Breaking the cycle of violence, no more special protections for the arms industry, rights for asylum seekers, 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:
- STRIKES AND COUNTERSTRIKES IN THE MIDDLE EASTLast night Israel carried out a military strike inside Iran, the latest escalation in a series that threatens to spark a wider war in the Middle East. Details are still coming in, but CNN reported Israel communicated to the United States that its response would be narrow and limited and the US did not expect them to target civilian or nuclear facilities. Iran’s foreign minister had hours earlier that its response would be “immediate and at a maximum level,” and Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for Israel to “go crazy” in its strikes. While we are still learning more, we are clearly in an extremely dangerous and unpredictable moment – one that demands leadership from the White House. Let us again contact President Biden and urge him to do everything in his power to prevent this cycle of violence from getting worse, and reiterate that whatever the Republican Party claims the American people do not want to be dragged into war with Iran.
- EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE ACTThe Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act (S.2048 and H.R.4184) would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to ensure that the victims of gun violence will be allowed to have their day in court and that gun manufacturers, sellers and interest groups are not shielded from liability when they act with negligence and disregard for public safety. The law would allow civil cases to go forward against irresponsible actors in state and federal courts, just as they would if they involved any other product. Letting courts hear these cases would provide victims of gun violence their day in court. Additionally, the bill would incentivize responsible business practices that would reduce gun injuries and deaths. Let’s tell our MoCs that we want them to get behind this bill and get it passed. We can do so directly, or use ResistBot by texting SIGN PXFJXI to 50409 or hitting the sign petition button here. (h/t Democracy Labs and Jessica Craven)
- TELL CONGRESS: UPHOLD RIGHTS OF ASYLUM SEEKERSThe latest iteration of MAGA’s border fearmongering bill would drastically limit asylum protections, require the building of Trump’s wall, and limit other pathways to legal immigration to the US. Let’s use this tool from the humanitarian / immigrant rights organization HIAS to tell our Members of Congress to oppose H.R. 3602 and to instead support border infrastructure, address backlogs, increase funding for the Shelter and Services Program, let asylum-seekers work, and advance lawful pathways for migrant safety. As we do so, let’s remember that the more we personalize our message, the more persuasive it will be.
- ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINEElection Protection is a nonpartisan coalition, including the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, that works to protect, advance, and defend our right to vote. Let’s explore their website, and let’s add their hotline number into our mobile contacts in case we ever need them: 866-687-8683 (English); 888-839-8682 (Spanish); 888-274-8683 (Asian Languages); 844-925-5287 (Arabic).
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- MA: STATE BILL AMENDMENTS TO SUPPORTIn an action alert, the Massachusetts League of Women Voters is urging us to tell our state representatives to cosponsor and vote yes on the following budget amendments:
- Civics Education #1170. This will level-fund the Civics Project Trust Fund at $2.5 million.
- Voting Reforms #1277. This will prevent people who do not return their municipal census forms from being put on an inactive voter list.
- Access to Counsel #1479. This will establish statewide access to a pilot program to provide full legal representation for low-income tenants in eviction proceedings.
- Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition #247. This will offer state-funded food stamp assistance.
- Lift Our Kids Coalition #788. This will change the effective date of cash assistance grant increases to October 2024 instead of April 2025.
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