BOTL segment excerpt:

2,200 people are held in a tiny cell for 23 hours hours each day, with no access to commissary or phone calls in the state of Illinois. This, predictably, results not in rehabilitation, but in the emotional, mental and physical deterioration of the inmates subjected to this human rights violating practice.

The Illinois Coalition Against Torture, an association of individuals and community-based organizations, formed in 2010 to end torture on all levels — local, state and international. Drawing on the Chicago City Council’s 2012 passage of the ICAT sponsored resolution to make Chicago “torture free,” they have just launched The Campaign to End Solitary Confinement in Illinois.

Take Action:

End Solitary Confinement In Illinois petition from CREDO and hard copy petition from Illinois CAT.

Printable info flier to circulate.

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTLActivism: Campaign to End Solitary Confinement in Illinois Prisons, episode #819 "Incentives have consequences (Injustice system)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

What could be more important than a need as basic as food? With an eye toward the future, sustainable agriculture seeks to provide for “the now” without infringing on future generations’ ability to live and grow. We must revive the notion that we are all stewards of the land.

NSAC is "an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.” Basically, they’re the Best of the Left of our food supply. They aggregate the efforts of nearly 100 groups around the country that are doing the on-the-ground work necessary to make sure we can eat, our children can eat and — hopefully — our great, great grandchildren can eat as well.

Take Action: Sign up for action alerts at the NSAC “Take Action” page.

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, episode #796 "Don't eat shit and die (Food)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

If the federal minimum wage had kept pace with inflation, it would be at a hardly adequate ten dollars and eight-six cents. Instead, due to shameful inaction by Congress, an often silent bully pulpit in the West Wing and a poverty-stricken worker class too exhausted to organize — the federal minimum wage remains seven dollars and twenty-five cents.

At RaiseTheMinimumWage.com you can find the list of state’s with proposed legislation as well as the latest on the federal push. You can also share your story as a low wage worker. The NELP is putting a human face on the fight. They have a great step by step story building page to amplify the voices and experiences too often left out of the discussion and they’re directing it at Washington.

You can also participate in the twitter campaign being led by the White House. Use #1010Means to add your voice to grassroots activists, “ordinary” citizens and legislators like Representative Keith Ellison from Minnesota who’s feed posts stats like “#1010Means one million veterans will see a pay increase; let’s thank our soldiers for their service and #RaisetheWage.” And Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon who tweeted: “#1010Means millions of Americans would see higher wages—particularly women who work full time. #RaiseTheWage.”

Take Action:

Raise the Minimum Wage via NELP

Raise the Wage via The White House

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: Raise the Minimum Wage to $10.10, episode #823 "It makes moral and economic sense (Minimum Wage)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

Because of the Supreme Court case challenging the Massachusetts state buffer zone — which provides a reasonable separation of picketers and patients — and a publicity push by NARAL and others, the climate outside our nation’s reproductive healthcare clinics is finally getting some attention. Community members are stepping up and standing with providers, staff and patients by volunteering as clinic defense escorts.

Healthcare that is technically legal, but not accessible further widens the gaps created by privilege and increases the burdens on low-income Americans who are seeing their only available healthcare taken away. Standing up for our country’s clinics not only aids the individuals in our communities seeking care, but shows legislators and anti-choice groups that the majority of Americans believe they should be able to walk into a clinic without driving a thousand miles round-trip and without intimidation as they do so.

Take Action:

Like the Clinic Vest Project on Facebook and follow on Twitter for the latest on clinic defense, violence and buffer zones around the country. You can also contact them for connections to escort groups in need of volunteers.

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: The Clinic Vest Project, episode #813 "Intolerant of discrimination and proud of it (Reproductive Rights)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

The Freedom Center for Social Justice, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is hard at work on the slate of these often ignored, vital issues. Their LGBTQ Law Center provides legal representation, education and advocacy to assist with name changes, divorce, marriage, custody, landlord/tenant disputes, powers of attorney, wills and employment issues. Their mission is "to enhance quality of life by increasing the number of healthy options & opportunities available to low income communities, communities of color, sexual minorities and youth.”

The 2014 Transgender Faith and Action Network Conference is August 29 through 31 in Charlotte. Registration is open now for this networking and advocacy training opportunity. Organizers are gearing up for sessions on legal protections, health and wellness, employment and growing more inclusive faith communities.

Take Action:

The Freedom Center for Social Justice

Transgender Faith and Action Network (Trans*FANN)

Also, like Freedom Center For Social Justice LGBTQ Law Center on Facebook and Follow on Twitter

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: Freedom Center For Social Justice, episode #817 "The power of words (Trans Rights)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

Join the Campaign for Southern Equality as they refuse to concede the conventional wisdom that “the South is unwinnable” on LGBT rights. Only FIVE PERCENT of national LGBT organizational funds go to the south, resulting in limited resources for advocacy and a higher than average risk of poverty because of extreme discrimination. As couples and their allies stand up to be counted, the tide of acceptance and love will continue through states like Kentucky and Virginia where recent victories are still being celebrated. There’s plenty of room on the bandwagon for activists, allies and legislators alike.

Take Action:

We Do Campaign from The Campaign for Southern Equality

More info:

Follow/Like The Campaign for Southern Equalityon Facebook and Twitter

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: The We Do Campaign, episode #812 "Pathetically grasping at cakes (LGBTQ Rights)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

Currently, 87% of counties in the US do not have an abortion provider, largely because of new laws and the fever-pitch at which they've been implemented since the Tea Party wave of 2010. The biggest provider shortage is for late term abortions. There are only four doctors in the entire country who terminate pregnancies in the third-trimester.

If we are to have a real conversation about reproductive justice in this country, we must move beyond anecdotes, sound bytes and slogans. The implications of legal restrictions on abortion care and the affect they have on real people must be considered and understood. The "After Tiller” filmmakers have provided us with a unique opportunity to begin that process.

Take Action:

Visit After Tiller for showings and info on the documentary and rent via iTunes .

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: After Tiller, episode #791 "We just earned a D grade (Reproductive Rights)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

According to TruthOut, the average graduate now walks with $29,400 in student loans — a burden they must repay no matter their field of study, career success or starting salary. Student loan debt isn’t subject to discharge through bankruptcy. Think about that. Corporations can escape fines, pension obligations and shoddy business deals by filing bankruptcy. But if an American graduates from college into an awful job market and doesn’t “make it” fast enough to get a handle on their student loans, they’re stuck with them forever. And should they default, their entire financial future can be ruined before their 30th birthday.

It’s time public higher education was free.

Take Action:

Sign the CREDO petition Make Public College Tuition Free

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: Demanding Tuition-Free Public College Education, episode #793 "Our social safety sieve (Economics)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

Generation Justice's mission is to "inspire youth to become media makers committed to social transformation.” Their fellowship and youth development programs train teens to apply a social justice perspective to written and broadcast journalism. By employing the core values of youth leadership & empowerment, community, action, equity, multiculturalism and love, teens learn about democracy and civic engagement.

Take Action:

Listen, follow & support! Generation Justice

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: Generation Justice, episode #804 "Knowing Our History and Seeing It Echo Today (racism)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

BOTL segment excerpt:

More than 46 million Americans suffer from some sort of mental illness. That is a sizable — and fluid — minority. As some disorders are temporary or situational, the likelihood that you or someone close to you will be affected by mental illness during your lifetime is significant.

Yet, despite the commonplace nature of mental health issues, the stigma surrounding any illness or disorder that can be placed under that heading is intense and affects nearly every aspect of life. In fact, we often categorize mental health care as separate from other health care, as if one's mind has no affect on one's physical well-being. This separation is one of the reasons there are often job and relationship consequences to speaking up, seeking care and disclosing even minor details of one’s mental illness, thus condemning many to silent suffering.

Take Action:

Visit HealthyPlace.com and support their campaign, access resources, and make connections: Stand Up For Mental Health Campaign

Additional Activism/Resources: Affordable Care Act & National Alliance of Mental Illness

More info:

Listen to the source segment for this activism at BOTL Activism: Stand Up For Mental Health, episode #797 "Trouble at the old pharm (Health Care)”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich