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8/15/19

The Rogan's List team is taking a break until after Labor Day.  This has been a long haul and we want to be rested for what is to come.  In the meantime, should you not want to take a break, please consider signing up and following 1) Jess Craven's Chop Wood Carry Water (https://bit.ly/2yZEsvj 
and/or https://www.facebook.com/ChopCarry/) , 2) Celeste Pewter's ICalledMyReps - Daily Call List (https://tinyletter.com/Celeste_pewter),  3) Michele Hornish's our Weekly Pep Talk & Action List! (https://smalldeedsdone.com/), and 4)  Jen Hoffman's Americans of Conscience Checklist (https://americansofconscience.com/8-11-2019/)


NATIONAL ISSUES




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FIGHTING ANTI-IMMIGRANT HATE: In this current peak of anti-immigrant violence, it is important to remember that the recent mass shootings don't happen in isolation but are part of a growing ecosystem of politically/socially sanctioned racism. Common-sense gun control addresses one important aspect of this, but we must fight all aspects of the problem. MoveOn has compiled a list of actions that regular people can complete, so let's get to work and help end the climate of fear and discrimination looming over immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in our country today. https://front.moveon.org/take-action-enough-anti-immigrant-violence

DEFEND HEALTH CARE RIGHTS: "The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that aims to dramatically weaken the Health Care Rights Law, a key component of the Affordable Care Act that prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, age, or disability. With this rule, transgender and nonbinary people, all women, and other communities historically marginalized in health care would lose protections from discrimination.”  Let’s stop this by submitting our public comment using this form provided by the ACLUhttps://action.aclu.org/petition/HHS-1557

IMMIGRATION/CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET: From executing family separation at the border, to holding immigrants under bridges and in tent cities, to widespread sexual abuse in child detention centers, and conducting large-scale raids, ICE and Border Patrol have been inflicting trauma on countless people. Still, the agencies see an increase in funding each year, particularly under the Trump administration. In order to push back against this, Indivisible is focusing on the August recess, then a September week of action from the 9th to the 13th, to pressure our MoC to #DefundHate and support funding cuts to ICE and Border Patrol for the next fiscal year. Let's check out the Defund Hate Toolkit for specific action ideas, then let's be sure to register an event for the Day of Action (September 13th), when Indivisibles around the country will be demanding that our MoC restore ICE and Border Patrol funding to what it was at the end of FY2016: https://act.indivisible.org/event/local-actions/create/ We can also sign up for updates by texting Defund Hate to 977-79.

TELL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO OPPOSE THE CHANGES TO PUBLIC CHARGE:  From one of our own:  Congress has the power to block the regulation’s implementation, and the House of Representatives is already taking action to protect families. The No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act, sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu (D-California), has more than 40 cosponsors and is endorsed by key advocates. As its name suggests, the bill would block funding of the regulation’s implementation. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) intends to introduce companion legislation after the congressional recess. “As a pediatrician, this public charge regulation is an assault on my professional role—I am unsure how to guide families when I know that enrollment in bread and butter services that keep them healthy could jeopardize the family unity. This final rule serves to further intimidate and frighten families who seek needed services to keep them healthy and productive. Taken together with other looming harmful proposals, these actions will have detrimental consequences on immigrant health and well-being,” said Julie Linton, MD, FAAP, Chair, American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Immigrant Child and Family Health.”  https://www.nilc.org/2019/08/12/advocates-vow-to-block-trump-attack-on-millions-of-families-and-american-democracy/

DISABILITY RIGHTS: Early last year, the republican-controlled House passed H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act, a rollback on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which would have created unnecessary challenges in the litigation process for those with disabilities who wish to file a complaint against a business not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (https://www.rollcall.com/news/policy/house-passes-bill-critics-say-undermine-disability-rights). It also removed incentives for those businesses to comply with the ADA. Fortunately, the bill died in the Senate. However, Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA-42) has reintroduced this legislation, as H.R. 4099Let's be sure to call our representatives in the House and remind them that we do not support this bill, and that it is on should not be on disabled individuals to educate businesses on ADA requirements.

IMMIGRATION- PRESSURING COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT ICE: From Sleeping Giants: Deloitte U.S. CEO Dan Helfrich is sitting on $104 million worth of contracts with ICE. He's also on the board for an organization called Street Soccer USA. Street Soccer USA is dedicated to fighting poverty and empowering underserved communities by introducing them to soccer. Last year, Soccer Street CEO Lawrence Cann announced their new national board members - including Dan - by saying: “Our commitment to our communities is long term. Our cup series and our new national board are part of building and sustaining that long-term commitment. In today’s environment, where immigrant communities feel under threat, it’s more important than ever that we build strong community institutions..." Today, we're reaching out to Lawrence to let him know that Dan's involvement with ICE and family separation should be a deal breaker. Contact: Lawrence Cann, CEO at Street Soccer USA, Email: lawrence@streetsoccerusa.org We can use the template available at Sleeping Giants here.

TELLING MIGRANT CHILDREN’S PERSONAL STORIES: Amplify the Children is providing declarations from detained migrant children and asking the community to amplify their stories in in a number of easy ways. Let’s consider getting involved in this very important project. 

BARR SHOULD RECUSE HIMSELF INJEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE: As the saga around alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s supposed suicide continues, one thing is clear. Attorney General William Barr should not be handling the case. In addition to what is looking more and more like an obvious cover-up, this article in Time Magazine gives clear legal and ethical reasons why Barr should recuse himself.  Let’s contact the Department of Justice (202-353-1555; 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20530-0001; website form; Facebook; Twitter: @TheJustice Dept.) and demand Barr’s recusal. Let’s also contact our MoCs and ask them to demand Barr’s recusal.

RACISM AT USCIS (KEN CUCCINELLI):  Acting Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ken Cuccinelli, started a wretched tear of racism by rewriting the New Colossus poem that is at the base of the Statue of Liberty and then, when pushed later, said that the poem is really about only Europeans coming to the United States:  https://apnews.com/290fe000b4584ddca46a6eb36a74a703  Cuccinelli’s white supremacy makes him wildly unfit for this role. Let’s call for his resignation:  publicengagementfeedback@uscis.dhs.gov  and on Twitter at @USCISCuccinelli

 MORE VILENESS FROM STEVE KING: Notoriously racist Congressman Steve King (R-IA) took a new tack today and questioned whether there would be any world population left if not for incest and rape:  Steve King challenger: 'Rape and incest' comments don't reflect Iowan values   Let’s call for King’s resignation: 
https://steveking.house.gov  or on Twitter at @SteveKingIA  and support his Democratic opponent, JD Scholten:   https://www.scholten4iowa.com

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Planned Parenthood said Wednesday that it will  leave the federal family planning program unless a court puts a hold on new rules that bar clinics from referring patients for abortions; the administration says it is ready to operate the Title X family planning program without them, although Planned Parenthood has been its largest provider--about 4 million women are served nationwide under the program. It is unclear how many patients would be affected were Planned Parenthood to leave. Claiming the administration’s new policy is “unethical and dangerous,” amounting to a “gag rule” on clinicians, Planned Parenthood said it “will be forced to withdraw” on Monday unless the full court intervenes: 
https://www.apnews.com/7db4a0d937f24010845f7caeeb2a1ebd  Let’s send our support and, if possible, our donations to Planned Parenthood as they defend our right to crucial reproductive care and information:

DOWNLOAD AND SHARE THE MASSIVE WORKPLACE RAIDS ACTION TOOLKIT:  In these dangerous times for our immigrant friends, families and neighbors, it is good to be ready to take action on their behalf. Before, or even when, an ICE raid happens, we can turn to this Toolkit prepared by The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, which covers key steps to take like building a robust legal defense, supporting the affected families and organizing the community and more. When we click this link, we can check out the Massive Workplace Raids Toolkit, learn from it, then share with our groups and our friends.

DEFUND PRIVATE PRISONS:  From one of our own:  Let’s help defund private prisons. Does your state or Local government contract with CoreCivic and GEO?
Read @KristinMinkDC’s article to find out. https://medium.com/@kristinmink/state-local-government-contracts-with-corecivic-and-geo-ba04dbb5b171  Let’s:  Postcard. Call. Protest. Get Loud. Write letters to the editor. (also one new in MI:  https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2019/05/private-prison-to-reopen-to-house-non-us-citizen-criminals.html ) 

ELECTION/VOTING

ELECTION SECURITY: Despite all that’s surfaced on election irregularities, eight states are still planning to use paperless ballots with no tracking systems in 2020. https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/457168-report-says-eight-states-to-use-paperless-voting-in-2020-despite?userid=200565. Let’s tell Moscow Mitch (Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell) (202-224-2541) and our Senators that this is unacceptable, and they must pass measures that guarantee that every U.S. vote is trackable. If we live in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky or New Jersey, let’s contact our state legislators, our governor, and the Board of Elections and demand trackable ballots. 

ELECTION SECURITY: “No debate on Election Security should go forward without first agreeing that Voter ID (Identification) must play a very strong part in any final agreement. Without Voter ID, it is all so meaningless!”  So, Trump tweeted on Tuesday as Democrats pressured Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring two election security bills to the Senate; both have passed in the House.  The House legislation requires the use of paper ballots, funds the Election Assistance Commission, and mandates candidates, campaign officials, and their family members to notify the FBI if foreign governments offer assistance:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/457340-trump-voter-id-must-play-very-strong-part-in-deal-on-election  Our senators must resist Trump’s efforts to disenfranchise us and, apparently, be told that we expect them to guarantee our votes by demanding that McConnell bring election security to a vote.

FAIR FIGHT 2020:  “After spending the beginning of 2019 mulling a presidential run and ruling out a run for Senate, Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams announced a new multi-million dollar initiative on Tuesday that's aimed at beefing up voter protection operations in 20 battleground states throughout the 2020 election cycle.” https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/stacey-abrams-launches-multi-million-dollar-voter-protection/story?id=64952124  Let’s check this out and see how we can help:  https://fairfight.com/fair-fight-2020/ 

STATE/LOCAL

MOST: TELL GOVERNOR TO TAKE A PUBLIC STAND ON FAMILY SEPARATION: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has put out a call for ICE to cease all arrests that result in child separation in his state. https://m.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/gov-wolf-calls-for-ice-to-cease-all-arrests-that-result-in-child-separation-in-pa/. Let’s ask our governor to demand that ICE cease arrests that lead to family separations in our state. 

MANY:  COAL-BURNING POWER PLANTS: “A coalition of 22 Democratic-led states has sued the Trump administration over its decision to ease restrictions on coal-fired power plants.”  https://www.wkar.org/post/michigan-joins-21-states-suing-trump-administration-over-new-coal-rules?   ( the NYT now says 29 states:  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/climate/states-lawsuit-clean-power-ace.html) As Michigan’s attorney general, Dana Nessel, posted on her Facebook page on 9/13, “Climate change is real. And very bad. I look forward to having someone in the White House who appreciates this concept again. This is not a political statement. It’s science.”  Let’s make sure our states are part of this coalition and if they are not, ask why and tell them to get on board.  

MANY:  ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT:  “Massachusetts and California say they’ll go to court to fight the Trump administration’s overhaul of the Endangered Species Act.  https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/08/12/endangered-species-act-trump-lawsuit-massachusetts-healey/  If we live in any other state, let’s tell our governor that we want our state to be part of this fight. 

CA: TELL GOVERNOR NEWSOM TO DROP HIS PRO CHARTER SCHOOL AMENDMENTS:  Our State Legislature has passed a strong Charter School Accountability Bill, but Governor Newsom has added amendments that weaken it significantly, undermining the ability of local school boards to deny a charter. Local school districts with publicly elected school board members must have sole authorizing ability, as they are best familiar with enrollment trends, family demographics, facilities’ needs, and other details of day-to-day school administration. We can demand locally elected public school board oversight by calling Governor Newsom 916-445-2841 to backout his amendments that water down AB1505 and let state Senators approve a strong Charter Accountability bill! We can use this script when we call: Governor Newsom, I am a parent/ community member and support local school control and strong charter school accountability found in the Assembly version of AB1505. I DO NOT support the amendments you pushed on behalf of the California Charter Schools Association. Please recall those changes and sign into law robust Charter Accountability that ALL California families deserve!”

CA: FIND NEW STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS AT EDUCATORS AGAINST ICE WORKSHOP:  Educators in Northern CA, aware of how ICE threatens our undocumented students and their families, can learn better ways to protect them at the Educators Against ICE Conference on Saturday, September 14, 2019. We can network with community organizers, foster collaboration, learn anti-enforcement and advocacy strategies. We can also invite our colleagues so that 2-3 educators from one campus or region can work together. A series of interactive workshops and lunch will be provided. We can click this link to find out more about The Educators Against ICE Fall Conference and then, if we wish, apply by the deadline, August 19th, 2019 at 5pm  https://docs.google.com/document/d/12LzuxHORwv2pAUGugA5-I-ABM3CYMqWP43ysW8KDH0E

MI: IMMIGRATION: Each September, PeaceQuest celebrates the International Day of Peace through community-wide events and activities which help us learn how to continue to promote peace. On September 28th, PeaceQuest will be hosting All Faith Alliance for Refugees' day-long Greater Lansing Refugee Summit: Expanding Welcome & Advocacy, where we can learn how to better advocate for refugees. We can learn more about this event and others on the event schedule, then let's be sure to show up for at least one activity:

RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS

NATIONAL NETWORK ASSEMBLY:  The first National Network Assembly, made up of hundreds of local grassroots leaders and organizers from around the country is happening in Des Moines, IA, August 22 to 25.   https://mailchi.mp/thedemlabs/nationalnetworkassembly  There will be workshops, sessions, and meetings in which participants will strategize, plan, and learn skills to take home to their groups.  The 2019 National Network Assembly will strengthen the connective tissue between grassroots groups by bridging multiple networks and organizations that represent over 1,000 leaders across all 50 states.  We can find more information, register to attend, and donate to the scholarship fund here: https://www.nationalnetworkassembly.org/ We can use this document to invite others to attend:   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oKWdGLESqQYFVIa3JXQrtsXO9zrZv7ihCdGfnmSZ0-M/edit

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE—Young people around the world are taking to the streets September 20-27, 2019, to end the regime of fossil fuels. Young or old, we can get involved here: https://globalclimatestrike.net/ and here:  https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/us-climate-strikes/ If we organize our own climate strike event, we can include voter registration with the help of the Environmental Voter Project: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/

NATIONAL PROTEST – WE THE PEOPLE MARCH:  As we have been inspired these past couple months by the examples set by the citizens of Hong Kong, Russia, and the Czech Republic regarding the power of protest, we have a chance to come together to say “Enough” about the degradation of our nation and the office of the President. Amy Siskind and a group of volunteers have set up a march on Washington D.C. and other cities across the country for September 21. “We the People are marching to be seen and heard. We are marching to remind our elected officials that they work for us. We are marching because the current regime is a threat to our democracy and values. We are marching to demand action. Silence and inaction are complicity.”  The website and registration page for the We The People March  had the fortunate problem of heavy traffic with their registration page and have switched to a new system to handle the flow: https://wethepeoplemarch.org  Let’s plan to travel to Washington for this if we are able to do so to and also sign-up to receive updates. If we are not able to attend, let’s find or created a solidarity march (details at website) We need a strong visual statement that we the people will not abide these lavish abuses to our nation.

READING/WATCHING

The Case That Made an Ex-ICE Attorney Realize the Government Was Relying on False “Evidence” Against Migrants - https://www.propublica.org/article/laura-pena-gang-database-the-case-that-made-an-ex-ice-attorney-realize-the-government-was-relying-on-false-evidence-against-migrants

Trump Administration Seeks Decertification Of Immigration Judges' Union - https://www.npr.org/2019/08/12/750656176/trump-administration-seeks-decertification-of-immigration-judges-union

The FBI Told Congress Domestic Terror Investigations Led to 90 Recent Arrests. It Wouldn’t Show Us Records of Even One - https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-domestic-terrorism-arrest-data


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We can stay up to date on Congress by checking out their schedules. a) The House publishes a weekly schedule at The Weekly Leader (published and dated Friday) as well as daily schedules at The Daily Leader. b) The Senate updates their schedule daily at the Senate Floor Schedule




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