The Latest
Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter
February 1, 2025 Volume 35
ACTION:
Fight the Funding Freeze -Indivisible/ Working Families Party/ Move On Strategy Call Feb. 2nd!
Share Accurate Information: Stop the Fearmongering on ICE Raids!
Should Indivisible Endorse Ben Wikler for DNC Chair?- Vote TODAY!
SOCIAL:
EVENT RECAP:
GROUP NEWS:
IN THE KNOW:
Are you new to Indivisible Charlotte? Join Our New Member Orientation – February 12th at 7:30 PM!
RSVP now and join us!
New to our group? Jump in with us on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:30 PM for our New Member Orientation on Zoom! Meet fellow new members, hear from leadership, and learn how to get involved.
From electoral work like canvassing and voter registration to trainings, monthly socials, the Pride parade, and our annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, there are countless ways to make an impact. You'll also find out where to watch for events and actions and how your unique skills can help power our movement.
RSVP now and join us! We can’t wait to meet you!
Courtesy of Susan Rogan of Rogan’s List on Substack
Trump and his thugs do not yet have the resources necessary for the mass deportations they have promised. To make up for it, they are trying to use fear and propaganda as force multipliers. Every showy, high-attention raid, every video or photo they share of an arrest or a deportation flight is meant to make them seem that much more active and that much more threatening – hopefully encouraging some of the undocumented community to self-deport. The way to fight back, and the way to ensure as little disruption to the daily lives of our friends and neighbors as possible, is with spreading accurate, useful information and making a point of not spreading rumors on social media that do immigration enforcement’s work for them. Here’s how we can help:
Document immigration enforcement activity we witness, using these tips on how to verify and what information to record from WITNESS and Never Again Action.
Use these tips from United We Dream on how citizens can support the immigrant community while enforcement activity is in progress.
Report raids we see or learn of in our areas to United We Dream’s MigraWatch hotline at 1-844-363-1423 and migrawatch@unitedwedream.org, along with regional or local rapid response hotlines.
If there is no one verifying ICE activity near us, consider starting an ICE Watch program. We can check out this playbook and get training from Siembra.
We can encourage everyone to know their rights in dealing with immigration enforcement. The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) has now built a Know Your Rights app that is available in 16 languages with resources and the power to read your rights out loud to law enforcement and send a message to an emergency contact. It can be downloaded at this link for Apple and here for Android.
Here in Charlotte, don’t miss from WFAE: EQUALibrium Live- Voices on Immigration: A Multicultural Panel Discussion
Feb 6, 2025 06:30 PM
Register here!
Join WFAE for the first EQUALibrium Live of the year, on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 6:30 to 8:00p.m. via Zoom Webinar. The conversation, Voices on Immigration: A Multicultural Panel Discussion will feature a conversation with diverse speakers on the impact of immigration under the new presidential administration.
This webinar will explore the impact of recent executive actions, shifting policies, and state-level legislation on local immigrant communities.
Tickets are free, RSVP now to join the webinar and conversation at https://www.wfae.org/equalibrium-live-voices-on-immigration
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lMtnxoUDSvSFMyuowVZctw#/registration
By ICLT member, Marshal Auron
I’ve been trying to expand my news sources outside of “progressive” media, so I’ve been listening to some “moderate” commentators on the POTUS channel. Recently, one former Republican-now Independent reflected on his childhood in the 1970s: how his father was a Pennsylvania public school teacher and yet had a comfortable middle-class lifestyle: nice house, cars, vacations. He lamented that lifestyle is not possible today. It hit me immediately that the cause was that both wealth and income (two related but different concepts) have become more concentrated in the US during the 40+ years of my working life and in turn have led to the deterioration of middle and working-class lifestyles.
Wealth
Wealth consists of all your assets… bank accounts, investments, retirement funds, property owned MINUS all your debt. US household wealth currently totals around $139 Trillion or about $1 million for each of the 131 million families in the US. Since few of us have $1 million in our pockets, it’s clear that wealth is not distributed equally. Americans in the “Bottom 50%” have average wealth of less than $50,000, the “Top 10%” averages nearly $8 million and the “Top .1%” averages more than $150 million! About 8% of American families have negative wealth. Between 1980 and 2022 wealth on average increased by 234% for the “Bottom 50%”, by 311% for the “Top 10%” and by a striking 904% for the ”Top .1%”.
Income
Income is what households earn and the story for income growth is bleaker. Between 1980 and 2022 income increased on average by 14% for the “Bottom 50%” of Americans, by 150% for the “Top 10%” and by 400% for the “Top .1%”. It’s more troubling to learn that income and wealth inequality in the US is higher than in most other developed countries. Income feeds wealth since it drives savings and investment after folks take care of all their living expenses.
“It’s The Economy Stupid!”
We brag about how strong the US economy has been since COVID, but a huge slice of our population is standing on the sidelines. Channeling James Carville, “It’s the economy stupid” may give us better insight into why so many people are disenchanted with the government and the economy. How did this happen? What are the implications of this? What do we do about these inequities?
How did this poor distribution of wealth and income occur?
Decline in Tax Rates - Federal income tax rates for the highest wage earners have declined dramatically since the 1960s. Corporate and capital gains (investment gains) tax rates also have declined. In particular, Ronald Reagan’s 1984 tax cut fueled growth in the equity markets and the economy contributed to wealth concentration among the wealthiest folks. Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cut didn’t help. The highest wage earners benefited from lower taxes and strong investment returns, while many working-class folks’ situation stagnated in the face of the economic boom.
Income/Wealth Inequality Due to Uniformity- Lack of race, ethnic and gender diversity of opportunity have all contributed to income inequality. Black Americans still face some level of labor discrimination and there is still a gender pay gap that adversely affects women’s earnings. Studies show that White families receive twice as much financial help from their relatives as Blacks and Latinos. This is likely due to income inequality that results in a lower level of wealth available to be passed from generation to generation.
Reduced Funding for Education - College and graduate education should produce higher wages and increased levels of wealth. People like me who grew up in poverty, benefited from Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Societies” programs in the 1960’s and were able to get great university educations and increase our economic situation.. But over the last 25 to 50 years, this benefit has declined as the cost of education and student borrowing levels have increased in the face of decreased federal and state government funding for higher education.
Declining Union membership- Union members typically earn more than non-union workers, however anti-union efforts and the decline in union representation and membership has resulted in wage stagnation for growing numbers of non-unionized workers.
Global Competition, Mergers, Acquisitions - Increased competition for American businesses from globalization in the economy, less than favorable trade with other countries, outsourcing to less expensive markets and technology and automation have increased joblessness. Resulting mergers and acquisitions have led to huge business conglomerates run by powerful executives underscoring the concentration of wealth.
How does wealth and income inequality affect us?
Reduced Economic Demand- Inequality reduces demand in the economy for goods and services: the wealthy have an increasing share of the “wealth pie”. However, they typically spend a smaller percentage of their income than the working class.
Struggling Working Class-Since the working class have a declining slice of the pie, they can’t afford basic necessities.
Weaker Job and Income Growth- Reduced demand for goods and services weakens job and income growth. This leads to a decrease in working-class ability to become upwardly mobile.
Reduced Government Programs-Reduced tax rates paid by the wealthy have reduced the government’s ability to provide vital government programs. For example, programs that aid the less fortunate, promote educational opportunities, and even strengthen our military are at risk. The tax revenue shortfall is endangering our economy as government borrowing levels and budget deficits grow.
Turn to Populist Leaders- It’s the economy stupid! Despite a strong US economy, it’s believed that working class voters turn to populist leaders for help.. At the same time, the wealthy can exert significant influence on the government to enhance their wealth and power. This may provide some insight into a major reason why many voters turned to Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Stay tuned for my next installment….I’ll dig into this more deeply and suggest some policy paths to correct this that Democrats and Independents need to highlight.
Get ready to unwind and unite at Indivisible Charlotte's monthly social soirée on Wednesday, February 5!
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Save the date for an evening of laughter, good company, food, and drinks. Eager to join us? Register now and mark your calendar for a night of community and rejuvenation.
We're excited to see you there—ready to recharge and connect!
Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter
January 2, 2025 Volume 34
ACTION:
SOCIAL:
EVENT RECAP:
GROUP NEWS:
IN THE KNOW:
Do you have an event idea you'd like to host with the support of Indivisible Charlotte? We’d love to hear it! Use this form to submit your idea. Whether it’s a book club, a guest speaker for a Zoom discussion on a key issue, a coffee chat meet-up, or something entirely new, we’re excited to help bring your ideas to life.
As the event organizer, you’ll take the lead on planning, attending, and creating graphics for your event. Indivisible Charlotte leaders are here to provide guidance and share access to our group infrastructure to ensure your event is well-promoted and well-attended. We’ll utilize our resources—including the Facebook group, website, Mobilize page, newsletter, Zoom account, and more—to amplify your event and maximize its reach.
This service empowers Indivisible Charlotte to host a wider range of events and opportunities, tailored to our community's interests and held in locations that resonate with them—all while sharing the planning and leadership responsibilities.
Together, we can create a vibrant and inclusive community!
Fill out our event idea form here!
By ICLT member, Marshal Auron
Nearly two months after the NC Election and there are still four undecided state races. The Democratic candidates lead the Republicans in each of these races by no more than ½ of 1 percent of the vote. Despite recounts and hearings that confirm the Democrats’ leads, the Republicans continue to protest their apparent losses using various remedies provided in NC election law.
The four races are:
For a seat on the NC Supreme Court between incumbent Democrat Justice Alison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin;
For two NC Senate seats:
One between Democrat Terence Everitt and Republican Ashlee Bryan Adams of District 18 in Granville/Wake Counties;
One between Democrat Woodson Bradley and Republican Stacie McGinn of District 42 in Mecklenburg County;
And finally for one NC House seat:
Between Democrat Bryan Cohn and Republican Frank Sossamon of District 32 in Granville/Vance Counties.
After the Republican candidates requested recounts that didn’t change the leads, they filed protests with the County Boards of Elections asking to discard numerous ballots. Some County Boards rejected the protests and others tossed it up to the State Board of Elections. The next stop for the Republicans was to appeal directly to the State Board of Elections, which denied the protests.
What’s next?
Get ready to unwind and unite at Indivisible Charlotte's monthly social soirée! Please note this is the 2nd Wednesday of the month - January 8.
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Save the date for an evening of laughter, good company, food, and drinks. Eager to join us? Register now and mark your calendar for a night of community and rejuvenation.
We're excited to see you there—ready to recharge and connect!
Celebrate Our 8th Anniversary: Reflecting, Rising and Empowering this Moment- Jan. 25th!
To keep driving progress, we must reflect on our journey, celebrate what’s worked, and map out bold strategies for the future.
Join us for an inspiring gathering where we’ll spotlight our successes, uncover valuable electoral insights, and craft a powerful vision for the road ahead.
🎤 We are thrilled to have Leah Greenberg, the co-founder of Indivisible National, to be our keynote speaker for our 8th anniversary!
Leah will be sharing:
Highlights of the new Indivisible Guide 2.0
Where we can find power in NC and effective ways to wield it
How she sees our group fitting into the landscape of progress in NC and nationally
🎤 ALSO! Justin Perry, therapist and founder of Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery PLLC and social justice activist here in Charlotte, will be sharing some big picture truths about the election, the next administration and how we can navigate the chaos.
🍴 Catering by Tasty Plates—because great ideas deserve great food.
Don’t miss this chance to connect and strategize!
RSVP HERE: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblecharlottenc/event/745869/
Introducing ICLT’s Every Call Counts!
One of the most effective ways to defend our democracy in post-election mode is to hold our elected officials (both Democrats and Republicans) accountable in protecting our rights and let them know we are watching them closely, especially when they quietly insert policies and nominations into bills.
Indivisible Charlotte has a new ‘Every Call Counts’ committee that will help us get organized using simple and effective tools to hold the legislators accountable and push for the changes we want to see in the local, state, and federal government.
Every Call Counts is an ongoing action via Mobilize. When you sign up, you receive information on the latest political issues and instructions on whom to call with a suggested script.
The motto of Every Call Counts is in its name: Every single call is tallied on each issue at the offices of our representatives. No call is wasted. The more people that call, the more successful we can be in preventing harmful policies.
Did you know you can make more than one call on any issue? Each day you can make the call again to increase the tally in our favor.
Help us, help the country, help NC, and especially help empower yourself by signing up to make phone calls through Every Call Counts. Please share with your friends and family to help increase our numbers of activists. Every sign-up is another Defender of Democracy added to the growing army of defenders. Help us grow this group to be responsive, effective, and powerful!
Here is the Mobilize Link to get you started. Let’s DO SOMETHING!!!
Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter
December 4, 2024 Volume 33
Despite challenges, our work created tangible victories:
Governor Josh Stein, Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Mo Green lead a slate of Democratic wins in North Carolina.
NC Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs pulled out an incredibly close win! (However, the GOP is still contesting 60,000 votes.)
We broke the Republican supermajority in Raleigh, a significant step toward balanced governance.
Our efforts contributed to flipping NC Senate District 42, where Woodson Bradley triumphed by 204 votes, overcoming gerrymandering and PAC-funded opposition.
We fought like hell to put Nicole Sidman into office with significant turnout in HD105 and fell short by only 213 votes. Disappointing, but symbolic of the power of a gerrymandered district drawn for her as an R+5.
Our collective work is making a difference:
18,000+ doors knocked in 32 canvasses
63 out-of-state canvassers welcomed from 12 different states and trained in 8 Zoom canvass trainings
29 out-of-state volunteers hosted by members, many staying for a week or more.
36,700+ postcards written for key races, from local contests to swing-state GOTV efforts.
AND SO MUCH MORE with phonebanking, textbanking and voter registration!
What’s Next
We are gearing up for the next phase of this work. The new Indivisible Guide 2.0 outlines strategies for combatting authoritarianism, strengthening democracy, and organizing across all levels of government. As we prepare for 2025, we’ll focus on:
Protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Organizing in solidarity with marginalized groups.
Building leadership at local and state levels, not just in Congress.
Looking ahead, join us for our December 11th social and mark your calendars for our 8th-anniversary celebration on January 25th. Start thinking about how you can contribute or lead—whether it’s hosting events, recruiting members, or simply sharing your energy and ideas. Together, we’ll continue to fight for justice and democracy.
This work is far from over, and every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this incredible community.
ACTION:
*NEW* Every Call Counts! Local and National issues- Call TODAY!
Celebrate Our 8th Anniversary: Reflecting, Rising and Empowering this Moment- Jan. 25th!
SOCIAL:
EVENT RECAP:
Read Indivisible’s new guide, Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink!
“If there’s one universally accepted truth in the modern age, it’s that sequels suck. And Trump 2.0 will be no exception. Trump, Vance, and their MAGA minions feel vindicated by the victory of their bigoted, fascistic clown show of a presidential campaign. Trump takes office with a plan to institute the worst parts of Project 2025. He’ll be enabled by a judiciary packed with right-wing ideologues and a congressional majority stacked with MAGA foot soldiers. And he’s assembled a bloc of corporations and billionaires eager to do his bidding in exchange for tax cuts and corrupt favors. But he has no mandate for the staggeringly harmful agenda he’s about to unleash on the country. And together, we have the power to fight back — and win.”
Get ready to unwind and unite at Indivisible Charlotte's monthly social soirée! Please note this is the 2nd Wednesday of the month - Dec. 11.
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Save the date for an evening of laughter, good company, food, and drinks. Eager to join us? Register now and mark your calendar for a night of community and rejuvenation.
We're excited to see you there—ready to recharge and connect!
Nicole Sidman GOTV Canvass Opportunities!
Mon, Nov 4, 9:00am–12:00pm EST
Mon, Nov 4, 12:00pm–3:00pm EST
Mon, Nov 4, 3:00pm–6:00pm EST
RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/sidmanfornc/event/711677/
Woodson Bradley GOTV Lit Drop Opportunities!
Monday, Nov 4
Lit Drop - SouthPark - Fairview 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register: https://www.mobilize.us/woodsonbradley/event/733982/
Lit Drop - S. CLT - Old Providence 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Register: https://www.mobilize.us/woodsonbradley/event/739701/
Lit Drop - S. Providence 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Register: https://www.mobilize.us/woodsonbradley/event/733984/
Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter
November 2, 2024 Volume 32
THIS IS IT! YOUR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Because Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport
Top Priority: KNOCK on DOORS!!!!! Get voters to the polls!
This is a special abbreviated newsletter with only ways to get involved in these last 4 days. October was a whirlwind for ICLT, filled with events and inspiring moments we can't wait to share—after the election! No distractions now - eyes on the prize!
Upcoming ACTION:
CANVASSING
SOCIAL
Join Indivisible Charlotte on Nov. 17th for a heartfelt celebration of everything we’ve accomplished together at our Community Champions Celebration!
Let’s unwind, connect, and honor the passion and dedication that have powered this year’s achievements. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from Tasty Plates, and share an afternoon filled with laughter, stories, and gratitude for the impact you’ve made.
Mark your calendar, bring your energy, and get ready to feel celebrated—you’ve earned it! We can’t wait to share in the joy of our wins and the strength of our community with you.
By ICLT member, Marshal Auron
Indivisible CLT is pleased to present a series of five "In the Know" video briefings providing an overview of major candidates for the ten Council of State offices on the ballot in the November Election. The races in this video include Agriculture Commissioner and Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Council of State offices affect our daily lives so please vote the entire ballot when you go to the polls!
By ICLT member, Marshal Auron
Indivisible CLT is pleased to present a series of five "In the Know" video briefings providing an overview of major candidates for the ten Council of State offices on the ballot in the November Election. The races in this video include Secretary of State and Labor Commissioner. The Council of State offices affect our daily lives so please vote the entire ballot when you go to the polls!
By ICLT member, Marshal Auron
Indivisible CLT is pleased to present a series of five "In the Know" video briefings providing an overview of major candidates for the ten Council of State offices on the ballot in the November Election. The races in this video include Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner. The Council of State offices affect our daily lives so please vote the entire ballot when you go to the polls!
Indivisible Charlotte | indivisibleclt@gmail.com | Member Request Form
