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:
PUT DISCHARGE PETITIONS TO WORK
With Matt Gaetz and company calling the shots in the House of Representatives, we will have to go outside of normal operating procedure to get crucial bills on the floor - including raising the debt ceiling. One tool we have for this in the House is the discharge petition, which allows 218 members from either party to force a vote on a bill that's been buried by a committee. Let's read these guides to discharge petitions from the Congressional Research Service and Indivisible. Then let’s encourage our members of Congress to put them to use as soon as possible to stop a debt default… they will need at least 39 legislative days!
RESIST BOOK BANS:
Book bans are continuing to spread across the country, and activists and journalists are pushing back.
This spring, PEN America, an organization dedicated to freedom of expression and exchanging of ideas through literature, and Brooklyn Public Library will be hosting the Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute. This training program and interactive workshop was created for high school students who wish to "combat book banning and fight for the freedom to read in their schools, libraries, and communities across the country." Let's encourage young leaders in our communities to sign up for this online workshop. Registration ends Thursday, January 19th.
The journalist and historian David Perry is gathering data: "If you teach college in Florida and are changing your syllabus, have your classes canceled, or otherwise are being impacted by the GOP censorship program, I’d like to speak to you. I will keep you anonymous. Lollardfish at gmail."
KEEP SAFE FROM COVID-19 IN 2023
According to the People’s CDC, “the week of January 11, at least 3,907 people died of COVID nationally, an alarmingly high 44% increase compared to the previous week… it is clear that we need as many people boosted as possible to reduce transmission and bring us closer to the end of the pandemic. Unfortunately, only 16% of individuals in the US have taken the bivalent booster dose.” The People’s CDC recommends that we:Get our bivalent booster if we haven’t already done so.
Attend their action webinar on January 19, 2023, 5-6:30 p.m. EST via Zoom or livestream on YouTube.
Tell the President and Members of Congress to build a robust public health infrastructure to protect us from the pandemic.
SUPPORT THE BLACK IMMIGRANTS BAIL FUND
One of the key reasons so many immigrants are held in detention unnecessarily is because of their lack of access to bail. And it’s been reported by several sources that Black immigrants are subject to higher levels of abuse by ICE. One way we can help is to support the Black Immigrants Bail Fund. Let’s consider making a donation and spreading the word about this effort to our friends and networks.
CHECK OUT THE MOVEMENT VOTER PROJECT
Since 2016, the Movement Voter Project has been directing funds, training, and capacity-building assistance to local organizations around the country that galvanize progressive voters. Its recent report summarizing progressive gains in the 2022 election is just the perspective we need as we watch with dismay the rise of right-wing extremists in the House of Representatives. Let’s read the report, take to heart MVP’s call to lay the foundation for 2024 starting now, and sign up to volunteer.