Turkey, stuffing, and awkward conversations… after a very eventful year, the holidays are finally here. In this time of reunification and reflection, there are still many opportunities to make a difference.
Just as last year, some of us may find ourselves sharing the dinner table with relatives who don’t share our progressive views. And with an impeachment inquiry currently underway, differences of opinion may become ever more pointed. But this shouldn’t necessarily be a reason to block all political discussions—in fact, this is the perfect time to have these conversations with your family members. We have a guide for how to approach talking to your family members about Trump, the Republican agenda, and the progressive agenda.
The holidays are a time for families to reunite—but many families in the US will spend their holidays separated by a cruel immigration policy. Now more than ever is the time to donate to bond funds so that activists and legal workers have the money to free people detained by ICE. Since California passed AB32, it is crucial to generate funds to release people currently imprisoned in private prisons before they are transferred out of state. We’ve identified a few bond funds where you could make the most impact this holiday season. Thousands of dollars are needed. If you or your loved ones can, please give generously to reunite families in time for the holidays!
- Bay Area Bond Fund for folks detained in the Bay Area and formerly at the West County facility.
- Mesa Verde Bond Fund for folks detained at Mesa Verde, where the private prison still has a contract with local authorities.
- ICIJ Adelanto Bond Fund for detainees in San Bernardino County, which faces the highest rate of in-community detentions by ICE.
Even as we plunge into the holidays, the process of impeachment is continuing in Congress. After weeks of explosive depositions and hearings in the Intelligence Committee, the Judiciary Committee is now scheduling its own hearings. We are happy to see our Representatives take impeachment seriously. However, it’s clear that Republicans both in the House and in the Senate are choosing complicity over the rule of law - they are committed to squashing and dismissing the inquiry, and ultimately acquitting Trump. Therefore it is important to approach the Congressional duty of impeachment strategically. Join us in calling our MoC’s, to thank them for taking impeachment seriously and to ask them to proceed with strategy and thoroughness.
Not to be outdone by our elected representatives, we’re working with IEB on a model impeachment hearing to address Trump’s wrongdoings through our own articles of impeachment. Want to help? Sign up on this Google form. And plan to join the San Francisco recording session on the afternoon of Sunday, December 8th at the Women’s Building. Follow the latest on the #impeachment_news and #impeachment_action Slack channels.
And… join us in meeting with the staff of our Senators!
We’re meeting with the staff of Senator Feinstein on Monday, December 2nd! The meeting will be from 1–2pm at One Post St. Pre-Meeting Gathering at 12:30pm in the lobby of One Post St. If you’d like to sign up, fill out this form. Remember, you must bring a photo ID that matches the name you fill out on the form.
Have you signed up for our meeting with the staff of Sen. Harris? The meeting is Thursday, Dec 11th at 11:00am at 333 Bush St. and the deadline to sign up is December 4th. Pre-Meeting Gathering at 10:30am at Illy Café at 220 Montgomery St. If you’d like to sign up, fill out this form.
ISF Spotlight
The Board of Supervisors commits to protect asylum seekers fleeing from domestic violence: ISF has supported Mujeres Unidas Y Activas’ effort to adopt a resolution in San Francisco to protect asylum seekers. This initiative was launched after former AG Sessions ruled that victims of domestic violence do not qualify for asylum. Supervisor Hilary Ronen introduced the resolution, drafted by MUA and a coalition of other immigrants rights activists, and we signed on. We are happy to report that the resolution passed!
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Impeachment Phone Banking Opportunity from Indivisible National: Sign up on Indivisible National’s HubDialer to make calls to voters connecting them to their senators to demand a complete and fair impeachment trial.
Indivisible National identified 13 senators who really need to hear from their constituents, both those who are vulnerable because they’re up for reelection next year, and those who are retiring and worrying about their legacies. Now we are asking you to call voters in these states and ask them to turn up the pressure on their elected officials. You will be talking to voters about the power they have now to pressure their Members of Congress, and you will patch them through to their senator. Sign up here.
Our newsletter and website team is looking for new members! If you’re interested in writing or editing our newsletters, helping us maintain our website, or helping manage our Eventbrite, let us know! Working on the newsletter or website requires a small time commitment of a few hours, one day a week, usually on Tuesday nights. No prior experience required—we will train you. Handling behind-the-scenes operations like the website is a crucial job in organizing—it’s a great way to use your skills (or learn new skills) for good! We appreciate your help, especially In the busy election season that’s coming up. Join us at #newsletter_content on Slack or let us know at [email protected]!
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Due to the proximity to Thanksgiving, there will be no General Meeting or Pints & Postcards on Dec 1st. Our next meeting and Pints & Postcards will be on December 15.
Next Indivisible SF General Meeting: Sunday, Dec 15, 1pm–3pm at the Women’s Building. This event is both for first-timers and regular attendees! At this meeting, a guest speaker from NARAL Pro-Choice California will update us on recent legislative victories and discuss state and national priorities for 2020. Come find out how Indivisible SF can help NARAL support people's rights to have children, not to have children, and to raise children in a healthy, supportive environment. Please join us. RSVP on Eventbrite.
Sunday, Dec 15, 4pm–6pm: Pints & Postcards at Standard Deviant Brewing! After our general meeting, we’ll write letters to voters in swing states to help them register to vote in key elections! $20 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. RSVP on Eventbrite.
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Keep Fighting,
The Indivisible SF Team
If you'd like to support our all-volunteer team:
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Open the app and tap 'create new account' to sign up
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Join the Indivisible SF team using the invite code 101-202-303
- Cheer someone on and/or take an action
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