Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/2

Don't agonize. Organize.

Hi, all, and happy Thursday.

First, a word of thanks. Not only did you blow past the $1,000 goal for my World Central Kitchen fundraiser yesterday—you’ve donated over $5,300 as of this writing! I’m truly awed. Thank you. It seems we all agree that WCK’s work is worth supporting—a rare point of consensus these days!

Because the world is in an uproar, right? Reading the news feels like toggling between horrors, and as much outrage as is out there, I find precious little compromise, wisdom, or introspection. The words of Yeats, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst /Are full of passionate intensity,” will not stop echoing in my head.

Of passionate intensity, these days, we have an abundance.

Because of that, I’ll keep taking a different tack here. No hot takes. No righteous screeds. No “side-taking.” I genuinely know very little—except that what’s happening now will pale in comparison to what’ll happen should MAGA prevail in November.

You know it, too, of course. That’s why you’re here. You sense that wresting power from Republicans is the alpha and omega of priorities. Good!

On that note, here’s an exciting thing: I had an opportunity to meet North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton yesterday! She came into town on a quick fundraising jag and I was fortunate enough to attend a private gathering with her. There were only five of us, so it was an excellent opportunity to really hear this 25-year-old talk—exuberantly and brilliantly, I might add—about North Carolina, Joe Biden, her hopes and inspirations, and the party’s plans. It was fantastic. Anderson is everything I expected and more. With the party in her capable hands I feel unbelievably optimistic about our fortunes in the state.

Selfie with Anderson Clayton! Dream come true!

Talking to her it was easy to let go—at least for an hour—of the day’s drama and strife. Why? Because she is in the solution! She and her team are thinking not just in terms of this election, but of the ones in 2025, 2026, and so on. They’re building a movement, traveling the state, energizing volunteers, and engaging with young people. Anderson understands that not doing all of this only cedes ground to those who want to destroy our democracy. She’s not agonizing about the news. She’s busy making it.

In so doing she gives me real hope for our future.

So, of course, do you! So let’s join Anderson in the trenches one more time. Because doing the work is the only way we win.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling to ask that congress pass S. 2121 the DELETE Act. This bill would give us the tools we need to stop data broker-fueled abuse and scams. I’ve heard that Congress is also considering passing the American Privacy Rights Act, which is a much weaker version of the DELETE Act. I don’t want that. I want Congress to pass the DELETE Act or make APRA as strong as the DELETE Act when it comes to data brokers. Thank you! [H/T and more info]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling to ask that congress pass HR 4311 the DELETE Act. This bill would give us the tools we need to stop data broker-fueled abuse and scams. I’ve heard that Congress is also considering passing the American Privacy Rights Act, which is a much weaker version of the DELETE Act. I don’t want that. I want Congress to pass the DELETE Act or make APRA as strong as the DELETE Act when it comes to data brokers. Thank you! [H/T and more info]

Extra Credit ✅

After President Biden’s original student debt relief plan was blocked by the Supreme Court, his Administration has looked for opportunities to partially or fully forgive federal student loans wherever it can.

Now they are proposing to cancel years of accrued interest—up to $20,000 in automatic cancellation. The proposed rules would also eliminate student debt that is more than twenty years old and discharge loans for people who are eligible for loan forgiveness under earlier plans but are not enrolled in those plans.

These rules have been formally published in the Federal Register, and we need your public comments in support of student loan relief. 

Simply follow the link to the Federal register and click the green Submit a Formal Comment button. Use your own words and personal stories. If you have had student debt forgiveness already, explain how it has helped you.

[H/T Indivisible SF]

Get Smart! 📚

Indivisible/Swing Left South Bay LA will be hosting a virtual conversation with Amanda Litman, co-founder and co-executive director of Run for Something (and special guest, me, for a warm-up act) on May 7, 6pm PT.

Run for Something is training and mentoring young, dynamic candidates who are running for office at the state and local level. Amanda has spoken for years about the 'reverse coattails' phenomenon; when voters are excited to vote at the bottom of the ticket, they'll likely check the box at the top of the ticket too.

We'll also discuss Run for Something's 50 state school board strategy that netted them a 72% win rate in 2023, and beat back candidates from Moms for Liberty. And so much more!

Sign up here!

Spread the Word! 📣

For those of you who’ve been asking for Project 2025 talking points this post is very useful, as is the newsletter itself:

How to Tell Your Friends About Project 2025

Please read, and please share!

Give Money! 💰

Sam Schwartz, the young man whose cousin died at Parkland—you may remember him from his sit-in on the Capitol steps last year to demand a vote on the Assault Weapons Ban Act—is on the move again. He and a bunch of Gen Z activists have launched the Tour To Save Democracy, during which they’re driving across the country rallying young people and registering them to vote.

Here is the launch video—it’s GREAT!

And here’s a donation link if you can support their tour!

Win Races! 🗳

Exciting! Vote Forward is announcing a new letter writing campaign unlike any previous campaign of theirs: writing letters to U.S. voters living abroad! Letters will be available May 1st.

Since this campaign has different instructions than our other campaigns, they're hosting an information session TONIGHT from 8-9PM ET to answer all your questions. They'll be joined by their partner organization, the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad, to go into detail about the campaign's design and impact.

There are hundreds of thousands of voters living abroad who can make a real difference in elections, but they receive almost no election outreach. That's why we think this letter campaign may be able to achieve a very high-impact.

Join them to learn more about the campaign and instructions on how to write and send letters to these voters.

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

[To: all three reps] [H/T

Alan Unell Ph.D.

and

Rogan's List

] [Text SIGN PMYJFN to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

While serving a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Charlotte, NC, four law enforcement officers were fatally shot and four hospitalized in the latest incident of officers being shot and killed in the line of duty. The suspect was also killed as police returned fire.

I want you to take action. Peoples lives are in the balance and matter. I want you to support and pass the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act (S.3407 and H.R.6596).

Thank you.

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

Talk soon.

Jess