FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S MVCAN NEWSLETTER (4/30/21)
UPCOMING EVENTS
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN AT MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING - Monday, May 10, 4:30pm - 5:30pm ALL WELCOME!
PHONE BANK AND TEXTING - Ongoing Saturdays To W. VA and NEW MEXICO
POST-CARDING TO VOTERS HAS RE-STARTED!
JOIN INDIVISIBLE MARIN FOR HEATHER BOOTH EVENT - Sunday, May 2, 5pm
MARIN PRO-HOUSING SUMMIT - Weds. May 12, 5pm-7pm
NEW “BELVEDERE/ TIBURON CAN” GROUP LAUNCHES - MORE GREAT LOCAL ACTIVISM!
WHAT WE’VE DONE
MVCAN MARCH MONTHLY MEETING RECAP
LOCAL RACIAL JUSTICE UPDATE: Mill Valley City Council Meeting April 19 on MVPD Issues and Anti-Asian American Violence Vigil in April
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NEW DAY AND TIME! JOIN US FOR OUR MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING
Monday May 10, 4:30 - 5:30pm
COME WELCOME CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN TO OUR MAY MEETING!
This our third opportunity to host our Congressman - a champion of progressive legislation and environmental stewardship.
Note that to accommodate Rep. Huffman’s schedule, we have a new time and date for our meeting (Mon. May 10, 4:30pm).
Hear all the latest legislative news from the capitol and find out what’s happening behind the scenes. Hear about the imminent, the plausible, and the aspirational policy and electoral opportunities going forward.
In an update from the Electoral Team, Susan Bolle will discuss ongoing actions you can take to secure our democracy and to invest in elections this year.
HOW TO JOIN THE ZOOM MONTHLY MEETING - MONDAY, MAY 10, 4:30 PM
Meeting ID: 835 9751 1861
Passcode: mvcan
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ELECTORAL: TIME TO GET FIRED UP AGAIN!
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DISENGAGE!
Rep. Deb Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet SecretaryHopefully, we’ve all had our rest, and now we’re fired up and ready to go. It is critically important that we get to work now since the midterm elections are coming in 2022, and we must lay the groundwork to hold our House majority and fortify our Senate win! The threat of a Republican 2022 midterm comeback is real due to Republican gerrymandering, their voter suppression tactics, and the midterm history of losses for the party in power.
Crucially, we need to fight for the groundbreaking legislation our country needs, starting with the "For The People" Voting Rights Act. Republicans are laser-focused on suppressing the vote and have brought up 361 voter suppression bills in 47 states. The "For The People" Voting Rights Act would supersede all the voter suppression bills brought by the Republican state legislatures for Federal elections. In attempting to pass this voting rights legislation, we face an uphill battle to overcome the limitations of the 51-50 Senate. It will take reform (or abolishment) of the filibuster to pass the most sweeping voting rights legislation in history -- at a time when our democracy is tragically vulnerable.
It is urgent we pass the "For The People" Act quickly. Since provisions of the bill target partisan gerrymandering by requiring the formation of independent redistricting commissions (and the commissions need to be set up before the decennial redistricting begins this Fall) we need to get to work right away.
Right now is also the time to buttress our majority in the House, which is hanging by a thread: 218 Democrats to 212 Republicans. With 4 vacant Democratic-held seats, Speaker Pelosi will lose the majority with any more than 2 Democratic defections!
ABOUT OUR PHONE BANKS
We’re holding regular weekly phone banks on Saturdays at 3pm.
We’re making calls to voters for 2 urgent actions:
Calling voters in states such as West Virginia with Democratic Senators who are recalcitrant to reform the filibuster to pass Senate Bill 1, the "For The People" Voting Rights Act. The Republican focus on restricting the right to vote has put our democracy under a real and urgent threat.
Calling voters in New Mexico to win the June 1 Special Congressional Election for the seat Rep. Deb Haaland vacated. Our House majority hangs by a thread. It is imperative we hold this House seat in New Mexico to buttress our majority ahead of the 2022 Midterms.
REGISTER FOR UPCOMING VIRTUAL PHONE BANKS:
Upcoming phone banks: Sat. 5/1, Sat. 5/8 and Sat. 5/15. All phone banks 3 - 5pm.
Please sign up HERE
You'll have the opportunity to decide which set of calls you want to make at the phone bank. We'll place you in breakout rooms with our experienced coaches for the New Mexico Special Election or the “For The People” Voting Rights Act calls.
TEXTING
Our Text Team Leader Corrie Sias has found a good texting opportunity to fight the Republican voter suppression campaign through our partner, Movement Labs, which is offering text assignments on an almost daily basis.
Please make sure to read each campaign's instructions before you start an assignment. Below are the links to get started. Please email Corrie with any questions corriesias11@gmail.com.
TO GET STARTED TEXTING WITH MOVEMENT LABS:
Sign up at Movement Labs Text Training & Current Campaigns
FOR EXPERIENCED TEXTERS:
Sign up at Movement Labs Slack Sign Up
Corrie advises that you join Movement Labs’ Slack channel. That’s where they announce the day's text assignments, and you can also sign up for a Movement Lab Spoke account to request text assignments for that day. Even if you already have worked on Spoke with other campaigns, you must sign up for a Movement Lab Spoke account in order to text with them.
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POSTCARDING
As we await our favorite organization Reclaim Our Vote, which was instrumental in getting Joseph Biden elected president, to come up with their next campaign, we have a new, exciting, high-impact postcard campaign to work on in the interim aimed at protecting our very fragile Democratic majority in Congress.
This campaign is through Activate America (formerly Flip the West.) This campaign is particularly effective because of its “Double Impact.” The postcards are being sent to inconsistent Democratic and Independent voters in a congressional district in a state that has BOTH an at-risk Democratic congressperson and an at-risk Democratic Senator. Later these same voters will receive follow-up texts and/or phone calls.
Postcard Script:
The text of these postcards emphasize the strong popularity of the American Rescue Plan (COVID Relief Bill) and thus need to be sent while that Bill is fresh in voters’ minds, with the following message:
Dear [Name] – Your Democratic Congressman Steven Horsford and your Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto just helped pass a COVID relief bill that provides $1,400 checks to most Americans, extends unemployment payments, and reduces childhood poverty by 50%. Promises kept! Every Republican voted against the bill. [Your Name], volunteer
TO GET STARTED POSTCARDING:
If you are interested in signing up for postcarding, please contact our Postcard “Czar” Bob Haar for details at: politicalbobh@gmail.com
Postcards need to be mailed by May 30.
Remember new postcarders are welcome to join the team at any time.
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INDIVISIBLE MARIN HOSTS LEGENDARY ORGANIZER
HEATHER BOOTH - Sunday, May 2, 5pm
“When I asked how to get organized, I was told two words, Heather Booth” - Elizabeth Warren
All Marin activists are invited to join IndiMarin for a virtual conversation with renowned organizer and activist Heather Booth. Heather began her remarkable career at the height of the Civil Rights movement and was a leader in the most pivotal moments in progressive movements that altered our history over the last fifty years. From her founding of the JANE Underground in 1964, to her involvement with Fannie Lou Hamer and the Freedom Summer Project, to her personal connections with leaders such as Julian Bond and Senator Elizabeth Warren, Heather is an indomitable figure.
She will share her perspectives on citizen activism and answer questions from participants.
To sign up for a virtual discussion with Heather:
Sunday, May 2 at 5pm, click HERE
Heather is the subject of a very inspiring one-hour documentary available on Vimeo and Amazon Prime. Watch the trailer here.
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MARIN HOUSING SUMMIT - Wed. May 12, 5pm
Join pro-housing groups on Wednesday, May 12, at 5 - 7pm (PT) for the third Marin Housing Summit on "How to Make Housing Real" through the “Housing Element” process.” The “Housing Element” plans, which each town in Marin must submit to the state, are being written now and will have a powerful effect on the next 8 years of local housing development. The summit will be hosted by Housing Crisis Action (HCA) and the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC).
Your town will be updating your housing plan over the next two years. The summit will dive into why you should be involved in the housing element process, how you can make a difference and what’s happening in your town. Topics will include a review of the current housing elements (what worked and what we need to do differently), what you need to know to be involved now and an opportunity to meet with others in your area to get organized.
We're excited to reconvene the 60+ diverse organizations and partners focused on housing who participated in our previous summits and welcome new participants to join us as we share resources, grow together, and enact positive change that will lead to more housing.
Register for the Marin Housing Summit:
Wed. May 12, 5pm- 7pm
Click on: Sign Up for Housing Summit Here.
Please submit any questions about the event or for the speakers to address here: housingcrisisaction@gmail.com.
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WELCOME THE LAUNCH OF BELVEDERE/ TIBURON COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK!
We are pleased to announce that an awesome group of committed Tiburon and Belvedere residents have launched a new activist group -- Belvedere/Tiburon Community Action Network (BTCAN)!
This new group will advocate for social justice in their towns and Marin County, The rich ecosystem of committed Marin activist groups continues to expand in all the right ways!
BTCAN is already advocating for anti-racism issues in Tiburon, which held its second city-sponsored “Diversity Inclusion Task Force” meeting on April 15, and it looks like they are going to need a LOT of help.
BTCAN is also addressing bias-based policing in Tiburon. Tiburon has just hired a new Chief of Police and an opportunity exists to define and work on a vision of community safety for all people who live in, work in and visit their town.
BTCAN is “calling all Belvedere and Tiburon residents who belong to MVCAN who are committed to racial equity and social justice” to join them.
Please email BELTIBCAN@gmail.com to find out how you could stay informed and take timely action with us.
WHAT WE DID
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REPORT FROM MVCAN MARCH MONTHLY MEETING
In March, more than 60 people gathered for our regular Zoom MVCAN monthly meeting.
We listened to some great presentations:
We heard about current, local racial justice issues from the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment (MVFREE). Thank you to Elspeth Mathau, Tammy Edmonson and Eileen Fisher.
We watched an amazing video from the grassroots frontlines in Pennsylvania. Directors of group “Pennsylvania Stands Up” explained how they made election success happen and their ambitious plans happening right now. Thank you to the Airlift team and Bridget Connolly.
We also got to hear from the Electoral team on the low-down on the anti-democracy movement, the upcoming electoral map, and actions to take now. Thank you Susan Bolle.
WATCH THE MVCAN MARCH MEETING HERE:
MVCAN MARCH MEETING
See the special “Pennsylvania Stands Up” video at minute 37, or on YouTube Here.
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RACIAL JUSTICE ISSUES UPDATE
At the April 19th Mill Valley City Council meeting, the new police chief, Rick Navarro, reported to the council about police department policies and plans. We are grateful to the many MVCAN and community supporters who expressed their advocacy for reform of MVPD policies at the meeting.
Chief Navarro has been meeting with the Police Working Group of the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment (MVFREE). This working group is composed of the same individuals who served at the behest of the city on the DEI Task Force subcommittee on police last year.
However, the Chief’s report to the MV City Council on April 19th was insufficient in explaining the current state of the MVPD; it was vague and incomplete. Also, the council members’ comments and past recommendations reveal a low level of true commitment to the necessary evaluation, changes and modernization of the MVPD.
As an example of work that still needs to be done, city officials oppose a badly needed citizen oversight body, which BIPOC-led DEI supporters strongly feel is necessary. Also, the Chief has only performed a superficial analysis of the adequacy of staffing at the MVPD. Based on the inadequate data presented in his report, he concluded that staffing levels were optimal. Mayor John McCauley affirmed this finding in his comments. (For example, the report neglected to control for crime rates, did not include data on police call-response times, or provide an analysis of why police costs per capita in Mill Valley are significantly higher than in Tiburon, Corte Madera and Larkspur.)
This careless use of insufficient data to make potentially consequential decisions demonstrates that the MV City Council is unable or unwilling to provide rigorous police oversight, even though they are adamant that they have it all covered.
Thank you to all the MVCAN members that called or wrote in at the MVCC meeting. Our voices count!
Vigil Against AAPI Hate Crimes
Earlier in April, after the Atlanta massacre, MVFREE sponsored an in-person vigil in Depot Plaza dedicated to opposing anti-Asian American violence, which is tragically becoming widespread across the country. A large crowd, more than 200, attended, including many MVCAN members. The speeches were powerful and brought residents together around opposing racism against AAPI and other minority groups.
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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
