I've got 500 ready to write for my friend's Ann Arbor supper club ... trying to engage more people than just doing them myself. Seems like a good idea?
You bet, Sheila! My mom was raised in Michigan; she graduated with a Master's degree from Ann Arbor! She was raised on Torch Lake, in the three-story Inn next to Torch River bridge. It used to be a white frame house and has been redone in the past few years and can be identified by the stone fireplace at the garage end of the home. We spent many summers there back in the 50's and 60's. ❤️
Hey Jessica, you know that we know you've taken a much needed break befote and survived. We did too. I do hope you can unplug for real. What you have to get back to this time is much better and more encouraging than the last. ENJOY!!
Jess- I am so motivated by your letters - thank you. I was in the call last night as well and though my pockets aren’t that deep, I am giving what I can. My boots are on the ground in AZ ❤️🤍💙
When I was feeling so anxious, your newsletter full of manageable action items was such a balm. Action helped to ease all of my anxiety. I'm no less motivated because now I'm feeling hopeful and optimistic. Thank you for all you do and ENJOY that well deserved vacation.
The only thing now, I read a truly sobering article in "Can We Still Govern?" about all that MAGA republicans are doing to try to make this a legal battle that could win the elections through the courts, but even if they can't, that it's being done to further sow divisions and create mistrust surrounding elections. It was meant to be enlightening, and it's good for us to be on guard for that, but I'm truly stumped at what I'm able to do to help prevent that. I don't know if there are any action items for that, or if it's just something we have to let the lawyers be prepared for? :/
Yeah I saw that headline and I decided not to read it. I tend to avoid aritcles that make me anxious with no real solution offered. I trust the HArris team (and formerly Biden's) have been thinking about and preparing for this a ton, and will continue to. What we can do is get out the vote as much as possible so that we win in a landslide--not just by a handful of votes. It needs to be big--overwhelming.
Marc Elias and his Democracy Docket crew have the expertise from having successfully quashed the 60 lawsuits Trump filed in 2020 contesting the election.
On Sunday, July 21, Marc Elias tweeted and commented on MSNBC:
“Before the media gets rolling, let me be clear: The Democratic nominee for president will be on all 50 state ballots. There is no basis for any legal challenge. Period.”
Bill, McKibbon over at The Crucial Years Substack recommends people contact their reps to speak out against Manchin, Barrasso permitting reform deal. I know you’re one busy woman and you do such amazing work, but what are your thoughts about making a RESISTBOT? 💙
Happy to do it and frankly suprised I haven't gotten anything from enviro groups about it. I'll see if anyone sent anything today. But they're not voting on it anytime soon, I assume? Isn't everyone gone for the summer?
That call last night was amazing, and I'm looking forward to Monday's.
Thank you for the frequent Resistbot letters, Jess. I must admit that after a couple successes with it, my texts no longer go through (no idea why), so I just copy/paste/edit and send the messages to my reps that way.
I'd never heard of Galvanize, so I'm really interested in learning more about their work at the Focus on Democracy meeting. Thank you so much, Jess, for all the information and inspiration, and thank you to everyone in the comments. I always learn new things from you too!
Am I the only one who feels like “we” are perpetuating the negativity of “segregation” by having demographically degraded “Zoom” calls? Creating a mechanism that encourages demographically competitive seems to dilute energies
You're not alone in having that thought, but I think as a white women myself, we need to do our own work and not call on BIPOC to teach us. I've seen quite a bit of white people centered groups doing just that to learn about racial injustice themselves.
I sorta thought about that, Don. I may be wrong, but I think the reason that last night's call was billed as a White Women's call was to give a nod to the Black Women, to let them know we want Kamala to win, too. Monday's call is headlined as Women for Kamala Harris with I think an all-are-welcome theme.
You're certainly right to an extent Don, and our goal has to be a united effort but, for right now, it's more important to get people fired up and working. Once that happens, the unity will come naturally as long as we don't get divided arguing over whose issues are most important.
That's a theory, and the experience in these meetings was different.
A common organizing principle, including for grassroots action, is to "find your tribe." Relational organizing is reaching out to people you already know and who trust you. The epic Black Women for Harris zoom was so light on their feet, they had the event on the same day that Kamala was announced! The mechanism was a spark that lit other groups on fire, starting with Black men, and followed by so many other groups. These groups' fundraising zooms have been additive to record-breaking amounts. Intersectional people are figuring it out.
These zoom calls have been proven to not be "demographically degraded," and people's energies have been fired up--for both donations and grassroots actions. As the woman in Jessica's video link indicates, Black women were pleasantly surprised by the white women's turnout last night, and this builds trust for working together, as is the plan for the next Women for Harris zoom on Monday, July 29.
And the other big demographic that is next to step up is white dudes, also on Monday, July 29. Hopefully they'll have learned from what I read was an angry venting men's zoom the other day, and will have a positive, product experience like these other zooms have been.
A both/and paradigm instead of an either/or supports this success toward a common goal for winning this election up and down the ballot. There are many roads to Rome, and like Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together."
I appreciate that. I’m a 72 y/o white dude who was rabidly searching for the correct donation spot within minutes of the Biden announcement. I volunteered for McGovern in 1972. In 2008 I worked at the AFL/ CIO phone bank in the basement of the Urban League Bldg in Portland as we campaigned for Obama, Merkley & Schrader. I identify as a member of an often discounted demographic called introverts 😎 who prefer independent action to being ‘joiners’ where possible. Makes tallying our numbers a bit more challenging, I’m sure.
As an introvert myself, I hear you. These high volume zoom calls are actually webinars, so we participants are watching and listening, not getting called on to talk or even type in the Chat.
Part of our task is to utilize our differing strengths and skills. Phone banking, text banking, postcarding, doing research for Blue Voter Guide, volunteering for organizations to register new voters, ensure people have the appropriate ID required by some states, getting out the vote, being an election worker, curing ballots--it's all good!
BTW, I commend you for phone banking, a task that is pushing the comfort level of typical introverts! But as Glennon Doyle said on the white women's zoom last night, so much is on the line that we all need to step up and tolerate going outside our comfort level.
I have a question: any research about what is most effective for get out the vote efforts? I am unable to knock on doors, but could call, text, or write letters. Based on my own experience- I delete texts immediately because of the deluge. Don’t have a landline and unidentified callers are blocked. So I’m thinking letters work best. ( although junk mail gets instantly tossed.. ). Wondering if there is data. THANKS for all your hard work!
Is anyone able to share the White Women for Harris recording? I wasn't able to make the time and meant to register in case there was a recording but missed it!
I'm doing Postcards for Swing States -200 to Michigan!! 🎉 WOOHOO!!
I've got 500 ready to write for my friend's Ann Arbor supper club ... trying to engage more people than just doing them myself. Seems like a good idea?
Sweet!
You bet, Sheila! My mom was raised in Michigan; she graduated with a Master's degree from Ann Arbor! She was raised on Torch Lake, in the three-story Inn next to Torch River bridge. It used to be a white frame house and has been redone in the past few years and can be identified by the stone fireplace at the garage end of the home. We spent many summers there back in the 50's and 60's. ❤️
I posted on FB that I had a few hundred cards I'd love help writing. Got lots of takers!
Yes!
Thks, Ellie!!
Thanks Jess!! The Out for Harris LGBTQ+ call had over 20,000 participants!
Oooh sorry I got the number wrong! And the name! Anecdotal info...
Oh no need to apologize, just wanted to spread the good word! 💙😃
🩵💙
Hey Jessica, you know that we know you've taken a much needed break befote and survived. We did too. I do hope you can unplug for real. What you have to get back to this time is much better and more encouraging than the last. ENJOY!!
Hi, Ransom! I know, it's important and I will do it. It's just such an exciting time! Wish i could have take a week off when everything was miserable!
Jess- I am so motivated by your letters - thank you. I was in the call last night as well and though my pockets aren’t that deep, I am giving what I can. My boots are on the ground in AZ ❤️🤍💙
here is the link for Monday’s WW call:
Want to join me for this event?https://mobilize.us/s/jNMdkr
Thank you, Betsy!
Signed up!
I was on the call as well. I didn't see you there, Betsy 🤣🤣
🤗🤗
When I was feeling so anxious, your newsletter full of manageable action items was such a balm. Action helped to ease all of my anxiety. I'm no less motivated because now I'm feeling hopeful and optimistic. Thank you for all you do and ENJOY that well deserved vacation.
The only thing now, I read a truly sobering article in "Can We Still Govern?" about all that MAGA republicans are doing to try to make this a legal battle that could win the elections through the courts, but even if they can't, that it's being done to further sow divisions and create mistrust surrounding elections. It was meant to be enlightening, and it's good for us to be on guard for that, but I'm truly stumped at what I'm able to do to help prevent that. I don't know if there are any action items for that, or if it's just something we have to let the lawyers be prepared for? :/
Yeah I saw that headline and I decided not to read it. I tend to avoid aritcles that make me anxious with no real solution offered. I trust the HArris team (and formerly Biden's) have been thinking about and preparing for this a ton, and will continue to. What we can do is get out the vote as much as possible so that we win in a landslide--not just by a handful of votes. It needs to be big--overwhelming.
Marc Elias and his Democracy Docket crew have the expertise from having successfully quashed the 60 lawsuits Trump filed in 2020 contesting the election.
On Sunday, July 21, Marc Elias tweeted and commented on MSNBC:
“Before the media gets rolling, let me be clear: The Democratic nominee for president will be on all 50 state ballots. There is no basis for any legal challenge. Period.”
https://www.nj.com/news/2024/07/will-trump-gop-fight-revised-democratic-ticket-in-court-top-lawyer-has-stern-warning-and-prediction.html
In the meantime, he counsels that we all need to Get Out The Vote for Democracts up and down the ballot--as we are working to do!
Yes, I saw that about the ballots when he tweeted it and was grateful. I'm not so much worried about the ballot issue. I'm worried about the same kind of stuff as 2020. Fighting lawsuits against the legitimacy of state elections, throwing out votes, etc. For context, this is the article: https://open.substack.com/pub/donmoynihan/p/will-voters-decide-the-2024-election?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=9nad6
I'm just wondering what there is for us voters to do to mitigate any of this.
Daughter just got list for writing letters and our post cards, for California, just showed up today. So here we go!
Sweet!
Bill, McKibbon over at The Crucial Years Substack recommends people contact their reps to speak out against Manchin, Barrasso permitting reform deal. I know you’re one busy woman and you do such amazing work, but what are your thoughts about making a RESISTBOT? 💙
Happy to do it and frankly suprised I haven't gotten anything from enviro groups about it. I'll see if anyone sent anything today. But they're not voting on it anytime soon, I assume? Isn't everyone gone for the summer?
I wish I knew. I’m here as a supporter of the healers, like you and Bill. I follow your leads. 🥰
Great work and news, Jessica!
Thanks!
Stop Project 2025 Briefing
Want to join me for this Indivisible Marin event?https://mobilize.us/s/Rglf8d
Isn't that the one I put in the newsletter?
Yes. Oops. I was multitasking! And fingers moving too fast with joy. 😂
That call last night was amazing, and I'm looking forward to Monday's.
Thank you for the frequent Resistbot letters, Jess. I must admit that after a couple successes with it, my texts no longer go through (no idea why), so I just copy/paste/edit and send the messages to my reps that way.
I'd never heard of Galvanize, so I'm really interested in learning more about their work at the Focus on Democracy meeting. Thank you so much, Jess, for all the information and inspiration, and thank you to everyone in the comments. I always learn new things from you too!
Galvanize is AMAZING. You'll be so into it.
Am I the only one who feels like “we” are perpetuating the negativity of “segregation” by having demographically degraded “Zoom” calls? Creating a mechanism that encourages demographically competitive seems to dilute energies
You're not alone in having that thought, but I think as a white women myself, we need to do our own work and not call on BIPOC to teach us. I've seen quite a bit of white people centered groups doing just that to learn about racial injustice themselves.
Yeah, I agree. I think it's good in this case!
I sorta thought about that, Don. I may be wrong, but I think the reason that last night's call was billed as a White Women's call was to give a nod to the Black Women, to let them know we want Kamala to win, too. Monday's call is headlined as Women for Kamala Harris with I think an all-are-welcome theme.
I've signed up for the generic Women's call for this reason.
We Will Prevail
We Will Not Go Back
I want to add that the White Women for Kamala Zoom call was formed as an "Answer the Call" that Black Women initiated.
You're certainly right to an extent Don, and our goal has to be a united effort but, for right now, it's more important to get people fired up and working. Once that happens, the unity will come naturally as long as we don't get divided arguing over whose issues are most important.
That's a theory, and the experience in these meetings was different.
A common organizing principle, including for grassroots action, is to "find your tribe." Relational organizing is reaching out to people you already know and who trust you. The epic Black Women for Harris zoom was so light on their feet, they had the event on the same day that Kamala was announced! The mechanism was a spark that lit other groups on fire, starting with Black men, and followed by so many other groups. These groups' fundraising zooms have been additive to record-breaking amounts. Intersectional people are figuring it out.
These zoom calls have been proven to not be "demographically degraded," and people's energies have been fired up--for both donations and grassroots actions. As the woman in Jessica's video link indicates, Black women were pleasantly surprised by the white women's turnout last night, and this builds trust for working together, as is the plan for the next Women for Harris zoom on Monday, July 29.
And the other big demographic that is next to step up is white dudes, also on Monday, July 29. Hopefully they'll have learned from what I read was an angry venting men's zoom the other day, and will have a positive, product experience like these other zooms have been.
A both/and paradigm instead of an either/or supports this success toward a common goal for winning this election up and down the ballot. There are many roads to Rome, and like Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together."
I appreciate that. I’m a 72 y/o white dude who was rabidly searching for the correct donation spot within minutes of the Biden announcement. I volunteered for McGovern in 1972. In 2008 I worked at the AFL/ CIO phone bank in the basement of the Urban League Bldg in Portland as we campaigned for Obama, Merkley & Schrader. I identify as a member of an often discounted demographic called introverts 😎 who prefer independent action to being ‘joiners’ where possible. Makes tallying our numbers a bit more challenging, I’m sure.
WE LOVE INTROVERTS, Don!
Good to know! 🤣
As an introvert myself, I hear you. These high volume zoom calls are actually webinars, so we participants are watching and listening, not getting called on to talk or even type in the Chat.
Part of our task is to utilize our differing strengths and skills. Phone banking, text banking, postcarding, doing research for Blue Voter Guide, volunteering for organizations to register new voters, ensure people have the appropriate ID required by some states, getting out the vote, being an election worker, curing ballots--it's all good!
BTW, I commend you for phone banking, a task that is pushing the comfort level of typical introverts! But as Glennon Doyle said on the white women's zoom last night, so much is on the line that we all need to step up and tolerate going outside our comfort level.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv8CbvFVggb-D6bQ1-oPUNULwk6f1qzkjufYGIWFiCQ0Z8RA/viewform
(Link to the WHITE DUDES FOR HARRIS CALL sign-up form)
Yeah, I didn't want to say that, but my husband said two of the speakers were...not super focussed on activism.
“Tribal” efforts seems inferior to Universal ones.
I have a question: any research about what is most effective for get out the vote efforts? I am unable to knock on doors, but could call, text, or write letters. Based on my own experience- I delete texts immediately because of the deluge. Don’t have a landline and unidentified callers are blocked. So I’m thinking letters work best. ( although junk mail gets instantly tossed.. ). Wondering if there is data. THANKS for all your hard work!
Trudi AZ
Is anyone able to share the White Women for Harris recording? I wasn't able to make the time and meant to register in case there was a recording but missed it!
Jesica is The most righteous fighter! Xo