INDIVISIBLE Lambertville NJ / New Hope PA

Category: Call to Action

  • Liberty and Justice for All: A Statement from Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope Leadership…and a Request

    Liberty and Justice for All: A Statement from Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope Leadership…and a Request

    It’s not enough to say we are heartbroken by the events that led up to the BLM protests and that continue to harm and harass people of color. It’s not enough to post supportive memes and click “like” “sad” or “angry” on social media posts that make statements about the injustices that have disadvantaged one group of people in favor of another group. It’s not enough to pray for peace or healing.
    But when you’ve had enough, how do you follow through with actions that truly enable durable, systemic change?
    Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope believes our communities are stronger when all voices are heard. As activists, we endeavor to fight for fairness and equality. Often that means educating ourselves and our constituents about the experiences of others who may live next door but are a world apart from our daily lives. Frequently, it’s making people aware of government actions or proposed legislation and urging them to contact elected and appointed officials. And sometimes, it’s taking that fight into the streets.
    Millions of people have taken and are taking the fight for equity for Black, Indigenous and/or People Of Color (BlPOC) to the streets of towns and cities – not only in the U.S., but in countries across the globe. As the chain link wall went up around the People’s House in Washington, others joined the process of tearing walls down.
    We heard voices of pain and anger. We heard cries for the freedom to live like those who take their freedom for granted every single day. We heard strength in songs and poetry, and saw joy and pride in moments both large and small.
    For the most part, however, we have been observers even as we applaud your victories. So we commit to learn what we don’t know. We were shocked and motivated when our Civil Rights action group opened our eyes to the New Jim Crow, to Witness to Innocence, to community leaders working against racism and preserving black history in our own backyards. But it’s not enough – there’s so much more to do.
    As a community-driven organization, we offer our platform to people and groups that will speak to us about hopes, needs and solutions. We commit to listen, discuss and collaborate about what we need to do in our homes, communities and on the larger stage to build a more just and equal world.
    We commit to examining our role in white supremacy and engaging in anti-racist work. It is our desire to be good allies. For those individuals and organizations already engaged in this work, we ask that you point out our blind spots. Call on us and call us out – we will show up for you and amplify your voice with our passion and our energy.
    For BlPOC in our community who have thought ILNH is too white, too middle class, too same in its make-up; we agree. While equity and inclusiveness are core to our mission and our values, we believe that our efforts have not sufficiently represented those values. We are committed to learn and assess and explore how our privilege and lack of understanding prevents BlPOC from feeling that ILNH is a place they can comfortably call home.
    So while we have missed the mark, please know that today we commit to try harder and to do better moving forward. We want to be clear: You are valued here. Your ideas and perspectives are important for us to build the organization we strive to be. Let’s create the community that may not exist today, but can when we work together and authentically live our mission and values.
    To all: Please join us. We need to do the hard work of building understanding, of tearing down chain-link fences that shut people out and of creating spaces that are safe for everyone. Because if there was ever a time when actions need to speak louder than words, it’s now.
    Reach out to us at info@ilnhclone.indivisible.blue with comments, information, organizations that want to join hands. Visit our website to learn more about ILNH’s mission and values, read our newsletter and learn more about our organization.

    Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope Leadership Team

    Cindi Sternfeld

    Susan Shapiro

    Elaine Clisham

    Sarah Gold

    Karen Mitchell

    Nancy Boelter

    MaryJane Legere

    		 John Woods

    Elycia Lerman

    Deb Kline

    Liz McGill Peer

    Shara Durkee

    Cynthia Jahn

    Paige Barnett

  • ACTION! Senators Release Proposals Supporting Frontline Workers

    Contributed by Deb Kline.

    Three proposals focusing on Frontline Workers have been unveiled by both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate for consideration in the fourth coronavirus relief package

    Three different proposals have been released by members of the U.S. Senate intended to support the frontline workers to varying degrees. The goal is to include more focused provisions to protect and reward these workers, and to stimulate interest in filling these much needed jobs. Ideally, some form of these proposals will be included in the fourth coronavirus relief package, and you can help by calling Congress and demanding their support. Don’t forget your state government, which in many cases has done more to protect its people than the federal government.

    Essential Workers Bill of Rights 

    In April, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ro Khanna’s unveiled an “Essential Workers Bill of Rights,” which has been cheered by leading progressive organizations – including Indivisible and MoveOn – who are demanding the next coronavirus relief package take care of those on the frontlines of the pandemic.

    COVID-19 Hero’s Fund

    Also in April, Senate Democrats Charles Schumer (NY), Gary Peters (MI), Sherrod Brown (OH), Patty Murray (WA), Robert Casey (PA), and Tom Udall (NM) revealed the COVID-19 Hero’s Fund — a federal fund offering payments of up to $25,000, or $13 an hour and retroactive compensation for qualifying workers dating back to late January, when the public health emergency was first declared. Their plan also proposes a one-time payment of $15,000 to draw new workers into essential fields.

    • Uses a flat-dollar amount per hour premium model in order to ensure it is clear, simple, and lifts up particularly those workers making lower wages.
    • Would give each essential frontline worker $13/hour premium pay on top of regular wages for all hours worked in essential industries through the end of 2020.
    • Would cap the total maximum premium pay at $25,000 for each essential frontline worker earning less than $200,000 per year and $5,000 for each essential worker earning $200,000 or more per year.

    Patriot Pay

    Then on May 1, Utah Senator Mitt Romney released his Patriot Pay proposal aimed at providing bonus pay — up to $12 an hour on top of normal wages — for employees in eligible jobs. The increase would extend through May, June and July and would be paid out by employers and the federal government via a payroll tax credit. Workers in industries designated by Congress and the Department of Labor as essential, including hospitals, grocery stores and health manufacturing, could qualify for the hazard pay. 

    • For essential employees that make less than $50,000 annualized, employers would receive a 75% refundable payroll tax credit for a bonus up to $12 an hour.
    • For essential employees making over $50,000 annualized, the tax credit phases out by $24 for every additional $500 in income until annualized incomes hit $90,000.
    • The maximum tax credit is $1,440 per month, per employee, meaning a full-time worker would receive up to a $1,920 monthly bonus.

    Unlike the Democratic proposal however, Romney’s plan opts to offer employers a refundable payroll tax credit for paying out the bonuses to eligible employees. The plan states that employers would be refunded for up to three-quarters of hazard pay bonuses to employees making less than $90,000 a year. 

     

    • ACTION! Call your U.S. Senators and tell them to support the Essential Workers’ Bill of Rights and COVID-19 Hero’s Fund in the next coronavirus relief package. Find their contact information here.

     

    ACTION! Sign Indivisible.org’s The People’s Agenda Pledge to make sure your Representative opposes any coronavirus relief bill that does not 1) Keep people on payrolls; 2) Provide aid to the most vulnerable, including cash, food, debt relief and eviction protection; 3) Provide full healthcare coverage for all frontline workers, and 4) Enact a vote-by-mail requirement for all federal elections. Find all the tools you need plus at Indivisible.org The People’s Agenda

  • Voting Reform Needed STAT

    Contributed by Deb Kline.

    “THIS IS RIDICULOUS”

    Sign held by a Milwaukee voter waiting to cast an in-person ballot after SCOTUS’ ruling declined to extend absentee voting deadlines.  

    Truer words were never spoken. Never mind that SCOTUS met by videoconference to deliberate the issue. Never mind that the polling locations in Milwaukee had been reduced to five from 180. The current voting system (or should I say systems since each state is responsible for its own) is broken and the time to call for voting reform is now. 

    We have witnessed a steady drumbeat of anti-voter strategies by those who wish to limit whose voice actually counts. Voting methods, requirements and technology vary widely from state to state and sometimes even within counties and municipalities. Numerous election security legislative proposals have been squashed. Polls have been closed or moved and voters de-registered without informing constituents. We’ve been stung by the defeat of the popular vote in favor of the Electoral College and by courts that have been politicized to favor the will of the Federalist Society rather than the will of the people. Did I mention gerrymandering? No, see the piece on REDMAP in this newsletter to add another log to the fire of outrage. 

    We fail to foresee how much lower the depth of Republican political chicanery can go in their ‘winner takes all, democracy be damned’ approach. But it can, and it does. Blinders off, lessons learned the hard way tend to have a profound effect. Our grumbling has become a roar and Congress must take note. 

    While the current rallying cry is that vote by mail must be an option nationwide. Trump has already signaled that’s not likely to happen from a federal level, saying that it’s ripe for voter fraud (side note that he intends to VBM because he’s allowed). Still, it’s only one piece of a larger puzzle to help ensure free and unfettered elections where everyone gets a voice. 

    Currently, each state is in control of its own voting processes and mechanisms. While it may not be prudent to take total control away from the states, it may be time for a federal standard at least for the duration of this pandemic. The “I have a plan for that” former presidential candidate, Elizabeth Warren outlines much of what was dismissed out of the third stimulus package, but calls for support in the next and upcoming legislation:  

    • Expand online voter registration so it’s an option in every state, extend voter registration deadlines as much as practicable, and let any eligible voter register on Election Day.
    • Make states provide at least 30 days of early voting to help reduce crowds and maintain access to safe, in-person voting.
    • Mail every registered voter a ballot and a postage-paid return envelope. That way, they can safely fill it out at home, send it back in, and participate in our democracy.
    • Ban states from purging voter rolls during this pandemic — unless a voter has come forward and said they want to be removed, or unless there’s objective evidence that their registration is out of date. And states must add voters’ names back to the rolls if they’ve already been purged.
    • Ensure equal access to the polls — regardless of race or ethnicity, language, tribal citizenship, or ability. That includes ensuring sufficient and safe polling places on Election Day, providing accessible ballot machines for people with disabilities, expanding voting hours, and allowing people to vote with a sworn statement of identity instead of an ID.
    • Provide no less than $4 billion in surge funding to states for election administration, compensate every poll worker (including providing hazard pay), and bolster election security.

    CALL TO ACTION: 

    As an activist, you have to be fired up. If you need one more reason to take action, consider this: Last week, Donald Trump claimed that if we made it easier for more people to vote, “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”

    Enough said? Use the extra time on your hands to demand that these emergency protections be included in the next coronavirus bill. Indivisible National is making it easy for us by providing the tools to get us started, including: 

    • Record a video to demand your senators include Elizabeth Warren’s election protection plan in the next coronavirus bill. Click here to make a video. 
    • Share our election security resource far and wide. Click here to view.

    Friday, April 17th is an Indivisible Vote By Mail day of action. Mark your calendars and make your voice heard!

    Additional Resources and Reading: 

    Brennan Center for Justice: Why a Vote by Mail Option is Necessary

    Heather Cox Richardson – particularly April 6 for background on Wisconsin’s primary voting debacle, but for a fantastic grounding in current and historical political movements, actions and consequences.

  • State of the State Voting: NJ and PA

    Contributed by Deb Kline.

    States currently have total control over how and when elections are held. While many eyes are on the proposal for national voting changes due to the coronavirus before the US Congress, it must be clear that states need to take or expand action to ensure a fair and robust election. Further, while Vote by Mail is the main focus, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, many states will be hard pressed to make sure enough ballots are ready, shipped and returned in time. Here’s the latest from NJ and PA, plus your call to action at the state level: 

    • Primaries in both states have been moved from their original dates due to the coronavirus. In New Jersey, the primary has been moved to July 7; and Pennsylvania is still on the calendar for June 2. 
    • Vote by Mail:  
      • NJ has allowed ‘no excuse needed’ vote by mail for some time. To receive a ballot by mail, the application must be received by the County Clerk 7 days prior to the election. A voter may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election.
      • Pennsylvania loosened what was previously among the most restrictive requirements for absentee or vote by mail ballots. While it may seem as if the two are synonymous, the state does differentiate. Registered voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online, by mail or in person at the county election office. Applications for a mail-in ballot must be received one week in advance of the election and turned in by the date of the election. For the June 2 primary, applications for a mail-in ballot must be received by the county election office by 5 pm May 26. For more information on PA absentee and mail-in voting, go here 
    • Early voting: NJ allows in-person early voting 45 days prior to election day ending the day before the election at the County Clerk’s office. In Pennsylvania, however, there is no in-person early voting. Mail-in ballots go out 50 days in advance of the election.  

    It must be noted that the expected increase in vote by mail ballots will undoubtedly put a burden on local officials. In an Op-Ed in NJ Spotlight, David Goodman, team leader of the New Jersey chapter of Represent.Us – a national grassroots anti-corruption movement advocating for election and campaign finance reform, calls for strengthening the paper ballot system by making money available for reliable optical scanning machines and a state-wide standard for mail-in voting across counties. In NJ, two bills need your support: 

    • A- 3591, co-sponsored by Assemblymen Andrew Zwicker and Dan Benson, creates statewide standards for counties to follow. The bill provides protections for the voter and methods to ensure that questionable ballots are retained and adequately inspected. More than that, it would make information available to increase public awareness of voting by mail.
    • The second bill (A-2175) sponsored by Assembly members Raj Mukherji, Annette Chaparro, and James Kennedy, removes barriers to voting. Most significantly, the bill requires the secretary of state to establish a website for online voter registration.

    CALL TO ACTION

  • Caring for Community: Volunteering, Donating to Help Those in Need

    Safe Harbor Child Access Centers in Flemington is available for all individuals in need of a safe environment to heal from traumatic experiences such as domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood abuse, neglect and PTSD. Safe Harbor provides therapeutic visitation, supervised parenting time and a safe place to drop off and pick up children during custody exchange.

    The Center itself is a place where young children can laugh, play and feel safe. Large windows fill each room with sunshine and warmth. The rooms are active and vibrant and host a display of paintings, books and musical instruments. Laughter is throughout as families connect with their children and play with their siblings and friends. Bella Blue, the resident therapy dog, is available as needed. 

    In addition, for today’s teen, the world has become much more complex. Young boys and girls find solace in Safe Harbor by connecting with other teens, participating in support groups and to openly discuss the challenges they face today. Through trauma-sensitive play groups, children and teens come together to do artwork, participate in Zumba classes, listen to music and play using their imagination.

    The Center operates under the direction of Carol Dvoor, a survivor of domestic abuse herself, who has made it her mission to advocate for survivors and bring children together with their families to help rebuild, connect and heal. Carol has also brought together numerous volunteers, community organizations and businesses to help create the welcoming environment, provide a wide range of programs and projects and sometimes, to provide the basic needs of life for those served by the Center. 

    Open seven days a week, Safe Harbor is an all volunteer 501(c)3, New Jersey based not-for-profit organization, and is a registered New Jersey charity with the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs.

    Contact information to volunteer, donate or request more information on services

    Phone: 908-268-4284;

    Email: safeharbor17info@gmail.com

    Facebook: Safe Harbor Child Access Centers

    ALICE – United Way of Hunterdon County has joined forces with United Way of Northern New Jersey to promote the ALICE Recovery Fund. COVID-19 doesn’t recognize county borders and it is important to join forces to support ALICE – the quarter of our neighbors who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. These households struggled to afford the basics even before COVID-19 hit. Many of them are made up of essential workers who are on the frontlines of this crisis and it is essential to support them in the immediate and long-term. Working with our partners, this fund will be distributed to ALICE households impacted by COVID-19 throughout the region.  

    ALICE is one in five neighbors who is living on the edge. ALICE may be a college student; a recent grad who is working and paying off tuition debt; a young family struggling to pay for child care so they can work; the underemployed working less than full-time and without benefits; active duty military personnel; a family caregiver; or a senior on a fixed income struggling with health issues.

    ALICE individuals and families living in Hunterdon County struggle every day to make ends meet, yet they work in jobs that are essential to the county’s economy. 

    Why does ALICE struggle?

    • Income is falling behind the cost of living – Did you know it costs a household with two adults and two young children ~$90,000 to barely get by in Hunterdon County? That’s an increase of almost $10,000 over a two-year period. The cost of basic household expenses increased steadily in every county in New Jersey between 2010 and 2016. The average household budget rose by 28 percent from 2010 to 2016. 
    • The available jobs are low-paying despite providing essential services to Hunterdon County. ALICE works in occupations we all depend on. However, more than 50% of jobs in Hunterdon County pay less then $20/hour.  These jobs will account for 75% of new jobs over the next decade.
    • More than 30% of seniors struggle and live below the ALICE threshold – a significant increase over two years prior.

    To volunteer or donate, go to https://www.uwhunterdon.org/contact

    Reminders: Food Pantries are being especially hit hard with the growing number of people out of work. Please donate when you can, and as often as you can.