Chop Wood, Carry Water 6/9
Stop Trump's NSPM 7 / ICE funding vote today / Stop FISA re-authorization / learn where to give political dollars / No on Blanche and Pulte / No Israeli military partnership! / Help Delaney detainees!
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
As usual there’s a great deal going on, so I’ll be quick.
Wasn’t it lovely to watch Trump get booed at Madison Square Garden last night? I still wish he hadn’t gone at all, as I share the widespread belief that his presence hurt the Knicks and was to blame for their loss (I know this isn’t purely rational, but I stand by my claim.) Still, seeing him roundly declaimed by all present, and then watching the videos of that moment circulate so widely, was almost worth the loss. As long as the Knicks win next time. (Sorry, Spurs fans! I grew up in New York!)
Anyway. For those of you who watched last night’s live conversation with Gabriela Soto, wife of hunger striker Martin Soto, I don’t need to tell you how powerful and heartbreaking it was. If you missed it I really can’t recommend it enough. Soto gives us a sense of what is actually happening inside Delaney—and all of ICE’s other detention camps—as well as what life is like for those left behind. The recording of the conversation is on YouTube here if you’d like to watch or share it.
For those who want to help financially I was given several more donation links after I sent out last night’s recording.
They are:
Legal fund for Delaney detainees here
Pantry Bags for detainees’ families here
Delaney Commissary fund here
Grocery Store Gift Card Fund here
Of course, it isn’t just Delaney captives who need this assistance, but these are the links I have today. The need everywhere is overwhelming and we can all only do what we can. The most important thing is to spread the word about what is actually happening in these concentration camps, as not nearly enough Americans understand it yet.
There’s a lot more happening, but with a vote on the reconciliation bill coming up in the House any minute now I want to get this newsletter out. Please call ASAP, and ask your friends to do the same. I’m hearing that several Republicans are on the fence about voting yes, and several more could be missing from the vote completely. We may be able to win, but it’s going to be very tight.
I’ll let you get to it. Thanks for all you do, and all you WILL do in the future. It is because of you, my dear friends, that we’ll win.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I’m calling in advance of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act to ask the Senator to oppose Section 224. Given Israel’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and the illegal war in Iran, it is wrong to legislate unprecedented US-Israel defense integration. Senators shouldn’t support measures that give Israel – or any country – huge leverage over US defense priorities. This legislation will also make it extremely difficult for lawmakers, taxpayers, and future administrations to track and regulate US support for Israel. I expect the Senator to oppose Section 224 and push for stripping it from the NDAA. [Script from the amazing Dr. Debra Shushan, who is doing a Live on this very subject tomorrow! I can’t wait to watch it; you should, too!]
Also, I am very concerned about Bill Pulte, who must not remain for a day as acting DNI. I ask the Senator to vote no on any FISA re-authorization while he’s in charge. Even after he’s removed FISA must not be re-authorized without significant warrant protections. This is really important to me. The Trump administration can’t be trusted with our data.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
Please vote no on Trump’s $72B reconciliation bill. I can’t express how deeply opposed I am to ICE or CBP receiving one more penny of my taxpayer money while they terrorize our communities and lock people in concentration camps. I’m also deeply frustrated that there is no provision in the bill to block Trump’s weaponization fund. Vote no, please!
Also, I am very concerned about Bill Pulte, who must not remain for a day as acting DNI. I ask the Congressmember to vote no on any FISA re-authorization while he’s in charge. Even after he’s removed FISA must not be re-authorized without significant warrant protections. This is really important to me. The Trump administration can’t be trusted with our data. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
The EPA is proposing a rule change that would allow developers to begin constructing non-emitting building elements- concrete pads, walls, piping, etc. - before full federal air permits have been granted. A large portion of the project could be built while the permit for generators is under review. Basically, “build first, permit later”. The EPA says the change is intended to reduce permitting delays affecting data centers and power generation projects related to the administration’s AI infrastructure goals.
The EPA is taking public comment on the rule until June 29. As of today there were only 39 comments noted as received. The more eyes on this the better.
Comments can be made here.
More can be read at Trump’s EPA Seeks Looser Construction Rules for Gas Plants, Data Centers and Factories - Inside Climate News
[H/T subscriber Angela A.]
Get Smart! 📚
Galvanize Action is the leading expert in persuading moderate women, a voting bloc that makes up a quarter of the electorate in many of the key races that will decide what happens in November. Their research is shaping how to cut through the political and cultural noise and effectively engage this audience. (Also worth noting is that they are a top recommendation from David Callahan’s Blue Tent as one of the most effective organizations protecting democratic values.)
If you want to understand where persuasion efforts should be focused right now, please register for Galvanize’s upcoming webinar on Thursday, June 11 at 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET. You’ll hear about the latest insights from their research and programming, highlighting how they are connecting with audiences in this critical moment and empowering them to take action aligned with their values. I really recommend this org—they’re amazing. Should be a great event.
Give 💰!
NOPE’s “Be an Informed Political Donor” briefing on June 9 at 7:00 p.m. will help you make the biggest impact with your donation dollars.
They’ll explore strategic and tax-deductible donation strategies with a focus on North Carolina.
Jenn Frye, co-lead of the Carolina Federation, will explain how support for community organizing helps win elections. You’ll also hear the latest on the Democrats’ path to winning the midterms.
Win Races! 🗳
Write Spanish-language postcards with Cartoons for Democracy!
This week the NY Times reported that Ken Paxton is targeting “boots on the ground” groups in Texas who are trying to increase the Latino vote. He knows that Republicans’ redistricting gamble requires them to depress turnout.
You can help bypass this suppression by writing directly to Spanish speaking voters in Texas who did not vote in the 2024 election, and do not have a strong party affiliation. These cards don’t tell anyone how to vote, they simply remind the recipient that their vote matters, and invite them to learn more about the voting process from Spanish-language websites that provide useful community information -- websites that have not been tainted with billionaire-funded misinformation like that which flooded Spanish-language media in 2024.
Cartoons for Democracy has postcards kits containing cards, addresses and instructions (in English and Spanish) available for Texas 15, 21, 23, 28, 34 and 35, as well as for California 22. They also provide the option of an in-state PO Box to bulk mail your postcards if you want them to have a local postmark.
You do not need to understand Spanish to write these cards. CWCW readers who are new to Cartoons for Democracy can also sign up for their email list and get a discount.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PZUHNU to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
When President Trump issued his latest budget request to Congress, he included a funding request for his “NSPM-7 Joint Mission Center,” which seeks to label any American citizen who disagrees with the Trump administration’s policies as a domestic terrorist.
This means that anyone who posts a photo of themselves online attending a No Kings protest, anyone who believes that consumer protections should come before corporate profits, and anyone in a same-sex marriage could very well be labeled by FBI Director Kash Patel as “anti-American” and a “domestic terrorist.”
As the Trump administration seeks to silence dissent in the United States, it is simultaneously squashing our constitutional free speech rights.
I demand that Congress refuse to fund Trump’s illegal National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, including the NSPM-7 Joint Mission Center. The only thing “anti-American” here is the presidential memorandum itself.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
The EPA comment link goes to an error page
As a Sacramento Kings fan, cheering for the Knicks because the Kings didn't do right by Mike Brown and he's risen above that. Get rid of Trump in the Garden--I turned away from the TV when they showed him saluting, as if he'd ever been in the military.