Celebrate SCOTUS #ReproRights Decision with Renewed Vigilance to Pass Women’s Health Protection Act via #ActforWomen Campaign
JULY 8, 2016
ACTIVISM UPDATE! It’s been a pretty amazing month for upholding and protecting reproductive rights in America.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt is being called the most important decision since Roe v. Wade. It not only knocks down Texas’ absurdly transparent TRAP laws, but caused similar laws in Mississippi, Alabama and Wisconsin to fall like dominos in an earthquake in the days after the ruling. Restrictive laws in at least five other states are expected to fall soon.
The sprinkles on this repro-rights-victories sundae were the under the radar stories that New Hampshire restored Planned Parenthood funding, and that the Raleigh, North Carolina City Council unanimously denied the request of an anti-abortion group to move in next-door to a women’s clinic that provides abortion services. The cherry on top? For the first time, the Democratic Party platform vows to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which limits how federal dollars can be used for abortions.
It’s important to point out that none of these achievements would have been possible without the tireless efforts of reproductive health advocacy organizations, activists, health services providers, lawyers, volunteers, donors and engaged citizens. So let’s take a moment to take a big breath in and out, and reflect on this tremendous victory and remember to thank those who made it possible.
Feeling empowered and victorious? Excellent. Now let’s capitalize on this incredible momentum in the next battle - because although we’ve gained ground, sadly, the war is far from over.
Even before the SCOTUS decision came down, the anti-abortion movement began to shift tactics. No more of this pretending to protect women’s health stuff. Reproductive rights activists now expect anti-abortion groups to put all of their focus on the fetus. And we’re already getting a taste of what’s to come.
Here are just some of the new state anti-abortion laws that went into effect as states’ began their new fiscal year on July 1st:
- Florida, Mississippi and Missouri will stop funding Planned Parenthood with state tax dollars.
- Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana and South Dakota now have laws limiting what can be done with the remains of aborted fetuses
- Indiana is being challenged on their attempts to require ultrasounds 18 hours ahead of an abortion
- South Dakota will ban most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy, allowing misdemeanor charges against providers
- Mississippi is banning the second-trimester abortion procedure, called dilation and evacuation
- The Pennsylvania state house passed a law that includes both the ban on abortions at 20 weeks and the ban of Dilation and evacuation, making it the first “double abortion ban” legislation of it’s kind.
- Idaho now requires abortion providers to give women information about where they can receive free ultrasounds.
…and…
- A Georgia grant program is now in place for "pregnancy resource centers" that typically discourage abortions.
As long as these types of attacks on abortion services and access exist, the fight to improve abortion care access will continue. So today, we want to remind you to continue to push for the Women’s Health Protection Act - which would prohibit states from passing laws, like some of the ones listed above, in the first place.
Call your legislators and ask them to support the act, or tweet at them using the hashtag #ActforWomen. You can also learn more about the proposed legislation and download an action toolkit by visiting ActforWomen.org.
So, if getting legally ahead of those trampling on the right to reproductive healthcare is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about how to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
The Supreme Court ruled to protect safe, legal abortion. Now, Congress must do its part and #ActForWomen! SIGN: https://t.co/x5stUSD9cu
— CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) June 30, 2016TAKE ACTION
Learn more about the Act for Women Campaign and the Women's Health Protection Act at http://www.actforwomen.org
Download the Act for Women Campaign Tools & Resources
Add your name to the Center for Reproductive Rights' message to Congress to pass the Women's Health Protection Act to prohibit states from imposing abortion restrictions
Use the hashtag #ActforWomen on social media and tweet at your congressperson to urge them to support the Women's Health Protection Act.
Follow the Center for Reproductive Rights on Twitter @ReproRights
Find out where and how to watch "TRAPPED," the documentary at http://www.trappeddocumentary.com
Sources, Resources & Further Reading
Pro-Choice Groups Hope Abortion Victory Leads to Domino Effect in Other States (Think Progress)
Three state’s abortion laws just fell thanks to the Supreme Court. These states could be next. (Washington Post)
New Laws on Abortion Set to Take Effect Around the Country (ABC News)
City Council: Anti-abortion group can’t move next to Raleigh women’s clinic (WRAL.com)
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Square Off Over Abortion Law, New Bill (Rewire.com)
DNC Platform Includes Historic Call to Repeal Anti-Choice Hyde Amendment (DemocracyNow.org)
ACLU Sues Indiana Over Ultrasound 18 Hours Before Abortion Rule (Chicago Tribune)
Written by Best of the Left Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
Hear the segment in context:
Edition #1027: Whole Woman's Health and other stories
Help Get a Recall of Rape Apologist Judge Aaron Persky on the Ballot in CA via RecallAaronPersky.com
Here are the facts: Brock Allen Turner beat and sexually assaulted an unconscious woman behind a dumpster. He was caught red handed by not one, but two witnesses. When the two witnesses approached Turner and the victim, Turner ran away and had to be chased down and tackled. A jury unanimously convicted him of three felony counts. Turner will serve six months in prison for his violent crimes - three months, with good behavior.
There has never been any doubt in this case that Turner is guilty of sexual assault, but when it came to the justice system, Turner, who had already won the race, class and ability lotteries in his short privileged life, won one more…getting Judge Aaron Persky assigned to his case.
With each lax sentence that Persky dolls out, and his callous concerns for the assailant over the victim, he contributes to our rape culture and the honoring of white male privilege across the country. His decisions fuel the fire of other rape apologist judges like himself who somehow do not grasp the severity of Turner’s and other rapists’ horrific crimes.
This is why Stanford Law Professor Michele Landis Dauber, interviewed in the Democracy Now! clip featured in Best of the Left Edition #1024, launched a campaign to ensure that a recall of Persky gets on the ballot in California. Recalling Persky won’t just end his judgeship, it will send a clear and strong national message that cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape should be judged with the seriousness and gravity they deserve.
To recall a judge in California, there is a very specific process that must be followed to the letter. Although the recent Change.org petition with over 500,000 signatures calling for Persky’s recall was an excellent showing of public support and outcry, it’s important to know that it will not help get the recall on the ballot.
Dauber has assembled a highly professional group of experienced, A-Team lawyers and other legal advisors, including herself, and a steering committee has already been formed. They are committed to running this effort by the book, dotting every ‘i’ and crossing every ’t’, but this will be a time-consuming and expensive process.
You can help by volunteering, donating, or signing up for updates related to the recall campaign by visiting RecallAaronPersky.com - the official online headquarters and action center for those who want to help Dauber’s team get the Persky recall on the ballot in California. You do not need to be a California resident to help.
Of their prospects, Dauber said, “There is no question in my mind that we will succeed.”
So, if stopping the propagation of rape apologists in our justice system is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about how to Help Get a Recall of Rape Apologist Judge Aaron Persky on the Ballot in California via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
We'd like to leave you with a few of the widely-shared words written by the victim that she bravely read to her assailant in the court room:
“The probation officer’s recommendation of a year or less in county jail is a soft timeout, a mockery of the seriousness of his assaults, an insult to me and all women. It gives the message that a stranger can be inside you without proper consent and he will receive less than what has been defined as the minimum sentence […] what I truly wanted was for Brock to get it, to understand and admit to his wrongdoing.”
.@mldauber addresses why #JudgePersky should be recalled in this thought-provoking piece. It's time to #RecallPersky https://t.co/BhNDzdbIhF
— Recall Persky (@RecallPersky) June 21, 2016TAKE ACTION
Visit RecallAaronPersky.com to volunteer, donate or sign up for updates to support the effort to get a recall of Persky on the ballot in California.
On social media, follow @RecallPersky - the official Twitter account of the campaign - and RT. Use the hashtag #RecallPersky when voicing your support.
Sign the Change.org petition that demands Stanford University publicly apologize to the survivor of Turner's sexual assault, offer to pay for her counseling and other supportive services, increase resources for sexual assault prevention on campus, increase counseling resources for all survivors, and administer a national survey about sexual violence occurring in fraternities.
Read and share the powerful words the survivor read to her assailant.
Hear the segment in context:
Edition #1024: "Privilege and injustice: A case study"
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman.
Support the Women’s Health Protection Act to Counter TRAP Laws via #ActforWomen Campaign
In the last four years alone, states including Texas, Utah and South Carolina have enacted over 250 new restrictions on access to safe and legal abortion - all under the guise of “protecting” women’s health. In response to years of relentless assaults on women’s health, safety, and constitutional rights, the Act for Women Campaign is urging support of the Women’s Health Protection Act - federal legislation that would not only counter TRAP laws, but enforce and protect the right of every woman to decide for herself whether to continue or end a pregnancy, regardless of where she lives.
The Act for Women action toolkit, available for download from www.actforwomen.org, suggests the following ways to engage with the campaign and raise awareness and support for the legislation:
- Write a letter to the editor about the Women’s Health Protection Act
- Attend a Town Hall meeting and ask about the Women’s Health Protection Act
- Connect the Women’s Health Protection Act to your state work
- Schedule an in-district lobby visit to discuss the Women’s Health Protection Act
- Amplify the voices of your state and local lawmakers
...and...
- Use the hashtag #ActforWomen online
Additionally, on Monday, June 20th, PBS will air “TRAPPED,” a highly praised documentary by filmmaker Dawn Porter, who we heard interviewed today, about the abortion access crisis in America. The Center for Reproductive Rights, a member of the Act for Women Campaign, is encouraging all to spread the word and/or host a watch party.
While the primary focus of the Act for Women Campaign is maintaining access to safe and legal abortion care, the campaign recognizes that the fight does not end there, saying…
“Women of color, young women, transgender and gender non-conforming persons, low-income people, and immigrant communities often encounter additional barriers to obtaining health services. The campaign supports and encourages parallel efforts to remove all obstacles to accessing affordable, non-discriminatory, and quality sexual and reproductive health care.”
So, if protecting access to reproductive healthcare is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about how to support the Women’s Health Protection Act via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
Resolve to make the choice each day that can never be taken away: the choice to fight back.
A national abortion crisis needs a national response—that's what #ActForWomen is all about: https://t.co/4zxEq2ATmx pic.twitter.com/XPUOXVuXlM
— CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) January 14, 2016TAKE ACTION
Learn more about the Act for Women Campaign and the Women's Health Protection Act at http://www.actforwomen.org
Download the Act for Women Campaign Tools & Resources http://www.actforwomen.org/tools-and-resources/
Find out where and how to watch "TRAPPED," the documentary at http://www.trappeddocumentary.com
Use the hashtag #ActforWomen on social media and tweet at your congressperson to urge them to support the Women's Health Protection Act.
Follow the Center for Reproductive Rights on Twitter @ReproRights
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #1020: "A right delayed is a right denied"
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
#FlushDiscrimination via the National Center for @TransEquality
In case anyone has been distracted by election year, horse-race politics, it’s Pride Month - and we want to take this time to remind you that the anti-transgender law in North Carolina is still on the books. As you heard today, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the US Justice Department is counter-suing the state of North Carolina in a supportive and powerful speech drawing obvious and direct parallels to the civil rights movement.
But North Carolina isn’t the only state that has passed, or is considering passing, these kinds of laws and you can help fight this reaction to fear and ignorance across the country with resources and the Flush Discrimination campaign from the National Center for Transgender Equality (or NCTE).
The organization’s North Carolina Action Center and National Action Center give you all the tools you need to fight anti-trans bills in your state and beyond, as well as resources to protect yourself or your loved ones.
Here’s the latest status on anti-trans legislations across the country: Kansas’s bill passed in the state Senate, Michigan’s is in committee, North Carolina’s and Mississippi’s have been signed into law, New York’s has been referred to Governmental Operations, Oklahoma’s is up for vote in the state Senate soon, and in Washington an anti-trans ballot initiative has been filed. Visit www.transequality.org/action-center to access links to resources under each state to help you tell those in power that these bills will not be tolerated.
If you want to get engaged on social media, take part in the NCTE’s “Flush Discrimination" campaign. Sign the pledge at www.transequality.org/flush, take a photo or video of yourself holding their downloadable “Flush Discrimination” sign, and use the hashtag #FlushDiscrimination when posting to social media platforms. Show everyone that you won’t stand for mandatory government discrimination in North Carolina - or anywhere else.
So, if making sure the civil rights of transgender people are protected is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about how to #FlushDiscrimination via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
Join NCTE to #FlushDiscrimination! Sign the pledge and make a video: https://t.co/jSxmvFmvOv pic.twitter.com/hhLiX7koCN
— Trans Equality (@TransEquality) April 22, 2016TAKE ACTION
Learn how to fight HB2 with NCTE's North Carolina Action Center
Learn how to fight anti-trans bills in states across the country with NCTE's National Action Center
Take part in NCTE's #FlushDiscrimination Campaign to show you support of the trans community
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #1020: "The damage we're doing"
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
Fight Anti-Whistleblower Ag-Gag Laws via @ALDF #STOPAgGag #FIGHTAgGAG
In episode #1014, we focused on the benefits of moving toward a meatless diet and basically ignored the topic of animal suffering to resonate with those who don’t feel as motivated to change by animal rights as others. So, we flipped our activism on its head as well by focusing on the impact of Ag-Gag laws on humans.
Thanks to Big Ag lobbying and money in politics, we are all at risk of losing a critical piece of our first amendment rights because of Ag-Gag laws. As you’ve heard today, Ag-Gag laws usually contain one or more of three provisions designed to suppress whistleblowing:
- the ban of photography or video documentation on facility premises
- the criminalization of securing a job under “false pretenses,” and
- mandatory reporting of documented abuse within a short and arbitrary timeframe
Though a number of states have struck down or overturned these laws due to pressure from animal rights defense groups and federal rulings, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Iowa, Utah, Missouri and North Carolina still have Ag-Gag laws on the books. These unconstitutional laws threaten animal welfare, workers’ rights, food safety, and the environment - but they also take away whistleblower rights across the board. Ag-Gag laws actually help set precedents to punish the worker or undercover journalist who exposes neglect and abuse at a retirement home, or misconduct at a daycare center, or spying by our government on its own people. Then these laws go one step farther by protecting the illegal practices and the company that performs them.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund Ag-Gag action allows you to send a message to Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Iowa, Utah, Missouri and North Carolina to demand that these laws be repealed. Those who live in these states will be routed to their state representatives, and people outside of these Ag-Gag states will be routed to the governors of all seven states. Visit the Animal Legal Defense Fund website at ADLF.org and search for “take action to stop Ag Gag” in their search field, or click here, to find the action page and send your message.
So, if protecting the first amendment and whistleblower rights is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about how to Fight Anti-Whistleblower Ag-Gag Laws via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
In the end, Ag-Gag laws force us to fight for our rights and our health, something the animals at the mercy of Big Meat will never be able to do for themselves. The irony shouldn’t be lost on anyone.
Law that silence whistle-blowers should have no place in American society: https://t.co/wAWRPXTAs2 pic.twitter.com/4LnkyOXmoh
— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) February 1, 2016TAKE ACTION
Write to legislators and governors in states with Ag-Gag laws via Animal Legal Defense Fund's “Take Action to Stop Ag Gag” and demand they be repealed.
Other Actions
Sign the Last Chance for Animal's Change.org petition to fight Missouri's Ag-Gag Law
Sign the Food Integrity Campaign's petition to fight Ag-Gag Laws
Sources/Further Reading:
No More Exposés in North Carolina (via NYTimes.com)
In the Belly of the Beast (via RollingStone.com) (WARNING: THIS IS IMPORTANT, BUT GRAPHIC)
Ag-Gag Legislation by State (via ASPCA.org)
Undercovered: 'Ag-Gag' Laws - How Big Agra Tries to Muzzle Journalists (via Mediate.com)
Big Agriculture Bullies and Lobbies to Keep Americans In the Dark (via Forbes.com)
Groups Sue Over North Carolina's Ag Gag Law, Saying it Violates The Constitution (via ThinkProgress.org)
Ag Boards Think They Should be Exempt From the Freedom of Information Act (via MFAblog.org)
Mercy for Animals Legal Advocacy (via MercyforAnimals.org)
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #1014: "The Human Impact of Animal Agriculture"
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman.
Fight North Carolina’s LGBT Discrimination Law via @ACLU_NC and @EqualityNC #NoHateInMyState #WeAreNotThis
The ACLU is calling North Carolina’s House Bill 2 “the most egregious, sweeping, hate-filled anti-LGBT legislation in this country’s history.” Sadly, with it’s passing, we are once again reminded of the typical path our country takes towards justice: two steps forward, one politically motivated, manipulatively hate and fear driven step back.
If that wasn’t bad enough that the new law forces transgender individuals to use bathrooms marked for a gender they do not identify with, it also prevents municipalities from creating new LGBT protections — whether in bathrooms, in public accommodations or at the workplace — and may even make it difficult to sue for discrimination. Now other southern states are trying to follow suite.
The only way to fight this is to join the growing wave of pressure from citizens, businesses and other state governments, that are calling for the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse the bill when the new legislative session starts in April.
Businesses and investors are threatening to pull money from the state. Hollywood is saying they will film elsewhere. Activists are calling for a tourism boycott. And $4.5 billion in federal education funding is at risk, since the new law conflicts with the federal non-discrimination law.
So, here are actions from the ACLU and Equality North Carolina that you can and SHOULD take...right now:
- Sign the ACLU’s petition to “Repeal the country’s worst anti-LGBT law” at ACLU.org/action
- Get involved in supporting the campaigns for progressive candidates running for North Carolina’s state legislature and governorship this November.
- Tweet at North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory with your disapproval at @PatMcCroryNC
- Like and retweet selfies that transgender people are tweeting at @PatMcCroryNC demonstrating how out of place they would be in the wrong bathroom. If you are transgender, consider Tweeting one of yourself.
- Use the hashtags #NoHateinMyState and #WeAreNotThis on social media.
And if you live in North Carolina and need LGBT support and resources, call the Campaign for Southern Equality Western North Carolina Trans Support Hotline at 828-237-1323. You can also access Southern Equality’s Google map of all-gender bathrooms across the state of North Carolina on their website at SouthernEquality.org under “Hometown Organizing Project - Fighting back against HB 2.”
So, if fighting institutionalized governmental bullying is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about the actions to fight HB 2 in North Carolina.
And remember, North Carolina is just one of many places where anti-LGBT legislation is being passed. So, stay vigilant and keep your ear to the ground so that you can take action to stop ignorance and fear from determining the law.
Sign our petition to repeal the extreme, discriminatory, anti-LGBT #HB2: https://t.co/vsgsPldGRx #WeAreNotThis
— ACLU-North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) March 30, 2016TAKE ACTION:
North Carolina
Sign the ACLU petition to “Repeal the country’s worst anti-LGBT law”: ACLU.org/action
While you're at it, sign the Human Rights Campaign petition to “Veto Mississippi’s HB 1523 ‘Religious Liberty Accommodations Act’
Tweet at Gov. McCrory to voice your concern: @PatMcCroryNC
Reply to Gov. McCrory’s tweet about passing HB 2
Read about how this bill could hurt Republicans in November & then get involved to make sure it happens!
Use the hashtags #NoHateinMyState and #WeAreNotThis
LGBT Resources:
Campaign for Southern Equality Western North Carolina Trans Support Hotline at 828-237-1323
Campaign for Southern Equality’s map of all-gender bathrooms in North Carolina
Campaign for Southern Equality’s “Everything You Need to Fight HB 2” page
Further Reading:
Following Backlash From Across the Country, Georgia Gov. Will Veto Discriminatory Anti-LGBT Bill (via Human Rights Campaign)
In Meeting with North Carolina Gov. McCrory, LGBT Equality Advocates Demand Repeal of Anti-LGBT Law (via Human Rights Campaign)
North Carolina Starts to Face Real Economic Consequences for Anti-LGBT Law (via Think Progress)
After a Big Loss in North Carolina, LGBT Leaders Explain What's Next (via Vox)
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #1004: "Understanding the 2016 Election Conservative Wedge Issue"
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
#OscarsSoWhite; Watch #JusticeForFlint Instead via @UnitedBlackout — Best of the Left Activism
You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: the Justice For Flint livestream alternative to the Oscars.
April Reign’s #OscarsSoWhite hashtag criticism is getting a reboot this year. All 20 acting nominees are, AGAIN, white. This year’s awards are even more egregious. The movie “Straight Outta Compton” received a lot of industry support at SAG-AFTRA as well as a Best Picture nomination from the Producers Guild — but its only Oscar nod went to the white screenwriters for Best Original Screenplay. “Creed” has been praised basically everywhere also only received one nomination: Sylvester Stallone for Best Supporting Actor.
In response, the Oscar backlash has gone well beyond Twitter. While they aren’t exactly calling it a boycott, Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith aren’t attending amidst the demand to diversify nominees and the industry in general. In a country where people’s exposure to those outside their communities and understanding of what’s “normal” and “acceptable” often comes from the entertainment industry, it’s important to support the efforts to fund and produce films that better represent our population and experiences.
So, this year, instead of watching the Oscars, tune in to the #JusticeForFlint fundraiser taking place in Flint, Michigan and live streamed at Revolt.TV. “Creed" director and co-writer Ryan Coogler, Ava Duvernay, director of “Selma,” singer Janelle Monáe, Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams and others are putting on this guaranteed-to-be-entertaining, free event presented by Coogler’s org Blackout for Human Rights. You can get the full line-up at the BlackOutForHumanRights Tumblr, then tune in at 5pmEST Sunday night.
During the broadcast you can text JUSTICE to 83224 to donate to the victims of the ongoing Flint Water Crisis and follow the #JusticeForFlint hashtag. Exclusive event announcement rights were given to Buzzfeed; so in addition to posting the Black Out For Human Rights Tumblr page on social media, Buzzfeed’s article "The Director Of “Creed” Is Throwing A Star-Studded Free Event For Flint On Oscars Night” has all the correct info.
For those who listen to This Week in Blackness, but may be behind on podcasts, they’ve nixed their Oscar broadcast so as not to draw anyone away from the #JusticeForFlint fundraiser.
TAKE ACTION:
#JusticeForFlint from Blackout for Human Rights
Additional Activism/Resources:
"How to help people hurt by the poisoned water in Flint” via Mashable
Sources/further reading:
”Meet April Reign, the Black Woman Behind #OscarsSoWhite"
"The 17 Biggest Surprises Of This Year’s Oscar Nominations — #OscarsSoWhiteTheSequel” via Buzzfeed
"These 10 Actors, Directors & Executives Can Reverse #OscarsSoWhite” at RevoltTV
"Creed Is The Rocky Film 21st-Century America Needs” at The Establishment
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #994 "Who gets a seat at the table (Culture)"
Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich
Make #Poverty an #Election2016 Priority w/@VoteToEndHunger — Best of the Left Activism
You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: Vote to End Hunger.
Vote to End Hunger is a coalition of organizations that includes Bread For the World, Feeding America, and the Food Research and Action Center. They joined together ahead of the 2016 election cycle to — in their words — "make hunger, poverty and opportunity a higher political priority, so that the next President and Congress take action that will put our nation and the world on track to end hunger by 2030.”
This is an ambitious, but important goal as debates come and go with numerous references to the middle class, but virtually no questions from moderators or pivots from candidates to the 14.8% of the country — 46.7 million people — living in poverty. If we can’t even talk about it, how are we ever going to to anything to address it?
At VoteToEndHunger.org you can sign and share this pledge:
"I believe we can end hunger in America and worldwide by 2030. Ending hunger is not a partisan issues and requires public policies that expand opportunity and reduce poverty. This election, I will Vote to End Hunger and to make hunger, poverty, and opportunity a higher political priority, so that the next President and Congress take actions that will put our nation and the world on track to end hunger.”
The website also has videos from ten of the presidential candidates explaining what they would do to address systemic poverty and hunger — giving us an easy way to hold them accountable as the primary season progresses. For those who want to engage candidates at town halls and other events, Vote To End Hunger has a well-done webinar with tactics and talking points. During debates, you can follow their twitter feed as they encourage moderators to ask questions about poverty and hold candidates accountable for their answers.
Primary season is the perfect time to demand issues that matter become part of the national conversation and legislative priority because candidates are the most movable. Use the tools at VoteToEndHunger.org to let those courting your vote know that you don’t accept poverty as an inevitability and you expect them address it.
TAKE ACTION:
SIGN & SHARE: Pledge to end hunger by 2030
GET INVOLVED with Vote to End Hunger
Sources/further reading:
"Pathologizing the Poor Reinforces Stigma While Deterring Advocacy and Public Policy” via Truthout
”Hunger is a Significant But Solvable Problem, Both in the United States and Internationally” via Vote to End Hunger
”Presidential Candidate Videos” via Vote to End Hunger
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #986 "The trouble with extreme wealth inequality (Economics)"
Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich
Restore CDC Funding to Prevent Lead Poisoning via @ColorOfChange — Best of the Left Activism
You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: Restore CDC Funding to Prevent Lead Poisoning.
Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence has called for Governor Snyder will to appear under subpoena before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next month to answer for the water crisis in Flint. Snyder is denying his office received anything, but they did release more than 270 pages of emails related to the toxic water and he finally apologized this week to the people of Flint for poisoning their water with lead.
“I’m sorry, and I will fix it,” he said, before spreading the blame around with, "No citizen of this great state should endure this kind of catastrophe. Government failed you — federal, state and local leaders — by breaking the trust you place in us.”
GOP Leadership is resisting issuing the subpoena, but activists and organizations are continuing to push for accountability.
Color of Change is using the Flint water crisis to remind us and our elected officials that Flint is far from the only community dealing with this issue. In a petition at ColorOfChange.org titled "Tell the US government to restore funding for the Center for Disease Control Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention program in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget” they point out this widespread problem.
From the petition:
"Across the US, predominantly Black and low-income communities are at dire risk of severe health problems caused by lead poisoning. Despite this, federal funding for the CDC’s Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has been reduced by more than half. It’s unacceptable: the federal government needs to take action to ensure that Black and low-income communities are protected from environmental hazards that negatively affect their health and livelihoods.”
Congress is working on this budget right now, making this the time for action. We have the money; as usual, it is simply a matter of priorities. Sign and share the petition at ColorOfChange.org and let your representatives know that safe drinking water should be the highest priority.
TAKE ACTION:
SIGN and share: "Tell the US government to restore funding for the Center for Disease Control Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention program in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget.” via ColorOfChange.org
Sources/further reading:
"Michigan Governor Rick Snyder To Be Called Before Congress” via The New Civil Rights Movement
"Snyder hasn’t been invited to testify before Congress” via Detroit news
"Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan Apologizes in Flint Water Crisis” via The New York Times
"Flint water crisis: EPA regional administrator resigns” via CNN.com
"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Releases Emails Tied to Flint Water Crisis” via ABC News
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #985 "A conservative policy showcase (Flint’s poisoned water)"
Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich
Tell RNC Chair @Reince: Denounce GOP candidates’ Islamophobia via @lsarsour & @CAIRNational — Best of the Left Activism
You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: tell RNC chair Reince Priebus to denounce his party’s Islamophobia.
Islamophobia is hardly new in this country, but it has intensified courtesy of a Republican party whose presidential candidates are unified in their blame and bigotry.
Linda Sarsour, on behalf of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, has a petition at Change.org titled "The Republican Party must denounce the dangerous Islamophobia of candidates and officials” that is comprehensive and yet to the point. She writes:
"I am a mother of three, a working woman, and a civil rights activist. I am also a Muslim. Since the November terror attack in Paris, we’ve seen an unprecedented rise in acts of discrimination, intimidation, and violence targeting American Muslims across the country. It makes me worry about my family, and our country. But, instead of calling for all Americans to rally together, a number of Republican presidential candidates and elected officials have been spreading baseless fear of Muslim Americans.”
It doesn’t seem to matter how many studies are done that prove the real threats to American lives are guns and white, Christian-identified men. “Othering” minority religions and ethnicities is too easy for a party heavily invested in stoking fear to win votes. Sarsour makes the parallel between these individuals and ISIS who is attempting to start a religious war by making non-Muslims fear the peaceful Muslims like her living and working in their communities. She asks that you join the more than 30,000 who have already added their names to the CAIR petition to show the GOP and its leading presidential candidate Donald Trump that Americans will not be provoked into giving ISIS what it wants.
"Hate-filled rhetoric and anti-Muslim attacks put American Muslim families like mine in real danger, and play right into Daesh’s (ISIS) plans,” Sarsour writes. "If such Islamophobic hatred and bigotry is not rejected outright by the GOP, it will be a part of the party’s legacy, and a part of our nation’s legacy for generations to come. That isn’t a legacy I want my children -- or anyone’s -- to have to live with.”
Take one minute to sign and share CAIR’s petition and urge the Republican Party to denounce Islamophobia.
TAKE ACTION:
SIGN: "The Republican Party must denounce the dangerous Islamophobia of candidates and officials” via Linda Sarsour with The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) at Change.org
Additional Activism/Resources:
SIGN: Tell The News Media: Stop Obsessing Over Donald Trump via Media Matters For America via MoveOn.org
Sources/further reading:
"It’s Not Just Trump – Islamophobia Is Widespread In the GOP Field” — round-up of articles on GOP Islamophobia in Election 2016 via HillaryClinton.com
"Who Will Stop Republican Islamophobia?” via The New Republic
Book: "Terrified: How Anti-Muslim Fringe Organizations Became Mainstream”
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #982 "Trouble at the old pharm (Health Care)"
Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich