August 30, 2023
Ban assault weapons, mobilize NC Democrats, support a progressive brewery, 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:
- BAN ASSAULT WEAPONSOnce again, a hate-motivated shooting this weekend took the lives of three Black people in Jacksonville, Florida The weapon, an AR-15 was marked with white swastikas and the shooter and previously been flagged for mental examination under the Baker Act. Even though after the fact, Florida governor Ron DeSantis branded him as “a maniac” there was nothing in the Florida laws that prevented him from getting his hands on a military killing machine. Congressional bills S 25 and HR 698, seek to ban assault weapons. They both have numerous co-sponsors, all of whom are Democrats and Independents. Let’s remind our Republican MoCs, who love to make the argument of Constitutional originalism, that our founding fathers never attended to include assault weapons when they developed the Second Amendment, and ask all our MoCs to finally do what they can to get these bills to the floor and bring them for a vote.
- MOBILIZE NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS AHEAD OF 2024The fact that President Biden lost North Carolina in 2020 by just under 75,000 votes tells us that North Carolina can be a blue state—if we do the work! Swing Blue Alliance reports that North Carolina’s heavily Democratic Mecklenburg County has a lower voter turnout rate than the state average, and it has cost Democrats some 25-50,000 votes statewide in recent elections. With reproductive freedom, voting rights, gun safety, and so much more on the line, it’s imperative to reinvigorate the county’s Democratic Party. Swing Blue Alliance is working with the Democratic county chair to call Mecklenburg residents who have said that they want to volunteer for Democrats. “These are some of the most fun calls you’ll ever make as a volunteer,” writes Swing Blue Alliance. “You’re calling self-identified possible activists and you’re asking them to become part of a new, effective, fun group of their neighbors.” Let’s sign up and start making calls.
- REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN OHIO: Last Thursday, the Ohio Ballot Board approved summary language that revises several key aspects of the proposed amendment to protect reproductive rights that will be on the ballot this November. While the amendment itself has not changed, the summary now says “unborn child” instead of “fetus,” and contains confusing language surrounding viability. Let’s get the word out about the actual language of the amendment by sharing Ballotpedia’s page on Ohio Issue 1: Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative. Then, let’s join Activate America and sign up to write postcards encouraging Democratic Ohioans to request their absentee ballot applications so that they are ready to vote in the election this November.
- NEW REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL INTIMIDATION LAWSA new PEN report on a new wave of nearly 400 bills nationwide shows us how the phrase “parents’ rights” has been used by right-wing conservatives to propose legislation designed to intimidate teachers and suppress topics related to race and LGBTQ+ issues, among others. We can read a short summary and some examples here: We can access the full report here.
- SUPPORT A PROGRESSIVE BREWERYIn a small Wisconsin town, there is a progressive and beleaguered brewery which could use some support. The Minocqua Brewing Company “known for its Democratic Party-themed beers has been embroiled in a yearslong dispute with local officials.” The conservative town leaders are not taking kindly to this “woke” business and are trying to shut them down. The brewery has now filed a suit against the city. If we are lucky enough to be able to stop by and pick up some drinks and merch, let’s do so. If not, let’s check out their online shop.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- CA – MORE PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS
With a growing amount of our housing supply unaffordable for buyers and renters, activists are working for change on the state and local level. The California state senate has passed the Homelessness Prevention Act (SB567), which would strengthen the state’s tenant protection rules for renters in mobile and single-family homes and lower rent increase caps, and it now sits with the Assembly. Let’s reach out to our assembly members and to Governor Newsom and tell them we support this legislation.
