Voting Rights Under Attack! Fight Back by Voting
Voting Rights Are Under Attack. Stand Up, Fight Back.
The past couple of weeks have been a disaster for democracy as the Republican administration, Republican state legislatures, and their lackey-stacked courts at every level destroy the Voting Rights Act of 1965, kick civil rights in the teeth, and lock in their permanent white conservative minority rule in red states and across the country.
But the people are fighting back. "All Roads Lead to the South" is a national day of action for voting rights taking place on Saturday, May 16 featuring rallies in Alabama to protest recent Supreme Court rulings affecting Black representation. Events include a vigil at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and a main rally in Montgomery, supported by Black Voters Matters, NAACP, Common Cause, and the No Kings Coalition. And last night there was a Solidarity with the South mass call to build toward the next Good Trouble weekend (July 17-19).
Still, the Mohawk Valley can seem a world away from the action in Alabama and the South at this moment. And grassroots political activism can feel useless compared to the voting rights lawyers standing up in the courts every day.
What can we do here and now to defend democratic elections and voting rights? Here are three actions for you:
1. Vote on your local school district budget and board of education on Tuesday, May 19th. What good is a civil right like voting if you don’t use it? Show up at the voting booth this week. Better yet, text your friends and make sure they do the same.
2. Join IMV on Wednesday, May 20, 6:30-8:00 pm for a conversation on Zoom about our 2026 election strategy. When Republicans (the party that made ending voting rights its goal for a generation) win, we end up with Trump agenda collaborators as our representatives. That’s true everywhere--even in the Mohawk Valley.
3. Participate in the democratic process by carrying petitions. This week, show up to help Jon Lipe with his independent line petition. There’s not much time left to collect those 2000 signatures. We know that the Mohawk Valley First line was the way that a Democrat won the 119th assembly district in 2024. We can do it again. Sometimes just doing the work is how democracy works.
Keep reading this newsletter for more ways to take political action--on ICE, Climate, Health Care, and more.
Vote on Tuesday, May 19th
We are asking every IMV member to go to the polls on Tuesday, May 19th to support your school district’s budget and vote for candidates who are committed to inclusive public education that centers children and teachers.
It can be hard to learn about school board candidates. Here are some local school board candidates that our IMV members have brought to our attention because of connections to them in political action and community activities and affinity with our shared values:
Utica: Sonia Marte
Rome: Suzanne Carvelli and Felicia James-Williams
Holland Patent: Meghan Gillan
New Hartford: Shahida Dar
Make sure you show up to support public education!
Let’s Talk IMV Strategy for the 2026 Elections!
Join us for our IMV Elections 2026 Conversation on Wednesday, May 20th from 6:30-8:00pm.
We are heading into what may be the most important elections of our lives. This fall is the last chance we may have to put a check on the anti-democratic, anti-majority rule, unlawful, and unconstitutional authoritarian power grab by Republican leaders.
IMV is on the front lines, and we need to be strategic, methodical, and committed heading into this election season when it comes to our coordinated efforts as grassroots volunteers. We’ll be looking at election results from the past few cycles to identify opportunities and priorities. What work will we do? How will we prepare ourselves with the electoral skills we need? How will we reach voters outside our group?
IMV members who are interested in learning about and being part of the discussion about our group supporting local candidates in 2026 are welcome to join this 90 minute call. Register here to attend
Lipe for Assembly: New Ad and More Petitioning
This week Jon’s campaign launched its first ad! Check it out:
URL: https://youtu.be/EKsDW7eEMRU
To keep this ad on the air through June 23rd Primary, the campaign needs to raise at least another $3100 by the end of May. In-district donations go extra far with the state’s matching funds program, where donations from Utica, Rome, Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown get matched up to 12:1.
There are three ways you can help Jon win:
1) Please share the ad on social media or send it to your friends, family, and neighbors. Remind Democrats in the 119th Assembly District to vote next month! Here is the URL for the ad to share: https://youtu.be/EKsDW7eEMRU
2) Donate to Jon’s campaign to help him win in June. All donations are welcome and in-district donations make the biggest impact. Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lipeforassembly
*The pre-primary maximum for matching funds is $250 per in-district donor, so please consider giving up to $250.
3) Volunteer a few hours of your time to help Jon get on an independent party line. This is petitioning at the doors, and anyone can do it! Pickup and Dropoff locations for Jon Lipe’s Independent Petitions
Sundays in Rome: Dunkin Donuts at 1155 Erie Blvd W, Rome, NY 13440 4:30pm (through May 17th)
Tuesdays in Whitesboro: Dunham Library,76 Main St, Whitesboro, NY 13492 6pm (through May 19th)
Thursdays in Utica: Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee St, Utica, NY 13501 6:30pm (through May 14th)
Join Us for IMV's June 2026 Meeting
On June 20th, we celebrate our 9th birthday as Indivisible Mohawk Valley. That was the name we chose when we met in a packed room in Jervis Library in Rome in 2017, following several months of intense organizing following the 2016 election.
We were not one and done after the Women’s March in January. We decided that democracy did not need people hiding in secret Facebook groups sharing sentiments without effective and strategic political action in public in our own local community.
We decided to protest Rep. Claudia Tenney, who claimed to be “Trump before Trump” as she voted to pollute our waterways, take away our affordable health care, give huge tax cuts to the super wealthy millionaires and corporations, and as she cheered on “banning Muslims.”
Then we pulled out all the stops to try to help candidates win elections, to build pro-democracy power in a broad coalition, and to influence legislation to make our communities better, healthier, and safer for everyone. And we’ve been doing it ever since.
Join us to celebrate our “IMV birthday” on Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:30-8:00 pm at the JCC in Utica. We’ll have cake and coordinate our actions to have the biggest political impact we can in the months ahead.
Wednesday, June 3rd
6:30-8:00 pm
JCC, 2310 Oneida Street, Utica
Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/953203/
Take Action to Block Runaway ICE Funding
1. For activists in NY21 (Rep. Stefanik):
Congress is back in session, so it’s time to call your Republican representative, Elise Stefanik, if you live in NY21, TODAY to demand that she rejects $70 billion in funding for ICE and Border Patrol. Republicans officially unveiled their reconciliation bill last week, which includes these slush funds for Trump’s mass deportation machine and $1 billion for his gaudy ballroom. Some Republicans are already wavering, so let’s keep up the pressure. Yes, Elise is not going to back down, but she needs to know that support for the Trump agenda is going slack, even in her red district.
2. For everyone:
Send a message to Sen. Schumer, Sen. Gillibrand, (and if you live in NY22, Rep. John Mannion). We need you to keep up the drumbeat of opposition to $70 billion in ICE funding, too. Now that Congress is back in session, we need to see Democrats using every tactic and tool possible to block, obstruct, and turn public opinion against this bill.
Climate Crisis Working Group
Keep Calling Until the Budget is Passed!! Calls Make a Difference!!!
Governor Hochul has proposed amendments to weaken New York's landmark Climate Law along with many climate related bills. The budget deadline has been extended.
Please make 3 CALLS every day until the budget is passed:
GOVERNOR HOCHUL (518) 474-8390
SPEAKER HEASTIE (518) 455-3791
MAJORITY LEADER STEWART-COUSINS (518) 455-2585
"Hi, I'm ______ and I'm calling to urge ___________ to include the full versions of the following bills/programs in the state budget with no amendments:
1. ASAP Act - include the 20 gigawatts, interconnection reform, and funding for NY-Sun.
2. The Weatherization Assistance Program while protecting the 10% of HEAP funding.
3. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act as written.
Calling after hours is fine-just leave a message.
Volunteers Needed for IMV Table at Pride Festival
The Oneida County Pride Festival is happening on Saturday, June 6th, from 10am to 4pm at the Clinton Arena in 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 contact Kathy Wojo kwojcie1@twcny.rr.com
This is a perfect bite size, local, and especially fun way to build our power.
Local Rallies
ROME: Saturday, May 16th, 12–1:30 pm, Protest Against Trump’s Authoritarianism in Rome, Along Black River Blvd near the intersection with Erie Blvd. on one side of Fort Stanwix, Rome. This peaceful weekly demonstration has music and creative signs.
UTICA: Thursday, May 21st, 4–5 pm, IMV weekly protest at the Pirnie Federal Building, 10 Broad St., Utica. Bring a sign (extras available) as we protest Trump’s authoritarianism, unnecessary war, and complicit officials.
Head's Up for June 14th
June 14th is not only Flag Day; it is the one year anniversary of the first No Kings national mobilization. This year, the coordinated action from Indivisible and our coalition partners is not for millions showing up for large rallies. It’s to host local watch parties for a live stream event called “Rise Up: Sing Out.” More details to come, along with a toolkit for how to make events happen. Save the date.
Paid Petitioners Needed Over the Next Two Weeks
Blake Gendebien’s campaign is hiring college age young people (or anyone who likes to walk for minimum wage), to collect petition signatures over the next two weeks. If you know someone who’d like the job, have them email or text Steven: standerson1317@gmail.com; (315-706-7272).
The July 1st Healthcare Cliff Is Coming: Are You Ready?
On July 1, 2026, the “Essential Plan” funding that thousands of families in Utica and the Mohawk Valley rely on is set to expire.
Nearly 450,000 New Yorkers are at risk of losing their $0-premium coverage. For many in Oneida and Herkimer counties, this means new monthly premiums, high deductibles, and the impossible choice between paying for medicine or paying for rent.
Our hospitals are facing staffing cuts. Our seniors are facing rising costs. We cannot stay silent while our health is sold for profit. Join the conversation and take a stand:
WHAT: Patients Over Profits: Utica Voices on Health Care & Policy
WHERE: Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee St, Utica, NY
WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 6 – 7:30pm
COST: FREE and Open to the public (Refreshments provided!)
Need a ride? Call 315.725.0974
RSVP today: cit.ac/pop-utica
ICE Monitoring and Verification Team
This hardworking volunteer group works behind the scenes across the Mohawk Valley to respond to reports of possible ICE (and related agencies) sightings and to monitor presence.
There is a need for more volunteers who live or work in rural parts of Oneida County (Camden area, southern county) as well as in Herkimer County and eastern Madison county. If you are in one of these areas and have flexibility in your schedule and like to drive around in your community (sometimes on a moment’s notice), please consider joining the team. Text Jen at 315-982-1591 with your name and email address. For security, we have a multilayer vetting system that starts with that first text.
