Hi, all, and happy Monday!
First of all, Melissa Lucio just got a stay of execution! A trial court will review new evidence—evidence that will likely exonerate her. WOW! Thank you all for sending letters! You made a difference!
Speaking of making a difference, it was so good seeing so many of you on this morning’s Activism 101! And what a wonderful organization hosted it—ReSisters in Connecticut! I’ll tell you—every time I visit one of these grassroots groups to give this presentation I am inspired and filled with renewed hope. So many wonderful people are doing such excellent work! They don’t make the news; twitter isn’t filled with their antics. But their work is happening, and it is making a difference. Big time.
Remember, if you’re feeling down about the state of our country, attend an event with a group of folks who feel the same and are doing something about it! Nothing will lift your spirits faster.
I have another Activism 101 tomorrow night at 7:30 PM PDT, and one on Sunday as well. If you want to attend shoot me an email and I’ll send you the zoom link. I think you’ll enjoy it, and you’ll definitely leave with some new ideas!
This is how we win: coming together, raising our voices, sharing our hope, wielding our strength.
So let’s do that again, one more time!
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, has the Senator yet co-sponsored Senator Whitehouse’s Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax? This bill will impose a windfall profits excise tax on crude oil and rebate the tax collected back to individual taxpayers. It’s an absolute no-brainer.
Second, I know Mitt Romney has resurrected his TRUST Act―a bill that sets up an undemocratic closed-door, fast-tracked process to cut Social Security and Medicare. I want the Senator to fight it tooth and nail. Save Social Security! Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
Hi, has the Congressmember yet co-sponsored Rep Ro Khanna’s Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax? This bill will impose a windfall profits excise tax on crude oil and rebate the tax collected back to individual taxpayers. It’s an absolute no-brainer. Thanks.
Also, last week, it became official. Guns are now the leading cause of death for American children and teens. We must pass Ethan’s Law. Is the Congressmember yet a co-sponsor on HR 748? If not why not?
Extra Credit ✅
Did you read Judd Legum’s latest? Toyota is pulling a fast one, and it’s gross. First they stopped giving to January 6th insurrectionists, then, after a massive backlash, they stopped. But now the company has resumed donations to Republican objectors. To quote Legum, this time “there was no press release. And none of the publications that covered Toyota's July 2021 press release have reported that Toyota has reversed course.”
They’re hoping no one will notice.
I’ve created a click-to-send email. Access it here. Or write them yourself at stephen_ciccone@toyota.com and andrew_gilleland@toyota.com.
Get Smart! 📚
GET TRAINED BY AL GORE!
From June 11-13, The Climate Reality Project and former Vice President Al Gore will host the 49th Climate Reality Leaderships Corps FREE training for climate activists in Las Vegas. Mr. Gore has trained over 40,000 activists from around the world, including the entire Climate Action Now staff.
If you want to learn about the climate crisis from the undisputed master of climate communication, this is your chance! But don't delay. The application deadline is this Wednesday, April 27.
APPLY TODAY!
Win Races! 🗳
With the PA primaries fast approaching I have three important opportunities I wanted to pass on right away. The first two are ideal for people who don’t want to phonebank, but want to help us win in PA! The last one is ideal for folks who want to help elect progressives and climate champions!
I just learned of a PA mail-in ballot texting blitz on Wednesday, April 27, 3-6pm EDT. You’ll be reminding PA voters to sign up for mail-in ballots. Sign up for the text bank here.
I have a whole bunch of postcards for the PA primaries that need to be mailed on May 6th. So many, in fact, that my local volunteers may not be able to get them all done. So I am offering to mail bundles of 25 cards, along with a script and a sheet of addresses, to any of you who can commit to writing them and getting them out ON MAY 6TH (that date is important). If that’s you, please email me with your address and I’ll ship a pack out to you ASAP.
Phonebank for Summer Lee, a Climate Hawks Vote endorsee. She’s running for Congress in PA’s 12th district. I will be at this phonebank! Join me! Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 26th, 6-8 PM EDT. Register here.
[If flipping PA is your passion, sign up for my Adopt PA list! You’ll get about one email a week with a PA related opportunity, plus a resource doc filled with other ways to help in PA on an ongoing basis!]
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to President Biden][H/T Public Citizen] [quick send text SIGN PTQKIW to 50409]
I applaud your administration's decision to end Title 42 and restore access to asylum for people presenting themselves at our borders, and I call on you to stand by this decision and lead your administration towards building an immigration system that is welcoming, fair, humane, and orderly. This should not be a hard decision; the Title 42 order is supposed to be a public health measure, and there is zero public health rationale for restricting asylum, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have properly determined.
All people deserve the opportunity to live free from violence and persecution and with their families. The American public watched in horror as the Trump administration separated children, including babies and toddlers, from their families, causing lifelong trauma to people who were fleeing violence. In response, you made a campaign promise to restore the asylum system and undo the cruel policies of the Trump era. Title 42 is a Trump-era relic that perpetuates family separation and prevents people from accessing our asylum system.
Leadership requires courage and commitment. At this critical moment, your administration needs to clearly articulate and defend its plan to end Title 42 and restore asylum. Your administration must oppose any legislative efforts that tie the hands of your administration and keep Title 42 in place indefinitely, including legislation such as S. 4036/H.R. 7458, the Public Health and Border Security Act, which takes the decision-making authority away from the scientists and public health experts at CDC and politicizes pandemic relief.
Your administration must stand with voters who elected you into office by fulfilling your commitment to protect immigrants, restore the asylum system, and end family separation. I know that your administration has a plan, the capacity, and resources to manage migration, keep families together, and ensure a just and orderly process at the border. I implore you to stand firm in your decision to end Title 42 and communicate your plan to American voters. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
I can do an additional 50 to 100 PA post cards. I’m just finishing a batch this week to PA. It’ll be easy to do some more. I’ve got stamps. I hit reply in your newsletter to email you, but thinking that maybe that wouldn’t work to get through to you. Let me know your email and I’ll send my address for cards.