ORGANIZING NOTES
April 7, 2026
|
Bernie would like to remind you that some email programs may not display our entire newsletter! You may see a link to “View entire message” or you can click here to view this email in your browser!
|
Somerville’s Democratic Town Committee Sparks Statewide Campaign to Ban Dark Money in Primaries
|
Platform in Action (PinA), Massachusetts Democratic activists who organized delegates to retain the 2021 progressive platform at last September’s Democratic Party Convention, has launched a campaign inspired by Somerville’s DTC’s endorsement of a People’s Pledge to refuse dark money in the upcoming Massachusetts primaries. PinA is asking Ward Committees and DTCs to make copies of the Pledge (linked above) and adapt it for a membership vote at their next meeting. When endorsed a copy should be sent to candidates in the upcoming primary elections and another toPlatform in Action. If this campaign attracts wide support, a charter amendment to ban dark money in primaries will be brought to the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
The two candidates with most at stake in the fund-raising struggle are Senator Ed Markey and his challenger Seth Moulton. While some might find Moulton’s appeal for more younger candidates to make him attractive, a serious review of his record, such as this one by Jonathan Cohn of Progressive Mass, reveals he is a solidly conservative Democrat. A second PinA campaign is aPetition to Abolish ICE, to be signed by individuals and Town and ward committees and directed to our national legislators. This effort is part of a wider 50 state effort. We ask people to sign thePetition to Abolish ICE. Acton DTC will collect them for presentation to our Congressional Representatives and Senators.
Organizations can ask their members to encourage their Ward Committees and DTCs to endorse the People’s Pledge and circulate the Petition to Abolish ICE for signatures. Here is a sample letter which can be copied and edited.
|
Following the same far-right, billionaire agenda that Trump and the GOP have implemented nationally, the Massachusetts High Tech Council and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership are sponsoring two ballot questions, H.5006 and H.5007, which would dramatically lower the Massachusetts income tax and shrink government revenue by up to $4.8 billion. They don’t care that the federal government has just cut $3 billion in its funding of state programs. Thousands of teachers, police, and firefighters will be fired. Without convincing evidence, they claim that passage of the Fair Share amendment caused wealthy professionals to leave the state, (they aren’t), and that extra money in the pockets of billionaires will stimulate the economy (debunked decades ago). An almost $8 billion state revenue decrease
|
is neary impossible to imagine; hundreds of thousands of people will be denied healthcare, housing, and food, while planned improvements in transportation and schools will sputter to a stop. Playing to the frustration and financial stress of so many Massachusetts residents, these wealthy corporations and individuals dangle a $10/week annual tax cut for the bottom 80% of taxpayers while the richest 1% will pocketing a $608/week tax cut Also important to keep in mind; the Massachusetts High Tech Council and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership could be using the threat of these ballot measures to blackmail legislators into passing legislation which lowers their taxes.
It is critical that we stand up to these ultra rich bullies and block their maneuvers to take even more wealth for themselves. If your representative or senator is on the State Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions, which is currently considering ballot measures H.5006 and H.5007, call them and tell them how you feel. Here’s a sample script. Many labor organizations are opposed to these ballot questions. In particular, you can contact Harris Gruman of the SEIU State Council, 617-909-4698 harris.gruman@seiuma.org, for more information or to help.
Social Media: Post these videos with captions: Caption:Tell the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and Opportunity Alliance to stop backing measures cutting jobs and key services. https://vimeo.com/1173372651?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Password: Institutions ****** Caption:The Massachusetts High Tech Council and Opportunity Alliance support tax breaks that drain $5B from education, healthcare. https://vimeo.com/1173373807?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Password: Businesses
|
Turning Up the Heat on Citizens Bank
Help turn up the heat on Citizens Bank for financing ICE prisons. The De-ICE Citizens Bank coalition, which includes dozens of Indivisible groups across the eastern United States, is holding two major events in April to crank up pressure on the only major bank bankrolling the country’s two largest ICE prison companies, CoreCivic and The GEO Group.
On April 16, from 7 to 8 PM, the coalition is hosting a national mobilization call to update individuals and groups already involved in the campaign and to recruit new participants. Sign up HERE.
On April 23, from 8 to 10 AM, the coalition is holding a major protest at the bank’s corporate annual meeting at its headquarters in Providence. The coalition is looking to have hundreds of protesters singing and chanting as shareholders enter the annual shareholder meeting, which starts at 9 AM. Sign up HERE.
A People’s Shareholder Meeting to De-ICE Citizens Bank will be happening from 8 AM to noon outside the building. We’d love to have your support!
You can find out more at De-ICE Citizens Bank.
|
Local Visibilities Schedule
Watch for weather and wind chill cancellations here! But another good way to keep up with day to day and weekly changes is to join a Signal Group
|
Folks can sign up for De-ICE Hanscom’s contact list at this link.
|
No Fear Street Theater stands out on Burlington Mall Road every Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with signs, costumes, and flags to show support for our immigrant neighbors. We are not there merely to make propaganda against ICE. We are there to make propaganda against fear. This is a creative, participatory protest. If you support immigrants and their constitutional rights, join us! Let them know it’s Chirstmas time at ICE! Caroling & Yuletide readings – English & Spanish, Dec. 22-24th! Sign Up HERE
|
Millions showed up for No Kings, and people didn’t just go home. They’re organizing what’s next. With one month to go, plans for May 1 are already taking shape across the country. Young people in the Sunrise Movement are calling it “Project Rise Up.” The entire Los Angeles May Day Coalition announced they’re organizing “No School, No Work, No Shopping” on May 1st. SEIU Local 26 in Minneapolis just announced it as “as the next big chance to stand up to the billionaires and those who use their power to attack immigrants, try to break our unions and want to move our country backwards.” On May 1, we take action together by marching, rallying, walking out, and refusing business as usual to demand a country that works for working people, not billionaires. Join the next national mass call: April 9 at 7 PM ET. Hear the latest from across the May Day Strong network including our demands for May 1, which cities are committing to No Work No School No Shopping, and how we’re building the power to take on the billionaire agenda.
|
Introducing What the Flock?!
|
Mass 50501 continues our work at the municipal and state levels to remove Flock cameras from our communities and people are paying attention! Things are changing fast and it can be tough to keep up with all the news. We’ll continue to post blogs about Flock (check our previous articles here). In our new feature, What the Flock?! If you’re interested in getting more involved, email us at flockoff@mass50501.org and join us in Discord! Here’s our first news round-up:
|
U.S – Israeli Aggression against Iran: Escalation Risks and the Path To Wider War
|
This webinar, hosted by Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, featured a discussion on the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran with experts Professor John Mearsheimer and Dr. Trita Parsi.
|
Bernie Sanders was in the Bronx the Sunday after No Kings—telling a crowd of more than 2,000 people, at a rally organized by DSA-NYC, that New York state must “Tax the Rich.” Watch Sanders’s speech in the Bronx here.
|
In the body camera footage, a police officer parks his black SUV on the grass, a rosary swinging from the rearview mirror. He exits his car, moves briskly past a pair of protesters, and points an accusatory finger at the suspect: a 7-foot-tall inflatable penis holding an American flag. The alleged crime? Unclear. There’s no sound at first, only the silent spectacle of a person in a penis suit turning toward a cop with a stance that says, “Who, me?” A handmade sign comes into view in the person’s right hand. It reads “No Dick Tator.” Courtesy of the Intercept To read more click here
|
Photo of Whales Female Sperm Whales help Mother Whale Deliver New Baby Scientists recorded a sperm whale birth up close for the first time. They discovered something extraordinary. The marine mammals act like midwives, supporting mothers and their calves through delivery. Read more here
|
If you would like to work with ORMA Members on
- Climate Change
- Housing Justice
- Medicare for All
- Communications/InformationTechnology
|
ORMA depends on your support to continue Bernie’s Political Revolution to create a society, a politics, and an economy that works for everyone, not just billionaires, corporations and the political elite.
If you value Organizing Notes and its twice a month distribution schedule, please make a donation to ensure its continued existence.
Invest in Change Now!
|
Please send requests for action items, articles or upcoming events
for the next Organizing Notes to
beccobrien.orma@gmail.com by Saturday, April 18th.
We’d love to have you send us your favorite pictures of Bernie here in MA!
|
Campaigns End, Movements Endure
|
|
