🏳️🌈Show Up for Pride + Full Sprint to June 23
June IMV Meeting Recap:
Nine Years of Standing Together
Nine years after Indivisible Mohawk Valley began, our June meeting was a reminder of what still defines us: ordinary people working together, showing up publicly, and turning shared concern into organized action.
Thank you to everyone who came out Wednesday night to celebrate IMV’s 9th birthday. We had 60 activists in attendance, including people who were part of our earliest 2017 meetings, political skills trainings, and protests, as well as folks attending their very first IMV meeting.
After the meeting, many stayed for an hour-long workshop with the Utica Immigrant Defense Network on monitoring and verifying ICE presence in the Mohawk Valley and helping keep our neighbors safe.
The timing could not be better. We celebrated nine years of showing up — and now we need to keep showing up. This weekend, that means celebrating and supporting our LGBTQ+ neighbors at Oneida County PrideFest on Saturday, June 6, at the Clinton Arena. And over the next few weeks, it means turning IMV energy into votes through canvassing, phone banking, letters to the editor, and direct voter contact ahead of the June primary.
Campaign Trail: Full Sprint to June 23rd
Huge IMV No Kings Anniversary Canvass for Jon Lipe and Blake Gendebien
Sunday, June 14, 1:00 p.m.
Three Fellows Inn, 600 N. George Street, Rome
We are asking everyone to join IMV for a major canvassing event on Sunday, June 14. While Trump hosts his birthday MMA spectacle, we will be taking action to make people’s lives better by electing representatives who will do their jobs with integrity and share our values.
Join IMV in Rome for a major Get Out the Vote canvass in support of Jon Lipe for Assembly and Blake Gendebien for Congress. Early voting will be underway, so we need to talk to as many Democratic primary voters at their doors as possible before Election Day on June 23.
You do not need to be an experienced canvasser! We are asking everyone to pair up at the event and commit to door knocking for just a couple of hours. It’s easy — just asking high-propensity Democrats to vote for our friend Jon Lipe and for Blake Gendebien on or before June 23, using hot-off-the-press primary election palm cards with Oneida County Early Voting information.
If knocking doors is not physically possible for you, can you drive a canvasser? If you cannot knock or drive, can you bring food for the canvass launch?
Sign up right now. Convince a friend to join you! Or show up and get paired with an experienced canvasser.
It is critical to remember that rallies are important for mobilization, but organized direct voter contact wins elections. And we need to start winning more elections if we want to turn back from the brink of the authoritarian cliff.
Blake Gendebien campaign information:
https://blakegendebienforcongress.com/
Jon Lipe Campaign information:
https://www.lipeforassembly.com/
Jon Lipe for Assembly: Mohawk Valley First Ballot Line Secured
At our June meeting, Jon Lipe thanked IMV volunteers for their help gathering petition signatures over the past several weeks. Good news: the campaign collected enough signatures to secure the Mohawk Valley First ballot line.
This is a huge victory for a number of reasons. It shows the commitment and hard work of volunteers and supporters, and it gives Jon a real advantage in November. Jon will appear on three ballot lines — more than his Republican opponent — and the independent line will help attract voters who may not use the Democratic or Working Families Party lines.
It also gives us huge momentum going into the June primary. Volunteers knocked on more than 10,000 doors over the past seven weeks. Thousands of Democratic voters have now spoken with Jon or a volunteer, or received campaign literature at their doors. We are heading into June at a full sprint — and we’re not going to let up before June 23.
The next step is turning that outreach into votes. Please commit to helping with voter contact in the final stretch.
WFP Phone Bank for Jon Lipe
The New York Working Families Party has endorsed Jon Lipe for Assembly District 119 and is hosting a virtual phone bank to reach Democratic primary voters. Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of party registration. Jon invited IMV members to participate, and he will be on the phone bank calling voters too.
Volunteers will receive a briefing on the script and the Scale to Win phone banking software. Experienced phone bankers can begin after the briefing, and anyone new to the process can stay for training, questions, and a short debrief.
NY WFP AD119 Phone Bank for Jon Lipe
Tuesday, June 9, 6:00–8:00 p.m. EDT
Virtual event
Host: Diane Berry
Questions: 315-733-6344
Sign up: www.mobilize.us/ny-wfp/event/966311
Letters to the Editor Deadline
It is not too late to submit a letter to the editor to The Daily Sentinel in support of Jon Lipe for Assembly District 119 or Blake Gendebien for NY-21 ahead of the Democratic primary.
The deadline for letters supporting primary candidates is Sunday, June 7. Letters can be emailed to: editor@RNYmedia.com.
Early voting begins June 13, so every letter helps.
Campaign Trail: Blake Gendebien for NY21
https://blakegendebienforcongress.com/meet-blake/
Blake Gendebien also engaged in a huge direct voter contact outreach for an independent line. His campaign reached more than 8,000 voters across NY21 face-to-face — and locked in both of Blake's ballot lines in the process (4,800 signatures on the Democratic line, 3,800 on Lower Cost Now). Every one of those doors was outreach as much as a signature, so we head into the primary with a real head start instead of starting cold.
The focus now shifts to the primary on June 23 - just three weeks away! From here it comes down to turning out our voters for Blake, county by county, including in Oneida County. Since the district covers 15 counties–including Rome and the surrounding area of Oneida County, volunteers will be needed to help get out the vote for Blake in those areas. Last night, Blake’s campaign manager held a Zoom meeting with key volunteers to talk about the plan for the coming weeks including canvass launches, advance support at campaign events, and spreading the word at local fairs, festivals, and events. More to come soon!
Buy Your Tickets to Hear NY AG Tish James!
You're cordially invited to attend the Oneida County Democratic Committee's Summer Fundraiser, featuring New York Attorney General Letitia James. Attorney General James has been a national leader in protecting consumers, defending voting rights, and holding powerful interests accountable. After many of us heard her speak at the event in 2023, we’re excited that she is returning to Oneida County this month, and we’re hoping to have a great showing of Indivisible Mohawk Valley activists at this event!
Purchase your tickets via the RSVP link below by Friday, June 12, to take advantage of our advance pricing, or go the extra mile and become a bronze, silver, gold, or platinum sponsor!
What: Oneida County Democratic Committee's Summer Fundraiser, Featuring New York Attorney General Letitia James!
Where: Hart's Hill Inn (135 Clinton Street, Whitesboro, NY 13492)
When: 5:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 16
RSVP: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/oneidadems2026
Come support the Oneida County Democratic Committee and our Democratic candidates!
🏳️🌈Pride Month!🏳️🌈
Oneida County Pride Fest
Oneida County Pride Festival is Saturday, June 6th, 10 am -4 pm at the Clinton Arena, 38 Kirkland Ave, Clinton. IMV will have a table at the event and we’re seeking volunteers to help share information about IMV, voting, and upcoming actions. The Pride Festival is always a well-attended event, making it a fantastic opportunity to grow our community and share our message. If you can volunteer for any part of the day, set up, or take down, please volunteer using this form.
This is a perfect bite size, local and especially fun way to build our power. And don't forget the Oneida County Pride After Party (7:30-10 pm) at the JCC with presale tickets and tickets at the door. More Pride fun!
You can check out the Oneida County Pride Alliance calendar for June for more events.
In Herkimer County, Pride Fest is at Burke Park, Little Falls on Saturday, June 13th 10-4. This 6th annual free, all-ages festival features vendors, entertainment, and food. Pride Stride 5K takes place before the festival at 9:00 AM, with prizes for the most festive runners.
*** Update on the Utica Pride Flag*** At our meeting Wednesday, Ace Morreale noted that the Utica Common Council has planned a special meeting on Wednesday, June 11th at 5:00 pm to override the Mayor’s veto of the Pride Flag raising. There will not be a public comment period but all are welcome to show up in support.
Rise Up, Sing Out: Choose Joy Over Trump’s Birthday Spectacle
On June 14, 7:30 PM (EST), the Committee for the First Amendment will be hosting Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment, an uplifting evening of song, solidarity, and action. Featuring an all-star line-up of performers, this 90-minute concert event will celebrate the freedoms guaranteed by our First Amendment—of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest—and the people power that both fuels these rights and is essential to guarantee them.
Even as authoritarians increase their attacks on our freedoms and communities, we see examples across the country of people rising up together, taking action, and turning back those forces.
The event will be streamed with watch parties all across the country—so wherever you are, you can sing along, find inspiration in the performances, build community, and take meaningful action together. Featured artists and activists: Rufus Wainwright • Bette Midler • Patti Smith • Sasha Allen • Joy Reid • Peppermint • Julia Roberts • Broadway Inspirational Voices • Wilson Cruz • Lily Gladstone • Jenn Colella • Alex Joseph Grayson • Singing Resistance • Rude Mechanical Orchestra • Kayla Davion • Rev. Adriene Thorne • Jane Fonda
Sign up for the free livestream here: https://riseupsingout.com/
Calls to Congress
There is a lot happening in Congress this week. Please take a few minutes to contact your members of Congress on the issues below:
Stand with immigrants in detention.
Call your representative and senators to demand action on conditions at Delaney Hall and other ICE detention centers, including oversight, due process, and humane treatment for people in custody.
Oppose more funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
Congress may soon vote on a bill that would send billions more to immigration enforcement. Tell your members of Congress: not another penny for mass detention and deportation.
Stop Trump’s war with Iran.
Tell Congress to reassert its constitutional authority and vote to end this illegal war.
Block a new war with Cuba.
Ask your members of Congress to prevent military escalation and support immediate humanitarian relief for the Cuban people.
Stop Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund.
Tell Congress to block any attempt to bypass Congress and release funds to January 6 insurrectionists.
No on Pulte.
Trump has put an unqualified political attack dog atop our intelligence community. Tell Congress to use its leverage, including refusing to reauthorize key spying powers, until this appointment is reversed.
Action Events & Rallies
MARCY: Friday, June 5th, 4-5:30 pm,Bridge Brigade, We will be gathering on the I-90 pedestrian bridge Friday, June 5th at 4pm to 5:30pm. The location is where 49 West exits onto River Road in Marcy (close to the Walmart). It is about a 1/4 mile walk on the pedestrian path to the bridge. Bring your signs and flags* Organizers will have the MAIN MESSAGE for the day that will be held for viewing from the highway. Please bring flags/signs/pom poms. We need helping hands and cheerleaders. This Friday is a special message in honor of D-Day (June 6). Sign up for details here.
ROME: Saturday, June 6th, 12–1:30 pm, Protest Against Trump’s Authoritarianism in Rome. We gather on Black River Blvd. near the Erie Blvd. intersection beside Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome. This peaceful weekly demonstration features music and creative signs.
Utica: Thursday, June 11th, 4-5 pm, IMV Thursday Protest. New Location for June!. We will be outside the Whitesboro Historical Society, 8 Park Ave., Whitesboro. There is plenty of parking in the area. Bring signs (we have extra!) to protest Trump's authoritarianism and unnecessary war and the complicit Republican Congress, judges, and corporations.
Friday, June 13th, Join the Kirkland Democrats in the Clinton Village Green for a Rally 4-5 pm, or the Bridge Brigade in Marcy.
