Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We’ve had good news this week. The American Rescue Plan passed and was signed into law by President Biden.
You probably read or heard the news about how groundbreaking this Plan is and what a dent it puts in poverty. AND you’ve heard that NO REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR THIS. Let’s keep that in mind all the way from now until the election in 2022.
But there’s more urgent and important legislation that MUST BE PASSED.
IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS
For Democracy to stay, the Filibuster must go.
Here’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we could lose if we don’t abolish the filibuster:
- Restoring and expanding voting rights through the John Lewis Voting Rights Act,
- Fighting voter suppression, gerrymandering, corruption, and money in politics with the For the People Act,
- Securing representation for D.C.’s 700,000+ residents with the D.C. statehood bill,
- Addressing the climate crisis and its consequences for the economy and racial justice through the THRIVE resolution,
- Raising the minimum wage to $15/hour,
- And more.
Senate Democrats face a choice: either accept congressional gridlock where nothing gets done or do away with the filibuster in order to pass their priorities with a Democratic majority.
Indivisible National is targeting Arizona, West Virginia, and Maine) where mobilizations are necessary to apply pressure on the moderate Senate Democrats and Independents who can get rid of the filibuster once and for all. And they are raising money for ads, billboards, and more, and if you would like to donate to that cause you can go here.
AND THERE'S MORE
Tell Senators Durbin and Duckworth: restore voting rights, no matter what it takes (like ditching the filibuster.)
Help keep the pressure on Senators Durbin and Duckworth to pass the most sweeping voter protection package since the 1960s. S.1 (For The People Act) protects the right of every American to cast their vote, starting with the critical 2022 election.
Republicans want fewer votes cast, not an expanded electorate, and are preparing to kill these reforms by using the filibuster. Southern racists maximized this tool during the shameful Jim Crow era to block an anti-lynching bill and other civil rights legislation. Today, it's still a racist tool that can continue to limit rights for BIPOC voters. It is time for the Senate to consign it to the dustbin of history.
We know Senators Durbin and Duckworth support these election reforms. Now, they need to declare their commitment to doing whatever it takes to make them become law.
Add your name to this petition to Senators Durbin and Duckworth calling for their leadership as our country arrives at this critical crossroads.
And do one more thing: write a postcard to each of our Senators and implore them to do whatever it takes to pass S.1, including changing or eliminating the filibuster to get the bill passed. Any postcard will do. A vintage one. Something you have left from a vacation. One you buy pre stamped from the USPS.
Senator Dick Durbin, 230 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 3892, Chicago, IL 60604
Senator Tammy Duckworth, 230 South Dearborn Street, Suite 3900, Chicago, IL 6060
Will you send out two postcards this week?
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
MON, MAR. 15 2 PM
TUES, MAR 16
10 AM Western Front Coffee Klatch
Join us on Zoom as we discuss what’s happening in our lives and in the world and plan future actions and events for Western Front. If you’ve never come before, why not stop by. We’d love to see you. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81494755457
7 PM Our Voice is Our Vote
This is an event with Common Cause and Indivisible Illinois, with a timely discussion on the current state of election reform and what we can do to advocate for safe, secure and accessible elections. Register here.
WED MAR 17
7:30 PM Illinois Truth Brigade and other Social Media Campaigns
Come to get tips on how to effectively use social media in your group(s) and among friends and neighbors. And how to tell the truth effectively on Social Media.
8:00 PM Indivisible Illinois State Meeting
Join with other group members from around the state, including those in Rural Areas. Have you heard about the THRIVE AGENDA? Would you like to really know what’s in this bill that is destined to be groundbreaking. Learn about that and other national and state legislation we need to take action about.
RSVP for the Zoom link here: https://indivisible.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqduGrqzosE9PNxB0kAVYBRN-Dbj2UaWGF (That link works for both meetings.)
THUR, MAR 18
7 PM Democracy Reform Working Group Meet with Indivisibles from across the country to coordinate advocacy efforts around court reform, filibuster reform and DC statehood. RSVP for the Democracy Reform Working Group Check out more information on H.R.1, H.R.4, and DC Statehood through the lens of racial justice and also What we mean by “court reform” and getting our democracy “back on track”
FR, MAR 19
NO HAPPY HOUR! We are having our monthly meeting on Sunday and will not have Happy Hour this week.
SUN, MAR 21
1:30 PM Western Front Indivisible Monthly meeting.
Join us for this fast-paced hour-long meeting. You’ll go away feeling connected to others and having learned more about what’s happening in this country and what we are individuals and us as a group can do to make a difference. We’re going to have special guest former federal prosecutor and CNN analyst Renato Mariotti. He'll be talking about all the state attempts at voter suppression and what we need to know about those. And we’ll have other presentations on Democracy Reform and a couple of Illinois bills we need to support. You’ll go away from the meeting knowing a lot more AND energized to take action to make a difference.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpc-6hrD8sG9WA5xsbxsYNvGHegEtz21s
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
HELP OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Remember when we heard from Anthony Clark about the Community Fridge project back in February? Well, the project has launched. Go to their website to find out how you can get involved. It is located at Carnival Grocery 824 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park.
Volunteer in the Austin community, where Austin Coming Together is co-hosting vaccination clinics for the next 6 Fridays and weekends... available to any Austin resident 18 and over. Go here to sign up for a volunteer shift.
WITNESS SLIPS
There are two ways to stay on top of what is happening. If you are on Facebook, you can join the group. Or, if you prefer, go to the page on our blog. I will try and keep this updated so you can be on top of these. And I will note each new update.
If you aren’t familiar with Witness Slips and how to fill them out, here are a couple of tips. https://www.ilfps.org/witnesssliphowto
Instructions for filling out witness slips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SaODB11-AA&feature=youtu.be
WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALL THOSE PLASTIC BAGS THAT KEEP PILING UP
What: Recycle your Produce bags, Newspaper sleeves, Store bags, Dry cleaning bags, Ziploc & other reclosable bags, Bubble wrap, Cereal box liners, Plastic e-commerce mailers, Case overwrap, Bread bags, Ice bags. NOTE: Plastics must be clean, dry, and free of food and organic residue.
When: Now through August 2021
Where: 2 Collection Sites: Oak Park Temple South Entrance near the parking lot off Harlem/Division AND The Oak Park Conservatory inside the main lobby!
Why: Recycle those bags you've been holding onto! Help us collect 500 pounds of plastic so we can earn a recycled plastic bench for Austin Peoples Action Center
They are running this with a small group of
volunteers. We ask that you don't rush all at once to stuff the bins so we can
keep up. Bins will be there for 6 months or until we get to 500 pounds. If you
want to help, please let us know!
If you want to hear more late breaking news on things we should be concerned about or acting on, please join our Facebook group or to follow us on Twitter. And email us at westernfrontindivisible@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns.
I hope to see you on a Zoom call this week,
Etta
For Western Front Indivisible
