Weekly Actions: Week 14

General Information

• Help elect a democrat in Montana!  Sign up to make calls…
  • https://www2.democracyforamerica.com/events/dfadialer/quist
• Tell CNN and corporate media:  War is not entertainment, let’s not glorify warfare:
  • http://action.winwithoutwar.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/
• Petition – Tell Congress:  No Border Wall Funding:
  • https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tell-congress-no-border-wall-money/?t=3&akid=7345.2994831.FGOV9G
  • Add words to the petition comment section:
  • This border wall is a fool’s errand.  It will divert needed funds from programs that really help US citizens and will not significantly improve US immigration policy.  No US funds for Trump’s wall!
• Just to stay riled up about this, from the Washington Post:
  • Mark Krikorian, the longtime executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that advocates reduced immigration, said that he has never considered a border wall a top priority.
  • But now that the wall has taken on a life of its own, Krikorian said that Trump and Republicans have to make some sort of progress in securing a chunk of the border with a wall or heavy-duty fence — or else blow the opportunity to show Americans the party is ready to take action to crack down on illegal immigration.
  • “Following through on wall construction is one of the ways that the political class can win back trust on this topic,” Krikorian said. “It’s a tangible thing. You can take pictures of it and imagine it in your head.”
  • He added: “Even if the border wall did no good at all to control immigration, it would be important to build . . . Even if it did nothing, even if it was completely ineffective, it’s important politically.”
  • So, let’s hear it for a $20 Billion political white elephant!  Yeah – that’s how I want my tax dollars spent!
  • Feeling outraged?  Write or call Mark Krikorian at:
    • Mark Krikorian – Executive Director
    • Center for Immigration Studies
    • 1629 K Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006
    • Phone: (202) 466-8185
      • Mr Krikorian,
        Your quote in the Post, saying it is important to build the wall “even if it was completely ineffective”, is an affront to the American taxpayer!  You should be ashamed.
        Extremely Sincerely,
        Your name
  • Source:  http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/from-%E2%80%98build-that-wall%E2%80%99-to-kick-the-can-trump%E2%80%99s-border-promise-might-be-hard-to-break/ar-BBApKLr
• The Impeach Trump team would like your help (but, be careful what you ask for…):
  • If Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal introduces a resolution calling for an impeachment investigation of President Trump, the momentum to oust him from the presidency will leap forward.
  • Let’s get the congressional ball rolling to impeach Trump.
  • Call her in Washington D.C. between 6:30am – 2:30pm PST at (202) 225-3106.
  • Dial her district office between 9am – 5pm PST at (206) 674-0040.
• Petition – Kushner likely violated the same disclosure law Flynn did, when filling out his security form.  This petition requests his security clearance be pulled:
  • https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/suspend-jared-kushners-1
  • Add to the petition comments section:
    • Omissions on security clearance paperwork are security violations.  Regardless of the applicant’s father-in-law, these violations need to be prosecuted.

Vashon-Activism (get local – join a team)

• Participate in Vashon Activism – Now More Than Ever! – join your group / discover your group / get active!
  • Thursday, May 4, Vashon Activism – Now More Than Ever!  Open Space for Arts & Community, 18870 SW 103rd Ave, Vashon, 5 – 7PM
    If you have not yet found your favorite action oriented group, and feel it’s time to raise your voice, then join us for Vashon Activism – Now More Than Ever!
    Over fifteen Vashon groups have been invited to this Find Your Lane style event.  From Legislative Action to Building a Progressive Majority to Showing Up for Racial Justice to Climate Change, hear their 90 second statements of what these groups are doing to create positive change.  Then, for the next hour, circulate in the Open Space Community Hall to meet and mingle with these group leaders, get to know what they are accomplishing and how you can participate.
    Hosted by Indivisible Backbone and open to the entire Vashon-Maury Island community.  Doors open at 5PM to socialize and enjoy light snacks.  Invited group leaders will take the stage at 5:30. Meet and mingle from 6 to 7. Lend your ideas, creativity and support.  Let’s activate Vashon and resist the current administration!  Sign up here:  http://www.backbonecampaign.org/ibb_meet_5_4_2017.

• Thank You!  Two bills that have appeared in the For Your Consideration… news will be signed into law in Washington State!  
  • House Bill 1153 strengthens penalties against elder abuse and financial exploitation.
  • House Bill 1501 requires law enforcement and prosecutors to be notified when someone prohibited from purchasing a firearm attempts to do so.
  • Sign this thank-you letter to the Wa State members of congress who supported the bill:
    • http://action.wagunresponsibility.org/page/s/thank-washington-legislators
• Congratulate San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera and United States District Court judge William H. Orrick for halting Trump’s sanctuary cities executive order:
  • Write:  San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, City Hall, Room 234, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Write:  Judge William H. Orrick, San Francisco Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Thank Reps Jason Chaffetz and Elijah Cummings for exposing General Mike Flynn’s unlawful actions:
• House Oversight Chairman Rep Jason Chaffetz R-Utah, told reporters that Flynn “had a duty and obligation to seek and obtain permission to receive money from foreign governments prior to any engagement with them.”
  • House Oversight Committed ranking member Rep Elijah Cummings D-Maryland, released two letters including one sent directly to Gen. Flynn on October 8th, 2014 from the Office of General Counsel at the DIA.
  • “This letter explicitly warned General Flynn as he entered retirement that the Constitution prohibited him from accepting any foreign government payments without advanced permission,” Cummings said, adding, “The Pentagon’s warning to Gen. Flynn was bold, italicized and could not have been clearer.”
  • Also: “DIA did not locate any records referring or relating to Lt. Gen. Flynn’s receipt of money from a foreign source,” and that the agency could “not locate any records of Lt. Gen. Flynn seeking permission or approval for the receipt of money from a foreign source.”
  • The “evidence is powerful in showing Gen. Flynn broke significant criminal laws,” and that they all testify to a “flagrant violation of federal criminal statute that must be investigated and prosecuted.”
  • Full article:  
    • http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oversight-committee-flynn-investigation-to-be-launched-by-dod-inspector-general/
  • Write:  Representative Jason Chaffetz, 2236 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
  • Call:  202-225-7751
  • Write:   Representative Elijah Cummings, 2163 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
  • Call:  202-225-4741
• Thanks to PH, for sharing David Brook’s uplifting editorial on Trump incompetence – definitely worth a read!  Just a sample:
  • The Coming Incompetence Crisis
  • I just read that the Trump administration has filled only 22 of the 553 key positions that require Senate confirmation. This makes me worry that the administration will not have enough manpower to produce the same volume and standard of incompetence that we’ve come to expect so far.
  • Granted, in its first few months the administration has produced an impressive amount of ineptitude with very few people.
  • But still, I worry that at the current pace the Trump administration is going to run out of failure.
  • ……
  • Now I’m not underestimating the president’s own capacity for carrying on in an incompetent manner almost indefinitely. I don’t think we’ve reached peak Trump.
  • Enjoy the entire editorial:  
    • https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/opinion/the-coming-incompetence-crisis.html

View this weeks events!

Electoral College Repeal

• No actions this week

Instant Runoff  Voting

• No actions this week

Return US House and Senate to Democratic Control

• No actions this week

The Environment

• Trump signed an executive order to “review” all National Monuments.  Fight back:
  • Call 1-202-601-3839 and tell Secretary Zinke that any attempts to revoke or shrink our national monuments is an assault on our historical, cultural, and natural heritage.
  • And the requisite petition:
    • http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=21666
• Help stop the funding of Tar Sands pipeline projects (Thanks Sue!):
  • 350 Seattle is mobilizing its Pledge of Resistance for a coordinated mass action on May 8th to stop the funding of Tar Sands pipeline projects. The focus will be Chase Bank. This will be the Northwest’s largest action targeting a bank because of its fossil fuel funding.
  • If you’re interested in participating on May 8, please attend one of 350 Seattle’s mass action meetings and learn about the different ways you can take part in this coordinated and nonviolent direct action:
    1. Wednesday April 26th, 6:30-8:30PM. RSVP and invite others via Facebook or
    2. Sunday, April 30th, 6:00-8:00pm. RSVP and  invite others via Facebook
  • Both meetings will be at the 350 Seattle Office, 1919 E Prospect St, Seattle, 98112. S

• Help resist the TransMountain Pipeline Expansion:
  • I wanted to reach to you all about potentially hosting a Pull Together event on Vashon Island. For those who aren’t familiar, Pull Together is a cross-border campaign raising money for the legal fees of three First Nations who are suing the Canadian government over the TransMountain Expansion’s infringement of their treaty rights and threat to their water, land and way of life.
    
    350 Seattle + Sierra Club have been working on this campaign and would love to connect with climate groups on Vashon who would be interested in hosting Pull Together fundraisers or education events around the TMX and its impact on our region.
    
    If you know any other groups or folks on Vashon I should be reaching out to about this work, please let me know.
  • Thank you again,
  • Morgan Michel
  • mm876@cornell.edu
    607-280-4308
• Petition – Tell the Coast Guard to prevent another disastrous Arctic oil spill:
  • http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/251/170/143/
  • Add words to the comment section:
    • This fragile environment should not be subject to more oil tanker incidents like the Exxon Valdez.  Please implement measures to eliminate this possibility.
  • One more:
  • http://www.thepetitionsite.com/891/791/272/
  • Add words to the comment section:
    • Our environment should not be subject to more oil spill incidents like the BP Deepwater Horizon incident.  No offshore oil drilling!

Climate Change

• Petition – No Fossil Fuels – keep it in the ground campaign:
  • https://act.credoaction.com/sign/merkley_fossil_fuels
• These companies have no public climate change or energy conservation targets.  Write them to say “We urgently request you develop and publicly declare climate change and energy conservation goals for your business”:
  • Berkshire Hathaway, 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68131
  • Costco, 999 Lake Dr Ste 200, Issaquah, WA 98027
  • Comcast, 1701 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103
  • Tyson Foods, P.O. Box 2020, CP631, Springdale, AR 72765-2020
  • Source:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/25/climate/with-government-in-retreat-companies-step-up-on-emissions.html
• Petition – Tell Congress: Commit America to 100% renewable energy by 2050:
  • http://www.jeffmerkley.com/petition/100×50/e/
• Petition – Tell CNN: Do Not Enable the Voice of Climate Deniers:
  • https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/no_more_deniers_on_cnn/?t=3&akid=6881.322736.s5SCmx
  • Add to the comments section:
  • As a news organization, it should not be hard for you to understand the science of climate change dominates the opinion of climate deniers.  Choose balanced journalism by not associating science based climate change speakers with opinion based climate deniers.

Anti-Hate Actions

• Petition – tell Amazon to drop all Breitbart advertising:
  • https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Amazon_Breitbart

Criminal Justice Reform

• No actions this week

Immigrations/Citizenship

• No actions this week

Preserving Democracy & Justice

• Get that Senate Russia investigation team up and running!
• Write or call Senators Burr and Warner, tell them to assign full time staffers to the investigation:
  • Senator Richard Burr: 217 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-3154
  • Senator Mark Warner: 703 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 1-877-676-2759
• Call Deputy AG Rosenstein at U.S. Department of Justice (202-353-1555) and ask him to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate Russia’s involvement with the election and with Trump.
• Petition:
  • http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/4/24/1655745/-Senate-Intelligence-Committee-investigation-into-Russia-has-no-staff-no-witnesses-no-progress
• Petition – Tell the GOP to Stop Gerrymandering:
  • https://petitions.signforgood.com/endgerrymandering/

Racial Justice & Black Lives Matter

• No actions this week

Women’s Rights

• No actions this week

LGBTQ Rights

• No actions this week

• With the Republicans rolling out ACA Repeal & Replace round 2, gear up for another fight:
  • Call or write your Members of Congress: “Vote NO!”
  • Petition:
    • https://action.aarp.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=00000000.app261b

Economy/Income Inequality

• Petition – Tell Patty Murray you support her new $15/hour minimum wage legislation:
  • http://www.pattymurray.com/act/its-time-to-raise-the-minimum-wage
• Petition – reject the Working Families Flexibility Act (HB 1180), which allows companies to offer flex time instead of paid overtime for overtime work:
  • https://actionnetwork.org/letters/write-your-representative-today-dont-steal-overtime-pay-from-working-people
• Petition – Tell Congress:  Reject Trump’s EPA gutting tax plan:
  • http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=21668
• Why?  It also hurts working families.  From the NY Times:
  President Trump’s own Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, stated this tax reform fairness test a few months ago:“Any reductions we have in upper-income taxes will be offset by less deductions, so that there will be no absolute tax cut for the upper class. There will be a big tax cut for the middle class, but any tax cuts we have for the upper class will be offset by less deductions that pay for it.” Yet on Wednesday Trump, with Mnuchin as the pitch man, violated Mnuchin’s own standard.The Trump plan will overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy, cutting the top income-tax rate, cutting taxes on stock holdings, cutting corporate taxes and eliminating the estate tax. And when a reporter asked Mnuchin yesterday about all the benefits that would flow to the affluent, he ducked the question and offered a vague talking point. The straightforward Mnuchin of a few months ago was nowhere to be seen.It would be entirely possible to put together a conservative tax plan that simplified the code without exacerbating inequality. But the Trump plan is nowhere near that plan.

Get Big Money Out of Politics

• No actions this week

• No actions this week

• Petition – tell Wa State members of congress to fully fund the state education system:
  • http://www.jayinslee.com/action/education-funding

• No actions this week

• NY Times Op-Ed Columnist David Leonhardt (exerpts):
  • Here’s my reading of Trump’s start: It’s the least successful first 100 days since the concept existed.
    • Trump has made no significant progress on any major legislation.
    • Trump is far behind staffing his administration.
    • The Trump administration is more nagged by scandal than any previous administration.
    • Trump has no clear foreign policy.
    • Trump is by far the least popular new president in the modern polling era.
• Petition – respect state’s rights to regulate marijuana:
  • https://www.signherenow.org/petition/let-states-regulate-marijuana/ferguson/e/