The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We are a big tent for all people who want a kinder, flourishing nation.
This Week’s Actions
Action 1: Assist families our government forced apart with legal representation.
Source: The Young Center
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A recent settlement agreement for families separated by the previous administration’s immigration policy allows those impacted to apply for asylum in the U.S. Applicants with legal representation are five times more likely to win their cases, but our government fails to provide this crucial support. A coalition of immigration rights advocates are raising funds to ensure separated families have the legal representation they need to navigate our country’s complex immigration system.
Donate: To the Together & Free joint fundraiser (Note: Uncheck “Allow Together & Free Inc. to contact me” on the payment page to avoid being added to their mailing list).
Action 2: Prevent AI-generated campaign advertisements.
Source: AoCC
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Contact: U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Commissioners Christy McCormick, Chairwoman; Benjamin W. Hovland, Vice Chair; Donald L. Palmer; Thomas Hicks
Address: U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 866-747-1471 (toll free) or 301-563-3919
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP] joining a bipartisan request to the EAC to expand its AI Toolkit to:
- Provide guidance to state and local election administrators on preventing the use of AI-generated disinformation in campaign ads.
- Ensure that officials are aware of the support and information that the Commission makes available.
I request that you respond publicly to the January 30 letter from Sens. Klobuchar and Collins to reinforce public trust in our elections. Thank you.
Bonus: Can you spot a deepfake? Take the quiz from MIT Media Lab to see if you can identify real vs. computer-generated photos on their Detect Fakes website.
Action 3: Protect our neighbors from unsafe drinking water.
Source: NRDC
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Contact: EPA Administrator Michael Regan at 202-564-4700 or via email at Regan.Michael@epa.gov.
Script: Hello, I’m a resident of [STATE] concerned about continuing health threats posed by lead in pipes, which can cause irreversible damage to the nervous system and brain. Water utilities must be required to fully cover piping replacement costs to protect low-income homeowners and renters, and we must ensure pipes are replaced within ten years. Please enact the strongest possible Lead and Copper Rule to ensure safe drinking water for all U.S. residents.
Alternate: Sign the NRDC petition (Note: You will be added to the NRDC mailing list).
Action 4: Ensure food security for mothers and children.
Source: Civil Eats
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Contact: Your one House representative (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP] concerned about looming shortfalls to the WIC supplemental nutrition program, putting the wellbeing of millions of pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children at risk. For the last 25 years, Congress has made a bipartisan commitment to fully funding this vital program for all eligible applicants, until this year. Please act to ensure that Congress provides additional funding for WIC in budget appropriations.
Action 5: Urge your state to ensure campaign ads contain only accurate information.
Source: Public Citizen, Brennan Center
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If you live in AK, AZ, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WI, WV, or WY, your state has pending legislation that would regulate the use of computer-modified video, audio, and images intended to deceive the public (also known as deepfakes) in election communications. Use this tracker from Public Citizen to find the bill number(s) for your state.
Contact: Your state legislators (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m a constituent from [ZIP] contacting you to express concern over the use of artifical intelligence to generate fake video, images, and audio in order to mislead voters. Regulating this deceptive media is a bipartisan issue, as shown by recently passed state-level bills and the FCC’s new ban on AI robocalls. I’m asking you to pass [BILL NO. FROM TRACKER above] to regulate the misuse of AI in campaign ads. Thank you.
If you live in CA, MN, TX, or WA, your state has already enacted legislation to regulate deceptive AI-generated ads. Consider thanking your state legislators for protecting voters from deceptive media.
If you live in AL, AR, CT, DE, LA, ME, MS, MT, NV, NC, ND, PA, or VT, contact your state legislators to ask them to introduce legislation to regulate misleading ads generated by AI.
Action 6: Encourage young potential voters to register today.
Source: The Civics Center
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Approximately 10,000 Americans turn 18 each day, and anyone who will be 18 before Election Day on November 5 can pre-register so their registration becomes immediately valid on their 18th birthday. Remind your young friends that registering to vote gives them a voice in crucial local issues like housing costs, reproductive rights, community policing, and education.
Text: Send a quick text to your friends under 20, encouraging them to register to vote with this link from The Civics Center.
Action 7: Participate in a heartwarming school project.
Source: Teacher, Bobbie Schaler
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Three elementary school teachers in Washington started a “Hearts Across the World” postcard program to teach young students about geography. If you’d like to participate, send a cute postcard from your state (or country) then share this action with friends. This action is included in our Checklist with permission from Mrs. Schaler and her request is to “please overwhelm us with postcards.” 🙂
Contact: Mrs. Merriel’s TK, P.O. Box 1389, Soap Lake, WA 98851
Acts of Gratitude
We believe in gratitude as a tool for change. We will print a letter of thanks from Americans of Conscience with your signature and mail it to the recipient. Your information will be removed from this website no later than four weeks after the Checklist’s publication date.
Thank WA state Rep. Monica Jurado Stonier for introducing legislation to ensure students’ access to diverse reading materials in Washington’s schools.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 436A Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504
Good News
If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!
Progress on issues previously featured in the Checklist
- The FCC enacts rules to eliminate discrimination by broadband providers towards communities based on income, race, and ethnicity.
- Families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under the previous administration’s policy may now live and work in the U.S. while applying for asylum.
- A federal court rules in favor of the Louisiana’s newly-drawn congressional map, which will more fairly represent the will of Black voters and comply with the Voting Rights Act.
More Good News
- President Biden issues an order preventing deportation of people from Palestine currently living in the U.S. due to “humanitarian conditions…deteriorating” in Gaza.
- The Education Dept. streamlines disability-based student loan forgiveness for eligible borrowers.
- The Census Bureau halts proposed changes to the American Community Survey that would have drastically undercounted disabled people.
- FEMA installs solar panels on schools, hospitals, and other public buildings that are rebuilt after disasters.
- The U.S. Forest Service rescinds approval of a large-scale crude oil conveyance project that would endanger Utah’s woodlands.
- All recently introduced discriminatory bills that would have infringed on the rights of transgender and other LGBTQ+ Virginians are defeated in the legislature.
- Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, Hemlock, MI receives a $375M investment to expand manufacturing for semiconductor chips, creating 170 clean energy jobs.
- Joel Castón is appointed to Washington, DC’s Sentencing Commission, becoming the first person who has spent time in prison to serve on the commission that helps shape sentencing guidelines.
- Super Bowl XLVIII runs entirely on renewable energy.
- Sensory-friendly hours return to a large retail chain’s stores nationwide.
- Northwestern University’s women’s center holds a series of open workshops on organizing for reproductive justice, abortion rights, and bodily autonomy.
- Members of Gen Z utilize public library services at higher rates than older generations.
- People with Leap Day birthdays celebrate February 29 together across the globe.
- 11-year-old reporter, Jeremiah Fennell, conducts insightful interviews with Super Bowl athletes.
- Astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell receives the prestigious $3M Breakthrough Prize for her work discovering pulsars, decades after being snubbed for the Nobel Prize.
- Climate scientist Michael Mann is awarded $1M in damages following defamation by climate change deniers.
- Activist Becca Rea-Tucker works to destigmatize abortion through decorating cakes.
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Thank you for this excellent list of action items and Good News! Much appreciated. Sincerely, Jacob
Another heart-centered Checklist with wonderful actions to take from my dining table!