FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S MVCAN BULLETIN:
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ELECTORAL ACTIONS: PHONE/TEXT BANKING - CANVASSING - TRAINING - (including Anna Pletcher DA Race Activities)
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AIRLIFT SPECIAL PROJECT - NORTH DAKOTA NOW!
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VOTER INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MIDTERMS
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JOIN US - MVCAN 2ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND “BIG BLUE BLOWOUT" - Friday night, Nov. 9
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RALLY IN SAN RAFAEL TO SUPPORT COURT CASE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE - Mon. Oct. 29
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REPORT FROM OCT. MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING
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REPORT FROM MVCAN LEADERS’ MEETING
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COMMUNITY GALA FOR THE CANAL WELCOME/ MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN - Sat. Oct. 27
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23 and FREE!
INCREDIBLE MIDTERM PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES
CANVASSING - PHONE/TEXT BANKING - TRAINING!
With each passing day, it becomes increasingly clear that the upcoming midterms are not just a choice between Democrats and Republicans, but between right and wrong. The first step in righting wrongs is just two weeks away!
Get all the latest updates on what you can do to make a real difference in the Midterms:
Our new comprehensive MVCAN Midterm Volunteer Weekly Bulletin is here!
Below are some highlighted opportunities for volunteering.
ACT NOW: CANVASSING IN CD-10 - SUNDAY OCT 21
Join fellow MVCAN members and canvass for Democratic Congressional Candidate Josh Harder:
Modesto Canvass for Josh Harder for Congress
Sun. Oct 21, 12:00 - 3:00 pm,
More info and sign-up with Harder campaign canvass: Here
In addition, let MVCAN know you are coming: Here
WANT TO CANVASS LOCALLY?
In a critical, competitive local race, come support MVCAN’s endorsed progressive candidate for Marin District Attorney, Anna Pletcher, by canvassing in Mill Valley - EVERY SATURDAY UNTIL THE ELECTION.
Canvass for Anna Pletcher for Marin DA
Sat Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, starting at 9:30 am, Whole Foods (414 Miller Avenue)
Please RSVP to petergraumann@yahoo.com. For details, see the the MVCAN Midterm Volunteer Weekly Bulletin.
You can also support Anna Pletcher by phone banking:
Phone bank for Anna Pletcher for Marin DA.
Thursday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7:30 pm
Sausalito: 80 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 20 (a free-standing building)
Read MVCAN’s Leigh Ann Townsend’s Anna Pletcher support letter in the Marin IJ (Sun. Sept 30)
FINAL FOUR DAYS OF GET OUT THE VOTE
Sat. Nov. 3 through Tues. Nov. 6
See our special MVCAN Final Four Days GOTV Guide to help you plan your participation in the final four days of Get Out The Vote activities from Saturday, Nov 3 to Tuesday, Nov 6. There will be multiple special phone banks scheduled at our Sausalito phone bank location and multiple canvassing shifts. Canvassing destinations for MVCAN groups will include Tracy and Modesto in CD-10 (Josh Harder for Congress) and Las Vegas and Reno (Jacky Rosen for Senate). Schedules, transportation, housing for those going for multiple days, and sign-up links will be covered.
Kudos to the MVCAN Midterm Task Force volunteers for organizing and strategizing election volunteer efforts!
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AIRLIFT FUNDRAISING - NORTH DAKOTA SPECIAL PROJECT
Leewana Thomas was Director of United Students Against Sweatshops and an organizer with Our Walmart.
Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota courageously voted “No!” on Brett Kavanaugh. Now she needs our help!
Airlift is partnering with The Movement Voter Project to push back against voter suppression in North Dakota and to keep Heidi in her senate seat, as well as to create some infrastructure that will last. The Movement Voter Project has recruited an incredible young organizer named Leewana Thomas to pull together an Alabama-style campaign (which got Senator Doug Jones elected), hiring 100+ organizers and giving mini-grants to dozens of tiny but passionate local groups. Airlift has already raised $5,000 from 35 separate donors for the North Dakota project.
North Dakota does not require voter registration to vote. So in the coming weeks, Leewana and her team will be working in every corner of the state, including all five Indian reservations, all the colleges, and all the cities. They will find people who weren’t planning to vote, help them get their voter ID, and make sure they actually vote.
Heidi was down 10% in the polls the last time she was re-elected…we can do this!
DONATE TO HELP HEIDI HEITKAMP HERE
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VOTER GUIDE INFORMATION FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Many MVCAN members have asked for guidance on whom and what to vote for in November in Marin.
For a great overview from a number of different progressive organizations on the propositions on the ballot, this an excellent review of the twelve state propositions from the Courage Campaign: couragevoterguide.org
The State Democratic Party provides their recommendations on the following website: cadem.org/our-candidates. You can enter your address and the State Democratic website will provide a list of endorsements tailored to your ballot.
The California League of Conservation Voters provides an environmental perspective on election issues at ecovote.org
The Marin County Democratic Party provides Marin DA, Community College, School Board and Healthcare District recommendation on their website: marindemocrats/.org/election-2018
MVCAN endorses Anna Pletcher for Marin District Attorney.
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SAVE THE DATE - MVCAN 2ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND “BIG BLUE BLOWOUT” - Friday night, Nov. 9
Join in a night of celebration with drinks, dancing, and thanks to MVCAN members and community partners for their stellar work on the midterm elections. Come celebrate a whole year of achievements, not to mention toasting MVCAN’s 2nd Anniversary!
MVCAN 2nd Anniversary and Election Victory Celebration!
Friday Nov 9, 7:30 - 11:00 pm
Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse, 267 Buena Vista Avenue, Mill Valley
(Location info at: mvgolf.com)
Graphic by Carol Korenbrot
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SAN RAFAEL RALLY TO SUPPORT
"OUR CHILDREN’S TRUST" COURT CASE
Photo: Our Children's Trust
On Oct. 29 Our Children's Trust will take the Trump administration to court for violating our constitutional rights by causing climate change.
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The Freedom Singers and 350Marin are holding a rally in San Rafael in support of Our Children Trusts on Mon. Oct. 29. Using science-based arguments, 21 students will present their case that our government has taken actions that deny them a “public trust” right to a future that includes THEIR right to life, liberty, and property.
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The rally will be held on Monday, October 29 from 4 - 6 pm at the Square in San Rafael in front of Cold Creamery, 1002 Court St. Please join us! Go to 350Marin's Website for more information and to register for the rally.
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REPORT FROM OCT. MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING
Lynn Woolsey speaking at MVCAN meeting on Oct. 14. Photo: June Cooperman.MVCAN had a great turnout come out to see guest speaker Rep. Lynn Woolsey at our monthly meeting last Sunday. More than 70 members heard from our former Congresswoman about election insights gleaned from her long experience in office. Additionally, several MVCAN leaders gave exciting news on the midterm activities.
Also we heard a terrific summary from Anna Pletcher about the critical role of a progressive DA candidate as a force for equality and justice.
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REPORT FROM MVCAN LEADERS MEETING
Not all older white men in this country are conservative $%$$##%^&*!! Photo: Eileen Fisher
The meeting of the MVCAN leaders group was led by Chris Lydon and provided a snapshot of each MVCAN team in the weeks leading up to the midterms. The group also began to explore ideas about focus and priorities for after the midterms. MVCAN is committed to continuing our work of Keeping Democracy Alive for the long haul.
Leaders shared insights on MVCAN successes, challenges and vision for future, including possible changes in approach, structure and/or focus for our next set of challenges. There was much candor, food for thought and inspiration, which will be followed up at the MVCAN Leaders’ retreat in January. MVCAN members who are interested in getting involved in leadership are invited to join in the retreat. (Details will be given at a later date.)
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FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY GALA
FOR THE MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN
Come out and support the Canal Welcome / Multicultural Center of Marin at their community gala. The center has been a partner of MVCAN, working with our Immigration/Civil Rights team for the past two years, serving diverse immigrant and low-income communities in Marin County.
Join in a memorable evening featuring multi-ethnic cuisine, community awards, live performances and dancing!
Multicultural Center Community Gala
Sat. Oct. 27, 6pm - 10pm
Marin Center Exhibit Hall
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael
Sign up HERE. Suggested donation $125/person
JOIN AN ACTION TEAM
WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED in a specific issue or support area? Much of MVCAN's work is done in one of our 10 awesome action teams. Click the team name to read their latest news and find their next meeting.
Civil Rights/Immigration battles for justice and fair treatment of women, immigrants, working people and followers of all faiths.
Communications works on strategy, branding, messaging and program development for MVCAN. They are looking for bright ideas and people who want to make them happen.
Dump Trump 's 25 active team members work on ways to remove Trump from power, with special focus on Russia collusion.
Eco Warriors are engaged in change at the local, state and national levels, to impact the CA carbon tax, climate change, and community outreach and action.
The Economic Action team runs AIRLIFT, our first national project. AIRLIFT funnels money to grassroots groups in winnable 2018 districts. These are seriously vetted groups that work all year round in their communities–they get tangible results without blowing through millions of dollars. Read about Airlift in the Huffington Post .
Electoral is focused on the 2018 Midterm Elections, when all 435 seats in the House plus 33 Senate seats are up for grabs. We intend to grab as many as possible. The Electoral team works to elect Democratic candidates for federal and state level elections using phone/text banks and travel to targeted districts to talk with voters through phone calls, texts, door-to-door canvassing, voter registration, and campaign volunteering.
The Events team creates special events to engage our friends and neighbors to take political action with MVCAN.
Health Care is forging ahead after their successful fight over the repeal/replace of ACA.
Tech supports MVCAN through technology.
Women's Rights fundraises and canvasses for NARAL and Planned Parenthood; supports women in public office(s); and engages in local, state and federal legislation for women's protection and rights.
NEW TO MVCAN?
Visit MVCAN.org to learn about the organization and strategies, join a team, read past MVCAN newsletters, and gain helpful Resistance tools.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER YOUR SKILLS OR TALENTS?
Numerous positions and jobs are available – one-time or ongoing. Contact Debra Newton, our Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@mvcan.org.
Thank you for all you do!
– June, Bernard, Suz, Danny, Eileen, Rebecca, and everyone at MVCAN
MVCAN News brought to you by June, Annie, Eileen and Suz
