible groups have spent years working to
turn online activism into offline action, but the script is flipped in this new
physical distancing reality. Come learn, from social media experts, how to
transfer our in-person community spaces to online and virtual mediums. We will
share strategies that can help your Indivisible group take advantage of
existing social media platforms to keep momentum going in your community.
Can you sign on to one of these? You will need
to sign up ahead of time.
TAKE A DAY OFF
I mean, take a day off from the news. Yes, take
one day this week and avoid listening, watching or reading the news.
Don’t worry, anything essential you’ll be able to catch up on the next day.
Stay home, stay safe, save lives,
Etta
Please email us at westernfrontindivisible@gmail.com if you want to not receive this any more, or if you have any
questions.
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