Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience

Week of August 20, 2017: August Recess Edition 3 of 5

By Jen Hofmann

41 weeks down, 63 weeks to mid-term elections. Take a breath and exhale.

The intention of this weekly document is to make clear suggestions backed by well-considered research for Americans who care about democracy and justice. While Congress is in August recess, the checklist has just 7 actions per week based on subscriber priorities. Urgent actions are highlighted in yellow.

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A note from Jen:

I’ve got pneumonia this week. I’m sleeping, taking my meds, and consuming large quantities of tea and soup. So, this week’s checklist looks a bit different than usual. I’m letting my fellow amazing activists carry the flock this week. I hope to be on the mend and back to normal soon. In the meantime, may I offer you a gentle reminder to take exquisitely good care of yourself? Be well, dear soul!

I believe in equal rights for all Americans.

Action: Advocate for your frightened neighbors and oppose domestic terrorism.

Call: Your state legislator (lookup).

Script: I am a constituent in [town] and inspired by the new legislation passed in Illinois classifying neo-Nazis as terror organizations. I would like [name] to author legislation like this in [state]. While I respect the right to free speech and assembly, our neighbors are terrified to walk down the street. [Name] can stop this. Would you like me to send the full text used in Illinois? Thank you.

Action: Support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.  (The ICOOS Act of 2009 created a national system for integrating data from all ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas, monitoring things like temperature and ocean acidification.) (hat tip)

Call: Your two U.S. senators (lookup or leave message) — ASAP — this bill can be scheduled for a vote any time!

Script: Hi, I’m [name] from [ZIP].  I’m calling today to ask [senator] to support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act. The ocean observation system established by the 2009 bill is an extremely valuable resource, and I want to see its work continue.  As S. 1425 has passed committee and moved to the floor, do you know how [senator] intends to vote?

For all other issues, please visit my amazing allies’ websites this week:

• Small Deeds Done
• 5 Calls
• Rogan’s List
• The Loyal Opposition
• Indivisible
• Also, check out the last few weeks’ archives of my checklist (bottom of page) for ideas.

Acts of Gratitude

Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.

Thank State Senator Don Harmon for introducing legislation that would identify neo-Nazi groups as terrorist organizations in Illinois. I am inspired by your leadership and will advocate that my state adopt the same! Thank you.

Address: 329 Capitol Building, Springfield, IL 62706

Thank U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez for his willingness to put himself on the line for immigrants and his continued leadership in fighting for the rights of our undocumented friends and neighbors. We would be better off if more members of Congress had his dedication to our values!

Address: 2408 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

Check out Postcards for America for more thank-you ideas.

Good news

• A 9-year-old launches a nonprofit to protect US national monuments.
• Illinois Senate approves a resolution requiring police to regard neo-Nazis as terrorists.
• A movement to donate $ to the NAACP and SPLC for every white supremacist who shows up at a rally.
• Press calls out WH for not condemning racist attack. #FreePress
• Celebrate Heather Heyer’s life by finding your “way to make a difference in the world.”
• More good news at Peace is Loud and a pep talk from Small Deeds Done.

Deep breath innnnnnn… Deep breath ouuuuuuuut… We’ve got this.

Housekeeping

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• Click if you have a question, correction, or action suggestion. With thanks!
• To see archives of past Action Checklists, click here and scroll down.

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