Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/6

Hearts in the work.

Jess Craven

Sep 06, 2024

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Hi, all, and happy Friday,

Well, I had an embarrassing thing happen to me when I spoke on the Americans Abroad For Harris call yesterday: I burst into tears during my remarks. Yikes! Maxwell Frost had preceded me, and he’d mentioned what had happened at Apalachee High School as part of his remarks. When it was my turn to speak—I was doing so extemporaneously—I started by referring to his comments. And as soon as I commenced talking about the shooting in Georgia I just…lost it. I did recover, and finished on an upbeat note, but still—not what I’d expected!

While I was a bit abashed by my own emotional response, I’m hoping it had a side benefit. We are in a really, really hard moment, and if people overseas can see just how stressed out and grief stricken we are right now by the state of our country maybe more of them will request their ballots! So my ego took a bit of a hit, but if it got us a few more votes—especially in a swing state—it’ll have been worth it.

Speaking of getting votes, it’s Friday! That means I’m going to ask, once again, for folks to drop in the comments what they’re doing over the weekend to help us win. I’m not going to canvass, because it’s over 100 degrees here right now and will remain so for another several days. But I’m speaking at a local postcarding / how-to-win-in-November party tonight—this one is open to anyone, so if you’re in Northeast L.A. and want to attend hit reply to this email and I’ll send you the details. On Sunday I’ll be speaking at another postcarding party. And in between I’ll almost certainly be phonebanking—possibly at the Progressives for Harris call that’s listed below.

Now it’s your turn! Don’t know what you’re doing yet? There are loads of opportunities in the body of this newsletter. Let us know what you pick!

Look. It’s a scary time. The stakes are so high in this election, the news incessant, the threats coming from all sides. But we’re strong enough to handle this. We’re unified, we’re seasoned, we’re determined, and we’re equipped with all the tools we need. We must only persist, and keep taking the actions that we know have worked before. If we have to stop to cry, we can do so. Then, when we’re done, we can dry our tears and start again, knowing that the thing that makes us capable of tears is also the thing that makes us stronger.

Having said that, self care is important. So remember to breathe, take breaks from your phone, eat plenty of good meals and drink lots of water.

We will get through this; we will win, and we will thrive. I know this—because we have you.

Now let’s get to work.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I understand that Reps. Jeff Jackson and Dan Crenshaw have introduced a bill called the No Gratuities for Governing Act to close a loophole in federal law that allows state and local officials to take gratuities—or essentially bribes—after official actions. This bill is a no-brainer; I’d like the Congressmember to sign on as a co-sponsor. Government corruption is a top concern of mine. Thanks.

[Read more about the bill from Rep. Jackson here.]

Extra Credit ✅

From subscriber Nina Salerno:

I’m seeking participants for a video project called “Reading Project 2025.” The project involves filming individuals as they read Project 2025.
In 2019, I did a similar project with the Mueller Report. Having people read PROJECT 2025 is both social discourse and part performance art showing democracy in action as voters engage with a significant issue.
I invite you to participate, either in person or via Zoom.
Please contact me if you would like to participate. Bd55888@gmail.com

Get Smart! 📚

Join Red, Wine and Blue for Debate Prep With The West Wing Cast!

Tuesday, September 10 from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

Two hours before the first presidential debate between VP Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, you're invited to join the cast of the West Wing for Debate Prep. Get pumped up for the evening ahead and learn how to take the most effective action possible in the final 56 days before the election. And yes, Team Bartlet will answer how their characters would have handled the Aaron Sorkin-esque events of July 21 when President Biden passed the torch, as well as how they would have prepared to debate the likes of Trump. Join RWB for this amazing experience and let's go!

Spread the Word! 📣

Earlier this week, in her Substack "Civil Discourse,"

Joyce Vance

wrote about her recent conversation with Laura Brill, founder of the Civics Center.

Brill said that recent reports indicate that fewer than 40% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Arizona. In New Hampshire, the registration rate for 18-year-olds is just 21%.

Here’s the most important part: from September 23-27th, the Civics Center is organizing High School Voter Registration Week around the country. If you’re looking for something you can do to make a difference in this election, keep reading. There is room for all of us to get involved:

The Civics Center is offering a $150 gift card for students who go through their education and organizing program and get their schools ready to vote during High School Voter Registration Week. Students, CLICK HERE to sign up for a workshop and learn how to create a voter registration drive in your own communities!
They also offer workshops for teachers. CLICK HERE to learn how to empower students to run peer-to-peer voter registration drives in schools.
The Civics Center has also scheduled four Zoom calls for a behind-the-scenes update in September and October for those who are interested in learning more about the Center’s work. (For all of us - not just for teachers or students!) CLICK HERE to learn more.

Please share this information with all the teenagers and teachers in your life! And you can read the whole article "Registering High School Voters" by Joyce Vance here. The Civics Center’s website is here.

[H/T subscriber Rebecca R., who put this action together for me!]

Give 💰!

Looking to spend in a specific state or to help move a particular constituency but don’t know how to do so strategically? David Callahan from the EXCELLENT Blue Tent has blog posts for you!

URGENT: Voter Protection Help Needed! 🚨🚨

From VoPro Pros:

Voter Protection Calls to Inactive Voters in Crucial States

Call likely Democratic voters in the most crucial states across the country to counter undemocratic attacks on their fundamental freedom to vote in this election.

We need to connect with these voters as soon as possible before voting begins so that they won't confront any issues when they try to vote.

Voters are generally very appreciative of our outreach because our only agenda is to ensure they're able to cast their ballot and ensure it counts.

No experience necessary! We will train you and remain on the Zoom throughout the phone bank to support you along the way.

Win Races—Progressives for Harris-Walz! 🗳

It’s official - early voting starts this week. Time to get to work! Join Progressives for Harris Walz on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 3pm ET to hear from civil rights defender, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison as he kicks off our weekly Progressives & Grassroots Phonebank.

Don’t worry - even if you have never phonebanked before, it’s fun and easy. And they will have staff on hand to teach you everything you need to know.

Win Races—Make calls to swing states and districts!

Come join a Swing Blue Alliance phone bank.

Mondays: Call Wisconsin Voters to help flip WI 03

Tuesdays: Recruit volunteers for Pat Ryan NY 18

Wednesdays: Recruit volunteers for Mecklenburg County NC to help flip NC Blue

Thursdays and Sunday: Call Pennsylvania Voters to help flip PA 10 and defeat Scott Perry

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

No Resistbot today, sorry!

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

Talk soon.

Jess

Chop Wood, Carry Water