6/16/20
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/
Purchase stamps, postcards,
and other mailing supplies:
White
House contact: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house
|
LGBTQ
RIGHTS/POLICE IMMUNITY:
While we celebrate Monday’s Supreme Court ruling that the 1964 Civil Rights Act
barring sex discrimination in the workplace likewise protects LGBTQ employees
from being fired because of their sexual orientation-- https://www.npr.org/2020/06/15/863498848/supreme-court-delivers-major-victory-to-lgbtq-employees --we
must be aware that it simultaneously refused to reexamine the doctrine of
“qualified immunity” that has shielded the police from lawsuits over their
misconduct: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/15/876853817/supreme-court-will-not-re-examine-doctrine-that-shields-police-in-misconduct-sui
And we should know that this ruling does NOT guarantee LGBTQ people freedom
from discrimination by, for example, landlords or healthcare providers or any
number of other non-workplace actors. For that, we must we urge our
senators to adopt HR 5, the Equality Act, which would provide explicit,
comprehensive, nationwide nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people.
STOP TRUMP
FROM PUTTING FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON ASYLUM: The Trump administration is proposing new asylum regulations, which are
even more strict than those currently in place, likely resulting in making it
impossible to gain asylum for many immigrants who are fleeing death threats and
gang violence. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-asylum-rule-redefine-who-qualifies-for-refuge-on-us-soil/.
Let’s read about the new regulations and make sure to submit a public comment on the federal register.
Let’s also talk to our MoCs and ask if there’s anything they can do on the
legislative end to expand access to asylum for those in dire need.
VOTE AGAINST EXTREMIST JUDGE JUSTIN WALKER: The Senate is expected to vote to confirm extremist judge Justin Walker to seat on the powerful DC Circuit Court. Judge Walker, a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is known for his opposition to the Affordable Care Act and has been questioned for being both too ideological and too inexperienced. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/judicial/501182-why-the-senate-must-vote-against-justin-walkers-nomination-to. Let’s read more about Judge Walker here and tell our Senators to vote no on his confirmation. We should make sure our Senators know that a vote for Judge Walker could end up compromising accessibility to health insurance for more than 135 million Americans.
2020
CENSUS: Completing the census is
essential to the wellbeing of our country.
It needs to be completed in a timely manner and the time will soon come
when census workers will be contacting those who have not already filled out
the short form. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/12/876432449/skipped-the-census-a-knock-on-your-door-may-be-coming-as-early-as-july
Here's the timeline the government has
set: https://2020census.gov/en/important-dates.html.
There, it says that "Census takers will interview homes that haven't
responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted" in the
fall, but let's not assume this will catch everyone. Self-reporting is
important, and happens very unevenly across the country, as we can see on this
heat map: https://bit.ly/3d0sN0S. Let's
fill out our census form and remind everyone we know to do so as well, here: https://2020census.gov
IMMIGRATION/CONCENTRATION
CAMPS: An Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) concentration camp in Adelanto, CA, operated by the
GEO Group is spraying a toxic disinfectant numerous times each day in direct
proximity to people who are currently being held there (https://yhoo.it/2Y1Emk3).
Immigrants are experiencing blisters, bleeding, breathing difficulties, and
other severe reactions to the disinfectant, HDQ Neutral (https://bit.ly/30KC62I). In
Florida, at an ICE facility operated by the Glades County Sheriff's Office,
immigrants are being exposed to Mint Disinfectant, and are suffering similar
reactions. Inland Coalition
for Immigrant Justice and Freedom for
Immigrants have sent a letter to officials with ICE and DHS,
expressing their concerns regarding multiple complaints that they have received
from immigrants inside these camps. They are also asking that all immigrants be
immediately released from the Adelanto facility. Let's contact the
Department of Homeland Security and tell them to either take appropriate and
safe precautions to protect immigrants against COVID-19 in concentration camps,
or to release all immigrants immediately: Phone: 202-282-8495 Email: DHSExecSec@hq.dhs.gov Twitter:
@DHS.gov We can also use the email tool from United We Dream to send a message to
ICE Acting Director Matthew Albence. Finally, let's be sure to share
reports about the toxic exposure, as most mainstream news organizations have
failed to pick up the story: https://yhoo.it/2Y1Emk3, https://bit.ly/30KC62I
FIND AND
DEMAND REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES: It is long past time for Confederate monuments to
come down. https://abcnews.go.com/US/confederate-statues-memorials-removed-us/story?id=71200382
Fortunately, the Southern Poverty Law Center has an interactive map to
help us achieve this, with 1,747 monuments, place names and other symbols of
the Confederacy listed within the United States. We can click here to
look up the location of Confederate monuments within our own communities and
then demand that they be removed.
RESEARCH
SHOWS THAT PARTISAN ATTITUDES ON COVID-19 MAY BE CHANGING: “Throughout the coronavirus crisis, many
Republicans have remained skeptical about the threat of Covid-19. But as the
disease moves from urban Democratic strongholds such as New York into some of
the rural and exurban areas that voted for Donald Trump, research suggests
those partisan attitudes to the pandemic may be shifting.
Coronavirus cases are climbing in Arizona, Florida, South Carolina and
Arkansas. In Texas, hospitalizations for Covid-19 are up 42% since Memorial
Day. In Oklahoma, health officials have expressed concern that a Trump campaign
rally in Tulsa this weekend could contribute to the spread of the disease in a
city that has experienced a recent rise in cases.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/15/first-thing-covid-19-skeptics-may-convert-virus-hits-trump-country-coronavirus-cases
There must be some real concern about
attending as those who do are required to sign medical waiver. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/502764-val-demings-trump-requiring-medical-waivers-good-clue-he-shouldnt-hold
Let’s
ask OK governor John Stitt to step in to support public health and cancel the
rally: https://www.governor.ok.gov/contact/general-info/contact-governor/
or phone: (405) 521-2342
AFRICAN
AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE ACTION FUND: Following the murder of George Floyd, the National Trust for Historic
Preservation has committed to growing the African American Cultural Heritage
Action Fund, with a goal of raising $25 million. “Our mission,” according to
National Trust President Paul Edmondson, “is to draw attention to the remarkable
stories that evoke centuries of African American activism and achievement, and
to tell our nation’s full story.” Let’s learn more and donate
here: https://savingplaces.org/african-american-cultural-heritage
TINY PRICKS
PROJECT: Tiny
Pricks Project is a public, textile-based project. There are already over
3,000 hand-stitched pieces made in protest of this presidency by participants
from around the world. Each piece is donated to the collection. All are welcome
to participate and for most it's been transformative. The project is on
Instagram: @tinypricksproject, Facebook: Tinypricksproject,
Twitter ; @tinypricks. All press and information on the website:
www.tinypricksproject. Over 55k people follow the project on IG and it's been
covered by everyone from Vogue to NPR. The physical collection will be
exhibited in Boston, NYC, and Washington DC leading up to the election. Let’s
learn more about this project and how we craftivists can become part of
it: https://www.tinypricksproject.com/participate/
FREE
DIVERSE LIBRARY PROJECT: Sarah
Kamya, a resident of Arlington, MA, has launched the Little Free Diverse
Library Project, https://www.instagram.com/littlefreediverselibraries/,
in an effort to fill the Little Free Libraries, https://littlefreelibrary.org/ ,
dotting her town with books written by Black authors, many purchased from
Black-owned bookstores. Let’s read about how she did it, https://www.boston.com/culture/local-news/2020/06/13/little-free-diverse-library-project-amplify-black-voices-through-books.
We can support her project here, https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2N6G2DIBWQDIT
and consider starting a Little Free
Diverse Library Project in our own communities.
BLACK MONEY
MATTERS: One United Bank is the
nation’s largest black-owned bank. It is FDIC-insured, with offices in Los
Angeles, Boston, and Miami; invests in urban communities; and offers affordable
financial services to all. Let’s explore One United Bank’s website and
consider opening an account: https://www.oneunited.com/
POSTCARDING
OPPORTUNITIES: From one of our own: Here are the postcarding write-ups I did for
this week. Please feel free to use/share/distribute. Please don't let the
bastards push you to the point where you find yourself unable to speak your
beliefs. Keep speaking out. Keep finding and expressing the words for your
truths. Let’s write:
STAND UP TO
RACISM: As a fundraiser for the Conscious Kid, “an education,
research and policy organization dedicated to reducing bias and promoting
positive identity development in youth”, t-shirts are now available: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/stand-up-against-racism
Funds will support the Conscious Kid: Anti Racist Children’s Book Education
Fund. Let’s check it out and support
this worthy cause.
ELECTION/VOTING
2020
ELECTION CALENDAR: This
resource is searchable by date and state - https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/2020-state-primary-election-dates.aspx
REMINDER-
CHECK VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS: Let’s make sure to regularly check our voter registration
status. States are purging voters routinely--we don't want to get caught
off guard. Take 1 minute and check right now: I Will Vote Then, let’s check how to vote by
mail in our state. Many rules have changed due to the pandemic and we may
be able to vote with a mailed ballot. We can find our state's latest voting
rules here: How to Vote By Mail in Every State
“DITCH
MITCH” POSTCARDS—The
Kentucky Women’s March needs volunteers to help them reach their goal of
sending 2.2 million postcards to women voters in Kentucky, urging them to vote
against Mitch McConnell. They send us the postcard kits for free; we supply
postage. Let’s read more about this campaign and sign up to get a
postcard kit: https://www.womensmarchaction.com/women-ditch-mitch-postcards
STATE/LOCAL
STATES: (ALL) Massachusetts is introducing legislation that
would ban chokeholds, tear gas, no-knock warrants, and require police officers
to intervene when a fellow police officer uses unnecessary force. https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-bill-would-ban-use-of-chokeholds-no-knock-warrants-by-police-officers/32861160.
Let’s research what (if any) legislation is being proposed in our state and ask our state legislators
to either introduce, sponsor, or pass similar legislation as soon as possible.
ME: SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN MAINE: If we are looking for actions to advance racial justice
and equality, we can consider supporting Black-owned businesses in our
state. Black Owned Maine has created a directory of Black-owned businesses
with searchable listings, businesses organized by industry, and a submission
form to add Black-owned businesses to the directory. We can find and share the Black Owned
Maine website here: https://blackownedmaine.com/ We can also learn more about the site and
its creators here: https://bit.ly/2BTkkj8
MI: CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: Last fall, a
bipartisan group of legislators in the House passed a package of bills
(HB 4980-4985)
which would significantly improve the expungement process and expand
eligibility for expungement in Michigan (https://bit.ly/2kvLZhO). Expungement is a crucial piece in
improving the lives of formerly incarcerated people, by expanding employment
and housing opportunities, among other benefits, and reducing the likelihood of
recidivism (https://bit.ly/2m7gNWN).
While the bills passed through the House quickly, they have stagnated since
being referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety in
November. Let's call the republican members of the committee and ask
them to move these bills forward for a full Senate vote: Sen. Peter Lucido
(chair) (517) 373-7670, Sen. Tom Barrett (517) 373-3447, Sen. Ruth Johnson
(517) 373-1636, Sen. Jim Runestad 517) 373-1758
NY: JOIN RACIAL JUSTICE VIRTUAL DIALOGUE
TONIGHT: Ready to demand that
our nation and our state act to protect black people and all minorities from
racism and police violence? We can join Candidates Joe Seeman (112 District
Assembly) and Thearse McCalmon (49th District, State Senate) TODAY,
Tuesday, June 16 at 7pm ET, to discuss the recent Black Lives Matter protests
and how to create an America that works for everyone. We can click here to
find out more and to join in: https://facebook.com/events/s/racial-justice-virtual-dialogu/293216528491124
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS/GROUP ACTIONS/TWEETSTORMS
VOLUNTEER
TO ADOPT A BATTLEGROUND STATE FOR 2020 VICTORY: The election may hinge on six key states and
a Vote Save America has just launched a strategy to win them. The Adopt a
State Program is brand-new remote mobilization program that will help us
directly support the work of organizers and candidates in these six key
battleground states that will be most important to winning a progressive
majority on Election Day—no matter where we live. After months working with the
most effective state parties, political strategists, and progressive
organizations on the ground in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to find out where we can help the most,
they will only send us actions that will make a real impact. We’ll get first
rate training to become part of the best group of digital organizers out there. This custom
live training series will include four sessions on Thursday evenings in June,
curated to help make us the most effective organizers we can be. When
we sign up, we’ll learn the messaging that works best, and the remote and
in-person opportunities that will help us make the biggest possible impact on
the outcome of its races: https://votesaveamerica.com/subscribe/
JUNETEENTH
ACTIONS/VIGILS/PROTESTS: JUNETEENTH MOBILIZATION: From Movement for
Black Lives (M4BL): To honor our ancestors and to lay a path to
freedom for future generations, we are calling for the SIX NINETEEN
mobilization on Juneteenth weekend, June 19–21, 2020. We invite you to
join us by taking action from home, in your community, or in Washington, D.C.
This mobilization offers a spectrum of opportunities to take action. Wherever
you join us, you are building the movement to shift resources from police who
do not keep us safe, to community safety that actually works. And together, we
will demand the resignation of Donald Trump, who has marshalled the forces of
white supremacy to stoke the flames of racist violence in our country. Take action with M4BL as we
organize the next wave of resistance for Juneteenth. Six
Nineteen (a project of the Movement for Black Lives) has a national listing
of Juneteenth (June 19th) events including events June 20-21. Let’s
plan to attend or plan an event: https://sixnineteen.com/
GET TRAINED
TO VOLUNTEER VIRTUALLY FOR BIDEN: The upcoming 2020 Presidential Election will be crucial in deciding the
fate of our country and our democracy. After 2016, we know we cannot be
complacent, but must do everything possible to defeat Trump and get our country
back on track. One way to start is to help Joe Biden's campaign which is
looking for volunteers right now. We can click here to join an Action
Center trainings (which will be offered 75 times between May 27 and November 1)
and learn how to use our online organizing hub to volunteer virtually for Joe: https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/149561
MASS POOR
PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY & MORAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON: “The Mass
Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington is going digital! On
June 20th, we will hold the largest digital and social media gathering
of poor and low-wealth people, moral and religious leaders, advocates, and
people of conscience in this nation’s history. A global pandemic is exposing
even more the already existing crisis of systemic racism, poverty, ecological
devastation, the war economy and militarism, and the distorted moral narrative
of religious nationalism. On June 20, the 140 million poor and low-wealth
people across this nation will be heard!”
We can sign up here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/rsvp-for-june-20-2020-mass-poor-peoples-assembly-moral-march-on-washington
READING/WATCHING/LISTENING
Coronavirus
2nd Wave? Nope, The U.S. Is Still Stuck In The 1st One - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/12/876224115/coronavirus-second-wave-nope-were-still-stuck-in-the-first-one
Trump
might be remaking both parties' memberships - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/trump-might-be-remaking-both-parties-membership-n1231032
The
emotional impact of watching white people wake up to racism in real-time - https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/12/emotional-impact-watching-white-people-wake-racism-real-time-12839920/
Racial
Injustice has Benefited Me - A Confession - https://www.holypost.com/post/how-racial-injustice-has-benefited-me
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.