Indivisible SF Newsletter
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Volunteers needed: join us at the Stand Up for Science Rally on Friday
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This Friday at 1 PM, Indivisible SF is joining the Stand Up for Science Rally ([link removed]) at Civic Center Plaza. Our team will be leading volunteers in wearing green vests and keeping the event orderly. We are looking for at least 10 more volunteers—no prior training necessary!

If you want to do more than just show up, this is your chance to participate and gain important skills for peaceful protest which will no doubt serve us in the future. Sign up to volunteer here ([link removed]) .

(Note: Volunteers should be on-site by 12:30)


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Come see “Democracy Noir” at a fundraiser for Indivisible SF!
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The Roxie Theater is hosting a screening of “Democracy Noir” by director Connie Field, with proceeds to benefit Indivisible SF.


Amidst the brazen rise of 21st century authoritarianism, few politicians have proven as corrupt and adept at undermining democracy as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. A hero to his country’s Christian conservative population and a role model to the right-wing political movement in Europe and to Donald Trump and the Republicans in the United States – Orbán takes carefully crafted, methodical steps to chip away at Hungarian democratic institutions while maintaining popularity with a majority of citizens.

Democracy Noir follows three courageous women – opposition politician Timea, journalist Babett, and nurse Nikoletta (Niko) – who fight relentlessly to expose the lies and corruption embedded in Orbán’s government.

However, they face a well-financed and sophisticated opposition in Orbán’s ultra conservative Fidesz party, which commands a powerful sway in the electorate and has already altered key democratic constitutional laws to further cement one-party rule. With each step Orbán makes towards autocracy, these women – representing many in Hungary – trail close behind in their fight, organizing and exploring innovative ways to take on one of the West’s most powerful, and seemingly unstoppable, demagogues.

Through our protagonists’ protests and dissent, the film’s director, Oscar-nominee Connie Field, provides a deeper portrait of how Orbán has, over the past decade, systematically destabilized the country’s democratic institutions for economic gain, while enjoying widespread support from Hungarian nationalists. Similar trends can be seen in other parts of the world, with autocracies emerging in Turkey, Belarus, Serbia and in the United States – where Orbán is being hailed as a political success and inspiration.

This is a one-night showing, with proceeds to benefit Indivisible SF. Buy tickets here. ([link removed])


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We won on S.9
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Thanks to your calls ([link removed]) , S.9, the bill to target transgender students with harassment and discrimination, has failed in the Senate ([link removed]) with Democrats standing united to block a vote on the bill.

This bill would’ve amended Title IX, the federal statute that protects students from discrimination on the basis of sex, to legally require such discrimination against transgender students. Specifically, it would have prohibited trans girls and women from being on their schools’ girls’ sports teams. Trans girls would have been required to join a boy’s team. (The bill made no mention of trans boys, so even its discrimination was discriminatory.)

Contrary to the anti-trans talking points circulated by transphobes, transgender players, due to the hormone-replacement therapy that suppresses their testosterone, don’t have any particular advantage over cisgender players. Trans girls are girls, and trans women are women—in sports as in everything else.

We thank our Democratic Senators for standing strong to ensure transgender students have the same rights as cisgender students to participate in school sports. There is more to do, and the MAGA Republicans will no doubt try again, but for now, we’ve won this battle ([link removed]) .

There’s a lot more work to do to stand up for our Trans community! Here are our ongoing calls to action:
* Submit your public comment to defend trans people’s ability to submit accurate passport forms ([link removed]) .
* Pressure your Senators to obstruct the Bureau of Prisons ([link removed]) from moving trans women into men’s prisons. The good news is there has been a federal court injunction ([link removed]) against the move, pausing it. The bad news is that we know the Trump administration will continue to pursue and defend anti-trans policies, and we need our Senators to stand up against it NOW.




** Tell Senator Schiff: Communicate with Constituents
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It’s been a tumultuous month since the start of the MAGA Republican trifecta and their campaign to institute a unitary executive under no legislative or judicial constraint. Many California activists understood immediately that the old norms in the Senate around comity and collaboration across parties are defunct and that GOP senators would no longer function independently from the new administration (e.g. Thom Tillis and the Hegseth nomination). Senator Schiff’s early votes to confirm some cabinet-level nominees caused great concern among constituents who wanted to express that concern to the senator.

However, we haven’t been able to reach the senator or his staff in person or by phone to voice those concerns. We’ve only been able to leave voicemails, and some of us have received boilerplate responses to email.

Senator Schiff did help keep the Democratic bloc intact in later votes on the worst of the nominees and on the Senate budget resolution, but other consequential votes are coming up, notably on the expiring Continuing Resolution and potential government shutdown and on budget reconciliation when the House passes their version of the FY2026 budget. Ineffective or absent communication channels will further frustrate constituents and advocacy groups.

Senator Schiff needs to improve his communication with his constituents. We would like to see the following:
1. A local office in northern California, preferably in San Francisco, with walk-in access to staff
2. Sufficient staff to meet constituents, answer phones, and respond to constituent input including voicemail and email
3. Opportunities for conversations in group settings, preferably in-person, town-hall-style meetings during Senate recesses, with virtual meetings as a fall-back
4. A regular newsletter available for subscription that specifies communication channels.

It’s possible that the General Service Administration, which is being raided by DOGE, is hindering the Senator’s ability to do these things. Don’t let him off the hook though—in that case, we need Senator Schiff to speak out about it.

Contact Senator Schiff and tell him: ([link removed]) improve your communications!



** Contact Your Supervisor Regarding Commissioner Carter-Oberstone Vote
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On Tuesday, February 25th, the Board of Supervisors voted 9 to 2 to allow Mayor Lurie to remove Mr. Carter-Oberstone before the end of his term on the Police Commission without any apparent reason or just cause. The only dissenting votes were supervisors Fielder (District 9) and Melgar (District 7). Fielder argued that rejecting the mayor’s motion was within the board’s rights and expressed concerns that removing Carter-Oberstone would lead to a less accountable and less effective police force. Melgar stated that she does not believe in eliminating commissioners before their term ends when there has been no malfeasance. She also stated that as a new politician, Mayor Lurie should expect to work with people he disagrees with, rather than removing them.

Supervisor Chen (District 1) stated that she could see the benefits on both sides of the argument before she voted in favor of his removal. Supervisor Dorsey (District 6) said he favored the Mayor’s request for removal as just cause for his removal was unnecessary.

The vote sends a troubling message about the future of police reform and accountability efforts in San Francisco. The Board of Supervisors had the final say on this matter, but they chose to give their power to the Mayor rather than debate the issue, delay the vote for further discussion, or vote no in the majority.

It is also worth noting that Mayor Lurie has put Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI and a billionaire, on his transition team. It will be essential to see how he influences city politics and uses AI within the city governance, particularly in regard to policing. Sam Altman has a history of pushing back against oversight and accountability and mistreating whistleblowers, which Commissioner Carter-Oberstone had been called.

Contact your Supervisor ([link removed]) and thank them (if you are in D7 or D9) for their NO vote on Carter-Oberstone’s removal, or otherwise express your disappointment in their YES vote.


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Stand Up for Ukraine: Postcard-writing campaign
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This past Friday we saw a disgraceful, disrespectful and despicable display towards President Zelenskyy by Trump and Vance.

Some folks have already taken action in protest, such as the successful demonstration in Waitsfield, Vermont ([link removed]) organized by Indivisible Mad Valley.

Another way you can show that Americans like us don’t support Trump and Vance’s bullying is to write a postcard to President Zelenskyy to uplift his spirit and fortify his determination in doing what is best for his people. Think of it as fan mail—an expression of personal support.

Write to our local Ukrainian consulate ([link removed]) and express your support for Ukraine!



** Want to help us do this work?
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We can help plug you in where your skills will do the most good to help resist this administration.

If you would like to join and do important work with us, we welcome you! Currently we are especially in need of volunteers to help with the following:

* Managing our social media, creating posts and graphics.
* Making short-form videos to help educate people on our topics in an accessible way.
* Tracking federal, state and local legislation and working with our state and local legislatures and Mayor Lurie.
* Organizing our protests and other in-person actions.

No experience is needed, we will train you and provide everything you need. If you would like to help us, please contact us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
[link removed]
Phone Bank with Common Cause to stop the SAVE Act: Thursday, Mar 6, and Tuesday, Mar 11, 5 - 7 PM: Join Common Cause for an important phone bank as we mobilize voters to take action against the dangerous SAVE Act and advocate for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. RSVP via Mobilize. ([link removed])

District 2 Public Safety Town Hall with Supervisor Sherrill, DA Brooke Jenkins, SFPD Chief Bill Scott, Thursday Mar 6, 5:30 - 6:30 PM: Join Sup.Sherrill of D2, DA Brooke Jenkins, and Police Chief Bill Scott for a D2 Public Safety Town Hall. This is your chance to speak out on criminal justice and other issues facing our city. RSVP here. ([link removed])

Stand Up for Science SF Rally: Friday, Mar 7, 1 - 3 PM at Civic Center Plaza: Join Stand Up For Science and Indivisible SF (that’s us!) at this rally for science and science workers who are being impacted by the Trump administration. More info on Eventbrite. ([link removed])

Want to volunteer? Sign up via this google form. ([link removed])

“Democracy Noir” screening/fundraiser for Indivisible SF at the Roxie Theater: Wednesday, Mar 12, 6:30 PM: The movie follows three courageous women—opposition politician Timea, journalist Babett, and nurse Nikoletta (Niko)—who fight relentlessly to expose the lies and corruption embedded in Viktor Orbán’s government in Hungary. Buy tickets here. ([link removed])

“Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” screening/fundraiser for San Francisco Public Press at the Roxie Theater: Thursday, Mar 13, 6 PM: The story of one secretive hedge fund that is plundering American newspapers and the journalists who are fighting back. Buy tickets here ([link removed]) .

Save the Date: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Rally at the Federal Building at 90 Seventh St: Saturday, Mar 15, 11 AM: This rally will have federal workers and union members speaking out against the Trump administration and bringing their experience of Trump and Musk’s violations of the law.


** About this week’s photo
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If you’ve seen our newsletter posts on social media, you might have noticed that we include a photo or graphic with each issue.

Today’s graphic is an original graphic calling for Senator Schiff to improve his communications with his constituents.

Keep Fighting,
The Indivisible SF Team ([link removed])

If you'd like to support our all-volunteer team:
DONATE HERE ([link removed])

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