96 weeks down, 57 days (eight weeks) to midterm elections.
The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We also practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration to stay engaged.
I value democracy.
Guided by respect and collaboration, we create a government for the people, by the people.
Call: Your two senators—red or blue (look up).Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to oppose Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. Even the limited access to his record shows him putting corporations and ideology over the public interest. In the Senate committee hearings, he also refused to directly answer questions about health care, reproductive choice, and marriage equality. Our highest court deserves a fair, moderate justice. If Kavanaugh’s history is neither transparent nor thoroughly reviewed, I urge [name] to vote against his confirmation. Thank you.
I value equality.
Show your support for your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. Out of many, we are one.
Call: Your two senators and one House rep (look up).Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling about the Farm Bill. The Senate version strengthened SNAP to provide critical nutrition to elders, people with disabilities, and low-income families. When it comes out of conference committee, I’m asking that [name] only support a bill that maintains the Senate provisions without work requirements. I want my tax dollar to help feed hungry families.
Call: Or write your two senators and one House rep (look up).Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] in support of Muslims seeking to travel here from other countries. Although the Supreme Court allowed the administration’s ban, I believe it’s discriminatory and don’t want my tax dollar to fund its implementation. Can I count on [name] to make the policy illegal by co-sponsoring S.1979/H.R.4271?
Call: David Marin, Los Angeles ICE Field Director, 213-830-7911 -or-Write: Adelanto ICE Processing Center, 10250 Rancho Road Adelanto, CA, 92301Script: Hi. I’m calling/writing to ask that Udoka Nweke be released on parole so he can receive needed mental health services. It is inhumane to detain someone who is in fragile condition for 16 months. Thank you. #FreeUdoka
I value secure, convenient voting and fair elections.
Democracy thrives when all citizens can freely elect those who represent their values.
▢ Action 1: Get ready for midterms (just 57 days away).
1 min: Add the midterm elections to your calendar: Tuesday, November 6, 2018.2 min: Share our Midterm Pledge on social media: Pledge to vote in the midterms: https://goo.gl/forms/jbridWNIVRs8UbVg1 .1 hour: Participate in When We All Vote’s Week of Action.2+ hours: Register voters with League of Women Voters or download the VoterPal app.
| New Hampshire | Tue, September 11 |
| Rhode Island | Wed, September 12 |
| New York | Thur, September 13 |
Call: Or write your two state legislators (look up).Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], concerned that a disproportionate number of [name’s] constituents cannot vote due to racial disparities in sentencing laws. Felony disenfranchisement will prevent 6.1 million American citizens from voting this fall. I would like [name] to support universal suffrage for citizens returning from prison and incarcerated people.
I value showing respect for all people, no matter where they were born.
We oppose inhumane treatment of all people and the government agencies that perpetuate it. People who immigrate to the US make our country stronger and are entitled to basic respect.
Call: Or write your one House rep and two senators (look up).Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], and I’m deeply concerned about the administration’s decision to modify the Flores Settlement Agreement that restricted detention time to 20 days. Starting in November, our government will begin detaining children indefinitely while their asylum cases play out in court. I don’t want my tax dollar used to keep children in prisons. What is [name] doing about this?
ICE raided a place of employment and detained 159 people. Their community is rallying support to protect kids and keep families together. Let’s join them from afar.Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/families-of-the-north-texas-raid
Nearly 500 children are still separated from their parents.Donate miles: To Immigrant Families Together to reunite families.
Deep breath innnnnnn… Deep breath ouuuuuuuut…
Acts of Gratitude
You asked for more gratitude, so here it is! Get your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers!
Thank the American Civil Liberties Union for continuing to hold this administration accountable for its failure to reunite families separated at the border in the timeframe ordered by Judge Sabraw.Address: 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004
Thank Chip Bergh, Levi Strauss CEO, for supporting grassroots partners with generous funding to prevent and end gun violence. I share your common sense approach that prioritizes the safety of all Americans. Thank you.Address: 1155 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
Thank Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) for continuing to demand this administration comply with a court order to reunify more than 500 children and their parents. We haven’t forgotten separated families. Thank you for ensuring this administration doesn’t either.Addresses:SH: 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Suite 310, Greenbelt, MD 20770MLG: 400 Gold Avenue SW, Suite 680, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Thank Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) for asking all judicial nominees, under oath, if they have a history of sexual assault or harassment. Those in positions of power are still held to the rule of law. Thank you for directly addressing what has for too long been left unspoken.Address: 300 Ala Moana Blvd., RM 3-106, Honolulu, HI 96850
Thank Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, for spearheading The After Charlottesville Project to identify, prevent, and respond to extremism. I appreciate the ADL’s commitment to building tolerance and reconciliation. Thank you.Address: 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Thank Rob Tibbetts, Mollie Tibbetts’ father, for refusing to participate in the racist narratives of those who are using her family’s tremendous personal loss to spread hate. I honor your strength and bravery in the midst of unimaginable grief.Address: ℅ The Des Moines Register, 400 Locust Street, Suite 500, Des Moines, IA 50309
Thank Francisco Moya, NYC Council Member, for advocating for workers in your “one fair wage” resolution to the NY Department of Labor and Governor Cuomo. I’m moved by your efforts to address immigrants’ fear of illegal intimidation when asking for better wages. I appreciate your kindness and leadership.Address: 106-01 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368
Good news
Decent people everywhere are speaking up and working together. Just look.
National
- 430 LGBTQ candidates have run for office this year at every level of government.
- Pay Our Interns successfully lobbied the Senate to fund an intern compensation program.
- Of the current 529 members of Congress at least 65 are immigrants or children of immigrants.
- Federal judge declined to halt a program that protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation.
State
- MA: Ayanna Pressley may become the first African-American woman to represent her state in Congress.
- CA is enacting policies to increase transparency and citizen access to police records.
- CO hosts EPIC (Election Preparedness for Infrastructure and Cybersecurity) event before midterms.
Local
- In Jacksonville, FL law enforcement and the LGBTQ community are working together to prevent violence toward trans women.
Corporate/business
- Digital game “Borders” increases players understanding of immigration experience and issues.
- All proceeds from The Goonies: Live! are going to RAICES Texas.
Groups and organizations
- Voto Latino is launching a multi-million dollar effort to register Latinos to vote.
- Our friend, Spread the Vote, was featured on NPR and CNN re: the issue of required ID.
- Tufts sponsored a Voting Rights Institute where college students learned how to counter gerrymandering by using math skills.
- Five human and civil rights agencies held the administration accountable for its delayed reporting to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
News with heart
- A teenage skater helps a little girl gain confidence.
- Women will now enjoy the same prize as men when competing in the World Surf League.
- Overlooked for a Nobel for her discovery in 1974, Jocelyn Bell Burnell receives $3M physics prize.
- Teen’s vision to clean up the Pacific Ocean garbage patch becomes a reality.
- See more good news at Small Victories, Good Black News, and What Went Right.
Spread the word
Know someone who could use some good news and clear actions? Please share!
Tweet: Venting on Twitter won’t change our democracy for the better, but clicking this link will. #YourVoiceMatters http://americansofconscience.com/9-9-2018/
Post on Facebook: If you’re scrolling through Facebook looking for something positive, stop here. Check out this list of good news and feel hopeful for our democracy. http://americansofconscience.com/9-9-2018/
Housekeeping
- New: Swag! Thanks to our volunteer, Erica W, you can now get postcards, stickers, and mugs in our Zazzle shop.
- Sign up: Get the weekly Americans of Conscience Checklist here.
- Get inspired: Complete the Self-Care Worksheet.
- Stay focused: Complete the Action Worksheet (or Kelly Wooten’s artistic version).
- Share: We post actions and good news on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us and share.
- Gratitude: Big thanks to JEBulous, Research Sous Chefs, Social Media Team, and the amazing angel patrons who make it all possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment