FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S MVCAN NEWSLETTER (10/21/20):
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS
SWING STATE PHONE BANKS - Now Running 4X-a-Week! Join In!
TEXT VOTERS IN BATTLEGROUND STATES - Sign Up Now- PLUS NEW: IN-PERSON LITERATURE DROPS IN TRACY!
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA STATE BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
GET READY - RALLY ON WED. NOV 4 “PROTECT THE RESULTS” IN DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL
ACTION TO OPPOSE UCSF DEAL WITH CATHOLIC DIGNITY HEALTH
WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHAT WE DID
REPORT FROM OCTOBER 4TH MVCAN MEETING - Guest Speaker from MOVE TEXAS impresses and inspires.
MVCAN PARTICIPATION IN MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON VOTE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
POWERFUL MILL VALLEY PROTEST AGAINST MAYOR MCENTEE’S WORDS & ACTIONS - Saturday, Oct 10.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS
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PHONE BANKS AND TRAINING - NOW RUNNING 4X WEEKL
STOP WORRYING. START DOING.
We have just about 2 weeks until November 3, the most important election in our lifetime.
Polls Don’t Vote!
We learned a hard lesson in 2016. Polls don’t vote. If people don’t turn out to vote we will not win. We know that we have a tough fight ahead of us in every battleground state with millions of voters to turn out.
If you planned to volunteer to help win back our country, this isn’t the time to sit on the sidelines. Our wonderful team of experienced coaches will train you--and it’s fun and rewarding to be part of our community of volunteers talking to voters all over the country.
SIGN UP ON THIS LIST OF ALL OUR OCTOBER/NOVEMBER PHONE BANKS.
Sign up for as many phone banks as you can and invite your family and friends to join a zoom phone bank with us.
We’ve Been Designated A National Biden/Harris GOTV Hub
DemAction Marin is a Biden/Harris Campaign National GOTV Hub. This means we will be in direct contact with the Biden Campaign leadership. Based on their data, they will direct us strategically to priority states. This will all be done virtually. California volunteers have always played an outsize role in elections--we are considered the call center for the rest of the country. Each of us needs to step up to help win this election in battleground states.
JOIN OUR ZOOM PHONE BANKS/TRAINING
We offer phone banks 4 days a week. During the final 4 days of GOTV (10/31 - 11/3) we will be open everyday from 9 am - 6 pm.
For the next 2 weekends our Marin National Biden/Harris GOTV Hub joins the national Weekend of Action with phone banks twice a day. At all our phone banks we will be calling voters in battleground states and our after-the-phone bank debriefs feature the counsel of our Voter Communication trainer, Kathi Walsh.
Auto-Dialer training is available at all our phone banks.
Phone Bank - Wed. Oct. 21, 12 - 2 pm (PDT)
Auto-Dialer training: Calling North Carolina
Register HERE
GOTV with Democracy Action Marin - National Weekend Of Action
Sat. Oct 24 9-11 am and 2-4 pm
Register HERE
GOTV with Democracy Action Marin - National Weekend Of Action
Sun. Oct 25 9-11 am and 2-4 pm
Register HERE
To participate in the Zoom Phone Bank, please have your charged cell phone AND a laptop, iPad or tablet along with your earbuds with a mic.
Remember, our experienced coaches are always on hand to guide you from start to finish.
FOR ALL OUR PHONE BANKS AND TRAINING, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE OR AT DEMACTION.US.
Don’t wake up Nov 4 feeling like you could have done more to save our democracy!
PHONE BANKING FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS
¡Bienvenidos a nuestras llamadas semanales en línea!
We need your help calling Spanish-speaking voters about electing Democrats to the Senate and White House and registering to receive their ballots by mail.
Commit to Flip Blue, Democracy Action Marin, Santa Cruz Indivisible, and Flip the West teamed up for a virtual Spanish language phone bank focused on flipping U.S. Senate seats, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Multiple times are available, see details when you sign up.
Sign up HERE to join Phone Banking For Spanish Speakers
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TEXT VOTERS IN BATTLEGROUND STATES - SIGN UP NOW!
Texting With Dem Action Marin’s Text Team
Texting is one of the most strategic ways, next to phone banking, to have personal conversations with voters. Our Text Team leader, Corrie Sias, selects texting opportunities every month to make sure you can get texting with the best programs in the country targeting battleground states.
Corrie directs you to those text campaign’s excellent training programs and helps you if you have questions or problems. Please email her for further info: corriesias11@gmail.com.
Florida is just one example of texting opportunities our Text Team leader Corrie has vetted:
“Donald Trump knows he has to carry Florida if he’s to have any chance of winning reelection,” says University of Central Florida professor Jim Clark. Clark, a UCF historian and political analyst, said it’s been almost 100 years since a Republican has won the White House without taking the state of Florida. Florida with its 29 electoral votes is up for grabs in 2020 and that is why both candidates, Biden and Trump are spending time in this state.
Sign Up For Florida Text Training Here
NEW OPPORTUNITY: “NO CONTACT” LITERATURE DROPS IN
TRACY FOR JOSH HARDER
The Democrats of Greater Tracy are requesting volunteers to help with their “no contact” literature drops for Josh Harder and local Democratic candidates in Tracy and Manteca. You will visit the homes of a designated list of voters and leave literature at their doors, with no interaction with the residents. MVCANers have helped with this the last two weekends and it has gone smoothly.
Literature Drops for Josh Harder
Sat. Oct 24 and Sun. Oct 25, 9am-1pm
Tracy and Manteca
Sign-up at greatertracydems.org/sign-ups-lit-drop
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STATE BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
For the convenience of our members, MVCAN is providing links below to three third-party orgs recommendations on the 2020 California State Propositions.
The Courage California Voter Guide 2020 is a very thoroughly researched, strongly progressive site that has historically been a great source for ballot recommendations. Please use the guide for more background information on the propositions and also for an excellent summary on the candidates Rep. Jared Huffman and CA Assemblyman Marc Levine.
The CADEM California Democratic Party 2020 Propositions Guide contains the recommendations of the CA Democratic party.
The League of Women Voter (LWV) voter guide also has extensive ballot proposition information.
(Note that some propositions are controversial, even within the progressive community, so please research them as your time and interests allow.)
Here is a quick summary of the recommendations (with short descriptors from the Courage and CADEM websites):
PROP 14: Courage Guide - NO POSITION, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - NEUTRAL
Continues stem cell research funding to develop treatments and cures for chronic and life-threatening diseases.
PROP 15: Courage Guide - YES, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - YES
Balanced reform that reclaims $12 billion for our local schools and communities.
PROP 16: Courage Guide - YES, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - YES
Ends the ban on affirmative action to level the playing field for women and communities of color.
PROP 17: Courage Guide - YES, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - YES
Restores voting rights to Californians who have completed their prison term. Free the Vote!
PROP 18: Courage Guide - YES, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - YES
Allows those who turn age 18 by a November general election to vote in that year’s primary elections.
PROP 19: Courage Guide - NO, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - NO
Changes property tax laws. Closes tax loopholes on out-of-state trust fund heirs.
PROP 20: Courage Guide - NO, CADEM Guide - NO, LWV - NO
Wastes tens of millions on prisons, causing cuts to rehabilitation and schools. Stop the Prison Spending Scam!
PROP 21: Courage Guide - YES, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - NEUTRAL
Keeps families in their homes, prevents homelessness, and preserves affordable housing.
PROP 22: Courage Guide - NO, CADEM Guide - NO, LWV - NO POSITION
Exempts Uber and Lyft from providing drivers the benefits they deserve. Drivers’ rights over Uber/Lyft profits.
PROP 23:: Courage Guide - YES, CADEM Guide - YES, LWV - NEUTRAL
Improves safety and prohibits discrimination in dialysis clinics to protect gravely ill patients.
PROP 24: Courage Guide - NO, CADEM Guide - NEUTRAL, LWV - NO
Would expand or amend the provisions of the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 to include pay-for-privacy schemes.
Replaces discriminatory and unjust money bail with a fairer system based on public safety – not ability to pay.
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THE DAY AFTER: RALLY ON NOV 4 - “PROTECT THE RESULTS” PROTEST IN DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL- SIGN UP NOW
With every tweet and refusal to commit to accepting the legitimate results of the 2020 election, Trump seeks to stoke chaos and fear.
But we will be ready - If Trump tries to steal the election or prevent every vote from being counted, Protect the Results will activate nationwide mobilizations to demand that all the votes are counted and for the peaceful transition of power.
Protect the Results Rally
Wednesday, Nov 4 at 5 pm (tentative time)
1000 4th St, City Plaza, San Rafael
Sign up HERE
(The date and time are tentative. Sign up, and you will be notified of the actual time.)
NOTE: We think the likelihood of activation is high. We should all plan as though these events could be as early as 5pm local time on Wednesday, November 4.
Join us to honor the valid results of the 2020 election, ensure that every vote is counted, and show up to demand the peaceful transition of power.
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ACTION TO OPPOSE UCSF DEAL WITH CATHOLIC DIGNITY HEALTH
University of California partnerships with Catholic Health Care are problematic, because these partnerships create religious restrictions on care and undermine UCSF’s values relating to reproductive and LGBTQ rights and inclusion. UC is a governmental entity that can’t discriminate on the basis of religion. Marginalized, low-income patients of color most need access to comprehensive care. “Work-arounds” and “transparency” are not acceptable solutions.
We can take action to prevent UC Health from affiliating with entities that discriminate against women and LGBTQ+ people. UC took public comments through February, but haven’t released comments or shared how they will be used. UC Regents were supposed to vote in May 2020, but the vote was delayed indefinitely due to COVID.
UC must schedule this vote, and vote to not sign any more new UC contracts with religious restrictions.
ACTION: Send an email opposing UCSF affiliation with Dignity Health.
Address the letter to Dr. Michael Drake and send it to contact@allcareeverywhere.com. (Dr. Drake is the new president of the University of California and oversees UC's university system of 10 campuses and five medical centers.)
Sample Letter
To Dr. Michael Drake,
My name is [Name] and I am a [student/community member] at [School/City.] As the current COVID-19 global pandemic makes clear, the most important guiding principle in medical decisions must be patient health. In fact, this crisis emphatically demonstrates that hospitals should exist to provide the best possible science-based care to patients, not impose religion on them and discriminate against them. Now more than ever, California must continue to be a national leader in inclusive health care, and UC must lead California in this effort. We ask for transparency and thoughtfulness regarding this process regarding when UC will vote on the Working Group on Comprehensive Access’s report. As the new President, please make sure that UC stands for its values, and does not sign any new contracts that place religious restrictions on health care. [Insert personal connection to the issue.]
Alternatively, you can record a video expressing your views.
Send the video to contact@allcareeverywhere.com.
Suggested introduction: My name is [Name] and I’m asking UC to protect LGBTQ and
reproductive health care because [insert story.]
If you wish to grant them permission to use your story in the future, please sign the UC Virtual Speak Out Release Form.WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO!
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“TRAP THE VOTE” HOLDS PROTEST AGAINST MAYOR MCENTEE’S WORDS & ACTIONS
Amber Allen Peirson and Barry Accius of "Trap the Vote"
Many MVCAN members came out to support last week’s rally at the Depot Plaza to call out Mill Valley Mayor Sashi McEntee’s racist and rightwing comments and actions. The rally was organized by “Trap the Vote,” a Marin City-based racial justice activist group.
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REPORT FROM OCTOBER 4TH MVCAN MEETING
At our recent meeting, guest speaker from MOVE TEXAS, Executive Director Drew Galloway, spoke to more than 50 attendees. We were very moved by their stupendous work. It is worth watching the video recording of Drew’s “everything up-to-date you want to know about voting in Texas” talk!
If you missed the meeting, watch the video at mvcan.org:
REPORT FROM THE FRONTLINES: OCTOBER 2020
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MVCAN PARTICIPATION IN MILL VALLEY AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVENTS
Many MVCAN members, along with many affordable housing allies, called into the Mill Valley Housing Advisory Committee meeting, as well as the MV City Council meeting earlier this month. They advocated for a broad and expert examination of housing options available in Mill Valley. We need strong and persistent support for the creation of affordable housing units after more than 30 years without significant forward progress! Stay tuned for more information about the ways to engage on this issue- this will be an ongoing effort
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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.
Eco Team 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 The Electoral Team is hard at work to take back our country in battleground states all over the country this November...voters start voting in September! We're calling, texting and sending letters & postcards to defend our hard-won House seats, win the Presidency, and take back the Senate. Our team of experienced electoral leaders will help get you started to talk to voters to make sure they are registered and ready to VOTE THEM OUT. We feature Voter Communication training and we'll coach you every step of the way. Join us to take back our country!
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 volunteer@mvcan.org.
Thank you for all you do!
– June, Bernard, Eileen, Rebecca, and everyone at MVCAN
MVCAN News brought to you by June, Annie and Eileen
