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6/28/18 

Contact Federal Government Officials


Fax legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php

 
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Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.

1.       The Senate was scheduled to vote on their bi-partisan version of the Farm Bill today, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (S.3042).  Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) may have stalled the bill’s progress, however over an amendment regarding trade with Cuba.  https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/27/marco-rubio-cuba-senate-farm-bill-657545  The Senate version is less punitive than the House version. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-agriculture/2018/06/27/senate-farm-bill-amendment-debate-begins-265531 Let’s let our senators know that we want SNAP benefits to be kept and without harsh work requirements and we want pesticides to be kept safe. 

2.      Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement yesterday presenting an issue we hoped not to have to face yet.  In response to news, Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) is insisting that the Senate invoke the McConnell argument used to deny a seat to Merrick Garland and wait until after the 2018 elections before voting on a new Supreme Court Justice. http://thehill.com/homenews/394492-feinstein-senate-should-follow-mcconnell-standard-wait-to-vote-on-supreme-court.  Let’s tell our Senators that we agree with Sen. Feinstein, and that the American people deserve the right to weigh in with their votes on the direction of the country before another Supreme Court nomination is considered.

3.      The Ryan immigration bill failed in the House yesterday in a 121-301 vote showing its general disfavor for various reasons.  https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/27/trump-house-republicans-immigration-bill-678816  Let’s take the time to thank our reps who voted against this and encourage them to keep working for a commonsense bill that

4.      Yet another report reinforces that Trump's citizenship question on the census could lead to a huge undercount - meaning areas with high immigrant populations will lose out on representation in government (https://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-census-citizenship-question-lead-massive-undercount-needy-children-report-says-040119964.html). Let's keep fighting against it. We can submit a comment to the Commerce Department opposing the citizenship question here, and we can call our members of Congress and tell them to block the question.

5.      In growing numbers, activists are calling on Congress to step up and abolish ICE. Now, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) is introducing legislation to do just that (http://thehill.com/homenews/house/393938-dem-lawmaker-introduces-bill-to-abolish-ice). Let's tell our members of Congress ICE has lost our trust, and we need to eliminate it and start over (https://5calls.org/issue/abolish-ice).

6.      In news surprising no one who has paid attention to North Korea over the last fifty years, they are making upgrades to their nuclear reactor in spite of the “pledge” made with Trump at their summit: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/27/north-korea-nuclear-reactor-upgrades-summit-pledges  Let’s let Secretary of State Mike Pompeo know that the mission is not accomplished and that this is going to take a lot more attention and actual diplomacy:   
https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform  or U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520

7.      This Independence Day, next Wednesday, let's fight for real American values and on behalf of families who have been separated due to Trump's zero tolerance policy. "On June 29, MoCs will fly back to their home districts for July 4 recess. Many of our elected officials will tweet about their love of country and march in Independence Day parades while turning a blind eye to the Trump Administration’s attacks on immigrant families. We need them to take action." Let's plan a #FamiliesBelongTogether event they can't ignore. Indivisible has some helpful instructions on how to execute such an event, here:   https://www.indivisible.org/resource/familiesbelongtogether-recess-action-toolkit/

8.     From one of our own:  Shortly after the 2016 election, the efforts to get Steve Bannon out of his prominent position included lots of folks sending postcards to the White addressed to "President Bannon," in order to poke Trump's ego by revealing that someone else was calling the shots. It might be a good idea to do that now with Stephen Miller, who is probably more dangerous than Bannon and has clearly been the architect of both the Muslim ban and the increasingly cruel border policies. I know getting rid of Miller, or getting Trump annoyed with him, will not solve anything, but it might throw sand in the gears, be a bit of resistance. 

9.      In a system that has shown no respect to them or their parents, children who have been separated from their parents, and are now in detention facilities, are forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in a language they do not understand as a sign of respect to our country.  https://www.bustle.com/p/migrant-children-separated-from-their-parents-are-being-forced-to-recite-the-pledge-of-allegiance-9580411  Let’s tell our MoCs that this irony, or as someone referred to it, this “calculated sadism” must not continue. 

10.  Satellite images from last week show that North Korea is making numerous improvements to the infrastructure at a nuclear research facility, according to a new study. The images, obtained by North Korea analysis outlet 38 North, come just weeks after President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed an agreement that called for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.  http://thehill.com/policy/international/394326-satellite-images-show-north-korea-upgrading-nuclear-research-facility. Let the WH know that we aren’t fooled by the PR stunt with North Korea. Let’s tell the WH that Trump’s photo op did nothing to keep us safer from Nuclear attack. 

Election 2018 – General

An election guide from Postcards for America:  In this Google doc (updated regularly), each State shows ALL Democratic Candidates running for Congress, Governor, Lt Gov, Attorney General, Secretary of State (if applicable) with links to their websites and Twitter. Each has a link to a Twitter Thread, a Shareable Facebook Post and a Document. For most States, there are also Info & Links for Voter Registrations, Absentee Ballots, Early Voting & Voter ID, Age Requirements and being a Poll Worker.  Let’s check this out and use and share it:  

1.       Postcards4VA is a grassroots initiative to flip Virginia blue by writing postcards to friends, neighbors, and voters throughout the state asking them to vote. For the 2018 Congressional midterm election, they are challenging volunteers to Write 180 postcards to help flip Congress 180 degrees.  We know that our postcards work to increase turnout.  Let's read more and sign up to write 180 cards, by ourselves or by having a postcard party, at Postcards4VA.org  We can write postcards from any state.

2.      As voting gets suppressed, it's vital to get mobilized to get more voters, and help them get registered with the proper IDs. This DemLabs StoryMap lists twenty resources and links to State Elections Boards. http://bit.ly/DemLabs_YourVoteCounts

Election 2018 – By State

1.       Upcoming voting dates and deadlines:

June 27
Rhode Island
Filing Deadline
June 29
Minnesota
Early voting begins
Primary
June 30
Vermont
Early voting begins
Primary
June 30
Wisconsin
In person absentee voting begins
Primary
July 2
Georgia
Early voting begins
runoffs
July 2
Alabama
Voter Registration Deadline
Runoffs
July 3
Tennessee
Voter Registration Deadline
Primary
July 6
Wyoming
In person absentee voting begins
Primary
(source:  by date:  https://goo.gl/gjFv2u by state:  https://goo.gl/7gTzvE)

2.      OR:  Introducing FLIP OREGON, a Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state Blue, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipOregon/

3.      PA:  Introducing FLIP PENNSYLVANIA, a Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state Blue, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here:  
4.      WV:  CORRECTED ADDRESS: Introducing FLIP WEST VIRGINIA, a Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state Blue, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipWV/

Other Actions

1.       Amid the very bad judicial news on Tuesday came some good news – a federal judge has ordered the end to family separation and, in addition, has ordered the reunification of separated families: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-aclu/us-urges-judge-not-to-require-reuniting-of-immigrant-families-idUSKBN1JM2JA  This is good news but it is not hard to imagine how this administration will wiggle around it and drag their feet while the trauma continues. Let’s get our bodies into the streets on Saturday to make it clear that we are not losing steam about the government kidnapping children:   https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/search/  And let’s each commit to inviting five other people to join us.

2.      The Supreme Court yesterday ruled against the state of California, and for anti-choice "crisis pregnancy centers" that often pretend to be women's health clinics (https://www.npr.org/2018/06/26/606427673/supreme-court-sides-with-california-anti-abortion-pregnancy-centers). California had passed a law requiring these centers to clearly announce the fact that they are not really health clinics, and that actual clinics with the full range of medical services are available free of charge elsewhere. By striking down California's law, the Supreme Court has signaled to anti-choice forces everywhere that they are free to undermine women's health by pretending to advance it. We can't undo the Supreme Court's decision, but we can take this moment to offer/renew our support for real women's health clinics by supporting Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/). We Shall Overcome.

3.      In another decision yesterday, the Supreme Court on ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that those public service workers—teachers, cops, nurses, firefighters, etc.—who are non-union members but nonetheless share in the wages, benefits, and protections negotiated in a collectively bargained contract cannot required to pay their fair share for the cost.  Justice Elena Kagan, summarizing her dissent, said “The majority overthrows a decision entrenched in this nation’s law — and in its economic life — for over 40 years. . .. it prevents the American people, acting through their state and local officials, from making important choices about workplace governance. And it does so by weaponizing the First Amendment, in a way that unleashes judges, now and in the future, to intervene in economic and regulatory policy.”  
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/27/606208436/supreme-court-deals-blow-to-government-unions.  We must lend our support to groups like the National Education Association, Fight for $15, Jobs With Justice, the Economic Policy Institute, People’s Climate Movement, SEIU, Working Families Party, AFT--Am. Federation of Teachers, and others who are fighting this assault on the unions.

4.      Vanessa Otero, the creator of the now-famous media bias chart, tell us how our food diet and our media diet need special attention.  http://www.allgeneralizationsarefalse.com/junk-food-and-junk-news-the-case-for-information-fitness/  Let’s use this guidance to help us improve our media diet.

5.      Ethel Kennedy, the 90-year old human rights advocate and widow of Bobby Kennedy, “will participate in the "Break Bread Not Families" hunger strike [in protest against President Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy.] The protest was organized by several activist groups including the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights non-profit and a number of prominent people are participating in the strike.”  http://thehill.com/homenews/news/394349-ethel-kennedy-joins-hunger-strike-against-trump-immigration-policies  Let’s consider joining the fast and thank Ethel Kennedy for her continued work in human rights.  We can reach her through Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights which is led by her daughter, Kerry:  info@rfkhumanrights.org or 1300 19th St. NW #750, Washington DC, 20036

6.      Postcards To Voters has released a new postcard design, now available from Amazon. The "Flying Banner" design features a banner and block that can be used for candidate and date information as well as a blank, uncoated side that's perfect for any letter or design we create.  A set of 100 postcards is $15 with free shipping included.  We can purchase them here.  The original "Be a Voter" design is also available for $13.50 for a set of 100 here.  Purchases of these postcards will help with this all-volunteer organization's operating costs.  

7.      After being held in a county jail awaiting trial for over a year, whistle-blower Reality Winner pleaded guilty in a plea deal to retaining and transmitting a document to an online news organization. She will serve a five-year prison sentence, compared to the 10 years she faced when she was indicted under the Espionage Act. Winner is the source behind a June 2017 Intercept story detailing National Security Agency reporting on Russian phishing attacks targeting U.S. state election officials.  Let's read more at The Intercept.  We can follow and support Stand With Reality, an effort led by Reality’s mother Billie Winner-Davis, friends of Reality’s, and dedicated volunteers and supporters. 

8.     The Florence Project is working with multiple indigenous children in AZ who are deaf and do not speak. These children were separated from their parents, do not know ASL and are low literacy. If we or anyone we know is a gestures expert or another expert who could assist in communication, let’s contact them:  https://firrp.org/who/contact/

9.      Sanctuary Homes, a project of Hand in Hand and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, has created a Playdate Protest Action Guide to help us organize protests at ICE offices and detention centers across the country. The Playdate Protest brings local families together in creative protest of family detention and ICE's cruel treatment of immigrants. Let's check out the guide, then organize an event in our own community. 

10.  Standing Rock water protectors are being convicted for their demonstrations in protesting the Dakota Access pipeline's route through sacred ground (https://bit.ly/2IxMxto). Let's make sure that these activists are not forgotten; we can check out the Water Protector Legal Collective for updates on the cases as they proceed through court, and we can also donate towards their legal funds.

11.   As we look for ways to help immigrants currently in crisis, we can refer to this state by state list of immigration resources.  We can also refer to this list of detention facilities where the children are currently being held. If we have additional information about a facility near us that has immigrant children who have been separated from their parents, we can send it here and it will be added to this List.  Email: postcardsforAmerica@outlook.com  We also need to get both photographs and DNA on these children, so a database can be formed and used to reunite them with their families.  We can ask our local congressperson, or governor to facilitate gaining access to make this happen.

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.       Today, June 28, in Washington, D.C., mass civil disobedience action against the family detention policy at the border sponsored by Women’s March and partners. More info here:   https://www.endfamilyseparation.us/

2.      Today, June 28, in Brownsville, TX, families, advocates, and allies will hold a rally beginning at 11am in the park across the street from the Brownsville Federal Court, where immigrants are being prosecuted en masse for crossing the border into the United States.  More information here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1834781589914906/ and here:   https://www.aclutx.org/en/events/families-belong-together-rally-border

3.      Tomorrow, June 29, at senator’s offices around the country, “lawyer moms around the country are organizing to gather at our senators’ offices and deliver an open letter stating our opposition to the current federal policy of separating migrant children from their parents.  Each of us would do anything to keep our children safe. Each of us swore an oath to defend the Constitution. We will not let this unconscionable practice stand on our watch. Join us. Let's make some noise.”  More info here at Lawyer Moms of America: https://www.facebook.com/events/1308273125973346/

4.      Tomorrow, June 29, 1-2pm EDT, the National Immigration Law Center is presenting a webinar on “The Muslim Ban Decision & Family Separations/Family Detention”.  We can use this link to RSVP:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6615756358483207169

5.      On Saturday, June 30, thousands across the nation are organizing with the theme “Families Belong Together” to demand Trump:  A) Immediately reverse the “zero-tolerance” policy which created this crisis, B) Reunite migrant children with their families., C) We will not tolerate trading children in cages for indefinite family camps, and D) Donald J. Trump and members of his administration will be held accountable for this horror. Let’s find an event to attend or create our own here: https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/search/ If we want to catch a bus to the DC event, we can find info here:  http://rallybus.net/families-belong-together-dc/

States


Find elected state officials: https://openstates.org/



1.       All:  The Rhode Island State Senate just passed H2612, a bill that would prevent the president from being on the ballot if he doesn’t release his tax returns in a vote of 34-3. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/rhode-island-bill-would-keep-trump-off-2020-ballot-unless-he-releases-his-tax-returns/ar-AAyZn19?ocid=sf. If we live in Rhode Island, let’s contact our state reps  and ask them to pass this bill and get it on the governor’s desk. Those of us in other states can ask our state legislators to introduce similar legislation.

2.      OH: Two representatives have introduced H658, a bill that would require teachers, therapists and other mandated reporters to inform parents if teens approach them with issues related to gender identity or gender dysphoria. Therapists and teachers who did not comply with the law would face a felony charge. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/06/26/bill-would-force-schools-report-trans-and-gender-nonconforming-kids/733835002/. While framed as a bill about “parental control,” this bill risks the safety and well-being of children whose parents do not support or understand transgender issues. Let’s join the Ohio Education Association and Equality Ohio in telling our state legislators that we strongly oppose this bill.

Reading/Watching

1.       From John Pavlovitz, writer, pastor, and activist, “So, Now You Want Civility?” - https://johnpavlovitz.com/2018/06/26/so-now-you-want-civility/

2.      “The resistance ramps up as pro-immigrant direct action breaks out nationwide” - https://wagingnonviolence.org/2018/06/nationwide-direct-action-breaks-out-family-separation/

3.      “Babies in cages were no ‘mistake’ by Trump but test-marketing for barbarism” - https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-trial-runs-for-fascism-are-in-full-flow-1.3543375

4.      "'ICE is Everywhere': Using Library Science to Map the Separation Crisis" - https://www.wired.com/story/ice-is-everywhere-using-library-science-to-map-child-separation/




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