What to do this week of November 15, 2020

by Nov 16, 2020Opinion, What To Do This Week0 comments

209 weeks down, 9 weeks to Inauguration Day

The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We are a big tent for all people who want a kinder, flourishing nation.

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I value democracy.

With respect and collaboration, we work to create a nation that welcomes all people, expands freedoms, and upholds the Constitution. Each citizen must be able to freely and fairly elect those who represent their values.

Action 1: Affirm the factual outcome of the presidential election. [Source: Center for Presidential TransitionIndivisible]

Call: Your Republican senators and/or House reps (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] and asking you to publicly insist that the president concede the election to Joe Biden. The current president’s efforts to obstruct of the peaceful transition of power hurt our democracy and prevent President-elect Biden to begin working on a national plan to address COVID-19. Please acknowledge that Biden and Harris have won. Thank you.

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Action 2:  Support the peaceful transfer of power. [Source: 5 Calls]

Call or email: General Services Administrator Emily Murphy (or her Chief of Staff Robert Borden) at 202-501-2472 or emily.murphy@gsa.gov.

Script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing to urge you to begin the official transition of presidential power to President-elect Biden as our democracy demands. Please immediately file the paperwork to release Congressionally-allocated transition funding and provide the incoming administration with the resources and support they need. Thank you.

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Action 3: Help Georgia residents vote in January’s runoff. [h/t Spread the Vote]

Georgia requires ID to vote, but some cannot afford to get it. Spread the Vote is assisting people in obtaining IDs in time to vote in the upcoming run-off.

Donatehttps://www.kindest.com/donate/spread-the-vote (Feel free to mention you’re from AoCC!)

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I value equality.

Support the dignity of your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability.

Action 4: Speak out against the deportation of Cameroonians seeking asylum in the U.S. [Source: RAICESCameroon American Council]

Call: Your two senators and one House rep (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m asking you to stop the deportation by ICE of over 100 Cameroonians detained at the Prairieland Detention Center. ICE has used violent force to coerce these individuals into signing their own deportation orders after repeatedly denying them parole and holding them in solitary confinement. I would like [NAME] to use every tool at their disposal to halt these inhumane deportations to Cameroon, where these asylum seekers will face human rights abuses and violence. Thank you.

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Action 5: Talk to your family about safer holiday plans [Source: Rachel Miller, VICE]

The data are clear and concerning: travel and gatherings are causing the recent spike in covid cases. 

Use this guide and commit to having that important conversation.

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Action 6: Support the peaceful transfer of power. [Source AoCC]

Call: Your two senators (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m asking [NAME] to make a public statement (as Mitt Romney has) vowing to collaborate with the new president to benefit all Americans. We’ve all had enough of division and polarization and we need all elected officials to work together.

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Acts of Gratitude

At the Americans of Conscience Checklist, we value Respect, Heart, Inclusion, Empathy, Truth, and Solidarity. In addition, Gratitude is a core value, so we’re expressing thanks every day in November to special people and organizations for the good they do to uplift our nation. #30DaysofThanks

Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation
Nominated by Jen Hofmann, AoCC founder

Thank you, Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation for modeling Inclusion in your COVID response efforts to protect the health of Alaska Natives.

Write: Add a kind comment to HANF on our twitterfacebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: https://inspiringgoodhealth.org/donation- /

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Susan Krysak of Columbus, Georgia
Nominated by Jen Hofmann, AoCC founder

For four years, Susan Krysak has been sending AoCC the names of men detained in Georgia-based ICE facilities so we can write them encouraging notes to keep them company. Thanks to Susan, AoCC subscribers have sent over 600 letters to these kindhearted men. Susan has also co-founded Paz Amigos to support people released from Stewart Detention Center with food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation to reunite with loved ones.

Write: Add a kind comment to Susan Krysak on our twitterfacebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Honor her by donating to the compassionate she inspires at https://www.pazamigos.org/donate.

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Prison Book Program
Nominated by Jen Hofmann, AoCC founder

We honor the Prison Book Program for embodying Solidarity by sending resources from GED prep and dictionaries to self help, and reaching in to connect people to new ideas and the wider world.

Write: Post a kind comment to PBP on our twitterfacebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Send books to people in prison here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/prison-book-program.

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Casa de Paz
Nominated by Jen Hofmann, AoCC founder

Thank you, Casa de Paz for embodying Heart for the 3,127 guests you’ve welcomed on the path out of ICE detention. You are an inspiration.

Write: Post a kind comment to Casa de Paz on our twitterfacebook, or instagram post.

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Donate to continue their work of reuniting families, one act of love at a time: https://www.casadepazcolorado.org/donate.

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The Vera Institute of Justice
Nominated by Sarah Burns, Immigration Team

We are grateful to The Vera Institute of Justice for modeling for us all the value of Inclusion in the work toward justice.

Write: Add a kind comment to The Vera Institute on our twitterfacebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Support their work to end mass incarceration, and build safer, stronger communities at https://www.vera.org/donate.

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866-OUR-VOTE A.K.A. Election Protection
Nominated by Anne Malone, Voting Team Captain

Bravo to Election Protection, AKA https://866ourvote.org/ for their commitment to Truth. Thank you so much for the work you do to ensure our elections are open to all Americans.

Write: Share a kind comment to 866OurVote on our twitterfacebook or instagram post.

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Donate: Contribute to their important work at https://lawyerscommittee.org/make-a-donation/.

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No More Deaths/No Más Muertes
Nominated by Linda Hillard, Facebook Team

Thank you to No More Deaths/No Más Muertes for their tenacious commitment to mercy and Solidarity with our most vulnerable visitors. From water caches in the desert to supporting people in applying for asylum, we hold your work to the light to inspire us all to do likewise.

Write: Post a kind comment to NMM on our twitterfacebook or instagram post.

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Donate: If you wish to support the vital, life-affirming work of No Más Muertes, contribute here: https://nomoredeaths.org/donate-money/.

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Good news

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

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Housekeeping

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