Hi all, and happy Tuesday!
It's the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder. Keep him in your thoughts today, but let's take some actions in his honor, too.
If you didn't receive Heather Cox Richardson's email yesterday (I assume most of you subscribe) I can't recommend it highly enough. It tells a story about Frederick Douglass and then poses a question about our own commitment to justice. Essentially, she asks us if we are ready to "get on the train" towards full liberation, or whether we're content to stay where things are "good enough," but not truly free.
I, for one, choose the train. And if you're here I believe you do as well.
Thanks for that. Let's get to work one more time.
P.S. Thanks for your quick hop over here, early-adapters! And thanks to the many of you who opted for paid subscriptions. I am humbled and extremely grateful.
Call Your Senators (find yours here.)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling for a couple of reasons today:
First, I want the Senator to vote yes on the creation of a January 6th commission. This is absolutely nonnegotiable. [If Dem add:] I'm frustrated watching Democrats try to negotiate with a party that will NEVER work with them. If the GOP doesn't vote in support of this then abolish the filibuster and get it passed. Same with the For the People Act.
Second, I want the Senator to vote in favor of The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This legislation has the ability to help our citizens, the individuals who protect our communities, and our country at-large. It's not perfect, but it's a good start as we seek to end unnecessary police killings and reform our criminal justice system.
Call your House Rep (find yours here.)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling for a couple of reasons today:
First, has the Congressmember yet signed on to Jimmy Gomez's resolution calling for Marjorie Taylor Greene's expulsion? Her insistence on comparing mask mandates to the Holocaust is the final straw. She's an anti-Semite, a white supremacist, and utterly unqualified for her job. She needs to go.
Second, I want the Cogressmember to support H.R. 2102, the End Polluter Welfare Act, which eliminates dozens of tax loopholes and giveaways that benefit fossil fuel billionaires. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Didn't get to all of the Chamber of Commerce emails yesterday? That's OK! I'll dish them out one at a time!
Today please write to American Express by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/rpe7trw9 (it'll auto-populate an email). We're asking them to stop carrying water for the US Chamber of Commerce! All you need to do is personalize the top and bottom of the text.
THIS TAKES TEN SECONDS! Oh, and if it doesn't work on your laptop try your phone!
Let’s Win Races!
Ya'll, Melanie Stansbury's election to replace Deb Haaland is coming up on TUESDAY! Please join us on Thursday, May 27 from 4:30 – 6:30pm MDT as we do GOTV calling! Fun and easy, easy, easy! Did I mention we must not lose this seat? Sign up here.
RESISTBOT Text (New to Resistbot? Go here)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
Hi, I'm writing as a constituent about qualified immunity.
Following the murder of George Floyd and the historic protests last summer in response to countless police killings of Black people, at least 20 states have either already passed, or are considering, bills to end or limit qualified immunity in state courts. But Congress has the power to eliminate this doctrine across the country and as your constituent, I'm asking you to take action – by passing legislation that will end qualified immunity without exception.
Qualified immunity has enabled law enforcement and other government employees to escape liability of misconduct for decades. Under this legal defense, victims seeking justice in civil court – oftentimes people seriously injured from, or family members of people killed by, police – are required to find nearly-identical court cases to prove their rights were violated.
Not only does this make it close to impossible to hold an official to account – it fosters an environment where police can feel empowered to violate people's rights with the knowledge they will face few consequences. Qualified immunity is part of an architecture of impunity that lets police act as if they are above the law, and it undermines the purpose of the post-Civil War legislation that sought to give newly-emancipated Black people a vehicle for protecting their rights in court.
It's time for Congress to eliminate this doctrine for good – and begin funneling resources away from law enforcement and into community services like housing, education, accessible health care, and violence prevention programs. Please, close the loophole allowing government officials to escape accountability for violating constitutional rights: Pass legislation that ends qualified immunity once and for all. Thanks.
OK, all.
That’s it for today. Sorry if there are flaws in today’s email. Please let me know about them. This is my first ever Substack post! There will be a learning curve.
Talk tomorrow,
Jess
Nice transition, congratulations!