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: Due April 19! Oppose government expanding surveillance of Americans.
Source: Brennan Center
This action is now closed, because this bill was passed on April 20. Although this is a disappointing outcome, AoCC will continue to advocate for surveillance reform, and we thank everyone who contacted their senators to voice opposition.
Thank you to the 85 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact immediately: Your two senators (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] and oppose the new provisions in the FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7888). The constitutional rights violations embedded in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act are already cause for concern. The new provisions in H.R. 7888 would allow surveillance data to be pulled from many businesses that provide free wifi including department stores, medical offices, and fitness centers, as well as service providers who come to my home, like IT support or electricians. [NAME] must stop this invasive expansion of the government’s ability to spy on Americans’ daily activities without cause. Please vote NO on H.R. 7888.
Action 2: Support Indigenous survivors of abuse and violence.
Source: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Thank you to the 39 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Violence against women is at an all-time high globally, and Indigenous women in the U.S. disproportionately experience sexual assault and murder. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we’re asking our subscribers to share this resource to support Indigenous survivors.
Share: Reshare NIARC’s post on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram
Action 3: Advocate for the safety of transgender and nonbinary people in ICE detention.
Source: National Immigration Project, American Immigration Council
Thank you to the 66 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact:
DHS Office of the Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations – Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Phone: 800-323-8603
Fax: 202-254-4292
Email: dhsoighotline@dhs.gov
Script: Hi. I am reaching out from [STATE] to urge ICE to end the practice of detaining people who identify as transgender or nonbinary at the Aurora Detention Facility. Doing so disrupts people’s access to justice and exposes people to inhumane conditions in ICE detention facilities including medical neglect and harassment. Especially because ICE does not guarantee basic standards of care, release will prevent further trauma and save lives. In solidarity with immigration rights groups, I urge you to release transgender and nonbinary people to be with friends and family while their asylum claims are pending.
Action 4: Restore 4.6 million Americans’ right to vote in federal elections.
Source: Sentencing Project/Campaign Legal Center
Thank you to the 59 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP] asking you to join the majority of Americans who support the Inclusive Democracy Act (S. 3423/H.R. 6643). Some laws disproportionately and intentionally suppress the votes of Black and Latino/Hispanic Americans with felony convictions. Please cosponsor and pass [S. 3423/H.R. 6643], which guarantees 4.6M American citizens voting rights in federal elections.
Action 5: Support citizens’ right to vote in state-level elections after serving time.
Source: AoCC
Thank you to the 18 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
If you live in AL, AZ, DE, FL, IA, KY, MS, TN, VA, or WY: Contact your state legislators (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP], and I oppose [STATE’s] practice of preventing people from voting who have felony convictions, a practice that disproportionately affects people of color. Can I count on [Sen./Rep. NAME] to introduce and support legislation that honors the fundamental voting rights of all citizens? Thank you.
If you live elsewhere, donate: to the Sentencing Project to uphold the voting rights of people with felony convictions.
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 Gov. Laura Kelly (D–KS) for supporting transgender youth by vetoing legislation that would have banned their access to gender-affirming healthcare.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 241S, Topeka, KS 66612
Thank you to the 75 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Thank the Federal Election Commission for strengthening democracy by enforcing the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 when a 2022 Tenn. congressional candidate violated campaign finance laws.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address:
Office of the Inspector General, Federal Election Commission, 1050 First St., NE, Washington, DC 20463
Or call the FEC general contact line: 800-424-9530.
Thank you to the 76 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Thank the Environmental Protection Agency for finalizing regulations to limit emissions of toxic ethylene oxide.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Administrator Michael S. Regan, EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460
Thank you to the 74 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
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
- People from Ethiopia living in the U.S. have their Temporary Protected Status extended through December 12, 2025.
- A federal court prohibits separating families as a matter of course at the U.S.-Mexico border for eight years.
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees USA resumes funding for life-saving humanitarian relief in Gaza.
- A court rules that children living in camps along the U.S.-Mexico border awaiting immigration processing must be moved from outdoor shelters and given accommodation through the Office of Refugee Resettlement care.
Additional Good News
- Vice President Harris outlines the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to protect voting rights nationwide.
- The Biden-Harris administration allocates $20B in grants to mobilize private capital investments towards clean energy projects and climate solutions.
- Hundreds of thousands of aspiring American workers have their work permits extended.
- The EPA establishes the first-ever national standards to keep drinking water safe from PFAS.
- The EPA regulates limits of pollution from trucks, vans, and buses.
- AL: A coalition of civil rights, voting rights, and disability rights organizations sue to block a bill which would penalize nonpartisan civic engagement efforts for empowering voters of all races and abilities to cast a ballot.
- KS: Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes legislation that would have banned gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth.
- OK: Tulsa race massacre survivors Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher, both 109, participate in a suit before the state Supreme Court seeking reparative justice for the attack in 1921.
- Cities and counties across the U.S. pilot basic income programs to potentially improve Americans’ quality of life.
- Leo Schofield is granted parole after another person confessed to the crime.
- Birth control pills are available at HEB stores without a prescription.
- Eclipse Glasses USA collects donated eclipse viewing glasses to distribute to other countries with upcoming eclipse events.
- Apple Films provides audio descriptions for all of their films shown in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences screening room so that voting members of the Academy with low vision can experience them.
- A weight-loss drug is found to improve sleep apnea.
- The It Gets Better organization funds 50 grants in all 50 states to empower LGBTQ+ youth through school-based projects.
- Fathers bond over their love for their transgender kids (and their enjoyment of fishing) in the documentary film, The Dads.
- In response to an invitation in 1978, over 100 past students of retired science teacher Patrick Moriarty reunite with him for an eclipse watch party on April 8, 2024.The global number of oil spills from tankers declined significantly between 1970 and 2022.
Need inspiration?
- Read this week’s inspiring message from Jen Hofmann: Harness the Power of Grassroots Action: Lessons from Phoenix
- Democratic collaboration helps others
- Don’t Give Up: 9 Reasons Your Voice Matters More Than Ever
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