November 22, 2024
Protecting immigrants from Trump, safeguarding freedom of the press, no cuts to Medicaid, 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:
WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE CAN DO TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS
While many of Trump’s nominees for jobs in his second administration have been glaringly unqualified, the team he has picked to run his deportation machine seem ominously well-suited for the job. This administration is as committed to its anti-immigrant platform as it is to anything. We must be just as dedicated in our efforts to get in their way, starting right now. The American Immigration Council has identified a series of steps the Biden White House can take to protect some of those who will be vulnerable under Trump, including clearing the backlog of requests for work permits or renewing protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; extending and expanding Temporary Protect Status protections for refugees from countries that are still dangerous to return to; releasing immigrants currently held in detention who pose no public safety risk and dismissing their removal proceedings; and rescinding Trump-era rules that remain in place that make it difficult for those requesting asylum to get it. Let’s contact the White House and urge the administration to follow AIC’s recommendations as soon as possible.STANDING UP FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Donald Trump has again and again promised to punish his enemies and in particular the media. We need to provide them with shields if at all possible. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has introduced the PRESS Act (S. 2074/HR 4250), which would safeguard journalists at the federal level from Trump’s retaliation and give them protection against disclosing their sources. This legislation passed the House unanimously more than a year ago and enjoys broad bipartisan backing, but time is running out for the Senate to act and Trump is urging his supporters to block it from President Biden’s desk. While this act’s chances of passing on its own are minimal, it can be added to legislation in the lame duck - and must be. Let’s contact our senators and urge them to prioritize passage of this protection of press freedom, either directly or by texting PYMKDE to 50409 and signing this Resistbot letter.
MEDICAID YES, TAX CUTS FOR BILLIONAIRES NO
More than 88 million Americans, including 40 million children, receive health care coverage thanks to Medicaid. The Trump administration is threatening significant cuts to this crucial program, along with food stamps, to pay for tax cuts to billionaires. Medicaid should be as sacrosanct in our politics as Social Security and Medicare are, and our politicians need to know we expect them to fight just as hard to protect it. Let’s contact our members of Congress and tell them we want them to reject any and all planned cuts to Medicaid - including the imposition of “work requirements.”
LEARN AND VOLUNTEER WITH COMMON POWER
Even as we deal with the fires the Trump Administration will light, we must continue the long-term work. One group dedicated to that mission is Common Power, which started in 2018 as a small nonprofit working for a just and inclusive democracy. It’s now grown into a family of organizations but maintains its focus on education and organizing volunteers for fieldwork. Let's learn more about Common Power and find events and volunteer opportunities if we want to get involved.
READ AND SHARE RESOURCES ON RESISTING THE TRUMP AGENDA
While many of us are still mired in grief and fear about the devastating election results, we need to remind ourselves and our friends and family that our biggest enemy is not Trump: it’s hopelessness. Daniel Hunter has published an excellent article on wagingnonviolence.org on 10 Ways To Be Prepared and Grounded Now that Trump Has Won. Let’s read and share this resource widely. And let’s make sure to share other resources–from this list and from other places–on how to move past fear and hopelessness to fight back.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
MI - SUPPORT CASH BAIL REFORM
A package of bills which would address the overuse of cash bail in Michigan is slowly making its way through the House. Cash bail, while ostensibly used to ensure that defendants will show up to their court dates, is instead used to incarcerate people before they have even stood trial. This means that those with lower income and without the means to post bail are jailed, sometimes for months or years, while those who have the money to do so may await their court date at home. The proposed legislation creates a set of criteria that a judge must consider before they decide whether cash bail is required for defendants who are eligible. Let's read more about how cash bail operates in Michigan from the State Bar of Michigan's Bar Journal, and about the myths surrounding cash bail reform from the Brennan Center for Justice. Then, let's contact the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee and ask them to support House Bills 4655, 4656 and 4658-4661. We can also contact our own Representatives in the House to tell them we want them to support cash bail reform and pass this package of bills.
The KKK in northern IN distributed leaflets this week in at least three communities urging people to turn in their neighbors who are immigrants.
I don’t know how widespread this is.
Certainly chilling.