Newsletter - June 6, 2025

Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter

June 6, 2025  Volume 39

In this issue

ACTION:

  • NO KINGS -NAKED EMPEROR Parade and March -June 14th!

  • Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe: Citizen Ally Training with Carolina Migrant Network June 18th!

  • In the Know LIVE: National INSECURITY? Renown DC attorney Mark Zaid on National Security, Free Speech and Due Process -June 19th!

  • Introducing Visibility CLT - Indivisible CLT’s Pop-Up Protest Group!

  • Democracy Rocks June 12th!

  • OUST Elon- Tesla Protests June 7, 21, 28th!

  • New Member Orientation Meeting: Join us June 26th or June 29th!

  • Mutual Aid Project to Support Vulnerable Communities!

  • Every Call Counts! Local and National issues- Call TODAY!

SOCIAL:

  • ICLT Socials - East Frank Superette (Monroe) June 4th! Starlight on 22nd (NoDa) July 2nd!

EVENT RECAP:

  • May 3rd Rally: Power to the People!

  • ICLT OUST Elon Tesla Protests - May 10th, 17th, 21st and the Rachel Maddow Show!

  • Visibility CLT Pop-Up Protests in May ALL OVER Greater CHARLOTTE!

  • ICLT Social - Edge City (Charlotte) May. 7th, Killington’s (Huntersville) May 18th

GROUP NEWS:

  • Indivisible National Hosts INDIVISIFEST in DC for Leaders Across the US: May 30-June 2nd

  • Looking for Social Media Expertise to Join ICLT Team

  • Kimberly Steps into ICLT Membership Committee Role

  • Meet Visibility CLT’s Coordinators: Christa and Dave

  • A Regional Coalition of NEW Indivisible Groups!

  • Bittersweet Goodbye to Two Powerhouse Volunteers - Linda and David😭

  • Your Donation Gives TWICE in June!

IN THE KNOW:

  • NC Media Bias Analysis

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

Read the Full NewsletteR

No Kings: Naked Emperor Parade & March

REGISTER HERE! 

Join us for an event to remember as we join forces with multiple partners to make some noise in Charlotte. Let’s show that this would-be emperor truly wears no clothes by joining this nationwide protest rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy.

We will gather in community at First Ward Park, march through Uptown Charlotte, returning to First Ward.

We are partnering with Drumstrong to provide rhythm and drums for encouragement and support during our march, and we will be offering some additional noise makers for you to use. Does your group have an interest in adding theater and/or excitement to the day? Reach out to us at indivisibleclt@gmail.com to coordinate additional partnerships!

We are committed to nonviolent action, and we expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with us. Signs and chants must not incite violence, and signs may not portray swastikas in any form. There is always an inherent risk to protesting.

Please bring water bottles, any snacks you may need and remember to wear your sunscreen! Additional water will be provided along with a first aid station. Marshals in neon vests will be available to answer your questions or assist along the way.

Reminder: First Ward Park is within walking distance of the Charlotte Light Rail, so consider that if you prefer not to park in Uptown.

REGISTER HERE!

Media Bias: NC Analysis

Indivisible CLT Media Bias Project- Update

By Marshal Auron and Pat Rosa

Indivisible Charlotte’s project to help our members better assess media bias was introduced in a previous In the Know article Media Bias: Fact or Fiction? Here’s an update on our progress related to assessing media bias for North Carolina news. 

Please refer to last month’s update Media Bias: How Media Savvy Are You? on distinguishing between facts and opinions and for information related to assessing media bias for National and International news sources.

Media Bias Tools

Unlike National and International sources, we were not able to use existing online media bias tools for assessing bias. We only used the AI based search tool, which draws information and perspectives from various sources across the internet. Each source’s rating has a brief description of the news source. Please remember that an AI based tool is not perfect and that it is important to do your own “gut check” based on the Fact vs Opinion Tools provided in last month’s update, rather than taking our (or the tool’s) word for it. 

If there is a particular news source that you use and would like us to help you analyze, please let us know.

Visibility CLT

Let’s show up — ALL OVER Greater Charlotte!

Protest Signup LINK 

— What activism can you accomplish in 60-90 minutes? Invite friends to join you for a Pop-Up Protest during rush hour any weekday. Courage is contagious, and we want to demonstrate to our fellow Americans that engagement is happening everywhere, all at once.

Visibility CLT Pop-Up Protests

We are excited to have launched VisibilityCLT, our pop-up protest initiative. In just 4 weeks, we have grown from 2-3 people on a corner to 13 pop-ups this week all over Charlotte, from 7-50 attendees, and we even made the Rachel Maddow show on Monday night!! To attend a protest, find one near you and just join in. They are fast, easy, and joyful, typically one hour during weekday rush hours or the weekend. The positive energy is contagious!

Please register through the ICLT protest portal, or share the signup link with friends to register and get them to join you! We would prefer they register vs just forwarding the info to them – once we have 50 protesters a permit is required, so this helps us track #s. It also grows our movement and will help us achieve our goal of “everywhere, all at once”, as JB Pritzker suggested.

Protest Signup LINK

Once you register and get the schedule, there are links to sign up via Mobilize.

This is an ICLT-sanctioned activity, so participants must agree to the following:

  • We are committed to nonviolent action and expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree.

  • Signs and chants must not incite violence or include profanity or hate symbols, like Swastikas, even crossed out.

  • There’s always an inherent risk to protesting.

Please review the pop-up protest guidelines: Protest Guidelines LINK

 Remember to “SWARM”!

S Signage – Positive & appropriate signs that do not incite violence or include hate symbols like swastikas

W Water – Stay hydrated and bring a water bottle

A American Flag – Be sure at least one is present at every pop-up!

R Reminder to park in appropriate locations

M Music – Have music on hand for a fun vibe!

Signs should reflect what we stand for, not only what we are against, and seek to find common ground to pull others into our coalition. For example, exposing the truth about the budget bill (protecting Medicaid, SNAP and Medicare), stopping DOGE, ending corruption, protecting due process and the constitution, calls to positive action.

Thank you for joining us and defending our democracy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. visibilityclt@gmail.com

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run, it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time.”

New Member Orientation

Are you new to Indivisible Charlotte? Join Our New Member Orientation

RSVP Now for one of these two dates: June 26th 7:00-8:00 or June 29th 4:00-5:00

New to our group? 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.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Every Call Counts

🔥Indivisible Charlotte’s Every Call Counts (ECC) program is still growing strong!🔥

WE’RE A FORCE! Over 1,090 Caller Activists have signed up for Every Call Counts by now. So many of us are faithfully obtaining scripts and making calls every week. YOU RESISTERS ROCK!!!

ON THE MAP: In NC we have 746 Every Call Counts volunteers, while 345 are found across nearly every state in the country. People everywhere are looking to get engaged and sharing the link.

THE HOTTEST ISSUES: In NC there are over 70 Bills currently active. It’s hard to choose the top 10 issues each week for our Resister Callers. How do we prioritize? In this order: Elections and Voter suppression, immediacy of the vote in the House, legislative power grabs, immigration/ guns / DEI. There are no small issues, but maintaining democracy and the balance of power is the cornerstone for all other legislation and protections.

NEW PROCESS: The Every Call Counts team has started authoring the scripts themselves for North Carolina. Additionally, they are indicating the progress of legislation so that we can know the urgency of making our calls.

COLLABORATION: The Every Call Counts team has started collaborating with NC Democratic Party. How? The NCDP training department is using Every Call Counts scripts and process in their volunteer training. They are also distributing our mobilize link resulting in additional volunteers. Meantime, the ECC team is sharing NCDP training information with Indivisible Charlotte volunteers on Facebook. Win/Win!!

To sign up, please click HERE!

In the Know LIVE: National INsecurity?

SIGN UP HERE!

Renowned D.C. Lawyer Takes On Power: Whistleblowers, Free Speech, and the Fight for Justice

Join us June 19 at 7PM for a live discussion with D.C. attorney Mark Zaid—the whistleblower lawyer who helped launch Trump’s first impeachment and is now battling the revocation of his own security clearance.

Zaid will dig into the threats facing due process, free speech, and whistleblower protections—and why standing up matters now more than ever. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation from the frontlines of democracy.

Join us on Zoom for this LIVE discussion!  SIGN UP HERE!

Citizen Ally Training

June 18, 6:30-8:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

Join staff from Carolina Migrant Network for this training to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to support our neighbors during ICE enforcement actions. This training is designed for citizen allies to learn how to identify and respond to ICE activity.

During the training, you’ll learn how we verify ICE activity, including observation methods, and documentation standards. No prior experience is required, only your willingness to step up and help when it matters most.

 REGISTER HERE

MUTUAL AID PROJECT

Freedom Fridge

Needs:

  • Fresh fruits/vegetables

  • Canned goods, pasta, breakfast items, spices, bread, etc. 

DROP OFF DATES*:

1. Items taken to Freedom Fridge - JUNE 11th & JUNE 25th

*As always, you are welcome to drop off food donations at any time to the coordinator closest to you.  The only thing we need to be very specific about is the fresh food which needs to be delivered the evening before or by 10 am on the delivery date.  The Fridge was out of service on our last visit, but it has been repaired so we're ready for all the fresh garden veggies. A plastic bin will be outside, either on the porch or at the garage.

Drop off locations:  (Email Debbie for drop-off addresses: debbieiclt@gmail.com

➢   Matthews Area                                                        

➢   South Blvd. Area   

➢   Dilworth

➢   Ballantyne Area  

➢   Steele Creek

➢   NoDa

➢   Pineville     

QC Family Tree is a neighborhood based community organization based in the Enderly Park neighborhood in West Charlotte.  Since Enderly Park is in the heart of a food desert, the organization has set up the Freedom Fridge which allows neighbors to access fresh fruits/vegetables and canned goods, pasta, breakfast items, etc.  To find out more about this organization check their website at qcfamilytree.org  

TWIRL to the WORLD:

TWIRL to the WORLD has a mission to bring relief, stability, and joy to the world through advocacy, community and hardship assistance for vulnerable or at-risk members of the Charlotte area's LGBTQ+ community.  Twirl Assistance Program (TAP) provides emergency financial aid to LGBTQ+ adults in the Charlotte metropolitan area for groceries, medical needs, transportation and mental health needs. 

Needs:  

By establishing this network, ICLT aims to create a grassroots support system that can respond quickly and effectively to the needs of these communities, which may be at increased risk due to current political policies and rhetoric. The project reflects ICLT's commitment to defending democracy and protecting the rights of marginalized groups in the face of potential threats to civil liberties and social programs.

ICLT July Social

Get ready to unwind and unite at Indivisible Charlotte's monthly social soirée!

RSVP HERE

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!

RSVP HERE

Newsletter - May 1, 2025

Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter

May 1, 2025  Volume 38

In this issue

ACTION:

  • May 3rd Rally: Power to the People!

  • Inhale, Together, Exhale -Breathing Workshop (virtual) May 4th!

  • Mutual Aid Project to Support Vulnerable Communities

  • Every Call Counts! Local and National issues- Call TODAY!

  • Tesla Protest + Pop Up Protest Training

SOCIAL:

  • ICLT Social - Edge City (Charlotte) May. 7th!

EVENT RECAP:

  • ICLT Social - Workman’s Friend (Plaza Midwood) Apr. 2nd

  • Hands Off Mass Mobilization Rally (Charlotte) Apr. 5th

  • NCGA Update with Woodson Bradley (virtual) Apr. 9th

  • Senator Tillis Charlotte Town Hall -Apr. 24th

GROUP NEWS:

  • Membership News + A Thank You to Connie Green-Johnson

  • Welcome Steve Gal- AV Coordinator

  • Support ICLT - Your donations fuel our activism!

IN THE KNOW:

  • Media Bias: How Media Savvy Are You?

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

Read the Full NewsletteR

Media Bias: How Media Savvy Are You?

Indivisible CLT Media Bias Project- Update!

By Marshal Auron and Pat Rosa

Indivisible Charlotte’s project to help our members better assess media bias was introduced in a previous In the Know article Media Bias: Fact or Fiction? Here’s an update on our progress and some detailed information on how to assess facts, analysis and opinions. Also provided is some information on as well as the challenges of using the three media bias tools identified for national and international news.

Tightening up our view: Facts vs Opinion (Source: Google’s AI tool Gemini V2.0 Flash)

  • Factual reporting- relies on evidence and objectivity and should be presented without opinions or biases. It should be balanced providing multiple views. The evidence should come from credible sources and be accurate.

    • News analysis- explains the facts and implications. If it relies on  evidence and objectivity noted above, it can be considered factual. Analysis inconsistent with evidence and objectivity is a form of opinion.

  • Opinion – Sources that express views and perspectives often from an ideological position (e.g. right, center left). The analysis and interpretation can be affected by ideology and are aimed at persuading the audience. In effect they are advocating and mobilizing support for a particular cause, policy, political position or political party/movement.

  • Distinction between Fact and Opinion- There should be a clear distinction in a news source between factual articles and opinion (e.g. editorial) articles. The use and presentation of certain facts is often influenced by the writer.  The aim of factual reporting is to inform the audience, while the aim of opinion/commentary is to persuade the audience.

       Some things to keep in mind:

  • It is critical to be able to determine whether an article or report is fact or opinion since news sources often tend to blur the distinction between them.

  • Therefore, it’s important to rely on various news sources to be well informed.  Exposing yourself to news sources from across the political spectrum (right, center, left) will help you develop a better understanding and appreciation of an issue.

  • Since most political success in a democracy is based on compromise, understanding views from across the political spectrum can also help engineer more successful policy proposals (Note: there are always non-negotiables such as the Constitution, the rule of law and civil rights).

Media Bias Tools: Friend or Foe?

Two specific tools are available on the internet and our team has created an AI based search tool. These tools are not perfect. It’s important to do your own “gut check” based on the Fact vs Opinion Tools above, rather than taking our (or the tool’s) word for it. Some of the challenges include:

  • Some of these tools are based on participant or analyst votes or assessments, which might be biased as well.

  • The tools do not include all news sources. As news sources have widened from traditional newspapers, news magazines, radio and television to podcasts and Substack, it’s impossible to capture everything.

  • The tools do not distinguish between different news presenters. This is particularly important for television and radio news that blends news and opinion. If you watch MSNBC or listen to POTUS on Sirius Radio, there are different nuanced perspectives and fact/opinion mixes for different shows.

  • The AI tool draws information and perspectives from various sources across the internet.

Media Bias Tools

  • Ad Fontes Media – Interactive tool with filters that arrays media sources from “Most Extreme Left” to “Most Extreme Right” and from “Original Fact Reporting” and “More Reliable” to “Contains Inaccurate/Fabricated Information”. Sources are rated by analysts assessing prominent articles from news sources.

  • Media Bias Chart | AllSides- Tool that rates only online content from Left to Center to Right by collecting information from people across the political spectrum.

  • AI Generated – the team created requests or “prompts” using Google’s AI tool Gemini V2.0 Flash for a media bias rating assessment using left-leaning, right-leaning and center-leaning results for the Top 50 media sources, including mainstream news sources, alternative news sources and podcasts. The results were compiled in the linked chart.

If there is a particular news source that you use and would like us to help you analyze, please let us know. Our next step is to prepare an analysis of the news sources available for North Carolina news.

A special thanks to Pat Rosa for preparing the analysis for this project.

ICLT June Social

Get ready to unwind and unite at Indivisible Charlotte's monthly social soirée!

RSVP HERE

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!

RSVP HERE

Protesting 102 Training

Monday, May 5, 2025, 7-8 PM

Learn best practices for planning and leading Pop Up Protests! Rachelle Salo, our resident protest master, shares guidance to make the most from protests while organizing them safely and within legal guidelines.

Learn how to:

  • Check permit requirements and application process

  • Communicate with attendees

  • Assess protest need for safety vs visibility

  • Prepare for counter protestors and deescalate charged situations if needed

  • Alert press if desired

  • And more!

REGISTER HERE for this Zoom session!

Power to the People March

REGISTER HERE: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcionc/event/775432/

ESPAÑOL MÁS ABAJO

Join us for Charlotte’s May Day march on May 3rd, 2025, starting at 4938 Central Ave. The march will end at Kilborne Park, located at 2600 Kilborne Dr.

May 1st is International Worker’s Day, also known as May Day, and the following Saturday on May 3rd we are celebrating and uplifting all immigrants and working people in our communities who make the Queen City a social and economic powerhouse in “The New South”.

We are showing up for all working people in our community, regardless of where they were born, who have been impacted by federal cuts, executive orders, and community destroying/anti- worker policies that have been curated and executed by unelected billionaires, and their elected co-conspirators, seeking to further enrich themselves through our hard earned wages and our collective labor.

From social security and medicaid/medicare to devastating immigration policies, the firing of federal workers, attacks on the National Labor Relations Board and against unions, and permanent tax breaks to billionaires, WE, the working people, are coming together to affirm that WE are the source of true political, social, and economic power in this country.

We will be marching on Central Avenue, the “heart” of East Charlotte, passing through several immigrant communities, areas of gentrification, and small businesses owned and operated by our neighbors. Join your friends, family, and neighbors for Charlotte’s International Workers' Day march and exclaim, “Power To The Working People!”

This event is brought to you by the Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council, Action NC, Carolina Migrant Network, and May Day Strong.

After signing up, don't forget to also sign up for the sign-making workshop/ party on Sunday, April 27!

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Venga a la marcha el Día del Trabajador, la cual celebraremos el Sábado, 3 de Mayo. Comenzaremos desde la 4938 Central Ave. La marcha terminará en el Parque de Veteranos, ubicado en 2136 Central Ave.

Celebraremos a todos los inmigrantes y trabajadores en nuestra comunidad, los cuales crecen el poder económico y social de nuestra Ciudad Reina en el “Nuevo Sur”.

Apoyaremos a todos los trabajadores, sin importar donde nacieron, quienes han sido impactados por cortes económicos federales, órdenes ejecutivas, y políticas anti-obraros que destruyen a nuestra comunidad. Estas son medidas creadas por los ejecutivos grandes y billonarios quienes no fueron elegidos sus co-conspiradores electos, quienes buscan enriquecerse sobre las espaldas y trabajo fuerte de una comunidad quien ha ganado sus sueldos y derechos laborales.

Desde el seguro social y medicaid/ medicare a políticas anti-inmigrantes devastadoras, las despedidas de trabajadores federales, ataques contra la Junta Nacional de Relaciones Laborales y contra sindicatos laborales, y beneficios económicos permanentes para los ricos, NOSOTROS, el pueblo trabajador, nos uniremos para afirmar que NOSOTROS somos la fuente política, social, y económica verdadera en este país!

Marcharemos en la Central Avenue, el “corazón” de Este de Charlotte, pasando por la comunidades inmigrantes, áreas aburguésidas, y negocios pequeños que pertenecen a nuestra comunidad. Únase a sus amigos, familias, y vecinos para celebrar el Día Internacional del Trabajador y gritar “Poder al Pueblo Obrero!”

Se les trae esta marcha por medio de los grupos Action NC, El Consejo Laboral Charlotte-Metrolina, y Carolina Migrant Network, May Day Strong, y otros aliados en la lucha!

Despues de registrarse, no se olvide registrarse para el taller para crear las pancartas para la marcha, el cual se llevará a cabo el Domingo 27 de Abril.

Newsletter - April 2, 2025

Indivisible Charlotte Newsletter

April 2, 2025  Volume 37

In this issue

ACTION:

  • Hands Off Mass Mobilization Rally (Charlotte) Apr. 5th!

  • NCGA Update with Woodson Bradley (virtual) Apr. 9th!

  • Senator Tillis Charlotte Town Hall -Apr. 24th!

  • NEW Mutual Aid Project to Support Vulnerable Communities

  • Every Call Counts! Local and National issues- Call TODAY!

  • Inhale, Together, Exhale -Breathing Workshop (virtual) May4th!

SOCIAL:

  • ICLT Social - Workman’s Friend (Plaza Midwood) Apr. 2nd!

EVENT RECAP:

  • ICLT Social - SupperClub (Southend) Mar. 5th!

  • ICLT Tesla Protests - Independence, Charlotte Mar. 7. 13, 22 & 29th

  • Protesting 101: Best Practices for Planning and Attending Protests (virtual) Mar. 12th!

  • "Building the Blue Wave: What 2024 Tells Us About Our Roadmap to Victory" with FLIPNC (virtual) Mar. 25th!

  • "From the New Deal to the Field": A Conversational Training w/Lexi Coburn & Kristen Grimm (Charlotte) Mar. 29th!

GROUP NEWS:

  • Eva Chu Steps Up to be Our ICLT Internal Communications Coordinator!

  • Sharon Harmon joins ICLT as our PR Coordinator!

  • Support ICLT - Your donations fuel our activism!

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

Read the Full NewsletteR

ICLT May Huntersville Social

RSVP HERE

Get ready to unwind and unite at Indivisible Charlotte's SPECIAL Huntersville social soirée!

Sunday, May 18, 2025, 2:00 4:00 PM @ Killington's

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Save the date for an afternoon 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!

RSVP HERE

Inhale, Together, Exhale

SIGN UP HERE

This Breathing Techniques workshop will be provided on Sunday, May 4th virtually from 4:00-4:30 PM

It’s a very stressful time for all of us, but we have the tools to control how our minds and bodies respond through breathing.

Join in this 30 minute zoom session to learn breathing techniques that can regulate the nervous system, calm the mind, and relax the body.

We will use more of our time for the practice and less on background information. Please join and feel free to share with friends who can benefit from stress management. 

HOW WAS IT? The FIRST workshop on Breathing Techniques held March 16th was a success, measured by that certain kind of calm that comes when we are relaxed and present, and by the feedback from the participants. 

Learning how to use the breath enables us to ‘self-medicate’ naturally when we need it. Do you have to be in a crisis to need a 30-minute session on breathing? Nope! We don’t need our stress to reach critical levels before our bodies need to regulate and our minds to be at peace. 

Let’s help you find some peace in chaos. We are all connected.

SIGN UP HERE