FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S MVCAN BULLETIN:
-
KICK-OFF FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS / MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING -
New Location: Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse - Sun. Aug. 12, 6 pm -
MEET THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE FOR CD-10, JOSH HARDER, AT SAN RAFAEL FUNDRAISER - Sun. July 29
-
ELECTORAL TEAM PHONE/ TEXT BANKING
-
COME CANVASS WITH MVCAN IN TRACY!
-
WEST VALLEY DETENTION CENTER (RICHMOND) PROTEST - Sun. Aug. 12
-
SAVE THE DATE - MASS CLIMATE MOBILIZATION - ECO TEAM - Sat. Sept. 8
-
SPECIAL REPORT BACK FROM WASH D.C. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ACTION
REPORT BACK & PHOTOS FROM MVCAN 2ND ANNUAL BBQ July 22
REPORT BACK FROM DETAINEE SUPPORT CASE July 19
1
KICK-OFF FOR MIDTERMS
MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING
SUN. AUG. 12 - Note NEW TIME & LOCATION
Help us launch an awesome All-MVCAN effort to mobilize in support of Democratic candidates.
KICK-OFF MEETING FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS: STOP WORRYING, START DOING!
KICK-OFF FOR MIDTERMS / MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING
Sunday, August 12th, 6:00- 8:00pm
Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse (NEW LOCATION)
267 Buena Vista Avenue, Mill Valley
(Location info at: mvgolf.com)
MVCAN is working to scale up our already substantial electoral capacity so we can influence midterm races and take back the House in November 2018. Already, in the past few weeks, the team has signed up more than 100 interested new MVCAN volunteers!
We would like to invite you to a welcome and orientation for all MVCAN members who want to participate in the midterm election work. At this Kick-Off Event (which will also serve as our regular MVCAN monthly meeting), we will highlight the key races, explain how campaign support activities will play out over the next three months, and help you plan and prepare for your involvement. Food will be provided.
Guest Speaker:
Marin District Attorney candidate Anna Pletcher will also join us and speak about her candidacy and local justice issues.
Please come enjoy pizza and salad with us! RSVP to let us know you’re coming using this link: MVCAN Midterm Election Volunteer Form
2
“FLIP THE HOUSE” PARTY
FOR CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JOSH HARDER
Sun. July 29
The Midterms Are Starting to Heat Up: You are Invited to a “Flip the House” Party in San Rafael
MEET THE CANDIDATE!
Join us at a fundraiser at a private home in San Rafael for Democratic nominee for Congress in California’s 10th District, Josh Harder, Sunday, July 29, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
There may be nothing more important than flipping the House in 2018. Josh Harder is running as Democratic nominee for Congress in California’s 10th District (Modesto).
Suggested contribution levels for the fundraiser start at $100 for Guests and rise to $2700 for Partners Click Here to RSVP or Donate Address of the Fundraiser is provided when you RSVP.
If you would like to RSVP without purchasing a ticket, or to learn more about Josh, email Simon Korn at Simon@HarderForCongress.com
MVCAN is joining with Democracy Action Marin, Swing Left Marin and Blue Wave Marin to host this Josh Harder event. We are proud to be a co-host for the Democratic candidate in this “MUST FLIP” congressional district. We are looking for contributing volunteers, food, drinks, etc. For more information, contact Carol Korenbrot, carol.korenbrot@gmail.com.
3
ELECTORAL TEAM PHONE/TEXT BANKING
Phone bankers and texters at work. Photo: June Cooperman.
We are gearing up for an intensive fight leading to taking back Congress at the midterms! Let’s all work together and create a more just America for all.
The coalition that is forming among different Resistance groups with different approaches indicates that the various shades of blue that make up the Resistance can come together–both around the state and around the country, to help flip both the House and Senate in November.
UPCOMING PHONE/TEXT BANKS
The Electoral Team’s experienced leaders are always on hand to help guide you through the process, and if you're new to calling or texting voters, they will teach you step-by-step.
Please bring your charged cell phone and a laptop, ipad or tablet, and earbuds with a mic to the phone/text bank.
MVCAN Phone/Text Banking in Sausalito
(directions sent upon registration)
Sat. August 4, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Sausalito
Sign up: Here
Sat. August 11, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Sausalito
Sign up: Here
*
Phone/Text Banking in San Rafael
Marin Dems Headquarters: 1334 4th Street, San Rafael (at D St.)
Wed. August 1, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, San Rafael
Sign up: Here
Wed. August 8, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, San Rafael
Sign up: Here
Wed. August 15, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, San Rafael
Sign up: Here
We will be calling for California Congressional candidates in the flippable Districts.
For more information, visit the MVCAN Electoral Team page or the MVCAN Phone/ Text Bank page.
4
CANVASSING IN TRACY - Sat. Aug. 11
Gratified and well-fed group of MVCAN canvassers following lunch after July 14 Tracy canvass. Photo: Larry Litvak.
There are lots of great opportunities coming up to canvass voters in CD10 (Tracy, Modesto, Turlock) to help flip Congress in the 2018 midterms.
MVCAN members will continue canvassing for Josh Harder for Congress in Tracy on the 2nd Saturday of each month
Canvassing in Tracy
Saturday, August 11, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
More information and sign-up: Canvass in Tracy.
Join MVCAN members who canvass for Josh Harder in conjunction with Swing Left Marin and the Greater Tracy Democrats. You don’t need prior experience – training and an experienced partner will be provided.
Email Larry Litvak (llitvak@aol.com) for more info, including carpooling to Tracy.
If you wish to canvass in Tracy on alternative dates and times (other than with MVCAN group on the second Saturday of each month), you can sign up for a variety of dates at Canvass in Tracy.
For more information, visit the MVCAN Electoral Team page or the MVCANCanvassing Page.
5
“LET OUR PEOPLE GO” PROTEST
Photo: Congregation BethEl, Berkeley.
Next #LetOurPeopleGo Protest
Sunday, August 12 at 11 am
West County Detention Facility
Please join us at this “Let Our People Go” protest. We will be protesting for a change in policy so that immigrants being held at the West County Detention Center will be released immediately, rather than being transferred to out-of-state or remote California locations that increase the anguish for family members who lose access to visitation.
We will also be protesting to keep the heat on the Contra Costa County sheriff. Although the county contract with ICE to detain immigrants is finally ending in Contra Costa following large protests, we need to show up for people at the jail being unjustly held due to policies of mass incarceration.
See item 9 below, and visit the MVCAN Civil Rights/ Immigration Team page for more info about this and other actions.
The next CIVIL RIGHTS/IMMIGRATION TEAM meeting will take place before the MVCAN kickoff meeting on Sunday, Aug 12 at 5:15 at the Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse.
6
SAVE THE DATE - MASS CLIMATE MARCH IN SF
JOIN MVCAN ECO TEAM Sat. Sept. 8
Photo: Suz Lipman.
Please join MVCAN in turning out for the People’s Climate March in San Francisco, Sat. Sept 8. The March will precede Governor Brown’s Global Climate Action Summit from Sept 12 - 14 in San Francisco .
The San Francisco March expects to attract tens of thousands of people. We hope many MVCAN Eco Warriors will march together! We will keep you updated on plans. You can also stay informed by signing up with the Climate March here.
MVCAN is planning to charter buses to travel from Mill Valley to the Climate March in SF. Stay tuned for more details in subsequent newsletters.
Please join us at the next MVCAN Eco Team meeting, which will include planning for MVCAN’s participation in the march.
ECO TEAM MEETING
Wed. August 1, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Southern Marin Water Treatment Plant,
450 Sycamore (across from Mill Valley Middle School).
Please RSVP if you can join us by emailing Marilyn Price mprice@the-acorn.com We welcome your input and your help!
7
SPECIAL REPORT BACK FROM WASHINGTON D.C. ACTION PARTICIPATING IN CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
MVCAN's Jennifer Nassiri with 2017 Women's March Co-Chair Linda Sarsour.
MVCAN member Jennifer Nassiri recounts an inspiring story of participating in an “End Family Separation” protest on June 28, a major civil disobedience action in Washington D.C. (And yes, she got arrested – along with almost 600 women protesters.)
Why did Jennifer feel motivated to travel to D.C. to take part in the protest?
Jennifer explains simply, “I saw this picture of a bus at the border, which was filled with car seats…and I just felt compelled to stand up and do something.”
Upon arriving in Washington, Jennifer was impressed with the high level of organization from the leaders of the protest–among them Linda Sarsour of the Women’s March and The Center for Popular Democracy). For instance, on the night before the protest, Jennifer was trained on what to expect if she was arrested.
Civil Disobedience in the Senate Hart Office Building
The protest itself started on June 28th with 1,000 women marching from Freedom Plaza and ending up inside the Hart Senate building, where many Senate offices are located.
The women sang and chanted and hung banners protesting family separation on the balconies of the inner courtyard of the building. Most strikingly, the women draped themselves in mylar silver blankets to mimic the blankets handed out to detained children when separated from their families.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Nassiri.
Many senators came down from their offices to show support. Jennifer describes seeing Elizabeth Warren putting her hand on her heart and then clapping along with protestors’ songs. Other Senators also put in appearances: Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Senator Tammy Duckworth was seen in her wheelchair with her daughter in her lap.
Kudos to Jennifer Nassiri, who, by participating in this powerful and effective demonstration of civil disobedience, has shown herself to be one of the many MVCAN members who are willing to put their hearts and their bodies into actions that support a just and compassionate America.
8
REPORT BACK FROM
MVCAN 2ND ANNUAL BBQ - JULY 22
A fantastic time was had by all at MVCAN’s 2nd annual BBQ last Sunday at the Homestead Valley Community Center. More than 60 MVCAN members, new and old, networked and shared food and fun, as we geared up for our Midterm Election work. Thank you Carol Korenbrot and the MVCAN Events and Core teams for organizing this event. Thank you Marilyn Price for ensuring that the BBQ was zero-waste. Many thanks to our grill master Steven Traiger, and to all who brought food, drinks, and good cheer.
Lynda Cornejo and Ginna Fleming.
Carol Korenbrot, Rebecca Brackman and Gary Appell.
June Cooperman, Lisa Scarsella, Eileen Fisher and Rebecca Brackman leading the MVCAN dance.
Faybeth Diamond.
Brian Donohue.
MVCAN BBQ Photos by Suz Lipman.
9
REPORT BACK ON
RAUL LOPEZ IMMIGRATION CASE
Photo: Diane Goldman.
Many MVCAN members (organized by our terrific MVCAN Civil Rights/Immigration team) were at the Marin County court Friday, July 19 in support of Raul Lopez. Raúl has been in immigration detention, separated from his wife and children, for over 17 months. This hearing at the Marin County Courthouse was to ask a local judge to correct his prior conviction record in order to help his immigration case.
Perhaps influenced by the large turn-out of 40-50 supporters, including MVCAN members, the Marin county judge reduced Raul’s felony conviction to a misdemeanor. This change will hopefully have a positive impact on his immigration case.There were lots of tears from family and supporters. Raul remains in Colorado in a detention center while his case proceeds.
The next CIVIL RIGHTS/IMMIGRATION TEAM meeting will take place before the MVCAN kickoff meeting on Sunday, Aug 12 at 5:15 at the Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse.
JOIN AN ACTION TEAM
WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED in a specific issue? 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. This topic is hot!
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 and Suz
