February 16, 2024
House vacation??, aid for Gazans, support public education, and more!
Contact all members of Congress:
By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: democracy.io
By US mail: Representatives / Senators
By fax: Representatives / Senators
By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
HOUSE ON VACATION?!?
Despite all that is happening, the House members were sent home on vacation until February 28. It’s one way to show the country that you will not be rushed into a foreign aid bill. We have a serious gun problem, we have serious border issues, Ukraine badly needs our help to maintain democracy. The House does not have time for a vacation. But, since our reps are most likely in their home districts, this would be a great time to call or visit them at their home offices. Let’s work on trying to see them locally. Let’s make it a party with a FB Live or Zoom session for those who are too far away. Let’s make some noise and take up some space!
WE CAN HELP PROVIDE AID TO GAZANS
Together Rising has begun a campaign to aid displaced Gazans on the ground who desperately need our help. The funds they have dedicated and raised are getting to the people who need it most through our boots-on-the-ground partners American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) and Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). ANERA is on the ground in Gaza, providing hot meals and fresh produce, water, medical supplies, medicine, and trauma-informed psychosocial support for children and adults. Through the cold winter months, as families seek shelter under tarps and in tents, ANERA is providing warm clothing and bedding. The team at MECA, a long-standing and trusted partner, is risking their lives every day to continue to get the besieged people of Gaza food, water, supplies, and medical care. The Together Rising team speaks directly and regularly with MECA, which, together with its partners, is already feeding 4,000 a day in Rafah and throughout Gaza. Together Rising will continue to show up as long as is needed. It is not too late to donate to this campaign. The average donation is $25. Let’s give here if we can.
RECOGNIZING OUR HISTORY, NOT HONORING PERPETRATORS
The Sand Creek Massacre was one of the worst atrocities in the long, violent history of American repression of indigenous peoples, in which nearly 300 Cheyenne and Arapho people were slaughtered. Among those responsible was Colorado’s territorial governor John Evans, who set the policy that led to this crime. Today, Evans is honored by a wilderness preserve in his name. Native activists are calling for this name to be changed, and they have won the support of Colorado’s Democratic senators and two of its House delegation, who have introduced the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness Act (S.3044/H.R. 5962) to make it happen. Let’s reach out to our members of Congress and urge them to support this bill, either directly or through this form from the Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund.
LEARN WAYS TO PROTECT PUBLIC EDUCATION FROM EXTREMIST ATTACKS
All the chaos around school boards may seem like something new that’s only started recently, but attacks on public education are not really new. In fact, they’ve been around for a long time. Our history is filled with examples of extremists trying to take our public education system apart, but we don’t have to let them win! It’s time to learn from past attacks to win future battles, Red, Wine and Blue, an organization of suburban change makers, is ready to show us how to protect public education. On Thursday, February 22 from 7:30-8:30 ET when let’s join their webinar, “How We Prevent Extremists from Destroying Public Education”
CORRECTIONS AND UPDATES
Unfortunately, there were some missing words in one of yesterday’s entries. It has been corrected below. Thanks to our readers for keeping us honest!
SHOOTINGS CONTINUE
Yesterday, on the traditionally full-of-love Valentine’s Day as well as the dreaded sixth anniversary of the deadly Parkland shooting, after what was supposed to be a gloriously fun victory parade and celebration for the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of this year’s Super Bowl, there was a tragedy leaving at least one dead in a shooting at Union Station at the end of the Chiefs rally. Over 20 people were injured, including eight children. Not only that, four students were shot at Atlanta’s Benjamin E. Mays High School. Another person was shot dead outside the Denver Aquarium. Three DC police officers were shot while on duty. A Valentine’s Day middle school dance was cancelled due to threats of a shooting. These random shootings have interrupted our daily lives for too long and have caused needless heartache for too many of us. We are the only developed country in which this happens. We do not have to live like this. Let’s contact our federal and state legislators and tell them that we know that most citizens want tighter gun laws and better security and that we want them to act now and help save some lives.
1. I like the idea of aid to displaced persons in Gaza but I worry that Hamas will intercept some if not all of the aid intended for needy. Are there any assurances protecting against this?
2. I am not in favor of removing John Evans' name being removed from the park.