6/9/20
NATIONAL
ISSUES
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PASS THE
JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT: Democrats
in both houses have introduced legislation that would “establish a federal ban
on chokeholds, eliminate the legal shield protecting police from lawsuits,
mandate the use of body cameras nationwide, ban military-style weapons for
police and create a national database disclosing the names of officers with
patterns of abuse.” It also would make lynching a federal hate crime. The bills
are yet unnumbered. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/501636-democrats-unveil-sweeping-legislation-in-response-to-protests-of-police
and https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872180672/read-democrats-release-legislation-to-overhaul-policing.
Let’s tell our MoCs to support this bill and pass it immediately.
RELIEF FOR
UNEMPLOYED: Despite 20 million
unemployed, only about half of the more than $3 trillion approved by Congress
over four separate coronavirus bills has been obligated or committed, according
to calculations by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget; food banks;
K-12 schools; community block grants for health facilities, child care centers,
and services for seniors and homeless people; nursing homes; and an
appropriation for PPE for firemen, among others, have received only a small
fraction, if any, of the aid granted them by Congress: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/06/08/cares-act-unspent-money-congress/ or https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Food-banks-other-key-programs-have-received-only-15324291.php
The delays may, as some say, be bureaucratic or the result of the inept
leadership characteristic of this federal administration; either way, they are
unacceptable and we must tell our MoCs so.
STOP
ANOTHER ULTRACONSERVATIVE JUDGE: The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted on
party lines to advance Trump's nomination of 37-year-old Mitch McConnell and
Brett Kavanaugh protege Justin Walker to a lifetime appointment
on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Walker is an
ultraconservative Federal Society member who has publicly bashed the Affordable
Care Act and has been extremely partisan in his brief tenure as a federal judge
(https://thehill.com/regulation/501116-trumps-pick-for-dc-appeals-court-clears-senate-committee).
The full Senate vote is our last chance to stop him. Let's make sure our
senators know we want them to vote against Walker's confirmation.
INSIST THAT
GOP POLITICIANS ACKNOWLEDGE A LONG-STANDING PATTERN OF RACISM IN LAW
ENFORCEMENT: While a few
Republicans like Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) are recognizing the importance of marching
with demonstrators against racist police practices, https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/06/07/mitt-romney-marches-black/,
many like DHS Deputy Director Ken Cuccinelli, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/501653-cuccinelli-says-outcome-would-have-been-the-same-if-george-floyd-were
and Attorney General William Barr are insisting that George Floyd’s murder had
nothing to do with systemic racism in law enforcement. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/07/us/politics/justice-department-barr-racism-police.html.
If we have Republican MoCs, let’s educate them on the issue and ask them to
publicly acknowledge that our systemically racist law enforcement system has
been responsible for many black lives. And let’s also thank Senator Romney
for marching for his principles.
FOLLOWING
UP FROM PROTESTS: Protests have
continued to take place in all 50 states and around the world in the wake of
the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/07/george-floyd-protests-enter-third-week If
we have been able to attend a protest, let’s take a moment to thank the
organizers. If we are white, let’s especially make sure that our presence goes
beyond the protest or vigil and into community conversations with the police
department where we live. This resource (8 Can’t Wait) can provide a platform
for conversation about needed reforms in departments big and small: https://8cantwait.org/
JOIN SOCIAL
MEDIA CAMPAIGN PROTESTING FAMILY SEPARATION: To try to comply with the terms of the Flores Agreement, which
mandates that children should not be detained for more than 20 days, ICE is
giving families in detention the impossible choice of giving up their children,
or signing forms that allows them to remain together in detention indefinitely.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/faced-choice-migrant-parents-ice-detention-refuse-separate-children-n1209841.
RAICES is organizing a social media campaign protesting this inhumane and
immoral policy. Let’s educate ourselves and join in with this toolkit.
ADVOCATE
FOR REDIRECTION OF FUNDS FROM POLICE DEPARTMENTS: Last night the Minneapolis City Council voted
with a veto-proof majority to defund the municipal police department and slowly
transition to alternatives like unarmed public safety officers, social workers,
and mental health professionals. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/07/vetoproof-majority-minneapolis-council-members-gives-support-dismantling-police-department.
Across the country in cities large and small, residents are beginning to
question the function and impact of law enforcement and whether alternative
professionals might be better equipped to handle many current law enforcement
functions, such as opiate abuse response and domestic violence. Let’s find
out what’s happening in our own towns around this issue and join the
conversation.
ACLU APPS
TO RECORD POLICE CONDUCT: The
ACLU has developed apps that allow us to record police conduct in the states of
AZ, CA, CO, GA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NM, NC, OK, OR, PA, VA, Washington,
DC, and NY. https://www.consumerreports.org/audio-video/how-to-record-video-during-a-protest/
Let’s visit this page and learn how to download an app: https://www.aclu.org/issues/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police/aclu-apps-record-police-conduct
JUSTICE FOR
BREONNA TAYLOR: “The FBI is now investigating the death
of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police during a raid at
her home in Louisville, Kentucky.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fbi-investigating-death-breonna-taylor-killed-police-her-louisville-home-n1212381 Her assailants have yet to be arrested and
there is growing pressure to do so. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-06-08/breonna-taylor-celebrity-tweets-arrest-cops Let’s add our voices and call the Louisville
police department and mayor demanding that charges be made against the killers
in this murder that should never have even happened. Let’s
call Louisville Metro Police Dept. 502-574-7111 and Louisville Mayor Greg
Fischer: 502-574-2003
RACIAL
EQUITY IN CORPORATE LEADERSHIP: We see companies coming out with strong
anti-racial statements; however, the words are not always put into practice
within those companies. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chukaumunna/2020/06/08/ceos-speak-out-on-racial-injustice-but-get-your-own-house-in-order--starting-in-the-boardroom/#7d30c4237ea3
When pundit Ana
Navarro received such a message from Macy’s, here is the one she sent back: “Dear @macys, as your long-time customer, I
really appreciate these words and letter from your CEO. I frequently shop at
your stores in Miami and DC. Many of your customers and employees are People of
Color. Solidarity matters. Allies -individuals and corporate- are so important.
Now can you tell me what percentage of your Board of Directors is People of
Color? I plan to ask this of every company I give my business to. Because
representation and actions matter more. Thank
you.” Let’s send similar messages to
companies we deal with.
MAPPING #BLM
PROTESTS: USA Today is attempting to map all the Black
Lives Matter protests over the last couple of weeks. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2020/06/03/map-protests-wake-george-floyds-death/5310149002/ Let's help get the word out and make sure all
protests are included in this map. "This map represents an ongoing effort
to track protests across America. If there's been a protest or demonstration
in your area we've missed, please send your city, state, and a link to local
coverage to protest@usatoday.com."
FEAR OF
VIOLENCE AT #BLM PROTESTS: Some of the #BLM protests turned ugly, but
most of those gathering to protest were peaceful. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/08/george-floyd-killing-police-arrest-non-violent-protesters
Guns
Down America is tracking incidents anywhere in the country where guns were
brandished or used for intimidation. If
we witnessed such, we are asked to report it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfx0hR0WBpHIOXvDt03y9ZycG782t3RiJASjXfUz3g_HsbygA/viewform
POSTCARDING
OPPORTUNITY: From one of our own: We need to be thinking big right now and
re-imagining what "normal" might be—in terms of policing, climate,
immigration, and so much more. I hope these write-ups can provide just a bit of
help. Here are this week's postcarding write-ups: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KJJ9QpRTaCtca7zHyfaNkG6z-PAVmfMjIj96in_phBw/edit?usp=sharing
HISTORY OF
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY: Historian Heather Cox Richardson has just begun a weekly FB Live
series on the history of the Republican Party. Regardless of one's particular
political persuasion, it is a fascinating look at the fundamental and
continuing conflict of equality of opportunity vs protection of property. No
proselytizing, just history. Take a listen: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/videos/305456300460134/
CALL BRONX
DA TO RELEASE PROTESTORS NOW: Color of Change informs us that hundreds of NYC protestors are being illegally detained
in overcrowded conditions by the district
attorney's office in the middle of a pandemic. We can click here (bit.ly/protectprotestersbronx) or call Bronx District
Attorney's Office DA Darcel Clark at +1 718-590-2000 to demand she release the
Bronx uprising protesters immediately!
CHECK HOW
WELL OUR LOCAL PROSECUTORS HOLD VIOLENT POLICE ACCOUNTABLE: Prosecutors who do not hold violent police
officers accountable help keep dysfunctional systems going, but we can put a
stop to this. https://ashlandtidings.com/opinion/columns/herb-rothschild-jr-the-complicity-of-prosecutors-in-police-violence We can use Color of Change’s “Winning Justice” tool
to check out our local prosecutor and see how they have dealt with police
violence, then vote them out if needed: https://www.winningjustice.org/search
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
PRIMARIES
TODAY: Five states have
primaries today. Let's click on link on the state name to see that
state's Ballotpedia page for more information: a) Georgia; b) South Carolina, c) North Dakota,
and d) West
Virginia , and Nevada.
FLIP A
SENATE SEAT IN NORTH CAROLINA:
If we're going to flip the U.S. Senate this fall, we will need to defeat
Republican Thom Tillis in North Carolina. Tillis has an A+ rating from the NRA,
rejects the science on climate change, and supports stripping health care away
from millions of Americans... and he's in trouble against Democratic veteran
and former state senator Cal Cunningham, who led him 43-41 in a recent poll. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/501089-poll-biden-leads-trump-cunningham-neck-and-neck-with-tillis-in-north
We can help him win by donating or volunteering for
his campaign.
P2V
ELECTION WATCH: Postcards to Voters'
(P2V) volunteers will be watching Georgia primary election returns on Tuesday
for Rhonda Taylor, a true blue Democrat running for State House, District 91.
(Campaign 200.) Rhonda should be the Democratic candidate now that incumbent
Democrat Vernon Jones has withdrawn from consideration after endorsing Trump.
(More at ajc.com). Thanks to everyone who worked on Rhonda
Taylor's campaign.
STATE/LOCAL
CA: CALL OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO PASS ANTI CHOKEHOLD
LAW:
It is time to put an end to violent police tactics like choke holds and carotid restraints that have taken the lives of Eric Gardner, George Floyd and far too many others. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-05/george-floyd-carotid-neck-hold-police Our State Assembly has taken a good step towards that this Monday with AB1196, which would eliminate the use of a chokehold or carotid restraint statewide by law enforcement. https://twitter.com/danielapardotv/status/1270049342766735360 We can find our Assembly member here (http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/), then call and tell them to support Assemblyman Mike Gipson’s AB1196 and stop chokeholds in our state.
It is time to put an end to violent police tactics like choke holds and carotid restraints that have taken the lives of Eric Gardner, George Floyd and far too many others. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-05/george-floyd-carotid-neck-hold-police Our State Assembly has taken a good step towards that this Monday with AB1196, which would eliminate the use of a chokehold or carotid restraint statewide by law enforcement. https://twitter.com/danielapardotv/status/1270049342766735360 We can find our Assembly member here (http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/), then call and tell them to support Assemblyman Mike Gipson’s AB1196 and stop chokeholds in our state.
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS/GROUP ACTIONS/TWEETSTORMS
RACISM
WEBINAR: Today, at 8pm ET, Showing Up for Racial Justice
(SURJ) is hosting a webinar entitled, “White People's Work to End Racism”. “This is a webinar for folks who are
newer to racial justice work and folks doing the work of bringing new white
folks in.” We can learn more and register
here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wzcZ4JWeRkGSlCktBXBmNA
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/
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
Reflections
from A Token Black Friend - https://medium.com/@rnagarajah2/reflections-from-a-token-black-friend-2f1ea522d42d
Why The
Small Protests In Small Towns Across America Matter - https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/black-lives-matter-protests-near-me-small-towns
Against
the background of national protests and Trump’s incitement to violence, here
are healing and inspiring words in the best tradition of American leadership
from former presidents and Joe Biden:
- Statement by President Barack Obama
at https://medium.com/@BarackObama/how-to-make-this-moment-the-turning-point-for-real-change-9fa209806067.
- Statement by President George W. Bush
at https://www.bushcenter.org/about-the-center/newsroom/press-releases/2020/06/statement-by-president-george-w-bush.html.
- Statement by President Bill Clinton
at https://www.clintonfoundation.org/press-releases/statement-president-bill-clinton-death-george-floyd.
- Statement by President Jimmy Carter
at https://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/2020/statement-060320.html.
- Statement by Vice President Joe Biden
at https://www.vox.com/2020/6/2/21277967/joe-biden-full-speech-george-floyd-death-trump. (h/t CFAA)
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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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