It’s February 16th and a
big rainstorm is predicted for California tonight. It is also day 27 of the new administration
of the 45th President of the United States. I’ve come out for the
first meeting of San Pedro, California, residents interested in a movement to
resist the Trump agenda called “Indivisible” (https://www.indivisibleguide.com). I
live in nearby Torrance this time of the year, so I’ve turned up too.
Indivisible emerged from the experience of former congressional staffers who saw first-hand the methods of the Tea Party in 2009 that successfully pressured congressional Republicans to block the Obama agenda. After the Trump election these ex-staffers coordinated to produce a nuts-and-bolts guide to the tactics that they knew from experience worked.
Ezra Levin (former staffer to Texas
Democratic representative Lloyd Doggett) together with some 30 others
collaborated on a 26-page document called the "Indivisible Guide" that explains
how to organize by Congressional districts and influence senators and
representatives. Initially a Google- doc
in mid-December, the Guide went viral in January when it was publicized by
Robert Reich and George Takei, and featured in an opinion piece in the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/opinion/to-stop-trump-democrats-can-learn-from-the-tea-party.html).
The Guide became a website (https://www.indivisibleguide.com/)
that now lists a network of some 7,000 groups across the country organized to
resist the Trump agenda. Local groups emphasize actions recommended by the Guide’s
authors to influence their members of Congress or MoC. Citizens show up en masse to Congressional district offices and events, they flood Congressional
phone lines, and they write letters. The
goal? Let the members of Congress know that the constituents are watching;
challenge elected Republicans about their wrong-headed policies, and support or
stiffen the spines of Democrats.
I’m 10 minutes late for the 7 pm
start and the parking lot is full.
The room is full too---it’s one of
the former Army barracks atop the bluff of San Pedro that overlooks the Pacific
Ocean. Constructed in 1941 to house draftees for the anticipated war, it
survives---sturdy and serviceable---from the administration of the 32nd
President. Today part of Angel’s Gate
Cultural Center, this barrack, Building H, is a large open space that is used
by dance and yoga teachers. Its golden oak floor is still in good condition
after 76 years.
I estimate 90 to 100 people are seated,
some brought their own chairs, a few sit on tables at the side, or like me,
just stand against the walls. It’s a kick-off
meeting; for political old timers, much of the agenda is predictable (the
Indivisible Guide Toolkit provides a template).
Meeting organizers announce this
group’s name “IndivisibleSP”---“Indivisible San Pedro.” Introducing
themselves, they explain their functions and call for volunteers to assist---an
overall coordinator (Mark), a news/media relations contact (Peter), social
media/membership (Samantha), film/recording actions (Melanie) and a secretary
(Erin). White sign boards across their
chests state their functions and four have names of the four California members
of Congress that this Indivisible group will track: California Senators
Feinstein and Harris, and Representatives Lieu (33rd District where
I live in Torrance, whose district includes part of San Pedro) and Barragán
of the 44th District which dominates the rest of San Pedro.
The speakers emphasize the approach
recommended by the Indivisible Guide: demystify advocacy, be inclusive, focus
on your MoCs or members of Congress. The routine is weekly organizational and
planning meetings and some action that members can do, whether from home (write
letters, make phone calls) or events to attend like the swearing-in roadshow at
San Pedro High School of newly elected Nanette Barragán. Future “actions” will be held at their
district offices and effort will be concerted since over 50 Indivisible groups exist
within a 20-mile radius. Congressman Lieu and Senator Harris are active on
social media like Twitter and update their followers, but Feinstein is less
visible and we need to see more of her---she has four offices in the state and
we will show up there.
Mark (coordinator) urges using https://www.congress.gov/ to follow our
representatives, what bills they are working on, and track their schedules for
town halls and other events when they return to their districts---return to us. Shake hands and when appropriate, tell them
“You are doing a great job.” If the
member doesn’t take questions, then we shake hands and make a statement---and
we all use the same statement. The goal
is a relationship with MoCs and their staffers, to let them know their constituents
are watching; photos and filming is welcomed at events to spread the views of
these electeds.
Peter (news/media relations)
elaborates: “Publicity, releases and video about our actions will go out to
news media and be spread directly to the public through social media. Indivisible relies primarily on defensive
tactics that oppose what Trump and Congress is doing, but we will also be
undertaking some offensive gambits that
will include pushing for Trump to release his taxes, calling for Congressional
investigations into Russian interference and collusion in the election, as well as pushing Democrats maintain a 60-vote
threshold for Supreme Court nominees.”
As the formal part of the meeting
winds up, a basket is passed around for contributions to defray the cost of
room rental. Samantha (social
media/membership) explains the final part of the meeting routine: break into small groups to talk and get to
know one another.
Mark reminds us that form letters
to Feinstein and Harris urging a vote against Supreme Court nominee Neil
Gorsuch are out in the entry way---typed templates with a brief text. Tablets are there; you can quickly write out a
personalized letter with your name and address.
Someone calls out a reminder that
the Pruitt vote for EPA is tomorrow, Friday.
Get on the phones!
Tonight’s agenda is done. As people
leave, some cluster in the entryway to copy the letter text provided---just tearing
off the sheets from ruled tablets and rapidly copying the four-line paragraph,
adding their own views or taking a picture with their phone so they can write
later from home. I’m not a California
resident so I get a photo of the template too; I can change the header and use it
in Michigan. I’m already signed up for Indivisible meeting in my home county,
Genesee, in March.
It’s only 7:40---less than an hour
has passed. Citizen action proves disarmingly simple.
“This effort will require
commitment and it will take place over many months,” says the media coordinator
Peter. “But remember: There are more of us than them. We have been going
forward for the past decade and Trump wants to take us backwards on voting
rights, civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, immigrant rights, the
environment, sustainable energy, so many things. We have fought too long and
too hard and we don’t intend to stop supporting them.”
