This is officially the longest federal government shutdown in history. SNAP benefits were cut off on Nov 1, and it is already having a dire impact on millions of children, seniors and disabled people. You can help by urging Congress to end this shutdown and fund critical programs like SNAP and to extend the ACA tax credits. Tell them to pass a bill now to ensure that hungry Alaskans don’t lose their nutritional assistance and healthcare.
There was some good news this week, however, with Democrats sweeping the elections in Virginia and New Jersey, and the passage of Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act, in California. The outcome of this week’s elections will have a meaningful impact on millions across the country and sends a powerful message to Trump and his allies: Democrats are fighting back — everywhere, at every level.
This is a big month for Matt Schultz who’s running for Alaska’s Congressional seat – join him for a Virtual Meet & Greet next Tuesday, November 11th, and an in-person fundraiser on Monday November 17th in Anchorage (details below).
We know it’s exhausting to keep up with these attacks on our values, so please find your way to both take action and take care of yourself. Read on for important actions you can take as well as upcoming events, and other ways to get involved in this week’s “Ways to Engage” series from Alaska Forward!
Upcoming Events – Mark your calendars and be sure to check out the MARCHAGAINST.ORG, Stand Up Alaska, and ALASKADEMOCRATS.ORG to take action in Alaska!
Sunday, November 9
- Anchorage Sunday Solidarity 4-5pm at the Loussac Library in the Moose Room on the 2nd floor
- Tongass Democrats 2025 Bartlett-Gruening Dinner 5-6pm at the Ramada in Juneau
Monday, November 10
- Fairbanks Pack the Offices 3:30-5pm at the Federal Building
- Anchorage Pack the Offices 4-5pm at 510 L St
Tuesday, November 11
- Anchorage Student Voters Show of Interest Meeting 3-5pm at UAA/APU Consortium Library
- Juneau Pack the Offices 4-5pm at 800 Glacier Ave
- Virtual Meet & Greet with Reverend Matt Schultz 5:30-6:30pm Online
Thursday, November 13
- Immigration Bystander Training 5:30-6:30pm Online
- Stand UP Alaska Monthly Learning Exchange 6-8pm at 3001 Porcupine Dr
Friday, November 14
- Laughing All the Way to the Bank: 7 Short Comedy Plays on Climate Change 7-9pm at The Annex in Palmer
Saturday, November 15
- Rep. Gray U-Med District Town Hall 10:30am-12pm at La Michoacana in Anchorage
Sunday, November 16
- Kathy Simpler Fundraiser 1-2:30pm at 2227 Douglas Dr in Anchorage
- Anchorage Sunday Solidarity 4-5pm at the Loussac Library in the Moose Room on the 2nd floor
Monday, November 17
- Fairbanks Pack the Offices 3:30-5pm at the Federal Building Anchorage Pack the Offices 4-5pm at 510 L St
- Palmer Community Discussion 5-8pm at Palmer Train Depot
- Anchorage Against Christian Nationalism: VIRTUAL Mid-Month Pick-Me-Up 5:30-6:30pm online
- Maxine Dibert Fairbanks Fundraiser 5:30-7pm at Lavelle’s Taphouse
- Fundraiser for Matt Schultz 5:30-7:30pm at 440 Oceanview Drive in Anchorage
Tuesday, November 18
- Juneau Pack the Offices 4-5pm at 800 Glacier Ave
Sunday, November 23
- Anchorage Sunday Solidarity 4-5pm at the Loussac Library in the Moose Room on the 2nd floor
Monday, November 24
- Anchorage Democrats Monthly Meeting 5:30-6:30pm online
Sunday, November 30
- Anchorage Sunday Solidarity 4-5pm at the Loussac Library in the Moose Room on the 2nd floor
Monday, December 1
- Fairbanks Pack the Offices 3:30-5pm at the Federal Building
- Anchorage Pack the Offices 4-5pm at 510 L St
Tuesday, December 2
- Anchorage Against Christian Nationalism: Religious Freedom for All 5:30-6:45pm at Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
- Juneau Pack the Offices 4-5pm at 800 Glacier Ave
- Reelection Fundraiser for Elvi Gray-Jackson 5:30-7pm at Kinley’s Restaurant & Bar in Anchorage
Thursday, December 4
- Tongass Democrats Monthly Meeting 5-6:30pm at IBEW Juneau
- Alaska Democrats Annual Holiday Auction 6-9pm at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage
Monday, December 22
- Anchorage Democrats Monthly Meeting 5:30-6:30pm Online
Priority Actions to Take
- Register Voters – Check out Field Team 6 or League of Women Voters for events and tips for how to take action. We lost ground nationally in 2024 on both turnout and voter registration. Let’s not do that ever again!
- Demand the full public release of the Epstein files. Sign this petition and call the Alaska delegation and tell them the public deserves to know who was involved – Rep. Begich at (202) 225-5765; Sen. Sullivan at (202) 224-3004; Sen. Murkowski at (202) 224-6665.
- Stand With Trans Youth and Stand for Science – Sign this open letter from Alaska Health Professionals to the Alaska State Medical Board to strongly oppose the Board’s proposal to classify gender-affirming care for minors as “unprofessional conduct.” resolution labeling gender-affirming care for minors as “unprofessional conduct.”
- Attend local rallies – Good Chants is a ready resource for any political action. In these tough times, chants and songs are important tools that can deliver powerful messages. A few well-chosen ‘sound bites’ can brighten and energize any event. Collected by Ruth Goldbaum, HFT Local 1018-R, AFT, AFL-CIO Hartford, CT, Goodchants.org is a regularly updated database, so check back for new additions! Copy freely and circulate widely. Have your own chant? send them to goodchants@yahoo.com.
- Share the impacts of the Big, Ugly Bill – It delivers tax relief for the wealthy while siphoning critical resources from low-income families and its long-term costs are estimated to add $4 trillion to the deficit.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper – Check out Women Forward’s helpful toolkit for guidance. Letters to the editor are a long game, so if your letter isn’t published, keep trying and post it on social media and share it with your network. You can find more tips on how to write letters that really get attention here and feel free to contact us at info@alaskaforward.org if we can help in any way.
- Require ICE to unmask and display clear identification – The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across California and the nation. Send a letter to Congress now!
The DNC is taking on the GOP and working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. They need your help to build for the future so please consider making a donation today!
Library Reading and Resources
- Fix Healthcare and Reopen Government Now
- Trump Promises New, Blatantly Unconstitutional Order to End Mail-In Voting
- Zebra Crossing: An Easy-to-Use Digital Safety Checklist
- Democratic Win in Iowa Special Election Breaks GOP Supermajority
- Judge rules Utah’s congressional map must be redrawn for the 2026 elections
- Federal Judge Dismissed the U.S. Department of Justice Lawsuit Against Every Federal District Judge in Maryland
- Trump Administration to Restore $6.8 Billion in Education Funds After Multi-State Lawsuit
- Judge Halts Operations at Everglades Detention Center
- 1st Circuit Rejects Trump Administration’s Effort to Enforce Planned Parenthood “Defund” Provision
- Federal Court Orders Mississippi Supreme Court District Lines Be Redrawn
- Court Rules Pennsylvania Must Count Undated Mail-In Ballots
Opportunities for Everyone to Engage, Get Training and Take Action!
- Virtual Phone Banks – Tune into a Monthly Indivisible Phone Bank Training the last Monday of the month 1-2pm. This hands-on workshop will walk you through everything you need to feel confident and prepared for your first (or next!) phonebank shift.
- Take Action with People Power United Alaska – Fill out their interest form for actions you can take to help fight for freedom and equal rights, in person and online!
- One Million Rising: One Million Trained, Millions More Empowered – Authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous; join this national effort to train one million people to help lead in this moment and gain the skills to lead others.
- Workshop: Yes, you can host a house party! Learn tips and tools for hosting conversations with friends, neighbors and colleagues. Virtual (hosted by Bay Area Democrats) Mondays at 6-7pm AK. Register here.
- Time to Act! This virtual training, hosted by Seattle Supports Democracy, will give you practical actions that you can take to speak up and make a difference for your community and our country. Register here.
- Join Action Alaska: Be a part of this collaboration among Stand UP Alaska, Alaskans Take a Stand, and Alaska March On to protect Alaska and our Democracy! Join here.
- Stay Informed: Follow the Women Forward Action Center Substack for updates on Congressional actions and ways to engage.
- Local Engagement: Volunteers will be reaching out to you about how to take some of these ideas and apply them locally. If you would like to contact us directly, you can reply to this message or text 907-360-2288.
We gather a lot of information from the newsletters and our meetings with the national group Women Forward and the Alaska Action Coalition, and hope this is helpful to you!
Disclaimer: Alaska Forward is an unofficial group that engages in activities such as submitting letters to the editor, assisting with signs, and participating in grassroots efforts aligned with the Democratic Party’s campaign plans.
It’s important to note that we do not operate as a formal campaign entity, do not handle funds, and do not incur expenses. While we assist with purchasing campaign materials and collaborate with the Democratic Party, our primary focus remains on grassroots support as a group of friends.
Please stay tuned for updates, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to contribute in any way.