UNMasking DeSantis

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YOUR RESISTANCE NEWSLETTER

WEEK OF MARCH 10, 2019

REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL IN NEXT FEW WEEKS
STAY ALERT TO PROTECT THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION!

Our plans haven't changed. Be ready to mobilize on short notice! Sign up here: Rapid Response to Firing Mueller

The new Attorney General William Barr has total discretion regarding Mueller's report to decide what is shared with whom, and when anything is shared. Almost all Americans agree that they want Mueller's report to be made fully public (80% of Republicans and almost 90% of the public at large).  Even if Barr restricts access to the report, we'll find out about any further indictments Mueller makes when he makes them. And Barr is required to make public any recommendations of Mueller's that he overrides.

If findings come that are not made public, DEMAND that Congress do everything in its power to make the report public!

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!!!!
Click here for Sample posters

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CALLS TO ACTION:

Trump's National 'emergency' is an illegal, anti-democratic power grab rooted in racism. 

The House voted last week to overturn President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the Mexican border, with just 13 Republicans joining Democrats to try to block his effort to divert funding to a border wall without congressional approval.

The resolution of disapproval, which passed 245 to 182, must now be taken up by the Senate, where Republicans are divided.  Four will vote for the resolution but it is unclear how many will vote to override Trump's inevitable veto.

We’ve got to let every single member of  the Senate know that they need to fight back. Here’s how:

Call your US Senators or use our toll-free number: 1-855-980-2355 to tell them to reject Trump’s fake emergency.  Congress has an obligation to check Executive Branch abuses. They need to act to protect our democracy by overriding a certain veto of the resolution of disapproval of the national emergency declaration.

ACTION ALERT! Senate Rules Committee meeting Wednesday, 03/13/19 Email or Call your Florida Senators and urge that he or she vote Yes on SB 322  Pre-existing Conditions at the Rules Committee meeting next Wednesday,  03/13/19, 10:00 am. You may also use Resistbot to send your message. Text ‘State’ to 504-09  and follow the prompts. Include your name and address or Zip Code so your legislator knows  you are a constituent. SB 322       Preexisting Conditions Prohibits insurers or health maintenance  organizations from excluding or delaying coverage due to preexisting  medical conditions. Affordable health care sustains families and  improves quality of life. Also, urge your Senator to request that the Rules Committee Chair  place the following bills on the next meeting agenda of the Senate Rules Committee. SB 204       Detention Facilities      Requires that a custodial interrogation  at a place of detention be electronically recorded in its entirety in connection  with certain offenses to insure its integrity and compliance with procedures. SB 268       Voting Methods             Requires a voter-verified paper trail  and meets the voter accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities.  Insures integrity of voting process. SJR 362      Repeal of Constitution Revision Commission    Repeals  the Constitution Revision Commission. The 2018 CRC was partisan and l acked diversity. H.R. 1 For The People Act passed the House and Indivisible was a big part of making this happen!  Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) said on Indivisible Facebook: “I want to thank Indivisible, because I don’t think we’d be here this week, ready to go to the floor and pass this bill without the incredible work that you’ve done."

For The People Act dramatically raises the bar in our fight to create a democracy that represents all of us. It includes automatic voter registration, the public financing of elections, an end to gerrymandering, creates a federal holiday for Election Day, and (finally) ends Citizens United. By prioritizing a strong H.R. 1 bill, House Democrats signaled that they will fight the big fights and push for a truly inclusive and healthy democracy.

             UPDATES AND FURTHER ACTIONS

WHAT YOU MISSED AT OUR INDIVISIBLE ST JOHNS

GENERAL MEETING 3/7 

Deb Willis introduced Grant Lewis (middle back row), from FL League of Conservation Voters. Grant had lots of information about sea level rise and climate change and we will try to get as much of that out as possible. Since they last spoke to us, FL LCV has grown, with 6 advocates in the capital, 1 in Orlando and 1 in DelRay. Since Amendment 1 passed some years ago, Fl has $20 billion over 20 years to spend on conservation. Under the former governor, most projects remained unfunded. We learned why sea walls won’t work. We learned FLCV went to DC to lobby for the Land and Water Conservation dollars ($1,340,000). He noted that they view environmental issues as justice issues, for example, poor people unable to get out of the way of a storm. Grant gave us just enough stats to feel the urgency of action now and ideas on what we can do.

Click on this tool to see your home elevation

Go to your planning and zoning meetings. Better still get on the board. Most developments popping up now all over our area had zoning approval years ago.

Visit state parks and support them

Pay attention to conservation issues

Hold your elected officials accountable

Talk to your friends and neighbors

His organization will be in Tallahassee 3/26 to advocate for electric buses for special needs students. It’s a good and scalable start.

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Lots going on Indivisibles! 

Deb Willis updated everyone on the following ongoing projects:

         We’ve met several times with Rep Stevenson’s aide and have a standing appointment bi weekly. We met with Rubio’s aide and left questions and literature with him. We actually got a phone call back from DC. It works if we keep going, stay informed and polite (we are anyway). Get with Andrea andrea.degeorge@gmail.com if you want to go.

         We’ve blown past our goal of 300 Medicaid Expansion petitions
 and statewide we’re doing well. We need ideas on where to get more. Email us at indivisible.st.johns@gmail.com if you know of high traffic areas/events where we may be welcome.

         We get new members all the time. We need a volunteer to follow up and welcome each one. (Thank you Karen Neff for taking this on).

         Our Postcard party is still at Growers Alliance but meeting every 2 weeks. We love our postcard writers. Schedule and topics in every newsletter. See below.

         Start a Swear Jar! Deb showed examples and suggested $ for appropriate level of swearing. Indivisible will be MATCHING all our Act Blue donations in April and this is a good way to save up and make that big donation in April and it’ll be doubled. We use our funds for printing, postage for our postcard group, room rental and donate a portion to the UU for their gracious permission to use the hall and Nana’s expertise.

         We’re getting ready to roll out programs on Equality in FL (LGBTQ rights), the National Vote Project (Northwest United for Progress 
is hosting a discussion 3/11, see below), and Income Inequality. Andrea spoke on pushing our members of both state and congress to back the ERA. It’s been years, Florida could be the state to finally get this amendment ratified. She recommended the podcast Civics101 https://www.civics101podcast.org/ which are short lessons on all aspects of government.

         Deb noted both Reps Stevenson and Renner have been connected with ALEC, a corporate, bill producing factory for legislators to modify and put forward as their own. This needs to be discussed with both legislators. Boilerplate legislation has no place in either House.

Visit your local legislators.  Don't forget our bi-weekly schedule to visit Cyndi Stevenson's office on 3/13/19 at 10 AM. 

Everyone who is a constituent of Cyndi Stevenson is encouraged to attend! Please email   andrea.degeorge@gmail.com if you are interested. 

If anyone lives in Rep Renner's district, let us know so we can set up similar visits.

Member of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner 24th District  Republican

Indivisible St Johns is visiting State legislators on March 12 - the plan is to tell them our views:  ban fracking, support the equal rights amendment and support the Medicaid expansion petition, as well as opposing school vouchers and teaching the Bible in public schools and a ban on LBGTQ conversion therapy.

Medicaid Expansion drive continues - Anyone who wants to help out can email andrea.degeorge@gmail.com with their preferred time slot. If you want to understand the benefits of expanding Medicaid, follow this link Medicaid expansion benefits.

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Restoring Voting Rights for Felons.  Call your legislators to say Florida voters voted by 64 percent to restore voting rights to most felons (exceptions for murderers and felony sex offenders).  Don't let legislators tie this up by using ambiguities to slow down the process of restoring voting rights to felons.  

Voter Registration Training for outreach to those eligible for restoration of Voting Rights, thanks to Amendment 4.

Gary Farris heads up voter registration for the St. Johns Democratic Party.  He is currently holding a number of training session for people who are interested in reaching out to former felons.   His regular training sessions are the first  Wednesday of the month at 2:30 PM at Democratic Headquarters or by appointment.  If you are interested in assisting Gary with this effort, please contact him at 904-599-6241 or glandlkfarris@comcast.net. 

Voter Registration Outreach Locations

Saturday, March 30th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM:

Ponte Vedra, SJC Ponte Vedra Library Branch, 101 Library Blvd. (Under renovation through February)

FIXING OUR ELECTION PROCESS THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE Monday, March 11  Pam Edwards - Roine The League of Women Voters Unity Church for Creative Living 2777 Race Track Rd. Gathering 6:30 PM Meeting -  7:00 PM The National Popular Vote is designed to guarantee that the winner of the presidential election is always the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes nationwide.  It is entirely within the framework of the US Constitution and has been signed on by 11 states and the District of Columbia. Florida will once again have this legislation introduced into both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives during this year’s session.  Please join us for this informational meeting.  All are welcome!!

On March 13th, hundreds of people from across Florida will be gathering in Tallahassee to advocate for positive criminal justice reform in our communities. And, we’d love to have you join us. Join the Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform at our 2019 Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 13 at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee!  RSVP

3/14 @ 4:30 St. Francis Chef's Night Out  Women's March St. Johns is participating for a chef's night out on 3/14. Join us and help feed the community! Details: Chef’s Night Out is a fun group experience in the kitchen…yours or ours! Each month groups from businesses, churches and neighborhoods cook dinner for our families and single adult residents. Our chef is there to assist in the kitchen as your group cooks or heats up the dinner for our (approx.) 45 residents. Dinner is served at 5:30pm. Contact Cindy Rockafellow with any questions Art: Jen Bloomer of Radici Studios

We Are,  We Are…  PERSISTENT!!!

Indivisible St. Johns

Telephone / Post Card Advocacy  

Topics and Talking Points    

Good   is   breaking   out   all   across   North   America! 

Now on First and Third Thursdays of the Month.           

Next March meeting is March 21.

Get the weekly
Americans of conscience checklist
 https://americansofconscience.com/subscribe/

WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND NEW IDEAS! 

Email us at indivisible.st.johns@gmail.com

KNOW YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS

Senator Travis Hutson District 7 Republican

                                   

District Office                                                             Tallahassee Office

4875 Palm Coast Parkway, NW                                314 Senate Building
Suite 5                                                                          404 South Monroe Street
Palm Coast, FL 32137                                                 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(386) 446-7610                                                           (850) 487-5007
Senate VOIP: 40700                                                   Senate VOIP: 5007
FAX (888) 263-3475

Legislative Assistants                                                Legislative Assistant

Danielle Curbow and Matthew Kauffmann          John Kotyk

Member of the Florida House of Representatives   Cyndi Stevenson 17th District  Republican District Address Suite 902 309 Kingsley Lake Drive St Augustine, FL 32092-3048 Phone (904) 823-2300 District Secretary: Shorty Robbins

Capitol Address 402 South Monroe Street 303 House Office Building Tallahassee, FL   32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5017 Legislative Assistant Kaley Slattery : Kaley

Member of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner 24th District  Republican

                                     

District Office                                             Capitol Office

Suite 1                                                              418 The Capitol
4877 Palm Coast Parkway Northwest                 402 South Monroe Street 
Palm Coast, FL 32137-3677                                Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone (386) 446-7644                                       Phone (850) 717-5024

                                                                                      Legislative Assistant

                                                                                      Samantha Story