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91 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:

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: Restore American faith in elections.

Source: Alliance for Securing Democracy

Contact: President Joseph Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

or leave a message at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Script: Hi. I’m from [STATE] and I’m concerned because polls show that 38% of Americans doubt the fairness of the 2020 presidential election, and two-thirds are concerned about voter suppression. In keeping with the call for unity you made in your inaugural address, I’m calling on you to restore Americans’ faith in our electoral processes by issuing an executive order to create a Presidential Commission on Election Resilience and Trust. Thank you.


Action 2: Support voting rights in your state.

Source: Brennan Center

As state legislatures begin their 2021 sessions, voting rights are on the agenda. In 28 states, 106 bills have been introduced to restrict voting rights, while 38 states have introduced 406 bills to expand voting rights (some states have introduced bills of both types).

Find your state’s pending legislation: This Brennan Center report identifies many state bill numbers. You can then search the NCSL’s database to find the bill numbers and text of relevant legislation.

Call: Your state legislator(s) (look up).

Script: Share your town or ZIP code to identify yourself as a constituent, and state your support for any bills, identifying the bill numbers, that expand voting rights. If your state is considering restricting voting rights, state your opposition to these restrictions. End with a thank-you.

If your state isn’t considering relevant legislation, consider a donation to Spread the Vote, which helps citizens obtain IDs in states with oppressive voter laws.

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: Advocate for equity in COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Source: AoCC

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

Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to support COVID vaccines for the most vulnerable. I’m asking that our state’s vaccine distribution plans include two things: 1) specific strategies to reach at-risk populations, including communities of color, homeless populations, farmworkers, and other undocumented people, and seniors and others without internet access, and (2) public reporting of COVID-19 vaccination data by race/ethnicity. Thank you.


Action 4: Respect Native American culture.

Source: IllumiNative, National Congress of American Indians 

Sign: Petition calling for the Kansas City Chiefs to change their name, mascot, and imagery.


Action 5: Advocate against the deportation of a Bronx community member.

Source: UnLocal, Inc

Call: ICE NY Field Office Director Thomas Decker at (212) 264-4213, and your two senators and one House representative (look up) by Monday, February 8.

If you’re a resident of NYS, also call Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m calling from [ZIP] to express my support for releasing Javier Castillo Maradiaga (A# 095-487-963) from ICE custody and allowing him to return to his family. A U.S. resident for 20 years, Javier was turned over to ICE following a lapse in his DACA status, which was driven by our nation’s anti-immigrant climate in 2019. I am joining immigrant rights groups in asking [NAME] to cease all deportation efforts and release Javier back to his family.


Action 6: Oppose the impending deportation of a Virginia constituent.

Source: Free Them All VA Coalition

Call: Sen. Mark Warner at (202) 224-2023, Sen. Tim Kaine at (202) 224-4024, and Rep. Don Beyer at (202) 225-4376.

Script: Hello, I’m calling to urge you to stop ICE from deporting your constituent, Edwin Garcia Rogel (A# 2000494), who has been detained at ICA-Farmville for almost a year. Due to his medical conditions, he qualifies for Fraihat release, but ICE is trying to deport him before his medical release is approved. I am asking [NAME] to call on ICE to cease all deportations, release Edwin from detention, and allow him to return to his family.

Call your senators

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

Look up your senators here.

Your script: State the ZIP code that you’re calling from (this identifies you as a constituent). Briefly express your opinion, being sure to identify specific bill numbers wherever possible. Always end with a thank-you to the staffer who took your call.

What we’re calling our senators about this week:

Call your House representative

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

Look up your House representative here.

Your script: State the ZIP code that you’re calling from (this identifies you as a constituent). Briefly express your opinion, being sure to identify specific bill numbers wherever possible. Always end with a thank-you to the staffer who took your call.

What we’re calling our House representatives about this week:

Acts of Grati­­­­tude

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

Tell Lyft CEO Logan Green and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi why you’re grateful to they’re offering free rides to senior citizens and other at-risk communities to COVID-19 vaccination services.

Addresses:

LG: Logan Green, 185 Berry Street, San Francisco, CA 94158

DK: 1455 Market St #400, San Francisco, CA 94103


Tell Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY) why you’re grateful that she shared firsthand details of her traumatic experience of the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6. 

Address: 229 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515


Tell AG Xavier Becerra (D–CA) why you’re grateful that he launched a misconduct  investigation into the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

Address: Attorney General’s Office, CA Dept. of Justice, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

Good News

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

National


State


Corporate/business


Groups and organizations

  • The Interfaith Immigration Coalition compiles a list of actions people can take to help stop deportations of Black aspiring Americans and to help uplift their experiences on social media.
  • The NAACP partners with Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation to offer grants for housing relief during the pandemic.
  • An anonymous donor gives $40 million to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, enabling the scholarship to put 50 students through law school. 
  • Gilead Science, Inc. provides a $3.2 million grant to the Human Rights Campaign to fund HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative and to address the HIV epidemic.
  • Chamber of Commerce supports policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. economy.

News with heart


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3 Comments

  1. Nice layout – easy to scan. I only tried a few links, but they worked fine.
    Thank you for your continued and wonderful work.

  2. New layout is sleek! Really like it. Does feel better and easier to scan. Nice job!! Thanks for all of the hard work! (And – continued thanks for supporting DC statehood – would love to have senators/representative to contact!)

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