What to do this week of November 22, 2020

210 weeks down, 8 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.

I value voting as a foundation of a healthy democracy.

The actions below ensure three things: that our votes are secure, that every citizen can vote, and that every vote is counted.

Action 1: 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], and I’m [CALLING/WRITING] to urge you to begin the official transition of presidential power 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.

*Note: Many Americans of conscience are taking this action to protect our democracy. If the server rejects your email or the voicemail inbox is full, please try again!

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Action 2: Encourage young voters to make their voices heard. [Source: Civics Center]

Write postcards: To Georgia teens who will turn 18 by Jan. 5, 2021, encouraging them to register and vote in the runoff election. Georgia’s voter registration deadline is December 7. 

Get postcards and addresses here [link]. Note: A fee covers shipping and postcards with a unique QR code.

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Action 3: Defend the U.S. Postal Service. [Source: LWV of the US]

Call or email: Your two senators (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m [CALLING/WRITING] from [ZIP] to request immediate COVID-19 relief funding for the United States Postal Service. Due to Postmaster General DeJoy’s proposed reforms, postal customers will face drastic service cuts and the USPS could run out of money. I am joining the American Postal Workers Union in asking [NAME] to support $25 billion minimum in stimulus funding for our public Postal Service, and to reject Postmaster General Dejoy’s mail slowdown agenda.

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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: Advocate for the health of people in prisons. [Source: ACLU, Prison Policy Init.]

Part 1: Email your governor (look up).

Script 1: Infectious disease is spreading quickly in prisons, and I’m concerned for everyone who lives and works in these facilities. I’m asking that you exercise your powers to mitigate harm to people by:

1. Commuting sentences and granting clemency to release vulnerable people from incarceration, including those 60 and older and others at high risk. 
2. Releasing nonviolent offenders and those with under two years remaining on their sentences. 
3. Implementing testing of the entire prison population, including correctional officers, staff nurses, and chaplains.

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Part 2: Contact your state corrections department (look up). 

Script 2: Infectious disease is spreading quickly in prisons, and I’m concerned for everyone who lives and works in these facilities. With COVID-19 deaths on the rise in prisons, I’m asking that parole not be revoked for technical violations while we remain in a pandemic.

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Part 3: Contact your district attorney (look up).

Script 3: Infectious disease is spreading quickly in prisons, and I’m concerned for everyone who lives and works in these facilities. I’m asking that you reduce bail to $0 for all low-level, nonviolent offenses to reduce the number of new people entering the system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Action 5: Call (again) for the release of all detained aspiring Americans as COVID-19 spreads. [Source: Detention Watch]

Email: Your state governor (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m writing (again) from [ZIP] about taxpayer-funded ICE detention centers, where confirmed COVID cases are rising and people are dying. Allowing the virus to spread unchecked among staff and people in detention is unacceptable. I am calling on you to protect Americans and aspiring Americans alike by using your emergency powers to evacuate all detention centers in [STATE] immediately. I am confident you share my concern for the welfare of all people. Thank you.

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Acts of Gratitude

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

United We Dream
Nominated by Joanna Theiss, AoCC Twitter Team

We honor United We Dream’s immigrant youth-led effort to empower all Dreamers who make this country a more beautiful and flourishing place.

Write: Give a shout out to United We Dream on our twitter or instagram post.

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Donate: Support their work by donating if you are able: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/uwdhomepage?refcode=uwd-header

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World Central Kitchen
Nominated by Katie Walsh, Equality Team Captain

We thank WCK for supporting voters waiting in long lines (#Chefsforthepolls) and for feeding communities struggling with the direct effects of climate change. We’re inspired by founder, José Andrés, an advocate for improving food security and access to quality nutrition.

Write: Thank World Central Kitchen on our facebook post.

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Donate: https://donate.wck.org/give/236738/#!/donation/checkout

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New Sanctuary Coalition
Nominated by Emily Davidson, Immigration Team Captain

We are grateful to NSC for modeling respect and dignity for all humans. New Yorkers are putting an end to inhumane deportations and detentions in the U.S.

Write: Thank New Sanctuary Coalition on our twitter, facebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Consider donating to their work here: https://www.newsanctuarynyc.org/onetimegift

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Project South
Nominated by Amy Lamb, Immigration Team

We recognize this powerful organization for their example of Inclusion in addressing the South’s pressing and complex social, economic, and political problems. We cheer their ongoing efforts to organize, educate, and represent people of the southern U.S.

Write: Thank Project South on our twitter, facebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Consider donating to their work here: https://southernmovement.secure.force.com/pmtx/dn8n__SiteDonation?id=a1X460000008uNW

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Al Otro Lado
Nominated by Samantha Watier, AoCC Good News Writer

We honor Al Otro Lado for its commitment to supporting people who have been deported by the U.S. and are seeking refuge or asylum. Their Heart for this work is a guiding light for us.

Write: Express gratitude to Al Otro Lado on our twitter, facebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Consider making a donation: https://alotrolado.org/take-action/donate/

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Never Again Action
Nominated by Emily Davidson, Immigration Team Captain

We are moved by how this Jewish community speaks up in Solidarity with detained people seeing refuge and asylum. We honor you as you honor history’s painful lessons.

Write: Honor Never Again Action on our twitter, facebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Make a donation today if you are able: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/never-again-action-donate

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Brennan Center for Justice
Nominated by Katherine Gleason, Twitter Team

We are grateful for the Brennan Center’s dedication to Truth in securing a just, free, and fair democracy. We have leaned on the Brennan Center for level-headed guidance so often these past four years.

Write: Give a shout out to The Brennan Center on our twitter, facebook, or instagram post.

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Donate: Please consider donating https://secure.brennancenter.org/secure/defend-our-democracy

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Good news

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

• Federal court invalidates the administration’s suspension of the DACA program on the grounds that the acting DHS head was unlawfully appointed. 
• Federal court blocks the administration from deporting minors who entered the U.S. unaccompanied seeking safety during the pandemic.
• LAPD bars the use of third-party facial recognition systems. 
• Dolly Parton’s $1M donation helps fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine research. 
• Letter-writing campaigns shown to help increase voter participation in the 2020 election.
• A small owl living in the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and surviving the ride into New York City finds a new home at a wildlife refuge.
• Greensboro, NC creates a team of mental health professionals to respond to mental health emergency calls in conjunction with police.
• Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is honored with a new mural in NYC’s East Village. 
• Congressman John Lewis is honored with a new mural in downtown Rochester, NY. 
• The American Medical Association declares racism a threat to public health.
• Newly elected Georgia sheriffs, Craig Owens of Cobb County, and Keybo Taylor of Gwinnett County, will stop their respective county jails from participating in immigration enforcement.
• Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R-GA) stands up for democracy and a fair Georgia election in the face of backlash from members of his party and anonymous threats. 
• Voters across multiple cities and states pass a variety of ballot measures to reform the criminal justice system.
• The Buncombe County, NC Board of Commissioners votes unanimously to enact eight weeks of paid parental leave and six weeks of paid family leave for all County government employees.
• Though it ultimately cost him his job, Director Chris Krebs led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to implement a Rumor Control blog, protecting our democracy by debunking false claims and conspiracy theories about election fraud. 
• The Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council declares the November 3rd election the most secure in American history. 
• Of the President-elect’s transition team members so far, 52% are women and 46% are people of color. 
• Researchers develop cost-effective, biodegradable single-use tableware with a significantly lower carbon footprint than products currently on the market.

See more good news at Women in the World, Small Victories, Good Black News, and What Went Right.

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Housekeeping

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