Indivisibles,

We have to talk about what happened in Virginia. It’s a painful lesson, but if Democrats take the lesson to heart, it will drive a real winning strategy for how to take back power and use it to make a democracy that works.

What happened. On Friday, the rightwing-dominated Virginia Supreme Court overturned a vote by the people for new congressional maps, likely guaranteeing Trump a handful of additional House seats next year. You can read Jamelle Bouie over the weekend for an overview of how ludicrous and undemocratic this ruling is.

What it doesn’t mean. First, let’s put to rest some doomerism: we are not now screwed. Democracy did not die last week. Even now, Republicans will net fewer than 10 House seats through their gerrymanders this year, and objective analysis remains that Democrats are favored to win the House and the Senate remains a toss-up. Even in Virginia, the top recruits in seats that just got harder -- Indivisible fan favorites Tom Perriello, Elaine Luria, and others -- are staying in the races and fighting hard.

What damage was done. This Virginia Court ruling wasn’t a knockout blow, but it added to the damage done by Trump’s aggressive demolition of democratic institutions; by Supreme Court Republicans who unleashed a flood of money into our politics with Citizens United and gutted the Voting Rights Act with Callais; and Republican state leaders who jumped at the opportunity to disenfranchise more brown and Black people.

The Republicans have repeatedly attacked our democratic institutions, but they’ve been aided at times by Democratic failures to respond and defend -- by Joe Biden’s decision to sideline accountability in the wake of January 6th and court reform in the aftermath of Dobbs; by Merrick Garland’s refusal to speedily prosecute Trump and his coconspirators; and by Chuck Schumer’s failure to unify Senate Democrats to pass democracy reform when we had the chance.

The right wing has packed the courts and undermined our democratic institutions, and too many Democratic leaders look on solemnly and say, “I disagree but acquiesce.” Hours after the Virginia court’s decision, the frontrunner for the Minnesota gubernatorial primary, Amy Klobuchar, told an interviewer she wouldn’t pursue a redistricting plan in the blue state. This came shortly after the Democratic Speaker of the House in Virginia and Democratic Governor both gave limp statements simply accepting the right-wing court’s opinion.

Where’s the fight? Retire the bastards in the Virginia court! Or do something.

The definition of “fighter” is coming into focus. Will you use the power you have, not just to pass good legislation, but to take on the ways our system has been captured and corrupted by right-wing fanatics? Will you demand the kind of reforms that will truly protect democracy and the right to vote? Will you take on the massive flows of corrupt cash into our political system, and actually stand for the people?

The path to a truly inclusive and representative democracy means going on the offense with real accountability and reforms to our billionaire-addled democracy. That's what Indivisible is doing. The Virginia Supreme Court can suck an egg -- democracy is coming.

In solidarity,
Ezra Levin
Co-Executive Director, Indivisible

Your weekly to-dos

1. Congress is back in session TOMORROW, so we need you to call your Republican senator(s) and Republican representative TODAY to demand they reject $70 billion in funding for ICE and Border Patrol. Republicans officially unveiled their reconciliation bill last Monday, which includes these slush funds for Trump’s mass deportation machine and $1 billion for his gaudy ballroom. Some Republicans are already wavering, so let’s keep up the pressure.
2. If you have Democratic Members of Congress, we need you to keep up the drumbeat of opposition to $70 billion in ICE funding, too. Now that Congress is back in session, we need to see Democrats using every tactic and tool possible to block, obstruct, and turn public opinion against this bill.
3. Phonebank for Jasmine Clark, Indivisible’s endorsed candidate for Congress in GA-13 on Wednesday, May 13 or Monday, May 18 (both events at 5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT). Jasmine’s primary is just over a week away, on May 19, and we’re excited to support a candidate who will take Trump’s regime head-on to defend abortion access, restore voting rights, protect public health, and build an accountable government that fights for working families. Learn more about Indivisible’s primary program below. Electoral phonebank events paid for by Indivisible Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

P.S. Indivisible organizes day in and day out to defend our democracy. Right now, we’re fighting back against the GOP’s reconciliation bill that gives $70 billion to ICE and $1 billion for Trump’s ballroom, urging Congress to block funding for Trump’s unprovoked war on Iran and hold the regime accountable for its crimes, and so much more. If you can, please chip in to help us keep up the fight against authoritarianism.

Plugging into primary season

Republicans and the Trump regime pose a direct threat to American democracy and American lives. The stakes for our country and our communities are extraordinarily high, and current Democratic leadership has not met the moment. That’s why Indivisible has launched the biggest primary program in our history, guided by a network of local Indivisible groups that are ready to organize and elect pro-democracy Democrats with fire in their bellies and steel in their spines.

Each week, Indivisible is organizing phonebanks for endorsed candidates who are ready to fight like our nation’s future depends on it -- because it does. No matter where you live, you can get plugged in and make calls to help these candidates win their primaries and build a stronger Democratic Party.

This week, you have two fantastic opportunities to phonebank for two of Indivisible’s recently endorsed candidates: Jasmine Clark in GA-13 on Weds, May 13 (5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT) and Randy Villegas in CA-22 on Thurs, May 14 (5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT).

Keep an eye on the “Upcoming events + Election shifts” section below in future newsletters for additional opportunities.

Electoral phonebank events paid for by Indivisible Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Indivisibles On the Ground

Indivisible Memphis Spotlight of the Week

On Thursday, emboldened by the Supreme Court’s ruling gutting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, Tennessee lawmakers rammed through a new House map, drawing out the single Democratic district in the state. In a disgustingly undemocratic process, the GOP locked Black Tennesseans out of political power and further entrenched white supremacy -- but local communities immediately took action.

On Saturday, Indivisible Memphis and APRI Memphis organized a “Memphis Won’t Be Silenced” march through downtown to protest this blatant attack on Black votes and Black representation. Democratic State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, a leader for civil and voting rights in Tennessee and primary candidate for Congress in TN-09, spoke to the crowd after their march.

Photo from Indivisible Memphis on Facebook.

Across the country, Indivisible groups are organizing on the ground in their own communities. Find a local group near you.

 Upcoming events + Election shifts

These nationwide events, calls, training sessions, and electoral volunteer opportunities are coming up soon. For even more Indivisible happenings, check our national calendar and get in touch with Indivisible groups near you!