Chop Wood, Carry Water 6/7
Making public comment
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I’m at the South Coast Air Quality Management District meeting in Diamond Bar this morning. I’ve joined around 100 other environmental activists to make public comment on a clean air rule the AQMD is considering. It feels good to be back in person with so many other regular folks who took time off of work, school, or their childcare responsibilities to come and ask this board, which has so much power, to do more to speed up stronger rules to protect our air quality.
Never, ever forget how powerful simply showing up can be. I am one of many, but when you put us all together, in person, we make a real statement.
Also, never forget how important local activism is. The South Coast AQMD may not sound sexy, but their board can have a real impact if it chooses—and they’re more likely to make that choice if we push them!
One day at a time, one step at a time, one small action at a time, we are making a difference. It’s hard, it’s tiring, and it can be dispiriting, but it can also be energizing—not to mention uplifting and thrilling when we succeed. And succeed WE WILL if we don’t quit.
So let’s get to work one more time.
P.S. — No audio recording today, due to my being out of the house. Sorry!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to express my worry that voters will be exposed to AI-generated videos, audio, and images this election season unless Congress passes new regulations now. I’m asking the Senator to cosponsor and pass three bipartisan bills to address the risk of voter deception: first, the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act (S. 2770), second, the AI Transparency in Elections Act (S. 3875), and third, Preparing Election Administration for AI bill (S. 3897). Thank you. [H/T]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
On Tuesday, Reps. Dan Goldman, Jerry Nadler and other lawmakers introduced the “Supreme Court Ethics and Investigations Act,” a bill which, among other things, would create an investigative body that reports to Congress and establish an ethics counsel to advise justices on ethics rules, including recusal and disclosure requirements. The goal is to provide transparency and accountability after recent incidents raised ethical concerns about some members of the Court. The bill doesn’t yet have a number but I’m eager for the Congressmember to co-sponsor it. We’re desperate for relief from the Supreme Court’s corruption. Thanks. [H/T and more info]
Extra Credit ✅
Please use DemCast’s social media toolkit to post about Republicans’ blocking of the Right to Contraception Act. I’m telling you, this was a stupid move by the GOP. We need to exploit it. Share share share!
Get Smart! 📚
Join Mind the Gap on June 10th at 11am ET / 2pm PT for a conversation with renowned political strategist Sarah Longwell, President and CEO of Longwell Partners, publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group Podcast.
Sarah crisscrosses the country talking with voters to better understand their thoughts about Biden and Trump, their attitudes toward third-party candidates, and what will influence their vote this November. Sarah will bring her latest insights into the electorate to the Mind the Gap network.
Trump, Turnout, and Tactics: Navigating the 2024 Election Landscape
Monday, June 10 at 11am PT / 2pm ET
Spread the Word! 📣
DemCast, the amazing Dem messaging outfit, is excited to welcome two high-level members of the Biden-Harris campaign - Deputy Communications Director Brooke Goran and Progressive Outreach Director Heather Booth - to their next Democracy Briefing on June 17th at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT.
The two guests will speak about the messaging priorities of the campaign and how we as a digital community can help win in November.
Later on the call, a representative from the DNC will talk about plans for messaging the presidential debate.
Give 💰!
Airlift is excited to feature historian Heather Cox Richardson, author of the award-winning newsletter, “Letters from an American” and best-selling Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America at their next Live from the Frontlines event: “Pennsylvania: Putting Democracy in Action” Tuesday, June 11, 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET.
A keen observer of progressive movements, Cox-Richardson will discuss how the struggle for economic justice is feeding into pressure for political change.
HCR will be joined by leaders from Airlift partner group, Pennsylvania Stands Up. PA Stands Up is working to channel the local sense of economic unfairness to build a potent grassroots political movement. Their incredible success in helping pass legislation for Whole Home Repair is a model for the power of grassroots organizing to demonstrate to low propensity voters how their votes do matter.
Register here for Pennsylvania: Putting Democracy in Action June 11, 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET.
Although this is a fundraiser for Pennsylvania Stands Up, you need not make a donation.
Win Races! 🗳
Working America needs your help in connecting with working people on the issues that matter most in their everyday lives.
Their personalized letter program has proven to be one of the most effective ways to cut through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle and engage voters on critical issues like healthcare, the cost of rent, and low wages. By sharing your personal stories with Working America members from all across the country, you are connecting with folks who are not being reached by any other progressive organizing effort. In doing so, you’re netting votes for the candidates who are going to defend democracy and put working people first.
Come join WA for a kickoff call covering what Working America has planned for the year, why letters are critical to winning this November, and how YOU can get involved!
June 18th at 7 pm EST / 4 pm PST
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
On Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00 PM ET, BigTentUSA is excited to welcome Erin Sprague, CEO of Protect our Winters and Team Captain and pro climber Abbey Smith. In 2024, Protect Our Winters aims to mobilize its alliance members, including athletes, creatives, scientists, brands, and resorts, to encourage civic engagement and voter turnout in November’s general election. The POW ‘Stoke the Vote’ campaign is an opportunity to create a cultural shift toward voting and have an impact on the margins in the most important election of our lifetime. They are combating widespread apathy and misinformation. POW will strategically conduct this work nationally and in targeted geographies where it knows it can have an outsized impact by engaging the Outdoor State.
Join us to hear about POW’s strategies and initiatives to get out the VOTE and how you can get involved in driving meaningful change. Please use this link to register!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T] [Text SIGN PFKJDX to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I’m writing as your constituent to ask you to co-sponsor and work to pass S.4096 the End Judge Shopping Act.
Judge shopping undermines public trust - and at a time when public confidence in the impartiality of our judicial system is at an all-time low, opposing it should be a nonpartisan cause.
One single judge, such as Matthew Kacsmaryk, should never be allowed to single-handedly determine Federal policy and law, as he did with his ruling on mifepristone. Also,the pattern of right-wing activist groups routinely bringing suit in the Fifth Circuit has been obvious for years now, and it is endangering hard-fought reforms that are good for families nationwide.
Thank you for your attention to my letter and for your support of this important bill.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Hey Jess I just cut and pasted one of the "handsoffmybirthcontrol" posts from the social media kit you posted. And FB immediately removed the post saying it didn't fit their criteria. Maybe I posted incorrectly. Can anyone help me with this. I'm so NOT technologically savvy. Thanks.
Apparently there is some contest to see how many time women can get pregnant and abort the baby every all year. How about being able to afford groceries and gas?