Chop Wood Carry Water 3/11

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday,

Hope you’re hanging in there OK.

It was really nice seeing some of you on my Substack Live last night. I think I’m going to make it a regular thing, as it gives me a chance to answer your questions and explain to you in more detail some of the issues and bills we’re calling about. Plus I get to hang out with all of you! Community is so important right now, let’s build it every way we can.

And we need that community more than ever right now. It’s a deeply sobering moment in our country; we seem to be turning a new and ominous corner. No matter how you feel about the pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses last year, the arrest of a peaceful protestor—and green card holder!—for his participation in said protests is absolutely chilling. We are supposed to have freedom of expression in this country. Freedom of speech. It’s a cornerstone of our democracy. It means that people can say things others find personally offensive with no fear of retribution—unless, of course, they cross the line into hate speech. There is no evidence that Khalil’s speech ever did—he has certainly never been charged with a crime.

I hardly need tell you that when they start arresting protestors and secreting them away in the middle of the night to be deported we have crossed into very dangerous territory. It’s important that we make a massive, massive noise about it, so our lawmakers are very clear that we’re not going to stand for it. Many of the actions, below, then, surround this matter. If free speech is gone, after all, then this newsletter—and all of us—may not be far behind. We don’t have to accept that, and we won’t.

Things are frightening, folks, but I maintain my belief that Americans will rise to this moment. It’s a time to set aside past grievances, forgive—or at least tolerate former enemies, and band together against our one common foe. When fascism comes knocking all of us must stand at the door together. So let’s not allow divisions over Israel and Palestine to distract us right now, or succumb to the right’s plan to divide us. The protestor’s opinion isn’t the point. It’s the free speech he—and we—are being robbed of that is. We must fight for it with everything we have.

And, of course, because we can and must walk and chew gum at the same time, we also need to let Democrats know that we need them to hold the line on this funding fight—even if it means a shutdown. Elon Musk came out and said he’s looking at “eliminating” so-called entitlements—they are not entitlements, but hard-earned benefits—including Social Security. Everything is on the line. We need to act like it.

Folks, it’s a stressful moment in history. Let’s take it one day at a time. We have to. Remember: we can’t fix everything right now, but we can focus on a couple of terribly important things and throw ourselves into taking action on them. Let’s do that, while also taking care of ourselves and each other to the best of our ability.

I leave you with this line from my favorite Stoic, Marcus Aurelius:

Just as nature takes every obstacle, every impediment, and works around it—turns it to its purposes, incorporates it into itself—so, too, a rational being can turn each setback into raw material and use it to achieve its goal.

Let’s do that. Together we can—and will—prevail.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

[If your Senator is a Dem]

I know Republicans are pushing a Continuing Resolution that puts Social Security, veteran benefits, and more at risk, and does nothing to rein in Elon Musk. Republicans can’t pass it without Democrat votes, so don’t give your votes to them. Democrats need to use their leverage and hold the line for a government funding deal that includes ironclad protections to stop Trump and Musk from hijacking federal spending. Until Republicans agree to those terms, the Senator shouldn’t support anything beyond a clean, two-week continuing resolution to keep the government running. Thanks.

Also, can you direct me to the Senator’s statement denouncing the kidnapping of Mahmoud Khalil? I’m assuming s/he’s made one? Because this move is outrageous and I’d like to know what they’re doing about it.

[If your Senator is GOP]

I am calling to urge the Senator to publicly condemn the Trump administration’s arrest of Mahmoud Khalil and demand his immediate release. This is a clear violation of human rights and an alarming sign of growing authoritarianism.

Will the Senator issue a public statement condemning this unlawful arrest and take action to ensure Khalil’s immediate release? Or does freedom of speech only apply when it’s a Republican speaking? I’d like a response in wiriting please. [H/T

Qasim Rashid, Esq.

]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

[If your rep is a Dem]

I want House Democrats to hold the line for a government funding deal that rejects extreme funding cuts and MAGA poison pills and also includes real, ironclad protections to stop Trump and Musk from hijacking federal spending.

Until Republicans agree to those terms, the Representative shouldn’t support anything beyond a clean, two-week continuing resolution to keep the government running without letting Trump and Musk take control. Thanks.

[If your rep is GOP}

I am calling because I’m furious and outraged by the abduction of green card holder and peaceful protestor Mahmoud Khalil. I want the Congressmember to publicly condemn his arrest and demand his immediate release. This is a clear violation of human rights and an alarming sign of growing authoritarianism.

Will the Congressmember issue a public statement condemning this unlawful arrest and take action to ensure Khalil’s immediate release? Or does freedom of speech only apply when it’s a Republican speaking? Thank you, and I look forward to your response.

Extra Credit ✅

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has threatened to deport more green card holders involved in pro-Palestine protests.

Let’s write to him—I can’t find a phone number. Click here for the Department of State’s Contact Us page then scroll down.

Here’s a template, but it’s important to personalize. They’ll ignore our notes completely if they’re all identical.

I said:

I’m truly alarmed over the abduction of Mahmoud Khalil. And I'm even more alarmed to hear Secretary Rubio say that he and the Trump Administration intend to deport more green card holders for peacefully protesting. Is the Secretary aware that the U.S. has just been added to the Human Rights watchlist? They wrote that “Gross abuses of executive power raise serious concerns over the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and association,” This complicit State Department is part of that. Shame on all of you. You took a vow to uphold American democracy and instead you're participating in dismantling it. Stop acting like fascists. Stop deporting peaceful protestors. Fight for democracy or resign. Thanks.

But say what you like.

Get Smart! 📚

Join BigTentUSA, Amanda Carpenter, writer and editor at Protect Democracy, and Leigh McGowan from PoliticsGirl for Building an Opposition Coalition on Thursday, March 13, at 7:00 PM ET.

Protect Democracy is on the frontlines safeguarding our institutions and countering Trump’s anti-constitutional assault on the rule of law. Leigh McGowan, whose award-winning PoliticsGirl brand has become a trusted source of political insight, brings her expertise in breaking down complex issues for a diverse audience. Together, we’ll explore what we can learn from The Tea Party’s success as an opposition force and the concrete steps we must take now to build a movement to counter Trump 2.0.

Please use this link to register.

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

Represent US is holding a pro-democracy Letter to the Editor writing party on Zoom this Thursday March 13 at 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT (yes, at the same time as the above event, sorry!)

They’ll show you how to write an anti-corruption letter to the editor to reach MILLIONS of Americans.

In this session, you'll get a step-by-step walkthrough on the best approach to getting published as well as the information you need to make a compelling case for taking on corruption and forcing politicians to represent us.

Change is possible. Join them to make it happen.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

There is a Veterans’ March on the Capitol in DC (and every state capitol) on March 14 at noon. I haven’t been able to track down the organizers but I’m seeing a decent amount about it on social media. Here’s the flyer.

Grab Your Wallet! 💳

Tony Hinchcliffe, the comedian who called Puerto Rico "a floating island of garbage,” has gotten a deal with Netflix for three live comedy show specials. I just cancelled my subscription. Join me? If you do, be sure to tell them why.

Win Races! 🗳

HEY FLORIDA! You have Special Elections coming up!

On Tuesday, March 11, 8PM ET | 5PM PT join Persist, a rapid response network of fired-up women, on Zoom for a high-energy national organizing call to support Gay Valimont (FL-1) & Josh Weil (FL-6)—pro-democracy candidates fighting for working families, veterans, and national security. Their wins could help tie the U.S. House and stop extreme cuts.

Learn how they’ll bring back accountability, stability, and common sense to Washington—and find out how you can help power their campaigns, from spreading the word to fueling the resources they need to win.

RSVP now!

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

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PADSZD to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

Please do everything in your power to secure the release from ICE custody of U.S. permanent resident and student activist Mahmoud Khalil.

Mahmoud is a student activist for Palestinian rights at Columbia University, and was abducted from his New York apartment on March 8 by DHS agents in retaliation for his political speech on Palestinian rights. Khalil is currently being held in ICE custody and has reportedly already been moved out of New York State. His wife, a U.S. citizen, is eight months pregnant.

The Trump administration is making moves from a well-worn fascist playbook and we need our members of Congress to start fighting back. They are trying to remove a legal permanent resident for his political speech in support of human rights and justice. Everyone in Congress needs to immediately and publicly condemn this action, call for Mahmoud's release, and do everything in their power to protect student activists and immigrants from the reach of the Trump administration. This is an outrage and Americans won’t stand for it. Thanks.

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

Talk soon.

Jess