THURSDAY CALLS TO ACTION: No rest for the weary.

We’ve got a few things to focus on today. This one is a two-parter, and as much as it pains me to say it we should call to thank and encourage Sen. Thom Tillis on this one issue.

1. THANK TILLIS!
Thom Tillis has reached across the aisle and is working with democrats on a sweeping immigration reform bill. He is in favor of middle of the road reforms to the immigration system rather than the slash and burn plan from the Trump Administration. Willingness to work across the aisle should be encouraged. In our current climate of bad will between the parties this is really amazing. If you do nothing else today please call/email/tweet and post on his FB page that you appreciate this effort, make sure to let him know you are a progressive/moderate/liberal etc. We have to let him know that we are backing him if he is going to legislate for us. This is really important!

Read more here: https://www.tillis.senate.gov/p…/index.cfm/thom-in-the-news…

2. STOP THE VISA BAN and THE WALL

With that in mind, we should also let Sen. Tillis as well as Sen. Richard Burr know that we are against this ridiculous wall, which is nothing but a waste of money and resources which could be better spent rebuilding infrastructure, helping the people of Flint, MI and other cities with antiquated water systems, proving healthcare to all Americans, funding our public schools. The list goes on and on. We know that walls are not effective, if you build a 20 foot wall, there will be thousands of 21 foot ladders, a wall is a waste of tax payer money. Congressmen can’t directly stop Trump from signing executive orders, they can do so indirectly through public pressure.

Then there is the accompanying ban on immigration and subsequent deportation of people from seven countries which Trump has decided are terrorist countries, while making no provisions for spouses in the US awaiting their papers, students with visas who might need to leave the country for family emergencies, etc. and will not be allowed back in to finish their education. That list goes on and on also.

Read more here: http://www.usatoday.com/…/donald-trump-ban-refuge…/97046640/

Here are some short scripts if you need them:

  • Hi, my name is _______ and I’m a constituent of Representative _______/ Senator _________. I’m calling because I’m concerned about President Donald Trump signing an executive order restricting immigration from Muslim majority countries and ending the Syrian refugee resettlement program. This executive order goes against our shared American values of religious tolerance, diversity, and nondiscrimination.
  • I’m calling to see if Rep. _________ / Senator ___________ plans to publicly oppose Trump’s decision to sign this executive order?
  • [If there are any questions, reiterate your concerns.] Yes, please express to Rep. ______/ Sen. ________ that Trump’s executive order doesn’t represent our values, and that I am asking him/her to take a principled, public stand against this kind of intolerance.

 

KEEP CALLING TO BLOCK SESSIONS
There are also some rumors that the Sessions nomination is vulnerable. Might as well call on him. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has indicated that she may vote for Sessions. Let her know that we do not support him nor do we support a “yes” vote from her for him.

DC: (202) 224-3841
SF: (415) 393-0707
LA: (310) 914-7300
SD: (619) 231-9712
Fresno: (559) 485-7430

Here is a script:
I am a constituent calling to oppose Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. He has a history of racist language, has supported a ban on Muslim immigration, and has opposed justice reform. We need an attorney general who is going to support civil rights and all the advances we have made for equal rights for all. He absolutely has no place in the United States Attorney General’s office.

I know it’s a lot, but we need to keep the pressure on. Thank you to everyone who has been calling and keeping our legislators accountable. You are awesome!