Happy Tuesday, Activists! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. And happy Hanukkah to everyone who is celebrating! We wish your family a season of light and joy. Today is Giving Tuesday. In the past we've asked you to make Indivisible Philadelphia part of your Giving Tuesday gift. But so many of you have generously supported us over the past year that we are offering some suggestions for other worthy causes for your donations. Below are two organizations and one campaign with missions proving important to our group and based on our recent meetings. 1. Coalition Against Hunger – Use the link to find and support a small food pantry in your local area in the Philadelphia region. 2. Planned Parenthood Action Fund – In light of tomorrow’s Supreme Court hearing on Mississippi’s law banning abortions after 15 weeks, you can donate to this fund fighting for reproductive rights. 3. Deb Ciamacca – Candidate for PA House. We know how important it is to flip PA legislative seats to bring progressive change to our state. Deb Ciamacca is a fantastic candidate who is working hard to do just that. Even a small donation will mean a lot to her campaign and perhaps to the future of our state. And one more suggestion – Today would be a good day to subscribe to local news outlets. The Ahmaud Arbury murder case probably would not have been kept in the news or gone to trial without the work of Larry Hobbs, writer and reporter at The Brunswick News in Georgia. So if you can, please support local newspapers. They are our first line of defense against government corruption and important to protecting our democracy. Their digital subscriptions are not expensive and here are some local ideas: Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Tribune Billy Penn Spotlight PA Pennsylvania Capital-Star PennLive/Patriot-News
CALL TO ACTION Fun Fact – Tuesday is the best time to call our Democratic Senator. Why? Every Wednesday, Senate Dems hold a luncheon. So we want Senator Casey to get so many calls today that tomorrow he reports to his colleagues on what he's hearing from us. Where do we stand now on the important legislation? Senator Schumer has sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to his fellow senators where he says that even if he cannot get enough GOP support behind the John Lewis Advancement Act, Senate Democrats will go it alone if necessary to fight to “restore our democracy.” Despite so much important legislation pending, he told them he believes they can get it all done before they leave town for the holidays, “but it will likely take some long nights and weekends.” Our job? To keep pushing Democrats to fix the filibuster and pass these massively popular bills. Keep up your good work – it makes a difference! Sen. Casey – Phila office 215-405-9660; D.C. 202-224-6324; email link Sen. Toomey – Phila office 215-241-1090; D.C. 202-224-4254; email link For outside PA: Find your Senators’ phone numbers and emails at this link 1. Demand our senators pass BBB as quickly as possible. The House just passed the Build Back Better Act (BBB). Now it is time for the Senate to do its job and pass BBB this week. It is urgent to call our senators and tell them how important it is that we pass an inclusive recovery bill ASAP. 2. Demand our senators fix the filibuster and move quickly to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. Senator Schumer and other Democratic Senators have agreed to move forward with democracy reform, even without Republican support. Call our senators and tell them you want them to adjust the filibuster to pass the Freedom to Vote Act now.
OUR NEW MESSAGING PROJECT You can see our most recent Messaging explainer in our last newsletter here. In short, each week we’ll give you short, strategic talking points that you can use when you’re talking to friends, family and neighbors and in your social media networks. These are meant to show how the Biden agenda and massive investments the Democrats are making in our country will help everyday people. Here is this week’s message --> “It doesn’t matter where we live – Philadelphia, Ardmore or Doylestown – we deserve reliable internet to connect us in our learning, work, and communities. For years, corporations have neglected areas they say don’t make them enough of a profit. Now, the Infrastructure & Jobs Act means broadband delivered to tens of thousands of families who can’t get reliable internet, so more kids can to do their homework at home instead of sitting in a McDonald’s parking lot.”
CANVASSING
Our last one of the year!
We’ll talk to infrequent Philadelphia voters and persuade them to vote in next year’s mid-term elections, to help ensure Democrats are elected to the U.S. Senate and PA Governor’s seats.
When: Sunday, December 12, 12:30–2:30 pm
Where: Queen Village – We’ll meet at Cianfrani Park, 8th and Fitzwater Streets.
Sign up here.
Before you go -- in case you missed this good news, a ballot recount confirmed that Judge Lori Dumas won her seat to the PA Commonwealth Court in this month's election.
This was a flip of a Republican seat on this court and a net gain of one Democratic seat on the statewide courts.