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: Advocate for the safety of LGBTQ and HIV-positive people in ICE detention.
Source: Immigration Equality, National Immigrant Justice Center, Human Rights First
Thank you to the 104 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: President Biden via the White House contact form.
Script: Hello, I’m reaching out from [STATE] because I’m deeply concerned about the mistreatment of at-risk populations in U.S. detention facilities. CBP and ICE officials inhumanely disrupt LGBTQ and HIV-positive people’s access to justice and endanger them with medical neglect and violence. It has been going on for many years I join with the many immigration rights groups in urging you to:
- Use parole authority to the fullest extent for people seeking asylum.
- Remove recent arrivals from the administration’s targeted enforcement priority list.
- Provide transparency, accountability, and uniformity on the detention standards across CBP and ICE facilities.
- Terminate contracts with facilities that fail to meet basic standards of safety and care.
- Promptly issue agency guidance protecting vulnerable populations in custody.
Action 2: Demand common-sense gun reform.
Source: Moms Demand Action
Thank you to the 74 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (look up).
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m devastated by the senseless mass shootings that continue to traumatize our nation. Massacres like the 2017 Las Vegas shooting are made possible by rapid-fire weapons and accessories such as bump stocks. Please take decisive action to ensure passage of the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusions Act (S. 3369/H.R. 8600) to limit the availability of guns and conversion devices designed to inflict maximum harm.
Action 3: Support accessible housing for all Americans.
Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness
Thank you to the 71 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (look up).
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m concerned about the lack of local support systems to address the growing housing crisis. Experts recommend that the FY2025 Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill includes at least $4.75 billion for essential grants that provide critical assistance, particularly to those experiencing chronic homelessness. Please take action now to help our fellow Americans leave the streets and into permanent homes to access essential services.
Alternate: Send your letter through the NAEH form (uncheck the “Yes, sign me up for email updates” box).
Action 4: Empower a new generation of critical thinkers.
Source: AoCC
Thank you to the 18 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your state’s department of education (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] about education in [STATE]. Studies show that students who are politically active develop effective critical thinking skills. Teaching the history of youth activism instills an appreciation for participatory democracy. Our young learners should be taught accurate and uncensored history about student activism in the U.S. Please resist efforts to politicize our classrooms. Ensure that our state embraces teaching critical thinking for our future leaders.
Bonus: Participate in the #TeachTruth movement this month. Find out more here.
Action 5: Help newly naturalized American citizens register to vote.
Source: National Partnership for New Americans
Thank you to the 39 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m one of your constituents in [ZIP] who believes that all new American citizens should exercise their right to vote. Under the INVITE Act (S. 3712/H.R. 7179), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services staff would help new citizens complete the voter registration process following their naturalization. Will you cosponsor and pass the INVITE Act?
Action 6: Bolster local election security against AI risks.
Source: Aspen Institute
Thank you to the 16 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Contact: Your local election officials (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m concerned about the possibility of voter suppression due to AI-fueled misinformation. I’m asking you to take these actions for Election Administrators:
- Proactively share voting rules and early voting options.
- Use a .gov domain name.
- Ensure website and social media feeds can respond quickly to address hoaxes.
- Develop a rapid response communication plan against false claims.
- Monitor social media throughout the election cycle.
- Partner with trusted messengers to share election information.
Action 7: Learn how to vote by mail in your state.
Source: National Vote At Home Institute
Thank you to the 36 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
More Americans can access to mail-in voting than ever before. Voting by mail is secure and eliminates the need to wait in long lines or take time off work to vote.
Take action: Check your states rules about voting by mail to prepare for November’s election.
Follow-Up from AoCC’s Immigration Research Team
Last week, we expressed our concern regarding President Biden’s harmful executive order and committed to including effective responsive action in this week’s Checklist. Grassroots and national organizations have expressed condemnation and anger, but have not yet provided concrete steps we can all take to push back against the unlawful restriction of asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. We will continue to monitor our feeds and amplify actions as they arise.
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 Kansas City, MO Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) for creating the city’s Commission for New Americans to address the needs of aspiring Americans.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64106
Thank you to the 69 Americans of Conscience who completed this action!
Thank Gov. Kathy Hochul (D–NY) for championing a newly enacted New York law that regulates the use of artificial intelligence in political communications in order to prevent voter manipulation and deceptive practices.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224
Thank you to the 65 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!
- The Little Cherokee Seeds program preserves and revitalizes Cherokee culture and language through the linguistic immersion of Cherokee infants and their mothers.
- SCOTUS unanimously upholds access to the abortion medication mifepristone.
- Melissa DuBose is confirmed by the Senate to serve on a U.S. district court, becoming the first judge of color confirmed to the District of RI, the first openly LGBTQ+ lifetime judge on that court, and the 100th lifetime confirmation of a Black woman to the federal judiciary.
- The State Dept. creates the new Judith “Judy” Heumann Memorial Award for Leadership and Service in accessibility, disability rights, and inclusion in honor of the late disability activist.
- CA eliminates asset limits as a determinant against Medi-Cal eligibility.
- MA celebrates 20 years of legalized same-sex marriage.
- WI: Three individuals are charged with felony forgery for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
- Kansas City, MO: The Mayor’s Commission for New Americans works to improve inclusion, community engagement, and access to resources for aspiring Americans.
- Walmart’s hourly workers are now eligible for bonuses.
- Baseball statistics from Black leagues of the 1920s-1940s are officially included in Major League Baseball’s record books.
- Aspiring Americans in Chicago find solidarity and support through informal volunteer groups.
- Angerline Day graduates with her college degree at age 79.
- Erin Gemmell, who once dressed as Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky for Halloween, swims against Ledecky during the Olympic trials.
- Josephine Wright posthumously wins a settlement to retain ownership over her family’s ancestral home.
Need inspiration?
- Read this week’s inspiring message from Jen: Can I contact someone else’s senator?
- Why Calling Your Congressperson Still Matters: An Activist’s Guide to Staying Engaged
- You May
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Ensuring the safety of LGBTQ and HIV-positive individuals in ICE detention is crucial for upholding basic human rights and dignity. Vulnerable populations deserve protection and compassionate treatment, free from discrimination and abuse. Advocacy for their safety is a moral imperative and a step towards a more just and humane system.