57 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:
- Advocate for the equal rights of all LGBTQ+ people in the US.
- Encourage your mayor to use new federal funds to house your homeless neighbors.
- Oppose ICE spraying detained people with chemicals.
In this edition of the AoC Checklist:
- Senate actions: What we’re calling our senators about.
- House actions: What we’re calling our House reps about.
- Action 1: Support organizations that advocate for clear, readable ballot measures.
- Action 2: Verify your voter registration status ahead of November elections.
- Action 3: Encourage your mayor to use new federal funds to house your homeless neighbors.
- Action 4: Advocate for a pathway to citizenship.
- Action 5: Denounce inhumane practices at the southern border.
- Action 6: Oppose ICE spraying detained people with chemicals.
- Say Thanks: Acts of Gratitude
- Check out Good News from around the nation
- How you can support and share 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.
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 because I’d like Sen. [NAME] to:
- Support LGBTQ+ students, workers, and community members by passing the Equality Act (S. 393). [Source: GLAD]
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 because I’d like Rep. [NAME] to:
- Follow bipartisan recommendations to prevent future presidential abuses of power by passing the Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 5314). [Source: Brennan Center]
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: Support organizations that advocate for clear, readable ballot measures.
Source: Ballotpedia
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
When 43% of Americans read at basic or below-basic levels, being an informed voter is difficult if ballot measures require a graduate-school education to read. Support voters and democracy by supporting non-partisan Ballotpedia and the Center for Civic Design which make election materials easy to understand.
Donate: to Ballotpedia.
Donate: to the Center for Civic Design.
Action 2: Verify your voter registration status ahead of November elections.
Source: National Association of Secretaries of State
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Have you been purged from your state’s voter rolls? America may not be voting on a president in November, but Americans will elect multiple local officials from judges to school boards and mayors next month. Virginians and New Jerseyites will choose governors and state legislatures too.
Verify your voter registration: Using non-partisan sites Can I Vote or Voting in Your State.
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 3: Encourage your mayor to use new federal funds to house your homeless neighbors.
Source: End Homelessness
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your mayor (use search for contact info).
Script: Hello, I’m writing to alert you to the new Housing America program through HUD, funded by the American Rescue Plan. To address the homelessness crisis, local, tribal, and state governments now have access to emergency housing vouchers, HOME grants, and funds to provide housing. It’s important for our neighbors experiencing homelessness to get housing and stability. Will you please take advantage of these resources and pledge to reduce homelessness in our community? Thank you.
Action 4: Advocate for a pathway to citizenship.
Source: United We Dream
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
The Biden administration has proposed a rule to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from future legal challenges. While this rule would help to lessen uncertainty for thousands of aspiring Americans, it needs to lay out a pathway to citizenship or risks the loss of work permits for hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients.
Submit a public comment: In your own words, let lawmakers know why you support a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and aspiring Americans using the Home Is Here comment form.
Action 5: Denounce inhumane practices at the southern border.
Source: UndocuBlack Network
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Email: President Biden and Vice President Harris via the White House contact form, Speaker Pelosi via the House Speaker contact form, and Majority Leader Schumer via his contact page.
Script: Hello, I’m a constituent from [STATE] writing to oppose the inhumane treatment of Haitian refugees. The U.S. is constitutionally obligated to offer asylum to people fleeing humanitarian disaster, yet our government continues to rain violence and abuse on those turning to us for protection. I am joining community leaders and human rights organizations calling for divesting and defunding DHS, an end to deportations and Title 42, and the enactment of humane, holistic immigration policy.
Include: A link to this joint letter.
Action 6: Oppose ICE spraying detained people with chemicals.
Source: Freedom for Immigrants
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Miami ICE Field Office Director Garrett J. Ripa at (954) 236-4911 or garrett.j.ripa@ice.dhs.gov, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at DHSsecretary@hq.dhs.gov, and President Biden via the White House contact form.
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] to oppose spraying people with chemicals and to support closing the Glades Detention Center. This facility has a documented history of providing poor living conditions, including the repeated exposure of aspiring Americans to toxic chemicals, medical neglect, and numerous abuse allegations. In solidarity with hunger strikers and members of Congress, I ask you to immediately shut down the Glades Detention Center and release those held there back to our communities.
Acts of Gratitude
Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.
In our research this week, we didn’t find any leaders or groups to thank. Would you like to suggest one? Tell three things: 1. who it is, 2. why you’re suggesting them, and 3. how to contact them. Fill out our handy form: https://americansofconscience.com/contact/
Good News
As Americans of Conscience, we celebrate!
Progress on issues featured in the AoC Checklist
- U.S. donates 500 million COVID-19 vaccines to other countries.
- Federal court blocks the expulsion of asylum-seeking families under Title 42, finding the measure unconstitutional.
- Federal court blocks “proof of citizenship” voting requirements as implemented in AL, GA, and KS.
- The Biden administration raises the admissions cap for people seeking refuge to 125,000, an increase from the current 15,000.
National
- Congress passes and the president signs a bipartisan bill to curb predatory lending.
- Federal court reverses a rule allowing the draining and filling of streams, marshes, and wetlands.
- Justice Dept. seeks an emergency order to block a TX law that violates the 14th Amendment.
- LGBTQ veterans once discharged for their gender identity or sexual orientation will receive VA benefits.
- Congress passes and the president signs the PAWS Act, which will provide service dogs for veterans in need.
- Dept. of Education strengthens oversight and enforcement rules regarding student loan servicers.
- The federal government reimburses FL school officials for docked pay as a penalty for implementing mandatory masking in schools.
- FDA approves Nexviazyme for treatment of Pompe disease.
State
- NC: Federal court rules that a lawsuit against state officials for denying healthcare coverage to transgender employees can proceed.
Local
- Boston requires all large buildings to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Corporate/business
- Lyft and Uber will pay legal fees for drivers sued under TX’s unconstitutional abortion ban.
- Web hosting company GoDaddy removes a site from their server that sought anonymous tips about Texas abortions.
Groups and organizations
- LGBTQ individuals sheltering south of the U.S.-Mexico border find welcome at the Casa de Luz shelter.
- Immigration rights activists urge Congress to include a path to citizenship for aspiring Americans in the upcoming budget resolution.
News with heart
- Americans of all political persuasions take steps to welcome and support Afghans seeking refuge in the U.S.
- Model Ariel Nicholson appears on the cover of Vogue, becoming the first transgender model to do so.
- A Marquette Law School poll shows that 67% of Americans support the right to abortion under Roe v. Wade.
- A medical study published in the journal Pediatrics finds that access to puberty blockers, part of gender-transitional healthcare for trans youth, lowers patients’ odds of suicidal thoughts.
- Gov. Jared Polis of CO marries his partner Marlon Reis, becoming the first openly gay governor to marry while in office.
- Mexico’s supreme court strikes down criminal penalties for abortion care.
- France grants citizenship to 12,000 pandemic frontline workers.
To Support the Checklist
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Housekeeping
- Jen’s message: Read this week’s Inspiring Message.
- Gratitude: Big thanks to our editor Jennifer Brunton, to our team of writers and researchers, and to our happy gnome farm of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram volunteers. Thanks also to our amazing patrons and donors who make creating the Checklist sustainable.
- Sign up: Get the Americans of Conscience Checklist here.
- Share: Follow us and share the Checklist on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Schedule: The Checklist is published the first and third Friday of each month.
- Community Event Recording: So many people requested we bring back the hour Zoom session working on Checklist actions as a community, it’s back! If you weren’t able to attend live, contact us for a link to the recording and work along at your own pace.