6/28/18
Contact Federal Government Officials
********************************
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
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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