Ban mandatory non-competes, Black history teach-ins, supporting a reparations commission, 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:
- SUPPORT A BAN ON MANDATORY NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS
Joe Biden’s Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan has proposed a new rule banning companies from requiring workers to sign noncompete agreements. The agency estimated that 30 million U.S. workers, many of them in low-wage jobs, would have better career opportunities with this rule in effect, and wages would rise by $300 billion a year. The FTC is asking for public comments through March 20. Let’s submit our comments in favor of this rule. - DEMAND ARREST OF POLICE OFFICER WHO ORIGINALLY STOPPED TYRE NICHOLS
New evidence shows that Memphis Police officer Preston Hemphill lied about Tyre Nichols’ reckless driving and inappropriately used a taser on Nichols during the incident. While Hemphill was fired, he has not yet been criminally charged since he was not directly involved in the beating. Let’s contact the Shelby County DA’s Office at info@scdag.com or (901) 222-1300 and demand that Hemphill be arrested and charged for his crimes.
- BLACK HISTORY WALK-OUTS AND TEACH-INS FEBRUARY 23
Several Florida organizations, including Florida Student Power and Dream Defenders, are organizing black history teach-ins and school walk-outs all over the country on February 23 as a response to the growing erasure of black history in schools. We can sign up here if we are interested in hosting or attending a walk-out or teach-in.
- SUPPORT A REPARATIONS COMMISSION
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) have introduced legislation to form a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans, in response to deprivations, harms, and lingering effects of slavery and subsequent discrimination. Let’s tell our two senators to co-sponsor S.40 and our representative to co-sponsor H.R.40.
- APPLY TO BE A YOUTH DEMOCRACY LEADER BY FEBRUARY 19
The Civics Center is accepting applications for its free, semester-long program that teaches students “to see themselves as leaders in their community, gain experience in organizing, cultivate advocacy skills, and collaborate on tactics for making change.” Application deadline is February 19. Let’s share with the young people in our lives and encourage them to apply.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- NEW YORK: CAMPAIGN FINANCE FOR THE PEOPLE
New York’s new public campaign financing program will be in effect for the state’s next election—good news, as this could ensure fair, inclusive representation in New York state government. But to work, the program must be funded. New York’s Public Campaign Finance Board has requested $114.5 million: “Most of the funding would go toward candidate campaigns who meet requirements for public matching dollars, while it would also help the organization grow into a fully-fledged agency of 118 staff members.” New Yorkers: Let’s contact our state legislators and Governor Kathy Hochul and tell them to honor the PCFB’s budget request.
