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You are here: Home / Political Fundraising / Political Fundraising 2021-22 / Q & A with Four Directions, Now

Q & A with Four Directions, Now

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In case you missed the the previous post:  Four Directions and Fair Fight are teaming up in Georgia.

OJ Semans, Sr and Lewis Cohen are here to talk with us about their new partnership and anything else we want to talk about.

Ask them about Georgia, about OJ’s conversation with Raphael Warnock last week, or anything else.

With their new partnership, each organization will provide equal funding for this effort – $50,000 each –  and that will surely be a bigger lift for Four Directions than for Fair Fight Action!

Over the next 6 weeks, Four Directions and Fair Fight will be laying the groundwork for the boots on the ground organizing to begin in Georgia by mid-to-late September.

That gives them two weeks to raise the funds, and another month to recruit and train field organizers and people to direct the work of the people on the ground.

Four Directions – Georgia!

Goal Thermometer

If we commit to try to raise $25,000 in the next few weeks, Four Directions can go to other donors and let them know that we could match up to $25,000, which should make it easier to for them to raise the rest of the funds.

Goal date for raising the funds is August 15.   That’s two weeks.  It’s a big ask, but it’s also an opportunity for us to make a big impact.

Zoom with Four Directions is tomorrow evening – Tuesday at 7:30 pm Eastern – please send me email to RSVP, and also let us know in the comments.

 

Reader Interactions

127Comments

  2. 2.

    MomSense

    Thank goodness the zoom is tomorrow. I just got home from work.

    I’m curious about where you will be organizing in GA and the profile of the voter contacts.

  4. 4.

    piratedan

    still at work out here in AZ but since this was a topic over the last few weeks, with the Ga GOP intent on trying to control Fulton County thru whatever nefarious means, what strategies are being employed to counter this? Every time we beat them back with numbers, there are greater and greater attempts to continue the disenfranchisement of voters thru other means. While I know that registering voters is a big Biden deal, are you working with other groups thru legal means to have these attempts to skew the playing field defeated?

  5. 5.

    Torrey

    Hi, WaterGirl! Thank you for organizing this. I’d like to be in on the Zoom meeting. I’ll send you an email.

  14. 14.

    WaterGirl

    @OJ Semans Sr: I would love to hear about that.

    We have some folks who much prefer the posts and others who prefer the zooms, so don’t worry about repeating yourself by talking about something here and then talking about the same thing at the zoom.

    So please, tell us about your visit with Sen. Raphael Warnock!

  15. 15.

    Joy in FL

    WaterGirl, I emailed you a few minutes ago to include me in tomorrow’s Zoom.

    Thank you, 4 Directions, for taking time to communicate with us. I learned so much from the previous Zoom, and I shared some of the info with a few politically interested friends.

  16. 16.

    Yutsano

    @OJ Semans Sr:  *doffs cap*

    I am very concerned about the state legislature in Georgia trying to manipulate the numbers in Fulton county. The real purpose is of course to discourage minority votes in the first place. What are the odds of insisting on a paper audit trail so that votes don’t get pushed aside like reeds in the marsh?

  17. 17.

    Auntie Anne

    Hi, OJ and Lewis! OJ, I would like to know more about your conversation with Raphael Warnock.

  18. 18.

    OJ Semans Sr

    How would you like to start tonight’s conversation, I think talking about what our visit with Senator Warnock would bring some light on our overall work we are doing in Georgia

  20. 20.

    WaterGirl

    @Joy in FL: I received your message, thank you!  I will send out the zoom in the morning so I can send out links one after another.

    That way I don’t have to worry about who I sent the link too already. :-)

  21. 21.

    OJ Semans Sr

    First of all its always a pleasure and an honor to visit with Senator Warnock.

    In our conversation with Senator Warnock, we outlined the following;

    Brnovich versus the DNC is more than Ballot Collection and out of Precinct voting, the court could have just found these two issues did not violate Section 2, but instead gutted Section 2, by recreating what equals means. This Court has decided to be on the wrong side of history, will be considered along the same line Plessy vs. Ferguson and Dred Scott where we once again have separate but equal.

  24. 24.

    OJ Semans Sr

    2nd

    If you look at the1964, the United States Supreme Court in Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533, 561-62 (1964). Basically said “The right to vote is supposed to be a fundamental in s free and democratic society, is a preservative of all other basic civil and political rights”

  25. 25.

    OJ Semans Sr

    Voting is the backbone of our democracy, it is the pillar of all our other civil right such as the Federal anti-discrimination laws that prohibit discrimination in housing, credit, employment, can be considered the domino affect in that these rights could be next.

  26. 26.

    OJ Semans Sr

    Because the Brnovich decision, while claiming that Title VII and fair housing are different (i.e., disparate impact is standard), establishes a path forward that only laws and/or regulations that openly demonstrate intentional racial discrimination will be addressable by the courts

  27. 27.

    Madeleine

    I’m very interested in your conversation with Senator Warnock. But I’m also interested in your views about Senator Kelly.

  28. 28.

    OJ Semans Sr

    In Georgia Republicans also enacted a law to purge election officials for any reason and replace them with preferred officials who can change the number and location of polling places, this is already being done in a process to purge election officials in Fulton County, which is 44% Black and voted overwhelmingly for Biden.

    It allows for partisan officials to overturn election results based on a presumption of election fraud.

    15 amendments does not protect nothing – gives protection for States but allows criminal actions against the voters.

  29. 29.

    OJ Semans Sr

    That an option that can be utilized now while courts cases are being fought and Congress is working on the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Congress can refund HAVA with budget reconciliation where a simple majority is needed. This would allow for funding for more polling places, satellite offices, more days and more hours to vote. This will also take away excuses from election officials in not wanting to do so because of budget restraints.

  30. 30.

    OJ Semans Sr

    Four Directions has not only partnered with Fair Fights but also with their sister organization Fair Count (Pun intended) to start in November 2021 a1 year of voter engagement/registration drive.

  32. 32.

    WaterGirl

    @OJ Semans Sr: I hope there are actions planned to fight all of that with more than just get out the vote.  Because if they can change things at that level, our rights are going down the drain.

  36. 36.

    OJ Semans Sr

    We are operating on multiple fronts paid advertisements, working with Tribes in the lower 48 and the Alaskan Native, congress and most importantly boots on the ground.

  37. 37.

    WaterGirl

    @OJ Semans Sr: I know we have to get out the vote, but that doesn’t seem like enough when they can toss votes out, or the legislature can nullify the will of the voters.

    Is it as hopeless as it feels?

  39. 39.

    WaterGirl

    @OJ Semans Sr: What are the plans for getting HAVA passed with Manchin and Sinema behaving the way they are?

    It’s a sad state of affairs when it’s a given that no Republican will vote in favor of voting rights.

  41. 41.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @WaterGirl: They should not have a problem with it because it always been funded in a non-partisen manner but this time we would want a rider directing for polling locations satellite offices with more days and hours

  42. 42.

    Madeleine

    Sorry, OJ. I neglected to say how much I appreciate Four Directions’ work. I will definitely support your work with Fair Fight. We’re fortunate to have you.

  44. 44.

    OJ Semans Sr

    We would direct the rider to the EAC, also something to consider is the States that apply for HAVA funds must state they will abide by the voting rights act, we need to push DOJ into taking the authority to investigate violations of HAVA use

  46. 46.

    Torrey

    I expect Manchin won’t change his mind, although I always wonder what game he’s playing–and I’m very nervous about the possibility that he’ll simply change parties. But do the tribes in Arizona see any likelihood of talking to, or putting some pressure on, Sinema?

  51. 51.

    OJ Semans Sr

    The Remove the Stain Act did not make it out of the National Defense Authorization Act. Republicans offered an amendment that would put the issues to a review board using 1890 standards. We would not allow the amendment so they killed the bill

  52. 52.

    Madeleine

    I’m participating in a BJ Michigan oriented project to stop the legislative anti-voter bills. I was recently a MI resident. Do you know if there is a Michigan Native American organization that might be working on voting issues? Or any Native American organizations that have connections to Michigan? I ask because the legislative effort to suppress voters is, to say the least, robust and comprehensive. Thanks.

    If this is too far off-topic, please please feel free to ignore it.

  53. 53.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    @piratedan: @MomSense:
    Winning through numbers remains important. If they manage to suppress the vote of “x” voters in a given state, we’ve got to register and get “x” + 1 voters in that state to the polls. The legal channel became more complicated after the recent SCOTUS ruling. To attempt to offset that, we will be working with tribal leaders and elders in a national call to action, as far as lobbying for federal legislation is concerned. Stacey Abrams will be working to get national civic minded organizations to step up to the plate and have their voices heard when it comes to lobbying for the same outcome. Together, it should have an impact!

  57. 57.

    OJ Semans Sr

    May seem so distant in todays times, but we truly appreciated all the donations to help us keep up the good fight. I believe it was grassroots orgs, that turned 2020 around:)

  59. 59.

    Lewis Cohen at Four Directions

    @Yutsano: It’s hard to say at this point. A paper trail would be ideal, but it does not appear that the folks in charge in Fulton County will allow that to move forward. We have to stay in our two lanes for now – lobbying legislators to pass national voting rights laws and registering and organizing aggressively in Georgia. Thanks for the question.

  65. 65.

    WaterGirl

    @OJ Semans Sr: @Madeleine:

    Madeleine, if you want to contribute to the work with tribes in Michigan in particular, once the current GA fundraising is done, we could add another Four Directions thermometer for MI in particular.  Let m know if you think there’s interest.

  67. 67.

    OJ Semans Sr

    My wife Barb and I live on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in SD, and it is totally RED, with the exception of Indian Reservations, 4D was able to ensure all Native Candidates made it into the Senate and House. So although we lose most fights we have our people fight none the less.

  69. 69.

    WaterGirl

    OJ, can you tell us more about your conversation with Raphael Warnock?  He is a national treasure, and I would love to hear about that conversation.

  71. 71.

    Madeleine

    @WaterGirl: I was speculating because it seemed possible. I’ll have to look into it. Thanks for proposing that we might support MI Native Americans. I should pursue this further with 4D.

  73. 73.

    WaterGirl

    These people have RSVP’d for the zoom so far:

    H. E. Wolf (no e!)
    Madeleine
    Joy in FL
    MomSense
    Torrey
    Auntie Anne
    Charlotte
    Lyrebird
    Wolvesvalley
    Ruckus

    Who else is interested in the zoom with Four Directions tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:30 pm Eastern?

  74. 74.

    OJ Semans Sr

    @WaterGirl: The thing that makes him a great person, is not that he continually talks about what he wants to do, it is his ability to really listen to what you have to say and giving you an honest opinion if it might be successful. He was very impressed with the HAVA idea’s

  76. 76.

    OJ Semans Sr

    I have meet him (Senator Warnock) twice now once in person and the other zoom, he is a very compassionate person and you not only hear his words you feel the,

  78. 78.

    Lyrebird

    Late as usual, but so glad to read the thread. Will put in what I can, and will see about tomorrow’s schedule.

    Thanks very much to WG of course and to our distinguished guests!!

    Keep on rockin!!

  80. 80.

    WaterGirl

    @OJ Semans Sr: My mom taught us that if you have to cheat to win, it’s not winning.  And that if you can’t win fair and square, you don’t deserve to win.

    Apparently today’s Republicans never got that message.

  93. 93.

    Torrey

    I’m going to have to leave now. Thank you both for taking the time to talk to us. I’m looking forward to the Zoom call tomorrow. (We’re not supposed to have thunderstorms, so hopefully I won’t be introducing any beagles into the proceedings this time.)

  94. 94.

    Madeleine

    I’m sorry. I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow evening. Thanks for taking time with us.

  96. 96.

    OJ Semans Sr

    I am proud to say, every election Four Directions has been a part of has resulted in higher turnouts and we will continue to do so by developing work throughs and working outside the box.

  105. 105.

    WaterGirl

    I think we’ll have OJ and Lewis for about 10 more minutes tonight, so if you have questions, please jump in.

    And I feel certain that they will check this post again in the morning in case there are questions or comments after they head off at 9pm.  So comments and questions are totally welcome even after they have signed off.

  107. 107.

    WaterGirl

    In the 8 remaining minutes, until a question comes in, would you guys like to say a few words about how your big event went in June?

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