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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241009T190000
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DTSTAMP:20260406T153155
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SUMMARY:BigTentUSA Pep Rally with Comics for Kamala\, Rep. Eric Swalwell\, and Fair Fight!
DESCRIPTION:BigTentUSA\, in partnership with Comics for Kamala\, Fair Fight\, Vote Forward\, and Sister District hosted a Virtual Pep Rally of laughs and action. This high-energy event featured a stellar lineup of speakers\, including comedian George Wallace\, Fair Fight’s Executive Director Lauren Groh-Wargo and Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-D). They came together to discuss why getting out the vote (GOTV) is crucial for electing Vice President Harris and Governor Walz. \nFollowing the pep rally\, attendees had the opportunity to engage in breakout rooms led by grassroots experts. Choosing from letter writing\, phone banking\, or voter protection efforts in Georgia\, led by Fair Fight\, Sister District\, and Vote Forward and take direct action to get out the vote! \nDon’t miss this empowering event – your voice and your actions matter in this critical election! \n***This is NOT a Fundraiser*** \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS \nCongressman Eric Swalwell (CA-D) is a U.S. Congressman from California’s 14th district. A Democrat\, he has served since 2013 and is known for his work on national security\, gun violence prevention\, and tech innovation. Swalwell also gained attention for his role in the Trump impeachment and his brief 2020 presidential run. Prior to Congress\, he was an Alameda County prosecutor. \nGeorge Wallace knew he wanted to be a comedian by the age of 6. He always enjoyed making people laugh. He began his career performing stand-up comedy and was offered a job writing for “The Redd Foxx Show.” \nWallace was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Soul Train/Centric Comedy All-Star Awards\, and won Best Stand-Up Comedian at the prestigious American Comedy Awards after four consecutive nominations. As a veteran radio personality\, he has also made appearances on “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” and is a charter member of “The Tom Joyner Morning Show.” Recently he was a guest star on the hit comedy series Hacks with actress Jean Smart. \nLauren Groh-Wargo is a top political\, democracy and civic engagement strategist\, executive\, and fighter for economic justice. In 2012\, Lauren began a partnership with Stacey Abrams to chart and then execute a ten-year plan to build power and policy wins for Georgia through supporting existing and building new civic engagement infrastructure. Spurred by wide scale voter suppression during the 2018 election\, Lauren founded and is the CEO of Fair Fight Action\, which focuses on fighting voter suppression and advancing voting rights. Fair Fight Action brings the full force of strategic campaign tactics and culturally relevant engagement and voter education to those most targeted by suppression and disinformation. \nRaised near Cleveland\, Ohio\, she holds a degree in Economics from American University. Lauren resides in Atlanta\, Georgia with her partner and nine-year-old son.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/pep-rally/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Action Opportunities,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF-and-Comics-partners.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T130000
DTSTAMP:20260406T153155
CREATED:20241012T183757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241022T034202Z
UID:53910-1729166400-1729170000@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Tent Talk: Voting Access with CT’s Secretary of State and National Vote at Home Institute
DESCRIPTION:BigTent welcomed Connecticut’s Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas and Barbara Smith Warner\, Executive Director of Vote at Home (VAH). Voting turnout often reflects how accessible voting is for eligible voters. Currently\, only 8 states and Washington\, DC\, automatically sends ballots to all active voters\, allowing them to return the ballots by mail\, or in-person\, and track their vote with the option to correct any errors. \nConnecticut voters are now considering a constitutional amendment to permit no-excuse absentee voting\, which would broaden access and make voting simpler for everyone. Our speakers discussed why accessible voting is crucial\, and explored ways to support this important reform in Connecticut and beyond. \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS \nStephanie Thomas was sworn in as Connecticut’s Secretary of the State on January 4\, 2023. With a distinguished 30-year career advising and problem-solving for nonprofit organizations\, running her own business\, and serving as a State Representative of the 143rd District (Norwalk\, Wilton\, Westport)\, Secretary Thomas brings a unique blend of business expertise and a passion for civics to public service.\n \nSince taking office\, Secretary Thomas has led the implementation of significant election reforms in the state\, including the roll-out of early voting and a new centralized voter registration system. In September 2023\, she secured a historic investment of $25 million to replace the state’s aging tabulators\, marking Connecticut’s first voting machine upgrade since 2006. During her term\, Secretary Thomas will also institute the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut and automatic voter registration at several Connecticut agencies.\n \nA former small business owner\, Secretary Thomas has worked to pass business-friendly legislation\, and she has created a monthly e-newsletter that aggregates funding and training resources in one place to save business owners’ time. \nBarbara Smith Warner serves as the Executive Director of the National Vote at Home Institute\, a national non-profit that works to promote and expand the use of mailed-out ballots that allow all voters to safely and securely vote at home (the Oregon way!). Voting at home is foundational democracy that centers every voter in their right to vote and dramatically increases both turnout and participation. Barbara served 9 years (2014-2022) as an Oregon state representative\, including almost 3 years as the Majority Leader of the Oregon House. She is a lifetime democracy defender who has worked as a legislative educator and political organizer\, and is deeply committed to an open\, accessible government that is of\, for and by the people.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/voting-access/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Vote-at-home-169-2.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241021T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241021T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T153155
CREATED:20241016T132308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T190137Z
UID:53932-1729537200-1729540800@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Screening of Oscar nominated Short Film RED WHITE AND BLUE | (LINK ATTACHED)
DESCRIPTION:????UPDATE: BIGTENTUSA is proud to be a partner of the film “Red\, White and Blue” now streaming on YouTube HERE. \nIt is available for viewing for FREE for the next 2 weeks. Please share widely!\nAfter watching the film head to our panel discussion with award-winning journalist Katie Couric\, Oscar-nominated filmmaker and writer\, director and producer of the film\, Nazrin Choudhury\, OBGYN and reproductive rights activist Dr. Austin Dennard\, and Nourbese Flint\, President of All*In Action Fund. The powerful discussion focused on how abortion policy is creating a healthcare crisis for many women\, and how reproductive rights are impacting political messaging and voter turnout. \nIf you believe in reproductive freedom and justice and preserving the right of access to necessary healthcare for millions of Americans\, here are three things you can do to help: \n1. WATCH & SHARE: Please watch the film all the way through – it’s only 23 minutes long\, so watch it in one sitting\, then share with everyone you know! Link in bio to watch! Every view is being matched this week to a donation to the Purple Parlor Fund. \n2. VOTE: Please vote like your lives and bodies depend on it because they do. Early voting is happening now through to November 5th. \n3. DONATE: Please support Level Forward’s Purple Parlor Fund which is helping Pro-Choice partners (like us) to continue doing the important work on the ground. \nABOUT OUR SPEAKERS \nNAZRIN CHOUDHURY is a UK-US filmmaker who left the pursuit of medicine and a brief career in politics after her first foray into screenwriting garnered her a Focus on Talent Award with DNA FILMS. She is the recipient of the Imison award for her critically-acclaimed play\, MIXED BLOOD\, and an Arts Council of England award for her novel-in-progress\, MY ENGLAND. Based in Los Angeles\, Nazrin works extensively across film and television as a writer/producer/showrunner. Nazrin’s directorial debut on the short film\, RED\, WHITE AND BLUE – which she also wrote and produced – earned her an Oscar nomination in the Best Live Action Short Film category at the 96th Academy Awards. \nAUSTIN DENNARD\, M.D. is an OBGYN from Dallas\, Texas. Dr. Dennard had to leave Texas to receive abortion care after learning she was carrying a fetus with anencephaly\, a fatal condition in which the skull and brain do not fully develop. Dr. Dennard began her medical career in The University of Texas Southwestern Health system working at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. In addition to being a clinician\, she has served as a clinical professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Listen to Dr. Dennard’s NPR Story here. \nNOURBESE FLINT is President of All*In Action Fund\, working to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color.  Prior to coming to All*In Action Fund she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America\, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood’s relationships within existing racial justice\, reproductive justice\, Black serving and civil rights organizations. \nNourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women\, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women\, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women’s Democratic Club. She has been featured in MSNBC\, CalMatters\, Newsweek\, and more. \nMODERATOR \nKATIE COURIC is an award-winning journalist and #1 New York Times best-selling author. Couric was the first woman to solo anchor a network evening newscast\, serving as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News from 2006 to 2011 following 15 years as co-anchor of NBC’s Today show. In 2017\, she founded Katie Couric Media (KCM)\, which has developed a number of media projects\, including a daily newsletter\, “Wake-Up Call”\, a podcast\, “Next Question”\, digital video series and several documentaries. You can find it all at katiecouric.com.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/red-white-and-blue/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Womens Empowerment and Rights,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Red-White-and-Blue.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241028T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241028T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T153155
CREATED:20241017T191820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T183733Z
UID:53969-1730142000-1730145600@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:‘Tis the Season: What to Expect on Election Day with Samantha Bee
DESCRIPTION:With November 5 around the corner and millions of Americans already casting their ballots\, the stakes for our democracy couldn’t be higher. BigTent was honored to have host a conversation with Joanna Lydgate\, Steve Bullock\, Cisco Aguilar\, and  moderated by Samantha Bee.  \nJoanna Lydgate and the States United Democracy Center are at the forefront of a national effort to safeguard our free and fair elections\, working to support election officials in the most critical states.  Joining her were Steve Bullock\, former Governor and Attorney General of Montana\, and Cisco Aguilar\, the Nevada Secretary of State. They discussed what to expect during an election season that may be long and contentious\, how state officials are preparing\, and explored solutions to the democracy crisis we are facing in this country. \nModerated by Samantha Bee\, this timely conversation addressed the evolving threats to democracy and the crucial role we all play in protecting our democracy for future generations of goblins and ghosts ???? ????. \nABOUT OUR SPEAKERS \nJOANNA LYDGATE is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the States United Democracy Center\, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting free\, fair\, and secure elections. Since 2020\, States United has provided legal\, research\, policy\, and communications support to state officials who run elections. Before launching States United\, Joanna served as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Massachusetts. In that role\, she coordinated multi-state litigation and worked with a bipartisan team of colleagues from across the country to uphold shared values\, protect civil liberties\, and defend the rule of law. She also oversaw criminal enforcement\, coordinating daily with local\, state\, and federal law enforcement partners. Joanna has served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office\, was a law clerk to Judge Norman H. Stahl on the First Circuit Court of Appeals\, and worked in nonprofit legal services in New York City. She is a graduate of Yale University and the University of California\, Berkeley\, School of Law. \nSTEVE BULLOCK served as Montana’s attorney general from 2009-2013. As attorney general\, Bullock defended Montana’s hundred-year ban on corporate campaign spending\, gaining national prominence for leading the challenge to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. \nBullock was elected Montana’s 24th Governor\, serving from 2013-2021. He worked with a Republican-majority legislature to improve access to health care\, kick dark money out of state elections\, make record investments in education\, protect access to public lands\, invest in infrastructure\, and strengthen Montana’s economy. Bullock brought diverse interests together to address challenging issues\, from sage grouse and forest management to the Main Street Montana Project. Nationally\, Bullock was elected Chair of the National Governors Association\, Western Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association. \nSince leaving public office\, Bullock has been involved with a number of corporate and nonprofit boards and organizations\, as well as serving as the court-appointed Independent Monitor over Purdue Pharma.  And he opened his own taphouse. \nFRANCISCO “CISCO” AGUILAR was elected as Nevada Secretary of State in 2022 and assumed office on January 2\, 2023. Prior to being elected\, Secretary Aguilar served twelve years as General Counsel for Agassi Graf\, the management company for Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf\, and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. In this role\, he was responsible for communications and media\, marketing and brand management\, strategic partnerships\, legal and government affairs. The Secretary also served as Special Counsel to the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education\, Jim Rogers\, and as a lawyer for the parent company of the Las Vegas and Reno NBC affiliates\, KSNV Channel 3 and KRNV Channel 4\, and 15 other NBC affiliates. \nSecretary Aguilar is the Founding Chairman of Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School. Cristo Rey serves students in one of Las Vegas’ most vulnerable neighborhoods\, and provides an innovative work-study program designed to prepare them for future careers. \nMODERATOR \nSAMANTHA BEE received global recognition from the success of her weekly late-night comedy series\, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee\, which was nominated for 70 awards and ran for seven seasons on TBS. Bee also served as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show Bee from 2003-2015. She is the author of the essay collection I Know I Am\, But What Are You? and has been featured in TIME 100: The Most Influential People. She is also the host of Lemonada Media’s podcast Choice Words.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/tis-the-season/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/States-United-4.webp
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