November 5th
Good people!
I’ve been practicing optimism and finding it helpful. Last night, I listened in on an organizing report of The Frontline, a meeting of the Movement For Black Lives and the Working Families Party. It was an excellent reminder of all the work that organizers have done and the progress they have made. Here are some beautiful things:
In Arizona, LUCHA organizers have mobilized Latinx voters and gained control of the legislature and passed a proposition to fund education. Miami elected a progressive mayor and Florida voters won the Fight for $15 to raise the minimum wage.
In Georgia, redistricting will begin in 2021. As Stacey Abrams said, the closer we get to the bottom of the ballot, the closer we get to home, the closer we get to the truth. (I look forward to refocusing on NYS and NYC issues.) Abrams expressed confidence that the majority of the American people have joined together to reject a president who suborns racism. That’s a glass-half-full perspective that will be helpful as we keep on moving forward.
There was much more, but my notes are too messy!
Elsewhere, I read that New Mexico is the first state to send a full delegation of women of color to the US House of Representatives. And the rainbow wave of LGBTQ candidates has vastly increased their power and presence in statehouses in Delaware, Vermont, and Kansas.
On the other hand:
The peaceful Protect the Results protest that launched yesterday afternoon from NYPL was followed by other ad hoc groups who encountered large numbers of police in riot gear, without badge numbers visible. They were kettled, beaten, and arrested. The videos are really upsetting.
Protect the Results needs people to phone-bank today and tomorrow: sign up here. This morning’s organizing call was cancelled, which is confusing to me. “The organizing committees at national and NYC level are suggesting all actions stand down until Saturday. Let the counting process continue, keep eyes focused on those activities.” Again, I am confused by this decision AND I am trying to follow organizer discipline. I will be on Saturday’s call.
There are lots of events scheduled for this weekend through Protect the Results. As I said before, it’s important for you to sign up so that you get updates.
Above, my favorite sign from yesterday’s march!
with love,
L