Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/18

Your voice matters.

Hi, all, and happy Friday!

So yesterday I made a TikTok containing the same info I gave you on the companies refusing to pull out of Russia. I also posted a link to my toolkit so folks could reach out to them.

Between you guys and my TikTok viewers I guess a lot of emails went out.

Within two hours of posting the TikTok on twitter—and tagging all the relevant companies—I got a private message from Authentic Brands. They told me they’d just issued a statement saying they were scaling back their operations in Russia and added “would it be possible to remove ABG from your google doc?”

I told them I would be happy to. 😂

Your voices matter. Our pushback matters. Perhaps more than anywhere else, our leverage with consumer brands can move the needle.

Don’t forget it.

Oh, did I mention that Focus Brands came off the list last night, too?

Obviously we will have to watch these companies to make sure they don’t return as soon as we stop watching. But a victory is a victory.

Let’s enjoy these…and go make some more.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

I am glad that this morning The CROWN Act (HR 2116 ) officially passed in the House. It now awaits a Senate vote, and I want the Senator to support it fully. People shouldn’t be deprived of their rights based on their hair texture or style.

Also, I support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court and I want her confirmed quickly. Thanks!

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

I’m calling to say that I’m extremely frustrated that new COVID funding got carved out of the budget Congress just passed. There’s a new variant surging in Europe; case numbers are expected to start rising here again soon. Now, due to this lack of funding, we’re going to be unprepared when that happens. I want Congress to immediately pass additional COVID funding to improve access to testing, treatment, and medications. Thanks. [H/T]

Extra Credit ✅

I’ve got two more companies to write about their presence in Russia! They are:

✍🏼 Cargill. Quick-send them an email by clicking here. (Or write to media@cargill.com)

✍🏼 AstraZeneca. Quick-send them an email by clicking here. (Or write to USMediateam@astrazeneca.com)

And if you missed any of the companies in yesterday’s newsletter and have time to do more the whole updated toolkit—with suggested script and all contact info— is here.

Extra Extra Credit ✅✅

Economists believe the climate crisis could cause the next financial crisis ― meaning investors need to act now, not only to prevent catastrophic climate change, but to prevent a major financial crash like the one that caused so much pain in 2008.

We need serious climate action from asset managers, and a great new coalition called FixMyFunds is helping us wield our collective power as investors (or potential investors!) to demand the investments we need to tackle the climate crisis.

It’s time to stop fueling the climate crisis and start providing sustainable investment funds for investors. Sign their petition saying so. In so doing you’ll also be added to their mailing list so you can be kept apprised of group actions.

This is important, y’all.

Get Smart! 📚

Daily Kos has a new podcast, “The Downballot,” that explores key elections that don’t always get much attention. One recent episode covers recent news in North Carolina and features a guest appearance by Run for Something’s Amanda Litman. She is INCREDIBLE — if you can listen you should.

(After you’ve done so please make a donation to them— it’ll be the best money you ever spend.)

Finally, be sure to check out Run for Something’s latest slate of endorsements — maybe one of the 119 candidates is running in your area? If so please help them win!

[H/T Democracy Docket]

Win Races! 🗳

I’ve got another postcarding opportunity for you! The Center For Common Ground now has postcards for three state primaries where voter suppression of Black and Brown voters will play a big part. These messages aim to remind these voters about the election and give them the information they need to vote.

These are the campaigns:

• Alabama: Primary May 24 (mail cards from 5/1 - 5/12)

• Georgia: Primary May 24, Early Vote is May 2 - May 20 (mail cards from 4/15 to 4/25)

• North Carolina: Primary May 17, Early Vote is April 28 - May 14 (mail cards from 4/15 to 4/25)

To write for these campaigns you’ll need to order the cards Reclaim Our Vote uses, but it’s easy to do.

Go here for everything you need to get started.

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

[to your Senators] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PGLVUZ to 50409]

I’m writing to ask you to support Lisa Cook, Philip Jefferson, and Lael Brainard’s nominations to serve on the Federal Reserve Board now that they’ve been passed through committee.

Lisa Cook advised President Obama after the ‘08 financial crash and Philip Jefferson is an economist with research expertise in poverty. They will bring much-needed diversity to the Board so that it better reflects our country.

Lael Brainard is an experienced leader who will work to ensure that the financial sector is prepared for climate shocks and a just transition and make sure that the climate crisis is top of mind for the Federal Reserve.

The Federal Reserve Board will benefit from these nominees’ many decades of experience, including time at the Federal Reserve in various roles, as distinguished professors, and as economic researchers.

I know that our financial system will be better off with these nominees on the Federal Reserve Board. Please support all 3 of their nominations and help them get confirmed by the full Senate as soon as possible. Thank you for your time.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess