Chop Wood, Carry Water 6/7

Quote from Howard Zinn

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!

It’s Election Day in California, so I’m busy busy! I’ll spend the rest of the day doing everything I can to get people to vote—if you know someone in California who hasn’t yet please give them a friendly nudge!

In lieu of writing an intro myself I’ve posted the above quote. Howard Zinn says it better than I ever could, especially in the closing sentence:

The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.

Today let us live as we think human beings should live: Fighting for what’s right. Working to help the less fortunate. Pushing back against injustice, venality, and corruption.

Protecting freedom and democracy one small action at a time. Not a bad way to live at all.

Thank you for joining me in it.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

First, I’m calling to ask the Senator to support S. 2992, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act and S. 2710 the Open App Markets Act. We need leaders who will stand up for real people and small businesses, and not shill for Big Tech. [This call is especially important if your senator is Padilla, Feinstein, Schatz, Hassan, or Bennet. Please tweet at them also using this tool].

Second, in the time since Uvalde, over 43 people have been killed in 38 mass shootings across the country. Enough! I want the Senate to pass strong gun legislation now. We want an assault weapons ban. We want expanded background checks. We want a federal red flag law, and safe storage legislation, and we want gun manufacturers to be subject to lawsuits like everyone else. No more slaughtered children. Pass common sense gun safety laws now. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

In the time since Uvalde, over 43 people have been killed in 38 mass shootings across the country. Enough! We want common sense gun laws. We want an assault weapons ban. We want expanded background checks. We want a federal red flag law, and safe storage legislation, and we want gun manufacturers to be subject to lawsuits just like everyone else. No more slaughtered children. Congress needs to pass common sense gun safety laws now. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Send this to President Biden via Resistbot (text SIGN PWATIK to 50409) or through the White House comment form. [H/T]

President Biden, I strongly urge you to reconsider meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The U.S. government should hold murderous dictators to account and make the Saudi monarchy a pariah given their actions and lack of accountability.

Until there is justice for Jamal Khashoggi, concrete progress on human rights, and a pathway to peace in Yemen, this meeting will be nothing more than a photo op that helps launder the reputation of an authoritarian leader who has fostered crisis and violence throughout the Middle East. Don’t do it! Thanks.

Extra Extra Credit!

Please tell the SEC you support their new rule requiring the mandatory disclosure of the climate destruction by big banks right now. Wall Street is trying to get the proposal watered-down before it’s finalized.

It takes two seconds— you can do it here.

Get Smart! 📚

From the Secure Elections Network:

Public hearings of the January 6 Congressional Committee will begin at 8:00 PM ET this Thursday, June 9.  

If you live near Washington, DC, please plan to attend the live watch party at the Taft Memorial Carillon, New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001. There will be complimentary food provided with vegetarian and vegan options as well as Ben & Jerry's ice cream for dessert.  Many important personalities will be there including a panel discussion with Norm Eisen and others, and a virtual presentation from Rob Reiner.  RSVP for watch events here.  

If you live outside of the DC area, find a watch event near you here.  We hope you will be able to attend one to show that you care about our democracy, fair elections, and the right for all ballots to be cast and counted fairly, and that you reject the Big Lie.  

Win Races! 🗳

Get Trained to be a Voter Protection Hotline Worker in Wisconsin!

WisDems Voter Hotline needs to staff phone shifts starting in July. Trained Hotline Workers will answer voter questions and also assist with ballot curing. Training will be via a 90-minute Zoom session.

This is an amazing way to help us win a critical swing state!

Trainings are June 21 and June 23 6-730 CT. Sign up here.

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

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT I MADE IT TODAY’S RESISTBOT TEXT TOO! Call and write!

[to all 3 reps] [quick send: text SIGN PJCICD to 50409]

In the time since Uvalde, over 43 people have been killed in 38 mass shootings across the country. Enough! I want the Senate to pass strong gun legislation now. We want an assault weapons ban. We want expanded background checks. We want a federal red flag law, and safe storage legislation, and we want gun manufacturers to be subject to lawsuits like everyone else. No more slaughtered children. Pass common sense gun safety laws now. Or so help me we will vote you ALL out. Thanks.

---

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess