Americans of Conscience Checklist, Week of February 3, 2019

Posted on by Office Admin

 -Submitted by Judy Sullivan, USH Social Justice Chair

Americans of Conscience Checklist, Week of February 3, 2019

By Jen Hofmann 

116 weeks down, 91 weeks to the presidential election.

The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration to stay engaged..

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: Speak up with our neighbors with disabilities. [h/t ADAPT]

Write: Or call your two Senators and one House rep (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to support the right of people with disabilities to receive long-term care services at home rather than an institution. To support humane and cost-effective strategies, I’m asking [NAME] to co-sponsor the bipartisan Disability Integration Act (H.R. 555/S. 117) so decision-making rests with those needing care. Thank you.

▢ Action: Support civil rights for all. Oppose Barr. [h/t Lambda Legal, NAACP]

Call: Your two Senators (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling to oppose William Barr for Attorney General. The country needs a Justice Department dedicated to protecting civil rights for all Americans. William Barr’s track record shows he won’t. I’m asking [NAME] to vote against his nomination.

▢ Action: Close the gender pay gap. [h/t National Women’s Law Center]

Call: Your two Senators and one House rep (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling because I believe in equal pay for equal work. All women, but especially women of color, still make less than men in the same jobs despite existing legal protections. The Paycheck Fairness Act would close remaining loopholes. Can I count on [NAME] to co-sponsor H.R. 7/S. 270

I value decency.

Our nation has a moral and legal obligation to welcome people seeking asylum and refuge. We support showing decency toward this vulnerable community.

▢ Action: Speak up for decency. [h/t RAICES, United We Dream]

Call: House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY).
Script: Hi. I oppose the president’s border wall. I want Rep. Lowey to know I also oppose Democrats’ support for increasing surveillance and DHS funding. With news of ICE force-feeding people, and Border Patrol responsible for the deaths of at least 83 people in 8 years, I echo RAICES in insisting that DHS receive no additional funding. Thank you.

▢ Action: Support a path to citizenship. [h/t United Farm Workers, SEIU, Voto Latino]

Call: Your one House rep and two Senators (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to express my support for giving experienced farmworkers a path to citizenship. Their work feeds our nation. I would like [NAME] to co-sponsor the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019 (S. 175/H.R. 641). #WeFeedYou

▢ Action: Support constitutional freedom from search. [h/t ACLU]

Write: Dave Leach, CEO, ℅ Greyhound Lines, Inc, P.O. Box 660691, MS 470, Dallas, TX 75266-0691
Script: Greyhound is allowing Border Patrol to violate citizens’ 4th Amendment rights. Please start protecting your customers and say no to illegal searches and racial profiling.

Acts of Gratitude

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

Thank Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) for opposing Thomas Farr’s nomination to a federal court, in spite of pressure from your own party. [Share why you appreciate people who use their authority to oppose racism.]
Address: 1901 Main Street, Suite 1425, Columbia, SC 29201

Thank six Republican Senators for refusing to treat federal workers like bargaining chips and voting to reopen the government without wall funding. [Share why you appreciate senators putting constituents first.]
Addresses:
Susan Collins: 202 Harlow St, Bangor, ME 04401
Lamar Alexander: 3322 West End Avenue, #120, Nashville, TN 37203
Lisa Murkowski: 510 L Street, Suite 600, Anchorage, AK 99501
Mitt Romney: 125 S. State Street, Suite 8402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Johnny Isakson: One Overton Park 3625 Cumberland Blvd Suite 970. Atlanta, GA 30339
Cory Gardner: 400 Rood Avenue, Federal Bldg., Suite 220. Grand Junction, CO 81501

Thank four House reps: I join with RAICES in thanking you for taking a principled position on the administration’s decision to put profits before people and rhetoric before the lives of immigrant children. [Share why welcoming asylum seekers matters to you.]
Addresses:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: 229 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Ilhan Omar: 400 South 4th St Suite 401-200, Minneapolis MN 55415
Rep. Ayanna Pressley: 1700 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02122
Rep. Rashida Tlaib: 1628 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515

Good news

Decent people everywhere are doing kind and just things. #GoodNews

National

News with heart

  • In recent polling, more than 7 in 10 Americans favor laws to protect LGBT people against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
  • A Lafayette, IN 911 dispatcher helps a worried fifth-grader with his math homework.
  • Out-of-work coal miners train as beekeepers to earn extra money.
  • Kevin Durant invested $10 million to create an after-school program to offer low income students academic, financial, and social-emotional support.
  • This week marked the 45th birthday of the 24th Amendment, prohibiting poll tax collection in federal elections.
  • Muslim woman is the first to force government to reverse a mistaken placement on a no-fly list.
  • Hoda Katebi announces the creation of America’s first clothing cooperative run by women with refugee and immigrant histories.
  • Syrian refugee whose falafel shop was named the “Nicest Place in America” feeds government workers during shutdown.