Quote of the Week:“We do not know what will happen. But we can know who we can commit to be in the face of what happens. That is a strong beginning. The fact that we cannot save everything does not mean we cannot save anything, and everything we can save is worth saving. Let Julian Aguon have the last word: ‘No offering is too small. No stone unneeded … All of us, without exception, are qualified to participate in the rescue of the world.’” --Rebecca Solnit, “Authoritarians like Trump love fear, defeatism, surrender. Do not give them what they want” The Guardian, Nov. 9, 2024 Federal Actions: President Biden, Protect Us! Trump has laid out plans to immediately begin targeting immigrants, trans people, and more from Day 1. In these next six weeks, President Biden must use his considerable power to protect those who are most at risk (immigrants and transgender people) and prevent as much harm as possible by granting clemency to death row prisoners and directing the National Archivist to publish the ERA in the Constitution. Action: Urge President Biden to take these actions immediately. Suggested Topic: Public Health (or “Other”) Suggested Subject Line: Please Protect Americans Now (or Please Protect Americans from Harm) Script: As an American citizen, I am gravely concerned by Trump's plans to wield his power on Day 1 in office to harm our communities. I urge you to prioritize and swiftly take these five actions before the end of your administration to bring greater safety to Americans across the nation.
Stand with Ukraine  Photo Source: The Presidential Office of Ukraine via Wikimedia Ask your MoCs to support the Stand with Ukraine Act. "The reality is this: Ukraine is fighting for us. It’s not just fighting for itself. The reason so many countries are involved in Ukraine’s defense is because the aggression being committed by Russia is not only an aggression against Ukraine and its people; it’s an aggression against the very principles that are at the heart of the international system and that are necessary for trying to maintain peace and stability." - Antony Blinken Background
Action: Email AND phone your Member of Congress
Script: Please support the Stand with Ukraine Act of 2024 (H.R. 9501/ S. 4992). Ukraine is fighting for us and keeping a limit on Putin's aggressive takeover of other countries. Uphold democracy by supporting Ukraine. Stop Mask Bans Photo Source: Famartin via Wikimedia From our friends at Action Network Background: Mask bans are growing in popularity. Critics call the trend a 'dog whistle' to quell protest. Let’s all ask our elected officials to make public health a priority. Nobody should be banned from protecting their own and others’ health by wearing an N95 mask. Action: Send a letter to our federal representatives - President, Vice President, Rep. Strickland, Senators Murray and Cantwell Subject: We need sickness prevention, not mask bans Script: I oppose banning masks. Properly fitted N95 masks are a proven barrier to the spread of diseases like COVID-19, flu, and the common cold. Some local and state authorities are proposing mask bans, saying that criminals use masks to conceal their identities. In fact, masks that prevent disease transmission – that cover the nose and mouth – actually do less to conceal identity than sunglasses. These bans embolden authority figures to harass people who mask to protect themselves and others, including the immunocompromised. The WHO and CDC have stressed the effectiveness of masks to slow the spread of airborne diseases. States with mask mandates had greater decreases in daily COVID-19 cases than those without. In 2020, masking even helped eradicate permanently the Yamagata-lineage of type B influenza. I know you care about Americans’ health. That’s why I urge you to fight for programs that provide free masks, tests, vaccines, and early treatments – and to speak out and take action to stop mask bans. Protect Our Taxes from Billionaire Freeloaders Congressional Republicans want to make it even easier for billionaire tax cheats to get away with it. With the December 20th funding deadline approaching, House Republicans are pushing to slash over $20 billion from IRS enforcement. If Congress fails to reject these cuts, over 90% of enforcement funding will disappear by 2025, giving wealthy tax cheats a free pass to dodge billions while working families foot the bill. On top of this, House Republicans are also seeking to cut the IRS’s annual budget, impairing its ability to improve customer service for regular Americans. IRS enforcement works. Just this year, $1.3 billion was recovered from wealthy tax cheats, and a new Direct File program saved taxpayers $5.6 million. Enforcement doesn’t just hold billionaires accountable, it protects vital services like schools, infrastructure, and veterans’ programs. Action: Email AND phone our Members of Congress to urge them to hold the line this December and protect the IRS’s ability to enforce our tax law. Members of Congress (MOCs)
Suggested Script: My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent in [YOUR CITY]. I want you to include language to block an additional $20 billion of cuts to IRS enforcement funding and protect its annual budget in any end-of-year government funding bill. Cutting IRS funding now would be a devastating setback for the cause of tax fairness for working families and a terrible signal to send in advance of next year’s fight over the expiration of parts of the 2017 tax law. Will you protect working families by going on record that you will not support any government funding bill this December that fails to protect the IRS from these backdoor cuts? Please respond in writing. Remind your Members of Congress to Support the LGBTQ+ Community from Attacks Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons From the early days of the election campaign, Republicans made it clear that one of their top priorities would be to attack the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on transgender rights in particular, airing several hateful ads widely as part of the campaign. The president-elect has promised to end access to gender-affirming care for youth, defund hospitals that provide such care, punish teachers for acknowledging transgender children, and ask Congress to pass a bill stating there are “only two genders.” Transgender people are rightly concerned about what the next administration might bring, even in states like ours which have some protections in place. Action: Please email AND phone your Members of Congress and ask them to make an unequivocal statement denouncing this bill and making it clear that they will support our LGBTQ+ community in the tough days ahead. Members of Congress (MOCs)
Sample Script: [please change it up to make it more personal] Hello, my name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [City]. I am contacting you with concern about the increase in rhetoric among Members of Congress against the LGBTQ+ community. I’m concerned about the anti-trans legislation introduced by Representative Mace in the House, as well as plans by Republicans to step up their campaign of discrimination and bullying towards all members of this community. Protecting hard-won gains of previous years will require your resolve and commitment. Please issue a statement of support for our friends, family members, and colleagues who are burdened with fears about what they may face. My community and I will support you in this fight to protect the civil rights that have been gained but now feel so precarious. I look forward to reading your statement. [NAME] [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied] WA State Actions:Help Set Indivisible Legislative Priorities for 2025 Want to make a difference in standing up for democracy, civil rights, and a just, sustainable path forward in Washington State in 2025? Great! Take this 10-minute survey, courtesy of WILA, the team of volunteers from Indivisible chapters across Washington state who track bills during the state legislative session. Indivisible bill trackers and action takers have been an important part of keeping our legislature working for the people of Washington. Despite a blue trifecta in Washington, Republicans continue to introduce legislation to censor education, restrict or ban gender affirming care, and suppress voting rights. We cannot take our system for granted; we must continue to work for a Washington that leads the way in progressive policy. After completing the brief survey, please consider joining the 2025 WILA team (you can do this on your survey). As a WILA member you will:
Action: Take the Washington Indivisible Legislative Action Survey. Have You Scheduled These Events? NAACP of Thurston County Meet Up Please consider showing up and joining this newly formed County chapter of the NAACP. “Learn about the NAACP; build community; and take action!” – Willy Jefferson Building and strengthening relationships with organizations you trust and agree with about moral and political issues will strengthen you, give you people to act with, and when it is time, act. When: Saturday, December 14, 11:00am to 1:00pm Where: New Life Baptist Church, 7838 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey Questions: Call 360-456-5815 ------- Come to the Action Cafe! Every Monday at noon the Action Cafe provides a virtual space where OI members meet, make new friends, and take actions together. Every Cafe comes with a side order of live music and a heapin’ helpin’ of good cheer! Cafe patrons receive an email on Sunday with a sneak-peek at what we'll do at the cafe the next day. On Monday morning, Chef Lisa will send you a pdf "Menu" with links to the actions we'll take together at the Cafe. Action: Register HERE. We will send you a Zoom link and tomorrow morning Chef Lisa will send your "menu." |
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