Indivisible SF Newsletter
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Join us for this month’s General Meeting on Sunday, March 16 at 2 PM at 518 Valencia. Check out our breakouts and learn where you can plug in. This meeting is open to anyone interested in resisting Trump’s radical agenda of hate, division, and greed. RSVP here. ([link removed])
** Newsom turns his back on trans youth–we must speak out
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Governor Gavin Newsom stunned the LGBTQ+ community and allies by hosting fascist propagandist Charlie Kirk and siding with his anti-trans views on the first episode of his new podcast. Rather than defend transgender youth in California, our Governor reinforced harmful narratives about transgender kids and failed to challenge blatant misinformation about transgender healthcare.
Newsom went so far as to agree with Kirk on banning transgender kids from sports, saying: “I think it’s an issue of fairness, I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness—it’s deeply unfair. I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you.” As Kirk pushed his vile bigotry, Governor Newsom offered little more than repeated “Yeah”s in response, giving tacit approval to extremist views that have no place in California.
This is a betrayal. California has long been a leader in protecting LGBTQ+ rights, but moments like this show why we can’t take progress for granted. Silence equals assent. We must respond loudly and swiftly to make it clear that these views do not represent our state, our values, or our laws.
We’re meeting with his staff today, alongside several trans community members, to tell their stories and help them communicate to the Governor how his choices and words have harmed his constituents.
You can help by calling the Governor’s office yourself. Tell Governor Newsom: We Demand You Do Right By Trans Youth! ([link removed])
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DO NOT FUND MUSK: Tell your Senators to vote NO on the Continuing Resolution
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Trump/Musk's unilateral and unconstitutional assertion of authority to slash legally-authorized funding, summarily terminate civil service employees for political reasons, and ignore budget laws at their whim, nullifies the congressional "Power of the Purse." By doing so, they are destroying the Constitutional checks-and-balances on which our democracy rests. Yet Congress still has the power to push back by refusing to enact budget-related legislation that acquiesces to or finances the Trump/Musk coup—if they summon the will and courage to use their power.
Yesterday, Trump/Musk's Republican enablers in the House rammed through a Continuing Resolution (CR) on a party-line vote that slashes domestic spending and increases military and police funding while at the same time facilitating the unconstitutional administrative coup.
Today, they are trying to do the same in the Senate. But Democrats have the power to filibuster against the Republican CR. Republicans need seven Democratic votes to overcome such a filibuster. If no more than six Democrats cave-in and vote to enable the Trump/Musk administrative coup, the CR cannot pass.
Congress needs to defend its power of the purse against Trump and Musk's attempts to usurp it. There’s no point in passing a budget bill or a CR that the Administration is just going to ignore. What’s the difference between a formal shutdown and a de facto shutdown where there’s a budget that the Administration isn’t spending?
Demand amendments to block the Administration's actions or else don't pass this bill.
Read more on our blog ([link removed]) and tell your Senators to vote NO ([link removed]) on the Continuing Resolution.
** ICE came for Khalil Mahmoud in retaliation for his political speech. We must speak out—or we’re next.
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Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and graduate of Columbia University, was a lead mediator for the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia last year, facilitating negotiations between protesters and the university. Last week, two men claiming to be ICE agents ambushed him and his pregnant wife at their university housing, stating that his student visa had been revoked. When Mahmoud told them he had a green card, the agents made a phone call and then told him, “We’re revoking that too.”
Now, Mahmoud is being detained in a private prison in Louisiana with no official charges. A federal judge ([link removed]) has temporarily blocked his deportation, and his wrongful detention case will be heard Wednesday.
The U.S. government is attempting to silence a peaceful protester by stripping him of his legal residency and deporting him. This is an attack on the First Amendment that sets a dangerous precedent.
Tell your members of Congress ([link removed]) that the government must immediately release Mahmoud Khalil, return him to his family, and stop violating the constitutional right to protest.
If you would like to help Mahmoud’s family, including his pregnant wife, with legal defense, you can donate on their Chuffed page ([link removed]) .
** TODAY: Come see “Democracy Noir” at a fundraiser for Indivisible SF!
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The Roxie Theater is showing the documentary film “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.
After the movie, the director will join Peter Hosey, one of our Steering Committee members, for a brief discussion.
If you miss tonight’s showing, there are two additional showings coming up.Buy tickets here. ([link removed])
** Volunteers needed: March 15 Rally at the the Phillip Burton Federal Building
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This Saturday at 11 AM, NARFE—the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association—is leading a rally at the Phillip Burton Federal Building to stand up for workers whose jobs are being cut. Indivisible SF is providing some volunteers as security marshals as we work to build a coalition with federal workers. 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 10:30 AM.)
** Thank you for coming to the Stand up for Science rally!
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Last week, we partnered with Bay Area scientists to put on a Stand Up for Science rally in Civic Center Plaza, and roughly 2,000 of you showed up!
Indivisible SF supported behind-the-scenes planning and on-the-ground peacekeeping.
Speakers included people whose scientific careers were made possible by diversity and inclusion programs, people whose lives were saved as a result of scientific research, and State Sen. Scott Wiener.
We thank everyone who was involved in making this event happen, and everyone who showed up. We’ll see you at the next protest!
** 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, and publishing our newsletter with Mailchimp.
* 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]
Indivisible SF General Meeting: Sunday, Mar 16, 2 PM at 518 Valencia St: Join us for this month’s General Meeting. Check out our breakouts and learn where you can plug in. This meeting is open to anyone interested in resisting Trump’s radical agenda of hate, division, and greed. RSVP here. ([link removed])
TODAY: “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. Oscar-nominated / Emmy Award-winning director Connie Field in conversation with our very own Peter Hosey after the 3/12 show! Proceeds benefit Indivisible SF. Buy tickets here. ([link removed])
Virtual Town Hall: A Conversation with Senator Scott Wiener: Tuesday March 12, 6 PM: Join Sen. Scott Wiener for his upcoming virtual town hall to learn about his legislative work this year. He’s working on an ambitious legislative agenda, focusing on housing, supporting our public transit systems, protecting and expanding access to health care, lowering prescription drug prices, and protecting Californians from the attacks we’re seeing from Washington. RSVP Here. ([link removed])
Phone Bank with Common Cause to stop the SAVE Act: Thursday, Mar 13, and Tuesday, Mar 18, 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])
Let us Work! Save our Services! Mass Call with Frontline Federal Workers: Thursday, Mar 13, 5 PM. Join a nationwide call on how to defend our federal workers from Musk’s theft of the federal government. RSVP 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]) .
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Rally at the Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave: 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.
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here. ([link removed])
Let Us Work Townhall & Solidarity Picnic: Sunday, March 16, 12 PM at Civic Center Plaza: Join the Federal Unionists Network for a Town Hall and picnic. RSVP here. ([link removed])
Town Hall with Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15): Thursday, Mar 20, 6 - 7 PM: There is a town hall with Congressman Kevin Mullin on Thursday, March 20 at 6 PM in Belmont, CA. In-person space for this event is currently full. However, it will be livestreamed and a recording will also be shared after the event on Congressman Mullin’s YouTube channel ([link removed]) . Submit your question here. ([link removed])
** 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 out Gavin Newsom for the right-wing turn on his podcast and his abandonment of trans rights.
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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