Way to Win! What's Next?
Congratulations & Thank You, Local Candidates!
Congratulations to our local candidates who ran for office and won! It was a great day for our judicial candidates--they worked so hard to cover a vast territory of counties for months, and Democrats won three of the four seats on the bench! Way to go Betsey and Candace who showed up regualarly at our local IMV and community events! Heather Wasielewski won her race for Utica Common Council at-large, coming in first in the field, and in the process, secured a super majority for Democrats on that council. The New Hartford Town Supervisor is now a Democrat, and Kirkland Democrats secured all 10 elected spots in the town.
Seats in many towns flipped from Republican to Democratic, and in places where Democratic candidates took a risk to run in tough districts and worked hard, they narrowed margins across the board compared to recent years. That includes Oneida County Board of Leg and Rome Common Council. We appreciate everyone who raises their hand to run for something. Too many seats in Oneida and Herkimer Counties go unchallenged, and when a candidate runs on the Democratic line, it tells the Republicans that they have to work for their win, using time and resources, and sometimes, becoming more responsive to voters.
We thank everyone who ran, and everyone who volunteered to help them. Democracy is not a spectator sport, but it is a team sport. Great job, team!
Could this be the early sign, along with races in NYC, NJ, VA, PA and elsewhere, of a blue wave to come? We believe that if we roll up our sleeves and continue to do the work of calling attention to the disastrous leadership of Republicans and the damage and corruption of Trump's regime AND we work hard to help Democrats in 2026, then we can flip the House and finally create some accountability in Washington. That work starts soon. For now, let's celebrate! Join us on Sunday....
IMV Fall Fiesta Sunday, Nov. 9th
IMV's Annual Post-Election Fall Fiesta
Sunday, Nov. 9th, 1-4 pm
Jewish Community Center
2310 Oneida Street, Utica
This annual event is a celebration of the work we’ve done all year, but especially during the busy electoral season. It's a fun, social event and all are welcome. IMV provides the catered Tex-Mex fajita bar from Rio Grande. We are able to get reimbursed for the food costs from Indivisible since this is an "Indivisigather" 501c3 event for the purpose of strengthening our political activism community. This event does not have a public or social media link.
Register here right now to join us so we know how much food to order! We want to see everyone at the celebration.
Rallies Coming up
Saturday Rallies at noon continue at Fort Stanwix in Rome. Join us on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15!
Next Thursday, the Utica rally will be at the corner of Champlin Ave and Burrstone Road (near Utica University), 4-5 pm, Nov. 13.
If you want to rally Friday, Nov. 14, join the Kirkland Dems in the Village Green, 4-5 pm.
Thanks to everyone who came to the "Thank You, Rep. Mannion Rally" in Utica yesterday. Rep. Mannion was there and shared a few words! Check out the pics on our Facebook page!
Statewide Indivisible Call: NY Health Act
On Wednesday, November 19th from 7-8pm Sarah Reeske is hosting a statewide call focusing on the New York Health Act, facilitated by Executive Director Melanie D'Arrigo of the Campaign for NY Health. Come learn about the bill that would create a single payer healthcare system for our state as well as the campaign's organizing plan to get it moving through the 2026 legislative session. Register here.
#NoKings Mass Mutual Aid:
Want to know how you can help?
NoKings.org/alliance to learn more.
Thank you to everyone who has been writing checks to local food banks and non profits that serve low-income people. One in every eight Americans relies on SNAP for food security. Many of our neighbors are also on the short end of the Republican shut down and DOGE job losses. So people are struggling. It you can help, please do so.
If you bring food and hygiene donations to any IMV event, we will get it to the nearest food pantry or non-profit distributing food during this crisis.
Climate Crisis Working Group
Looking for a good book to read or share with a friend or family member? The CCWG recommends two new books–one by famed climate activist Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, and one by Judith Enk, founder of Beyond Plastic. IMV is a member of both organizations and frequently participates in actions and lobbying with both groups.
“HERE COMES THE SUN”
Our climate, and our democracy, are melting down. But in “Here Comes the Sun”, Bill McKibben insists the moment is also full of possibility. Energy from the sun and wind is suddenly the cheapest power on the planet and growing faster than any energy source in history—if we can keep accelerating the pace, we have a chance.
And he shows how solar power is more than just a path out of the climate crisis: it is a chance to reorder the world on saner and more humane grounds. You can’t hoard solar energy or hold it in reserves—it’s available to all.
“THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTIC”
Must-read alert! “The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late” by our friends at Beyond Plastics is a critical handbook for how each of us can help tackle the plastic pollution crisis. The book will be released on December 2 by The New Press but you can pre-order your copy now at: https://www.beyondplastics.org/problem-with-plastic-book
Get Your IMV and No Kings Gear
It's not too late to get some gear! It's not too late to get your No Kings hats and IMV merch! There are t-shirts, bags, and other items available for purchase at the IMV Store site. Check it out!
Social Media Masterclass
Indivisible One NYS is hosting a training series for people who want to learn how to use social media more effectively for political messaging. Here's the link for interested folks to sign up for the masterclass. It is designed for people to go through the entire track--not just one session.
Session 1 will be recorded instead of done live and sent to everyone who fills out the form. All sessions will be recorded. Registration links for live Zoom calls will be sent to those who fill out the form.
Here are the Track 1 dates:
Session 2: Wed, 11/12 @ 7-8pm
Session 3: Tuesday, 12/2 @ 6-7:30pm
Session 4: Wednesday, 12/10 @ 7-8pm
Sign up here if you want to commit to this important learning opportunity.
Cancel Spotify. Spread the word.
Spotify is running ads recruiting agents for ICE.
Let that sink in. A platform built to connect creators and listeners is helping an authoritarian regime build up its secret police force. They’re choosing complicity over the artists, podcasters, and fans who make Spotify what it is -- and when users and musicians called them out, Spotify’s first act was doubling down.
But we’re not going to idly accept that. We’re going to make them listen.
We’re asking anyone who subscribes to Spotify Premium to cancel your subscription until Spotify stops running ICE ads. Everything you need to know to join in this campaign including how to cancel Spotify Premium. That includes how you can spread the campaign to others even if you are not a Spotify subscriber.
Social Workers for Justice
One of our IMV members, Ace, is organizing the social workers across the state, and we can help by spreading the word. Please pass this message to anyone you know who works in social work!
“We are days away from our statewide call for Social Workers for Justice. Join us on November 10th at 6:30 to learn about us, the power social workers have, and the current licensure exam bill in Albany. If you are interested, please see the flyer below or follow this link: https://secure.everyaction.com/MIjaPe7jMUq2sIEFgebLAA2 . If you have any questions about the meeting or Social Workers for Justice, email ace@socialworkersforjustice.org . We hope to see you there."
Sum Up and Inspriation
Please check out the calendar for events and trainings and community gatherings.
The Herkimer Community Gathering is going strong, with a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13th in Little Falls.
There are multiple rallies every week. Keep the energy going This is a great way to connect with others and it's also an entry point for new people, so welcome newbies when you attend!
IMV Cafe Fridays happens every week. If you want to connect online with like minded activists, that is the place to go!
See you Sunday at the Fall Fiesta! No one let go of anyone's hand.
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.
