Quote of the Week:“We have to campaign on those things with a tremendous amount of respect for where people are and bring them into a different vision of how we're going to make a difference in their lives so that when they wake up in the morning, they are going to feel differently about their individual possibilities — not just about the country as a whole, but how their lives are going to be improved.” –Representative Pramila Jayapal, June 21, 2024 Campaigns, Get Active: Now’s the time to support our candidates! Starting this week, Call to Action is going to give you a shortcut to do this. Take a look at our Campaign Support Hot List. Pick. One.Thing. And do it! The next two weeks include:
The important thing is that you DO SOMETHING! So let’s do it! Federal Actions:Tell the EPA to Finalize a Federal Permitting Program for Coal Ash Dumps Photo Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), via Wikimedia Commons From our friends at Earthjustice When coal is burned to produce electricity, a toxic waste known as coal ash is left behind. Filled with hazardous metals and toxic pollutants such as arsenic, lithium, lead, and other carcinogens and neurotoxins, coal ash poisons our water, sickens our bodies, and kills fish and wildlife. Often, coal ash was placed in unlined pits or “ponds,” which may contain tens of millions of tons of dangerous waste. For too long, coal plant operators have managed to evade clean-up responsibilities at many power plant sites. Now after years of litigation and grassroots activism, the Environmental Protection Agency has finally closed a loophole that left half of toxic coal ash exempt from federal oversight. The companies that profited from burning coal for decades must not be allowed to walk away from hundreds of coal ash dumps leaking toxic waste into drinking water sources and our lakes, rivers, and streams. Action: Tell the EPA to finalize a federal permitting program for coal ash dumps to ensure proper oversight of clean-up. Oppose the Line 5 Oil Pipeline Reroute From our Friends at EarthJustice For more than a decade, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has fought to remove the Line 5 oil pipeline from their homeland in northern Wisconsin. A federal judge recently ruled in their favor, agreeing that Enbridge is illegally trespassing on the Bad River Band’s reservation. However, Enbridge wants to reroute the pipeline to get around the reservation’s boundaries, keeping the oil and the profits flowing while putting the entire watershed and the people who depend on it in the path of a potentially devastating oil spill. Now, the Army Corps of Engineers is pushing the federal permitting process forward, without taking the time to understand the project’s dangers to state and Tribal waters. They released a weak and flawed environmental assessment that doesn’t even consider shutting down Line 5 as a reasonable alternative. The comment period is now open until August 4th, and we need you to take action. Please urge the Army Corps to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement and reject the Line 5 reroute project. Action: Send a letter to the Army Corps today to oppose the Line 5 reroute project. Support the Progressive Caucus Agenda Photo Credit: weareprogressives.org via Wikimedia Commons A bold progressive policy agenda is the best way to fight Trumpism and preserve democracy. Background Action: Email your Members of Congress using Democracy.io. Please feel free to personalize your message. Subject: Preserve Democracy Script A bold progressive policy agenda is the best way to fight Trumpism and preserve democracy. I’m asking you to loudly support the Congressional Progressive Caucus Proposition Agenda which will:
Give people something to believe in and show them the path forward by loudly supporting the Progressive Caucus Agenda! Repeal the Comstock Act Abortion Prohibitions Photo Source: The Finnish Museum of Photography via Flickr The Comstock Act is an 1873 federal statute that prohibits the shipment of “every article or thing designed, adapted or intended for producing abortion.” It is still on the books. Anti-abortion groups hope a future Republican administration can use the Comstock Act to restrict abortion, and Democrats are eager to modify the law to prevent that from happening. A recent poll from Navigator Research found two in three Americans support changing the Comstock Act so that it doesn’t apply to abortion. But while strategists have said messaging repealing the law would help in the November elections, the poll also found most Americans — seven in 10 — have heard “nothing” about the law, highlighting the uphill battle Democrats may face trying to tell voters about it. Action: Copy the script below and Email your Members of Congress and tell them that you support repealing the parts of the Comstock Act that deal with abortion. Suggested Script: I understand that lawmakers in both the Senate and the House are working on legislation, to be announced any day now, to repeal the parts of the Comstock Act that deal with abortion. As a constituent, I want to know: how are you helping with this effort? If not, I ask you to step up and get involved. I’m a pro-choice voter and I’ll be watching to make sure my members of Congress are fighting for reproductive freedom. WA State Actions:Moratorium on Logging the Last Remaining Mature Forests  From Center for Responsible Forestry The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) controls timber harvest levels on state DNR land. DNR has a long history that once heavily emphasized clearcutting over conservation. They have recently been shifting, and this is a moment when multiple groups are pressing them to shift further. It’s time for DNR to expand the definition of “old growth” forests, considering not only the age and ecology of the forests but also their ecological functions and features. We need to ensure that the Board and the Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz, put an end to logging the last remaining mature forests on DNR land in western Washington. Action: Write to the Board of Natural Resources to support a moratorium on logging mature forests
Sample Script: SUBJECT: Mature Forest Policy Dear Commissioner Hilary Franz and Board of Natural Resources, I am a resident of Washington state, and I am very concerned about our state forests. We are in the midst of a climate crisis and unprecedented loss of biodiversity – both of which require bold and urgent action on your part. I am writing to urge you to exert your leadership and shape your work to implement a policy that defines and protects our remaining structurally complex, mature forests. Until this work is done, please immediately declare a moratorium on the logging of mature forests. Thank you. [Name and Location] Have You Scheduled These Events?Moving Past the Electoral College
The League of Women Voters (LWV) invites you to a virtual panel discussion with democracy experts who will explain how to tackle challenges with the Electoral College. What: LWV's Turn Up for One Person One Vote panel When: June 27, 7pm ET Where: Livestreamed on Facebook and later shared on YouTube ____________________ Oly WA Pride Festival and Parade This annual event is a chance to be in solidarity and joy with our LGBTQIA+ community. OI’s GOTV Field Team will be registering voters again at the Fest, so stop by and say hello next to the Pride Welcome Booth by the Harbor Tower. And some of our campaign teams will be passing out flyers or sign-waving at both the Saturday and Sunday events. What: Oly Wa Pride Festival and Parade When:
___________________ Action Cafe 2024, Every Monday at Noon 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" which has 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." Comments are closed.
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