Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience

By Jen Hofmann

45 weeks down, 59 weeks to mid-term elections.

The intention of this weekly document is to make clear, hype-free suggestions for action backed by well-considered research for Americans who care about democracy and justice. Urgent actions are highlighted in yellow.

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I believe I can make a difference in our democracy.

Action: Recommit to an activism plan.

Complete the Action Worksheet (or Kelly Wooten’s pocket-sized version).

I believe in equal rights for all Americans.

Action: Object to CBS’ 60 Minutes giving airtime to white supremacy.

Write: 60 Minutes, 555 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019-2985 (or email).

Script: Regardless of his place in history, I oppose your decision to give airtime to white supremacist, Steve Bannon. I consume media that value lives over views.

 

Action: Oppose DeVos’ dismantling protections for campus rape victims (hat tip).

Reports are that her office didn’t love all the calls last week. Too bad.

Call: US Department of Education, 800-872-5327. Be kind.

Script: Hi, I’m from [state], and concerned about Betsy DeVos’ efforts to weaken protections for survivors of sexual assault. I am calling to request keeping these protections in place. Thank you.

 

I believe in quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Action: Oppose the Graham-Cassidy plan to repeal the ACA.

Call: Your 2 senators (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling to express my opposition to the Cassidy-Graham plan to repeal the ACA. Congress needs to improve the Affordable Care Act, not repeal it and leave millions of people without options. Thanks.

 

I believe in a government led by people of integrity.

Action: Advocate for two bills protecting the special counsel.

Call: Your 2 senators (lookup).

Script: Hi. I am calling because I approve of the special counsel investigation into Russia ties, and would like [name] to support two pieces of legislation that protect Robert Mueller from presidential dismissal. S. 1735 (sponsored by Sen. Graham) and S. 1741 (by Sen. Tillis). Will [name] use his/her influence to spark action on these stalled bills?

 

I believe in a woman’s right to safe, affordable reproductive care.

Action: Support women who choose to abort after losing everything to natural disaster.

Donate to transportation services and clinics:

• Houston area: Clinic Access
• Florida’s hard-hit areas: Broward Women’s Emergency Services and Women’s Emergency Network and Planned Parenthood of SW & Central Fla.

 

I believe in the Constitutional rights of speech, assembly, and press.

Action: Kick Russian bots and fake news off Facebook (it’s easy).

Follow this step-by-step tutorial.
Note: Some resources say this isn’t effective, but it won’t hurt.

 

Action: Oppose arbitrary revoking of US citizenships without due process.

Call: Your 2 senators (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] calling with grave concern about Sen. Lindsey Graham’s unnumbered amendment to the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (p. 213, column 3). Are you familiar with it? (if no) It will allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to revoke the citizenship of any American based solely on the suspicion of committing a “belligerent act” against the U.S. This would not require a trial of any kind, which is dangerous. I oppose any effort to violate our right to due process.

Bonus: If you are (or know someone) in South Carolina, get on the phone. Stat.

(My senator is getting back to me with more information on this issue, so look for more next week.)

 

I believe free, safe, and open voting is fundamental to a thriving democracy.

Action: Insist on addressing Russian use of social media to create chaos.

Call: Your 3 MoCs (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to express my concern about Russia’s successful efforts to create chaos through social media platforms like Facebook. This strategy affected the 2016 election, but also endangers midterms in 2018. Can you tell me what [name] is doing to address this foreign aggression?

 

Action: Oppose the partisan Voter Commission’s attempts to restrict voting rights

Call: Your state’s head of elections (use the list below the map to find your state’s elections office website ).
Script: Hi. I am from [ZIP], calling to ask that [name] refuse to cooperate with the president’s Voter Commission. I am one of a growing number of Americans who oppose this commission because we don’t trust its agenda or its leader.

 

I believe that open borders and a path to citizenship benefit America.

Action: Advocate to keep DACA youth here in the US, their home.

Call: Your 3 MoCs today (lookup).

Script: Hi. I am from [ZIP], calling to ask [name] to support a clean Dream Act that gives permanent legal status to DACA recipients without attaching funding for a border wall. Is [name] committed to supporting S. 1615 (Senate) / H.R. 3440 (House)? Will s/he co-sponsor it?

Bonus: If you’re in AL, AR, ID, KS, LA, NE, SC, TX, or WV, call your attorney general using this script.

 

Action: Thwart the next big ICE raid.

ICE canceled massive raid plans due to hurricanes. Use their delay to act.

Share this link on social media: How to respond to an ICE raid: https://unitedwedream.org/thank-deportation-defense-card-handy-phone/

 

I believe in peace.

Action: Oppose warmongering (hat tip).

Call: All 3 MoCs (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to express my concern about the president’s baiting of North Korea. Has [name] already publicly opposed his actions? (If no) I would like him/her to do this and to advocate for diplomatic solutions. (If yes) Will s/he co-sponsor H.R. 669 (Rep) / S. 200 (Senate)? Americans want diplomacy. Thank you.

 

Deep breath innnnnnn… Deep breath ouuuuuuuut… We can do hard things. Together.

Acts of Gratitude

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

Express condolences to the Mexican president. As your neighbors, we grieve with you for the precious lives lost in the tragic earthquake. We are sorry our president didn’t show appropriate sympathy. Please know that we in the US are praying for your people, the souls of those lost, and for recovery in your beautiful country.

Address: Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto, Los Pinos, Mexico City, Mexico

Recommended reading

Thought-provoking, in-depth reading that’s worth your time.

• “The only thing white supremacists are more afraid of than people of color, queer people, and black and brown skinned immigrants. . . is you.” (Groundswell)

 

Good news

• Good trend: Dems have picked up 6 formerly-GOP seats in state and national elections.
• The Senate approves a bipartisan resolution condemning white supremacist groups.
• California votes to approve sanctuary state with blessing of law enforcement.
• Despite Blacks representing over 25% of Alabama’s population, its judges are disproportionately white. A NAACP lawsuit moves forward to change this.
• Royal Caribbean provides transport and brings humanitarian aid to Irma-affected islands.
• France will ban oil production and reduce nuclear energy by 25%.
• “Robert E. Lee has left the park”
• Martin Shkreli—he who once jacked up prices for AIDS and cancer drugs—is in jail without bail.
• When ESPN’s Jemele Hill spoke of the president’s racism, her colleagues acted in solidarity and now she’s back on the air.

• See even more good news at Peace Is Loud and Marla’s Good News.

 

Final action

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Housekeeping

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