9/17/20
NATIONAL ISSUES
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PRESS CONGRESS TO
INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF COVID-SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND FORCED HYSTERECTOMIES ON
DETAINEES: A whistleblower has
filed a complaint alleging numerous incidents of medical neglect and
questionable hysterectomies given to immigrant women at the Irwin County
Detention Center in Georgia. https://www.npr.org/2020/09/16/913398383/whistleblower-alleges-medical-neglect-questionable-hysterectomies-of-ice-detaine.
Let’s contact our MoCs with the following demands: (1) A public call for an
immediate on-the-ground investigation by the Office of Inspector General.
(Note: they need to be loud and unapologetic since the OIG has said ICE
detention facilities are too unsafe for them to enter. (2) An immediate closure
of the Irwin Detention Center. (3) A rejection of any extra money for CBP in
next week’s continuing resolution. We
can also text SIGN HFWPIY to 50409 or DM SIGN HFWPIY to @resistbot on Twitter
or Messenger.
CHAD WOLF CONFIRMATION: Some feel that Chad Wolf has been illegally
in his position as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. Trump has now put forth Wolf as the nominee
for the position. Let’s remember that under
Wolf’s leadership ICE has been continually reckless and harmful of so many
immigrants in detention. He is the one
who sent federal officers to Portland to quell the situation. Now we’ve learned that he and other DHS officials
have tried to influence intelligence. Wolf
is not the kind of person needed in that position. https://apnews.com/d7ae362072de52c44aea48bbac57c156 Wolf has his hearing tentatively scheduled
for next Wednesday. Let’s write to or call our Senators and say we oppose him.
OPPOSE ANTI-TRANS
RULE: A proposed rule from the Trump administration
would gut protections for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals who
are experiencing homelessness by allowing taxpayer-funded shelters to refuse
entry based on a number of factors, including for religious reasons. Nearly
one-third of all transgender people experience homelessness; that number rises
to 50% for trans people of color. The pandemic and current economic crisis
likely means these numbers will climb. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-09-08/op-ed-trumps-wants-to-make-trans-discrimination-legal-again-dont-let-it
The deadline for making a public comment on this Sept. 22. Let’s use this information and form from
Housing Saves Lives learn more what we can do:
https://housingsaveslives.org/
VETS AND BURN PIT/TOXIC
EXPOSURE LEGISLATION: “Today,
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press call with New York media to
discuss her new landmark legislation, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters
Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020 [yet unnumbered]. Earlier
today, Gillibrand stood in front of the United States Capitol alongside
veterans advocate Jon Stewart, Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D. (D-CA), former U.S.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, 9/11 responder and advocate John
Feal and an array of veterans groups to announce the bill to streamline the
process for obtaining VA benefits for burn pit and other toxic exposures.
Approximately 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to burn pits that spewed
toxic fumes and carcinogens into the air.” https://wlea.net/sen-gillibrand-over-three-million-veterans-were-exposed-to-burn-pits/
and https://www.npr.org/2020/09/16/913376758/jon-stewart-uses-his-celebrity-to-bring-attention-to-vets-exposed-to-burn-pits
Let’s tell our senators that we
support this legislation for the vets who served our country.
HHS ASSISTANT
SECRETARY ACCUSES CDC OF “SEDITION” AND CALLS FOR ELECTION VIOLENCE: Michael Caputo, assistant secretary for
public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, which is
overseeing the coronavirus response, urged Trump’s supporters to prepare for an
armed insurrection after a contested election, accused government scientists of
“sedition,” and claimed that Biden would refuse to concede the election if
Trump won; “And when Donald Trump refuses to stand down at the inauguration,
the shooting will begin,” he warned in a Facebook Live video, “The drills that
you’ve seen are nothing. If you carry guns, buy ammunition, ladies and
gentlemen, because it’s going to be hard to get”: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/09/14/michael-caputo-coronavirus-cdc or https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-michael-caputo-video-sedition-20200914-cy4sz4rwejhvxd2urwyq3iqpju-story.html
Either Caputo has lost it or, as likely, he’s trying to deliberately provoke
violence. Caputo has taken a leave of absence, but let’s demand that
his boss, HHS Secretary Alex Azar, bring him under control, let him go, whatever
that takes: 877-696-6775 or HHS, 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20201. While we are at it, let’s ask for Azar’s resignation,
too.
WILDFIRE DISASTER
RELIEF: We’ve all seen
photos of the burned-out classrooms in California and Oregon; the American
Federation of Teachers has established a disaster relief fund specifically to
help make sure that the school bus drivers, teachers, school cafeteria workers,
college faculty, graduate workers, other school staff and nurses who are
directly impacted by the wildfires in the West have support. We can
contribute: https://www.aft.org/disaster-relief-fund
WILDFIRE RELIEF: Charity
Navigator has compiled a list of highly rated nonprofit organizations
that are providing relief and recovery to communities affected by wildfires in
the Pacific Northwest. We can research charities we may want to give to
here: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=7574
ELECTION/VOTING
ELECTION - GET OUT THE VOTE (GOTV)
WASHINGTON—FOR VOTERS DISPLACEDBY WILDFIRES: Rogan’s List has
learned through the League of Women Voters of Washington that the WA Secretary
of State’s office is advising those displaced by wildfires to contact their
local county auditor to make arrangements to receive a ballot. Let’s do
so, and spread the word. We can find our county auditors here: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/auditors/
OREGON—FOR VOTERS DISPLACED BY WILDFIRES: The Oregon Secretary
of State’s office has published FAQs on how to vote if you’ve been displaced by
wildfires. Info is here—let’s use it and share: https://sos.oregon.gov/voting-elections/Pages/fires.aspx
CALIFORNIA—FOR VOTERS DISPLACED BY WILDFIRES: Rogan’s List
recommendation: Californians who have been displaced by wildfires and are
looking for guidance on how to vote should contact the county elections office
in the county where their home was before being evacuated. To find our
county elections office, can consult this list: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices
HELP END POLL TAXES: "Four months after a federal judge ruled
that it was akin to an unconstitutional poll tax for Florida to require that
people with serious criminal convictions pay court fines and fees before they
can register to vote, an appeals court narrowly overturned that decision on
Friday," according to the NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/florida-felon-voting-rights.html or https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2020/09/12/ruling-on-felons-s-voting-rights-disappoints-advocates or https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/09/11/reversing-lower-court-judge-rules-florida-felons-cant-vote-until-theyve-paid-fines/#57419b025daf
There are less than 3 weeks to help ex-prisoners pay the fines that will enable
them to vote. We can help pay those fees and prevent the court from
reversing Florida voters’ decision to end the disenfranchisement of those
convicted of felonies; none of us have the means to match Lebron James'
organization's $100k contribution, but every dollar helps: https://wegotthevote.org/finesandfees/
ASK BIG FUNDERS TO PAY FEES OF FORMER FLORIDA FELONS SO THEY CAN
REGISTER TO VOTE: The recent 6-4 ruling in the Florida Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a
state law requiring former felons to pay all outstanding legal obligations
before being allowed to vote. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-felon-voting-rights-pay-fines-fees/.
Let’s write to Bill Gates (media@gatesfoundation.org), Tom Steyer (https://www.tomsteyer.com/contact/),
and Michael Bloomberg (mbloomberg@bloomberg.net) and ask them to form a
network of wealthy progressives that can pay off these fees and allow 774,000
disenfranchised voters the right to cast their ballot.
ELECTION - SUPPORT CANDIDATES
Link
correction: SPANISH SPEAKERS URGENTLY
NEEDED TO TEXT FOR BIDEN: Spanish speaking volunteers who can text or
call in Spanish are urgently needed to drive up Hispanic support for Biden in
Florida. Right now, the Florida race is extremely close, and Trump has
gained strength among Cubans and other Latinos who believe Biden is a communist
or socialist. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/09/trump-florida-latinos-cubans-communism-socialism.html We
need to drive out the Democratic Latino vote, and we need your help NOW because
we could lose Florida if this continues. Upcoming Texting times are : Tue, Sep
15, 5:00pm–7:00pm EDT, Sat, Sep 19, 11:00am–12:00pm EDT Tue, Sep 22,
5:00pm–6:00pm EDT. We can find out more and signup here to text Spanish
speaking voters in Florida. If we cannot make the dates listed, new ones will
be added, so we can keep checking back. If we know Spanish speakers who can
help we can share this info with them: https://www.mobilize.us/fl2020victory/event/320226/
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS. Let's check out the latest campaigns: a) Campaign
209: Marc Arnett for Georgia State House; b) Campaign
210: Cal Cunningham for Senate, North Carolina. Let's
request 5 addresses today for one of the open campaigns.
SISTER DISTRICT PROJECT. CA03 and Indivisible YOLO invite us to participate
in various activities in support of democrats in local and national races,
including calling voters, texting
voters, and postcard writing. Let's volunteer for the
activity that fits our own style best.
VIRTUAL POSTCARDING PARTY IDEAS: For veteran Postcards To Voters writers, the
opportunities going on right now to write for Amy McGrath for Senate in
Kentucky and Cal Cunningham for Senate in North Carolina are really thrilling
and we might want to involve our friends/fellow activists but are concerned
about COVID. There are two ways we can involve others: synchronously and
asynchronously. For either version, we should decide in advance whether
participants will provide their own stamps and postcards or whether will make
packets available for pick-up at a central location. The host can pull
addresses and instructions in advance (limit 200 per candidate per day) and
then distribute for either a synchronous gathering (think Zoom, beverages,
music, and conversation) or asynchronous with info shared via email and
participants kept updated via email about the total written. Let’s help others
get set up with this great way to involve folks who feel overwhelmed by the
overall national situation and have been unsure about how to get in action.
VOLUNTEER FOR THE BIDEN/HARRIS CAMPAIGN: It’s time for all
hands on deck. Let’s visit the Biden campaign’s “action center” and
sign up to help get out the vote: https://joebiden.com/take-action/
ELECTION - REGISTERING VOTERS
RUST BELT RISING: Rust Belt Rising has teamed up with Indivisible in
Michigan and Chicago Alliance and the organization Register2Vote to register
more voters in Michigan and Wisconsin than the difference in the 2016 election
in those two states. Phone banks will be held throughout the month of
September, to remind residents in Michigan and Wisconsin to complete their
voter registration. Let's learn more about Rust Belt Rising,
then sign
up to help grow the electorate.
MOVED SINCE LAST ELECTION? We move
around a lot in this country. If we’ve
moved and want to vote, we need to make sure our voter registration is up to
date. Let’s check this out and make
sure we are good to vote on Nov. 3.: https://thedemlabs.org/2020/09/16/youve-moved-hand-guide-explains-how-to-make-sure-you-can-still-vote/
ELECTION - OTHER
SUPPORT BLACK-LED VOTER PROJECT: We can support Black-led get-out-the-vote
efforts by grassroots organizations. According to their mission
statement, the Movement Voter Project
(MVP) “works to strengthen progressive power at all levels of government by
helping donors – big and small – support the best and most promising local
community-based organizations in key states, with a focus on youth and
communities of color. . . . we believe in organizing and organizers. We know
that the way to win is by working at the intersections of social movements,
grassroots communities, and elections to ensure that we both win big and build
long-term progressive power.” Let’s give MVP our support: https://movement.vote
VOTING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS: Knowing how and where to vote when in college
can be confusing. The Campus Voter Project https://www.campusvoteproject.org/ has
lots of great resources for college students, including a page on Student Voting
FAQs: https://www.campusvoteproject.org/student-voting-faqs. Let’s
check out this website and spread the word.
HEADCOUNT FUNDRAISER: “HeadCount is
a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and
promote participation in democracy. We reach young people and music fans where
they already are - at concerts and online - to inform and empower. Our message
is not about what party you support or where you land on an issue. It's that
you must speak to be heard.” This Randy
Rainbow video is being used as a fundraiser for HeadCount: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI8RZhhoBM0 Let’s listen, enjoy, and donate if we are
able.
GEORGIA ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION POWER HOUR. Southern Poverty Law
Center (SPLC) is taking volunteers to make calls Thursday, Sept. 17,
from 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Scripts provided. We can learn
more and sign up at SPLC.
HELP PROTECT THE VOTE IN SWING STATE MICHIGAN: Michigan, once a
reliable Blue State, went for Trump in 2016 by 0.2%, or less than 11,000
votes. This small amount, the tiniest margin in the election, was enough
to usher in the nightmare of the last several years. Once again, Michigan
is a vital state in this election and both parties know it. With voter
suppression in full swing, we need to make sure that everyone votes and their
votes get counted, and Michigan Democrats https://michigandems.com/ need
our help. If we can help out in person, poll watchers-and observers are needed
on the ground. If we can help virtually, Voter Protection Hotline Staffers and
Phone Bankers are also in demand. We can find out more about
volunteering, virtually and on the ground to protect the vote in
Michigan, and then sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQL
STATE/LOCAL
ISSUES
“LESS LETHAL” WEAPONS & POLICING THE BLM PROTESTS: Physicians for
Human Rights has released a report detailing 115 cases of head injuries
inflicted on protesters by the police using what we are told are “less-lethal”
weapons-- https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/29cbf2e87b914dbaabdec2f3d350839e ;
known officially as “kinetic impact projectiles,” these include, among other
things, plastic projectiles tipped with hard sponge or foam, “bean bags”
consisting of fabric socks containing metal shot, and “Sting-Balls” or grenades
that spray hard rubber pellets. There are no national standards for police use
of “less-lethal” projectiles nor is there comprehensive data on their
use: https://khn.org/news/it-seems-systematic-doctors-cite-115-cases-of-head-injuries-from-crowd-control-devices/
We must contact both our local representatives and our local police
departments and demand that these purportedly "non-lethal" weapons be
banned; as one doctor working on the CHR analysis points out, “Weapons are just
as lethal as somebody wants them to be.”
DEMAND REPLACEMENT OF UNLAWFUL ACTING SECRETARY OF DHS, CHAD WOLF: Last week, in response
to a challenge by 20 state attorneys general, and 10 cities and counties, Judge
Paula Xinis blocked two new restrictions on asylum-seekers based on the claim
that Acting Secretary of DHS, Chad Wolf, has been serving in the position
illegally. https://news.yahoo.com/judge-rules-chad-wolf-serving-131212225.html.
Let’s ask our state Attorneys General to continue to challenge
DHS’s draconian policies on immigrants and asylum-seekers, on the claim that
DHS has no authority under its acting director to continue to institute more
restrictions on the immigration and asylum-seeking process.
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS/GROUP
ACTIONS/TWEETSTORMS
TOWNHALL WITH
BIDEN CAMPAIGN ON COVID RESPONSE AND HOW TO BUILD BACK BETTER: We'll
learn from the Biden-Harris Campaign about their plan to stop COVID-19, build
back better, and prevent the pandemics of the future. Let’s register now to join the Town Hall
Meeting, which will be held on Saturday, September 19, 4-5pm ET (1-2pm PT) here.
DEFUNDING THE
POLICE: "Join
Sunrise Movement, Mijente, Southerners on New Ground, Dream Defenders,
AfroSocialists and Socialists of Color Caucus, and Critical Resistance as we
deepen our understanding of abolition and learn how to turn the mandate to “Defund
the Police” into tangible action in our communities! By the end of this 2-day
crash course, you will: Understand what exactly the demand “Defund the Police”
means, Envision what a world without police could look like, Get ready to take
action to defund police in your community. The training will meet on Saturday
9/26 and Sunday 9/27 from 2-6pm ET (11am-3pm PT)." Let's
register to attend: https://secure.everyaction.com/g00hq2iuikqEOTfI-wDwrA2
READING/WATCHING/LISTENING
Voting Rights
News From Around the Country-
https://politicalcharge.org/2020/09/16/voting-rights-news-from-around-the-country/
How breathing in
wildfire smoke affects the body
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/09/how-breathing-wildfire-smoke-affects-the-body/
Birds are
dropping dead in New Mexico, potentially in the 'hundreds of thousands' - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/animal-news/birds-are-dropping-dead-new-mexico-potentially-hundreds-thousands-n1240116
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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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