From our President of LWV of PWM: July 14, 2025
Please join us on Thursday, July 17, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Nassau County Legislature (corner of Franklin Ave & Old Country Road). We will gather at the statue of Theodore Roosevelt. (Sign up)
The League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset and the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock invite you to attend to honor the legacy of John Lewis, who urged us all to
“Speak up, speak out, get in the way.
Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and
help redeem the soul of America.”
We will rally together to make our voices heard — and visible — by taking peaceful, non-violent, nonpartisan action to challenge injustice, protest our current constitutional crisis, and create meaningful change. We are working with the Nassau County police, and they have given us the green light. We are asking those who join us to follow some simple ground-rules: please,
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- Do not attach metal or wooden sticks to any posters/signs you bring,
- Ensure that we don’t impede non-rally-going foot traffic,
- Follow instructions of organizers during the event, and
- Focus the messaging/graphics of your posters/signs on issues
(human rights, civil rights, good public policy, constitutional issues).
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*Since the League considers being nonpartisan a “bedrock principle that defines who we are” — as does the UUC-SR — you may find it interesting to read recently issued League guidance to its members that includes why “holding elected officials accountable to the public interest is not a partisan act; it is a vital function of a healthy democracy.”
At League’s Rise and Unite 8.5 Campaign seeks to contribute to rallying 3.5% of the US public (8.5 million people) visibly protesting as a mechanism to achieve significant change. Learn more by reading here or listening to audio. Power lies in the people — but only if “we the people” demonstrate our power audibly and visibly.
We look forward to having you join us, and please consider bringing family, friends, and neighbors. We are seeking to mobilize 8.5 million people across the country. You can sign up here by clicking on Mineola on the map.
From Dianna Wynn, President of LWVUS: July 1, 2025
In other League news, LWVUS is proud to be a national partner for this year’s John Lewis “Good Trouble” Day of Action next Thursday, July 17.
This day of national mobilization will honor the legacy of Representative John Lewis and renew our commitment to strengthening voting rights and defending our democracy. Leagues are welcome to participate at the state or local level through community-centered events, rallies, voter outreach opportunities, and more. Leagues can register their local event here and find messaging guidance, social media graphics, and event planning tips in this toolkit. As John Lewis said, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.”
In League,
From Our President of LWV of PWM: July 7, 2025
Many thanks to members who participated in the “ No Kings“ rally June 14th at the LIRR in Port, Washington (300 participants), at the Mineola courthouse (2,000 participants), & in New York City (100,000 participants).
From NY State Leaders Message: July 1, 2025
As many of you know, LWVUS has launched the Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign, which is our rallying call to mobilize and strategize with voters. The goal is to mobilize 3.5% of the population to take action. Here in New York that means we need to reach 500,000 voters. Sign the commitment pledge here. Take a look at the dynamic playbooks, updated every three months, designed to guide your efforts on the ground: Unite and Rise Playbooks
You can take action today by working with your local League to plan an action around the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action on July 17th. Check out the website here https://goodtroubleliveson.org/and the host toolkit here.
It is time to be bold, fearless, and to raise our voices. Change doesn’t come from one dramatic act. It comes from many people, engaging in small, persistent actions over time. That’s what the League is about. That’s what grassroots activism looks like.
In League,
Nancy and Erica
Nancy Rosenthal, President, & Erica Smitka, Executive Director
From our President of LWV of PWM: June 24, 2025
Judy and I just returned from Convention — which was wonderfully informative. Here are a few highlights that I think we might usefully discuss, some at the next board meeting and some before then:
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- Updates on the Consensus Meetings we held this spring around new NYS positions:
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- Ranked Choice Voting — adopted as a new position
- Open Primaries— adopted as a new position
- Voting Systems: Transparency and Public Input — adopted as a new position
- Voting Systems: System for soliciting new machines — NOT adopted
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- PWM’s Proposed Concurrence with shortened LWV VT Privatization position — adopted as a new NYS position by concurrence, amending the LWVUS position on privatization in NYS
- LWVUS President Dianna Wynn attended for most of the Convention, giving a keynote, facilitating a feedback session, and answering questions about League policy. She encouraged all local Leagues to make our voices heard, protesting the current “Constitutional Crisis”
- First, by using all the communication tactics detailed in LWVUS Unite and Rise 8.5
- Second, to make our voices visible in rallies/protests that are organized to be nonpartisan and non-violent, specifically mentioning the June 14th NoKings protests where 3 million to 5 million Americans rallied and the GoodTroubleLivesOn protests planned for July 17. More below.
- We had discussions on Vote411 and using VAN for GOTV (Voter Action Network database of voters for Get Out The Vote)
- I also got a number of ideas for engaging youth and our SIA (Students in Albany alumni and alternates) which I will be discussing with the relevant Making Democracy Work Service chairs.
Because July 17th is coming soon, I thought it wise to give you all some thoughts from President Dianna Wynn, LWV NYS officers and board members, and delegates who were local League presidents. I was surprised by how many NYS local Leagues participated in NoKings protests (where about 5 million people came out to 2300 rallies around the country, including in Port Washington, where the Wall Street Journal estimated 400 people turned up).
The LWVUS Unite and Rise 8.5 Campaign refers to Harvard Kennedy School professor Erica Chenoweth’s research into successful and unsuccessful protest movements. She offers data showing that when 3.5% of the populations consistently take to the streets — which in the US is 8.5 million people — they increase their odds of success. Also critical: non-violent protests. Wynne mentioned Chenoweth frequently.
Some Leagues spoke at their local rallies making clear that their views were for the League and other speakers spoke for those organizations but everyone agreed that there was a Constitutional Crisis, which the League defined as “checks and balances, the rule of law, free and fair elections — are under direct and sustained threat.” Other Leagues arrived with posters on issues and wearing/carrying League regalia that they were prepared to put off if the crowds seemed too partisan. Everyone agreed that well-organized protests, with permits, police presence, and disciplined marchers (who exit at the end) are safe, but that going “with a buddy” or with a group, and maintaining situational awareness is smart.
In fact, Dianna and others recommended using these rallies to build community — bring friends and neighbors to be with League members, enjoy the camaraderie of being together, and meet new people who and see if they might want to join. Several upstate Leagues said they got new members at the rallies — people who were worried about our democracy and want to become more active in a respected and safe organization like the League.
I will be calling you for your ideas on this. Having attended the Port Washington event and talked with members who attended other events, I am seeing possibilities and know planning will be necessary.
In League,
Regina
