Week 60

[Actions for Americans]

Hi all!

On the anniversary of Trump's inauguration, the government is shut down. The government, which has the same party in control of Congress and the White House, is shut down. That's a first in the history of our country, and the GOP is squarely to blame. Since Congress is unlikely to work on anything before the government is back open for business, the focus this week is on pressuring them to do the right thing for DREAMers.

1. Call your MoCs to ensure DREAMers don't lose out

So far, Senator Schumer and Representative Pelosi have held the line to protect DREAMers, unwilling to let these Americans be traded away like a bargaining chip. Keep the pressure on your MoCs to demand they pass a long term spending bill that includes CHIP funding, protections for DREAMers, and no "wall". Thousands of DREAMers have already lost their protected status thanks to the President's cancellation of DACA. We must fight with everything we have to protect them and keep them safe at home.

For more: Rolling Stone: Inside the Government Shutdown/

Say: Dream Hero Script ; Dream Killer Script

2. Protect and spread the right to vote

The right to vote is essential to our representative democracy. Since the Supreme Court struck down enforcement of the Voting Rights Act, Republicans have imposed voter ID laws in multiple states designed to prevent people from going to the polls. 21 million eligible voters do not have government issued voter ID. 21 million. And voter ID laws largely target Black and Latinx Americans in particular, preventing millions of Americans from exercising their constitutional right to vote. Make a difference in your community, and fight back against voter ID laws.

Read: Indivisible and Spread the Vote: Guide to fight back against voter ID laws

If you live in Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida: Volunteer for or Donate to Spread the Vote

It's a short to-do list this week, but we must keep a full court press on protecting the DREAMers and CHIP. If you have extra time, keep learning about your candidates for the upcoming primaries, calling your MoCs on net neutrality, and keep helping folks get registered to vote.

Much love,

Marieke

@actionsUSA