Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/16

GIF from Into Action—download here.

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

A wise person once said that “perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” How true! As we slog through yet another week full of crises—instability in the banking system, the near-certainty of a mifepristone ban, a heartbreaking setback on climate, the ever-nearing debt-ceiling showdown—it can feel like we’re on a treadmill of calamity that just won’t slow down.

This feeling of relentlessness is, of course, real. But if we change our lens just slightly and view our work less as an unending marathon and more as an extended series of sprints, things may seem slightly easier. Because between those sprints are respites.

So today let’s recall the vital importance—and restorative nature of—the pause. The rest. The literal re-creation. These are activists’ tools as much as the protest or the phone call. They are the crucial, live-giving nourishment that provide us fuel to keep going.

So today, as we face our foes on multiple fronts, let us remember to let up on our work from time to time. After all, even the most weathered soldier must sleep, must eat, must break for a game of frisbee.

These pauses may seem frivolous, but they’re not. They’re deadly serious, for they will help sustain our work over the long term.

It seems pretty certain we’re going to need that. So take your actions today, as always, y’all, then take those pauses like medicine. And know that I’m grateful for all that you do.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I know that Katie Porter and Elizabeth Warren just introduced a bill called the Secure Viable Banking Act, which would repeal Title IV of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, a Trump-era bill that contributed to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. I’m assuming the Senator will sign on as a co-sponsor? We deserve to know our money is safe when we deposit it in the bank.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

First, I’m calling to ask that the Congressmember co-sponsor H.R. 1478, The Federal Firearms Licensee Act. [Optional: This is a new gun safety bill that will keep guns off our streets by providing law enforcement with the tools necessary to crack down on gun trafficking and the rogue gun sellers that perpetuate it.] Gun violence is a top concern of mine. Please ask the Congressmember to prioritize addressing it as well. [H/T]

Also, I know that Katie Porter and Elizabeth Warren just introduced a bill called the Secure Viable Banking Act, which would repeal Title IV of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, a Trump-era bill that contributed to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. I’m assuming the Congressmember will sign on as a co-sponsor? We deserve to know our money is safe when we deposit it in the bank.

Extra Credit ✅

Please read this very helpful article on Biden’s Asylum Ban proposal, then submit public comment opposing it here.

It’s extremely important that original language is used, so I’m not going to give you a proposed script, but if you don’t get enough information from the aforementioned article then check out Indivisible Ventura’s excellent guide on commenting on this rule. Deadline to do so is 3/27. I just did it; it took about two minutes. You don’t have to write much—just be sincere. You can also use this letter-writing tool but again personalizing it is key.

Get Smart! 📚

Field Team Six’s Register Democrats Summit is happening today and I’ll be speaking on a panel called “Secrets of Successful Organizing” at 3:45. (The other speakers on that panel will be Sarah Jakle from DemocraShe, Wayne Liebman from SoCal Blue & Blue Voter Guide, Ny Whitaker of New York for Biden-Harris, Rep Malcolm Kenyatta from Pennsylvania, and Simona Grace, Founder of Moms in Office.)

Please come! And attend as much of it as you can—

Robert B. Hubbell

is the Keynote speaker at noon and there are just a TON of other amazing workshops and folks to listen to all day.

Schedule and registration info here.

Spread the Word! 📣

Las Vegas Sun: Expected GOP presidential contender DeSantis supported Yucca Mountain waste plan 

Key Point: “Ron DeSantis voted in favor of legislation as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives to make Yucca Mountain — the federally owned site in Nye County adjacent to the Nevada National Security Site roughly 80 miles from Las Vegas — a nuclear waste repository.’”

Tweet This Article

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Also:

DNC War Room: Meet Ron DeSantis’s First Congressional Endorser

DNC War Room: Even Senate Republicans Are Disturbed By DeSantis and Trump Siding With Putin

Win Races! 🗳

Make Calls to Wisconsin Voters with Freedom Inc. and The Union!
TODAY Thursday, March 16th 2:00pm–4:00pm CT

Help make sure Wisconsin voters have a voting plan for the upcoming election by reaching out and letting them know their voices matter. Early voting starts next Tuesday.

Freedom, Inc. was established to work in low- to no-income communities of color in Madison, WI. They see each piece of activism as the petal of a flower, overlapping and growing their mission. Beautiful!

Sign up here. Training will be provided.

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

[to your HOUSE rep] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PZLVPZ to 50409]

I’m writing as a constituent to urge you to protect us from corporations that are out of control.

From the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, to the recent major bank collapse, it’s obvious that trusting corporations to police themselves is dangerous.

The Stop Corporate Capture Act (H.R. 1507) is exactly what we need to stop corporations and their lobbyists from undermining critical health and safety protections. I want you to co-sponsor this legislation and do whatever you can to build support among your colleagues.

At the same time, I’m worried that Congress might go in the wrong direction and support a radical and dangerous bill. The REINS Act (H.R. 277) would impose the unrealistic requirement that Congress must approve every major federal rule before it can be enforced. I’m worried that, since you have so much on your plate already, this would only act as a roadblock and prevent important new public health and safety safeguards, financial reforms, and worker protections from taking effect.

Please support the Stop Corporate Capture Act and oppose the REINS Act to protect the American people. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

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

Talk soon.

Jess