If We Build a Big Enough Movement WE WILL WIN
IMV's December Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 9th
Please join Indivisible Mohawk Valley for an engaging and educational virtual meeting focused on Messaging & Communication.
We'll explore ways to connect with others that inspire action and build community. We will review key insights from Anat Shenker-Osorio, a nationally recognized expert in strategic framing and storytelling, and discuss how her guidance can strengthen our collective voice. The session is designed to be practical and accessible so you can have productive conversations with family, friends, and neighbors during gatherings and events in the months ahead, as well as engage effectively on social media or in Letters to the Editor.
Since the season can get busy, and the weather is unpredictable, we will gather on Zoom for our December meeting.
IMV December 2025 Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 7 pm - 8 pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82184376617
Sign up at Mobilize so we know you're coming: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/872300/
Rally With Us This Week
Even if you can only come for 20 or 30 minutes, put on your boots and coat and join a rally. We did have to cancel yesterday's rally but that was because of extreme weather/visibility. You can check IMV's Facebook page for up to date information.
Weekly Saturday Protest Against the Trump Regime in Rome
Saturday, Dec. 6th, 12:00-1:30 pm,
Black River Boulevard & Erie Blvd. near Fort Stanwix in Rome
Weekly IMV Thursday Protest
Dec. 11th, 3-4:30 pm
Corner of Burrstone Road and Champlin Avenue (Utica/New Hartford)
Park at Zion Lutheran Church on French Road
Our rallies build connection and community by showing up together regularly, and we let the public know that there is strong opposition to Trump, MAGA, and Project 2025 authoritarian policies.
Tonight! Joint Fundraiser for Rep. Mannion and Blake Gendebien
It's not too late to sign up! You're invited to a joint house party for Congressman John Mannion (NY-22) and Blake Gendebien, who is running to replace Elise Stefanik in NY-21.
It's critical that we hold John Mannion's seat. We also have a good chance of winning next year in the Rome area and the North Country: Elise is stepping out to run for Governor and Blake Gendebien is an outstanding candidate. He's a dairy farmer from St Lawrence County who draws in independent voters as well as Democrats and has already raised $4 million.
Date: Friday, December 5
Time: 5-7pm
Where: Clinton, Location available upon registration
RSVP: http://secure.actblue.com/donate/mannion-gendebien
Sunday! Oneida County Democratic Women's Club Holiday Brunch
Join the OCDWC for their annual Democratic Women's Club Holiday Brunch on December 7 at 11:30 am at Monarch Banquets in Yorkville to celebrate their 2025 slate of candidates and honor the Jacqueline Brindisi Award winner. Tickets available here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/OCDWCHolidayBrunch
Herkimer Community Gathering: All Are Welcome
We are now gathering in the daylight through the winter months. Our meetings in December will be at Denny's in Herkimer on Sunday, December 7th and December 21st from 2 pm - 3:30 pm. All are welcome and please invite a friend who may wonder if there is a community for them. No matter where you live (Oneida County residents welcome too!), you'll find this IMV community gathering a welcoming one. Mobilize link for Herkimer Community Gathering HERE. Let us know you're coming!
Climate Crisis Working Group
Two Actions to Take for Climate in December
1) Join us in Albany: December 11th
Join us as we join Renewable Heat Now in Albany to lobby Governor Hochul to stop gas expansion in NY by signing the 100-Foot Rule Repeal, the first pillar of the NY HEAT Act.
IMV’s Maggie Reilly will be speaking on behalf of upstate National Grid customers.
As you know there is strength in numbers…If you are interested in joining us, there will be a bus picking up at the Westmoreland Thruway Exit 32 at 8:30am and returning at 5:30pm.
Register Here: Governor Hochul: Don't Move the Goalposts, No Gas Expansion in New York!
2) Join the Deadline Hochul: Mobilization Launch Call on 12/15 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
The call will feature Bill McKibben and Mark Ruffalo discussing the need for real climate leadership in NY and get everyone ready for the April 18 climate march–”Deadline Hochul”--in Albany.
RSVP link and more info: https://actionnetwork.org/events/deadline-hochul-campaign-launch
Defend Children and Educators Against Turning Point USA in Schools
Mohawk Valley, did you know that Turning Point has a high school club called Club America?
Did you know their agenda is to expand these clubs into more of our schools—where chapters already exist in Clinton and New Hartford, and districts including Rome, Westmoreland, Boonville, Proctor, Central Valley, and Whitesboro have shown interest?
Did you also know that Turning Point maintains public watchlists targeting professors and school board members, labeling educators as “anti-American”?
Join IMV member and Defense of Democracy New York State Community Liaison Debbie Lindon on Monday December 15th at 7:30 pm via zoom to discuss how parents and school boards can be informed about the hidden agenda behind Club America. Registration is required to attend. Register: HERE.
Herkimer County Democratic Committee Fundraiser and Holiday Party
Join the Herkimer County Democratic Committee, and Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, for a virtual fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 6-7 pm. Thank Tom for all that he has done for our area. Buy a ticket and join him from home or attend the virtual watch party at 525 Albany Street, Little Falls. Thanks to the Public Campaign Finance Program, all donations up to $250 will be MATCHED! Afterward, enjoy our free POTLUCK HOLIDAY PARTY from 7-9 PM. Bring a treat to share and a folding chair if you have one.
Tickets for the Comptroller virtual fundraiser: https://secure.ngpvan.com/4_m1sYoi_kKDRGG9F1L8cA2
Sum Up and Inspiration
Please invite a friend to join the Zoom call on Tuesday. This topic is accessible for everyone. How do you talk about your political values with someone who might have a different perspective? How do you create trust and conversation with someone who doesn't pay attention to politics at all, or maybe voted for "change" with Trump in 2024 but now has doubts? We'll be using the best practical wisdom--and voter research--out there for this hour long workshop.
Want to connect in real life or in smaller groups this month?
Try CAFE Fridays (see calendar below).
Join the Sunday afternoon gatherings at Denny's in Herkimer.
Attend a rally for some energy and solidarity (and fresh air!) on Thursdays (Utica) or Saturdays (Rome).
If you want to connect to the wider Indivisible movement, we recommend joining the "What's the Plan?" call on Thursdays with Ezra and Leah, Indivisible's co-founders. You'll get a peek at overall strategy and what our movement is prioritizing as we look to weaken and defeat MAGA in 2026.
We know it is a busy month for holiday events and social occasions. Show up for what you can.
Please continue to encourage folks to cancel Spotify, and avoid shopping at Amazon, Target, and Home Depot as long as they continue to comply with Trump in advance and help ICE terrorize immigrants.
Support small local businesses instead of corporations owned by billionaires who are profiting off their low paid workers and rigging the system for themselves.
It might be a good time to recall that just about five months ago, we gathered, hundreds of us, in much nicer weather than we have today, in Utica, for a rally in honor of John Lewis to make some Good Trouble. He put it best:
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair.
Be hopeful, be optimistic.
Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year — it is the struggle of a lifetime.
Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Thank you for all you have done with us to make some good trouble. Let's keep it up!
Website: indivisiblemv.org
Follow us on Bluesky: @Indivisiblemv.bsky.social, on Instagram's Threads.net/@indivisiblemohawkvalley, on X (Twitter) using @indivisiblemv and of course on our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.
