Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/15

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Hi, all, and happy Thursday.

It’s never a truly happy day when we’re reeling from another mass shooting, though, is it? And the amazing thing about this one, from what we’re now hearing, is that it just…happened. It doesn’t seem to have been planned; there was no ideology behind it. Three people appear to have gotten in a dispute, and because one or more of them happened to be armed with an “assault-style” weapon, eighteen people got shot—eleven of whom were children. One woman—a mother to two young kids—died.

More details will emerge, but we don’t need more information to know that common-sense gun laws are breathtakingly, maddeningly overdue. As we have so many times in the past, then, we will continue to call our legislators and demand them.

But as we all know too well, any small window of opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on another such bill is almost certainly gone. We will address gun violence when we vote Democrats into majorities everywhere. Period.

So spread that message far and wide. The next time you hear a friend or family member say, in a rhetorical fashion: “When will it end?”

Have your non-rhetorical answer ready: “When we vote every Republican out of office. Full-stop.”

Then ask them how they’re going to help.

It’s a tough moment in time, friends. We’re tired. We’re angry. We’re scared. We’re disgusted. But we’re also galvanized. And strong. And able. And organized. We know how to beat Republicans at the ballot box, and we’re doing it consistently and commandingly. We must remember that it is we, not they, who have the wind at our backs. We, not they, who are growing louder and larger. We, not they, who have popular opinion—and demographics— on our side.

It is we, not they, who will prevail in the end. Never forget it, and let that fact, always, fuel your actions.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

First, I’d like the Senator to introduce a motion to dismiss the charges against Secretary Mayorkas on the first day of the impeachment hearing in the Senate. This motion should be heard at the very outset of the trial and I hope it then passes unanimously. The House impeachment was a sham, it deserves no further time or attention, and the Senate has serious business to attend to.

Speaking of serious business, I’m sickened by the occurrence of yet another mass shooting, this time in Missouri. Americans are no longer free to enjoy parades, or movies, or concerts, or any public event. We are terrified for our lives, hostages to a minority of gun extremists, heartbroken, and furious. It’s got to stop. The Senate needs to pass S. 25 now to ban assault-style weapons. If this Congress won’t do it we will vote in a majority who will.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

First, please pass Ukraine aid. Please. We cannot allow the Russian threat to go unchecked. I’m asking the Congressmember to do whatever is necessary to pass that aid.

Second, I’m sickened by the occurrence of yet another mass shooting, this time in Missouri. Americans are no longer free to enjoy parades, movies, concerts, or any other public event. We are terrified for our lives, hostages to a minority of gun extremists, heartbroken, and furious. It’s got to stop. The House needs to pass H.R. 698 now to ban assault-style weapons. If this Congress won’t do it we will vote in one who will.

Extra Credit ✅

This is wild. A new website, “The Shotline,” was just launched this week. It brings back the voices of kids killed in mass shootings using AI technology, and allows you to send calls to your representatives in one of their voices.

I just placed 3 calls—one to my House member and one ot each of my two Senators— using three of these different voices. It took just a few clicks. I also signed up to get updates from the Shotline folks, because I think this is an incredible project.

You can join me.

Get Smart! 📚

This event is happening at the same time as a million other great events tonight—including one of mine—but I had to put it in because I know some of you are really passionate about gerrymandering and fair maps. Should be a great event.

The Fight for Fair Maps: A Virtual Movement Call w/ AG Eric Holder: 

Join us for a Movement Call with former Attorney General Eric Holder and issue experts from All on the Line, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Common Cause Ohio. Together, we'll discuss what's happening in redistricting cases across the country and how all of us can take action together to create a democracy where we truly have a voice.

Thursday, February 15 from 7 – 8pm EST. Register here.

Spread the Word! 📣

The terrific

Rogan's List

posted a link to a remarkable summary of some of the lesser-known but terribly important accomplishments of the Biden administration. Please read and share with anyone who asks “but what has Joe Biden DONE?” It’s really convincing.

The article is here.

Give 💰!

As promised, here’s the donation link for American Independent Radio! Seems like a great organization!

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: your Senators] [H/T Disability Victory] [Text SIGN PTJMOQ to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I’m thrilled to learn of the reintroduction of S. 3747: the Removing Access Barriers to Running for Elected Office for People with Disabilities Act, S. 3749: The AID Local Government Leadership Act, and S. 3748: The Accessible Voting Act. 

This suite of legislation will address longstanding access barriers to the democratic process for disabled Americans and help local and state governments come into compliance with disability rights and civil rights laws. This legislation will also ensure that disabled people no longer have to choose between campaigning for elected office and receiving their disability benefits. 

While more work must be done to give disabled people full access to civic participation, this legislation is a critical step in fulfilling the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ensuring that disabled people are able to engage in our electoral processes as voters, candidates, and elected officials. I’d like you to co-sponsor and champion it. Thanks.

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OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess