September 8, 2023

Help for our Afghan allies, help save the climate, help get reproductive rights on the AZ ballot, 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:

• usa.gov/federal-agencies

---

• STOP THE BETRAYAL OF OUR AFGHAN ALLIES
  For all the political rhetoric around the second anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, there’s been a notable lack of action on one of its key ramifications: roughly 80,000 Afghans who worked alongside US forces during the war and were successfully evacuated remain lost in a legal limbo. The recently reintroduced Afghan Adjustment Act (S 2327/ HR 4627) would provide them with a clear pathway to permanent residency, but it’s stalled due to the opposition of a small group of politicians including Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Cotton (R-AK). Let’s reach out to our members of Congress and demand they keep our promises to those who stood with us and pass the Afghan Adjustment Act ASAP, whether as a stand-alone or as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. (We can find call scripts here and an email draft from Vets for American Ideals here.) We can also directly reach out to Senators Grassley and Cotton and ask them to stop being roadblocks to doing what’s right.

  ---

• SAVE THE CLIMATE: ELECTRIFY NOW!

  A little over a year ago, President Biden signed into law the federal government’s largest investment in clean energy and climate action. Known as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the law has moved the U.S. economy in the direction of clean energy manufacturing, created more than 170,000 jobs, and provided ongoing incentives for families—both renters and homeowners—to save on electric bills and move toward clean energy. Most of the tax incentives of the IRA are now available. They include rebates for battery storage installation, geothermal heating installation, electric vehicle chargers, electric vehicles, heat pumps for air and water, and solar rooftop installation. Let’s visit the website of Rewiring America—especially this page—to learn more and start electrifying.

---

• GET REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ON THE BALLOT IN ARIZONA
  Voters in state after state have made it clear at the ballot box that they intend to see reproductive rights protected, and the movement is continuing to spread. Major abortion rights groups are coming together in Arizona to work to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution in next November’s election. The process ahead is long and challenging, with advocates aiming to collect a half-million signatures to get on the ballot and estimating it could cost $50 million to win. If we’re in Arizona, let’s  sign up here to volunteer to be part of the signature collection effort, and we can all chip in financially here if we’re able.

---

• NEXT DAY OF ACTION FOR STARBUCKS WORKERS
  The first national Starbucks Workers Union allies day of action was a huge success, with events at more than 300 stores in 32 states. Now the union is planning on keeping up the pressure for better pay, consistent hours, better benefits and respect from corporate  with another customer day of action on September 14th. Let’s try to attend a solidarity event near us.

---

• OIL/GAS LEASES IN ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CANCELLED

  The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is safe once again.  The final seven leases granted by the former president in his last days have been overturned by the current president.  While this decision is not universally cheered, it certainly is a step in the right direction for Arctic preservation.  Let’s take a moment to thank President Biden.

---

STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS

• CO: LEADERSHIP SERIES

  ProgressNow Colorado is hosting a free 8-week Leadership Series that will incorporate trainers from 15 local organizations. They will have new (and seasoned) advocates ready to share hard skills like direct lobbying, testimony writing, press conference planning, contacting legislators, managing lobby days, writing op-eds and coalition building. This is a fantastic training opportunity for anyone who wants to get networked in the policy and advocacy sectors in Colorado & grow leadership skills to build and pass progressive policies. The sessions will meet Monday evenings, virtually, from September to December for a total of 8 sessions. All Colorado residents are welcome. Let’s register here.

  ---

  CORRECTIONS AND UPDATES

  The link to school boards in yesterday’s List is no longer working. Here is the corrected entry. Thanks to our readers for keeping us honest!

  • ADVANCING STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH

    The CDC (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports  that, in schools with LGBTQ-supportive policies and practices,  all  students experience less emotional distress, less violence and harassment, and fewer suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The CDC’s What Works in Schools program “has been shown to improve health behaviors and experiences, support mental health and reduce suicidality in schools….” Let’s   read about the program, and let’s share it with our local school boards (we can look here for our local school, click on the school website, then find the link to our school board) and tell them that we want these policies and practices implemented in our schools. (h/t Lexington Pride Coalition)