Honor America Parade Saturday—IMV Picnic Thursday
Last week, smoke from Canadian wildfires hung over the Mohawk Valley and made familiar views look strange. Now the skies have cleared, just in time for one of Rome’s best-known summer traditions: Honor America Days.
Honor America Days grew out of Rome’s Fort Stanwix celebrations, and this year’s theme is “Honoring 250 Years of America.” The parade, concert, and fireworks give the community a chance to mark that anniversary together. At a time when national politics can make patriotism feel complicated, it matters to remember that our country’s history belongs to all of us—and so does its future.
Join us Saturday to walk with Jon Lipe in the parade, and again Thursday for our annual picnic and candidate meet-and-greet. With Election Day just over three months away, these gatherings are part of the work: they help neighbors meet one another, get to know Jon, and build the relationships that make local change possible.
Enjoy the summer. Show up where you can. What we do close to home still matters.
Coming Up This Week
(Full details below)
Saturday, July 25
Rome Honor America Days Parade with Jon Lipe — Lineup at 9:15 a.m. on North James Street in Rome.
Say NO to the AI Data Center in Ilion Protest — 12:00–1:30 p.m. on East Clark Street in Ilion.
Monday, July 27
Canvassing Training, Part 1 — 6:00–7:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Tuesday, July 28
Jon Lipe Pay-What-You-Want Fundraiser — 6:00–8:00 p.m. at The Beer Hub in Utica.
OneNYS Indivisible Statewide Call — 6:00–7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Wednesday, July 29
Canvassing Training, Part 2 — 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Thursday, July 30
IMV Annual Summer Potluck Picnic and Candidate Meet-and-Greet — 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Sherrillbrook Park in New Hartford.
IMV Annual Summer Potluck Picnic and Candidate Meet-and-Greet — July 30
Join IMV on Thursday, July 30, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. for our annual summer potluck picnic at Sherrillbrook Park in New Hartford. Bring a dish to share and meet candidates running for office.
We have a covered pavilion and will provide drinks, plates, and cutlery for those who do not bring their own. If you are concerned about plastics, we encourage you to bring a reusable beverage bottle.
Let us know you’re coming: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/986434/
Support Jon Lipe for Assembly at Two July Events
The Jon Lipe for Assembly campaign celebrated the opening of its Utica campaign office at 1 Hopper St. on July 22! There are now two coordinated campaign offices in Oneida County: one for NY-21 in Rome and one for NY-22 in Utica.
Supporters have two more opportunities to join Jon before the end of July:
Walk with Jon in the Rome Honor America Days Parade
Saturday, July 25
Lineup at 9:15 a.m.
North James Street, between Cedar and Chestnut Streets
Jon will be walking in one of the Mohawk Valley’s largest annual parades. Volunteers can carry signs, hand out candy, or simply walk alongside Jon and wave to parade-goers.
Sign up to join the parade:https://forms.gle/44ZqPE6MbBLsGBE4A
Pay-What-You-Want Fundraiser
Tuesday, July 28, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
The Beer Hub, 2643 Genesee Street, Utica
Jon’s first post-primary fundraiser is designed to make participation affordable. Contributions begin at $5, and any amount is welcome and appreciated.
Purchase tickets:https://secure.actblue.com/donate/beerhub-jon-lipe
Donations will also be accepted at the door.
Build Confidence at the Doors: Two Canvassing Trainings
Talking directly with voters is one of the most effective ways to help elect candidates and build support for the issues that matter in our communities.
Join Indivisible Organizing Manager for New York State Sarah Reeske for a two-part live Zoom training series designed to help both new and experienced canvassers feel more prepared and confident.
Canvassing Training, Part 1
Monday, July 27, 6:00–7:00 p.m. on Zoom
This session will cover:
The activism triangle
Narrative and electoral work
Skills for successful canvassing
Sharing personal stories
Personal safety
Canvassing Training, Part 2
Wednesday, July 29, 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Zoom
This interactive session will model an in-person canvassing training and include role-playing practice. Topics include:
Storytelling at the doors
Connecting through common values
Behavior at the doors
Different types of canvasses
Identifying levels of voter support
Responding to rudeness
Breakout sessions for practice
Statewide Indivisible Call: The Final 100 Days
Join Indivisible Organizing Manager for New York State Sarah Reeske for an important statewide Zoom call on Tuesday, July 28, from 6:00–7:30 p.m.
The discussion will include:
A proposed state legislative team
Priorities for the final 100 days before the election
Preparing for rapid-response mobilization after the election
Indivisible program updates
Your input is valued and needed.
We know this call falls between the two canvassing trainings and overlaps with Jon Lipe’s fundraiser. Please attend what you can and leave the rest.
AI Data Centers: Protest in Ilion and Information Session in Syracuse
Say NO to the Proposed AI Data Center in Ilion
Saturday, July 25, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
East Clark Street, Ilion
Join the second peaceful protest opposing the proposed AI data center at the former Remington Arms factory in Ilion. The property has been owned by Turin Management LLC since late 2024, and the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency is working with Turin on the proposal.
Find more information on the Facebook event page.
Learn More About Data Centers in New York
Sunday, August 2, at 3:00 p.m.
All Saints Parish Center, 1342 Lancaster Avenue, Syracuse
CNY Solidarity Coalition and Indivisible Onondaga County will host a presentation by Jennifer Stromer-Galley, a professor in Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies.
The presentation will examine the role of data centers in the AI industry, current and proposed projects in New York, their effects on local communities, and the state of public policy in Central New York.
Contact Your Members of Congress on Key Issues
Tell the Senate: Not Another Dime for the War in Iran
The House has passed a $95 billion budget framework that includes more than $70 billion for military and intelligence spending connected to the war in Iran. The measure now heads to the Senate.
Call or email Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and urge them to oppose the package and any additional funding for this unauthorized war. Contact your senators now!
Reject dangerous provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act that would deepen U.S.-Israeli military entanglement and shield the Netanyahu government from meaningful congressional oversight and accountability.
Tell Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to oppose the CLARITY Act.The revised bill still lacks meaningful ethics limits on senior government officials’ financial ties to cryptocurrency and does not adequately address corruption or consumer protections.
New to Canvassing? Start Here
Canvassing is one of the most effective ways to connect with voters because it creates a real, two-way conversation.
Watch From Outrage to Organizing to Power for a broader introduction to organizing and electoral work. The workshop covers campaign basics, voter psychology, and how activists build influence.
For a practical overview, watch Knocking on Doors: An Activist’s Guide to Canvassing. It explains what first-time canvassers can expect, the different roles volunteers can take, and basic canvassing best practices.
