What to do this week of January 24, 2021

93 weeks to Midterm Elections

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 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: Make an action plan for the road ahead.

Complete the Action Worksheet to plan your engagement in this new era.

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Action 2: Make a self-care plan.

Engaging sustainably matters. Pour a warm beverage, grab a pen, and spend ten minutes with this worksheet.

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Action 3: Uphold democracy and accountability for an attempted coup. [Source: ACLU, AoCC]

Call:  Your one House rep and two Senators regardless of party (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] because rejecting legally certified election results with no evidence of fraud is harmful to the foundations of our republic. I am asking [NAME] for two things. First, to make a public statement affirming the election results and to state whether they supported the attempted coup. Second, support investigation into the role that elected officials may have played in the attempted coup that led to five deaths. Has [NAME] already done these? Thank you.

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Action 4: Advocate for clean, trustworthy elections. [Source: Brennan Center]

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

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling because now more than ever, Americans need to have faith in our elections. The For The People Act will expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and ensure nonpartisan redistricting. A majority of Americans support these reforms regardless of their political affiliation, proving that strengthening democracy is not a partisan issue. Can I count on [NAME] to cosponsor and vote for H.R. 1/S. 1? Thank you.

Note: Multiple sources report that the Senate will give this bill the S.1 designation, but it isn’t yet published online.

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Action 5: Limit corporate contributions to candidates. [Source: Public Citizen]

Call: Your one House rep (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and part of the bipartisan majority of Americans who want big money out of politics. The Democracy For All Amendment, introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives, would restore the ability of Congress to regulate campaign finance and overturn Citizens United. I ask that [NAME] sign on as a cosponsor to H.J.Res. 1. Thank you.

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Action 6: Empower future voters for the 2022 midterms. [Source: Spread the Vote]

Spread the Vote’s effort to assist people in obtaining IDs is crucial not just in states with voter ID laws, but everywhere that ID is required to receive medical care, including covid vaccinations. IDs save lives.

Donate: https://www.kindest.com/donate/spread-the-vote (Mention that you’re from AoCC!)

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Action 7: Support congressional representation for DC residents. [Source: 51for51]

Call: Your one House rep (look up).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to encourage [NAME] to co-sponsor and vote for legislation, supported by more than 60 civil rights groups, that would give DC residents a voice in Congress. Every taxpaying citizen should have the right to elect people to represent their values. Can I count on [NAME] to support H.R. 51, the Washington DC Admission Act? Thank you.

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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 8: Speak up with Dreamers about their community’s needs. [Source: United We Dream]

United We Dream (UWD) has been championing immigration rights for the past four years, and like many other civil rights organizations (AoCC included!), they’re not slowing down. Join UWD in advocating for permanent protective solutions aspiring Americans need to thrive.

Sign: The United We Dream Undeniable petition.

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Acts of Gratitude

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

Tell the Capitol custodial staff why you’re grateful for their efforts to clean and restore order to the Capitol after the Jan. 6 attack. 

Address: AFSCME Local 626, Ford House Office Building, 2nd Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20024If you completed this action, check the box to add yourself to our tally! I took this action!

Tell Thomas Lifson why you appreciate his apology and acknowledgement that elections using Dominion machines were free and fair (after previously questioning their reliability).

Address: American Thinker, 3060 El Cerrito Plaza, #306, El Cerrito, CA 94530

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Good News

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

National

• President Biden invokes the Defense Production Act to speed up the manufacture of COVID tests, vaccines, and personal protective equipment.
• President Biden issues an executive order to enforce SCOTUS rulings that grant LGBTQ individuals anti-discrimination protection under the law in employment, housing, eduction, and health care.
• President Biden issues a 100-day mask challenge to slow the spread of COVID-19 and masks are mandated to be worn on federal grounds.
• President Biden ends the travel ban from Muslim-majority countries.
• Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in as the U.S.’s first woman, first Black, and first Indian-American vice president.
• The U.S. rejoins the Paris Climate Agreement.
• The U.S. rejoins the World Health Organization.
• The Biden administration pauses deportations for 100 days.
• U.S. court rules against immigration fee increases.
• DHS ceases holding newly arriving aspiring Americans in Mexico under the so-called Migrant Protection Protocol.
• White House website is again translated into Spanish.
• A remastered White House contact form allows users to choose their pronouns.
• The Biden-Harris Inauguration takes steps to be inclusive of those with disabilities.
• Senators file an ethics complaint against two fellow senators following their unfounded objections to the electoral college vote certification.
• The previous president defers the deportations of tens of thousands of people from Venezuela for 18 months.
• The previous administration agrees not to release rushed census results or any census citizenship data prior to the Biden-Harris inauguration.  
• Federal court blocks the previous administration’s sweeping asylum rules. 
• Federal court blocks the previous administration’s attempt to illegally detain aspiring American families indefinitely.
• Biden increases food stamp support by 15% to help stabilize the economy and keep people fed.
• Lloyd Austin is confirmed as Secretary of Defense, becoming the first Black individual to hold the position.
• President Biden halts construction of a physical barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border.
• President Biden revokes the Keystone XL pipeline permit and halts land leasing in the Arctic refuge.
• Due to the pandemic, President Biden extends eviction and foreclosure moratoriums and further pauses student loan payments and interest.

State and local

• MI will charge former Gov. Snyder and other officials for their role in the Flint water crisis.
• Cobb County, GA ends its participation in immigration enforcement.

Corporate/business

• Numerous corporations offer logistics to distribute and administer vaccines.
• Retailers drop a conspiracy theorist’s products over his false claims of election fraud.
• The PGA of America will not hold its 2022 championship event at the previous president’s golf course following his incitement of an attack on the Capitol.
• Banks and other partners break ties with the previous president’s brand following the attack on the Capitol.
• Corporations halt donations to lawmakers who voted to overturn the will of the nation’s voters.

Groups and organizations

• Donations toward the Field of Flags on the National Mall help Covenant House feed and house children and youth facing homelessness.
• Immigrants’ rights groups sue the previous administration for denying protections it is required by law to give to unaccompanied aspiring American children.

News with heart

• The 400,000 people in the U.S. who have died from COVID-19 are honored in a memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial.
• Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution wins Best Feature at the IDA Documentary Awards as well as an ABC Video Source Award.
• Veterans clean up trash left on the streets of Washington, DC following the attack on the Capitol.
• The number of Latinx voters increased by 30.9% between the 2016 and 2020 presidential 
• elections, according to UCLA’s Latino Policy & Politics Initiative.
• Online misinformation about the election has dropped 73%, according to research firm Zignal Labs.
• 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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