Actions for the week of March 17
A General Meeting. More calls. More ways to fight back.
Editor’s Note:
Here is a sampling of this week’s Calls to Make, Meetings to put on your calendar, and Actions you can take to change the direction of our country. More opportunities to get involved happen all the time — and we post them on our calendar. Stay current!
Takin’ It to the Streets
Indivisible has, from its beginning, been about focusing constituent pressure on Congress and winning elections. The model was to work upwards so that our “leaders” could fight for us against what has become the fascist Republican party. In the beginning, many of us believed that Democrats would be our allies through thick and thin, boldly opposing fascism. We found out soon enough that they often weren’t.
Although the signs have been there for years, let’s take Chuck Schumer’s cowardly capitulation on the MAGA no-strings-Elon budget as the final straw and recognize that, as Anat Shenker-Osorio says, we cannot vote our way to a democracy. The only way forward is for us to take direct action.
We can’t deputize our elected leaders to fight for us. They’re not up to the job. We have to fight for ourselves.
Instead of calling your members of Congress, we’ll be asking you far more often to help build a movement of hundreds, then thousands, of peaceful protestors. People, like you and me, who will confront and oppose the fascists and defeat them. Together, we can free America from tyranny.
By building our movement, we can not only rescue ourselves, we will discover new fighters who can replace those Democrats who aren’t up to the task.
But now, rather than sink into despair and/or fury, let’s turn our focus away from Congressional Democrats and towards each other, our neighbors, and our communities. Let’s take it to the streets. And the parks, living rooms, cafes, work places. To every corner of our towns, our county. Our state. Let’s free America block by block. Chuck Schumer isn’t up to the task. But we can be.
There’s a lot of work to do and the hour is late. Let’s get going.
Direct Actions
Free America from Tyranny
It’s time for us to build this movement together. There is a role for each of us to play. Our task is to build a large, broad coalition of citizens who will confront and oppose fascism both through actions and in their daily lives.Here are some ways to get started now.
Attend a protest rally. Rallies are popping up all over - see our calendar and action listings to find the one(s) that’s a fit for you. Be peaceful, but be visible and loud. We need to let everyone know that we’re in danger, now - and we are here to fight back. There will be a Rally for Federal Workers on Thursday at noon and a rally to save the USPS on Sunday at 11. Both are in Santa Rosa; see our calendar for details. There will likely be more actions - keep checking the calendar.
Circle the Square. Show up with your friends and neighbors to protest the many harms the new “budget” is inflicting on people in our circle and beyond.
Sunday, March 23 at 11 AM we will be joining The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 183 in holding a rally to oppose the privatization of the United States Postal Service. Join us at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa to demand USPS be allowed to remain as it is.
Take the lead on forming neighborhood or cafe gatherings. Go local. Invite people in your immediate neighborhood to get together, get to know each other, and plan actions. Meet in your home (easier for confidential conversations) or at a cafe (move visible for drawing others to you). If you’re willing to lead, write to us here [need email address] and tell us where you live. We’ll help put out the word that there’s a new group forming there.
Join Bob’s music group. Bob Hahn is helping put together a group to bring music and singing to protest events - and to get together to play for the sheer joy and pleasure of it (which is also a blow against fascism, btw). If you’re interested in joining, let him know at rfh511@gmail.com.
Come to an Activists’ Support and Brainstorm meeting. The next one is this coming Thursday at 6 pm. See our calendar for details.
More actions are coming soon. The pivot from constituent pressure to direct action is a big one for us. We’re moving as fast as we can, so expect new actions to pop up. If you have ideas for actions, write to us [indivisiblesoco@gmail.com]. And if you want to help lead actions, let us know! [indivisiblesoco@gmail.com]
A few words on the difference between power and posture
Why, you may ask, aren’t we thanking Padilla and Schiff for voting “no” on funding the Trump/Musk coup? The reason has to do with the difference between using power and posturing.
Schumer had originally planned to trade away Democrats’ leverage (the 60 vote threshold) for being able to add an amendment to the “budget” bill - one he knew would fail. That way, he could look like he was fighting while knowing that he had surrendered. He hoped the ruse would fool us. Posturing.
But people caught on and Schumer had to straight out vote with the Republicans, making his capitulation clear. Nine other Democrats joined him. That left the rest of the Democratic senators room to vote “no” and look like fighters, while knowing that they would lose. Were Padilla’s and Schiff’s votes sincere or for show? We can’t really know.
But what we can know is that they chose not to use the power each of them had, the power vested in every single senator, which they can use on their own. David Dayen, of the American Prospect, explains (boldface mine):
…it took every single Democratic Senator to agree to this deal. A single Democratic Senator could have denied unanimous consent, pushed this into Monday, allowed more time for the discontent to fester. Every Senate Democrat is complicit.
We needed them to use their power. Instead, we got posturing.
It’s Time for Schumer to Step Down
Chuck Schumer betrayed the nation, as well as House Democrats, this past week when he capitulated on the MAGA no-strings-for-Elon budget. Democrats can’t oppose Trump/Musk or win with with a weak and ineffective leader. Please call your senators and ask them to force Schumer to step down as minority leader. Until he does, don’t donate to any of the national Democratic organizations (individual races or state efforts are fine). Thanks!
Senator Alex Padilla
DC phone: 202-224-3553
SF phone: 415-981-9369
Senator Adam Schiff
DC phone: 202-224-3841
THANK YOU to our Representatives for Rejecting the Sham “Budget”
The Democratic House, however, stood firm. All but one Democrat rejected the no-strings/let-Elon-run-wild “budget”. Republicans, against expectation, were able to pass the measure by sticking together, but Democrats acted like a true opposition party, doing the best they could. Your Congressman deserves your thanks.
Congressman Jared Huffman
Phone: (San Rafael) 415-258-9657
or
Congressman Mike Thompson
Phone: (Santa Rosa) 707-542-7182
Our calendar is updated regularly. Check our calendar regularly to stay current!
MEETINGS
Indivisible Sonoma County After Hours Support / Brainstorm / Activist Group
Thu, Mar 20, 2025 6:00pm | US/Pacific
In Santa Rosa / In Person!!
Come to one or all of these meetings to gather with a community of progressive folks active in grassroots actions.
Each of us has something to contribute to this existential responsibility that rests on all of us.Do More - Take Action
Brainstorming Get Together/Activist Support Group
Wed, March 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm
FIRST TIME ATTENDEES, PLEASE ARRIVE AT 10:00 AM; MEETING STARTS AT 10:30 AM
Location: RSVP for location
Come to one or all of these meetings to gather with a community of progressive folks active in grassroots actions.
Each of us has something to contribute to this existential responsibility that rests on all of us.
We will be there and hope you will be too!
What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders
Thu, Mar 27, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm | US/Pacific
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders.. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The onslaught of news, the chaos coming out of the White House – it’s all meant to overwhelm us. It’s a deliberate strategy to sow confusion and make us believe we are powerless to fight back. The antidote: Coming together in the community to process what’s happening, to sift through what’s important and what’s just noise, and coalesce around strategies for fighting back.
Join Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week, as we carve out an hour to discuss what’s happening and – more importantly – what’s the plan.
Marches / Protests / Rallies
Make certain you are prepared for whatever could happen when you are where others could confront you. Read Indivisible National’s advice, here: https://indivisible.org/resource/safety-security-and-digital-preparedness-second-trump-administration
Rally for Federal Workers
Thu, Mar 20, 2025 12:00pm - 4:00pm | US/Pacific
Santa Rosa Federal Building
Santa Rosa Federal Building
777 Sonoma Ave
Santa Rosa
We are standing up for federal workers. We'll meet in front of the Federal Building, hear from speakers and then march around the corner to the Post Office where we'll rally some more.
Congressman Jared Huffman, special guest speaker.
Congressman Mike Thompson, special guest speaker
WE MUST FIGHT BACK!
Learn more at NBCLC.org
Sonoma Plaza Vigil against Trump
Fri, Mar 21, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm | US/Pacific
Location: Sonoma Plaza
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/762419/
Rally to Save the U.S. Post Office
Join Postal workers and Indivisible Sonoma County
Sunday, March 23
11am – 1pm PDT
Old Courthouse Square
3rd Street & Santa Rosa Avenue
Circle the Square
Sunday, March 30
3pm - 5pm PDT
Old Courthouse Square
3rd Street & Santa Rosa Avenue
Watch this space for more information
Hands Off! Indivisible Sonoma County Fights Back
Saturday, April 5
3 – 5pm PDT
Old Courthouse Square
Between 3rd and 4th street
Watch this space for more information
Calls, Postcards, Texts, Training
Josh Weil for Congress Phone Calls
Through Mar 28, 2025
Calling on all Floridians and Americans beyond who want to elect a single parent with two boys, and a public school teacher who will restore balance to Washington, fight for common sense solutions, and serve YOU - we need your HELP!
More details and for signup options (various date/time shifts; all times Eastern!)
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/753903/
Gay Valimont for Congress Phone Calls
Multiple days, 4:00pm - 6:00pm |
Join Team Valimont for a Weekly Phone Bank on Tuesdays!
Details and signup form:
mobilize.us/s/Z3akrT (4 pm PT / 6 pm ET)
Balance in the WI Supreme Court is up for Grabs
Tue, Mar 18, 2025 3:00pm - 5:00pm | US/Pacific
Join the Bay Area Coalition as we call with the Wisconsin Dems and Center for Common Ground to make calls to voters in Wisconsin!
We will call to connect with Wisconsin voters and get out the vote for the Spring Elections. The goal is to highlight the importance of Electing Susan Crawford to the Supreme Court and other democratic candidates up and down the ballot.
RSVP today and invite a friend to join us!
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/754108
National Guided Phonebank for Wisconsin
Wed, Mar 19, 2025 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Make calls with us every Wednesday from 3 pm PT/6 pm ET to 5pm PT/ 8 pm PT.
Sign up here!
Phone Banking for WI State Supreme Court
Thu, Mar 20, 2025 3:00pm - 5:00pm @ Democratic Party Headquarters
Postcards for Wisconsin Supreme Court Election
Democratic Party Headquarters
448 Sebastopol Ave.
Write postcards to voters in the Wisconsin Supreme Court contest.
Call or email to confirm. Limited seating.
Email: rebeccamont@gmail.com
Phone: 707-484-0414
Training
Voter ID Assistance Orientation
Tue, Mar 18, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm | US/Pacific
Help voters get the ID the need to cast a ballot that counts!
VoteRiders is seeking dedicated virtual and in-person volunteers to provide free voter ID assistance to eligible voters in key communities where VoteRiders has staff on the ground including Houston (TX), Columbus (GA), Pittsburgh (PA), Orlando (FL) and Charlotte (NC), Madison (WI), Milwaukee (WI) and Atlanta (GA).
This unique opportunity will make an immediate impact and directly help folks secure the ID they need to cast a ballot that counts.
Are you detail-oriented, reliable, computer savvy, and passionate about people? We need you for this ongoing opportunity!
Email: volunteer@VoteRiders.org
Two questions -
I noticed that the standing Tesla Takeover on Saturday at 11am is no longer on the calendar, Mobilize or mentioned in the newsletter. Are we moving away from that as a group? Seems like the pressure is really starting to build here.
Schumer is on a book tour right now and will be in Corte Madera on Saturday 3/22. Any thoughts on protesting at this event? https://www.bookpassage.com/event/senator-chuck-schumer-antisemitism-america-corte-madera-store