What to do this week of June 2, 2019

131 weeks down, 74 weeks to the presidential election.

The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and respect. To stay engaged through challenging times, we practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration.

I value democracy.

In the month of June, the AoC Checklist focuses almost exclusively on protecting our right to vote in preparation for the 2020 election. Click the link below for this week’s actions.

AoCC Voter Empowerment Project: Actions 1-6

Acts of Gratitude

Our acts of gratitude are taking a week off, but will be back in the next edition.

Good news

National

• U.S. Supreme Court rejects a challenge to school policies that are inclusive of transgender students’ rights.
• Ruling: Jails must provide people with medication prescribed for opioid use disorder, holding that withholding treatment would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 8th Amendment.
• House Judiciary Committee passes the American Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6, creating a path to citizenship for children who arrived in the U.S. as minors.
• A federal court blocks the president’s attempted use of emergency power to divert money from the military to build a wall on the southern border.
• House Judiciary Committee passes bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act of 2019, giving Venezuelans temporary protections.
• Federal appeals court: President’s end of DACA was unlawful.
• Federal judge rules against part of the president’s plan to build border wall.

State

• Farmworkers’ right to unionize is affirmed in NY appeals court.
• Ball State University Study finds that immigration is a benefit to Indiana.
• Supreme Court affirms treaty rights for WY Crow Tribe.
• NY passes legislation making it easier for local and state agencies to prioritize environmental justice concerns when making future siting decisions.
• PA and NY will no longer suspend driver’s licenses because of drug crimes.

Local

• Boulder County, CO demonstrates the success of using permanent supportive housing to transition people out of homelessness.
• Pope Francis appoints Peter Baldacchino, a Malta immigrant, as bishop of Las Cruces, NM.
• Tvli Birdshead’s efforts to wear an eagle feather at his graduation succeed as his school amends its dress code.

News with heart

• To honor her parents’ sacrifices, Erica Alfaro, a recent master’s’ program graduate, poses with them in the strawberry fields where they work 10-hour days, seven days a week.
• To address the prevalence of food deserts around the city, Atlanta City Council passes legislation creating a seven-acre public food forest.
• Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the African American Museum, becomes the first African American to be named secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
• See more good news at Women in the World, Small Victories, Good Black News, and What Went Right.

Spread the word

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

Post a tweet: If you’re concerned that the president might ignore the 2020 election results, here’s what you can do about it: https://americansofconscience.com/empower-more-people-vote/

Post on Facebook: If you’re concerned that the president might ignore the 2020 election results, here’s what you can do about it: https://americansofconscience.com/empower-more-people-vote/

Housekeeping

• Sign up: Get the weekly Americans of Conscience Checklist here.
• Share: Follow us and share the Checklist on Facebook and Twitter.
• Merch: Spread the word with our stickers, magnets, and more.
• Gratitude: Welcome to our new volunteers! Big thanks to JEB and the Production Team, our Social Media Teams, Research Teams, and Team Captains. Thanks also to the amazing angel patrons whose support makes it all possible.

Note: The AoC Checklist is always ad-free and no-cost. If you’re able, please support Jen and this full-time effort on patreon or paypal.