Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I just got off a call with the person spearheading the pressure campaign on Joe Manchin in West VA. It was quite encouraging, especially learning that our efforts from outside of the state have made a huge difference. Our phone banks have resulted in 300K calls going out to West VA voters, and 2500 patch throughs (putting constituents through to Manchin’s office to express their support for the For the People Act).
While 2500 may not sound like a huge amount, over the 6 weeks or so we’ve been doing the phone banks that works out to about 60 constituent calls to Manchin a day. That’s just from our phonebanks. It doesn’t take into account the folks calling because of our postcards, letters, or because of activism happening from other groups.
We’ve been told that 30 calls a day to Manchin can move the needle. We’re accomplishing double that.
So yes, the phonebanks are hard, and occasionally scary. I know some of you have done them and found them challenging. But they are working.
Another huge takeaway from the call was the speaker telling us that Joe Manchin’s top pressure point is actually other Senators. She said “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that EVERYONE is calling their Senators every day. Because when they have a sense of urgency they will communicate that to Manchin, and he can be pressured by his peers. It’s happened before.”
So let’s keep doing what we’re doing on S1. It’s hard, but I have hope it is working.
And we’ll also keep addressing other stuff, of course. Because we can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Heck, we can walk, chew gum, bake bread, weave a tablecloth, and dance the Nutcracker.
Or at least pick up the phone.
We’re that good.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I 100% support forcing Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions to testify about their spying on Democrats at Trump’s behest. If they do not voluntarily testify, they should be subpoenaed to appear before Dick Durbin’s Judiciary committee. Enough is enough. If Barr lied and/or broke the law he has to be prosecuted.
Also? I’m tired of watching Merrick Garland make all the wrong calls. Please ask the Senator to pressure him to stop protecting those who broke the law for Trump, and to stop protecting Trump himself. He’s doing a lousy job and it needs to stop.
One last thing: Please ask the Senator to support S1. Thanks.
[If Dem Add] Also please abolish the filibuster. It’s a Jim Crow relic that’s still stopping civil rights legislation. It’s got to go.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I want the Congressmember to support H.R.2102 - the End Polluter Welfare Act of 2021, and make sure it’s implemented in the Infrastructure bill.
Second, I know the Women’s Health Protection Act got re-introduced on Tuesday and I’m calling to find out whether or not the Congressmember has yet signed on as a co-sponsor. [If yes thank. If no add:] Over 500 bills restricting abortion have been introduced this year alone. The Supreme Court is hearing a case that could lead to the gutting of Roe v Wade. This is an emergency; this bill is a must-pass. [For Pro-Life MOCs:] Either the Congressmember stands with women or I will work to elect a new Congressmember. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Four huge companies: Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Lockheed, are some of Mo Brooks' top supporters. Rep. Mo Brooks, of course, helped to directly incite January’s coup attempt and continues to undermine our democracy with baseless lies about a stolen election.
Let’s send these companies a letter using SPLC’s tool asking them to publicly pledge to stop all financial, material or moral support for Rep. Brooks. Go here to sign.
Let’s Win Elections!
Black Voters Matter has lots of texting opportunities coming up this week. Including…
Black Voters Matter - BVM Action PAC GA - Candidate Support We’re working with Black Voters Matter’s Action PAC to support Wright Gres in his run for State House Representative in District 156.
Black Voters Matter - GA - Vote Planning We’re working with Black Voters Matter to help turnout for several small and critical election in rural GA.
Black Voters Matter - Henry County, GA - Early voting There’s a Special Election for the District 3 seat on the Henry County Board of Commissioners on June 15th in Georgia! The person who wins this election will help to approve budgets, oversee spending and hire Henry county employees. We’re working to make sure local folks are ready to turn out and vote for this critical election.
Sign up for any of these campaign here, and/or join their Slack channel so you can stay apprised of new campaigns when they drop.
Resistbot Text (New to Resistbot? Go here).
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to end fossil fuel subsidies. Corporate polluters receive billions in direct federal subsidies each year. I don’t want my tax dollars lining the pockets of the executives who are responsible for the pollution of our planet and communities.
As a constituent, I am urging you to support the inclusion of provisions to end direct subsidies such as those laid out in the End Polluter Welfare Act in addition to ending indirect subsidies in the upcoming infrastructure package. Your constituents need you to invest in our communities, not the industries that pollute our communities.
I am counting on you to be a leader in this moment. Please act now: publicly declare your support for ending all fossil fuel subsidies and move forward to secure the passage of this legislation as soon as possible.
And please, ensure that the Infrastructure bill makes climate its top priority. Spend big, address the climate emergency, and make sure we survive this crisis! Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess