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89 weeks to the presidential election

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.

If you only have 10 minutes, take our top three suggested actions:

In this edition of the AoC Checklist:

Contact your senators

Check the box if you made contact–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Contacting your senators’ staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you.

Look up your senators here.

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Sen. [NAME] to:

Contact your House representative

Check the box if you made contact–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Contacting your representative’s staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you.

Look up your House representative here.

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Rep. [NAME] to:

I value equality

Support the dignity of your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. We also support policies that show welcome to aspiring Americans and decency to people seeking refuge.

Action 1: Protect the well-being of transgender youth.

Source: AoCC

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: Your two STATE legislators (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I care about the well-being of transgender youth in [STATE]. More than 80 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the country in 2023 that would limit young trans people’s access to gender-affirming care and increase their risk of depression and suicide. Can I count on you to protect transgender youths from harmful policy by denouncing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in [STATE]?

Be an ally: Visit PFLAG.org for LGBTQ+ community support and resources, and read the National Center for Transgender Equality’s guide to being a good ally.


Action 2: Support farm workers displaced by gun violence.

Source: Stop AAPI Hate

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Latinx and Asian community groups are working together to address the immediate and long-term needs of nearly 40 farm workers, who are victims and survivors of the Jan. 23 mass shooting in Half Moon Bay. If you are able, we encourage you to contribute to their efforts.

Donate: To the Half Moon Bay Victims Fund to provide direct support.


Action 3: Protect Arctic wildlife and communities from the effects of oil-drilling.

Source: NRDC

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: President Biden via the White House contact form.

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m concerned about the destructive effects of the Willow Project on Indigenous communities and sensitive Alaskan ecosystems. The drilling operation would destroy habitats crucial to subsistence activities, expose local residents to dangerous pollution, and generate 277 million metric tons of carbon. The Biden administration has demonstrated a significant commitment to tackling the climate crisis and must block the Willow Project to honor that legacy. Thank you.

Alternate: Sign the NRDC petition. (Note: You will be automatically signed up for the NRDC email distribution list.)


Action 4: Protect local communities and forest habitats from a destructive pipeline.

Source: NRDC

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Submit a comment: Via the USDA Public Comment page before the comment period closes on Feb. 21.

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] urging you to block construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in the Jefferson National Forest. This project has already severely damaged clean water sources across Appalachia, threatening local drinking water supplies and resulting in over 300 environmental infractions. Please protect the Jefferson National Forest and select Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and reject any changes to the Forest Plan. Thank you.

Alternate: Sign the NRDC petition. (Note: You will be automatically signed up for the NRDC email distribution list.)


Action 5: Oppose exclusionary asylum application processes.

Source: AoCC

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Submit a comment: Via the U.S. Customs & Border Patrol comment form (under Topic, select CBP One APP).

Script: Hello, I’m writing from [STATE] to express my concern about racial bias in the CBP One mobile app. Requiring a mobile app to apply for asylum comes with major issues: the app’s facial recognition technology can’t identify the features of darker-skinned aspiring Americans and young children, which prevents individuals and families from making asylum appointments, and many people seeking refuge do not have access to cell phones that can support the software. I’m urging CBP to repair the facial recognition problems with the CBP One app, re-open other application avenues for asylum seekers, and offer immediate assistance to those affected.


Action 6: Provide aid to those affected by earthquakes.

Source: AoCC

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

In early February, Syria and Turkey were hit by a massive earthquake, leaving over 40,000 people dead, hundreds of thousands without shelter, and millions of residents and refugees in need of aid. Our volunteers have compiled a list of reputable organizations accepting donations to provide humanitarian and medical aid that will most effectively reach those impacted by the earthquakes.

Donate: Through the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), the Molham Volunteering Team, The White Helmets, and/or Direct Relief.

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.

*An asterisk denotes a Gratitude suggested by a subscriber!

*Thank Gov. Gavin Newsom (D–CA) for taking concrete steps to affirm the dignity of all people who are incarcerated.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 1021 O Street, Suite 9000, Sacramento, CA 95814


Thank Sens. Dick Durbin (D–IL) and Lindsey Graham (R–SC) for reintroducing the Dream Act, which will open up a pathway to lawful permanent resident status for DACA recipients.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:
DD: 711 Hart SOB,Washington, D.C. 20510
LG: 290 Russell SOB, Washington, DC 20510


Thank publishing company Haymarket Books for offering free e-books and helping to ensure students have uncensored access to the full breadth of Black history.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: P.O. Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618

Good News

If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!

*An asterisk denotes a Good News item submitted by a subscriber!

National

  • As part of 2022’s end-of-year-omnibus, Congress passes and the president signs the TRIUMPH for New Moms Act and the Into the Light For Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Act, to address the mental health needs of postpartum parents.
  • The State Dept. takes steps to streamline the domestic visa renewal process by eliminating the requirement that H-1B visa holders leave the U.S. to renew their visas. 
  • The State Dept. resolves a class action lawsuit regarding disability discrimination against Foreign Service applicants.
  • The Bureau of Prisons closes a site known for frequent reports of violence and abuse.
  • Members of Congress form a Dads Caucus to work alongside the Moms Caucus on policy proposals like expanding the child tax credit, paid national family leave, and child care program funding.
  • A bust of Justice Thurgood Marshall will be placed in the Capitol while one of a former enslaver will be removed.

State

Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

News with heart


Need inspiration?


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4 Comments

  1. It has recently come to my attention that the Biden administration has allowed a program to continue, begun under the Trump administration, that is privatizing Medicare. Can you include opposition to this in your next newsletter? I have already prepared contacts and scripts if you would like them. (I help run a group in western Mass see ValleyAction.net) Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been vocal in her opposition but the program seems to otherwise be flying under the radar. When I called my US Rep (Jim McGovern) and Sen. Ed Markey’s offices, staffers seemed to know nothing about it. In case you are unfamiliar with the issue, below is a link to a small portion of a hearing Senator Elizabeth Warren held on the issue a few weeks ago. Following that is a link to a longer video, put out by an Indivisible group in California, in which a retired physician explains in detail what is happening.

    https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=senator%20warren%20hearings%20on%20ACO%20reach%20medicare%20program#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7f35273c,vid:6W00NKJA2Kw

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjJXtYOSdnc

    • Yes! We have mentioned this action in the Checklist before, but we’re happy to run it again! Please use the AoCC contact form if you’d like to provide our writers with scripts. Thank you so much! -Jen

  2. Suggestion for an action: Have people contact their state to make phone calls free to prisoners in state prisons like in California, and also to ask the Federal prisons to make phone calls free.

    • Great idea!!! The poverty that exists in so many of the prisoners’ families leads to isolation due to these fees. And isolation has a profound effect on people’s mental health and must effect recidivism rates.

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