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72 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

Check the box that you called–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Calling your senators’ staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you. They don’t mind, but be sure to call both progressives and conservatives. They need to hear from 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:

Call your House representative

Check the box that you called–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Calling your representative’s staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you. They don’t mind, but be sure to call both progressives and conservatives. They need to hear from 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 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: Protect elections officials from threats of violence.

Source: Reuters and National Association of Secretaries of State

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

Call: Your state’s governor (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to affirm that elections officials should be able to work free of intimidation. One in three elections officials currently feel unsafe. Antagonistic people are still threatening officialssecretaries of state to local election workers—with violence for doing their jobs. This is a danger to them and to democracy. Please tell me what you are doing to protect public servants and deal with people making threats. Thank you.

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 2: Advocate for gender-neutral “X” option on federal IDs.

Source: ACLU

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

Federal IDs don’t acknowledge self-verified gender or gender neutrality. This inaccurate representation puts transgender, intersex, and non-binary people at risk of daily discrimination. President Biden has the power to prevent ID misgendering by directing all federal agencies to allow Americans to self-verify gender, and to include a gender neutral “X” designation option on all federal IDs and records. 

Sign: The ACLU petition

Or write: President Biden an email or letter.


Action 3: Advocate for ending the federal death penalty.

Source: ACLU

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

Since 1973, at least 185 Americans have been exonerated after being wrongly sentenced to death. Unfortunately, wrongful convictions are not always righted, and innocent people have been executed for crimes they didn’t commit. Ask President Biden to commute the death sentences of the people on federal death row and end the federal death penalty.

Sign: The Equal Justice USA petition.

Or write: President Biden an email or letter.


Action 4: Support accessible and equitable higher education.

Source: ACLU

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

Over 44 million Americans carry more than $1.7 trillion of student debt. Due to the race-restricted accumulation of generational wealth in the U.S., this burden falls heaviest on communities of color—particularly Black women. Canceling $50,000 in student debt per borrower would help close the racial wealth gap and secure financial stability and economic mobility for millions.

Sign: The 1000 Women Strong/ACLU petition to Vice President Harris.

Or write: Vice President Harris an email or letter.


Action 5: Support the constitutional right to asylum.

Source: USCRI

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

Call: The Department of Homeland Security comment line at 202-282-8495.

Script: Hello, I’m calling from [STATE] to advocate that Sec. Mayorkas renew TPS designation for Somalian asylum-seekers. Somalia’s civil war is ongoing and conditions in the country remain unsafe. Please protect our Somali neighbors from returning to danger.


Action 6: Advocate for the safety of our transgender neighbors.

Source: Mijente

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

Transgender people often come to the U.S. fleeing persecution in their home countries. Instead of finding safety, they often face abuse, cruelty, detention, and deportation back to the violent countries they fled—or, in some cases, death due to negligent treatment in ICE custody

Sign: The End Trans Detention petition calling for the release of transgender people, people living with HIV, and people with medical conditions from ICE custody.

Or write: President Biden an email or letter.


Action 7: Support a pathway to citizenship for people who arrived as kids.

Source: Detention Watch (DWN)

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

This week marked nine years of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. While this protective status has helped many youth remain in the U.S., it falls far short of the benefits of full citizenship. President Biden and Congress can provide relief to this community through a pathway to citizenship. 

Sign: The United We Dream petition.

Acts of Grati­­­­tude

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

Tell Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D–NC) why you are grateful to his House subcommittee for compiling documentation of voter discrimination to be used as evidence in favor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Address: 2080 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515


Tell Austin, TX Mayor Steve Adler (D) why you are grateful to him for speaking out against gun violence.

Address: P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767


Tell the Oregon House of Representatives why you are grateful to them for expelling a member who let armed protesters into a closed special session.

Address: ℅ House Speaker Tina Kotek, 900 Court St. NE, Rm. 269, Salem, Oregon 97301


Tell Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D–MI) why you are grateful to her for signing an executive order prohibiting use of state funds for so-called “conversion therapy” on minors.

Address: P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, Michigan 48909

Good News

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

National

State

Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

News with heart


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