Americans of Conscience Checklist
Week of August 12, 2018
By Jen Hofmann
I value equality. Stand with your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. Out of many, we are one.
Action 1: Advocate for affordable housing. (h/t)
Call: Your one House rep and two senators: (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling today about the national housing crisis due to rising rents. Millions of Americans are paying as much as 70 percent of their income for rent and the construction of affordable housing has stalled. I’m asking [NAME] to co-sponsor the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (H.R. 1661/S. 548), which stimulates housing construction and availability.
Action 2: Speak up for neighbors in need of food. (h/t)
Call: Your one House rep and two senators: (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling about the Farm Bill now in conference committee. The Senate version that passed with strong support strengthened SNAP to provide critical nutrition to elders, people with disabilities, and low-income families. I’m asking that [NAME] only support a bill that maintains the Senate provisions. I want my tax dollar to help feed hungry families.
Action 3: Raise your awareness of private prisons. (h/t)
Read: The number of people held in private prisons has grown since 2000 with many reports of human rights violations.
Check: Are your state tax dollars are supporting private prisons?
I value secure, convenient voting and fair elections.
Democracy thrives when all citizens can freely elect those who represent their values.
Action 1: Make a pledge to vote in US midterm elections
Sign: Our Midterm Pledge 2018 (created by the AoC Checklist).
Share our pledge with others: https://goo.gl/forms/niMkr2NQPSEw04fw2
Acts of Gratitude
Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.
Thank Jim Kenney, Philadelphia’s mayor, for listening to his conscience and ending a contract with ICE that shares real time arrest information. I share your view that residents are safer and better served by separating law enforcement from immigration enforcement. Thank you for your leadership. Address: Mayor Jim Kenney, City Hall, Office 215, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Thank actor Tim Robbins and The Actors’ Gang for facilitating drama workshops in California prisons. Thank you for providing an essential emotional outlet for participating inmates and that results in an 89% reduction in inmate infractions. Address: 9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Thank the Brennan Center for Justice for tracking the ongoing threats of voter purging, and clarifying steps each state can take to protect voters. Reliable research helps identify threats and develop tactics to protect voting rights. I appreciate your diligence and commitment to this vital issue. Name, State. Address: 120 Broadway, Suite 1750, New York, NY 10271
Thank these Members of Congress. You are among the seven senators and seven representatives who have pledged to refuse corporate PAC campaign donations. Thank you for placing the voices of your constituents above corporate influence.
Addresses:
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): 170 Westminster St., Ste. 200, Providence RI 02903
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT): 1 Church St., 3rd Fl, Burlington VT 05401
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA): 2400 JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury St., Boston MA 02203
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA): 915 Second Ave., Ste. 3206, Seattle, WA 98174
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY): Leo W. O’Brien Federal Office Building, 11A Clinton Ave., Room 821, Albany NY 12207
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): One Gateway Center, 23rd Fl., Newark NJ 07102
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA): 501 I St., Ste 7-600, Sacramento CA 95814
Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI): 1070 Main St., Ste. 300, Pawtucket RI 02860
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA): 900 Lafayette St., Ste. 206, Santa Clara CA 95050
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI): 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 5-104, Honolulu HI 96850
Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX): 303 N Oregon St., Ste 210, El Paso TX 79901
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD): 44 Calvert St., Ste. 349, Annapolis MD 21401
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA): 1904 3rd Ave., Ste. 510, Seattle WA 98101
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO): 1220 S. College Ave., Fort Collins CO 80525
National
When We All Vote, a non-partisan group devoted to voting rights and responsibilities, is launching a September 22-29 Week of Action in honor of the Voting Rights Act.
State
- Falling recidivism rates in states using evidenced-based programs, multidisciplinary support teams, and modified sentencing structures (AZ, CO, GA, MI, NC, SC, and TX).
- ND director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is working to model the state’s prisons after “the world’s most humane prison.”
- MA becomes first state in US to require all state-funded or -licensed providers of services to older adults to complete training in LGBT elder care
Local
Corporate/business
- Facebook, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube remove Alex Jones and InfoWars content from their sites.
Groups and organizations
News with heart
-Submitted by Judy Sullivan, USH Social Justice Chair