Chop Wood, Carry NY 2/4
Greetings Fellow Empire State Rabble Rousers and Good-Trouble-Makers!
I hope that in spite of the noise and chaos in DC and subsequent fear and terror spilling over into our communities, you remain resolute and joyful. Yes, we will face many more long and harder days and nights ahead. Yes, things will get worse before they get better (students of history who know how facism takes control know this to be true). But I refuse to let MAGA, 34-time-convicted-felon Trump, the Billionaire Bros Club, or any person who is defeatist/alarmist rob me of my hope and agency.
I attended the Indivisible “We Choose to Fight” virtual action on Sunday night (you can view the recording by clicking here) and Rep. Maxwell Frost was one of our speakers. He said a lot of things that resonated and warmed our hearts. As Frost said, “It’s easy to get distracted and it’s hard to have hope. You need to force yourself to feel hope sometimes. If you actively choose hope, you cannot lose. Solidarity is the antidote to fascism. Your WHY will keep you going during these hard times.”
Skim the news and things seem very dark and frustrating. The mainstream media is hyperfocused on tariffs and the purge from various government agencies. So what’s going on? We are in a crisis. The Trump administration is attempting to shut down the functions of the federal government while it hands unchecked power and access over to an unelected billionaire. We need to delay, fight, and defeat everything we can, and that starts with Congress standing up and saying “no.”
This week, that fight is focused on Russell Vought, the nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who is the human embodiment of the effort to freeze federal funding and the architect of Project 2025. As Trump and Musk are moving to raid the Treasury, it’s essential that Democrats (and Republicans) in Congress send a clear message: “We will fight. Vought will not glide through to join you in your efforts to take money from the American people.” For call scripts on Vought, please go to 2/3 issue of Chop Wood, Carry Water.
It's nauseating. It’s stressful. But we are not without agency or hope. We as a collective stopped Trump last week and we will do it again.
Let's get it!
Actions for All New Yorkers:
Thank you NYCD16 Indivisible for providing us all these amazing state-wide actions!
Make Calls to Democrats in NY-21
Anyone interested who wants to call hardcore Democrats in NY21 through a phonebank with Indivisible about the upcoming special election are welcome to participate with us on Feb 5. Click here to register.
Privacy Matters Workshop with Kim Snyder on February 13th @ 7:30PM.
New York still lacks comprehensive privacy legislation even though big tech is more powerful than ever. Learn what privacy regulations do, why passing strong privacy protections is critical for all New Yorkers, and how to advocate advocate for change. Register HERE.
Fight back against the unconstitutional executive order on birthright citizenship.
Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the blatantly unconstitutional order seeking to end birthright citizenship—likely the first of many roadblocks to Trump’s lawless week-one actions. But this is a temporary order. Contact Governor Hochul and Members of Congress.
Protect New Yorkers from Mass Deportations
The passage of Laken Riley is the autocrat's first anti-immigrant victory. Take action to protect New Yorkers from the harms of mass deportations by contacting Gov. Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie, urging our elected officials to take immediate action to protect immigrants by reintroducing these bills, bringing them to the floor, and passing them:
New York For All (S987 Gounardes / A5686 Reyes)
Dignity Not Detention (S306 Salazar / A4354 Reyes)
Access to Representation Act (S999A Holyman-Sigal / A170A Cruz)
Clemency Justice Act (S222A Myrie / A155 Solages)
Call and urge our leaders in Albany to protect NY’s immigrant community by reintroducing and passing these bills that are supported by the NYCLU and immigrant protection groups:
Governor Hochul (518-474-8390)
Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins (518-455-2585, 914-423-4031)
Speaker Heastie (518-455-3791, 718-654-6539)
*The links provided here are last session's bill numbers. The reintroduced bills will have new numbers but are expected to be identical in content.
Attend a Know Your Rights Training for Allies
And, disseminate info about Know Your Rights to local establishments, such as delis, laundromats, libraries, food pantries. Learn more and get involved here.
Protect Medicaid for Older Adults!
Join a Justice in Aging webinar, What's at Risk & What Advocates Can Do, February 4, 2:00pm, on Zoom. RSVP here.
As Congressional leadership prepares their 2025 legislative agenda, reports show that Medicaid is at risk of being cut. Some lawmakers are putting forth a variety of Medicaid “reform” proposals that aim to take federal funding away from states or restrict eligibility. Any of these cuts would result in older adults losing access to health and long-term care. This webinar will discuss what is at risk for older adults if policymakers cut Medicaid and provide an overview of how Congress can fast-track these cuts and expected timing. Presenters will recommend advocacy strategies and resources that attendees can use in their own states and communities.
Increase Access to Abortion Medication!
Contact your state legislators and ask them to pass A1172/S2533, which would allow pharmacists to prescribe abortion medication. The bill is a top priority for Assemblywoman Paulin, this year’s chair of the Assembly Committee on Health. Find your legislators' contact info here.
Save the Date!
Planned Parenthood’s annual Day of Action returns Wednesday, February 26th, in Albany, New York, and you’re invited! Join us for the opportunity to hold your elected officials accountable to values of reproductive health and freedom and PPGNY’s legislative priorities. Register today!
Southern Tier Region
Indivisible Cortland County will hold their next public meeting on Sunday, 2/9! RSVP via email (indivisiblecortlandcounty@gmail.com). More details in the flyer below.
Syracuse, NY & Nearby Region Actions
Join Indivisible Mohawk Valley (IMV) members for emergency office district office visits to Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand in Syracuse:
Wednesday, Feb. 5
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
James M. Hanley Federal Bldg
100 South Clinton St.
Syracuse, NY 13261
1:00 pm: Sen. Schumer's Office Room 841
2:00 pm: Sen. Gillibrand's Office Room 1470
IMV members are joining with a wide range of Central New York constituents in response to the "We Choose to Fight Back" effort to unite Democratic Senators, and make Republican senators feel the heat for the acceleration of the Musk-Trump takeover. If Russell Vought, the architect of Project 2025, is confirmed as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the situation will only worsen. If you want to read more, here is the Toolkit with the background on why this action is so important.
Capital Region Actions
Join Indivisible & Demand Sen. Schumer & Gillibrand Fight Back Against the Trump-Musk Funding Freeze
Tuesday, February 4 - 1:30 – 3:30pm EST
Arrive at 1:30 to find parking and get through security
2:00 Meet at Senator Schumer's Albany Office Leo O'Brien Building, Room 827
2:30-3:00 Head to Senator Gillibrand's Office Leo O'Brien Building, Room 821
Westchester Actions
Join us at Sen. Schumer's Westchester Office
Tuesday, February 4th from12:30 PM- 4:30 PM
1 Park Place 100
RSVP HERE
If you can't make the in-person visit, call Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand using this toolkit. Tell them: Vote NO on Vought and Stop the Next Funding Freeze. Find real time analysis of the Trump-Vance administration's actions from Democracy Forward.
Spread the word about the Westchester County Exec Special Election!
Early Voting information is contained below:
New York City Actions
Several NYC Indivisible and Swing Left chapters are meeting this week at 10 AM at Schumer’s office, 780 Third Avenue between 48 & 49th. Here are the RSVP links:
If you’re frustrated that our senators left early for the weekend while Musk and his minions were hacking government computers, take this opportunity to let them know! If you can’t go in person, please call, email or fax them. Here are the demands: Deny a quorum, block unanimous consent, force full roll-call votes on everything, max out debate time. Bring the Senate to a halt while the coup continues!
I’ve included some pics below of a meeting outside of Schumer's office today that turned into a peaceful demonstration when we were refused admittance in the office. There were about 100 people. Let’s keep it up!
Thank you all for your hard work and refusal to give up!
Our best,
Lydia, Jess, & Una
Did all my usual calls to my reps and called Maxine Waters. Thank you so much for all you do, Jess! The scripts help so much and I look forward to your daily newsletter.
woo!! thank you so much