| IWCCC September 30 Newsletter |
| Some of you may have heard about conservative Judge Luttig’s foreboding article that outlined how Republicans might try to prevent seating elected Democrats in January after a Democratic victory in the upcoming midterm elections. You can read about it here and here. It’s frightening, but remember that we can help prevent it from happening. Activist and legal organizations across the country are training and organizing so we’re ready to mobilize in mass after November 3. Basically, Luttig didn’t include an important factor: us. We can’t let panic and defeatism set in. We should not underestimate ourselves. And we shouldn’t obey in advance. As Jessica Craven wrote, “No matter what Republicans try to do, the solution remains the same: make this election too big to rig, and commit to taking to the streets (and shutting down the economy) if they still attempt a coup. If we satisfy the first requirement, I feel pretty confident the latter won’t be necessary. But we must be ready to face down any challenges. Courage, my friends!” So, scared or not, tired or not, angry or not—let’s get to work. And encourage everyone you know to:Register to vote or check registration statusDo an ID checkMake a plan to vote Ballot drop-off boxes open on October 6, so it’s time to do your voting homework. The Voter Information Guide is available online here, and the League of Women Voters of California’s ballot recommendations are listed here. — Jennifer Huber for IWCCC |
| Upcoming In-Person Events with Local Groups Friday Flyer to print and distribute |
| Meetings, Trainings, & Events Every Tuesday, 1-3 pm In-person Phone Bank:Nancy Klein’s House in El Sobrante Sign up here Every Wednesday, 2-3:30 pm, IWCCC Postcard Writing Meetup: Write postcards together or pick up postcards to write at homeThe Good Table Cafe, 5166 Sobrante Ave, El Sobrante, 94803Sign up for September 30 and October 7 Second Wednesday of the month, 3:30-5 pm, IWCCC Immigrants’ Rights Meeting:The Good Table back conference room, 5166 Sobrante Ave, El Sobrante, 94803 Saturday, October 3, 9 am-1 pm, Canvassing for Measure S:Encourage San Pablo residents to vote for stronger tenant protections1667 Folsom Ave, San Pablo, 94806Sign up here ** Sunday, October 4, 3:30-5 pm, IWCCC Community Meeting: **The Good Table, 5166 Sobrante Ave, El Sobrante, 94803Sign up here For materials from our 8/30/26 meeting, click here ProtestsEvery Friday, 5-6 pm, IWCCC Good Trouble Protest:Bring non-perishable food, towels, & toiletries to donate San Pablo Dam Rd. & Appian Way, El Sobrante, 94803Sign up here Every Saturday, 11 am-12 pm, Stand Up for Our Immigrant Community Rally: Grocery Outlet, 2079 23rd St., San Pablo, 94806 Second Saturday of the month, 11 am-12 pm, Indivisible North East Bay Protest:San Pablo Ave & Sycamore Ave, Hercules, 94547Sign up here Fourth Saturday of the month, 11 am-12 pm, Indivisible North East Bay Protest:Tennent Avenue & San Pablo Ave, Pinole, 94564Sign up here Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10-11:30 am, Federal Immigration Court Presence:Stand with immigrants in the face of the horrific actions of ICE1855 Gateway Blvd #850, Concord, 94520Sign up here Wednesdays, 4:30-6 pm, Berkeley Rush Hour Resistance:Pedestrian Bridge over I-80, University Ave & West Frontage Rd, Berkeley, 94710Sign up here Saturday, October 17, 11 am-1 pm, No Kings: Vote & Vote Early Protest Corners of San Pablo Dam Rd & Appian Way, El Sobrante, 94803Sign up here Saturday, October 17, 2-4 pm, No Kings: Vote & Vote Early Overpass BrigadeRiverside Pedestrian Overpass, 1300 Amador St, San Pablo, 94806Sign up here Tuesday, November 3, 6-10 pm, IWCCC Election Watch PartyCopper Mug restaurant, 4203 Valley View Rd, El Sobrante, 94803 |
| Action Group NewsInspired to help? Reply to this email |
| Protest Group is focusing on “voting” as a theme at our “Good Trouble” Friday protests until November 3. Starting October 5, we need volunteers to hold “early voting” signs on San Pablo Dam-Appian corners between 5-6 pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until the election—sign up here. Here are a few voting slogans for signs if you need inspiration. And Whit Clifton designed posters that you can have printed at the store—check out his designs and printing instructions here (use the “open in browser” link). We have some of them available for people to use on Fridays. We are also planning two “No Kings: Vote & Vote Early for Democracy” events on October 17. Please join us at one or both events! |
| Outreach/Coalition Building Group is focusing on Get Out the Vote efforts. Help distribute Get Out the Vote flyers that list key voting dates. If you are able, print the flyer and pass it out to neighbors, friends, and local businesses. If you are interested in being a poll monitor for the November 3 election, email Chris M. at indivisiblewestcococounty@gmail.com. |
| Blue Dot Group is helping “blue dot” Indivisibles motivate their demoralized electorate to vote, despite increased voter suppression. We’re fundraising for progressive candidates, mailing letters to voters, phone banking, canvassing, and networking to support vulnerable districts and flip red districts in Tennessee, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Mississippi, and our own Central Valley, CA (CD-13 and CD-22). Contact J McNamara (democracy.richmondca@gmail.com) for more info. |
| Immigrants’ Rights Team keeps track of what’s happening locally to see how we can best support our immigrant neighbors. Our neighbor Obdulio Rivas still needs financial support for legal and related costs in his $20k immigration case. Please share his GoFundMe page on your social media and amongst your community. Reimagine Richmond is asking for help publicizing the West County rapid response phone number. Contact reimaginerichmond510@gmail.com to put up posters on poles or at local stores. Contact Mary Downs (atapo.uma@gmail.com) or Gail Gordon (gailsusangordon@gmail.com) for more info. |
| Writing Group is getting out the vote by sending handwritten postcards to Democrats and Independents who live in “toss-up” districts. We meet every Wednesday from 2-3:30 PM at the Good Table Cafe patio. So far, we’ve sent 13,840 postcards to voters. We’re currently writing to likely Democrats in Texas who are infrequent voters to help elect James Talarico. Next up, we’re writing to Maine voters. |
| Phone Banking & Texting Group is busy reaching out to voters. There are in-person, weekly phone banks on Tuesdays from 1-3 pm at Nancy Klein’s house in El Sobrante. Starting on October 3, she will also host weekly phone banks on Saturdays from 10 am-noon. Newcomers are very welcome! Email, text, or call Nancy Klein (nancyklein44@outlook.com, 510-917-4045) or sign up here. Starting on October 1, Nancy K is also hosting phone banks for Adam Gray from 5:30-7:30 pm (sign up here). And she is happy to train you to phone bank from home. Check out the options for virtual phone banks here. Interested in texting instead? Nancy Klein and Nancy Burke (nlburke@sbcglocal.net) are happy to answer texting questions. Check out the options for virtual text banks here. Interested in election protection, including helping voters “cure” their ballots if they made a mistake on the outside envelope? Check out the options here. |
| Community Building Crew needs a leader to organize social activities — such as a potluck at Kennedy Grove or an after-election dance party — because we need FUN to sustain ourselves and our community. |
| Social Media Group is asking everyone to create and share posts encouraging people to check if they’ve been purged from voter rolls, register, and vote. Whit Clifton has designed some memes. Want to spend an hour with other volunteers to boost pro-democracy content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X? Swing Left has weekly virtual Social Banks on Thursdays from 4-5 pm. And please follow our social media accounts and share posts using the hashtag #iwccc to amplify our content. |
| National & State Snapshot |
| Donating: Use this Oath’s app to maximize the impact of your donation dollars. Be a poll worker: Sign up to be a poll worker on election day in Contra Costa County.Protect the Vote Training: Watch Indivisible’s Election Protection 101 and 201 videos if you missed these trainings. And review potential election defense scenarios here. Stop CA Prop 39: Californians will vote in November on a Republican-backed voter ID ballot initiative to amend the California Constitution to require a government ID for voting in person and an ID number for the outside of mail-in ballot envelopes. Learn more here and here. Research by VoteRiders and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) shows that 4.5 million citizens of voting age don’t have a current driver’s license with up-to-date info. And citizens of color and young people are less likely to have a driver’s license at all.Central Valley Matters: Help Randy Villegas win CD22. More info here and donation link here. No More Endless Wars: Call and demand that your representatives stop Trump’s wars in Iran, using this script. And demand they oppose the reconciliation 3.0 bill, which includes an additional $73B for the Iran war – more info and script here. |
| Armchair Action Opportunities |
| Please check out this separate document for a large variety of actions that you can do from home. |
| Handy Links to Inform and Inspire Your Activism***Email me your suggestions for inclusion here *** |
| Indivisible’s Latest Newsletter and weekly What’s the Plan Zoom calls on Thursday at 12 pm.The Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBC: A podcast or show that’s a great pick-me-up every Monday evening. “Letters from an American”: A daily ~10-minute Substack blog and podcast by Heather Cox Richardson on the historical context of what’s happening in the news.“Chop Wood, Carry Water”: A well-informed, upbeat Substack blog by Jess Craven with a list of actions to make a difference and good news to celebrate on Sundays. “Hopium Chronicles”: A Substack blog by Simon Rosenberg with hopeful news, sharp analysis, and strategies on how to defeat MAGA.“The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook”: A Substack blog by Scott Nagakawa on how to resist authoritarianism.“Democracy Docket”: Daily & weekly newsletters by Mark Elias about the latest voting rights and election issues in the courts. “The Joy Reid Show”: A YouTube show with Joy-Ann Reid’s takes and analysis of the news, politics, and culture. If you’re an artist or crafter, check out the activism handbook “Let’s Move the Needle” by Shannon Downey. |
| IWCCC Contacts, Communications & Social Media |
| Website: indivisiblewestcococounty.orgCalendarTo join or unsubscribe from our email list: IndivisibleWestCoCoCounty@gmail.comTo register to attend events: Mobilize.us, filter by 94803Join us on Slack!BlueSky: @IndivisibleWCoCo.bsky.socialFacebook: @indivisible West CoCo CountyTikTok: tiktok.com/@iwccc12Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IWCCC/ Tag us from your social media accounts with #IWCCC |
