June 5: Indivisible "What's the Plan" Weekly Zoom
It's THURSDAY! As usual I have the summary for @indivisibleteam "What's the Plan with founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin! Here's the deal, every week they repeat what they've said in previous weeks using different language. So, because of that, I want to focus on the language that might inspire you, more than a deep dive into each topic.
And if you want a deep dive, all my previous summaries are available!
Indivisible group shoutouts
As usual we start with new groups. And today Ezra shouted out two that have rejoined. It's okay if you had a group in 2017 and fell off; you don't have to feel weird or embarrassed. You're welcome to start it up again. And, there's another new group internationally, this time in Florence Italy.
No Kings Day
What is the point of protesting right now?
It shows that while institutions might fold, regular people refuse.
It shows a contrast: in DC he's destroying the roads for his own show of strength, and around the country we are opposing that.
It shows new people that there is nothing to be afraid of and they are welcome to join the movement
It injects a note of doubt in DT's schtick
It puts pressure on institutions to stand up and fight back
No one day of protest can solve everything, it's one part of a larger strategy
How should we promote?
There are no ad buys, this is entirely on us.
There are over 1600 events already scheduled, that's already 300 more than Hands Off and it's still over a week away. Whatever you do to promote, make it about your local event.
Ideas: Social media blitz, email lists and text chains (I'm going to be putting it in the intro to all my posts for the next week), when someone asks how you are in person, tell them about it. fliers, sidewalk chalk in high traffic areas, be creative. There's no wrong answer.
What should we put on our signs?
Whatever you want. There are no wrong answers. Be as specific or as general as you want, but remember these protests are about getting the biggest coalition possible, what you put on your sign might not be what someone else cares about AND THAT'S OKAY. Whatever brings you out, whatever gets your blood boiling, use that. All that matters broadly is do we want a king or a democracy? Everything else, well, endorse and vote in your primaries, that's how the Dem party will become what you want.
WE DO NOT HAVE AGENDA SETTING POWER, we don't have enough people who agree with us on everything to fight this. In fact, I probably don't agree with you on everything, and if you're only organizing with people who do, you're not organizing with enough people.
Is there data supporting that only older people are protesting?
Not directly but we all see it with our own eyes. Talk in your local group about how to get millennials involved. But also love and appreciate and respect your elders who are showing up consistently.
How can we fly the flag and not be confused for them?
Include another flag as well.
Fly it upside down.
Remember, Indivisible chose its name because of the Pledge of Allegiance, this is a patriotic group at heart. If you're proud to be American, be proud.
What's next?
All Indivisible energy is on No Kings, but next is just continuing to raise alarm about the budget bill, likely die-ins to show what's at stake, especially in Iowa for obvious reasons.
On July 4th most reps and senators will be at 4th of July parades, this is the best place to get them on record, plead your case, or, in most Republican cases, embarrass them. find out where they're gonna be and make a plan with whichever pro-democracy group you're part of.
Chris Murphy is skeptical that we will have elections in 2026, are you?
It doesn't matter. We give them power they don't have when we assume we won't have future elections.
Leah said that there's Earth 1 and Earth 2. Earth 1 is business as usual, planning and working for elections, normal old rules, Earth 2 is what we are currently experiencing, but the thing is the way to stop Earth 2 is by acting like it's Earth 1. Once we act like Earth 1 is gone, it's gone. We have to make it as impossible as we can for them to do something as outrageous as messing with elections in that way. Not to mention, we have elections every single week, and have overperformed in most.
Training for new activists?
They normally leave it up to the local groups, but a toolkit on the website isn't a bad idea.
Plan to expand billboards?
If you didn't know Indivisible National has been working with local groups to put up billboards in Republican districts, and yes there will be more, stay tuned for the announcement.
How can we put pressure on ICE would FOIA requests work?
That's something to ask your local immigrants rights group about. But the best ways to protect yourself and others:
Everyone needs to attend a "Know Your Rights" training, it's for bystanders too.
Push your school board to make your schools safe from raids
Push your AG to make your state protected from ICE
How do we support a free press when DT is attacking it?
Supporting journalists is great, but we have to go to the source. The corporate-owned media is probably not gonna be listening to their better angels. Find out who the decision-makers are and what kind of pressure they respond to. Example: the CA legislature is holding hearings on Paramount basically bribing DT to allow their merger to go through, that's why the merger hasn't happened yet. Blue states, talk to your AG everyone talk to your Dem legislators.
And support new media. New media is not beholden to those same corporate interests. It's on us to help them grow.
How can we stop institutions from bowing down?
Use your leverage, Where do you shop or give money, your college perhaps, or maybe some local company? Also Indivisible is going to start getting involved in this space. Signing off on corporate campaigns and maybe helping bolster some as well. Target and Avelo Airlines are perfect examples of successful boycotts
How do we make sure no one forgets EM is our enemy?
Remind people of the damage he's done
This might be a genuine rift or it might just be a negotiation, assume the latter.
A bunch of evil people are grappling for people amongst each other
Corporate media is buying it, which is another reason to do a harder pushing supporting your favorite new media, and calling out those corporations
They also recommended this piece by Michelle Goldberg (gift link)
And that's all I got! I hope this was helpful, comment with ❌👑 what you learned!
Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!
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