Contact Federal Government Officials
Fax legislators for free:
or use
Resistbot: https://resist.bot/
White House contact: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house
********************************
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.
Now that
we know children can hack our election systems, it is imperative that we switch
to paper ballots everywhere until we can be assured that our systems are
totally safe. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-10/advocates-say-paper-ballots-are-safest Let’s contact our MoCs and ask them to co-sponsor,
support and vote for the Protecting American Votes and Elections (PAVE) Act (S.
3049/H.R.
6093). With all we know now, there is not excuse
these bills are still languishing in committee.
2.
Along
the same line, in a town in Georgia with 276 registered voters, 670 ballots
were cast. https://www.mcclatchydc.com/latest-news/article216056560.html This is under the watch of Brian Kemp, Georgia
Secretary of State, who refuses to resign his position while he is running for
governor against Democrat Stacey Adams. Let’s contact
Kemp and
demand his resignation. Let’s also ask our MoCs to put forth legislation that
mandates paper ballots.
3.
Despite
many organizations coming out against his confirmation, including NAACP, National Education Association,
the National Immigration Law Center, National
Women's Law Center, Fight
for the Future, Human
Rights Campaign, NARAL, Americans United, Alliance
for Justice,
Leadership Conference, Lambda Legal, Anti-Defamation League, AFL-CIO, Everytown
for Gun Safety, Sierra Club,
and all
these health organizations, Brett Kavanaugh’s hearing to become the
next Supreme Court Justice begins on Sept. 4.
If the reasons these organizations provide are not enough to block his
confirmation, or the fact that all of the necessary documentation for his
confirmation will not be available by that date, let’s tell our senators that
we do not want any confirmations while Trump is under investigation.
4.
The
Endangered Species Act has saved species from humpback whales to bald eagles -
but it's not necessarily in the best interest of big business, so the Trump
Administration is coming after it (https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/11/news/economy/endangered-species-act-reform/index.html).
We can leave public comments opposing this change at Regulations.Gov
here: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0009-0001.
5.
Abandoning
the cover that their anti-immigrant policies were about the rule of law, the
Trump Administration is reportedly planning to make it more difficult for legal
immigrants to get citizenship for using programs that help them get a good
education or health care for their kids (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/now-trump-administration-wants-limit-citizenship-legal-immigrants-n897931).
The change to "public charge" rules could be formally proposed any
day. We can find ways to fight back at https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/takeaction/.
6.
Audrey
Larson, a 14-year-old inventor from Connecticut, has designed a foldable
bulletproof wall to protect students during school shootings. “It’s a foldable
two-panel barrier that comes out of the wall for kids to hide behind in the
event of a lockdown and, ultimately, in the event of a school shooting,”
Larson said Monday on "Good Morning America." “It's
really scary to just think about," Larson said. "And that's kind of
what sparked that idea. Some of my friends were having anxiety about being at
school and I don't think that's fair to any kid." Her invention won awards
at the Connecticut Invention Convention and the National Invention Convention
and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE), ABC news reports. She is now working to
secure a patent for her design. http://thehill.com/homenews/news/401571-14-year-old-designs-bulletproof-wall-to-protect-students-during-school. Wow,
a 14-year-old has to create this as a science project because the GOP won’t
take action to pass sensible gun control laws. Let’s keep the pressure on
our MoCs.
7.
The Rev.
Dr. William Barber of Repairers of the Breach and the Poor People’s Campaign tweeted
yesterday, “Sadly, we are witnessing not so much the meaness of Trump as the
hypocrisy of the Republican Congress. Imagine Obama calling any woman a dog. Do
you think he would get a black privilege pass like Trump Is getting a white
privilege pass?” Let’s ask our GOP MoCs
this question.
8.
When the
current Congressional recess ends, there will be only 11 legislative days to
debate and vote to renew the Violence Against Women Act (H.R.
6545)
before it expires on September 30. This law provides funding for many
programs that address this grave problem but faces increasing opposition from
the GOP. http://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/401257-vawa-reauthorization-even-if-the-democrats-lose-they-win While
our MoCs are back home, let's tell them how important renewal of this important
law is: Democratic reps need to hold strong on not compromising key parts of
VAWA, and Republican reps need to get on the right side of this issue by
co-sponsoring H.R. 6545 and voting for it.
9.
In an
op-ed piece and
on a radio show, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has put the blame for California
wildfires on “environmental terrorist” groups saying that logging would alleviate
some of the problem. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/401736-zinke-environmental-terrorist-groups-responsible-for-california It has been determined that humans cause 95%
of these fires, not always intentionally.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/08/news-california-wildfire-arson-human-cause/ Zinke’s words are part of a bigger scheme
that’s been in the pipeline for years--to open up more sensitive areas, such as
Sequoia National Monument, for logging. The Sierra Club is conducting a
national campaign to make sure this doesn’t happen. We can find out more and
sign the petition here. Let’s
also tell Zinke that we should concentrate on ways to ameliorate the causes of
these fires rather than finding ways to line industry pockets.
10. The Union of Concerned Scientists reminds us:
“Don't forget August 16 is the last day to submit a public comment on
the EPA's restricted science proposal. Learn more on why the EPA should not
restrict the science they use to protect us at act.ucsusa.org/RestrictedScience, or
submit a comment directly at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OA-2018-0259.”
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.
From Postcards to Voters: We
receive inquiries all the time from volunteers wanting to meet others near them
and write #PostcardsToVoters together. Here's a chance for you to meet new
volunteers who live near you. If they write to us (or post online) asking for a
nearby writing event, we can refer to the list of events and try to match them up,
If you have an upcoming one-time event or if you have a recurring event, please
submit the details to us using this form:
https://goo.gl/QAL9oA
Election
2018 – By State
1.
Upcoming
voting dates and deadlines:
|
August 17
|
New York (state)
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary
|
|
August 18
|
Florida
|
Early Voting Begins
|
Primary
|
|
August 20
|
Wyoming
|
In person absentee voting ends
|
Primary
|
|
August 21
|
Wyoming
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary (same day registration)
|
|
August 21
|
Alaska
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
August 21
|
Wyoming
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
August 23
|
Oklahoma
|
Early Voting begins
|
Runoffs
|
|
August 25
|
Oklahoma
|
Early voting ends
|
Runoffs
|
|
August 25
|
Guam
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
August 25
|
Florida
|
Early Voting ends
|
Primary
|
(source: by date:
https://goo.gl/gjFv2u by state:
https://goo.gl/7gTzvE)
2.
Upcoming Primaries:
A)
Tuesday, 8/28
Other
Actions
1. Resistance
is a hard, long slog. But it is uplifting, too. Let’s read this poem of
inspiration: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cyq2-CVVlw_Pe9E5ojlS0cclWvkM0s1DrvAjTqvKPPA/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs (Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2018/07/25/stop-wondering-whos-going-to-save-us-from-trump/?utm_term=.75de5b41e353 )
2. While
this year's Unite the Right 2 rally had a significantly
smaller turnout than last year, we should not take
that as an indicator that the fight against white nationalism and supremacy has
been won. Instead, let's make sure that we are doing our part at the local
level to confront white supremacy in our communities. Indivisible has created a guide, including a great
list of resources, to help us both identify our own privilege, as well as to
stand up to white supremacy. Let's read
through the guide, then go through the additional resources,
and commit to taking anti-racist steps to work towards racial justice and
achieving a more equitable community.
3.
Let's
support Puerto Rico and pass on this news! "Critics of the Trump
administration's response to the hurricanes that ravaged Puerto Rico last
year are launching a seven-figure campaign to mobilize displaced Puerto Rican
voters ahead of the midterm elections – and planning big demonstrations in New
York and Florida to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Maria." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-coalition-plans-7-figure-campaign-aimed-at-puerto-rican-voters/ Let's
follow and support the groups behind this initiative, Latino Victory
Project http://latinovictory.us and
Power4PuertoRico https://www.power4puertorico.com.
And go to the protests, if we can!
4. From
one of our own: FLIPCivics is a Facebook page for gov 101 - type
posts designed to spark interest in and raise the level of civics
literacy. (Some original content also tweets and posts from others will be
shared if they relate to civics ed.) It will be shared via the FLIP nation
network. Please share posts to your networks to help broaden their reach and
intended effect.
5. Earlier
this month, 18-year-old Sergio Salazar, a DREAMer who has been in the country
since he was two years old, was taking part in a peaceful anti-ICE protest and
was arrested. https://theintercept.com/2018/08/07/fbi-pressed-detained-anti-ice-activist-for-information-on-protests-offering-immigration-help Let's call the DHS at 202-282-8495 and say:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m from [CITY, STATE] and I'm calling to demand
the immediate release of Dreamer Sergio Salazar from the Webb County Detention
Center in Laredo, Texas, his "A" number is 207-966-313. Attacks on
non-violent peaceful protestors is an unethical and immoral treatment of immigrants
by ICE and DHS. Thanks! (h/t Chop Wood/Carry Water)
6. Joseph
Curatone, the mayor of Somerville, MA has announced that he is boycotting Sam
Adams beer, a Massachusetts local favorite, after the co-founder of the company
publicly thanked Trump for tax cuts. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/401754-massachusetts-mayor-boycotting-sam-adams-beer-after-its. Let’s follow the mayor’s example
and tell Sam Adams that we are boycotting any company that expresses public
support for this administration and its cruel policies against hard-working
immigrant families. We can contact Sam Adams on their website, their Facebook page, or via Twitter @SamuelAdamsbeer.
7. Donald
Trump is again tearing apart families- this time with a proposal that, if it
moves forward, would target legal immigrants who make less than $63,000 a year
and their children. Trump is punishing people who wait years for a visa to come
to America, work hard, and build a better life for themselves and their family.
As many as 100 million people in the U.S. would fail themselves. Trump's
anti-immigrant attacks put families in danger. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/now-trump-administration-wants-limit-citizenship-legal-immigrants-n897931 Let’s
go to Protecting Immigrant Families to learn about how we can get involved in
the effort to defeat this anticipated rule.
8. New
books we should be aware of: Unapologetic:
A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, by Charlene
Carruthers, community organizer, educator, and founding national director of
the Black Youth Project 100 and The Truth
About Social Security by Social Security expert and founder of Social
Security Works Nancy Altman
9. Computing
technology shapes our lives now more than ever before, but the subject of
ethics in computing is still in its infancy. As in so many technological
endeavors, capability outraces judgment, which creates danger. The world's
largest organization of computer scientists and engineers, the Association for
Computing Machinery, has updated its code of ethics for computing professionals.
https://theconversation.com/programmers-need-ethics-when-designing-the-technologies-that-influence-peoples-lives-100802 If
we think that computing systems ought to be designed to minimize
discrimination, exclusion, harassment, and other socially destructive effects,
we should be pushing both educational institutions and businesses to teach and
adopt these new rules. A good start would be to ask our local high
school, or our local college CS department, if they plan to incorporate the
ACM's code into their curricula.
Marches/events/webinars/TwitterStorms to
attend/organize
1.
On Thursday, August 16, join hundreds of
volunteers for a host call to learn how you can plan a successful Organizing
for '18 House Party on Saturday, August 25 at 8PM EDT, and start mobilizing
folks to volunteer for crucial campaigns this fall, and make their voices heard
at the polls this November. We can sign
up for the webinar here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4c4n3bQmROGtDI1PKRMpPw
2.
Sunday, August 19, at 8pm we can all join in
a TwitterStorm to defeat Kavanaugh. More information here where we can also find a
tweetsheet and a toolkit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1650660501726704/
3.
Evidence is piling up that Brett Kavanaugh cannot
be trusted to protect the right to choose or check executive power (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/29/us/brett-kavanaugh-signing-statements.html). So activists across the country are coming
together for a 50-state day of action against his nomination on August 26th.
Let’s find an event near us or start our own here.
4.
Experts say we are already starting to see the
impacts of climate change playing out in real time with extreme weather
patterns: (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/27/extreme-global-weather-climate-change-michael-mann). We cannot wait for action. On September
8th, people all over the world are coming together in a coordinated call
for local action for the climate, jobs and justice. We can find a Rise for Climate event near us here, or we can sign up to organize our own.
5.
On September 22 there will be a protest
at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago in Florida in commemoration of the first anniversary of
Hurricane Maria:
http://thehill.com/latino/401578-trumps-mar-a-lago-to-be-greeted-with-massive-protest-on-hurricane-maria-anniversary Let’s put this on our calendars
if we will be nearby.
States
1.
MOST: The California Senate Public Safety
Committee has voted to approve AB 931, a bill to address police officers' use of deadly
force by changing the standard from "reasonable" to
"necessary" (http://sacobserver.com/2018/06/ca-senate-public-safety-committee-passes-of-bill-restricting-use-of-force-video/). While this is an important step, the bill also
needs to be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee before it proceeds
to a full Senate vote. If we are in California, let's call our senators and
voice our support for this bill. For those of us in other states, let's call
our state legislators and ask them to introduce and support similar legislation
to help limit the use of force.
2.
MOST: Overturning citizen ballot initiatives seems
to be the Republican strategy-of-the-moment, no matter the vote: in DC, for
example, voters approved, by a 12-point margin, raising the minimum wage of
restaurant workers to $15/hour, but within a day, a city council member tried
to overturn this result. https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/The-Daily-202-By-overturning-ballot-initiatives-13154541.php These
attempts to override the will of voters is happening all over the country—and
we need to try to stop it wherever we are.
Reading/Watching
1.
Red Hats and White Hoods - https://johnpavlovitz.com/2018/08/13/red-hats-and-white-hoods
2.
Norm Eisen of Citizens for Responsibility and
Ethics in Washington (CREW) tells us about Presidential pardons and
obstruction of justice - https://www.brookings.edu/blog/unpacked/2018/08/13/unpacked-presidential-pardons-and-obstruction-of-justice/
3.
The
Teen-Agers Fighting for Climate Justice - https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-teen-agers-fighting-for-climate-justice
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