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83 weeks to Midterm Elections

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:

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In this edition of the AoC Checklist:

Call your senators

Calling our senators makes a difference, whether they are progressive or conservative. Regular communication with our elected officials reminds them of their duty to represent all of their constituents.

Look up your senators here.

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

Call your House representative

Calling our House reps makes a difference, whether they are progressive or conservative. Regular communication with our elected officials reminds them of their duty to represent all of their constituents.

Look up your House representative here.

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

I value demo­­­­cracy

With respect and collaboration, we work to create a nation that welcomes all people, expands freedoms, and upholds the Constitution. Each citizen must be able to freely and fairly elect those who represent their values.

Action 1: Urge Home Depot CEO to oppose voter suppression.

Source: AoCC

Script: I know that [COMPANY] supports social justice, yet you have been silent on the injustice of voter suppression. In solidarity with the voters of Georgia, I’m asking you to speak out against the injustice of lawmakers suppressing the vote. Thank you.

Write: Craig Menear, Home Depot, 2455 Paces Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30339


Action 2: Advocate for fair congressional redistricting on April 29.

Source: League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters April 29th National Day of Action as part of its People Powered Fair Maps program will promote fair and transparent redistricting. Every 10 years, congressional districts are redrawn based on census data but delays in processing 2020 census data may affect the redistricting timeline. 

Get involved: Midterms are coming! Look up your local LWV chapters to participate in virtual events like phone banking, letter writing campaigns, educational webinars, and more.


Action 3: Encourage high school students to learn about voting.

Source: The Civics Center

Contact: Your local school district and school board.

Script: Hi, I’m calling to inquire about what our school district is doing to encourage high school students to register to vote. Research shows that students who learn about voting in high school are more likely to participate in democracy. The Civics Center has resources for schools and students, including workshops on April 7 and 12 for students interested in planning voter registration drives. Thank you for educating our next generation of informed voters.

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.

Action 4: Call for an end to unconstitutional border practices.

Source: Human Rights First, Interfaith Immigration Coalition

Contact: Alejandro Mayorkas at (202) 282-8495 (DHS comment line) or

Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Ln. SW
Washington, DC 20528

Script: Hello, I’m [CALLING/WRITING] from [ZIP] in opposition to Title 42, which allows border agents to bypass normal immigration laws and rapidly expel many aspiring Americans at the southern border without due process. This policy disregards our constitutional duty to provide asylum to those seeking refuge in our country, and sends vulnerable individuals and families to await their hearings in dangerous border towns. I am asking Secretary Mayorkas to end the use of Title 42 and protect those who seek refuge in our nation.


Action 5: Support a path to citizenship for our community members.

Source: United We Dream

Sign: The UWD petition before April 30.


Action 6: Advocate for an ill man’s immediate release from ICE detention.

Source: Detention Watch (DWN)

Contact: New Orleans ICE Field Director Diane Witte at diane.l.witte@ice.dhs.gov and Deputy Field Office Director John Hartnett at 225-892-4013 and 318-992-1594.

Script: Hello, I’m [WRITING/CALLING] from [ZIP] to urge the release of Karim Golding from ICE’s Etowah County Detention Center. Mr. Golding, who has been living in the U.S. for over 20 years, now faces deportation back to Jamaica. After over four years of inhumane ICE detention, he caught COVID-19 multiple times and was sent to solitary confinement for exhibiting symptoms. I am joining human rights organizations in urging Karim’s immediate release from ICE detention, and allow him to return to his U.S. family and community.

Bonus: Use this guide to amplify this action on social media.


Action 7: Show solidarity with our Asian American community.

Source: Define American

Together, it is our responsibility to condemn hate and create lasting social change. Violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) is unacceptable.

Donate: To Support the AAPI Community Fund through GoFundMe.

Sign: This community-centered statement from Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta and the Georgia NAACP.

Acts of Grati­­­­tude

Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.

Tell TPS holders why you are grateful to them for launching a national hunger strike to demand that the Senate pass the American Dream and Promise Act.

Address: National TPS Alliance, 2845 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005


Tell CEOs why you are grateful for their public statements opposing Georgia’s new voter suppression law.

Address

James Quincey, Coca-Cola, 1 Coca-Cola Plaza. Atlanta GA 30313

Edward Bastian, Delta Air Lines Inc., P.O. Box 20706, Atlanta, GA 30320

Jamie Daimon, JP Morgan Chase, 270 Park Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10017


Tell Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D–NY) why you are grateful to her for introducing a bill to guarantee access to counsel for children and other vulnerable people during immigration removal proceedings.

Address: 478 Russell SOB, Washington, DC 20510


Tell Sen. Ben Cardin (D–MD) why you are grateful to him for introducing legislation to restore voting rights to returning citizens upon release from prison.

Address: 509 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510


Tell Govs. David Ige (D–HI), Laura Kelly (D–KS), Dan McKee (D–RI), Janet Mills (D–ME), Phil Murphy (D–NJ), and Phil Scott (R–VT), as well as Mayor Muriel Bowser (D–DC), why you are grateful to them for instituting travel restrictions to safeguard state residents from COVID-19

Address

DI: Executive Chambers, State Capitol, Honolulu, HI 96813

LK: 300 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612

DM: 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903

JM: 1 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

PM: PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625

PS: 109 State Street, Pavilion, Montpelier, VT 05609

MB: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,  Washington, DC 20004

Good News

Decent people everywhere are speaking up and working together. Just look. #GoodNews

National

State

Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

  • A local Black Lives Matter chapter provides financial COVID-19 relief to African-American trans women and Black families impacted by police misconduct or incarceration.
  • Interfaith Immigration Coalition creates an action toolkit to raise awareness about issues facing aspiring Americans and to take action in support of them.
  • The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance creates a resource document with actions individuals can take to address the recent anti-Asian violence and uplift AAPI communities.
  • “Immigration is a Black Issue,” a short film by director Joyce Louis-Jean in collaboration with RAICES, is nominated for a Shorty Award.
  • The Brennan Center for Justice seeks transparency about police departments’ use of social media monitoring and files public records requests in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, and Baltimore.
  • Voting rights groups in GA launch a billboard campaign asking corporations like Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and Home Depot to oppose state legislation that restricts voting rights

News with heart


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Housekeeping

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4 Comments

  1. thank you for consolidating responses to our representatives! thank you all for this site. I was also wondering if you could help us stay informed about how we can be effective with our state issues or direct me to the best method

  2. Love the new format.
    Thanks for making everything so easy for us.
    Keep up the good work.
    Am mailing a small check as a thank you for your great efforts.

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