WMMN-AF Blog
Real stories. Bold action. Powering all women & their communities to dismantle oppression.
Election Disinformation
On September 24th Women’s March MN hosted a meeting that focused on how to disrupt election disinformation in your online community. Here we are sharing the speakers’ presentation, the video of that meeting and resources shared during the talk.
Moyana Olivia - XRay
Moyana Olivia’s powerful video - X-Ray - and a call to action. “If you want justice for George or Breonna and for every name, use your voice for change. You have the power to fight for freedom and justice for all. If you want an end to police brutality against people of color, use your voice and exercise your right to vote!”
Protect the Vote: Be an Election Judge
Consider applying OR look to see if you know anyone in these communities that may be able to help out. You do not have the live in the community to be an election judge there.
The following jurisdictions below have self-identified as still needing Election Judges for the November 3rd, 2020 General Election (current as of 9/18/20; specific party affiliation noted if relevant). If a location is short election judges then the poll will have to close!
Support the Postal Service
One of the many reasons to support the United States Postal Service now is that we need a safe alternative to in-person voting in the upcoming 2020 elections - voting by mail! For background on what’s happening, read. It is alarming that during a time when we are relying increasingly on the mail for basic necessities that the GOP is holding relief funding for the postal service hostage until they increase their package rates.
2020 Census: Everyone Counts!
Every month, Third Thursdays focuses on a different issue that is generally linked to legislation, issue advocacy, citizen activism and/or civic engagement. This month, the subject was the 2020 census, and how we make sure everyone counts!
Update on WMM 2019 Legislative Priorities
WMM entered into the 2019 legislative session with nine priorities. Sadly, with the split legislature, only one of those bills - Taskforce on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women - was passed. 2020 is coming! We need to vote out the lawmakers who obstruct legislation that is good for Minnesotans.
Here is how our priorities fared:
Energy and Climate Omnibus bill is looking good!
Although environmental bills did not appear in our initial list of Legislative Priorities for 2019, climate action and justice has to be a priority for all of us, and we were waiting to see what bills would be introduced to address climate change.
We are very excited about the Energy and Climate Omnibus bill (HF 1833) that has really come together in the last few weeks!
Bill to establish taskforce on missing and murdered Indigenous women gets first hearing in the Senate!!
Great news! The bill to address the silent epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and men (SF515) will be heard by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee this Tuesday (4/2), 1:00 p.m., 1100 Senate Bldg, 95 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55155.
Keep going with pressuring the Senate about hearing gun safety bills - it’s working!
Good news! Senate Majority Leader Gazelka says he will allow the Senate to hear gun safety bills, IF they pass in the House. (The House versions, HF8 + HF9, have already passed a number of committees). Read more about it.
Thank you! Your calls and emails have helped make this happen. Please keep them coming!
Equal Rights Amendment - Celebrations and time to roll up our sleeves!
Last week, one of the two ERA bills (HF13 - to establish gender equality under the law, and propose a constitutional amendment) passed in the House. Hooray!!!!
Sign a virtual postcard for Freedom to Drive MN
This is the year to turn back the clock. Before Governor Pawlenty changed the rule in 2003, Minnesota residents didn’t need to be US citizens in order to obtain a driver’s license.
Women’s March MN and the Freedom To Drive MN Coalition wants to return the privilege of a driver’s license to eligible Minnesotans. The bill is moving quickly as it is important to Minnesotans, such as members of law enforcement, business owners and leaders of faith communities. Each hearing has been packed with supporters.
Restore the Vote (HF40/SF856) - Support this bill in the MN House and help get it a hearing in the Senate
HF40/SF856 is a bill to restore the vote to 52,000 Minnesotans (11,000 women) (who’ve been convicted of a felony) either upon their release from prison, or when they’re on probation, living in the community. It also requires notifying people when their right to vote has been restored. Many groups are supporting this bill - law enforcement, correctional offices, attorneys, civil rights groups, and it has 35 sponsors in the House.
Here’s how you can show your support too!
The Equal Rights Amendment bills need a hearing in the MN Senate!
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) bills - HF13, SF200 and HF71, SF280 - are doing well in the MN House but need a hearing in the Senate.
HF13/SF200 puts an ERA into the Minnesota Constitution. HF71/SF280 resolves that the deadline in the Federal ERA be removed and that ratification of the ERA in the US Constitution advances.
HF40/SF856 (Restore the Vote) gets 2nd hearing in the House this week. Can you help it get a hearing in the Senate?
There is a lot of support for this bill and it gets its second hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 9.45 a.m. in the Government Operations Committee, Basement Hearing Rm, State Office Building, St.Paul (map). Please attend the hearing if you can. And, some other actions you can take.
Restore the Vote Minnesota is looking for women to testify. Can you help?
HF 40 will have its first hearing at 9.45am next Wednesday, February 13th, in the House Elections Committee. See details of the hearing here. Please attend the hearing if you can, to show your support for this important bill. Restore the Vote will be there with free T-shirts for supporters of the bill to wear, to send a strong message to our representatives.
The MN Equal Rights Amendment bills need your help!
Super fun ERA MN event on Sat 2/2 at the Hook and Ladder! The news is that the senate bills need your help!
Please contact your MN senator and urge them a) to support SF200 and SF208, b) to keep them clean with NO amendments and c) ask them to demand a hearing for the bills asap.
Who’s coming to the ERA party this Saturday?
Ready to celebrate last week's win in the House for Equal Rights Amendment bills, HF13 and HF71, with ERA MN ? Join us!
Please support the work of Natives Lives Matter Coalition as they address the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Tuesday, the bill to fund a Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (HF70) passed in the MN Public Safety Committee. Next, it goes to Ways and Means. The Senate version is yet to have a hearing. See more details on Tuesday’s hearing and the powerful testimony,
Meanwhile, money is needed to fund the important work being done by Native Lives Matter Coalition and others to raise awareness, support families and Indigenous women-led organizations on the front-line of this work and find solutions. Some of the funds raised will be used to organize the upcoming MMIW Memorial March and RED Ribbon Memorial.
Volunteer for MNxMN2019 and get free entrance to the conference and sessions!
MNxMN 2019 Conference: Beyond the Vote (February 24th, St. Paul) is 4 weeks away and we're looking for volunteers for the day. Can you help?