What to do this week of June 16, 2019

by Jun 17, 2019Opinion, What To Do This Week0 comments

133 weeks down, 72 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.

▢ Actions 1-8: Ensure that local governments count every single vote in 2020.

The president can’t challenge election outcomes if they’re verifiable. Speak up for truth and transparency in our final week of the Voter Empowerment Project: https://americansofconscience.com/empower-more-people-vote/

Acts of Gratitude

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

Thank CO Gov. Jared Polis for signing legislation into law protecting LGBTQ youth from so-called “conversion therapy.” [Share why this matters to you.]

Address: 200 E. Colfax Avenue, Room 136, Denver, CO 80203

Thank Susan Wojcicki, Youtube CEO, for expanding the definition of hate speech to include Nazism and for committing to remove discriminatory and “denier” content. [Share why reducing hatred, harassment, and violence online matters to you.]

Address: 901 Cherry Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066

Thank Friends Fiduciary for pressuring Comcast to be transparent about their lobbying spending. [Share why it matters to you that corporations are honest about their political agendas.]

Address: 1650 Arch Street, Suite 1904, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Thank Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) for committing to defend Medicaid expansion for people in need. [Share why you appreciate health policy that prioritizes the needs of low-income people, disabled people, people of color, and people struggling with opioid abuse.]

Address: 200 N. Third Street, Suite 14A, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Thank Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) for empowering college students to understand voter registration and voting procedures. [Share why you appreciate efforts to facilitate voting rights of eligible voters.]

Address: Michigan Department of State, Lansing, MI 48918

Thank Frank LaRose (R), Ohio Secretary of State, for taking election security seriously. [Share why you appreciate prioritizing improvements and funding for election security.]

Address: 180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Good news

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

National

  • Some U.S. embassies fly the Pride flag in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community despite the State Department’s advisory.
  • Government Accountability Office will investigate processing delays of permanent residence, work authorization, and naturalization applications by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the constitutionality of the Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

State

  • GA: Gov. Kemp signs bill unanimously passed by the state legislature that dissolves the Georgia Immigration Enforcement Board.
  • IL: Gov. Pritzker signs bill to protect reproductive rights, including access to abortion.
  • ME: State expands access to reproductive health services by allowing trained nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, and certified nurse-midwives to provide abortion medication and perform abortions.
  • MO: State court grants preliminary injunction protecting abortion access.
  • NE: Gov. Sisolak signs bill to automatically restore voting rights to returning citizens.
  • VT: Gov. Scott signs new law protecting the right to abortion.
  • Puerto Rico’s lawmakers abandon proposed “religious liberty” legislation that would have allowed government employees to discriminate against some constituents.

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

  • The Sentencing Project releases new data showing a 60% decrease in the number of incarcerated youth in juvenile facilities between 2000 and 2017.
  • The National Council on Independent Living launches the nonpartisan Elevate Campaign Training, the first national political campaign training program specifically for disabled people.
  • The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) file suit to compel the federal government to release critical immigration records to formerly separated families.
  • San Francisco ends fees on phone calls from jail, making it the first city in the nation to eliminate the practice.

News with heart

Please tell others about the Voter Empowerment Project.

Post a tweet: If you’re worried that the current U.S. president will not honor the outcomes of the 2020 election, here’s something you can do about it. Open this week’s @AoCChecklist and speak up: https://americansofconscience.com/6-16-2019/

Post on Facebook: If you’re worried that the current U.S. president will not honor the outcomes of the 2020 election, here’s something you can do about it. Open this week’s Americans of Conscience Checklist and speak up: https://americansofconscience.com/6-16-2019/

Print: The Americans of Conscience Checklist flyer and share at in-person events.

Housekeeping

  • Sign up: Get the weekly Americans of Conscience Checklist here.
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  • Gratitude: Big thanks to JEB and the Production Team, our Social Media volunteers, Research Sous Chefs, and Team Captains. Thanks also to the amazing angel patrons whose support makes it all possible.

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