Indivisible and the presidential primaries.  Rather than obsessing over which candidate to support, Indivisible at the national level is urging local chapters to focus on ensuring that the platform and campaign strategy of whichever candidate emerges with the nomination will reflect Indivisible’s priorities, with saving our democracy at the top of the list.  On this topic, two documents worth looking at on the national Indivisible website are the newest IndivisiBlog from National Political Director María Urbina and a new explainer on primaries and ways to get engaged.

For those of you who want to know when there is a new post here: I think I have figured out how this works. First, log in to WordPress. (If you are reading this on the blog, you already did.) Then go to https://wordpress.com/following/manage
If you click on the settings for each site (if you have more than one), you can see how to subscribe to update emails.

Didn’t this week make you GLAD we took the House back?!?! It’s time to get moving on the next set of elections. We are a famous group—Josh Harder called again today. Time to put some more people in office.

1. Next meeting this Sunday, March 3rd 4:30–5:45 at our house.
2. The move to our webpage continues: Indivisibleelmwood.org. Many of you are already followers (hurrah!). If you need help signing up, email Andy at drlaz@me.com.
3. Our donation link on the website for the next week is collecting funds for the special election in Pennsylvania Assembly district 114 where there is an important election on March 12. Even small donations go a long way on these local campaigns.
4. Tony the Democrat’s new IMPORTANT campaign:
   What? Election
   When? Tuesday, April 2
   Who? Judge Lisa Neubauer
   For? Supreme Court
   Want addresses? Email Janice at janice@weingrod.com
5. VoteForward is also working on the Wisconsin election available  at www.Votefwd.org
6. Send a thank you to the supervisors who rejected Urban Shield.

Alameda Co. Supes Approve Sweeping Changes To Urban Shield Program

Janice Weingrod is hosting a post card writing event for Lisa Neubauer on Monday February 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The address is 2814 Russell St. Berkeley, Ca. All are invited but please email Janice at : Janice@Weingrod.com if you plan to attend. The next two State Supreme Court elections are the key to undoing extreme gerrymandering in Wisconsin.

Two Immigration Committee Events Sunday, Feb. 24^th, 2019 Kehilla Community Synagogue Putting our Bodies on the Line Matthew Leber Reports Back from the Border 3:30-5pm in the sanctuary    Matthew Leber, Kehilla member and staff member of American Friends Service Committee helped organize the December 10th action at the San Diego Border that The Nation Magazine called “Best Action of 2018.”  We will hear from Matthew about his 24-hour experience in border patrol detention and from other Kehilla members who participated in the action. We will share song and prayer and will discuss of the role of direct action in supporting immigrant justice.  Meet and Greet and Light Dinner 5:00–6:45pm in the social hall Join us to welcome new immigrants who have been part of our accompaniment program over the past several years, along with their teams, hosts and sponsors. (There are now several newborn babies to celebrate among these families.)   Main course will be provided.  Please bring a vegetarian side dish, salad or dessert.  Label with ingredients if possible RSVP for either or both events to  immigrationcommitteechairs@kehillasynagogue.org Please come scent-free!

The current Wisconsin Supreme Court has 4 conservatives and 3 liberals. One of the Liberals is leaving for health reasons. There is an election on April 2 to replace her. If the Liberal Lisa Neubauer wins the balance will stay the same. In 2020 there will be another election during the presidential primary to replace one of the the Conservatives. So it is possible to have a liberal majority before 2021 when redistricting will be decided. Right now Wisconsin is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country with strong Republican majorities in the legislature despite Democratic victories for governor and AG on a state-wide level. The State supreme court elections are therefore the key to the future of Wisconsin politics.

According to my brother who is a long time progressive Wisconsin activist she needs the usual campaign things ie; post cards, texts, and money. Turnout is everything in this very divided state. Her opponent will have unlimited right wing money.

Here is a link to her campaign: https://judgeneubauer.com

I think many of us were there today, but this foto comes from the Mercury News–Bruce

This has been a very disturbing week in American politics and it is good to know that we are gathering soon to discuss action items.

1. Our next meeting is this Sunday Feb 17th 4:30–5:45. We will discuss organizing by Indivisible about the Emergency proceedings, Bruce’s op ed project, an upcoming special election in Pennsylvania we can get involved in and how to make our move to our new website work and much more.

2. Meanwhile, hopefully everyone has received an invitation from Andy to log-on to our new website. Please do so before our meeting so we can move to the next step by showing everyone how to participate in the website. [Andy adds: we will review how to post to the new site at the meeting.]

More detailed notes after our meeting.

Naomi

Here’s a very good new article about Sheriff Ahern and why it’s so hard and necessary to get candidates to run against him.