10/31/19
NATIONAL
ISSUES
(Including Emails & Twitter)
Fax
legislators for free:
Or use Resistbot: https://resist.bot/
Or use StampsLicked to
have messages hand-delivered to our own legislators: https://stampslicked.org/
White
House contact: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house
|
IMPEACHMENT:
The drips are getting more
frequent and louder in the Impeachment Inquiry against Trump. On Tuesday,
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman testified that the “transcript” of Trump’s
call to Ukraine was missing some key words:
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/468048-white-house-official-says-transcript-of-ukraine-call-omitted-key-phrases
The House will vote today on going ahead with a full-scale impeachment process. Let’s
continue our own drip, drip, drip of regular contact with our MoC to demand
that this clearly corrupt president be impeached. We can find where our House member stands by sending
the message ‘Impeachment’ to Common Cause on Facebook.
THANKING
DEM LEADERS: Speaker of the
House Nancy Pelosi and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff are
taking a lot of heat as the Impeachment Inquiry progresses: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/pelosi-wants-americans-see-trial-donald-trump-n1073686 Let’s
take a moment to thank them for their tireless leadership in hard
times: https://pelosi.house.gov and https://schiff.house.gov
CONDEMN
REPUBLICAN SENATORS FOR RESOLUTION AGAINST IMPEACHMENT: Even as the evidence against Trump becomes more
and more damning, Republicans are continuing to defend him. A Senate resolution
condemning the House Impeachment process currently has the support of 50
Republican Senators. Only Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mitt
Romney (R-UT) have not signed on. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/467954-mcconnell-gop-will-see-if-pelosis-impeachment-resolution-passes-the-smell.
Let’s contact our Republican Senators and demand that they listen to the
evidence and take it seriously, rather than simply looking for loopholes to
defend the President. We should ask them if they would have the same stance if
a Democrat were in the White House and ask them how they possibly can serve as
impartial jurors if they are discounting anything that has been revealed.
IMPEACHMENT: From Indivisible: "As of today, more than
500 Indivisible volunteers have officially made 250,000 Hubdialer calls to
friendly voters in key states and connected them with their Republican senators
on impeachment. We’re setting up to make more than 1 million calls -- and we’re
well on our way thanks to you but we need more of you to pitch in an hour of
your time and sign up for a shift this week." Let's join
Indivisible volunteers across the country, and sign up for a shift connecting
voters with their senators to demand a fair and complete impeachment trial:
NATIVE
AMERICAN HISTORY: Thanksgiving
in the United States is quickly approaching, and with it come "First
Thanksgiving" re-enactments in schools, among other celebrations that deny
our country's brutal treatment of Native Americans both in the past, and still today. Let's make sure we educate ourselves
on the violence and trauma that Native Americans have endured. Vox has created
a video which explores the forced assimilation of Native American children that
we can watch here, then let's learn more about the realities of the First Thanksgiving. Finally, for the educators among us,
and for parents and caregivers who would like to start a dialogue with the
educators in their lives, let's check out Teaching Tolerance's resources
for Teaching Thanksgiving in a Socially Responsible Way.
THE PLIGHT
OF CHILDREN: A new report
indicates that the number of uninsured children in the US has increased by over
400,000 in the Trump years, from 2016 to 2018; this increase in rates is 3
times larger in states that have not expanded Medicaid than in those that
have: https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2019/10/29/the-number-of-uninsured-children-in-on-the-rise-acs/ Likewise,
the U.S. has detained more unaccompanied minors trying to cross the
southwestern border in the past year than ever recorded: https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/department-of-homeland-security/468025-us-detains-record-75000-minors
or
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/world/americas/unaccompanied-minors-border-crossing.html We
need to impress on our MoCs and our state representatives that we hold them
accountable for this failure to protect children, immigrant or otherwise, from
the dangers of disease and deportation.
CALIFORNIA
FIRES AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS: From one of our own: While
California burns, let's take the time to write to news organizations
(especially those we use regularly) to tell them that any reporting on the
fires that doesn't contextualize them within the current climate crisis is both
incomplete and dangerous.
https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/california_wildfires_2019_climate_change.php We
can find names, addresses and phone numbers to major news outlets here:
PUBLIC HEALTH
SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM SHUT DOWN:
“The United States Agency for International Development created the Predict
project 10 years ago in response to 2005's H5N1 bird flu scare. Through the
$207 million initiative, researchers have identified more than 1,000 new
viruses and trained about 5,000 people in Africa and Asia to conduct biological
testing for virus identification. Many
public health experts are concerned the program's closure will hinder global
efforts to prevent emerging diseases.” https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/health/predict-usaid-viruses.html
and https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/government-cuts-research-program-for-emerging-diseases.html Let’s ask our MoCs to legislate this
program back into existence for the sake of global health.
PRESSURE
CAR COMPANIES TO SUPPORT CALIFORNIA’S RIGHT FO LOWER EMISSION STANDARDS: General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan,
Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Isuzu, Suzuki, Maserati, McLaren, Aston-Martin and
Ferrari have chosen to side with the administration in a lawsuit challenging
California’s right to set lower auto emission standards. In contrast, BMW,
Ford, Volkswagen and Honda are siding with California. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/automakers-side-with-trump-in-legal-fight-with-california
Let’s contact these companies and either thank them for being on the side of
the environment, or ask them to change their position, if they aren’t. And if
we currently own their products, let’s make sure to let them know that we will
consider their stance on this issue when it’s time for us to buy our next
vehicle.
TELL
ZUCKERBERG TO STOP ALLOWING POLITICIANS TO LIE ON FACEBOOK: Under the CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s latest rule
change, politicians’ posts and ads don’t have to follow the rules that ours do
so candidates are free to promote lies, conspiracy theories and propaganda
unchecked. In 2016, Facebook was an extremely powerful platform for
disseminating harmful misinformation. In 2020, under these rules, it
will be even worse. Alarmed Facebook employees have written a protest letter
about this disastrous move which we can read here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/technology/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-letter.html
and https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/28/facebook-employees-vs-ad-lies/
We can call or email Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to demand that he
stop the spread of lies and disinformation: Email: zuck@fb.com We can also
click here to demand that Facebook stop giving politicians a
broad influential platform to spread lies and misinformation. Politicians
on Facebook MUST follow the same rules on content and advertisements as every
other user. Facebook must correct this policy now: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-facebook-end-the-trump-exemption
PRESSURE
FACEBOOK TO CHANGE ITS STANCE ON POLITICAL ADVERTISING: Twitter just announced that it will not accept
paid political advertisements. https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/30/twitter-dropping-all-political-ads-000308.
CEO Jack Dorsey claimed, “We believe political message reach should be earned,
not bought." Meanwhile Facebook has stated that it will accept political
advertisements, even when the company knows that they contain misinformation. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-can-lie-in-facebook-ads-but-no-profanity-cursing-2019-10.
Let’s thank Twitter (@Twitter) for putting integrity before profits and keep calling on Facebook to change its
stance.
WELCOME
BLANKETS FOR REFUGEES & OTHER IMMIGRANTS: “The Welcome Blanket Project aims to connect people already living in
the United States with our country’s newest immigrants through stories and
handmade blankets, providing symbolic and literal comfort and warmth.” https://www.welcomeblanket.org/welcome If
we knit, crochet, or quilt, let’s get involved in making a Welcome Blanket for
newcomers to America: https://www.welcomeblanket.org/
CLIMATE
CHANGE, FIRE MANAGEMENT, & INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Most of us
feel like the world is out of balance. Our social, political, and ecological
systems aren't working as they should, and research is now showing that many of
these maladies are interconnected, such that the legacies of colonialism and
racism can result in the larger, hotter, and more frequent wildfires
we see today (https://theconversation.com/what-western-states-can-learn-from-native-american-wildfire-management-strategies-120731). So,
let's remember that fighting for equality means fighting inequality everywhere.
ELECTION/VOTING
TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 5 IS AN ELECTION DAY IN MANY LOCATIONS: Getting
out the vote is the most important thing we can do at this point, especially
our vote. Let’s find out how making a
plan can turn this into a reality: https://politicalcharge.org/2019/10/30/make-a-plan-to-vote-3-steps-to-boost-turnout/
UPCOMING
2019 ELECTIONS: In order to keep track of upcoming elections,
we can use this from Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Elections_calendar
HELP “GRANDMOTHERS IN ACTION” GROW—Grandmothers in Action
is a get-out-the-vote postcarding group founded in 2008 that targets Democratic
women aged 60 and older in swing states and swing districts. Their thoughtfully
messaged postcard templates are intended to be printed on canary yellow cardstock,
with volunteers (us!) supplying stamps and handwriting the addresses and a
personal message on each card. In preparation for the 2020 presidential and
senate campaigns, Grandmothers in Action is looking to expand their
network. To join the Grandmothers and perhaps also start your own
postcarding group, sign up now at: http://www.grandmothersforabrighterfuture.com/
TEXT THE VOTE WITH BLACK VOTES MATTER: The organization
Black Votes Matter is texting more than 500,000 Black voters in seven states to
encourage them to vote between now and November 5, 2019. https://www.facebook.com/BlackVotersMtr/photos/a.134846770532964/412759112741727/?type=3&theater Let’s
sign up for a shift: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzi-SW3fWqEouzGNqOvVeDI4yD1uUNHw1fW1fCeZWPwZvILQ/viewform
RECAP: NOTABLE 2019 MAYORAL RACES: a) Denver CO: Incumbent
Mayor Michael Hancock (non-partisan) defeated urban development
consultant Jamie Giellis in the June 4, 2019. Hancock received
56.3% of the vote to Giellis' 43.7%. (Ballotpedia.org) b) Chicago IL: Former
Chicago Police Board President Lori Lightfoot (non-partisan) defeated
Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle in the
April 2, 2019, runoff election. (Ballotpedia.org) c) Kansas City MO: City
council member Quinton Lucas (non-partisan) defeated fellow council
member Jolie Justus in the June 18 election. (Ballotpedia.org) d) San Antonio TX: Incumbent Ron
Nirenberg (non-partisan) won election in the general runoff election for
on June 8, 2019. (Ballotpedia.org) e) Memphis TN: Incumbent Jim
Strickland (non-partisan) defeated eleven other candidates for a
four-year term in October 3, 2019, receiving 62% of the vote.
(Ballotpedia.org).
MAYORAL RACES TO WATCH: a) San Francisco CA:
Incumbent Mayor London Breed (non-partisan) is running to retain her position
in this election. (Ballotpedia.org) b) Houston TX: Incumbent
Mayor Sylvester Turner (non-partisan) and 11 challengers will
compete. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two
general election candidates will participate in a runoff election on December
14, 2019. (Ballotpedia.org) c) Indianapolis IN: Incumbent Joseph
Hogsett (D) faces five challengers in his bid for a second term: one
Democrat, three Republicans, and a Libertarian. (Ballotpedia.org). If we are voters in any of these
cities, let's make a plan to vote.
PHONEBANKING FOR VIRGINIA: It is not too late to sign up with Grassroots Democrats HQ to phonebank for
flipping the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate. We can meet on Saturday in Beverly Hills at
the Feminist Majority with Women’s March Action for GOTV weekend: https://tinyurl.com/WM-Action-GOTV-Virginia
or we can work from home and take the 20 Dial A Day Challenge: https://tinyurl.com/20-Dial-A-Day-Virginia
GA: CHECK
VOTER REG STATUS AND WATCH OUT FOR VOTER PURGE NOTICES: With elections coming up next TUESDAY NOV 5, it’s
time to protect our votes! Let’s find out if we are registered and then
make sure that we stay on the voter rolls through the latest Voter purge. We
can check our voter registration status at the state site here:
https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do Even
after next week’s election, we must stay alert, since the state will be mailing
Purge Notices to over 330,000 GA voters starting next week. If we get one
of these Purge Notices, we MUST RESPOND within 30 DAYS or get removed from the
voter rolls!
Then, to make
sure we registered, we can check out
indivisiblegeorgia.turbovote.org and
sign up for reminders to check our voter registration status.
MI: INDEPENDENT
CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION: Applications are now being accepted for the Independent Citizens Redistricting
Commission that was approved by voters in the November 2018 election. The Commission, and no longer political
parties, will draw the new U.S. Congressional and Michigan State House and
Senate district lines. The commission
will be composed of 13 randomly selected Michigan registered voters: four who
affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican
Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party. We can learn more and sign up here: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_91141---,00.html
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS
IMPEACHMENT/NOVEMBER RECESS: From
November 2nd thru the 11th, the House will be on recess, with many
representatives back in their home districts. Just like we did during their
October recess, let's make sure to make impeachment a focal point during
townhalls and in-person meet ups with our representatives. We can find
a townhall or event near us here, or if there isn't one yet, we can register one here. Whether we can attend an event in-person or not,
let's also be sure to call our not-onboard MoCs and ask them one
question: Do you think it's OK to ask a foreign power to interfere in our
elections? Then, let's take note of their response and share it on social
media. We can find more information and toolkits at https://www.impeachnow.org/
ELECTION SECURITY RALLIES: “Election
security experts are warning that too many states and localities have election
systems that are vulnerable to hacking and external actors. On Wednesday, November 13th, join
activists across the country as we gather outside of Senate offices to urge our
Senators to pass $600 million in election security funding and to include
accountability language to ensure the money is well-spent.” More info:
https://secureourvote.us/take-action/ Guide for hosting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OXaQmIYBWYfb6_MFsyL3rWpB3IWojGyCcC6k8HRgcwA/edit
IMPEACHMENT MOBILIZATION: The night
before the House impeachment vote is held, a nationwide mobilization, “No One
is Above the Law,” is planned. The coalition
behind this effort is impressive. Let’s
click here to learn about events, how we can create one, materials to use, and
more: https://www.impeach.org/event/impeach-and-remove-attend/
READING/WATCHING
Democrats
seize advantages in proposed impeachment rules - https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/democrats-seize-advantages-proposed-impeachment-rules
He was
undocumented. Now he's exposing detention center abuse - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/29/he-was-undocumented-now-hes-exposing-detention-center-abuse
The
U.S. stole generations of Indigenous children to open the West - https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.17/indigenous-affairs-the-us-stole-generations-of-indigenous-children-to-open-the-west
The
Amount of Money Being Made Ripping Migrant Families Apart Is Staggering - https://www.thenation.com/article/immigration-ice-family-separation/
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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
