9/10/20
NATIONAL
ISSUES
Contact all Federal
Members of Congress
(includes contact info and
links to social media)
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legislators for free:
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and other mailing supplies:
White
House contact: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house
|
DHS WHISTLEBLOWER
CLAIMS MANIPULATION OF INTELLIGENCE: “The former chief of
intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security has filed a whistleblower
complaint describing repeated instances in which he claims the Trump
administration sought to “censor or manipulate” intelligence for political
purposes.” https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/whistleblower-details-alleged-politicization-intelligence-dhs/story?id=72904622
“Over the course of 24 pages, Murphy describes an environment in which senior
officials – including former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen
Nielsen, current acting Secretary Chad Wolf, and current Deputy Secretary
Ken Cuccinelli – scrambled to gather and prepare intelligence reports that
aligned with President Donald Trump’s political message and public remarks.” We’ve seen these names before and had
concerns about their integrity. Let’s
tell our MoCs that we think this situation needs an immediate investigation.
MORE COVID RELIEF
NEEDED: Americans are in financial pain. In our four
largest cities, at least half of people say they have experienced the loss of a
job or a reduction in wages since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. Many
of these problems are concentrated among Black and Latino
households. Education is taking a huge hit. Childcare is needed
everywhere. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/09/909669760/npr-poll-financial-pain-from-coronavirus-pandemic-much-much-worse-than-expected
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is trying to score political points with
a scaled down coronavirus relief bill. This is so scaled down it doesn’t
include any money for states and cities, pay for essential workers, eviction
protection, necessary fixes to the post office or enhanced measures for
election security--all of which are included in the House-passed HEROES Act (H.R. 6800).
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also claims that the bill is loaded with poison
pills and is basically being put forth so that vulnerable Republican Senators
will look like they have done something. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-stimulus-whats-in-senate-republicans-pareddown-relief-bill-211317844.html
Let’s tell our senators that the
Senate needs to get to work passing the Heroes Act NOW. Mitch McConnell's stopgap
legislation doesn't even get close to what we need.
THE TRUMP NIGHTMARE
CONTINUES: In the past 24 hours
we have learned that Trump admitted on tape to downplaying the COVID crisis: https://apnews.com/c9f35842f7bb355be72842d15a8f7c02 and
that nearing the eve of needing to turn over Trump’s DNA for the E Jean Carroll
rape case the Department of Justice is taking over his defense which is a wild
abuse of power: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/09/910992023/justice-dept-intervenes-to-take-over-trumps-defense-in-defamation-lawsuit While
continuing our Get Out The Vote efforts for November 3rd, let’s also
contact our MoC to say that we expect a swift response to our maleficent and
criminal president. Senator Brian Schatz said it best: https://twitter.com/brianschatz/status/1303771228956692483
PROTEST USING OUR
TAXPAYER MONEY TO DEFEND TRUMP FROM DEFAMATION LAWSUIT IN RAPE ALLEGATION CASE:
The Justice Department lawyers
are defending Trump in a defamation lawsuit against Trump brought about by Jean
Carroll who claimed that Trump raped her in the 1990s. https://www.npr.org/2020/09/09/910992023/justice-dept-intervenes-to-take-over-trumps-defense-in-defamation-lawsuit.
If this unprecedented move is successful, the case would be moved to Federal
Court, where serving officials have immunity, chalking up one more time where
women are silenced for speaking out against rape. Let’s add our voices to a
massive public outcry by spreading this story on social media, and let’s tell
DOJ and our MoCs that this illegal and unethical use of our taxpayer money and
must be stopped.
SPEAK OUT AGAINST
WHITE HOUSE ANTI-RACISM TRAINING BAN: The White House is seeking to ban all diversity training that focuses
on “white privilege” and “critical race theory,” rejecting the important and
necessary examination of the root causes of racism. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-directs-federal-agencies-halt-race-related/story?id=72836468.
Let’s contact Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and the
Budget about Memo M-34, Training and the Federal Government (725
17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20503; Twitter: @RussVought45) and tell him that
systemic racism in this country has led to a culture where it’s ok for cops to
shoot black people, and that the only way to undo it is to tackle the many ways
racism is rooted in our country, even if it might be uncomfortable for white
people. This article from Forbes contains many relevant talking points
as to why these trainings are essential, especially in these times.
POLICE VIOLENCE: Kenosha, Wisconsin is experiencing an utter
failure of its police department (https://abcn.ws/3ham9qU). From the shooting of Jacob Blake,
to the police not arresting Kyle Rittenhouse immediately after he shot and
killed protestors, to Sheriff David Beth and Chief Daniel Muskinis blaming
protestors themselves for being killed and for Rittenhouse being able to
escape, there has been a complete abdication of responsibility and
accountability. Let's join the ACLU in calling on Sheriff Beth and
Chief Miskinis to resign. We can call for Kenosha County David Beth's resignation
by contacting Gov. Tony Evers' Office at (608) 266-1212 and call for Kenosha
Police Chief Daniel Miskinis' resignation by contacting the Kenosha Police and
Fire Commission at (262)-653-4135. we can also fill out the citizen complaint
form at: https://www.kenosha.org/images/police_and_fire_commisson/COMPLAINT_FORM.pdf
ANITA HILL AND JOE
BIDEN: “[Anita] Hill was
relentlessly and often-derisively questioned during the confirmation hearing
for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991, a hearing which Biden
presided over as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.” Nonetheless, Hill has “says she will be
casting her vote for Joe Biden in November and would like to work with his
administration on issues of gender-based violence and discrimination.” https://www.theroot.com/anita-hill-will-be-voting-for-joe-biden-in-2020-opens-1844970783 Let’s thank Hill for her grace and help: Anita
Hill - ahill@brandeis.edu
ELECTION/VOTING
BLACK VOTERS MATTER: Black
Voters Matter is working on the ground level to find issues that
matter the most in communities, building relationships with local
organizations, and doing the work to turn out the vote. Let's learn more about the crucial work that this
organization is doing, then let's sign up to get involved. Volunteers can help
by texting, phone banking, writing postcards, campaigning on social media, and
more. Let's get to work!
REJOICE THE VOTE
ART CONTEST—Artists of all
ages are invited to submit an original design that inspires people, especially
young people, to vote. Cash prizes available. Submission deadline is October 1. Let’s
read the rules and submit our artwork: https://rejoicethevote.org/artcontest/
VOTE-BY-MAIL
DASHBOARDS—Democracy Docket is creating
simple, sharable graphics that explain the rules of voting by mail in various
states. Here’s an example (Arizona): https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2020/09/AZ_Dashboard.png Dashboards
for various states can be downloaded from here—click on the state https://www.democracydocket.com/our-cases/. Let’s
get that information out there!
VOTING FROM ABROAD: One of the biggest hurdles that Americans
living overseas face is getting accurate information on how to vote, especially
since voting overseas is based on where you voted LAST, not where you are from.
Here are helpful links: https://www.fvap.gov/ and https://www.democratsabroad.org/
Let’s distribute this information as widely as possible and get out the
overseas vote!
19 EASY THINGS WE
CAN DO TO GET OUT THE VOTE: Political Charge, whose newsletter
is always full of excellent information on how to resist, knows we're all tired
and busy, so they've prepared a guide of 19 easy things we can do to
get out the vote. We can get our guide here and share with others: https://mailchi.mp/d00a9496a621/political-charge
BIDEN PLATFORM GRAPHICS
TO SHARE: Biden’s campaign is in full swing: https://joebiden.com/ and https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-2020-campaign-364-5-million-fundraising-committees-august/
Let’s use these Biden platform graphics however we can: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bSdEPqWeyL1wMNw2k56wRJ9l6UYlMUQ0UPU-pPPpFFE/edit?usp=sharing
DOWN-BALLOT
ELECTIONS. Flippable has
identified ten (10) states that they are targeting to flip. We can read about them here.
Emily's List, whose mission is to elect pro-choice Democratic women to
office, lists specific races to support in each state.
Any small contribution will go a long way to help these candidates. Let's
contribute to or consider volunteering for one of these important races.
VOTE BY MAIL
BASICS: Political Charge has given us a handy guide to voting
by mail: https://politicalcharge.org/2020/09/09/vote-by-mail-the-latest-news-you-can-use/ Let’s make sure to share this link with
families, friends, and in social media.
OCTOBER AS “ELECTION
MONTH”: It has been suggested
we treat October as “election month,” doing everything we can to increase
participation, education, and assistance. Great advice! https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/election-month-2020-vote-early-plan.html
Let’s start in our own backyards. A new
tool called Map The Vote allows you to see who in your neighborhood is NOT
registered to vote. Let’s check this out and see how we can use
it: https://mapthe.vote/
(h/t Your
Weekly Pep Talk & Action List)
MAKING A VOTING
PLAN: Here’s another useful state-by-state voting guide that we can share with
friends and family and via social media: https://votesaveamerica.com/
NATIONAL VOTER
REGISTRATION DAY: This day,
which highlights the importance of registering as many voters as possible,
occurs on September 22. This website offers individuals and
organizations many ways to participate -- from voter drives to promoting the
day on social media -- all in the name of registering more voters! https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org
LEAD PHONE OR
TEXT BANKING TO PURGED VOTER AND COLLEGE STUDENTS IN KEY STATES: Field
Team 6 Is looking for phone or text bank captains to help lead their most
important project so far: contacting every college student and purged voter on
their battleground states list! It only takes a couple hours to lead a weekly
phone or text bank after the initial training, and Field Team 6 will handle all
the logistics. We can click here to sign up for training to lead weekly
phone: https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/315521/ or
text bank sessions here:
STATE/LOCAL
MI: ELECTION CHANGES NEEDED: There are several legislative changes that are
needed to better position the state of Michigan to successfully meet the
challenges of an election that is expected to set records for turnout and
absentee ballots cast. https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2020/09/06/michigan-needs-new-legislation-safeguard-elections/5721661002/ The proposed legislative changes include:
- Allowing clerks to
begin processing absent voter ballots prior to Election Day (SB 757, HB
5435)
- Requiring clerks
to contact any voter who submits an absentee ballot without a matching
signature (HB 5991)
- Requiring ballots
to be counted if placed in the mail by Election Day, even if those ballots
arrive after Election Day (HB 5987)
- Enabling the safe,
secure electronic return of military and overseas ballots (SB 117)
- Requiring
employers to provide paid time off for employees to vote (SB 1029, HB
6000)
The
changes would improve the elections process for voters and clerks, would
protect the system from being pushed beyond its limits and would help ensure
that every vote is counted. Let’s call our state reps and senators and tell
them we support these important changes to our MI election process.
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS/GROUP
ACTIONS/TWEETSTORMS
TRAIN TO BE A
DIGITAL ORGANIZER FOR THE BIDEN HARRIS CAMPAIGN: If we are active on social media, we can help
the Biden Harris Campaign by spreading the word through our various platforms.
We can learn more and sign up for a virtual training here where we can learn to
digitally organize our communities including Soul Squad, social media platforms,
and organizing platforms. We can click here to get digital organizing
training TODAY, Thu, Sep 10, 3:00pm–4:00pm EDT, but If we cannot make today’s
training, there are several other dates available for us to try.
PHONE BANK TO KEY
STATE NORTH CAROLINA FOR BIDEN/HARRIS
North Carolina is a
“Moneyball State” for the Biden/ Harris Campaign. According to the Princeton Election
Consortium, it’s a key state where a small group of voters could provide
“tipping point support” for a Biden win. https://election.princeton.edu/2020/08/09/whats-more-important-than-a-presidential-probability/ Now we can help a Blue victory in North
Carolina by phone banking for the Biden campaign, with shifts available
starting from TODAY, Thursday Sept 10 10-2 EDT today through Sunday, Sept
13 3-6 EDT. We will get training and have the support of an organizer working
with us to answer our questions, then start reaching out to unaffiliated voters
or infrequently voting Democrats. We can click here to Phone Bank to
North Carolina voters and get the White House back in November.
WINNING IS THE
ONLY OPTION: Swing Left Greater Boston/Swing
Blue Alliance is hosting a Virtual Activism Workshop today, September 10,
5PM Eastern. The workshop will teach us how we can help get out the Democratic
vote between now and November 3rd. Can’t make it on the 10th?
The workshop is also being offered on 9/20, 9/28, and 10/4. Let’s sign
up: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleftboston/event/294960/
JOIN GOTV
PHONE-BANK TO VOTERS OF COLOR IN VOTER SURPRESSION STATES: Reclaim Our Vote is phone banking to voters of color in voter
suppression states, urging them to vote. Their data shows that 60-80% of those
contacted, in person or by voicemails, will go on to vote. The calls are non-partisan,
and our timing can be flexible, making as few or as many calls as we like
between 9AM and 9PM in the states we call. We can click here to sign up
for a one-hour training, offered every Monday at 7:30PM ET, then get ready to
turn out the vote:
READING/WATCHING/LISTENING
The 8 states
where 2020 will be won or lost
- https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/08/swing-states-2020-presidential-election-409000
NPR Poll:
Financial Pain From Coronavirus Pandemic 'Much, Much Worse' Than Expected - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/09/909669760/npr-poll-financial-pain-from-coronavirus-pandemic-much-much-worse-than-expected
How textbooks
taught white supremacy - https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/09/harvard-historian-examines-how-textbooks-taught-white-supremacy/
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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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