No Kings Oct. 18: It's All About the Numbers

Written By Alan Cole

Demand #CareNotCuts & End the #TrumpShutdown

Before we get to the No Kings Rallies on Oct. 18, we have to address an even more urgent topic.

We're in a government shutdown.  

***Note: The section below is a long explainer, much of it from Indivisible national. If you're already up on what's happening, skip to the bottom of this section for actions to take.  

We’re here because Republicans -- who control the White House and both chambers of Congress -- refuse to pass a funding plan to stop health insurance costs from doubling this winter. Democrats are rightfully fighting for a budget that prevents Trump’s massive healthcare cuts and price increases.

There are things we can do to help end this shutdown quickly -- and in a way that keeps healthcare costs down and reins in Trump. See actions you can take below!

We also realize that this is an unnerving and confusing time for many people, particularly federal workers, so we’ll do our best to explain what may happen next. Let’s start there.

What happens during a shutdown?

The Trump Shutdown is going to impact all of us. Day-to-day services/benefits like air travel, processing of social security applications, and safety net programs could see significant delays. National parks and other federal sites could close or slash their hours, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. Trump is threatening to fire more federal workers, which is illegal. 

There’s a lot that’s unknown or hard to predict, and we expect Trump and his cronies to test the boundaries or blow right past them, as they have all along. That’s why we need all hands on deck. If you missed the emergency mass call on the shutdown last night, here is the recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/ogVmUtT7Tyg

How does this end?

Trump and congressional Republicans control a federal government trifecta; they are responsible for ending the shutdown. Republicans must negotiate a bipartisan deal that delivers relief from the healthcare crisis they’re escalating and stops Trump from weaponizing our taxpayer dollars.

Democrats must stay focused on realistic, achievable goals for using their leverage. We can’t end fascism in one fell swoop, but we can reassert limits on Trump’s budget hijacking and save healthcare for millions of people.

Our viewpoint & goals

We’re disappointed to be facing a government shutdown and want it to end quickly. But Democrats cannot simply roll over and allow Trump to jack up our healthcare prices or keep lawlessly weaponizing our tax dollars.

We need to keep up the pressure until Republicans get serious about stopping the healthcare-cost crisis and reining in Trump. We do that by:

  • Pushing congressional Republicans to negotiate a bipartisan deal that protects healthcare and denies Trump a blank check for his authoritarian wishlist

  • Making sure our communities know that Republicans are responsible for rising costs, economic chaos, ripping away healthcare, and militarizing our communities

  • Urging Democrats to stand strong and get loud in calling out Republicans’ attacks on working families, our economy, and our democracy

Republicans could end this Trump Shutdown TODAY by passing a deal that averts the massive spike in healthcare costs and takes away Trump’s blank checks. But they won’t do that unless we force them to.

***Actions to take

We also need to make sure our Members of Congress hear our demands loud and clear today. Here’s how you can make your voice heard right now:

Please make calls to Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand today.  Join us at the Healthcare Not Authoritarianism Rally in Rome tomorrow!

 No Kings Oct. 18 Goal: More Participants

Have you seen the #NoKings.org map explode? Our Utica, Rome and Herkimer rallies are now on the map!  There's also a rally in Hamilton if you live in Madison County.  More than 2100 events are scheduled across the country!

Our only path out of this autocratic freefall is to bring millions more people --a very big, wide coalition--into the public, open, transparent movement against authoritarianism

The goal of the No Kings events on October 18th is not necessarily to connect with motorists, as we do at our honk and wave pop up rallies.  The goal is to get as many people in attendance at the rallies as possible--in every rally in every city and town possible.  And when we come together, the goal is to honor freedom of speech by speaking, just as we honor freedom of assembly by gathering.  Events will have music, creative signs, and inspiring speakers. And whatever else our organizers plan.  

There is one goal for #NoKings in October: To blow past the 5-6 million who came to #NoKings in June.  If we hit 11-12 million, we are at 3.5% of the population showing up against authoritarianism. No pro-democracy movement with 3.5% of the population showing up in the past 100 years has failed to stop an authoritarian regime from consolidating power.

Safety is a top priority, and IMV, like every other event across the country, ours will have a clear safety plan with safety marshals.  We will need many of you to volunteer. 
 
 Ask #1: If you can volunteer as a Safety Marshal, or as a videographer, or help with media, email IMV@IndivisibleMV.org and let us know how you can help and which location. 

Ask #2: Can you find at least 3 people who were not at No Kings in June and convince them to sign up for a local No Kings rally on October 18?

Ask #3: Attend a training to prepare for participation in public demonstrations 

Monday, October 6th, 8:00 pm, No Kings Protest Safety, Know Your Rights, and De-escalation Training. Attend this important ACLU Zoom training. Essential for anyone who will be at protests or rallies on No Kings or any time. If you can't make it, there will be another training on Wednesday, Oct. 15th. 

"We are not without fear. But we walk through it in courage. The kind of courage that topples kings."  -Greisa Martinez Rosas of United We Dream Action

"We're the home of the brave and the land of the free. But if we want to be free, then we gotta be brave." --Mark Ruffalo

Poster Party for No Kings is Oct. 14

Calling all Creatives and Crafters!  Teresa is hosting another Poster Party to make signs for No Kings.  Tuesday, October 14th, 5:00-7:45 pm. at Dunham Library, 76 Main Street, Whitesboro. There will be materials available to make the signs so just bring your creativity and artistry! 

Judge Candace Randall Fundraiser

The Rome Democratic Committee is hosting a fundraiser for Judge Candace Randall for New York Supreme Court on Monday, October 20, 6-8 pm at 3 Fellows Inn, 600 N. George Street in Rome.  Register to attend or just donate. Tickets start at $50.  Thank you for standing with Judge Randall and being part of this grassroots momentum!

Sum Up and Inspiration

  • Are You Getting Ready for October 18th's No Kings Rallies?  David and Dawn Laguerre are selling cool baseball caps with the No Kings logo on the front.  Email Dawn at laguerremedia@gmail.com to get yours so you're ready for the big event!

  • Please make sure you volunteer to help with the rally and/or identify three friends that you can invite (or better yet, bring!) to the rally of your choice on October 18th.  Register now on the NoKings map. You can send that link to friends and family anywhere so they can find their nearest event.  

  • Weekly rallies continue on Thursdays in Utica. On October 9th from 4-5:30 pm join us on Commercial Drive in New Hartford.  Park at Sangerfield Square mall near Home Goods (across Commercial from Market 32 (Price Chopper).

  • Mark your calendar now for our big October IMV Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23rd at 6:00 pm.  We'll be at MVCC Utica Campus again.  We'll have time to continue working in teams on key areas like "Rallies & Protests,"  "Media & Messaging" and more.  And we hope to welcome many new activists to our movement after they experience their first ever pro-democracy, anti-authoritarian rally on October18th!  

  • Mark your calendar now for Get Out the Vote.  Early voting starts on Saturday, Oct. 25 and goes through Sunday, Nov. 2.  Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.  Our goal is a massive turnout in support of Candace Randall and Betsey Fortino for Supreme Court Judge, along with some targeted door knocking for key races especially in Utica and Rome.  More to come.

See you at the Healthcare Not Authoritarianism Rally in Rome tomorrow.  Whether or not you can attend, please make calls to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer today with a message: "Stay strong!"
 

Democracy is not a spectator sport.  We show up for each other. 

Website: indivisiblemv.org
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Alan Cole
Next

Our Big Ask: Invite Your Friends to No Kings