What to do this week of July 15, 2018

by Jul 16, 2018Opinion, What To Do This Week0 comments

Americans of Conscience Checklist

By Jen Hofmann

88 weeks down, 16 weeks to mid-term elections.

This 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 believe in democracy.

Guided by respect and collaboration, we create a government for the people, by the people.

▢ Action 1: Make an activism plan.

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

▢ Action 2: Make an activist self-care plan.

Make a cuppa, grab a pen, and spend ten minutes with this worksheet.

I value equality.

Stand with your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. Out of many, we are one.

▢ Action 1: Advocate for a fair, moderate SCOTUS this week. (h/t, h/t, h/t)

Call: Your two senators again (look up). Especially AK, AL, IN, ME, ND, WV.

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], asking [name] to commit to opposing SCOTUS nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. I stand with kids with disabilities, LGBTQ Americans, and women in opposing any nominee who threatens marriage equality, medical care, and access to reproductive medicine. Will [name] vote against his appointment?

▢ Action 2: Stand with vulnerable kids. (h/t)

Call: Your one House rep (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling oppose an agenda that allows federally-funded child welfare services to discriminate against qualified prospective parents. I would like [name] to remove the Aderholt Amendment from the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Funding Bill for Fiscal Year 2019. We should not make it harder to place vulnerable children into loving homes, nor use taxpayer dollars discriminate against our neighbors.

▢ Action 3: Stand with people with disabilities.

Support our neighbors with disabilities speaking up for their right to live in freedom. #CripTheVote

Donate: To Adapt.

▢ Action 4: Stand with our LGBTQ neighbors this week.

Call: Your two senators (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from [ZIP]. I am [have friends who are] LGBTQ. And I’m asking [name] to oppose the confirmation of judicial nominees who support discrimination against LGBTQ citizens and other underrepresented groups: Sen. Mark Norris, Howard Nielson, Ryan Bounds, Andrew Oldham, Gordon Giampietro. I want [name] to support my [friends’] equality by opposing these nominees.

I value secure, convenient voting and fair elections.

Democracy thrives when all citizens can freely elect those who represent their values.

▢ Action 1: Give required IDs to disenfranchised voters. (h/t)

Gearing up for the November election, Spread The Vote is helping disenfranchised people get the IDs they need to vote. Let’s support their work.

Donate: At Spread the Vote.

Volunteer: Help register voters in VA, GA, TN, TX, and FL.

▢ Action 2: Register to vote in time for your state’s primary elections. (h/t)

Your District Attorney has the power to sentence people to jail. Elect a good one.

Register by… Vote…
State Mail Online In-Person Same Day Primary
Washington July 9 (postmarked) July 9 July 30 Beginning in 2019 August 7
Hawaii July 12 July 12 August 11 Yes August 11
Kansas July 17 (postmarked) July 17 July 17 No August 7
Alaska July 22 (postmarked) July 22 July 22 No August 21
Minnesota July 24 (received) July 24 August 14 Yes August 14
Wisconsin July 25 (postmarked) July 25 August 14 Yes August 14
Arizona July 30 (postmarked) July 30 July 30 No August 28
Florida July 30 (postmarked) July 30 July 30 No August 28

▢ Action 3: Encourage your elected officials to hold town halls this summer.

Call: Your one House rep and two senators (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from [ZIP]. Can you tell me whether [name] is planning to hold town hall meetings during August recess?

  • If no meetings planned: Can you let me know when s/he plans to meet with his/her constituents? [For all house members and for Senators up for reelection: It’s important for citizens to meet face-to-face with people who want our votes in November!]
  • If meetings planned: Thank you—I plan to be there.

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.

▢ Action 1: Advocate to decriminalize border crossing. (h/t, h/t, h/t)

Call: Your one House rep and two senators, red or blue: (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to ask [name] to work on repealing two laws dating back to the Immigration Act of 1929: Title 8 U.S. codes 1325 and 1326. These laws criminalize crossing the US border without authorization. Repealing them would decrease family separation and stop wasting taxpayer dollars on mass detention. I would like [name] to repeal these laws and restore humanity to our immigration policies.

▢ Action 2: Stand with queer Ghanian asylum-seeker Sadat Ibrahim. (h/t)

Call: South Texas Detention Facility 210-231-4505

Script: Hi. I am calling to bring attention to Sadat Ibrahim (A# 208-920-376). He is seeking asylum in our country, but has been in detention since 2016. We insist on his immediate release so he may continue to work for asylum.

▢ Action 3: Reach into an ICE detention center to encourage a kind soul.

Write: Sherpa Duk, A# 208-603-576, P.O. Box 248, Lumpkin, GA, 31815

Sherpa is originally from Nepal. Let him know he matters. Have your kids do drawings in marker or crayon, or send Sherpa a letter with stories and encouraging messages to lift his spirits.

Deep breath innnnnnn… Remember you’re taking action with thousands who care about the same issues as you. Deep breath ouuuuuuuut…

Acts of Gratitude

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

Thank Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) for his clear statement to the Russian government not to hijack American elections. I am one of many Americans who believe the current president is not holding Russia accountable for its acts of aggression.

Address: SRB11, Russell Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510

Thank Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. for their outspoken opposition to the U.S. delegation’s efforts to undermine accepted science regarding breastfeeding in favor of corporate interests at the WHO summit. Thank you for using your influence to do good.

Addresses:

CM: 2308 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-0001

RC: 1360 Fulton Street, Suite 500, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Thank Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) for pursuing a whistleblower’s claim that the administration’s recent domestic gag rule policy proposal was influenced by a private, faith-based, anti-choice organization. I believe citizens have the right to know who is writing federal policy that affects their health care. Thank you for continuing to ask.

Address: 2163 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

Thank Walter Shaub for calling out the false equivalency of white supremacy and anti-fascist protest that is at the foundation of the “Unmasking Antifa Act of 2018.” Thank you for using your position to call attention to citizens’ right to protest.

Address: 1411 K St. NW, Suite 1400, Washington, DC  20005

Thank singer Father John Misty for donating web store profits this week to RAICES, the nonprofit that provides legal aid to immigrants. Thank you for bringing beauty into the world in more ways than one.

Address: 807 Airport Access Road, Traverse City, MI 49686

Thank New York City Councilman Francisco Moya, for encouraging love and acceptance by asking New York City to co-name the Answer Triangle on Roosevelt Avenue the Trans Latinx Triangle. When we see, we begin to accept. Thank you for raising the visibility of Latinx trans communities in our neighborhoods.

Address: 106-01 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368

Thank Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill who offered home visits and his own mobile phone number to help register and obtain ID cards for citizens who cannot get to registration centers. Thank you for going the extra mile to ensure all people can vote.

Address: P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616

Thank Bill Frist, Senior Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center and former Senate Majority Leader (R-TN), for putting country over party and defending the Mueller investigation. Thank you for having the courage to reject blind party loyalty in order to protect the continuity of the rule of law and fair elections.

Address: 1225 I St NW #1000, Washington, DC 20005

Good news

Decent people everywhere are speaking up and working together. Just look.

National

State

Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

News with heart

Spread the word

Know someone who could use some good news and clear actions? Please share!

Tweet: We can create a better America if we stick together. Use this week’s @AoCChecklist to use your voice for good: https://goo.gl/Yaf3dj

Post on Facebook: We can create a better America if we stick together. Use this week’s Americans of Conscience Checklist to use your voice for good: https://goo.gl/Yaf3dj

Print: Our Americans of Conscience printable flyer to share at in-person events.

Housekeeping