-Submitted by Judy Sullivan, USH Social Justice Chair
Americans of Conscience Checklist, Week of February 3, 2019
By Jen Hofmann
116 weeks down, 91 weeks to the presidential election.
The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration to stay engaged..
I value equality.
Support
the dignity of your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity,
culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability.
Action: Speak
up with our neighbors with disabilities. [h/t ADAPT]
Write: Or call your two
Senators and one House rep (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to support the right of people
with disabilities to receive long-term care services at home rather than an institution. To support
humane and cost-effective strategies, I’m asking [NAME] to co-sponsor the
bipartisan Disability Integration Act (H.R. 555/S. 117)
so decision-making rests with those needing care. Thank you.
▢ Action:
Support civil rights for all. Oppose Barr. [h/t Lambda
Legal, NAACP]
Call: Your two Senators
(look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling to oppose William Barr
for Attorney General. The country needs a Justice Department dedicated to
protecting civil rights for all Americans. William Barr’s track record shows he won’t. I’m asking [NAME] to vote against his
nomination.
▢ Action: Close the gender pay
gap. [h/t National Women’s Law Center]
Call: Your two Senators
and one House rep (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] and I’m calling because I believe in
equal pay for equal work. All women, but especially women of color, still make less than men in the same jobs despite existing legal
protections. The Paycheck Fairness Act would close remaining loopholes. Can I count on [NAME] to co-sponsor H.R. 7/S.
270
I value decency.
Our nation has a
moral and legal obligation to welcome people
seeking asylum and refuge. We support showing decency toward this vulnerable
community.
▢ Action:
Speak up for decency. [h/t RAICES, United We Dream]
Call: House
Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY).
Script: Hi. I oppose the president’s border wall. I want Rep. Lowey
to know I also oppose Democrats’ support for increasing surveillance and DHS funding. With news of ICE force-feeding people, and Border Patrol responsible for the deaths
of at least 83 people in 8 years, I echo RAICES in insisting that
DHS receive no additional funding. Thank you.
▢ Action:
Support a path to citizenship. [h/t United Farm Workers, SEIU, Voto Latino]
Call: Your one House
rep and two Senators (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to express my support for
giving experienced farmworkers a path to citizenship. Their work feeds our nation. I would like [NAME] to
co-sponsor the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019 (S.
175/H.R. 641). #WeFeedYou
▢ Action: Support constitutional
freedom from search. [h/t ACLU]
Write: Dave Leach,
CEO, ℅ Greyhound Lines, Inc, P.O. Box 660691, MS 470, Dallas, TX
75266-0691
Script: Greyhound is allowing Border Patrol to violate citizens’ 4th Amendment rights.
Please start protecting your customers and say no to illegal searches and racial profiling.
Acts of
Gratitude
Get
out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.
Thank Sen. Tim
Scott (R-SC)
for opposing Thomas Farr’s nomination to a federal court, in spite of pressure from your own party. [Share why you appreciate people who use their
authority to oppose racism.]
Address: 1901 Main Street, Suite 1425, Columbia, SC 29201
Thank six
Republican Senators for
refusing to treat federal workers like bargaining chips and voting to reopen the government without
wall funding. [Share why you appreciate senators putting constituents first.]
Addresses:
Susan Collins: 202 Harlow St, Bangor, ME 04401
Lamar Alexander: 3322 West End Avenue, #120, Nashville, TN 37203
Lisa Murkowski: 510 L Street, Suite 600, Anchorage, AK 99501
Mitt Romney: 125 S. State Street, Suite 8402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Johnny Isakson: One Overton Park 3625 Cumberland Blvd Suite 970. Atlanta, GA
30339
Cory Gardner: 400 Rood Avenue, Federal Bldg., Suite 220. Grand Junction, CO
81501
Thank four House
reps: I join with RAICES in thanking you for taking a principled
position on the administration’s decision to put profits before people and
rhetoric before the lives of immigrant children. [Share why welcoming asylum
seekers matters to you.]
Addresses:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: 229 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Ilhan Omar: 400 South 4th St Suite 401-200, Minneapolis MN 55415
Rep. Ayanna Pressley: 1700 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02122
Rep. Rashida Tlaib: 1628 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Good news
Decent
people everywhere are doing kind and just things. #GoodNews
National
News
with heart