• LOVE LIVES IN MARIN VALENTINES DAY EVENT FEB. 14

• VIGIL FOR PARKLAND AT TAM HIGH FEB. 15

• DEMOCRACY CAFÉ - YOUTH IN ACTION  FEB. 18

• OFFSHORE DRILLING PROTEST IN SACRAMENTO FEB. 8

• MARIN CITY MLK DAY CELEBRATION ON TV

MVCAN PHONE AND TEXT BANKING SATURDAYS, SAUSALITO

Congressman Jared Huffman dropping in to address phone/text bankers on Feb. 10. Photo: Marti Cermak

We've started our work early this election and are busy calling voters in our priority (flippable) California Congressional Districts, along with voters in PA-18 to elect Conor Lamb in the March 13 Special Congressional Election, as well as voters in Nevada to oust Senator Heller. We're also texting on behalf of Senatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, who is running against Ted Cruz in Texas.

MVCAN was thrilled to have our Congressman, Jared Huffman, drop by at our phone and text bank on February 10.

Congressman Huffman expressed enthusiastic support for our efforts, noting the importance of flipping as many elected offices as possible from red to blue this year and the effectiveness of direct outreach to voters.

Upon his arrival the Electoral Team was hard at work training another 65 volunteers to phone bank and text voters in swing areas, using our team's popular training program.

Phone and Text Banks in Sausalito

Sat. Feb. 24 and Sat. Mar. 3 - Phone/Text Bank, 2:30-4:30pm, in Sausalito. These dates will be regular working phone/text banking. Register here.

We'll be calling for CD-10, Nevada and Conor Lamb in PA (E-Day 3/13.)

Keep in mind that for all our phone and text banks and training you need to bring your charged cell phone AND your laptop, iPad or tablet, along with earbuds with a mic.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES - PHONE AND TEXT BANKING:

Earlier this month we trained more than 130 new volunteers to text and phone bank over two Saturdays! Join us below for more opportunities to train.

All attendees must bring their charged cell phones AND laptop, iPad or tablet.

Sat. March 10 - PHONE BANK Training 101, 1 - 4pm, in Sausalito - Register here.

Phone Bank Training 101 is designed for phone banking novices, but also for those who dove right in without formal training. It includes role-play and practice calls. You'll learn how to make calls to voters in red and purple states and districts to get out the vote for the 2018 Midterms.

Sat. March 10 - TEXT BANK Training - 10:30am-12pm in Sausalito - Register here.

Join us to learn how to use texting to contact voters. It's another tool we use to help increase voter turnout. It's effective--we reach a different target audience--and those of you who don't like to call voters may find this a good alternative. We’ll learn how to text voters using the Relay platform. We'll text for Beto O'Rourke, running for Senate against Ted Cruz in TX.

Full house of phone/text bankers. Photo: June Cooperman

CANVASSING IN CD10 WITH SWING LEFT MARIN

There are lots of great opportunities coming up to canvass voters in CD10 to help flip Congress in the 2018 midterms. We will be volunteering in Modesto, Manteca, and Tracy, CA. Volunteers will be laying the groundwork for unseating Jeff Denham (R) by visiting Democratic voters as part of a locally-based effort to activate them prior to the election.  

Under the auspices of Swing Left Marin, we have multiple chances to canvass and register voters. So pick some dates that work for you and join us! We can and will make the difference in 2018!

SINGLE-DAY CANVASSING OPPORTUNITIES:

Unlike the monthly Tracy canvasses, the actions listed below do NOT require a monthly commitment and can be done as a one-day event. Come the months you can, but you must pre-register for the events.

Modesto:

Canvassing – Saturday Feb 24, 10 am - 2 pm

Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com

If you wish to carpool, contact Bridget Gleason from Swing Left Marin 510.910.4893. We will be leaving from the Larkspur Ferry terminal at 8 AM.

Manteca:

Canvassing – Saturday March 3, 10 am

Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com

ONCE-A-MONTH COMMITMENT FOR CANVASSING IN TRACY

The Tracy GO Team, which coordinates activities with Swing Left Marin in Tracy, requires a monthly commitment for canvassing. (You can share the commitment with another person, for example, canvassing in alternating months).

You can come for an initial canvassing day and "test drive", whether or not you want to commit to canvassing one day a month going forward.

No previous experience is needed - training will be provided.

Tracy Monthly Canvassing:

Sat. March 10 and all 2nd Saturdays - Swing Left Marin/MVCAN - 11am Tracy.
(Most of the volunteers for second Saturdays are MVCAN members.)

There are a few spots remaining for 2nd Saturdays.

To register and find out about carpooling, contact MVCAN member Larry Litvak at: llitvak@aol.com

Sunday, March 4 and all 1st Sundays - 11 am Tracy
Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com

Saturday, Feb. 24 and all 3rd Saturdays - 11 am Tracy
Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com

SINGLE-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITY IN  TRACY

There are only NINE more Voter Registration actions led by Swing Left Marin in Tracy before the primary election! And our next opportunity has just been made available:

Tracy Voter Registration - March 10 – 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Please sign-up here

We may have to place a limit on the number of volunteers we can accept for each event, so please sign up now if you are interested.

MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING SUN. MAR 4, 4-5:30 PM

MILL VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER

Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health and NIRH Action Fund

At our March 4 monthly meeting, we will spotlight an important issue which of late has gotten less attention than it deserves. Despite the Trump Administration and Congress working relentlessly to strip away our right to abortion care, decimate health coverage and push contraceptive access out of reach, the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) continues to work to counter this troubling trend.

The NIRH works in states and cities across the country to promote a proactive approach to reproductive health, rights, and justice. Partnerships formed with local and state advocates in all parts of the country are a central component of NIRH’s efforts to change public policy, galvanize public support, and normalize women’s decisions about abortion and contraception. .

With the fight for reproductive freedom more urgent than ever, Andrea will offer a snapshot of the state of women's reproductive rights nationwide, talk about recent successes, and how we can get involved.

MVCAN Monthly Meeting
Sunday, Mar. 4, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley

Also on our exciting agenda, hear about recent MVCAN successes and great opportunities for participation.

CALIFORNIA IS NOW A “SANCTUARY” STATE – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MARIN?

Photo: Gayle Donsky

Is Marin County ready for SB-54, the California Values Act?

Attend a lecture on what SB-54 means for California as a sanctuary state and learn how law enforcement agencies can improve upon SB-54’s policies. Also, find out how to help people “Know Their Rights” in county jail and detention facilities.

Defining Sanctuary

Saturday, Feb. 24, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Guzman Lecture Hall, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Ave, San Rafael

This event is sponsored by the Canal Alliance

Please Register Here.

DEMOCRACY CAFÉ - END GUN VIOLENCE

Participants at January's Democracy Café. Photo: Mary Cosgove

Join Democracy Café on Sunday, March 18, from 2 to 5pm, which will help people of all ages prepare signs and songs for the March for Our Lives rally to end gun violence on March 24. See below for more info about the march.

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH FOR OUR LIVES - MAR. 24

Join the young people of our country in their heartfelt protest march for Gun Safety on March 24. Stay tuned for more details in the following weeks about MVCAN’s participation in this national event against gun violence.

To prepare signs for the March for Our Lives rally, join the next Democracy Cafe to end gun violence on Sunday, March 18, from 2 to 5pm. Sign up here for more information.

Also, MVCAN is looking into ways to participate in the upcoming March 14 national school walkout. Stay tuned for ways to show your support.

AIRLIFT GRASSROOTS SPECIAL BULLETIN

HELP KEEP ICE WITHIN THE LAW

The Marin Rapid Response Network is offering training to become a Legal Observer to help monitor ICE activity. When ICE activity is reported, trained Legal Observers will be deployed  to a specific area within Marin County to "document" the situation.  You do not need to have a legal background or be bilingual to become a Legal Observer.  

Come help us keep the ICE honest and within the law!

Training Dates for Legal Observer Volunteers:

March 7 and 21, Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 pm

April 4 and 18, Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 pm

Training Location:  

First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, Canoles Hall

510 Fifth Ave, San Rafael  

For more information contact Olivia Beltran - Obeltran@cwcenter.org

(415) 526-2486 x 303

MVCAN VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION A GREAT SUCCESS!

         Fatima Hansia of the Islamic Center of Mill Valley

On Valentine’s Day, MVCAN and the Marin Interfaith Council launched the Love Lives In Marin initiative with a musical rally at the Depot in Mill Valley.

The groups Ukulele Jubilee, Ukulele Friends, and the Ohana Freedom Singers provided wonderful musical entertainment.

More than 100 locals came out to hear moving personal talks about tolerance and love from Fatima Hansia of the Islamic Center of Mill Valley, Mill Valley City Council member Sashi McEntee, Tam High Principal J.C. Farr, and Reverend Scott Quinn.

It was a "LOVEly" event on a beautiful Valentine's afternoon. Kudos to our Civil Rights team for making it all happen!

             Mill Valley City Council member Sashi McEntee

             Civil Rights team leader Peter Graumann

Freedom Singers

Photos: Penni Gladstone Photography

MVCAN also participated in a Valentine's Day march with Canal Alliance in San Rafael.

         Sue Fishman and friends at the Canal Alliance march

MOVING VIGIL HELD AT TAM HIGH AFTER PARKLAND SHOOTING

Photo Montage: Fabrice Florin

Propelled to action by the Parkland School shootings, Tam High students spontaneously organized a vigil at twilight on February 15th In front of the school staircase, which was lit dramatically with votive candles. Students, parents and community members of all ages gathered in grief for the victims and outrage at government inaction on gun violence.

In a heartfelt ceremony, one student after another took the mike to share their pain and their resolve to find ways to take action to end the horrifying pattern of school shootings. They talked about the predictable “thoughts and prayers” mantra signaling paralysis before the NRA.

Bernard Catalinotto of MVCAN shared the support of our 1000+ members.

A member of the legendary Seniors for Peace from the Redwoods retirement community got an ovation when she closed the vigil asking everyone to sing This Little Light of Mine, a classic song from the protest movement. All in attendance were moved and inspired by the eloquence and passion of our Mill Valley youth.

MVCAN's Bernard Catalinotto and Jenny Tompkins. Photo: Fabrice Florin.

DEMOCRACY CAFÉ HOSTS ANOTHER INSPIRING EVENT

Photo Montage: Fabrice Florin

Activists and artists of all ages gathered at Democracy Cafe to celebrate Youth In Action in a fun afternoon of art, music and politics. Participants created their own political signs, brainstormed ideas for a new art float, and sang-along a medley of songs with the Freedom Singers.

Young activists from Generation: Our Climate and 350 Bay Area spoke about their environmental work, testifying about green energy policies and protesting the new coal terminal in Oakland. Young singers/songwriters Matt Jaffe and Patrick Maley took turns playing personal and politically-minded songs. Poet Kurt Lipschutz and musician Joel Hamilton performed an inspiring mix of jazz and poetry.

Many thanks to all the MVCAN members who participated in this celebration, and to the volunteer organizers, photographers and activity leaders who made this event possible.

Watch a 360° video of the event, shot by Gary Yost.

ECO TEAM MARCHES AGAINST OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING

MVCAN members Jenny Tompkins and Liz Schumacher

Hundreds of California citizens converged on the state capitol to protest opening up of literally all of the US coastline from Alaska to the Gulf to oil and gas drilling.

ECO Team members, as well as other MVCAN members, marched in Sacramento on Feb. 8 to voice their opposition to both the process and the program proposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for opening up offshore drilling.

The good news is there is overwhelming bipartisan opposition in the state legislature to drilling!

Join us for the MVCAN Eco-Warriors Team’s next meeting:

When: Wednesday, March 7 at 7pm

Where: Good Earth - 201 Flamingo Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

*handicap parking and access available

SEE THE MARIN CITY MLK DAY CELEBRATION ON TV

Miss the MLK Day Celebration that MVCAN participated in?

Watch it here:

Showtimes: Education Channel 30

Friday           2/23/2018   5:00 p.m.

Sunday         2/25/2018     12:00 p.m.

Monday       2/26/2018     5:00 p.m.

Read more about Marin Community TV.