MVDC Actions - Week of 06/22/2025

Protest Opportunities

The NH State Budget is awful! This is our moment to push back. Join MVDC and many activist organizations to demand a budget that reflects our values!

Tuesday, June 24, from 5:00–7:30 PM, at the State House in Concord

Right now, lawmakers are quietly advancing a budget that slashes support for public schools, working families + essential services. Organizations across NH are calling on us to demand a budget that supports public schools, working families, and essential services.

Kent Street shared this summary from the Upper Valley Democrats and Rep. Mary Jane Wallner's budget comments

Join MV Dem’s for this family-friendly event with activities for kids, food and drinks, music, and speakers.

No Kings Movement Continues with a National Day of Action

Good Trouble Lives On Protest

July 17th

Gather with family and friends in a nationwide day of peaceful protests honoring the legacy of John Lewis. Click the link below for information on local protests or organizing a protest in your area

Where Do We Go From Here? What are our next steps?

Here are two important ways to pump up the momentum

Step One

Take Action Today to Stop the Spread of AUthoritarianism

Concrete actions such as phone banking, hosting events, land letter writing make your dissent clear and are effective in turning the tide.

Step Two

Take Action Build for the Future

Invest in the long-term to create lasting power that resists threats to our democracy and people. Train to be a leader, connect with people and organizations on a shared goal, or educate yourself on resistance.

Budget Emails

Urge our Reps/Senator to restore fiscal integrity, common sense and compassion to the NH State Budget

Read NHFPI’s analysis of the budget HERE and DONATE to support their important work HERE.

ACTION: The actual vote on the budget by the full NH House and Senate will take placed on Thursday, June 26 when both meet to vote on all remaining bills.

When contacting our state senators and/or representatives, remember to give your name and home town and stress that you are:

  • A constituent;

  • A voter who votes in every election;

  • Someone who pays attention to your legislators' voting record; and

  • Someone who cares deeply about the issues.

Tweak the words to make them your own. Add a story if you have one. Some legislators will discount written input if they see that it is a simple copy/paste…

SUBJECT LINE: Mont Vernon Constituent Opposes Current Budget Proposal.

Dear Rep ???

I am a registered Mont Vernon voter and I’ll be considering your voting record next election. I’m asking you to OPPOSE the current state budget.

New Hampshire families are feeling the strain of rising costs. Instead of offering relief or solutions, the current budget proposal will leave Granite Staters worse off. This budget will exacerbate NH’s housing crisis, increase in-state tuition costs, and raise property taxes in towns like Mont Vernon.

Granite Staters are calling for investments in affordable housing, strong public schools, and relief from rising costs. This budget instead spends $28 million on private school vouchers for the ultra-wealthy, cuts critical funding for affordable housing programs and imposes new Medicaid premiums on low-income families.

NH voters are ready to hold those who vote for this budget accountable for raising costs for Granite Staters and failing to address the challenges facing NH.

Sincerely,

Your name

- Mont Vernon, NH

TAKE ACTION BY WEDNESDAY 6/25

Other Email Opportunities

From our friends at:

By WEDNESDAY 6/25

This week is our last chance to stop harmful absentee and accessible voting bills—SB 213, SB 218, SB 287, and HB 613—before they reach the Governor's desk. Each of these bills was agreed upon in Committee of Conference, some with amendments that made them even more restrictive.

The vote is THURSDAY!

Contact our representatives using this pre-drafted, customizable email template to tell them to REJECT the recommendation to pass SB 213, SB 218, SB 287, and HB 613.

We’ve been following several of these bills that make voting more difficult for weeks - this week we added SB213. During the Committee of Conference, the electioneering bill was amended to include an additional section with new requirements for absentee voter applicants.

 SB 213:

  • Requires absentee voter applicants to submit multiple documents proving identity, citizenship, age, and domicile.

  • Requires absentee voter applicants to have their application notarized.

SB 218:

  • Requires absentee voter registration applicants to submit multiple documents proving identity, citizenship, age, and domicile.

  • Replaces current affidavits (already subject to perjury penalties) with burdensome scanning and mailing requirements.

SB 287:

  • Requires absentee voter applicants to either submit photo ID in person, include a photocopy, or have their application notarized.

  • Creates serious barriers for voters without access to printers, notaries, or who cannot travel in person.

Open Democracy is also continuing their postcard campaign urging Governor Ayotte to protect absentee and accessible voting. You can print using their artwork or use your own!

Email Kelly Ayotte

Key Bills Heading for Signature:

There is still time to reach out on these bills.

SB14 - Subject Line - VETO SB14 - No mandatory Minimum Sentences

Dear Governor Ayotte:

As your constituent, I  urge you to veto SB 14, an extreme bill that would result in mandatory minimum sentences that may not fit the crimes and would undermine critical constitutional rights of people accused of a crime.

Mandatory minimum sentences are an arbitrary one-size-fits-all approach that ignore the uniqueness of each case, deny judges the discretion to consider all relevant facts and circumstances when setting sentences, and will drive higher costs for taxpayers.

There is no statistical evidence demonstrating a significant relationship between mandatory minimum penalties and reductions in crime, drug use, or arrests.

We know that mass incarceration is not a solution for justice reform in the Granite State, and I urge you to veto this bill when it reaches your desk.

Sincerely,

???

Mont Vernon, NH

HB 324 - Subject Line - Support Free Speech Not Unconstitutional Book Bans

Dear Governor Ayotte:

As your constituent, I ask you to support free speech and stop unconstitutional book bans in our state by vetoing HB 324. Politically motivated censorship has no place here, and attacking Granite Staters’ First Amendment rights is antithetical to our state’s core values. Book bans are ineffective, archaic, and designed to limit the information, communities, and context we can access.

HB 324, even goes so far as to give the state board of education the ability to overrule the decisions of local school boards, creating the prospect of any state board decision acting as a de facto statewide ban on certain books in our local schools. Bills like this undermine our right to education by throwing open the floodgates to ban books based on personal preference and encourage self-appointed censors, including the state board of education, to impose their beliefs on all Granite State families.

Students have a right to learn from a diverse range of materials — including library books by and about marginalized communities — and we must support that right.

Sincerely,

???

Mont Vernon, NH

War in Iran

Contact our Congressional Delegation

Trump has shown that he believes himself to be a king - without legal or ethical constraints. He doesn’t believe he is answerable to the American people.
His second term has been a constant litany of horror. Now, he’s provoking all-out war with Iran by unilaterally taking actions that could be seen as a declaration of war - without the explicit authorization required by the US Constitution. We cannot stand by and stand silent.

Call our representatives and urge them to stand strong and lead with determination. We need their strength and their leadership now more than ever. Tell them that Granite Staters demand accountability, oversight and adherence to the demands of the US Constitution. Tell them No War.

You will often get voicemail or a staffer who is there to record your opinions.

  • Senator Shaheen (202) 224-2841

  • Senator Hassan (202) 224-3324

  • Representative Goodlander (202) 225-5206

  • Representative Pappas (202) 225-5456

  • Say something like:
    Hi, my name is _____ and I’m a resident of _________.  I’m calling to request that ________ support efforts to hold the President accountable for his dangerous and unconstitutional actions against Iran over the weekend. We need her/his strength and leadership now more than ever. Granite Staters demand accountability, oversight and adherence to the demands of the US Constitution. No more forever wars. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Upcoming Events

Recurring Events

Manchester ICE Vigil

Interfaith Prayer Vigil
1st Tues / Monthly 6-8PM
Norris Cotton Federal Building, 275 Chestnut St, Manchester, NH

NH Immigrant Solidarity Network

Third Tuesdays: Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC

Monthly on the 3rd Tuesday @ 8-9:30PM

via Zoom

American Friends Service Committee—NH

Lawline

Attorneys from the NH Bar Association Answer Legal Questions
2nd Wed / Monthly 6-8PM
Hotline: (800) 868-1212

NH Bar Association

Action Hour for Palestine

Get updates and contact Congress for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Gaza
Fridays 12PM
Via Zoom

American Friends Service Committee—NH

Stronger Together

Stand in Solidarity with Our Immigrant Neighbors
Fridays 4-5 PM
125 N. Main St & Loudon Rd, Concord, NH

American Friends Service Committee—NH

No More! in Kingston

A peaceful protest of the Trump Administration’s authoritarianism
Saturdays 11AM-1PM
Kingston State Park, Kingston

Indivisible

Unite and Resist

Celebrate the values of liberty, justice, and equality for all
Saturdays @ 12-1PM
Central Square, Keene, NH

Indivisible

Civil Rights Sunday

Stand Up for Democracy
Sundays @ 4-5PM
Market Square, Portsmouth, NH

Occupy Seacoast

One Time Events

Silent Protest of SHAME

Visibility ahead of vote on Absentee Ballot Bills
26-June @ 9-10AM - Outside the State House, Concord NH

Open Democracy

Live Free and Die: A Forum on the Libertarian Takeover of the NHGOP

with the Honorable Jeanne Dietsch 
29-June @ 7-8PM
Virtual via Zoom

HCDC

Naturalization Ceremony

Join in Support of immigrants in NH
4-July @ 10-11:30AM
Strawberry Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St, Portsmouth

Strawberry Banke

Seacoast Walk—Steps Toward a Democracy Money Can’t Buy

Speaker Allyson Ryder, Executive DIrector of NH Civics gives keynote address before marching to Market Square
6-July @ 3 PM

Rock St Park, Portsmouth, NH

Open Democracy NH

Our voices do make a difference! 

Three weeks ago we asked you to send emails to Hillsborough County Sheriff Brian Newcomb regarding the “Task Force Model” under the Federal Government’s ICE agency.

We learned this week that Democratic State Reps were able to reduce the funding for this effort from $734,781 down to $0!

Thank you!