Actions of the Month (July)

Actions of the Month - July

FIRE ACT / DUTY TO REPORT -- POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS DISCLOSE FOREIGN CONTACTS

George Stephanopoulos asked Pres. Trump “if foreigners, if Russia, if China, if someone else offers you information on opponents, should they accept it or should they call the FBI?” Trump responded: “I think you might want to listen, there’s nothing wrong with listening…. it’s not an interference, they have information. I think I’d take it.” He has (again) opened the door and asked for outside players to act on his behalf in 2020. The Mueller report cited at least 140 contacts between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russian nationals or Wikileaks, making this explosive admission by Trump a tangible threat to our democracy.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced S. 1562, the Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act (FIRE Act). And House Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA15) introduced H. R. 2853, the Duty to Report Act. These bills would require campaigns to report any contacts with foreign nationals who are attempting to make campaign donations or otherwise coordinate with the campaign within a week of the contact. It would also require the preservation of any relevant documents or records regarding the contact.

Call Senate Committee on Rules and Administration :Dial (507) 288-5321 or (218) 287-2219

Suggested Script: Hello, my name is __________.  I am an American citizen. I live and vote in Massachusetts. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling to get a message to Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar in their capacity as Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. I want them to move the the “Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act (FIRE) Act” out of committee and to the Senate floor for further action.

Also call Elizabeth Warren (413) 788-2690 or (202) 224-4543

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Senator Warren to ask her to co-sponsor (S. 1562) the “Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act (FIRE) Act.” Thank you.

Also call Ed Markey (617) 565-8519 or (413) 785-4610

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Senator Markey to ask him to co-sponsor (S. 1562) the “Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act (FIRE) Act.” Thank you.

Call Rep. McGovern (413) 341-8700 or (202) 225-6101

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Rep McGovern to ask him to co-sponsor (H.R. 1247) the “Duty to Report Foreign Contacts Act”. Thank you.

END ABUSES OF DETAINED IMMIGRANTS

Appalling stories continue to emerge about abuses of immigrants detained at the border. ICE is currently detaining over 53,000 immigrants in jails nationwide and there is dangerous overcrowding at ICE facilities. The Trump administration continues to expand detention facilities and refuses accountability for ICE and Border Patrol’s abuses. Congress must demand an end to mass detention of all undocumented immigrants, and insure proper funding for the immigration court system to relieve overcrowding.

If leaving a voicemail leave full street address to ensure call is tallied.

Senator Ed Markey 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742

Script: Hello Senator Markey. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling because I'm outraged by the reports of abuses of detained immigrants, from massive overcrowding to denial of basic sanitary supplies to children. I urge Senator Markey to demand a robust investigation of immigration enforcement practices and detention conditions, and an end of the mass detention of all undocumented immigrants. Thank you for your time and attention.

Senator Elizabeth Warren 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543

Script: Hello Senator Warren. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling because I'm outraged by the reports of abuses of detained immigrants, from massive overcrowding to denial of basic sanitary supplies to children. I urge Senator Warren to demand a robust investigation of immigration enforcement practices and detention conditions, and an end of the mass detention of all undocumented immigrants. Thank you for your time and attention.

Congressman Jim McGovern 413-341-8700 DC 202-225-6101

Script: Hello Congressman McGovern. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling because I'm outraged by the reports of abuses of detained immigrants, from massive overcrowding to denial of basic sanitary supplies to children. I urge Rep. McGovern to demand a robust investigation of immigration enforcement practices and detention conditions, and an end of the mass detention of all undocumented immigrants. Thank you for your time and attention.

Fair Maps Act of 2019 (S. 1972) / Redistricting Reform Act of 2019

The Fair Maps Act of 2019 eliminates partisan gerrymandering to make sure congressional districting plans result in fair, effective, and accountable representation for all people in the United States. The bill lets every eligible voter challenge maps that unduly favor a particular political party. It also provides guidance to courts and mapmakers on how to fix gerrymandered maps. The bill explicitly prohibits states from establishing congressional districting plans that have the purpose or effect of unduly favoring or disfavoring a political party. The bill provides guidance to mapmakers on what criteria they can and cannot use to avoid partisan gerrymandering. Specifically, congressional maps must comply with the Constitution’s requirement that all districts must be nearly equal in population and with the Voting Rights Act’s prohibition on racial gerrymandering. Moreover, a state cannot use past political performance—including political party registration, voting history, and residence of political incumbents—unless such information is used to avoid a partisan gerrymander. States may adopt additional criteria, including respect for geographic contiguity and communities of interest, as long as those criteria are not used to create a partisan gerrymander.

Sen. Michael Bennet introduced the bill in the senate, but there are no co-sponsors yet.

A similar bill called the Redistricting Reform Act is in the House, but it needs more co-sponsors.

Call Senate Judiciary Committee: Dial (202)224-5225 or (415)-393-0707

Suggested Script: Hello, my name is __________.  I am an American citizen. I live and vote in Massachusetts. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling to get a message to Senators Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein in their capacity as Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I want them to vote to move (S. 1972) the Fair Maps Act out of committee and to the Senate floor for further action. Thank you.

Also call Elizabeth Warren (413) 788-2690 or (202) 224-4543

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Senator Warren to ask her to co-sponsor (S. 1972) the Fair Maps act. Thank you.

Also call Ed Markey (617) 565-8519 or (413) 785-4610

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Senator Markey to ask him to co-sponsor (S. 1972) the Fair Maps Act. Thank you.

Call Rep. McGovern (413) 341-8700 or (202) 225-6101

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Rep McGovern Warren to ask him to co-sponsor the Redistricting Reform Act. Thank you

End Tax Breaks for Private Prisons Act

Senator Ron Wyden introduced S. 1827 to End Tax Breaks for Private Prisons. It’s pretty much that simple! There are currently no cosponsors.

Call Senate Finance Committee: Dial (202) 224-4515 or (319) 363-7179

Suggested Script: Hello, my name is __________.  I am an American citizen. I live and vote in Massachusetts. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling to get a message to Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden in their capacity as Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. I want them to move (S. 1827) the “End Tax Breaks for Private Prisons Act” out of committee and to the Senate floor for further action.

Also call Elizabeth Warren (413) 788-2690 or (202) 224-4543

Also call Ed Markey (617) 565-8519 or (413) 785-4610

Call Rep. McGovern (413) 341-8700 or (202) 225-6101

Hello, my name is __________.  I live in_____ and I am your constituent. My phone number if you want to call me back is ____________. I am calling Rep McGovern to ask him to sponsor a bill like (S. 1827) that is now pending in the Senate to “End Tax Breaks for Private Prisons”. Thank you.

HOLD BORDER PATROL AGENTS ACCOUNTABLE

On July 1, ProPublica published an exposé of a secret Facebook group with 9,500 current and former Border Patrol agents, many of whom mock the deaths of detained immigrants and post racist and sexist content. The 3 year old Facebook group is just the latest evidence of a disturbing culture of white supremacy and sexism among Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) employees. Congress must demand a robust investigation of CBP and the termination of all active agents posting racist content online. Further, Congress must commit to opposing any additional funding for CBP as long as the agency continues to hold innocent people in appallingly dangerous conditions.

If leaving a voicemail, leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 (DC) 202-224-2742

Script: Hello Senator Markey. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling to express my concern over the behavior of some Customs and Border Patrol employees. The recent discovery of a Border Patrol Facebook group filled with racist and sexist posts further illustrates the need to hold CBP accountable. I urge Senator Markey to support an investigation of the CBP agents involved with this facebook group and demand an end to the mass incarceration of immigrants.

Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 (DC) 202-224-4543

Script: Hello Senator Warren. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I'm calling to express my concern over the behavior of some Customs and Border Patrol employees. The recent discovery of a Border Patrol Facebook group filled with racist and sexist posts further illustrates the need to hold CBP accountable. I urge Senator Warren to support an investigation of the CBP agents involved with this facebook group and demand an end to the mass incarceration of immigrants.

Congressman Jim McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 (DC) 202-225-6101

Script: Hello Congressman McGovern. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I'm calling to express my concern over the behavior of some Customs and Border Patrol employees. The recent discovery of a Border Patrol Facebook group filled with racist and sexist posts further illustrates the need to hold CBP accountable. I urge Rep. Jim McGovern to support an investigation of the CBP agents involved with this facebook group and demand an end to the mass incarceration of immigrants.

HOLD BORDER PATROL AGENTS ACCOUNTABLE

If leaving a voicemail, leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 (DC) 202-224-2742

Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 (DC) 202-224-4543

Congressman Jim McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 (DC) 202-225-6101

SEND POSTCARD TO HOTELS – DON’T AID ICE DETENTION

ICE plans to use hotels as temporary jails for immigrant round-ups. Most ICE detention centers don't allow families or children, so the agency often uses hotel rooms to lock them up before it transfers them to a facility. Demanding that hotels stop collaborating with ICE is one way to throw a wrench in Trump's racist agenda. Who to write:

David Kong, CEO; Best Western; P.O. Box 10203; Pheonix, AZ 85064

Patrick Pacious; Choice Hotels; 1 Choice Hotels Cir. Suite 400; Rockville, MD 20850

Rob Pelleschi; G6 Hospitality; 4001 Internat’l Pkwy.; Carrollton, TX 75007

Christopher J. Nassetta; Hilton Hotels; 7930 Jones Branch Dr. McLean, VA 22102

Arne Sorenson; Marriott; 10400 Fernwood Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817

Andrew Alexander; Red Roof ; 7815 Walton Pkwy.; New Albany, OH 43054

SCRIPT: I'm appalled at the Trump Administration’s dehumanizing of immigrant children and families. Publicly refuse to let ICE use your properties as jails for immigrants