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LWV – Message from Virginia Kase, CEO

Dear LWV Members,

LWV-Justice for AllI’m sure you have watched the events of the last week with as much sadness as I have. Black people across this country continue to be the target of police violence. It is not enough to stand in solidarity with the Black community. We must take action to deconstruct systemic racism everywhere. We honor George Floyd’s life by committing to deepening our anti-racism work throughout the League.  Today LWVUS issued the following statement:

The League of Women Voters grieves the murders of George Floyd and the countless other Black lives that have been tragically taken at the hands of rogue law enforcement officers who are rarely held fully accountable for their actions.

We also mourn those who have lost their lives or been harmed, mentally or physically, as a result of America’s pervasive culture of anti-blackness. The systems of oppression that have perpetuated the myth of white supremacy in our country must be dismantled if we are ever to become the nation we pledge to be — indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

As an organization whose mission is to empower voters and defend democracy, we stand in solidarity with all Black communities. The League shall do so not only by speaking out against racism in all forms, but by doing the work required of us to be anti-racist. We are committed to listening to and amplifying Black voices, and educating ourselves and our children on the historic and ongoing systemic racism that plagues this country. The League acknowledges, painfully, that America is a nation founded on racism. Therefore, all who live in this country must contribute to and participate in organizations actively working to achieve full liberation and inclusive freedom. We must all advocate for anti-racist policies at every level of government.

We join the League of Women Voters of Minnesota in calling on law enforcement officials to provide transparency during this investigation, and to seek justice for George Floyd, his family, and his community.

Finally, we echo the call of our partners at the NAACP: we must all vote in November – the road to change lies at the ballot box.  We commend the Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul Leagues for their leadership in their communities at this trying time and the national office stands with you. You can read the Minnesota League statement here.

We commend the Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul Leagues for their leadership in their communities at this trying time and the national office stands with you. You can read the Minnesota League statement here.

In these trying times, the League’s commitment to democracy requires us to speak out against racism and violence. I hope you will join me in this commitment by doing the work required of us to be an anti-racist organization.

In League,

Virginia Kase
CEO

Opportunities for Action & Learning

The Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence invites you to attend Engaging Gun Owners in Gun Violence Prevention on Tuesday, May 12th at 7 pm via Zoom. Did you know that the vast majority of gun owners support several key gun control laws, but do not feel comfortable getting involved in the GVP movement? Join Dr. Mike Siegel and Claire Boine from the Boston University School of Public Health for an interactive presentation where they will dispel myths about gun owners and show us how to craft effective messaging to engage them in gun violence prevention work. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aVikwm_cSMmSwSIWNAhZtA

Moderator Training Webinar:   LWVMA is offering moderator training through a webinar Monday, May 11, at 1 p.m. We will have time for questions and will be coordinating small group follow-up sessions for role playing to get more comfortable with the rules. Please register here. The webinar, presented by Jo-Ann Berry and Elizabeth Foster-Nolan, is open to anyone who would like to be trained as a moderator or would like a refresher on the rules and learn about moderating a forum in the era of Zoom. It will be recorded and available later on the LWVMA website.

Urge Legislature to Revise Election Practices:  Please email your Senator and Representative and urge them to make needed changes in the way Massachusetts conducts elections before the Sept. 1 primary election and Nov. 3 general election. While we all hope the COVID-19 virus will have abated by fall, we need to plan to conduct our elections as if it will not. That particularly means greatly expanded vote by mail outreach while continuing to offer in-person voting that is safe for voters and poll workers. LWVMA and our Election Modernization Coalition partners will file a bill in the legislature shortly to address these issues based on the recommendations in a Coalition letter to the legislature. In the meantime, ask for general support of such reforms. LWVUS offers these talking points on the League strategy of making voting more flexible and providing options such as vote by mail for voters.

Help with Census 2020:  The 2020 Census count and the outreach to ensure a complete count in Massachusetts continues. You can help by volunteering to phone bank to increase the count. MassCounts will conduct phone banks through the end of June every Tuesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday from 5-7 p.m., Thursday from 5-7 p.m., and Saturday from 1-3 p.m. to call residents of census tracts with the lowest self-response rates. You can sign up to join a virtual phone bank. You’ll need a computer and a cell phone; a 15-20-minute training and a script are provided. Please note you need to sign up for each day you would like to phone bank.

Ask Congress to Fund Election Needs:  LWVUS is working to ensure elections and equality are prioritized as Congress drafts stimulus bills for COVID relief. The three provisions we are asking for are:

  • Ensure that $4 billion in election funding is included to help states to make the remaining primaries and the November general election safe for all to participate.
  • Ensure that all families and individuals receive aid from the government, regardless of their immigration or tax status.
  • Ensure that Washington D.C. is treated like a state and not a territory in funding distribution.

You can help ensure these provisions are included in the next relief package by taking action with this LWVUS action alert and sharing our memo to Congress.  

Participate in a Webinar

Many of our members are enjoying participating in webinars while sheltering at home. Consider these webinars offered by LWVMA in the next month:  

Raising Civic Engagement Among Younger People

  • Nancy Thomas, Director, Institute for Democracy & Higher Education, Tufts University, Thursday, May 21, 4 p.m. Register here.

New England Regional League Conference 

  • Voter engagement panel with Yanna Krupnikov, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Executive Director Mufalo Chitam, and New Hampshire state senator Melanie Levesque, Monday, May 11, 2 p.m. Register here.

How Leagues are handling the pandemic and the challenges for elections, Monday, May 18, at 2 p.m. Register here

LWVMA – January Opportunities for Action

Climate Action Lobby Day Jan. 14

Urge your legislators to pass meaningful climate legislation now! Join LWVMA and our coalition partner, Mass Power Forward, in a lobby day Tuesday, Jan. 14 to push legislators to act on climate change bills by the Feb. 5 deadline.  Register now, using this form, and the lobby day organizers will arrange meetings with your legislators. Indicate your League affiliation on the form.

Lobby for Election Day Registration – January 28th

Let’s honor the 100th anniversary of the League and women’s right to vote by passing Election Day registration (EDR) in Massachusetts. Join LWVMA and our election modernization coalition partners in a lobby day to push for EDR Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the State House.  Meet in Room 428 at the State House at 9:30 a.m. for registration, with a briefing on the EDR bills at 10. The coalition will set up meetings with legislators for those who register in advance here. You will meet with your state Representative at 11 a.m., and state Senator at 11:30.

Youth Justice Lobby Day Jan. 21

LWVMA will cosponsor a Youth Justice lobby day with Citizens for Juvenile Justice to support four juvenile justice bills Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 437 at the State House. Please RSVP here and plan to join Colleen Kirby, our criminal justice reform specialist. There will be a mini lobbying training and packets with fact sheets for legislators.

Safe Communities Act Hearing Jan. 24

A hearing on the Safe Communities Act, H3573/S1401, will be held Friday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. in Gardner Auditorium at the State House before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Please come and show your support if you can. Otherwise, please call or email your own Senator and Representative on Jan. 24, and let them know that you and the League support the Safe Communities Act and our immigrant neighbors.

We expect this hearing to last most of the day, so advocates are organizing supporters to attend in shifts to make sure there is always a packed auditorium. RSVP using this form to let us know when you can come. See the Facebook event page. Jennifer Muroff, LWVMA immigration specialist, will testify. If you come to the hearing, stop by your legislator’s office to show your support.

LWVMA Day of Action Feb. 6

On February 14, 2020, the League of Women Voters will celebrate the actual 100th birthday of our founding. To celebrate our legacy, support the anniversary plans already scheduled, and amplify our League voice, LWVUS is holding an official Day of Action.

LWVMA is planning a State House Day of Action to celebrate the League Thursday, Feb. 6. We invite all members to join us in Room 428 at the State House at 10 a.m. We’ve invited Governor Baker, Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka to speak, and will honor those legislators who are members of the League. We will also distribute reminders to all legislators that passing Election Day voter registration is a good way to celebrate this anniversary. And there will be birthday cake.

League of Women Voters MA: League Day on the Hill – Lobby Day October 17th

LWVN had a small but strong presence at the Day on the Hill “Time to Act,” Thursday, Oct. 17th.   We met with Newton legislators Senator Cynthia Creem, Representatives Ruth Balser, and Kay Khan.  We discussed League priorities:

  • Election Day Registration
  • Climate Crisis
  • Education Funding
  • Reproductive Rights

Not surprising, they all supported these items and in many cases were sponsors or co-sponsors.  Thank you to our thoughtful and proactive delegation.

LWVMA: Ranked Choice Voting lobby day Tuesday, July 16

Let your Senator and Representative know you’d like to see ranked choice voting in Massachusetts!  There will be a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) lobby day Tuesday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall of Flags at the State House, Boston.

 Hear from speakers why we need RCV, then spread the word to your own legislators.  We’ll be lobbying for two bills:  S.414/H.719 to implement RCV for all state and federal elections in Massachusetts (except President) and S.420/H.635 to allow cities and towns to adopt RCV for local elections.  Here’s a fact sheet. Register for lobby day here.