10/8/19
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: Trump is handling the impeachment inquiry about
as well as we might have expected. He had some very extreme Twitter rants over
the weekend with many wild claims: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464603-trump-suggests-pelosi-committed-treason-should-be-immediately And
now, a second whistleblower with first-hand knowledge of the Ukraine phone
call. https://www.npr.org/2019/10/06/767675638/second-whistleblower-with-direct-knowledge-of-ukraine-call-steps-forward-lawyer-
Let’s stay in touch with our MoC to let them know that we expect Trump
to be in impeached due to multiple violations of obstruction of justice,
violations of the emoluments clause, and possibly treasonous engagement with
other nations. Let’s also call the White House daily to call for Trump’s
resignation: 202-456-1111
KURDS IN SYRIA: Late on Sunday night, the Trump administration
announced withdrawal of American troops from Syria which leaves open concern
for a Turkish invasion and massacre of Kurdish people. Some in the GOP have
been unusually swift in their condemnation of these actions by the administration:
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/464635-gop-lawmakers-blast-trumps-syria-decision-as-grave-mistake-disaster-in-the and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/07/us-to-let-turkish-forces-move-into-syria-abandoning-kurdish-allies We
know it was not a well-thought out plan and that it surprised even the Pentagon. It is not being well received by either party
in Congress: https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/trump-turkey-syria-invasion-037052 Let’s let our MoCs know that we want
them to introduce and support legislation to turn back this unilateral move. We
are more than tired of Trump’s erratic foreign policy (whose common theme is
benefit to Russia) and that we are very concerned about the well-being of the
Kurds and for the endurance of our other allied relationships.
OPEN SKIES TREATY WITHDRAWAL? It is
being reported that Trump is considering withdrawing the U.S. from the Open
Skies Treaty which currently includes countries and establishes a program of
unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its
participants. “American withdrawal would
only benefit Russia and be harmful to our allies’ and partners’ national
security interests … Withdrawal risks dividing the transatlantic alliance and
would further undermine America’s reliability as a stable and predictable
partner when it comes to European security,” according to House Foreign Affairs
Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY).
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/7/eliot-engel-house-foreign-affairs-committee-chair-/ This U.S./Russia conflict over this has been
brewing: https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/09/14/us-russia-remain-at-impasse-over-nuclear-treaty-flights/
We do not want to cater to Russia. Let’s
tell our MoCs that we do not want this further erosion of our long-standing
relationships with other countries.
THANK CONGRESSMAN
SCHIFF AND COUNTER NEGATIVE CALLS: Chop
Wood Carry Water informs us that Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) Congressional office and
his campaign offices are receiving many abusive, awful phone calls, with
staffers reporting that around 95% of his calls are negative. Let’s turn this
around! We can use these numbers: (818) 450-2900, (818) 841-2828, (323)
315-5555, (202) 225-4176 to call Congressman Adam Schiff’s offices to thank him
and his staff for their courageous leadership and hard work protecting our
Republic, then reach out to our networks and ask our friends to do the same.
PRESSURE BANKS TO DIVEST FROM PRIVATE PRISONS: Some good news: more and more major banks are pulling investments from the private prison sector, leaving major players in the private prison industry like GEO Group in the lurch after all their lenders have pulled out. https://www.forbes.com/sites/morgansimon/2019/09/30/geo-group-runs-out-of-banks-as-100-of-banking-partners-say-no-to-the-private-prison-sector/. The other major player, CoreCivic still has relationships with five other banks. Let’s pressure Regions 800-734-4667, Citizens 401- 456-7000, Pinnacle Bank 800-264-3613, First Tennessee Bank 800-382-5465, and Synovus Bank 706-641-6462 to follow the lead of JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, SunTrust, BNP Paribas, Fifth Third Bancorp, Barclays, and PNC and totally divest from private prisons and immigrant detention. If we have accounts at these institutions let’s reinvest our money as soon as possible and urge our friends and families to do the same.
END FOR-PROFIT
MIGRANT DETENTION CENTERS: According
to a report from PBS and the Associated Press, Comprehensive Health Services,
the company that runs the children’s migrant detention center in Homestead,
Florida, has received almost $300 million in contracts to shelter migrant
children, compared to $1.3 million they received in 2015. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/trump-admin-shifting-to-privatize-migrant-child-detention/.
This shift to a privatized model must stop; we cannot have the
incarceration of children be linked to an incentive for profit-making, and
taxpayers are currently paying CHS $720,000 per day to keep an empty shelter
fully staffed, when in contrast, a government run shelter that is currently
empty is right now employing only two security guards. Let’s tell our MoCs
to pass legislation that would end privately run migrant detention centers, and
let’s also advocate for this on the state level by researching whether our
state has banned private prisons and contacting our state legislators if they haven’t.
PROTEST
DISCRIMINATORY EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON IMMIGRATION AND SUPPORT MEDICARE FOR ALL: In his latest attack on immigration, Trump
announced that all applying to immigrate to the U.S. need to show proof of
health insurance. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/immigrant-visas-health-care.html.
This, along with the recent “public charge rule,” is just one more way that the
administration is focusing its attack on the poor and vulnerable. Of course, if
we had a socialized system like nearly every other country in the world, health
insurance wouldn’t be an issue. Let’s contact our MoCs to protest this
inhumane policy and tell them this is just one more reason they should support
Medicare for All.
SELF-CARE: This has been a particularly difficult stretch of
weeks as the energy of Trump’s reaction to the impeachment inquiry dials
everything up. Let’s check-in with ourselves – do we need a news break,
a different kind of self-care, time with a therapist?
IMMIGRATION/DACA: A coalition of organizations have joined
together to create the Home is Here campaign and raise awareness about the
Supreme Court case regarding Trump's termination of the DACA program. As of
July, 2018, there are approximately 700,000 recipients of the Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (https://bit.ly/2VuDlRq).
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the Trump administration, it could mean
deportation and family separation on a massive scale (https://bit.ly/2JKPF61, https://nyti.ms/2ZPnEm0).
Still, many are unaware that the case is set to begin in November. Let's
check out the Home is
Here website, and use the tools available to share the campaign on
social media, help fund DACA renewals, and sign up to attend the Home is
Here Rally at the Supreme Court. We can also contact our MoC and urge them
to pass legislation which would create a path to citizenship for DACA
recipients ASAP.
IMMIGRATION/SEND
CARDS: From Flowers on the Inside:
"Flowers on the Inside is a project imagined by undocumented artists,
featuring undocumented artists, that provides a counter narrative to the cruel
images we are bombarded with in the media. Flowers on the Inside will uplift a
narrative that inspires hope and connection, recognizes our humanity, and
centers compassion. Our purpose is two-fold: to ensure that people inside
detention know that there are undocumented people and allies on the outside who
are in solidarity with them, and to provide an outlet for those on the outside
to reach through the walls that divide us." Let's check out Flowers on the Inside,
and share a message of support to people who are currently detained. Our
cards will be distributed by Casa Arcoíris, a "Tijuana-based organization that
brings together community members to write letters to detainees in U.S.
detention camps, in addition to providing shelter, food, and services to LGBTQ+
people as they migrate."
POLICE VIOLENCE: Activists and policy experts DeRay Mckesson,
Samuel Sinyangwe, and Brittany Packnett have joined with researchers and
protesters across the country to launch Campaign Zero. The organization
"integrates community demands and policy recommendations from research
organizations and President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing,"
to end police violence and mass incarceration. They also take a comprehensive
look at local, state, and federal policies addressing police violence to make
recommendations on what actions we can take at each level. Let's read
through this thread by data scientist and policy analyst Samuel Sinyangwe, then visit the Campaign Zero website to
learn how we can build communities and reduce police violence: https://www.joincampaignzero.org/
IMPEACHMENT AS COUP? Trump’s talk of a “Civil War-like
fracture” in the U.S. was dangerous (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/09/donald-trump-civil-war-impeachment),
but perhaps more dangerous is his assertion that an impeachment inquiry is
tantamount to a coup d’etat: Trump tweeted on October 1, "As I learn more
and more each day, I am coming to the conclusion that what is taking place is
not an impeachment, it is a COUP, intended to take away the Power of the
People, their VOTE, their Freedoms, their Second Amendment, Religion, Military,
Border Wall, and their God-given rights as a Citizen of The United States of
America!" https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/463943-trump-likens-impeachment-inquiry-to-a-coup History,
even recent history, tells us how authoritarian leaders deal with coup
attempts. Let’s make sure our MoCs counter this dangerous talk head-on
and now!
NO MORE FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS: “The Trump administration is disbanding two federal advisory boards focused on protecting marine life and battling invasive species. As of Tuesday [October 8], the government will no longer fund the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the Interior Department’s Invasive Species Advisory Committee, the two agencies confirmed.” https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/463893-white-house-eliminates-advisory-boards-overseeing-marine-life We must let NOAA (828-271-4800) and the Interior Department (202-208-3100) know that this is not acceptable, and tell our MoCs to do whatever it takes to reinstate and fund these advisory boards, which protect our environment.
CHICAGO TEACHERS’ STRIKE: Chicago’s teachers, school support staff and park district workers have set a joint Oct. 17 strike deadline in an effort to get higher wages, especially for the lowest-paid, part-time employees: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/2/20895696/chicago-teachers-union-ctu-public-schools-cps-strike-vote-date As income inequality grows every day in our country (https://inequality.org/facts/income-inequality/), let’s make sure these workers know we’re behind them: https://www.ctulocal1.org/contact/
NO MORE FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS: “The Trump administration is disbanding two federal advisory boards focused on protecting marine life and battling invasive species. As of Tuesday [October 8], the government will no longer fund the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the Interior Department’s Invasive Species Advisory Committee, the two agencies confirmed.” https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/463893-white-house-eliminates-advisory-boards-overseeing-marine-life We must let NOAA (828-271-4800) and the Interior Department (202-208-3100) know that this is not acceptable, and tell our MoCs to do whatever it takes to reinstate and fund these advisory boards, which protect our environment.
CHICAGO TEACHERS’ STRIKE: Chicago’s teachers, school support staff and park district workers have set a joint Oct. 17 strike deadline in an effort to get higher wages, especially for the lowest-paid, part-time employees: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/2/20895696/chicago-teachers-union-ctu-public-schools-cps-strike-vote-date As income inequality grows every day in our country (https://inequality.org/facts/income-inequality/), let’s make sure these workers know we’re behind them: https://www.ctulocal1.org/contact/
EQUAL RIGHTS
AMENDMENT: In February Virginia came within 1
legislator's vote of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. With all state
legislative seats up for election in 2020, the time could finally be coming for
Virginia to strike this blow for justice. Let's use our voices and
dollars to help organizations focused on making this happen. EveryDistrict (https://www.impactslates.com/)
and VAratifyERA (https://varatifyera.org/calls-to-action/) are two good
ones, and there are others.
FACEBOOK REFUSES TO
FOLLOW THEIR OWN RULES
Facebook on Tuesday said it will not fact check or remove content posted
posted by politicians even if it is in violation of the company’s rules.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/24/facebook-will-let-politicians-post-without-fact-checking.html. This
is an opportunity to flood Zuckerberg’s twitter and FB page to let him know
that Fact Checking these ads is the only way for FB to follow through on
stopping Fake Facts on our feeds during our elections. Tell Zuckerberg to
follow his own rules.
POSTCARDING: From one of our own – Here are
this week’s issues/addresses write-ups for postcarding: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a2cRuentPVGB8zDhHs0jZbdCRiX7-oPW73wLkYXA9ow/edit Look
them over and choose the ones that speak to you.
JOB SEARCH HELP FOR
ICE EMPLOYEES: Never Again Atlanta is
offering free, confidential job search services to ICE employees who are tired
of working for a cruel and broken immigration system. Let’s spread the
word:
DONATED AIRLINE MILES
FOR IMMIGRANTS: In the first few days that Miles for Migrants partnered with The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education
and Legal Services (RAICES) people donated over 5M airline miles for
migrant families and individuals. They estimate that amount will help reunify
400 people with their loved ones. https://twitter.com/RAICESTEXAS/status/1181246535616663559
If we have miles to share, let’s do: https://www.miles4migrants.org/campaigns/donate.php
ELECTION/VOTING
UPCOMING 2019 ELECTIONS: In
order to keep track of upcoming elections, we can use this from Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Elections_calendar
SEND LETTERS TO VOTERS: Swing Left has
launched a new facet to their campaign to flip swing districts. “In multiple
randomized trials, voters who received a letter were significantly more likely
to vote.” Let’s pick a state to support and sign up to send letters! Tips
and templates are supplied. More info here: https://votefwd.org/
RE-REGISTER PURGED VOTERS IN VA: We can do this from anywhere! Lean Left Vermont
and Reclaim Our Vote lets us call voters of color in Virginia who have been
purged from the voter rolls simply because they haven’t voted recently and urge
them to re-register. To be eligible to vote in the 2019 Virginia election—where
we’re trying to flip the entire VA legislature blue—folks need to be registered
by October 15. Let’s learn how to phonebank and get started here:
OPPORTUNITY TO REACH VOTERS! Postcards To Voters
continues to roll out new campaigns every week. With the upcoming Nov. 5
elections, we'll have the opportunity to send a handwritten note to voters in
different states. Campaign
171: Kentucky Democrats is still open as we try to reach every
registered voter in the Bluegrass State. Let's request 5
addresses today for this or one of the other open campaigns. Let's
check back regularly for new campaigns.
OHIO VOTERS: ARE WE REGISTERED? Last month, 194,207 voters were
removed from Ohio's voter rolls. Most of those voters were thought to be dead
or have moved out of state. But some inactive voters were removed too.
(Source: wksu.org) If we are Ohioans and we are not registered,
yesterday (Oct.7) was the last day to register for the Nov. 5 elections. Let's
check our registration at http://voteohio.com/ and,
if need be, register for future elections. Let's be sure to encourage our Ohio
friends and family, especially the infrequent voters, to do the same.
STATE/LOCAL
ALL: VOTING LEGISLATION IN THE STATES: Let America Vote has compiled a wonderful
analysis of voting legislation in each state. Let’s see what’s
happening in our state around automatic voter registration, early voting,
voting-by-mail, gerrymandering, and more, https://www.letamericavote.org/2019-voting-legislation/,
and let’s tell our state legislators which bills to support and which to
oppose: https://openstates.org/
ALL: LEARN AND APPLY EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO REDUCE POLICE VIOLENCE: Data scientist and political analyst
Samuel Sinyangwe shares in depth research on reducing police violence with some
surprising results. Body cams and trainings are not very effective, but
demilitarizing, watchdogging and developing non police responses when
appropriate are. We can read more here about effective techniques to
reduce police violence, then press our local officials for meaningful reforms: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1180655701271732224.html We can also read the full report here: http://useofforceproject.org/
and find the latest research here: https://www.joincampaignzero.org/research
WI: WISCONSIN SENATOR RON JOHNSON: Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson (R)
had an especially troubling interview on Meet the Press on Sunday morning where
he was spinning conspiracy theories to a mercifully exasperated interviewer
Chuck Todd: https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/full-johnson-interview-gop-attacks-press-over-trump-s-ukraine-actions-70723653963 Let’s
let Senator Johnson know that we expect him to fulfill his oath and deal in the
truth not Trump’s swirl of lies: https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/ or
on Twitter @SenRonJohnson
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS
FRIDAY CLIMATE STRIKES: As
per Greta Thunberg’s tweet: “Last Friday over 4 million people striked for the
climate. This Friday we do it again! 170 countries and 6383 events so far in #weekforfuture
Find or register your strike at Fridays for Future: http://fridaysforfuture.org or local
websites.”
MARCH TO IMPEACH TRUMP: “By the
People issued a call for marches nationwide in support of impeachment on October
13th. Announced during a #ImpeachNow rally on
Capitol Hill alongside several Members of Congress, the call to action encourages
Americans to “take to the streets” and turn up the public pressure on Congress
to swiftly impeach Trump.” Let’s check
this out to learn more, find or organize and event, and find a toolkit to use,
too: https://www.bytheppl.us/impeachnow
END OF YEAR FUNDRAISING PLANNING WEBINAR COURSE: In this four-session October webinar we can learn the essential strategy, tactics, and tips for a successful End of Year Fundraising Digital Strategy in this 4-session live course. More info and application here: https://community.thedigitalplan.com/end-of-year-fundraising-digital-strategy/
IMMIGRATION CONFERENCE: From Justice
for Our Neighbors: Families separated at the border, threats of
increased deportations and ICE raids, enormous historic backlogs in
naturalization applications and all-time-lows in refugee admissions: All of
these issues and so many others will be at the forefront of topics
@nationalimmigrantintegrationconference this October 20-22, 2019 in
Detroit, Michigan. Let's learn more and register here: https://niicnewamericandreams.org/
DIGITAL ORGANIZING BOOTCAMP: Have you been trying to figure how best to
use digital organizing strategies and tactics to accentuate the organizing work
you do? Do you have a little experience working in digital organizing but want
to fine tune your strategies? Then, check
out this Digital Organizing Bootcamp to be held in Nashville, TN from Jan.
26 through Feb. 1, 2020. Applications
close at midnight November 30, 2019: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD8tt90Os-YDuUK28q-NPCX1SJ_HEIPl6JbFkqBa4vpAlzDA/viewform
READING/WATCHING
This Trump
Impeachment Diagram Will Help You Keep Track Of All The People Involved - https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/benking/keep-track-of-all-the-people-involved-in-trumps-impeachment
and Impeachment inquiry timeline. 'Cut to the chase' with an infographic
- https://thedemlabs.org/2019/10/07/impeachment-inquiry-timeline-cut-to-the-chase-with-an-infographic/
What is the #1
Most Effective Way To Get Out the Vote? - https://demcastusa.com/2019/10/07/what-is-the-1-most-effective-way-to-get-out-the-vote/
The Fate Of
Refugee Families Is In America’s Hands - https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/10/04/trump-refugee-resettlement-cap-reuniting-children-and-parents-sasha-chanoff
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.