Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
I want to apologize that this email is both so late and, again, so short. This week has been hectic, as my only child culminated from the sixth grade this morning. Having attended that ceremony and listened to thirty two-minute speeches by each member of the graduating class—all wonderful, bright, 12 year olds—I am tardy for my work day. And as I am shortly expected at a culmination lunch I will once again have to truncate this newsletter.
I’ll tell you this, though: in response to my somewhat dour opening yesterday I received so many wonderful, heartening, and uplifting emails from you readers. Thank you for that. You told me of voter registration drives you’ve launched, calls you’ve made to your reps, letters you’ve written to badly-behaved businesses, and other ways you’ve taken action and made change since becoming a subscriber.
It really lifted my spirits.
I also had the chance to do an Activism 101 for a group of activists in Connecticut, and this, as well, had a deeply salutary effect. It was yet another reminder that the answer to despair is action…in concert with others.
Unity, determination, persistence. These are the things that shall carry us to victory. So let’s practice them one more time.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m glad the House passed the Protecting Our Kids Act yesterday, but I’m deeply frustrated to read that it’s “doomed” in the Senate. This is enraging. Why on earth would you bend over backwards to quickly pass more legislation protecting Supreme Court Justices and their families, but refuse to QUICKLY pass an excellent gun bill that made it through the House? Do Supreme Court Justices deserve more protection than our children? Pass strong gun legislation now, please. We know what works. It’s time for Congress to have the courage to protect the American people. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to find out how the Congressmember voted on the “Protecting Our Kids Act” yesterday.
[If they supported it say:] I want to thank them for standing up for our children and for our freedom to live and thrive. It means a lot.
[If they opposed it say:] Shame on them. I will do everything in my power to make sure they pay for their vote at the polls.
Get Smart! 📚
Later today Fix Democracy First is hosting a January 6th Commission Hearing Virtual Watch Event.
4:30 pm PT (7:30 pm ET) - Via Zoom
They will have a couple of speakers before the event and then stay on for discussion following the hearing.
Speakers:
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (via video)
Lauren Windsor, Journalist & Executive Producer of The Undercurrent
Seventeen months after pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, the House Jan. 6 select committee is preparing to test whether revelations from that day still have the capacity to shock the American public. This is the first of six proposed hearings. During these hearings, Americans will witness testimony and hear evidence of those involved in the attack.
Attend the watch event by registering here.
[Can’t make this one or want to shop the other options? There are watch events scheduled all around the country. Check out the full list of events and find one that interests you! However you’re able to watch the hearings will make a big difference.]
Win Races! 🗳
I signed up to write letters with Vote Riders today from 4-5 PM PT / 7-8 ET, forgetting I have to attend my kid’s culmination party. I’m hoping some of you can attend in my stead!
Their goal is to write as many letters as possible to voters in these five states:
Arizona
Florida
Georgia
Texas
Wisconsin
Every letter you’ll send will deliver essential information and assistance to the voters most likely to be disenfranchised by voter ID laws in those states. You’ll need a printer, business envelopes, and stamps. These letters are easy and so fun! Plus, we know they work!
Can’t make today’s event? They’re having another one next Thursday!
Use this link to sign up for either.
Thanks for all you do, friends. Talk tomorrow.
Jess
Congratulations to you and your family on your child's 6th grade graduation. Listening to 30 2-minute speeches takes lots of patience and devotion. What a good Mom!!
Let Every Citizen Vote!
US Senate
Do your duty: end the filibuster
Protect our vote!
SIGN THIS PETITION TO DEMAND THE US SENATE PROTECTS OUR VOTE
READ BELOW and THEN SIGN THE PETITION.
petition link: https://chng.it/NChjgxbxzr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1762508990740199
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NVC2022
Click on Crushing American Democracy re filibuster. Understand the urgency: The Rise & Fall of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (and what we must do about it) .
National Voter Corps
Alice Smith, Executive Director and Co-Founder,
Chris Witzel, Secretary and Co-Founder
Amy Laden, Board Moderator and Co-Founder
Kathleen Goldfein, Treasurer
Ellen Smith, State/National Voting Rights links
www.nationalvotercorps.org
a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) under the Social Good Fund
850 Webster Street #520 Palo Alto, CA 94301