Roben Torosyan
facilitating.bsky.social
Roben Torosyan
@facilitating.bsky.social
An antidote to the chaos: Off to Phoenix for #americandemocracysummit to get equipped (to renovate the system), get connected (across divides), and get inspired (for the long haul). bsky.app/profile/pid-...
We’re so excited to join democracy advocates from around the country this week at #ADS2025! This event is critically important, especially this year, & we’re so grateful for the continued leadership of our friends @represent.us. Learn more: americandemocracysummit.org
May 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I called our Senators to support their resisting more barriers to voting like this. If we don't call, they don't know how many of us care.
bsky.app/profile/indi... call or email Senators Warren and Markey and say that you’re glad they’re voting no on the SAVE act. It’s voter suppression at its worst. #newtonindivisible #maindivisible
To ensure fair elections in 2026, we must stop the GOP’s voter suppression bill in the Senate. House Republicans have passed legislation that would restrict access to the ballot & end online and mail-in voter registration. Tell your senators to protect voting rights by rejecting this dangerous bill.
April 14, 2025 at 8:02 PM
"The reason you should care about this is not that it could happen to you but that it is already happening to others." Sad our Mass. Gov. excluded many from our right-to-shelter law, as if not everyone has a right to this right. If we push out Undocumented, or Trans, it won't stop there.
March 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
Anybody in Massachusetts moving on from a Tesla want to talk?
February 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
One week later and this story still hasn't gotten much attention. Some might say it's bc the would-be terrorist was foiled. Sure. But that's only bc the FBI took a tip seriously from a neighbor. Under Trump, I doubt they would care about a far-right loon like this.
January 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
I heavily recommend this book to folks; it's an easy read and not too technical. It gets deep into the psychology of persuasion and what it takes to change other people's minds even about controversial topics. If you ever heard of Deep Canvassing or Street Epistemology, you will enjoy this!
#books
February 20, 2024 at 1:41 AM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
Deep canvassing, which is described here, exists but is different from electoral canvassing and mobilization.

This is the year round, off cycle work that needs to always be happening.

Both types need to happen, but they’re tactics toward a broader strategy and not interchangeable.
Two things I'd change, based on canvassing this year:
1. Qualitative methods training for canvassers (eg, rapport-building, probing, fieldnote writing)
2. A text box in the app to share open-ended insights (for qualitative analysis later)

A short 🧵 1/
November 8, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
December 10, 2024 at 3:07 AM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
If you shop at Kroger or Albertsons, the FTC just stopped your grocery prices from surging higher.

FTC Chair Lina Khan is showing what it looks like for the government to work for working people.
Federal judge blocks Kroger’s $25 billion mega-merger with Albertsons | CNN Business
A federal judge in Oregon blocked Kroger’s proposed $25 billion tie-up with Albertsons, ruling that the largest merger in US supermarket history would limit competition and harm consumers.
www.cnn.com
December 10, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
The audacity of the university asking employees for donations. Every institution! Every year!
December 4, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
This is too familiar. A year and a half ago my wife needed a hip replacement. It wasn’t a choice. It was a medical necessity. Through our jobs and my WGA membership we have three “great” insurance policies. The day before the surgery a clerk said her primary insurance wasn’t going to cover it.
Apropos of nothing, thru my spouse‘s job we have “ good” insurance. 5yrs ago, I had knee replacement &they made me jump thru 1 million hoops ofc (& we were out of pocket $$$$ too). 1 month later, they sent me a 5-figure bill for the full amount. They *retroactively* unapproved it & demanded I pay up
December 6, 2024 at 4:29 AM
Reposted by Roben Torosyan
Remember, if someone posts something you really like on here, re-post it, bc unlike the other place, there is no algorithm to boost likes. If we want to get folks' best thoughts seen and create a critical mass of engagement, sharing is key!
November 20, 2024 at 2:57 PM