📫 GENESEE VALLEY GUARDIAN Vol 2, Issue 21 — May 26, 2026
Genesee Valley Guardian
Vol 2, Issue 21 — May 26, 2026
Weekly Inspiration
On the 62nd anniversary of LBJ’s Great Society speech, HCR reminds us what it looked like when a government used its power to lift people up — and what’s at stake in defending that legacy now.
“Your generation has been appointed by history to deal with those problems and to lead America toward a new age. You have the chance never before afforded to any people in any age. You can help build a society where the demands of morality, and the needs of the spirit, can be realized in the life of the Nation.”
— Lyndon B. Johnson (1964, May 22). University of Michigan commencement address, quoted in Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American, May 22, 2026. Read on Substack →
Stand Up, Fight Back Saturday Report
This week’s rally at York Town Hall came with an extra obstacle: a local farm parked two of their semis on the roadside to block the public sidewalk — the same sidewalk where Americans have every constitutional right to peacefully assemble.
It was 50 degrees. Pouring rain. Wind cutting straight down Route 36.
We rallied anyway.
The homeowners across the street welcomed us with open arms, and we stood together — signs high, voices carrying — as every car on Route 36 drove past and saw us. You cannot block a community that refuses to be blocked!
That’s who we are. That’s who you are. See you next Saturday.
Genesee Valley Voices
From Arnold Matlin, M.D., Founding Member, Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace:
I was proud to attend Genesee Valley Indivisible’s York rally on Saturday, May 23rd. I now live in Brighton, but I lived in York for 50 years and I was the York Central School physician. It was very important to me to attend this rally in my former home town. President Trump and his supporter Representative Tenney hope to establish tyranny in our democratic nation. This will happen if we the people don’t protest against their illegal, harmful, and unjust actions.
It was cold (45 degrees), wet (steady rain), and a long drive for me, especially because I’m recovering from a broken ankle. However, I would do it again without question. I believe that "to stay silent in the face of tyranny is to surrender your freedom and become complicit in oppression."
Stand Up, Fight Back Saturdays
Saturday, May 30th · Noon to 1:00pm
Defeat Tenney! and Why Is Our Democracy Important To You?
Caledonia Monument Park (Traffic Circle)
3142 State St., Caledonia, NY 14423
Parking: Behind Monument Park, in shopping plaza
Note: Coincides with Caledonia Trout Festival — maximum visibility!
Saturday, June 6th · Noon to 1:00pm
Defeat Tenney! and We Are Patriots!
Pocket Park – Mt. Morris
46 E. State Street
Mt. Morris, NY 14510
Parking: Street Parking (Main St. and west of Main St.), Public Parking, 13 N. Main Street (450 feet north of 46 East State Street).
Note: Coincides with Yoga Fest at Letchworth State Park
Outreach — Call or Email Your Representatives
Federal contacts for Livingston County → · NYS contacts →
End Trump’s Unauthorized War in Iran
The Senate voted 50–47 this week to advance a War Powers resolution — the first time such a vote has cleared a procedural hurdle. The House must follow. This war was never authorized by Congress, has cost American service members their lives, and is driving up gas prices for NY-24 farms and families heading into summer.
Who to contact: Rep. Claudia Tenney · Sen. Chuck Schumer · Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
“The Iran war was never authorized by Congress. Uphold the War Powers Act and bring our troops home.”
Stop the Jan. 6 Slush Fund — Protect Equal Justice
Two Capitol Police officers have sued to block Trump’s $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” calling it “the most brazen act of presidential corruption this century.” Meanwhile, new DOJ policy extends personal tax immunity to Trump — potentially saving him over $600 million. Congress controls the purse strings. Demand they use them.
Who to contact: Sen. Chuck Schumer · Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand · Rep. Claudia Tenney
“Defund the Jan. 6 slush fund. No presidential tax immunity. No one is above the law.”
Defend Medicaid — The Big Beautiful Bill Is Now Law
Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” — which Rep. Tenney voted for — is law, and its Medicaid cuts are beginning to take effect. Rural hospitals in NY-24 depend on Medicaid reimbursements to stay open. Now is the time to make your voice heard as implementation begins.
Who to contact: Rep. Claudia Tenney · Sen. Chuck Schumer · Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
“Reverse the Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Rural hospitals in NY-24 cannot absorb these losses.”
Reach In — Learn, Train, Volunteer
Read: HCR on the Great Society
This week Heather Cox Richardson published a sweeping reflection on the 62nd anniversary of LBJ’s Great Society speech — Medicare, Medicaid, the Voting Rights Act, Head Start, the NEA, public radio, federal student aid. All of it built in a burst of democratic energy between 1964 and 1968. All of it under attack right now.
Become an Election Inspector — Primary Is June 23
County boards of elections need trained inspectors for the June 23 primary and the November 3 general election. One of the most direct ways to protect the vote from inside the process.
Neighbor 2 Neighbor — Check In This Week
Indivisible National’s Neighbor2Neighbor tool is live as primaries approach — it gives you a list of 10 households in your area where like-minded neighbors might need a nudge to vote on June 23. Takes fifteen minutes. Could change an election.
Defeat Tenney: NY-24 Election Watch
Primary: June 23, 2026 · General: November 3, 2026
This Week in NY-24
The Medicaid cuts in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill — which Claudia Tenney voted for and championed — are no longer a future threat. They are now law. Tenney voted yes on Veterans/Military Construction Appropriations this month while her party simultaneously used DOGE to gut VA staffing. And this week she applauded passage of the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, legislation preventing the VA from reporting veterans to the FBI’s background check system solely because they need help managing their finances.
Meanwhile, the Democratic primary is taking real shape with one month to go. Both candidates — Alissa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum — have been actively debating across the district. A public debate is confirmed for June 3 at 6:30 PM at the Smith Opera House in Geneva, free and open to the public. A second debate has just been confirmed: Kastenbaum and Ellman will meet on June 9 at 7 PM at Genesee Community College in Batavia, moderated by the League of Women Voters of Rochester. That one’s right here in our backyard.
With 31 days to primary day, this is the moment to get informed. The winner faces Tenney in November — and the national environment, with Trump’s approval at historic lows and a Republican caucus openly mutinying, gives Democrats a real opening in a district that has leaned red.
Tenney’s Record
- Voted yes — “One Big Beautiful Bill” — Medicaid and SNAP cuts affecting low-income NY-24 families, rollback of clean energy credits for farms, $350 billion for deportation and military. Her office declined to address the healthcare cuts directly.
- Voted no — Iran War Powers Resolution (March 5, 2026) — Tenney voted against directing the removal of US forces from Iran, saying she stood “firmly behind” Operation Epic Fury. Congress never authorized this war. Six US service members have died.
- Voted yes — Veterans/Military Construction Appropriations (May 15, 2026) — While describing the vote as ensuring veterans are “supported and given the benefits they have earned,” her party simultaneously laid off VA staff via DOGE.
The Challengers
Alissa Ellman · Lockport, Niagara County
Army National Guard veteran deployed to Afghanistan multiple times; left the military at 25 to become a special education teacher. Diagnosed with cancer from burn pits in 2018 and has since recovered. Most recently worked for the VA’s education department in Buffalo — a job she lost in the first wave of DOGE layoffs. Running on healthcare, veterans’ issues, and economic security for working families. Holds the Working Families Party line.
Diana Kastenbaum · Batavia, Genesee County
Former manufacturing CEO, SUNY Genesee Community College trustee, and organizer of community forums across the district since 2025. Running on healthcare, rural hospitals, Medicaid, veterans’ services, and workforce development. Received the endorsement of Steven Holden, the 2022 Democratic nominee, who has withdrawn from the race.
The Democratic primary is June 23. GVI encourages members to research all candidates and make their own informed choice.
Fundraising Context
As of Q1 2026 FEC filings, Tenney reported $2.3 million raised and $1.3 million in cash on hand. The Democratic challengers are raising much less: Ellman raised $124,300 with $4,400 cash on hand and Kastenbaum has raised $63,500 with $18,700 cash on hand. The cash gap is substantial and reflects the structural challenge of unseating an entrenched incumbent. Q2 FEC filings are due July 15 — watch for updated figures after the primary.
Upcoming Events & Debates
- Tuesday, June 3 · 6:30 PM — NY-24 Democratic Primary Debate at Smith Opera House (82 Seneca St., Geneva, NY). Free and open to the public. Moderated by R. Eric Barnes, Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
- Monday, June 9 · 7:00 PM — NY-24 Democratic Primary Debate at Genesee Community College (One College Rd., Batavia, NY). Free and open to the public. Moderated by the League of Women Voters of Rochester.
Mark Your Calendar
- June 3 — NY-24 Democratic debate, Smith Opera House, Geneva — free, public
- June 9 — NY-24 Democratic debate, Genesee Community College, Batavia — free, public
- June 23 — NY Democratic Primary — check your registration now
- July 15 — FEC Q2 filing deadline — updated fundraising figures available
- October 4 — Voter registration deadline for the general election
- October 24 — Early voting begins
- November 3 — General Election Day
Local Actions
Defeat Tenney Yard Signs
Genesee Valley Indivisible, with other Indivisibles and allied groups in NY24, are organizing to put “Defeat Tenney” yard signs in as many places in the NY24 Congressional District as possible. We are offering them at our cost.
Email Phil at paj12147@gmail.com to reserve one or more signs for pickup or delivery at the end of May. Suggested Donation $7.
Signs are two-sided corrugated plastic with a metal stand. Printed by Syracuse Cultural Workers.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
Visit Vote.org to confirm your current status or register to vote in New York State. The primary is June 23 — check now.
Marshal Training
We always need Marshals! See a WROC Channel 8 news video to learn more. This is a critically important volunteer role at all area events, big or small. We especially need marshals in Livingston and Wyoming Counties.
See this form to find upcoming training dates and register.
Support Alianza Agrícola
Learn how local immigrant farmworkers organized a mutual support group that serves their needs and recruits allies from the larger community as supporters and friends.
- Become an Ally
- Donate to Alianza Agrícola
- Register for monthly Ally meetings – In Geneseo, NY, on the 3rd Friday of the month. Register →
WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
GVI Weekly Community Meeting
Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Geneseo, NY
Enter through the red door in the back of the church.
- Welcome. No RSVP required.
- New Format: Agenda arrives in member email inboxes on Thursday mornings.
- Weather cancellations emailed to all GVI members by 3:00 PM Thursday.
- Address & map
- Join our member email list
Weekly Geneseo Wednesday and Friday Protests
Wednesdays and Fridays — 4:00–5:00 PM
Gateway Corner Park in Geneseo, NY (across from Wegmans)
Join the ‘Geneseo Visibles’ — all are welcome, even if you can only stay for 10 minutes!
Weekly Hemlock Protest
Wednesdays — 4:30–5:30 PM (Summer Schedule)
Southeast Corner of Rt 15A and Rt 20A (aka “Dollar General Corner”)
Organized by Hemlock Rising Indivisible
Livingston Bridge Brigade
After two successful Bridge Actions, we are looking for additional activists to join us. Knowing our message will reach a large and varied group, we raise our signs over Route 390.
Once a week, alternating between the 7 a.m. morning commute and the 3:45 p.m. return. It’s safe. It’s fun. It’s critical.
Join us! We are part of the GVI Artists Group. To join us—send an email to info@GeneseeValleyIndivisible.org with your name, phone number and email address.
Listen to What’s the Plan? — Weekly Zoom & Podcast
Weekly, national, interactive Zoom with Indivisible co-CEOs Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin.
LOCAL POSTCARD CAMPAIGN
You can pick up postcards to write at home OR write them at GVI’s Thursday meetings. The Artist’s Team is setting up a table to serve as the “postcard station” and can provide pens. Order in advance by Wednesday each week.
SUPPORT GENESEE VALLEY INDIVISIBLE
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