Chop Wood, CArry Water 7/14

Find this GIF here.

Hi, all, and happy Friday,

I’m quite late getting this out so I’m going to keep it quick.

I know the news is tough in general, and the climate news is tougher. I send my love and thoughts, of course, to those in Vermont and any other part of the country suffering under extreme weather conditions today. This new global reality is hard and it’s only going to get harder; I just keep reminding myself that human ingenuity has tackled lots of major threats before—we can tackle this one, too, provided that we don’t give up.

So no matter what occurs, we won’t.

Remember that you’re not alone, y’all. We’re in this together, and our efforts can and will make a difference. So let’s do this.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m angered by the extreme defense bill House Republicans just forced through. Divisive politics have no place in the NDAA. I want the Senator to refuse to support any defense legislation that attacks abortion rights, blocks climate actions, contains anti-trans provisions, or cuts diversity and inclusion programs. The NDAA should be focussed on helping our servicemembers, bolstering our allies, and protecting us from threats abroad. That’s it. Make sure the Senator opposes the House version of this bill, please.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I’m calling because I’m deeply worried about the extreme weather events we’re seeing happen all around us. I’m glad the the Inflation Reduction Act is doing so much to transition us to clean energy, but we need to do much more, and we need to do it quickly. We’re hitting climate tipping points sooner than expected. We need aggressive, immediate action to transition our country off of fossil fuels. I’d like to know exactly which climate bills the representative is co-sponsoring and what additional actions s/he is taking to help address this crisis. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

OK I don’t like to over-promote my own material but y’all the information contained in the below video just blew my mind and we’ve got to get it out there. So please consider sharing it, along with the link to democratsabroad.org. And please remind your overseas friends that, even if they’ve never lived in the US, if they are US citizens they can vote in our elections. Learn all about it here.

Get Smart! 📚

On Tuesday, July 18th at 12:00pm ET, Hannah Ledford, Deputy Executive Director and Campaign Director of The Fairness Project, is coming to BigTent! 

Ledford will share how The Fairness Project protects the ballot measure process, which is currently under threat across many states. Ohio is front and center in this fight with a high stakes special election over a critical ballot measure to defend reproductive rights. Ledford will also talk about the other amazing work this organization does—they’re fantastic.

This is going to be good! Sign up here.

Spread the Word! 📣

Please share this video. We need to be HAMMERING the GOP on abortion. Remember—we know they want to ban it nationwide but there are many Americans who don’t! I’ve literally talked to people when phonebanking who didn’t know which party opposed abortion rights and which supported them. Also, this DNC War Room doc has lots more good stuff to share on this.

Give 💰!

Flip the Vote just announced their Summer of Hope Series, in which you hear from the Executive Directors of their grassroots partners in AZ, NV, NC, PA, and WI. These leaders, always inspiring, will talk about about their year-round work, why early investment is key to success, and their ambitious plans for the election cycle.

The first event is right around the corner: Living United for Change in Arizona and Make the Road Action Nevada on Thursday July 27 at 5:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET.

During this event you’ll hear directly from visionary leaders in Arizona and Nevada about how they are building community, registering voters, and protecting democracy during 2023. This is a fundraiser but you don’t have to give unless you want.

REGISTER: LUCHA and MRANV

Win Races! 🗳

Activate America has been phone banking every Monday and Wednesday into Ohio, and starting next week, they’re adding Tuesdays as well, in partnership with Women’s March Action. You can sign up HERE for any Monday-Wednesday shift now through the election. They’ve also added a phone on your own option for experienced phone bankers. They’re also postcarding into the state, and you can sign up for a list HERE.

If you are interested in on-the-ground action in Ohio, you can find canvassing opportunities HERE. Let’s gooooo!

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

[To POTUS] [H/T and H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PDPNPM to 50409]

I urge you to withdraw the disgraceful nomination of Elliott Abrams to serve on the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. His nomination is an affront to the very idea of public diplomacy.

His recent stint as Trump's special envoy to Iran and Venezuela should be a glaring reminder of his approach to foreign policy and reckless disregard for humanitarian concerns. And who could forget that Abrams' past includes pleading guilty to two counts of withholding information from Congress during the Iran-Contra scandal. 

It is deeply disturbing that Abrams, who deliberately misled Congress and the people of the United States, is now nominated to a diplomatic post. It’s incumbent upon President Biden to swiftly reconsider this nomination and demonstrate a commitment to upholding human rights. Thanks.

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

Talk soon.

Jess