What to do this week of September 9, 2018

by Sep 10, 2018Opinion, What To Do This Week0 comments

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.

▢ Action 1: Advocate for a just society. Oppose Kavanaugh. [h/t, h/t, h/t, h/t]

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.

▢ Action 1: Speak up for neighbors in need of food. [h/t]

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.

▢ Action 2: Speak up with and for our Muslim neighbors. [h/t], [h/t]

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?

▢ Action 3: Support the release of detained gay man, Udoka Nweke. [h/t, h/t]

Call: David Marin, Los Angeles ICE Field Director, 213-830-7911 -or-
Write: Adelanto ICE Processing Center, 10250 Rancho Road Adelanto, CA, 92301
Script: 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.

▢ Action 2: Please vote in your state’s primaries. It matters.

New Hampshire Tue, September 11
Rhode Island Wed, September 12
New York Thur, September 13

▢ Action 3: Support your neighbors denied a vote. [h/t]

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.

▢ Action 1: Oppose detaining children indefinitely. [h/t, h/t]

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?

▢ Action 2: Support separated families in Paris, Texas. [h/t]

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

▢ Action 3: Donate air miles to reunite families. [h/t]

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 20770
MLG: 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

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

Groups and organizations

News with heart

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/

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Print: The Americans of Conscience Checklist flier to share in person.

Housekeeping

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