NEWS & UPDATES
Postcard From Home!
Our weekly postcard party at Allendale United Methodist Church is suspended until further notice due to Covid-19. We are now distributing postcard kits for folks to write at home.
- We now have an online enrollment form. The link to the sign-up form for new postcarders is (please consider bookmarking this link): https://tinyurl.com/pinellaspostcardssignup
- Informational webpage. The link to the webpage for this project (please consider bookmarking this link): https://tinyurl.com/pinellaspostcards
- Weekly online card order form. The link to the form where volunteers will place their order each week (please consider bookmarking this link): https://tinyurl.com/pinellaspostcardsorder
Call To Action
In 2017 we made calls to save the Affordable Care Act. Now we need to make a similar effort – to dramatically increase the supplies needed by US medical staff so that they can both protect themselves and care for us.
We are launching a call campaign to pressure the President to use the Defense Production Act to include more than just respirators from GM. (For more information, see the links below.)
Please start making calls today to the White House, your Congress people, and the Chamber of Commerce.
White House: 202-456-1111
House of Representatives: 855-943-0056
Senate (Switchboard): 202 224-3121
Chamber of Commerce Press Office: 202-463-5682
Script:
Say your name and zip code.
White House: We urge you to use the Defense Protection Act (DPA) to nationalize the supply lines and dramatically increase the life-saving medical supplies and equipment that our medical facilities and first responders desperately need. Dwindling supplies put this entire nation at dire risk for the spread of infection and death. Please act now. Your leadership is vital to saving lives.
Members of Congress: We urge you to use the Defense Protection Act (DPA) to nationalize the supply lines and dramatically increase the life-saving medical supplies and equipment that our medical facilities and first responders desperately need. Dwindling supplies put this entire nation at dire risk for the spread of infection and death. Please act now. Your leadership is vital to saving lives
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: We urge you to use the Defense Protection Act (DPA) to nationalize the supply lines and dramatically increase the life-saving medical supplies and equipment that our medical facilities and first responders desperately need. Dwindling supplies put this entire nation at dire risk for the spread of infection and death. Please act now. Your leadership is vital to saving lives.
Background
If you can stand to listen to the news these days, you hear from first responders and healthcare workers that they short on basic supplies and equipment to help them attend to the many people who need their help. In many cases they seem desperate and fearful for themselves, their families and, of course, their patients. Our healthcare system is overwhelmed, putting healthcare workers and patients at risk.
In the meantime, we are seeing local and state governments competing with each other and with the federal government to procure the supplies they need.
And while individuals and companies are trying to help by converting their manufacturing to make masks and other protective gear, it is not fast enough to meet the needs and get to where it might best be used.
We are asking for the federal government to take control of the supply chain and manage the logistics of much need medical equipment and personal protective equipment immediately and to bring America to a unified response to address this crisis.
The federal government has at its disposal the Defense Production Act which can allow for the coordination of production and distribution of much needed products.
The President has been reluctant to use the DPA — reportedly due to pressure from lobbying groups — among them, we understand, the Chamber of Commerce.
We are asking you and our partner grassroots organizations to launch a call campaign to get Congress to pressure the President to fully make use of the DPA.
Please start making calls today to your Congress people, the White House and the Chamber of Commerce.
For more information see the links below:
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/27/trump-slams-gm-over-ventilator-production-delays-costs-151885
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/politics/defense-production-act-coronavirus/index.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/coronavirus-mayors-mask-equipment-shortage/2020/03/27/fc2a45a4-701f-11ea-96a0-df4c5d9284af_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_news_alert_revere&utm_medium=email&utm_source=alert&wpisrc=al_news__alert-national&wpmk=1
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-26/trump-shuns-war-powers-to-ramp-up-virus-supplies-after-lobbying
Priorities USA Ad
In case you haven’t seen it Priorities USA has run a 30 second ad that accurately charts a timeline of Trump’s response to the Coronavirus. Trump is suing the PAC to have the ad taken down — because it is a devastating indictment of his absolute inability to handle the job before him. Please post, share, etc.
Donate to Allendlale UMC
Allendale United Methodist Church has been a friend to Indivisible FL-13 and other progressive groups in the age of Trump. For nearly four years that I know of and probably longer they have been a safe and welcoming space for numerous progressive activist groups and causes.
In this time of Covid-19 they are struggling with decreasing offerings and donations. If you are able please visit their web site and make a donation of any size. Every little bit adds up. The give link is in the upper right or click here to go directly there.
Please mention Indivisible FL-13 in the optional comments field. Thank you and thank Allendale United Methodist Church for their help and encouragement.
If you are in need or are able to assist others with stuff like groceries or running errands, please call 727-748-6135.
Keep up the pressure on our Members of Congress!
DEMONSTRATION AT THE OFFICES OF SEN. RUBIO AND SEN. SCOTT
Every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 AM
Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Court House
801 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33602
Indivisible and other local activist groups gather outside the offices of Senator Scott and Senator Rubio in the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Court House in Tampa every Tuesday morning. This weekly demonstration began in 2017 outside Rubio’s office on Kennedy Boulevard after Rubio’s refusal to meet with his constituents. Each week activists call the Senators’ office staffs to relate their focus for that demonstration, and e-mail pictures of the signs for that week to the staff. Activists will have signs available. FMI: (727) 894-2832.
PEACE FIRST MARCH LOCATION
FMI, and to get on a mailing list of Peace First news and updates, send a request to sjstew@gte.net.
Indivisible FL-13 Contact Information:Indivisible FL-13 on Facebook
Email Indivisible FL-13 at info@indivisiblefl13.com
Useful Tools:
Pinellas County Progressive Calendar
Resist Bot, fax your representatives via text message. Text RESIST to 50409
Fax your congressperson for free at FaxZero.com
Get action alerts from Countable.us
Register to vote, vote by mail!
Florida 13 Congressperson Phone Numbers:
Senator Marco Rubio (R): DC (202)224-3041 Local (813)287-5035
Senator Rick Scott (R): DC (202) 224-5274
Representative Charlie Crist (D): DC (202) 225-5961 Local (888)205-5569
