Local Groups Prepare To Protect The Vote And Defend Democracy
Protests against an alleged stolen election in Belarus in 2020. Photo: Wikimedia commons
Editor’s note: The Indy will post information about local actions aimed at protecting the election results as they become available. Check with us daily for breaking news. Opinion pieces related to this have appeared in the Indy and can be found here, here, and here.
In recent days, President Trump has called on the Supreme Court to toss out the results of the election and for the Justices to decide the outcome themselves (see here, here, here, and here). A number of different scenarios have been proposed by Trump and his supporters that include stopping the counting before all votes are counted, particularly if Trump is ahead on election night, invalidating mail-in ballots; having states with Republican governors send slates of Trump electors to the electoral college, even if Biden has won in those states; and contesting the results to the extent that a winner cannot be named, thus throwing the election to the House of Representatives. Under its current configuration (but not necessarily under the newly elected House, which would ultimately decide) and existing rules, the House would narrowly decide the election in Trump’s favor. These scenarios were described in detail here along with an analysis of their likelihood of success.
Around the country, organizations are mobilizing to protest and resist any effort to stop the counting of all ballots and any effort to make an illegitimate claim to victory. See for example, Choose Democracy , which has been organizing many on-line trainings for would-be organizers. And unions have been mobilizing their members to coordinate a wide range of actions, including strikes.
Local Mobilizations
Hampshire County Protect the Vote
One organization that is helping prepare people to respond to an attempt by Trump to steal the election is Hampshire County Protect the Vote. They will be leading workshops on Sunday (11/1), Monday (11/2), and Saturday (11/7) on organizing for resistance.
Their announcement follows:.
“We can do a lot NOW to guard against and prepare for the White House occupant trying to steal the election. ‘Choose Democracy’ workshops are being offered locally, with breakouts focused on Valley and MA actions! The workshop ran twice this week at the Unitarian Society (USNF) with great feedback. Additional workshops have now been scheduled for Nov 1, 2, and 7, open to all! The breakouts will change for each session to engage people in the most up-to-date actions. Workshop leaders are Teresa Amabile (TED speaker and Harvard professor, although not representing Harvard here), and Dave Roitman, member of the Hampshire County Protect the Vote Coordinating Team. RSVP using the Zoom links below:
SUNDAY, NOV. 1 WORKSHOP (4-6pm EST)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMocO-pqj0jHNX8HZtdQt8W4ZXw4XhJ1hl1
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
MONDAY, NOV. 2 WORKSHOP (6-8pm EST)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqc-2hrD8oGdIcayOBJXNGMvROIi3fjlYd
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7 WORKSHOP (2-4pm EST)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlc-ygqj8vHtd7CW9fkEeXD_Ps181e3VG8
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Western Massachusetts Protect the Results
A four-county Western Massachusetts coalition has formed — Western Mass. Protect The Results — to communicate about upcoming actions and to link activists for self-organizing local actions in response to an election crisis, should the need arise.
Here are contact people in each county who are helping to organize local actions.
- Hampden County: Ken Eisenstein - KEisenstein@yahoo.com; Sara Seinberg – coachseinberg@gmail.com
- Hampshire County: Dave Roitman – droitman6@gmail.com
- Franklin County: Susan Worgaftik – suworg1@gmail.com; David Greenberg – DGreenberg@FCCPR.us
- Berkshire County: Drew Herzig – drewherzig@yahoo.com; Wendy Penner – Wendypenner@gmail.com
Actions Planned
Here’s what we know so far about upcoming actions (if needed). Please register at Protect the Results or via links below.
- Springfield Federal Court Office (300 State St.), November 4, 5:00 PM. March from Federal Building to Springfield City Hall, https://www.mobilize.us/ptr/event/357554/
- Northampton City Hall, Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 PM https://www.mobilize.us/ptr/event/348746/
- Greenfield Town Green, Wednesday, November 4, 4:00 PM https://www.mobilize.us/ptr/event/351015/
- Pittsfield Park Square, Wednesday, November 4, Noon & 5:00 PM (for 30 minutes) https://www.mobilize.us/ptr/event/345171/
- Amherst Common , Thursday, November 5, Noon to 1:00. March (socially distanced, masked) around perimeter of Amherst Common; bring signs (ie Every Vote Must Be Counted; Defend Democracy)
Resources