This Week's Focus: Celebrating Our Work, Looking Ahead
🍂🍂 Thank you to everyone who joined us for IMV's annual post-election Fall Fiesta on Sunday! It was a chance to celebrate the past year's accomplishments, share some gratitude, and look ahead to 2027.
Once again, Rio Grande did a tremendous job with the food, and thanks to everyone who brought beverages and desserts. Special thanks to Kathy Wojo for another fabulous slideshow capturing IMV's busy year — from No Kings rallies and bridge brigades to postcard parties, speaker forums, candidate events, canvass launches, weekly protests, and our urgent No Chance, Vance rally. IMV certainly showed up in 2026!
The celebration also generated a wonderful list of thank-yous and kudos, along with plenty of ideas and goals for the coming year. On Wednesday, IMV's leadership team began working through those suggestions and discussing plans for 2027.
There is plenty to feel good about, both here at home and following the national election results. And while the work of organizing never really stops, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate everything we've accomplished together.
🎉 Old and new friends at Fall Fiesta!
New York Health Act Advocacy Is Heating Up
For the first time, New Yorkers have elected what the Campaign for New York Health calls a universal healthcare majority, with
supporters in both chambers of the state legislature! That's an encouraging development for advocates working to pass the New York Health Act.
The New York Health Act would provide comprehensive healthcare to every New Yorker, help control and lower healthcare costs, and is projected to save counties, municipalities, and school districts billions of dollars.
Now it's time to build on that momentum! Many New Yorkers still haven't heard about the NYHA, and there are several ways to get involved.
Take Action and Get Involved
Sign the petition to leaders in Albany in support of the New York Health Act.
Interested in joining the fight for universal healthcare? Sign up to join a Campaign for New York Health Regional Hub. You'll be connected with your local NYHA organizing hub.
Here in the Mohawk Valley, you can also contact Teresa Van Etten at tvane27@hotmail.com to join the next local hub meeting and receive email updates.
Want to learn more?
The Campaign for New York Health offers a monthly virtual NYHA 101 program. Register for the next session on Monday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m.
You can also watch a recording of NY Health 101 at your convenience
Live in Utica? Show Up for Good Cause!
After months of advocacy by Citizen Action CNY and local housing advocates, the Utica Common Council is expected to vote on Good Cause Eviction legislation in November.
With rents rising sharply, too many Utica residents are facing excessive rent increases, lease non-renewals, and the threat of losing their homes. Good Cause Eviction would provide eligible tenants with greater protections against unreasonable rent hikes and evictions.
Wednesday, November 18, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Utica City Hall, 1 Kennedy Plaza
Join Citizen Action CNY, U.N.I.T.E., housing advocates, and residents for a rally outside City Hall ahead of the anticipated vote.
Two ways to get involved:
🌎Climate Crisis Working Group
Call Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to Oppose Bipartisan Bill as Written. Senate negotiators just released an amended version of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026.
A vote on it is expected soon. The National Resources Defense Council notes that as it is currently written, “The amended version of the bill does not avert BAJAA's lasting damage to clean water, wildlife, and treasured places or to sections that further erode important parts of the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act.” In addition,”While the Administration holds back clean energy, some provisions in the bill would facilitate expanded fossil fuel development and energy intensive data center construction without sufficient safeguards to protect communities and nature.“
Read further commentary from the NRDC here.
Please call Senators Schumer (202) 224-6542 and Gillibrand (202) 224-4451 to oppose the bill as written and unless additional safeguards are added to prevent further erosion of the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and guarantees that clean energy will be supported and that the bill will not allow expanded fossil fuel development and data center construction
Bridge Brigade & Rally Updates
Marcy Bridge Brigade Is ON! Join the Marcy Bridge Brigade on Friday, November 13, at 3:00 p.m.
Herkimer Bridge Brigade Is Taking a Break. Herkimer's Saturday gatherings are on pause for now. Watch for future updates.
Action to Take Today: Democratic Senate Leadership
Following last week's elections, Indivisible National is calling for an open, transparent election for the next Democratic Senate leader rather than automatically retaining Chuck Schumer.
Senator Chris Van Hollen has signaled openness to a leadership challenge, but Indivisible's central request is that Democratic senators have the opportunity to consider candidates and choose their leader through an open process.
Contact Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to share your views on an open leadership election
