Starbucks on strike, breaking the deadlock on the FCC, making conservation a priority, 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:
- STARBUCKS WORKERS STRIKE TO DEFEND PRIDE
Despite corporate denials, the Starbucks Workers Union has documented a broad pattern of removing Pride Month displays at locations in 21 different states. This represents a distinct change from years past, and comes amidst tension with a union that features substantial LGBTQ leadership and has pointed to LGBTQ workers being targeted by corporate. This week, the union is responding with a strike at more than 150 locations to defend LGBTQ workers and object to continued unfair labor practices. Let’s show our solidarity by taking the #NoContractNoCoffee pledge and signing up for updates on pro-union efforts in our areas… along with not crossing the picket line, of course! - MURDER IN UKRAINE DURING THE MUTINY IN RUSSIA
This weekend saw chaos erupt in Russia, as Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group launched a brief mutiny against the Putin government to demand the removal of rivals at the Ministry of Defense and marched on Moscow. While publicly the mutiny has ended with Prigozhin leaving for Belarus, insurrection charges against him dropped, Wagner Group rebels forgiven and other Wagner Group fighters set to be offered contracts with the Ministry, analysts are warning there may be more turmoil to come. But this much is clear regardless of what happens next: even amidst a rebellion that threatened Putin’s rule, Russia still managed to launch multiple missile strikes that killed Ukrainian civilians, and both Putin and Prigozhin are war criminals responsible for atrocities in Ukraine and across the globe. Let’s reach out to our members of Congress and the White House and encourage them to give Ukraine the support it needs to continue its counter-offensive, including the ATACMS missile system, and to consider measures to officially designate both Russia and the Wagner Group as terrorists. We can also contribute directly to the war effort with the Ukrainian non-profit Come Back Alive here if we are able.
- SUPPORT ANNA GOMEZ, BIDEN’S NOMINEE FOR FCC SEATThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the government that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Lacking a full commission, the FCC has been stymied into inaction. There is still one commissioner opening, which could provide a Democratic majority. President Biden has nominated Anna M. Gomez, a telecommunications attorney with extensive experience in domestic and international communications law and policy. Let’s tell our senators that it is time to confirm Anna Gomez so that the FCC can get back to work.
- NEW RULES SUPPORTING CONSERVATION OF PUBLIC LAND
The Bureau of Land Management is putting forth new rules that promote conservation as a key goal in advocating for responsible land development. According to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the new rules would put land restoration and conservation on an equal footing with the Bureau’s previous priority of extracting needed resources. As the rule has faced staunch opposition from western conservatives, BLM has extended the deadline for public comment to July 5, so now is the time to balance the scale by making sure those of us who support the environment have their say. Let’s make sure to find out more about these new rules here and submit a public comment in favor of land conservation at regulations.gov.
- SECURE MENSTRUAL EQUITYEconomically insecure women, girls, and others who menstruate suffer from the public health crisis known as period poverty. Because they can’t afford tampons and pads, they miss work and school, compounding inequities around wages and education. The Menstrual Equity for All Act, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) will incentivize schools and colleges to provide free menstrual products to students, ensure free menstrual products to persons in federal custody, require Medicaid to cover the cost of menstrual products, and more. Let’s tell our U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor H.R.3646 , and let’s tell our U.S. Senators to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. (h/t Jewish Women International)
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- NC/MOST STATES: STOP COOPERATION WITH ICE
Colorado recently became one of only 7 states to prohibit local governments from cooperating with ICE in detaining undocumented immigrants (joining California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington). Meanwhile, North Carolina is on the verge of going in the other direction, with the Republican supermajority pushing HB 10 to require sheriffs to work with ICE in the wake of the election of multiple officials who pledged not to. If we’re North Carolinians, let’s let our legislators know we want them to vote against this local preemption. And for all of us, let’s find out if our state has ICE cooperation ban legislation like Colorado’s in progress and ask our state representatives to push for passing it. If nothing is currently in the works, and if we live in a blue state, let’s find out why this is not happening and work with or donate to organizations that are helping to secure the safety of immigrants in our communities.
AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS
- LAST WEEK’S WINS
The battle for progress is long and wearing, making it all the more important to acknowledge and celebrate the wins when they happen. Here’s a summary of some of the best news from the last week from our stalwart ally Jessica Craven at Chop Wood, Carry Water, including voters ousting an anti-abortion incumbent in Virginia, Biden helping secure paid sick days for railroad workers, and another company agreeing to a multi-billion dollar settlement over contaminating our water with forever chemicals.