Content Warning: This email discusses protests and direct actions that include imagery related to death and illness around the coronavirus crisis, such as body bags, gravestones, etc.

Group Leaders,

Last week, House Democrats worked to pass another desperately needed COVID-19 relief package, called the Heroes Act. This bill improves significantly on previous relief bills, especially on democracy issues and protections for immigrants. We support this bill, but admit it still contains major room for improvement, particularly in protecting workers and public health.

This bill passed the House over a week ago -- but Mitch McConnell has refused to take any action on passing it, and is instead focused on scheduling votes to greenlight more dangerously right-wing judicial appointees nominated by Trump. This is an insult to people all over the country who are in desperate need of relief due to this crisis. Despite all this suffering and economic uncertainty, we anticipate that Republicans in the Senate will work to remove the measures that make this bill worth supporting. Congress is still signaling that this may be the last coronavirus relief package for a while; meaning we’ve got to do everything we can to ensure that protections people desperately need wind up in the final bill.

Read on for your top actions this week to fight for people-first coronavirus policy.

Here are your top actions for the week ahead:

1. Call your Senator and demand they pass the Heroes Act. Last week, House Democrats passed the Heroes Act as the fourth coronavirus package. Now, it’s up to the Senate to vote YES on the bill and secure urgently needed protections for vulnerable families across the country. Unsurprisingly, Majority Leader McConnell is refusing to act and putting corporate greed over the needs of working families. That’s why we need you to call your senators and demand they immediately pass the Heroes Act and oppose any amendments to water the bill down.
2. Join a Protect the Vote action on May 23. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen too many voters forced to choose between participating in our democracy and protecting their health. On (or around) May 23, join a virtual rally hosted by activists near you to demand that Congress pass $3.6 billion in the upcoming stimulus bill to secure our right to safely vote. Check to see what events are happening near you and then sign up to participate in this important action.
3. Watch and share the first episode of our COVID Corruption series. We’re launching a new YouTube series, COVID Corruption -- a weekly series where we highlight how certain people, interest groups, and public officials are attempting to cash in on the coronavirus pandemic. In our first episode, Indivisible’s Policy Manager for Health Care, Eli Gerber, discusses how Big Pharma has tried to cash in on the coronavirus pandemic. Be sure to share and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more updates on this important topic going forward.
4. Review and share our Heroes Act summary resource. Every time a new coronavirus relief bill is passed, the swirl of punditry to analyze and interpret its contents begins. We know it can be hard to navigate what’s good and bad about each bill, and that’s why we’re here to help: Indivisible’s team of policy experts has been hard at work analyzing and interpreting how this bill stacks up against the issues that matter most to Indivisibles, and they’ve laid their conclusions out in a new Heroes Act summary. Read this and share it far and wide with those in your networks to help spread the word about what this bill really means for people hit hardest by the coronavirus crisis.

RSVP and spread the word about our Rural Voices Virtual Summit

Next month, Indivisible’s rural caucus is excited to be hosting a virtual Rural Voices Summit, in partnership with RuralOrganizing.org and People’s Action. The event will take place on Saturday, June 27 from 11am - 5:30pm ET/ 8am - 2:30pm PT. Rural Indivisible groups, rural organizers, and other rural activists from around the country will be offering sessions on topics like rural coalition building, rural successes and failures, the power of the rural electorate, relational organizing, and more. RSVP for this exciting opportunity to build community with other rural activists today, and be sure to pass along this information to group members, friends, or family that you think may be interested. Registration is open to anyone interested in learning more about rural organizing and committed to doing the work. 

Next Wednesday: Demand Safe Voting Virtual Town Hall with Elizabeth Warren

Our elected officials have the power to make voting safe during the pandemic -- but our democracy relies on us to hold them accountable. RSVP now to join our virtual town hall & live stream with Elizabeth Warren and special guests on May 27 at 5pm ET/ 2pm PT to learn how we can take action in every state to demand safe voting during the pandemic.

Spring Matching Challenge: 10 days left

Through May 31st, all of the funds your group raises through the distributed fundraising program will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $500 per group.

If your group isn’t already a part of the distributed fundraising program, you can click here to sign up today and get your fundraising page created within just a few days! And be sure to check out the resources and guides here to get started with your fundraising.

A reminder: if you are interested in building community, sharing successes, and talking through challenges with other group leaders and treasurers within the distributed fundraising program,  join our Facebook group!

You can reach out to fundraising@indivisble.org with any questions about the distributed fundraising program or the match.

Next round of 🌻GROW🌻 grant applications due this Saturday

The GrassRoots Organizing Wins (GROW) Grants program gives Indivisible groups the opportunity to apply for grants that will increase group collaboration and build group capacity. You can read more information about the program and application process here.

Applications are due on the 23rd of each month with awards being made on the 5th of every month. This program runs through the end of 2020. That means this round of applications is due this Saturday, May 23rd. 

NEW: The GROW Grants team will be holding weekly office hours available for groups to come ask questions about the program. The office hours will be held weekly on Thursdays 4pm-6pm ET/ 1pm-3pm PT starting next week, May 28th. You can register here.

Who do you think should be Biden’s Vice President?

We know that Indivisibles all across the map are engaged and following the discussion over who Biden’s VP pick should be -- and just like folks across our movement had different preferences for the Democratic nominee, folks have different preferences for the candidate for vice president. That’s why we want to hear from you! Next week, we’ll be launching a survey to see where folks in our movement land on this important question. Be on the lookout, and don’t forget to weigh in!

New: Bookmark our Training Calendar!

Want to make sure you do not miss any upcoming training opportunities? Need to register for the next National Activist call? Check out our new training calendar! We will be updating this calendar with all of our upcoming  trainings, national calls, and events -- make sure to bookmark it today! 

You’re invited: Upcoming Digital Events

POC (People of Color) Caucus Monthly Call
Join Indivisible National POC staff to talk and connect around issues that directly affect POC, the work that we do, and the world in which we try to create lasting change. Please note that this is a space specifically for people of color/indigenous group leaders and members.
Tuesday, May 26, 7:30pm ET/ 4:30pm PT

Red and Rural webinar Series Episode 2: Messaging 
Join us for the second webinar in the Red and Rural series as we learn how to win over conservative and undecided voters with our progressive values. We will be joined by Matt Hildreth of RuralOrganizing.org, who will provide us with the data, tools and messaging tips to engage in both offline and online voter contact with our neighbors. 
Wednesday, May 27, 8pm ET/ 5pm PT

IndivisiText Textbanking Training 
Learn how to start texting with the IndivisiText program on our platform TextOut! We’re planning to send millions of texts before Election Day and we’re looking for volunteers who want to help. We send texts for endorsed IndivisiCandidates, to do volunteer recruitment, get out the vote actions, and more.
Saturday, May 30, 6pm ET/ 3pm PT
Tuesday, June 2, 8:30pm ET/ 5:30pm PT

Indivisible Social Opportunities

We’ve got a lot of work to do leading up to November, but it’s still important that we find ways to gather as a community and have some fun. That’s why we’re excited to continue offering social opportunities for Indivisibles to come together and build community.

Share Your Secret Talent Video Campaign
This is a campaign to assist our movement in spreading more positivity and joy into the world. We know Indivisibles are talented organizers, but what other secret talents do you have? Record a video highlighting a secret talent, this can be anything from a musical performance, comedy routine, dancing, yoga, or anything else that keeps you entertained while social distancing. Submit your entry today.

Indivisible Talent Showcase
This virtual get-together is a chance to connect with Indivisibles from across the country for some fun! Come enjoy music, laughter, and connection with Indivisibles from across our network for a little reprieve from the challenging times we're in. Registration information coming soon.
Saturday, June 6, 8pm ET/ 5pm PT

This week’s digital highlights

Yesterday, Indivisible groups all across the country held actions to honor those we’ve lost due to COVID-19 in observance of a National Day of Mourning. Below are some highlights from these meaningful actions. Every day, we honor and remember the lives of those we’ve lost.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team

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