2/11/20
NATIONAL ISSUES
Contact all Federal Members of Congress
(includes contact info and links to social media)
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
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CORRUPTION: Senator Lindsey Graham took to a Sunday show over the weekend to share the disturbing news that Rudy Giuliani has a direct connection to the Department of Justice to share news from Ukraine about “corruption”:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/09/lindsey-graham-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-information-doj This raises more significant questions about the corruption of Attorney General William Barr, the role (and pay source) of Rudy Giuliani, and the general malfeasance of the GOP. Let’s contact our MoC to ask for impeachment of AG Barr and let’s call The Department of Justice Comment Line to demand Barr’s resignation 1-202-514-2000 (then press 4 to leave voicemail) or we can use the comment form: https://www.justice.gov/contact-us
DEMAND ICE FREE A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILD WITH A SKULL FRACTURE: Every Last One has been fighting to save Marco, a 5-year-old boy in detention with a skull fracture. With his life is at risk, he’s not getting the care he needs and ICE further endangering his health by giving him the top bunk. To protect him, his mother crams him into her lower bunk and neither one sleeps. Since ICE has been known to respond to public pressure, Every Last One started a petition. We can sign here to demand Marco be released to get the treatment that could save his life: https://www.everylastone.org/marco
(h/t Chip Wood, Carry Water)
SCHOOL CHOICE: One of Trump’s pitches in the State of the Union speech, written by Stephen Miller and friends, was for “school choice” of the kind Betsy DeVos has been touting; but rather than talking about “public” schools, Trump spoke of “failing government schools”:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/02/05/state-union-trump-makes-clear-his-aversion-public-schools/ and, the view from the Right,
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/trump-in-state-of-the-union-is-right-to-call-them-government-schools We need to attend closely to this change of locution and those like it, which, as the director of the National Education Policy Center put it, attempts “to reframe what we understand as our societal obligation to our kids":
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/02/government-schools-public-schools-trump-devos-school-choice.html If we believe public education is a social good, if we support the underpaid public school teachers who walked out of their classrooms in desperation at the conditions there over the past 18 months, we need to strenuously oppose this rhetoric in letters to the editor, in op-ed pieces, and to the Department of Education: 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202 or (202) 401-3000: Fax (202) 260-7867.
SUPPORT ONGOING WHITE HOUSE PROTESTS: The so-called "Kremlin Annex" protests have been going on outside the WH twice or three times a week since July 2018. They are creative, fun, get the word out, and serve as a way of reminding the occupant of the WH what we think of him. Now, the National Park Service is threatening to shut the protests down unless the organizers can come up with $120/day for permits. Freedom of speech shouldn't cost money. Let's chip in to keep these protests going if we can, and follow these folks on Twitter at @KremlinAnnex:
GRATITUDE FOR LT. COL. ALEXANDER VINDMAN—“Vindman’s synagogue in Springfield, Virginia, is accepting letters of support on his behalf.” https://forward.com/fast-forward/439731/alexander-vindman-s-synagogue-is-accepting-letters-of-support-following/ Let’s express our gratitude to this war hero and patriot: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman c/o Congregation Adat Reyim, 6500 Westbury Oaks Court, Springfield, VA 22152. If we want to publicly show our support, we can order these shirts: https://justslaying.threadless.com/designs/teamvindman
ANOTHER NORTH AMERICAN PIPELINE IGNORING NATIVE RIGHTS: “Indigenous activists in Canada have vowed to continue their fight against a multibillion-dollar pipeline project across their traditional territory after three female leaders were arrested by police early on Monday.” “The Wet’suwet’en nation have lived on their territories in what is now British Columbia for thousands of years. They have never signed treaties or sold their land to Canada.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/10/canada-protest-indigenous-wetsuweten-pipeline The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have invaded this Indigenous land are forcibly removing land defenders from their unceded territory and are violating the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
http://priceofoil.org/2020/02/07/hey-justin-why-are-you-jailing-loving-grandmas-in-the-name-of-gas-pipelines/ We can get live updates (and amplify them) on the Unist'ot'en Camp’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/, we can contribute to the Unist'ot'en Legal Fund: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten2020legalfund, we can use the Unist’ot’en Supporter Toolkit: http://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/, and we can follow/amplify on Twitter: @UnistotenCamp and #AllEyesOnWetsuweten and #WetsuwetenStrong
MAKING FEDERAL BUILDINGS BEAUTIFUL AGAIN: Every time we think Trump has found the last expression of his authoritarianism, he finds another. A draft executive order called “Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again” would establish the neoclassical style, inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, as the default for federal buildings in Washington and throughout the country, without regard for energy efficiency or sustainability:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/481804-trump-plans-on-making-federal-buildings-beautiful-again-with-new or https://federalnewsnetwork.com/facilities-construction/2020/02/draft-eo-to-make-federal-buildings-beautiful-again-causes-stir-with-current-former-officials/ or https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/arts/design/trump-modern-architecture.html As The Guardian points out, “Hitler’s chief architect, Albert Speer, also appropriated the tradition and grandeur of neoclassicism to serve the Nazi project, just as Benito Mussolini’s fascist Italy used it to recall the might of imperial Rome.” Architects are objecting: https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14466-will-the-white-house-order-new-federal-architecture-to-be-classical#AIA And we should too.
PROTECT CHINESE RESTAURANT BUSINESSES: In the panic following the coronavirus, Chinese restaurants in America are taking a hit, e.g.,
https://ny.eater.com/2020/2/7/21123274/coronavirus-chinatown-nyc-restaurants-sales. These businesses are central to our local economies. Let’s be sure to dine in or take out from our favorite local Chinese restaurant this week.
READY-MADE POSTCARDING: From one of our own: We can find this week's postcarding write-ups here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GbXCfRiJsx7D9mernKqVIYHsi3-VDUItsjwc7ucFhhQ/edit?fbclid=IwAR3in9MLMacJYbo4B2SUq4-ZQqduH0MubsLcuDUa8ya7HaZM6UJB_fsP4VY Let’s get writing!
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Field Team 6 is a partisan voter registration organization working to register Democrats in key swing states. They’re looking to hire a Staff Coordinator/Assistant to the Executive Director—job description here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qpUxSKQwF52n5p1OmTXbfTczJySxiyZu/view. Let’s apply or spread the word.
ELECTION/VOTING
PRIMARIES/CAUCUS CALENDAR: From Ballotpedia:
New Hampshire (statewide)
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Primary election
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February 11, 2020
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Wisconsin (statewide)
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Primary election
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February 18, 2020
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Nevada (statewide)
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Primary election
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February 22, 2020
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South Carolina (statewide)
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Primary election
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February 29, 2020
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NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY: Today, all eyes turn to New Hampshire for the first in the nation presidential primary: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election/klobuchar-gains-ground-in-new-hampshire-sanders-holds-lead-in-polls-idUSKBN204166 If we are New Hampshirites, let’s help get out the vote in our neighborhoods and if we are outside New Hampshire, let’s tune into ways to be of greatest use to our favorite primary candidate.
JOB OPPS FOR GETTING OUT THE 2020 VOTE: Vote Save America has a list of paying and volunteer opportunities with organizations that are working to get-out-the-vote all over the country. Let’s apply, or spread the word: https://jobs.votesaveamerica.com/
LAWYERS NEEDED IN BATTLEGROUND STATES: If we’re lawyers and want to offer pro bono legal support to Field Team 6, which is registering Democratic voters in swing states, let’s fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelWnrqzDX3uQkq-ZiiT-Rm-h4iTlnVGZwClRNjAJiCqwhFEg/viewform
VOLUNTEER FROM HOME FOR FIELD TEAM 6: From catering and cooking to data entry to programming and much, much more, we can support the work of registering Democratic voters from home. Let’s fill out this volunteer questionnaire and win in 2020: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf62jqVKlOBLHZov3oxei0MtSffc-nvnGuuwjuGL9TN-nnPRQ/viewform
BECOME A DEEP CANVASSER: Changing the Conversation Together (CTC) “is an organization of concerned citizens building a national corps of deep canvassers who bridge political divides and help elect Democrats to take us forward.” Deep canvassing involves knocking on doors and persuading through truly human encounters—sharing of experiences, hopes, and dreams—with the voter who answers the door. CTC is “organizing a corps of deep canvassers in swing states to elect a qualified and compassionate President in 2020.” We can see a video of deep canvassing in action, support the work of CTC, and sign up to help by visiting their website: https://www.ctctogether.org/
MONEY TALKS. We can signal our displeasure with Republican senators' impeachment acquittal votes by making small contributions to any of the Democratic candidates' campaigns we support. Links on candidates' names will take us to the Ballotpedia information on each candidate which includes a link to their campaign websites where available. If we have friends and family in any of these states, let's forward the appropriate information to them. If we are not in these states, let's consider "adopting" a candidate to support in one of these battlegrounds:
ARIZONA: MCSALLY REPLACEMENTS. Sen. Martha McSally (R) said that "Impeachment is about decapitating the government. "(Source: AZCentral). The November 3 general election will include a special election for this seat that was formerly John McCain's. McSally was appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey (R) in 2018. The winner of the special election will fill the term through 2022. (Ballotpedia). Let's take a look at the current Democratic primary candidates for this position. a) Mohammad Arif; b) Sheila Bilyeu ; c) Mark Kelly; d) Juan Angel Vasquez. The Arizona primary is scheduled for AUG. 4. If we are AZ voters, let's mark our calendars and start getting to know the candidates.
COLORADO: GARDNER REPLACEMENTS. Sen. Cory Cardner (R) voted to acquit. (Transcript of this statement at CPRNews). Eleven (11) candidates are currently running in the CO Democratic primary. (Ballotpedia) They are: a) Diana Bray; b) Lorena Garcia; c) David Goldfischer; d) John Hickenlooper; e) Dustin John Leitzel; f) Christopher Hawkins Critter Milton; g) Andrew Romanoff; h) Stephany Rose Spaulding; i) Erik Underwood; j) Michelle Ferrigno Warren; k) Trish Zornio. The Colorado primary is scheduled for JUNE 30. If we are CO voters, let's mark our calendars and start getting to know the candidates.
REPLACE IOWA SEN. ERNST: After voting to acquit in the impeachment trial, Sen. Joni Ernst (R) warned that Congress would vote to impeach Joe Biden immediately if he were elected president. She has since tried to walk back that statement. (Source: The Hill.) Iowa is considered a battleground for the Senate this year. Let's take a look at the 5 Democrats currently running for this seat (Ballotpedia): a) Michael Franken; b) Kimberly Graham; c) Theresa Greenfield; d) Eddie Mauro; e) Cal Woods. This primary is scheduled for JUNE 2. If we are Iowa voters, let's mark our calendars and start getting to know the candidates.
KENTUCKY: MCCONNELL REPLACEMENTS. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R), currently the majority leader, must go. #DitchMitch. Ten Democratic candidates are currently running in this primary. (Ballotpedia). They are: a) Jimmy Ausbrooks; b) Charles Booker; c) Mike Broihier; d) Maggie Jo Hilliard; e) Andrew Maynard; f) Amy McGrath; g) Eric Rothmuller; h) John Sharpensteen; i) Bennie Smith; j) Mary Ann Tobin. The Kentucky Democratic primary is scheduled for MAY 19. If we are KY voters, let's mark our calendars and start getting to know the candidates.
MAINE: COLLINS REPLACEMENTS. Sen. Susan Collins (R) said the president has "learned his lesson." She has already had to back off that statement, saying she "hopes" he has. (The Hill.) Five (5) Democratic candidates are currently running to take her seat. (Ballotpedia). They are: a) Michael Bunker; b) Sara Gideon; c) Bre Kidman; d) Ross LaJeunesse; e) Betsy Sweet. The Maine primary is scheduled for JUNE 9. If we are ME voters, let's mark our calendars and start getting to know the candidates.
TEXAS: CORNYN REPLACEMENTS. Sen. John Cornyn "has made bedfellows with President Donald Trump, and their connection will determine whether the longtime senator will win another term or get voted out of office." (Source: Dallas Morning News.) Let's make sure he's voted out! Twelve (12) Democrats are running in the primary. (Ballotpedia) They are: a) Chris Bell; b) Michael Cooper; c) Amanda Edwards; d) Jack Daniel Foster Jr.; e) Annie Garcia; f) Victor Harris; g) Mary Jennings Hegar; h) Sema Hernandez; i) D.R. Hunter; j) Adrian Ocegueda; k) Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez; l) Royce West. HOT! HOT! HOT! The primary for this race will take place on Super Tuesday, March 3 with a runoff election scheduled for May 26. If we are TX voters, let's make a plan to vote and get to know the candidates.
NEW POSTCARDING CAMPAIGN! This weekend Postcards to Voters kicked off their next (20th!) Florida Vote-By-Mail campaign. This time the focus is Clay County, which is west of the St. Augustine (St. John's county)/Jacksonville (Duval county) area. The county seat is Green Cove Springs. Let's continue to encourage Florida registered Democrats to sign up for vote by mail by requesting 5 addresses for this campaign today.
STATE/LOCAL
NEW ENGLAND: NEW ENGLAND STUDENT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION SUMMIT—Students and parents from all over New England are invited to attend this late March three-day summit in New Haven, CT, being hosted by the Connecticut GVP Coalition, which includes the Jr Newtown Action Alliance, Newtown Action Alliance, CT Against Gun Violence, Yale School of Public Health, and more. Let’s learn more and register to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2iz6JYF3m1S-LuvUsiQtQ4unhGz2QilUCNGgUNHetCsI92A/viewform
NEW YORK: In New York State, if we want to vote in any party's 2020 primary, we must be registered in that party by FRIDAY, February 14, Here’s the link that will enable New Yorkers with a driver's license or non-driver state ID to register online:
https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter/ And here’s the paper form, which must be *received* by Friday: https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/voting/voteform_enterable.pdf
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS
ATTEND LOVE NOT HATE EVENTS ON THE BORDER: FEBRUARY 14-17. Four days’ worth of activities are being planned for the weekend of February 14-17 as part of the witnessing actions on the border of Brownsville Matamoros. These include attending tent courts, witnessing deportations at the Brownsville Airport, vigiling at the courthouse, and participating in several protest rallies. Let’s see if we can attend and/or let our friends and neighbors know. The schedule is here. More information is available on the Witness at the Border Facebook Page.
NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE TO CLOSE THE CAMPS—Tsuru for Solidarity, a non-violent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates, is leading the planning of a gathering of Japanese Americans from across the country in Washington, DC, June 5-7, 2020. The purpose of the gathering is to express solidarity with immigrant and refugee communities under attack in the US. Attendees will bring 125,000 paper cranes (tsuru) to represent the Japanese Americans who were imprisoned in concentration camps by the US government during World War II. We can support the pilgrimage by holding “Tsuru Fold-ins” to bring to D.C. or to mail them to Tsuru for Solidarity by May 1, 2020. To organize a fold-in, receive updates, register to attend and learn of other ways to participate, let’s visit: https://tsuruforsolidarity.org/2019/11/13/125000-paper-cranes-to-dc-in-june-2020-for-tsuru-for-solidaritys-national-pilgrimage-to-close-the-camps/
READING/WATCHING
Combatting Disinformation - https://terikanefield-blog.com/combatting-disinformation/
What a State of Our Union - https://www.creators.com/read/connie-schultz/02/20/what-a-state-of-our-union
The Billion-Dollar Disinformation Campaign to Reelect the President - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/03/the-2020-disinformation-war/605530/
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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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