Congratulations to the Post Card Group!! 

They hand wrote a note, addressed and mailed >10,000 cards reminding people to vote, especially for progressive candidates! Amazing job, folks! We appreciate you!

Actions for Week of December 15, 2018

• Contact Gov. Haslam – Ask him to pardon Cyntoia Brown, who was tried as an adult at the age of 16 for murdering a man for paying her for sex. A victim of sex-trafficing, a judge recently ruled Cyntoia must spend at least 51 years in jail. Gov. Haslam is considering clemency for her and numerous legislators and organizations are supporting the request. Contact information for Gov. Haslam = 615-741-2001 or https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html . Because of his efforts against sex trafficking, Sen. Corker may be another person to contact.

• Book to Read – Consider reading One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying our Democracy by Carol Anderson. 

• Good News! –

a.The final farm bill that recently passed Congress is very friendly to animals and people. The president plans to sign it this week.

b. The Senate voted to overturn the Treasury rule that allowed dark money to be contributed without disclosure. We will need to support this bill when the House takes it up. 

c. A judge has ordered Betsy DeVos to cancel $150million of student debt accrued by students who were attended defunct private, for-profit institutions. 

• Educate Yourself –

a.A federal judge struck down the Affordable Healthcare Act because of change made to it by the Trump administration that eliminated the penalty if people did not buy insurance. Look for new legislation to be filed in the House on Healthcare after the first of the year, and a battle all the way to the Supreme Court.

b.A majority (61%) of Texans don’t want a border wall. More than 800 faith leaders from 34 states signed a letter to Congress opposing increased border spending. 

c. Newly elected Rep. from TN, Dr. Mark Brown, is a supporter of the debunked theory that autism is linked to vaccinations. 

Actions for Week of December 9, 2018

Comments on Immigrant “Public Charge” Restrictions – The administration wants to deny citizenship to immigrants who use public assistance. I oppose a policy refusing citizenship to families who have used public assistance. The “public charge” rule would prevent people from working and supporting their families. The “public charge” rule would deny people over age 61 a future. This regulation would violate state’s right to provide benefits to families in short-term crisis and increase federal intrusion into local issues. Comments are due end of day tomorrow, December 10th. Click on dark blue comment box in right upper corner. In addition, you can submit comments here. 

Comment on Methane Standards – The EPA is considering rolling back regulations on methane emissions. This would ease restrictions on oil & gas companies that limit methane leaks. Please offer comments by December 17th. 

Reminder – Enrollment for Healthcare Insurance under the ACA ends December 15th. 

Good News! –

a. A deal was reached over the House Farm bill that left out new work requirements for SNAP recipients. Kudos to the disabled activists who lobbied House members!

b. After pressure and bad press, the VA reversed course and will pay veterans their full benefits due under the GI bill. 

Educate Yourself –

a. Read about the differences between Women’s March, Inc. Women’s March Alliance, an March On.  

b. Six White House officials were found to be in violation of the Hatch Act. 

c. Learn about the power grab in Wisconsin and how it is part of a bigger attack on democracy. 

d. Follow developments on the voter fraud case in North Carolina Congressional District 9 and potential ramifications on voting by mail everywhere and efforts to suppress voting. 

Actions for Week of December 2, 2018

1. Petitions to Sign – 

Ratify the ERA? - Virginia is going to attempt to ratify the ERA in 2019. If you have friends in VA, please pass this petition on to them. 

Expand Medicaid in TN – Here’s a THCC petition to sign that will be sent to the new governor. 

Protect Workers’ Rights – The National Labor Relations Board is attempting to roll back critical protections for working people and attacking the right to collective bargaining. Consider signing this petition.

Support Women Activists in Saudi Arabia – Women’s March Global is calling on the UN to demand the immediate release of all activists being detained for their human rights work. Sign this change.org petition.

2. LGBTQ Protections - Canada has inserted strong LGBTQ protections in the new trade agreement but House Republican like Diane Black are trying to get them removed. You can use this simple form to send a message to our MoCs supporting Article 23.9 of the trade agreement. 

3. Good News! –

a. The nomination of Thomas Farr (the author of voter suppression laws in NC) failed when the only Republican African-American Senator (Tim Scott) came out against the nomination. 

b. A judge has ruled that New York’s lawsuit against the Trump foundation can proceed.

c. A Wyoming billionaire (and immigrant)  pledges to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. 

d. The Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act of 2018 has been introduced in the House by Congressmen from both parties.

e. The administration is going to issue an order banning bump stocks. 

4. Educate Yourself – 

a.This article provides some logical explanations for understanding Trump supporters and why they are sticking with him. 

b.Disasters at the EPA - Read about how the meeting with acting EPA Director, Andrew Wheeler, and the Union of Concerned Scientists went. Mr. Wheeler is nominated to become permanent EPA Director. He & Trump administration are actively interfering with scientists and their work. The chief EPA officer for the Southeast was recently arrested for helping a coal company avoid paying for a toxic waste cleanup.

c. Learn about how climate change is affecting events like California’s wildfires. 

5. Postcard Writing – The postcard group is taking a break until after the holidays. We’ll provide details on when they plan to meet again in early 2019. 

Actions for Week of November 25, 2018

Awful Nominee - Thomas Farr’s nomination to the federal judiciary is up for a vote tomorrow! He has a history of creating laws in NC that suppressed voting by minorities. Sen. Flake is threatening to vote against him, which means only 1 more vote is needed to defeat his nomination. Please contact our Senators early Monday. 

Please Oppose HR6784 – This “Manage our Wolves Act” removes the grey wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Delisting the wolves could have a disastrous effect on their survival as a species. This bill passed the House on 11/16/18 and is headed to the Senate. Please contact our Senators and ask them to oppose it.

New TN Governor Asks for Ideas – Gov. Bill Lee is asking for input from TN residents. Visit this website to offer comments/idea. Please consider emphasizing expansion of Medicaid here in TN. 

Good News! –

a.The House Climate Committee will be revived in January 2019. 

b. Five Iranian-American women were elected on November 6th.

c. A federal judge halted offshore fracking and ruled its impact on wildlife must be considered first. 

d. Another judge has blocked the administration’s new rule denying asylum claims by immigrants  who cross the border illegally. This action prompted the president to criticize judges, which sparked a rebuke by Chief Justice Roberts. 

Educate Yourself – 

a. TN Conservation Voters has issued its scorecard for our state representatives and senators. It is in the attached pdf. Also see their website for more information. 

b. Psychologist think 45’s behavior is going to get worse and it may continue to deteriorate. 

c. Visit this interactive map to see the predicted differences in rainfall around the world that will happen from climate change. It will surprise you!

d. Read about Florida vote recount fraud.

Postcard Writing – The postcard group is taking a break until after the holidays. We’ll provide details on when they plan to meet again in early 2019. 

Blount County Public Hearing on Monday, Nov. 19th at 5:30 PM – A public hearing is scheduled to provide input on rezoning of 77 acres in Louisville near the lake from Rural 1 (R1) to Planned Rural Resort District (PRRD). Residents living in the area off 4452 Lowes Ferry Rd are especially encouraged to attend the hearing at Blount County Courthouse in Room 430. See this FB post for details. 

Actions for Week of November 18, 2018

Threat to Transgender Protections – Health & Human Services proposes limiting all gender designations to female and male based on genitalia present at birth. Such a change threatens protections for transgender and intersex people granted under Title IX. Please provide feedback to HHS at media@hhs.gov, 1-877-696-6775​ or by contacting Secretary Azar at Secretary@HHS.gov or 202-690-7000.

Bad Nominee for USDA – Please contact our Senators before November 28th and ask them to oppose Scott Hutchins nomination to be top scientist at USDA. Hutchins a Dow Chemical who executive defended the use of the toxic pesticide, chlorpyrifos. 

Good News! –

a.A federal judge ordered Trump Organization to turn over its hotel records to be examined to see if he is breaking the emoluments clause. 

b. Several states passed anti-gun violence laws on November 6th. Washington State’s is amongst the toughest. Universal background checks were adopted in Nevada and in California large-capacity magazines were banned.

c. A federal judge also blocked the Keystone pipeline because the administration failed to follow established rules and procedures. Further environmental studies have been requested. 

Educate Yourself – 

a. Physicians around the country are speaking out after the NRA told them to “stay in their” lane with respect to gun violence. On Twitter, they created the handle @ThisIsOurLane and their comments are both enlightening and heartbreaking. If you are a physician, you can join the alliance against gun violence on their website. 

b. This article provides a very clear explanation of the effects of gerrymandering. It graphically depicts how moving boundaries results in one political party being over represented compared to the other. 

c. Read about the president’s most recent, unlawful action against asylum seekers. It is important to note that people cannot seek asylum by going to embassies or consulates in their home countries. They can only seek asylum at the border of the country they are escaping to. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the new rule. 

Actions for Week of November 11, 2018

Sign up for Rapid Response Team – Last Thursday evening, hundreds of thousands of people protested the appointment of an acting Attorney General at the Dept. of Justice who may threaten the integrity of Mueller’s Russian investigation. If you are not part of the Nobody is Above the Law rapid response team, visit the Stand Up America website. Also follow @Public_Citizen on Twitter. If Mr. Rosenstein and/or Mr. Mueller are fired, protests are sure to follow. 

Protect Mueller – Please contact our Senators to support S2644, the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act. This is a bipartisan act that is gaining support in the Senate. Despite Sen. McConnell’s initial stance that Mueller does not need protection, current events are proving him wrong. Ask our Senators pressure McConnell to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. It has already passed out of committee. 

Request Mr. Whitaker Recuse Himself – The acting Attorney General is on record as criticizing the Mueller probe and defending the role of the president’s family in their contacts with Russia during the campaign. Please contact the Dept of Justice to request Mr. Whitaker recuse himself from oversight of the Russia investigation. Comment line = 202-353-1555. Email website: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice 

Rollback of Restrictions on Hydrofluorocarbons – HFCs are extremely powerful climate pollutants used in refrigeration equipment.  HFCs not only erode the ozone layer, they are 1,430 times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the atmosphere. In the landmark book Drawdown, reduction of this greenhouse gas was ranked as #1 in importance to help control climate change. Please offer comments to the EPA by November 15th.

Good News! –

a. Interior Secretary Zinke’s own agency watchdog has referred him to the Justice Dept. for investigation on at least a half-dozen ethics violations. It also appears Zinke will be stepping down before the end of the year. 

b. Another federal judge has ruled the administration cannot end DACA. 

Educate Yourself – 

Learn about the alarming levels of microplastics in the Tennessee River. 

Read the Intergovernmental Panel’s report on climate change that indicates we have only about 18 years to stop irreversible changes and watch Harrison’s Ford call to action.

Once again, the administration is trying to weaken the Affordable Healthcare Act. 

Thanks to the Maryville Huddlers who immediately stepped up on Thursday and purchased supplies and donated money for immigrant ex-detainees. Because of you, organizers were able to meet buses arriving over the past few days with care packages. We’ll let you know about additional needs as things develop over the next 2 weeks. Donations are still welcome, so see the email sent Friday afternoon for details on how to do that. 

Actions for Week of November 4, 2018

Call Congress November 9th – The Citizens Climate Lobby has asked us to join their “Call Congress Day” on November 9th. See this link for scripts, Facebook event and graphics to share on line. Contact information for our MoCs is provided below. 

Ringing of the Bells on 11/11/18 at 11AM – The treaty to end World War I was signed on November 11, 1918 at 11AM. Please ask your church, school or friends with bells to join in a worldwide ringing of bells at precisely this time. Let us remember the day peace rang out.

Good News! – Voter Suppression Tactics are Being Defeated

a. The US Supreme Court rejected Pennsylvania Republicans’ attempt to reinstate their old, gerrymandered congressional district map.  

b.  A judge denied Brian Kemp’s request in Georgia to reject absentee ballot over mismatched signatures.  Over 53,000 applications were on hold, with 70% of them from black voters. 

c. Another judge has ordered Ohio to allow purged voters to vote. 

d. A voter ID law in North Dakota is aimed at keeping American Indians from voting because it requires they have a street address and most folks living on the reservation use only a PO Box address. Although a judge failed to block the law this past Thursday, tribes are issuing free, new ids as quickly as possible to allow people on 4 reservations to vote. 

Book to Read: Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild will shed some light on how people affected directly by pollution can paradoxically turn to the Tea Party and become Trump supporters rather than believe in and support Federal agencies like the EPA. This book is an eye opener!

Last Day for Early Voting is November 1st: 

Early voting locations

Blount County Courthouse: Mon-Fri from 8AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-2PM

Blount County Public Library: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Everett Gym: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

Pellissippi State College: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Actions for Week of October 28, 2018

Become a Smiles Driver – The Smiles senior transportation program will hold a class on Tuesday, October 30th for volunteers interested in being drivers from 12:30-4PM at the Office on Aging 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville. It’s easy! It’s rewarding! It helps your local neighbors and you only need to commit to 3 hours/one trip per month. See the attached brochure and application or call 865-724-1331. 

Bill Banning 3D Printed Guns – Sen. Bill Nelson has introduced the 3DPrinted Gun Safety Act (S 3304) that prevents people from creating their own, unlicensed guns. Please ask our Senators to support and co-sponsor this bill. 

Good News! – Even in the darkest of weeks, there was still some good news!

a. Many of the administration’s environmental deregulations are failing. 

  b.   Canada is enacting a national price on carbon. To help families affected by the tax, rebates will   be issued.

c. New mining claims near Yellowstone Natl Park have been banned. 

d. The European Union plans to ban single use plastics by 2021 and require recycling of 90% of plastic bottles by 2025. 

Educate Yourself – 

Learn about why people are fleeing Latin America and why US policies do not deter them. Here are debunked myths and misinformation on the caravan. Here is information on rights of asylum seekers. 

Although the administration is sending more troops to the border their role is legally limited. 

Early Voting Has Begun! Voter Registration is at the highest ever in Blount County. 

Please go vote! Please note the following: 

November 6, 2018 Federal/State General Election

Request absentee ballot: Aug 8 – October 30, 2018

Early voting: October 17- November 1, 2018

Early voting locations

Blount County Courthouse: Mon-Fri from 8AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-2PM

Blount County Public Library: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Everett Gym: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

Pellissippi State College: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Actions for Week of October 21, 2018

Bad Judicial Nominee – The Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Jonathon Kobes to the full Senate despite the fact the ABA rates him as unqualified. Numerous groups oppose his nomination based on his idealology and partisanship.  Please contact our Senators with you feedback. 

USA Halts Visa for Same-Sex Partners – The administration is now denying visas to unmarried, same-sex partners of foreign diplomates and officials, as well as United Nations employees. The State Dept. is requiring they officially marry by Dec. 31st, which in some of their home countries could be a death sentence. Please contact the State Dept at 202-647-6575 or via email: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform . You can also contact the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ . 

Border Wall Funding – Legislation has been filed by Rep. McCarthy in the House to pay for the border wall.  Earlier bills failed. Please contact our MoCs and urge them not to support this bill either. 

Good News! –

Washington State Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional. 

A giant net has been deployed to clean up plastics in the Pacific Ocean and a similar effort has begun off the coast of Honduras. 

March for Our Lives, the group organized by the survivors of the Parkland High School shooting, sponsored a #VoteforOurLives #PartyatthePolls event in Nashville this past weekend. Over 1000 millennial/gen-z’s voted for the first time! 

Educate Yourself – 

Learn about methane lakes in the Arctic.

Did you know there is a Climate Solutions Caucus in Congress? It is a bipartisan group that explore policy options to address the impacts of climate change. 

More & more migrant children have been moved under cover of darkness to a Texas tent city. More than 13,000 are now incarcerated.

Actions for Week of October 14, 2018

Anti-Rally Proposal for Washington DC – Comments are needed by end-of-day Monday, October 15th, on this issue.  The Interior Dept. wants to impose steep fees/costs and seriously restrict demonstrations in Washington DC. The proposal is intended to curb protests especially near the White House. Please sign this petition and offer comments here. Note: Very few people have offered comments on this issue, so your feedback can have a big impact!

Proposed Rollback on Environmental Standards – Please offer comments on these items:

The administration wants to relax fuel efficiency standards on automobiles and trucks. Such a decision will contribute significantly to air pollution. You can offer comments at the EPA website until October 26th.

See the Save EPA website for instructions on how you can also offer comments on the proposed roll back of the Clean Power Plan. Comments are due by October 31st.

Encourage Women to Vote – You can sign up with MomsRising.org to receive 5 stamped, pre-addressed postcards to send to people who haven’t always voted in the past. This is a nonpartisan effort to encourage voter participation.

VoteWithMe app – This phone app uses public voter files to let you know which of your phone contacts didn’t vote in 2014 or 2016. The app is available via their website, Google play, etc. Conor Lamb used this app during his successful election in PA and research shows it is an effective tool for getting friends and family to vote. Other voting tools are also available here: https://votewithme.us/friends.html

Good News! –

An immigration lawyer who fought the Trump administration's travel ban, the pastor who founded the "Moral Mondays" movement, and an investigative reporter who covers the human toll of coal and natural gas in West Virginia are among 25 "genius grant" winners for 2018 from the MacArthur Foundation. 

California passed several stringent gun control bills recently.

The lawsuit filed by 200 Members of Congress against Trump for possibly violating the Emoluments Clause will move forward.

Actions for Week of October 7, 2018

More EPA Craziness! - Please offer your feedback to Andrew Wheeler, the acting head of EPA, at 202-564-4700 or https://www.facebook.com/EPAAndrewWheeler/ or https://twitter.com/EPAAWheeler . Also contact our MoCs.

Proposed Rollback of Methane Gas Regulations – This proposal would weaken a 2016 rule requiring energy companies to conduct leak inspections on their drilling equipment every 6 months.  

Move to Weaken US Radiation Regulations. More details here. 

Preparing to Weaken Mercury Emission Rules. More details here. 

Revised Farm Bill – The Senate voted 86-11 to pass its version of the Farm Bill (S. 3042) after voting 68-30 to table a harmful SNAP amendment offered by Sen. Kennedy (R-LA) that would have imposed harsh work rules and required food retail employees to check photo identification for SNAP EBT card consumers. The Senate Farm Bill protects SNAP benefit levels and eligibility, keeps food on the table for struggling low-income people, preserves important state options, and makes modest changes to program operations. A number of the provisions build on SNAP’s many strengths and overall the bill avoids the very harmful SNAP changes that are contained in the House Farm Bill (HR 2). The Please ask our MoCs to support the Senate, not the House version of this bill. 

Good News! –

Hyatt Hotels have decided they will no longer rent space to hate groups. 

In the recently passed budget for 2019, Congress denied ICE any increase in funds and disagreed with the president’s request to boost staffing.  

Educate Yourself – 

Learn about who owns most of the national debt and how the Social Security Trust Fund owns a large portion of it.  

Read about the next move to limit immigration to only those people who are financially capable of immediately supporting themselves upon arrival or have wealthy relatives, and won’t need any public assistance. 

The administration says there is no point in decreasing use of fossil fuels because earth is doomed. It predicts a 7-degree rise by 2100. 

Actions for Week of September 30, 2018

Volunteers Needed October 2nd: The fall school break begins soon and during such breaks, many families find themselves with fewer food resources for their families. Parents and caregivers must provide more meals. Second Harvest will host the first Fall Break Mobile Pantry at Heritage High School on October 2nd from 11 am- 3 pm.   They need multiple volunteers to help with the pantry! Volunteers will help with traffic/crowd control, distributing out food, assisting families/individuals, and more. Volunteers are needed between 8 am and 5 pm. If you can donate an hour of your time, or the whole day, we would love your help! To sign up, please contact Darby Arnold at 865-423-8220 or darby@secondharvestetn.org .

Proposal to Detain Immigrant Children Indefinitely – The administration wants the ability to imprison immigrant kids indefinitely, despite the 1997 Flores agreement that limits their detention to 20 days. Please contact our MoCs and add your voice to others that oppose this proposal. 

Protect the Mueller Investigation – The Special Counsel Integrity Act (S1741) is a bipartisan bill that protect the special counsel from being fired without reason. It passed the Judiciary Committee in April. Sen. McConnell has refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. Please contact our Senators and request they apply pressure on McConnell to allow a vote on the bill.

Good News! – 

A judge has ordered Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, to testify in a lawsuit challenging the 2020 Census question pertaining to citizenship.

A judge has put Yellowstone grizzly bears back on the endangered list, which restores their protections and prevents the hunting planned of them. 

Educate Yourself – 

Read about the BLM’s Electoral Justice Project that supports Black-led grassroots organizations and mobilizing the minority electorate. 

Learn about HR 6691, which recently passed in the House. It expands the definition of violent crimes but is overly broad and may result in over criminalization. Read Rep. O’Rourke’s evaluation of the bill. We will monitor its progress as it moves to the Senate.

Actions for Week of September 23, 2018

Offer Your Comments Now!

Proposed Changes to Endangered Species Act:  The Interior Dept. wants to seriously weaken this law by obscuring the scientific process that determines whether a species should be listed as endangered.  Public comments can be offered until the end of day tomorrow (Sept 24th) at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0007

Funding for LCF Runs out Sept. 30th – The Land & Water Conservation Fund has been extremely successful, effective & efficient over its lifetime but its funds run out Sep. 30th. Please sign this letter of support and contact our MoCs.

The Kavanaugh Fiasco Continues –

Learn about the Cancel Kavanaugh Movement – Visit this website to learn about actions planned for Monday (9/24, #BelieveSurvivors) & Thurs (9/27, #BelieveChristine). 

Learn about the #WhyIDidn’tReport movement on Twitter. 

Please provide feedback to Sens. Alexander and Corker about whether the accusation of Judge Kavanaugh’s sexual abuse should be investigated before the committee votes on his nomination. Sen. Corker at first called for a delay but then reversed himself. Also speak up on the apparent bias of several committee members. 

Feel free to contact committee chairman, Sen. Grassley, directly, about providing a fair and safe venue for Dr. Ford to testify. Let’s hope Anita Hill debacle is not repeated!

Good News! –  The Supreme Court today denied a stay, and lifted a temporary stay by Chief Justice Roberts, in a landmark dark money case against Crossroad GPS and the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This decision means that effective immediately, anyone making more than $250 in express advocacy ads — ads that tell viewers who to vote for or against — must now disclose the identities of all contributors who gave more than $200 in a year. They must also identify who among those contributors earmarked their contributions for express ads. Because of this decision, the contributors for a major category of dark money spending this fall will have to be disclosed to the public.

Educate Yourself – 

Learn about the TN Black Voter Project sponsored by TN ProudVoter. 

Read about another proposed tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.

Watch this video by Naomi Klein on a 5-step plan on getting ready for possible future actions that threaten our democracy. 

Actions for Week of September 16, 2018

Opioid Crisis Response Act – S2680 is a bipartisan bill up for a vote this week. It is a start on addressing the opioid crisis but lacks funding for making addiction treatment more accessible. Please thank Sen. Alexander for filing this bill and encourage Sen. Corker to vote for it. 

Call Senators about Kavanaugh – If you want to weigh in again on the Kavanaugh nomination/vote, here’s a handy list of phone numbers for every Senator. Consider calling Sens. Flake, Donnelly, Manchin, Collins and Murkowski, in addition to our TN Senators. Committee vote is scheduled for Thursday. 

Missing Native American Women – Women of indigenous tribes are going missing at alarming rates. In some cases, little has been done to search for them and no comprehensive data collection has been done. In others, the search is complicated by overlapping jurisdictions. Please ask our Senators to join Sen. Tester’s call for Senate hearings on this issue. Please ask Rep. Duncan to support HR 6545, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which gives tribes broader jurisdiction. This bill has 154 sponsors but so far, Mr. Duncan is not one of them. 

Good News! – 

Please thank Sen. Alexander for procuring $1.7million for hiring additional TN firefighters and $2.5million for purchasing equipment, as well as making repairs to the Chattanooga lock system.

Walters State Community College has joined others in turning down Gov. Haslam’s privatization/outsourcing plan.

Read about how California has passed its own Net Neutrality law. Perhaps we can lobby our state government to do the same!

Educate Yourself – Participate in one of the women’s March Global Webinars this week: 

Monday, 17 September - Equality Now

Tuesday, 18 September - Women's March Frankfurt

Wednesday, 19 September - Women's March Buenos Aires

Thursday 20 September - Free Saudi Women Coalition

Friday 21 September - Women's March Global Team 

Actions for Week of September 9, 2018

Anti-Wildlife Trafficking Bill – The RAWR bill (HR 6197) that authorizes rewards for thwarting trafficking linked to transnational organized crime, etc. is up for consideration in the House this week. It has bipartisan support. Please ask Rep. Duncan to support it. 

Notice to Parents, Teachers, Students on Start with Hello Week - Start with Hello Week, from Sept. 24 to 28, is a nationwide movement that teaches students how to reach out to peers who may feel isolated or ignored – to help prevent violence before it happens – and comes at no cost to the school district. Visit the Sandy Hook Promise website to learn more about how to participate. 

Petitions to Sign – 

Support the strengthening Medicare & Medicaid by signing the EPI Policy Center petition. 

Add your name to the stop partisan gerrymandering petition. 

Tell you state legislators to support the National Popular Vote bill. The bill would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and DC. 

Urge Congress to renew funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

Good News! – 

Once again, a Federal court threw out the map of North Carolina’s gerrymandered Congressional districts. Unfortunately, it appears there is not enough time to redraw the districts before the midterms. 

The Courts continue to rule that lawsuits against the citizenship question on the 2020 census can proceed. 

Lyft is teaming up with the Urban League, TurboVote and other to provide free and half-price rides to the polls on election day. 

Educate Yourself – 

The Women’s March is going global! Visit https://womensmarchglobal.org/ to learn more! Consider signing this petition to free activists in Saudi Arabia.  

Learn what is behind the delay of the bipartisan Secure Elections Act. 

Meet the protestors at the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing. A 75-year-old woman was arrested for the first time in her life. 

Actions for Week of September 2, 2018

Kavanaugh Hearings this Week – We’ve learned that 100,000 pages of Kavanaugh documents are going to be withheld based on executive privilege. This claim has not been made by GW Bush, whose administration Kavanaugh worked for, but by the current administration. His hearings start Sept. 4th. Once again, please send our Senators feedback on his nomination.

Voter Deceptive Practices Bill – Five Democratic Senators have introduced a bill that would criminalize spreading wrong information regarding the time & place of elections, voter qualifications, and voter status. The leader on this effort is Sen. Claire McCaskill whose current re-election campaign is under attack by the Russians. Please ask our Senators to support and cosponsor this bill. 

Democracy & the Informed Citizen Symposia – A series of educational presentations on how government works begins in Knoxville on Sept. 17th and runs through Oct 16th. These seminars are sponsored by Knox County Public Library, Humanities TN, UT Dept. Political Science, Leadership Knoxville and KC League of Women Voters. See details in the events list below, on our Huddle Calendar, on the Library Website, and at this Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2163481750641383/ 

Good News! – 

In 2017, the USA reduced its carbon emission by 0.5%, the most of all major countries. 

On Aug 23rd, the Senate voted to approved a Fiscal Year 2019 funding package for public media (e.g. PBS, NPR, etc.) 

A Federal judge blocked the hunting of grizzly bears that was to take place this fall in Yellowstone. 

Educate Yourself – 

Read how cuts to Medicaid to help the federal deficit are misdirected. Article is written by UT Assoc. Professor, Carole Myers. 

Read about how 15/19 state legislators that opposed the Oklahoma teacher demands were defeated in last week’s primary. 

Actions for Week of August 26, 2018

Join the Protest over Kavanaugh Nomination – Women’s rights groups stand united in their opposition to Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Nomination. Widespread protests were held in DC and across the nation today. More protests are planned Sept. 4th. Mr. Kavanaugh supports limiting women’s reproductive rights and recently dissented in the court decision that upheld those rights. In addition, many of the requested documents from his past time in the White House not been released and others are not being released to the full Senate. In addition, 10 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have requested the hearings be delayed because of possible criminal wrongdoing by 45. Please urge our Senators to delay his confirmation hearing indefinitely. 

Save the Plants Bill S 3240, HR 1054 – The Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act (S.3240) encourages federal land management agencies to hire botanists, conduct research on native plant materials, and incorporate native plants in projects on federal lands when feasible. In 2017 this bipartisan bill, commonly called the Botany Bill, (H.R.1054) was introduced in the House of Representatives. Consider asking our MoCs to support and cosponsor this bill. 

People to Thank – 

Thank Jim Kenney, mayor of Philadelphia for ending a contract with ICE that shares real-time arrest information.  Email: https://www.phila.gov/departments/mayor/ , Twitter: @PhillyMayor, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhillyMayor/ 

Thank Republican Sen. Richard Burr for unequivocally acknowledging that covert social media interference by foreign countries took place during the 2016 election. Email: https://www.burr.senate.gov/ , Twitter: @SenatorBurr, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorRichardBurr/ 

Thank these Senators for pledging to refuse corporate PAC campaign donations: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Kamala Harris

Good News! – 

A judge struck down parts of 3 different Executive orders that would have curtailed the power of labor unions representing federal employees. 

Kroger will phase out plastic grocery bags by 2025!

A Federal judge has allowed a Massachusetts lawsuit to proceed on behalf of couples torn apart by ICE.

Educate Yourself – 

Read about the “People’s Budget: A Progressive Path Forward” created by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) for 2019. You can download the pdf from the Economic Policy Institute website . The CPC offers some interesting ideas on job creation, financing public investments, strengthening low- & middle-class families, as well as decreasing the deficit.   

Read the article penned by Steven Miller’s uncle about how he is an immigration hypocrite. His ancestors immigrated here because of anti-Jewish pogroms by the Czar in their home region of Antopol, which is now in Belarus.

Learn about how the earning power of black women compares to white men. 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of August 19, 2018

Vote for Blount County Community Action Agency – You can help BCAA win up to $25,000 to help senior adults by voting for them daily until August 31st.  Go to this link: https://t.co/UQSjX72IZA You can create a voting account or sign in via Facebook. 

Save the Plants Bill S 3240, HR 1054 – The Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act (S.3240) encourages federal land management agencies to hire botanists, conduct research on native plant materials, and incorporate native plants in projects on federal lands when feasible. In 2017 this bipartisan bill, commonly called the Botany Bill, (H.R.1054) was introduced in the House of Representatives. Consider asking our MoCs to support and cosponsor this bill.

Provide Feedback on TennCare Work Requirement Implementation – As you may know, the General Assembly passed a bill in the spring requiring certain recipients of TennCare to work in order to be eligible for healthcare. The TN Healthcare Campaign (THCC) recommends the state of Tennessee should have the ability to grant additional exemptions to individuals who demonstrate special circumstances not listed. Recommended exemptions include: 1) Exemptions under TANF/SNAP including, 2) Pregnant women, 3) Primary caregivers of dependents, 4) Individuals with health related barriers to employment, 5) Victims of domestic violence, 6) Individuals over the age of 50, 7) Individuals living in areas of high unemployment, etc. Click on this link for easy ways to provide feedback. For more details, click on the “Document here” link.  

Good News! – 

A Federal judge extended the freeze on deporting families at the US- Mexico border. 

Another Federal judge struck down the administration’s attempt to stop clean water protections.

Last Tuesday’s primary winners were a very diverse group! Ihlan Omar has a good chance to become the first Somali-American immigrant and 2nd Muslim woman in Congress. Jahana Hayes has a chance to become the first African-American Democratic Congresswoman from Connecticut. 

Educate Yourself – 

Conservationists are suing the Dept. of Interior over its trophy hunting council. 

Learn about Postcards for America and follow them on Facebook. If you can’t make it physically to our local postcard group meetings, you can join this one from home!

Learn about the #Unfit movement, started by the mental health community to produce a documentary film about Trump’s dangerous psychological disorders. Follow Duty to Warn on Facebook and Twitter. If you are mental health professional, you can also apply to join the Duty to Protect FB page.

Actions for Week of August 12, 2018

In anticipation of the presentation at our August 30th Huddle meeting on the Suffrage Movement Showdown in Knoxville, the Book Club recommends we read The Woman' Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote, by Elaine Weiss (Viking, 2018). This book traces the history of the suffrage movement in Tennessee and the important role Tennessee played in the ratification of the 19th Amendment. 

Did you hear the founders of Indivisible are headed to East TN? Consider joining them for dinner in Maryville on Friday. See details in the events list below.

Release Kavanaugh Documents – Unlike prior Supreme Court nominees, documents generated by Judge Kavanaugh during his time in the Bush Administration White House are not being released for review. Senators in both parties are calling for their release. With confirmation hearings to start Sept. 4th, these documents should be released ASAP. Please contact our Senators with your input. 5Calls can help you contact them. 

Land & Water Conservation Fund to Expire – One of the nation’s most effective conservation laws that few Americans have heard of is about to die. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been making national and local parks better for more than 50 years – but it will expire in less than 75 days unless Congress and the President renew it. The fund is the only federal program dedicated to the continued conservation of national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, ball fields, Civil War battlefields and state and local parks at no cost to taxpayers. Every $1.00 invested in the Land and Water Conservation Fund returns $4.00 dollars in economic value from natural resource goods and services, alone. Please ask our MoCs to support and cosponsor these bills that would fund the LWCF permanently: S 896, S 569, HR 502.

Good News – 

A federal judge has struck down the implementation of money bail, which is essentially a kickback scheme for the court system. Cash bail is being challenged in other states as well. 

Another federal court ordered the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to developmental disorders of the brain in children.

The Chicago Tribune withdrew from the Sinclair merger, which is good news for local TV stations everywhere. 

A judge demanded an woman seeking asylum and her child be returned to the USA or else he would hold Jeff Sessions in contempt of court. 

Educate Yourself – 

Read the guest editorial in the Sunday Daily times by the folks from SURJ-BC regarding the anniversary of Charlottesville.

The death toll in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria has risen to 1427, which is approaching that of Hurricane Katrina (1833). Note the disparity in attention paid between the 2 disasters. 

Did you know that demonstrations have occurred nightly near the White House (Kremlin Annex) to protest the president’s cozy relationship with Putin.  These demonstrations are part of the #StandOnEveryCorner movement. Follow this hashtag on twitter to learn about actions everywhere. 

Actions for Week of August 5, 2018

7 Items of Good News – Thanks for the Judiciary and Pro Bono Lawyers!

A Federal judge blocked the move to post plans for printing 3D guns on line. Thanks to all of you who offered comments on the State Dept. website. Learn about Cody Wilson, the man behind the 3D-printed gun. 

The FEC regulation allowing anonymous donations to dark money groups was invalidated last week. 

UT’s College of Law has started a TN driver’s license reinstatement program. See this website for details and spread the word! 

Another Federal judge ruled that 45 must fully restore DACA. 

Although the Justice Dept. tried to argue that the ACLU must find the missing parents of the 500+ immigrant kids separated at the border, the judge on the case said the administration must bear 100% of the responsibility. 

The Supreme Court denied the administration’s request to halt the youth climate lawsuit. Our youth is leading the way!

Although the administration proposed car-mileage rollback last week, at least 19 states are legally challenging the plan. 

Market Choice Act – Two Republican representatives have introduced a bill to fund infrastructure projects with a pricing scheme on carbon. The Market Choice Act eliminates the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, and replaces it with a tax on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  The bill is supported by many conservation/environmental groups. Please contact Rep. Duncan and ask him to support and cosponsor this bill. 

Tax Cut Threatens Veterans’ Healthcare – According to the White House, the increasing debt associated with the $1.5 trillion tax cut is making it difficult to pay for veterans’ healthcare benefits. This problem has been created by the administration shifting payment of these benefits to the discretionary portion of the federal budget from the mandatory (e.g. military spending) portion. Veterans started receiving letters last week informing them of loss of dental coverage. Please contact our MoCs with your feedback. Follow VoteVets on Twitter @votevets and visit http://www.votevets.org/ for updates.

Some Petitions to Sign – 

Sandy Hook Petition – Please consider signing a petition that urges Congress to take action to prevent school shootings. 

News Print Tariff Petition – US Dept. of Commerce plans to apply a 30% tariff on news print imported into the USA from Canada. This will force layoffs at some newspapers and potentially force others out of business. Tariffs only benefit hedge fund investors. Please sign this petition and contact our MoCs. 

Oil/Gas Leases on Federal Public Lands – On July 16th, the Utah BLM proposed holding an auction to lease 225 parcels (329,826 acres) of public lands for oil/gas development. Such leases endanger Wild Book Cliffs, White River & the Four-Corner Region. Please sign this petition and follow SUWA on Twitter @SouthernUTWild for further updates.

August 2nd is election day! 

GO VOTE! Ask your friends and family to vote!

Actions for Week of July 29, 2018

1-Year Anniversary of Charlottesville – It has been almost a year since white supremacists descended on Charlottesville VA.  Recognizing that the violence of August 12, 2017 was not limited to that one day, SURJ National Organization is marking this anniversary by offering two educational webinars focusing on learning about white supremacist movements and ways to counter their messages of hate.   

Aug 1st, Wed 8PM: Who is the Alt-Right Webinar. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LvjCcXkOR-2LQdc9pGwpvg 

Aug 8th, Wed 8PM: The Alt-Right and Immigration Webinar. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7xlRBuA2Rqm2C2e0jVHmeA 

Ghost Gun Blueprints Become Available – It is now legal for gunmakers to offer downloadable 3D printable plans for guns and gun parts on the Internet. They became available August 1st. These guns are plastic and have minimal metal parts so do not set off metal detectors if the required metal tag is removed. They lack serial numbers so cannot be traced. Please contact the State Department here and do it before Wednesday!

Medical Guideline Website Shutdown - HHS shut down a public medical guideline website on July 17, 2018 despite the objections of doctors, hospitals and other health professionals. This database has been a valuable resource for doctors for over 20 years. Please consider contacting HHS to ask them to keep the National Guidelines Clearinghouse available: US Dept. Health & Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20201, 1-877-696-6775. Secty. Azar = 202-690-7000. 

Educate Yourself –

Read about the effort of the Refugee & Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) to reunite families separated at the border. Follow them on Twitter @RAICESTEXAS . See how they plan to use $20 million to help detained families. The stories they tell are heartbreaking!

Learn about how much the Trump boys’ foreign travel is costing the US Secret Service. A lot of money is being spent so they can work on business deals. Thought Donald Jr had terminated his protection last year? He did so temporarily but it was later reactivated. 

Find out what’s happening on the March For Our Lives Road to Change Tour across the USA. These young people are traveling through the Southeast over the next 2 weeks. They are fighting against gun violence, promote open dialogue, and encourage new state laws to combat the problem. Follow them on Twitter @AMarch4OurLives. 

Actions for Week of July 22, 2018

Helsinki Summit – Time to speak up about 45’s performance at his meeting with Putin. If a US president sides with our enemy who has attacked our election process, it that considered treason? Read about the Crisis Facing America and What Putin has on Trump. Please contact our MoCs and ask them to support our intelligence agencies and censure the president. Ask them to also support these measures:

Secure Elections Act (S 2261) that would strengthen our cyber defenses and provide assistance to local and state election officials.

Honest Ads Act (S 1989) that requires online political ads to disclose their sponsors. 

DETER act (S 2785) the imposes automatic sanctions on Russia for any interference in the 2018 elections. 

Protecting American Votes & Elections Act (S 3049) that requires local and state election equipment to produce voter-verified paper ballots that can be cross referenced and for audits to be conducted for all federal elections that compare digital ballots to random paper ballots. 

2020 Census Citizenship Question – The US Dept. of Commerce wants to include a question on the 202 Census asking residents if they are US citizens. The question is untested, unlike the rest of the census questions and may result in immigrants not completing the census. Six former Census Director disagree with the proposal. Adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census will intimidate communities, skew legislative districts and deprive some states of necessary funding.  In TN it can have an adverse effect on funding of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. 

Sign this petition on the 2020 Census. 

Please offer comments by August 7, 2018 at this website. Here is a draft comment:

“I am [your name] from Tennessee. I am opposed to the addition of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. This addition is unnecessary and would cause fewer residents to complete the census, leading to inaccurate population data that is used for most federal funding decisions in Tennessee. It is in everyone's interest that the census is as accurate as possible to best inform programming decisions and support social services. This question has not been tested as is best practice and does not fill any practical purpose. The citizenship question should not be included on the 2020 Census for the most fair, accurate and inclusive census."

Educate Yourself – 

Learn how the Republican plan for family leave threatens Social Security. People would be forced to use SS benefits to pay for family leave, thereby decreasing their retirement benefits. 

Read the UN Report on Poverty in the USA. Turns out we are exceptional, but not in a good way. 

Understand that the language used by this administration is the language of domestic violence. 

Actions for Week of July 15 2018

Pruitt’s Last Action – Before Scott Pruitt left the building, he granted a loophole that allows a major increase in the manufacture of diesel truck engines that produce up to 55 times the air pollution as trucks who meet modern emission standards. Please provide feedback on this issue to our MoCs and the acting EPA Director, Andrew Wheeler at 202-564-1137.

Border Agents Boarding Greyhound Buses – Greyhound is allowing border agents to board their buses to ask people for their citizenship papers. The ACLU has told Greyhound this is a violation of passengers 4th amendment rights, but Greyhound refuses to listen.  Border Patrol has shown to racially profile and target Black and Latinx passengers on Greyhound buses, resulting in many legal residents being arrested and detained. Tell Greyhound to stop letting Border Patrol perform warrantless searches on their buses by signing this petition. 

Appropriations Bill Passes the House – Funding for researching gun violence was removed from the House Appropriations bill and an amendment was added to the HHS budget that allows adoption and foster agencies to turn away LGBT parents. Please contact our Senators and ask them not to support these items when the bill reaches the Senate. 

Status of Jim Jordan – GOP Rep. Jim Jordan is accused of not reporting sexual abuse while an assistant coach at Ohio State University. When accused of in appropriate behavior, Democrats forced Sen. Al Franken to resign. Why has Paul Ryan not launched an investigation? Consider contacting Rep. Duncan to request an investigation.

Postcard Writing – Vienna Coffee house reopens with regular hours on July 17th. The group plans to be back at that location 212 College St. Maryville from 12:30-2PM again. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of July 8, 2018

Restoration of TN drivers license: A federal judge ruled last week that Tennessee could NOT revoke driver’s licenses based on inability to pay court fines. For information on how people can restore their license see this article and video and this TN website. Please spread the word!

Habitat for Humanity in Blount County has some house building opportunities open for eligible families. Please see the attached flyer. 

Exporting Guns from USA – The Trump administration proposed moving oversight of gun/ammunition exports from the State Dept. to the Commerce Dept. so that selling weapons of war abroad will become easier. If such weapons fall into the hands of our enemies, they may be used against our own soldiers. You have until midnight, July 9th to comment. Please copy and paste this comment…On May 24, the Trump Administration formally proposed a new rule that would loosen regulations over gun exports, potentially increasing the risk that dangerous weapons may end up in the hands of international criminals. The proposed rule would dramatically change the regulatory structure for firearm exports. The proposed rule is complex and appears to be largely driven by the interests of industry. We are concerned that the proposed rule may not adequately address our national security, foreign policy, international crime, terrorist threats, or the need for transparency so Congress and the public may understand the impact of these rules and potential firearm exports. We are also concerned that the proposed rule fails to recognize the inherently military nature of many of the relevant firearms. Rather than moving forward with the proposed rule, the Administration should consider other alternatives to better balance the important interests at stake….to these two websites:

State Dept: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=DOS-2017-0046-0001

Dept. Commerce: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=BIS-2017-0004-0001 

Blackberry Mountain Rezoning Request – July 10th, Tues: 6:30 PM: BC Agenda Committee Meeting. Please plan to attend this meeting to provide feedback to the BC Commissioners on the application to rezone Chilhowee Mountain and Walland Center to allow more liberal recreational and commercial development. Room 430 County Courthouse Maryville. After the meeting is opened, all adult residents/property owners of Blount County have the right to speak, for a maximum to 3 minutes. Now is the time to be heard!

Brian Benczkowski Nomination – This fellow is nominated to lead the Criminal Division of the Dept. of Justice. In the past he has represented Alpha Bank, a Russian bank with ties to Putin. He’s a former staffer of Jess Sessions. If he joins DOJ he has said he is unwilling to recuse himself from matters pertaining to the Russian investigation. Please contact our Senators as his nomination will be voted on this week!

SCOTUS Nominee – Please ask our Senators to speak up for LGLBTQ folks, women’s reproductive rights, people of color, people with disabilities, Native Americans, immigrants and workers during the confirmation process for the next Supreme Court Justice. Sign this petition regarding protection for LGBTQ folks.

Seat at the Table, July 26th - See the attached flyer.

New Location for Postcard Writing – While Vienna Coffee is closed for renovations, the postcard group will meet at Blount County Public Library 508 N Cusick St from 1:30-3PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of July 2, 2018

Family Separation: Keep the Heat on! – Continue to contact the White House and our MOCs to demand separated families are reunited immediately!

Sen. Corker & Alexander – Both our Senators have joined with others to introduce a bill that curbs the ability of the president from imposing tariffs based on national security concerns.  So far Sen. McConnell is not going to allow the bill to be brought up for a vote but it might be added as an amendment to the National Defense funding bill. Consider thanking them for that and asking them to fight against the tariff on news print that hurts our local newspapers. Sign this petition. 

More Bad Nominees – Please ask our Senators to reject these nominees.

Ronald Mortensen is nominated for Asst. Secty. of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration. He is highly critical of DACA, proposed fining DACA recipients $5000 for working and has been an anti-immigrant blogger. Numerous Senators have called for the withdrawal of his nomination. Please ask our Senators to reject this nominee. Send a letter to Sen. Corker through this link: http://www.congressweb.com/TIRRC/53/ 

Ryan Bounds is nominated to the 9th Circuit Court. His nomination goes to the full Senate despite lack of support from both of Oregon’s senators, an unprecedented move. His early writings show a bias against people of color, LGBTQ folks, and victim of sexual assault, and he failed to disclose them prior to his Senate hearing.

Patrick Wyrick is nominated as a judge in Western District of OK. His public record shows hostility towards women’s right, consumer protection and the environment. He has close ties to Scott Pruitt and Devon Energy. He is another nominee that the American Bar Assoc. failed to recommend.

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Please note we have a Huddle meeting this Thursday, June 28th, at 7PM. Sarah Rimer Moss, the Knoxville Coordinator of Be Smart for Kids, an organization dedicated to reducing gun deaths in children will be speaking. The meeting is open to the public, so feel free to invite friends.

Most of our actions again this week are dedicated to the separation of refugee families at the border. To better understand why these folks are seeking asylum here, read this article. Please keep up the pressure to for reunification and humane treatment of these folks. A child trauma expert has composed the attached letter for us to use when contacting out MoCs and the agencies below. Feel free to share it. 

Actions for Week of June 24, 2018

Rally - June 25th, Mon 6PM: Families Belong Together Rally. Hosted by Women’s March Coalition, AKIN, Centro Hispano, TN Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition. City County Building, 400 Main St. Knoxville. https://www.facebook.com/events/656436441358154/

Reunite Immigrant Families – Please continue to contact our MoCs and the following folks to request they immediately reunite the separated immigrant children with their parents.

Atty General Jeff Sessions: 202-353-1555

DHS Secty Kirstjen Neilsen: 202-282-8495

Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan: 866-DHS-2ICE

HHS Secty Alex Azar: 202-690-7000

ORR Directory Scott Lloyd: 202-402-9246

Acting Asst ACF Secty Steven Wagner: 877-696-6775

White House 

Call Fox News – On Tues, June 19th, Corey Lewandowski made fun of a child with Downs Syndrome who was separated from its immigrant parents. He did this while speaking on Fox News. Please call the Fox News comment line (888-369-4762) and offer feedback. 

Women’s March & Allies will Rally on June 28th & 30th: Numerous rallies will take place on June 28th (Washington DC) and June 30th in all 50 states. Eight are scheduled in TN. Visit the March On website and watch for press coverage of these events! 

Voter Registration Neighborhood Canvassing June 30th, Sat 11AM-1 PM: Meet at St. Paul AME Zion Church, 401 W. Broadway Maryville by 10:45 AM. You’ll receive instructions and a partner, if you don’t have one. Area to be canvassed is Montgomery Village Apartments off Old Knoxville Highway, Knoxville. You don’t need to be trained or experienced. Just show up! 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of June 17, 2018

***Protest Separation of Families*** – The administration’s new policy of separating children from families entering the US violates their rights and international law. It has been condemned by the UN, pediatricians, psychologists, the clergy, legislators, immigration advocates/lawyers, and others. Some children taken from their parents are as young as 4 months. In one case, a baby was placed in foster care, the father was deported and now they have no way of retrieving the child. He has been in foster care for 4 months. Some children are being warehoused in defunct big box stores and a plan has been floated to create tent cities to house them. 45 is using them as a bargaining chip in his anti-immigration agenda. Learn more about what you can do in this NYT article. Please call our Senators and ask them to support and cosponsor these bills:

Sen. Feinstein’s Keep Families Together Act (S3036). So far, the bill has 43 sponsors but none are Republicans. 

Sen. Harris’s DONE Act (S2849), which places a moratorium on immigration facilities. 

House Immigration Bills – Two bills will be brought to the floor for a vote this week. Goodlatte’s immigration bill, HR4760 (Securing America’s Future Act), cuts immigration (including farm workers), keeps families apart, criminalizes all undocumented immigrants, and provides no protection for Dreamers. Although the second bill has yet to be filed, it appears to offer some protections for young immigrants but limits legal immigration and provides billions of dollars for the wall. Please contact Rep. Duncan to oppose both these bills. Instead, ask him to support HR3923 (Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act) which addresses many of the family separation issues that currently has 89 sponsors, as well as HR5820, the companion bill to the DONE Act. 

Defense Contractors Profiting from Warehousing of Children – Companies with contracts with the Office of Refugee Resettlement are profiting from the need to build and maintain more housing for undocumented children separated from their parents. Please consider contacting the CEOs of these companies, including Phebe Novakovic, the CEO of General Dynamics, at pnovakovic@generaldynamics.com and Kevin Marquez, CEO of MVM at marquezk@mvminc.com 

Sign the Petition – Jeff Sessions has announced that fleeing domestic and/or gang violence is no longer accepted reasons for seeking asylum in the USA. Please sign this petition: https://www.change.org/p/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-tell-jeff-sessions-domestic-violence-victims-need-asylum 

Save the Dates – 

Blount County Immigrant Outreach Meeting – June 26th, Tues 6:30PM. Local attorney, Andy Sneed, will provide information on the Designator Caregiver role. Updates will be given on the local accompaniment team and working groups. Location = Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 E. Broadway in downtown Maryville. Please RSVP to BCImmigrantOutreach@gmail.com  with your name. 

Huddle Meeting on Gun Safety – June 28th, Thurs 7-9PM. Sarah Rimer Moss, the Knoxville Be SMART coordinator will give a presentation on kids, guns and safety. Sharon Lawson Room, Blount County Public Library, 508 N. Cusick St. Maryville. The public is welcome!

Voter Registration Canvassing – June 30th, Sat. Sponsored by BC NAACP and the Huddle. Details TBA. Volunteers can RSVP to maryvilletnhuddle@gmail.com .

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of June 10, 2018

Community & Social Justice Fair – Consider visiting this event on June 16th, Saturday 10AM-4PM. This is a dynamic event that provides a way for individuals and organizations in our community to connect; stimulate civic engagement; and identify intersections to support movements grounded in common values.  Free and open to the public. Location = Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 1601 E. Magnolia Knoxville.  Break-out sessions are offered, including these presented by friends/neighbors from BC United:

Improving Academic Achievement through Greater Hiring Diversity in Public Schools facilitated by J. & C. Carpenter

Racism and Economics facilitated by F. Henderson & K. Chiles

Having Meaningful Conversations for Community & Coalition Building facilitated by R. McClelland

Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) – Comments can be offered on the proposed drilling until June 19th. Email comments to blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov For more info  on sending comments: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-08302.pdf 

Protections for Preexisting Conditions – The administration is urging a federal judge in TX to throw out the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with preexisting conditions by refusing to defend the law. Such a change would affect around 130 million adults or ¼ of everyone under the age of 65, including 1.2 million in TN.  Rep. Roe has expressed concerns. Let’s contact the other TN Reps and Senators.

Sign the Petitions

Revived Games (a video game company) is about to release a video game called Active Shooter, which glorifies school shootings. Please sign the petition sponsored by Sandy Hook Promise demanding the game not be released. 

The administration wants to instate a domestic gag rule that prohibits any healthcare provider that receives Title X funding from mentioning or referring a patient for an abortion. Please considered signing this petition. 

March for Our Lives – Learn about the effort of high school students to register 4 million teenagers to vote prior to the midterm elections. A 60-day bus tour kicks off June 15th. You can follow March for Our Lives – Knoxville TN and the national movement on Facebook and Twitter. Consider using #RoadToChange and #MarchForOurLives when posting. 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of June 3, 2018

Save the Date – Come learn about Medicaid Expansion and its potential to help TN residents.

Thursday, June 14, 2018, 7-9 pm, Sharon Lawson Room at Blount County Library. The Tennessee Health Care Campaign, The Blount County League of Women Voters & The Blount County Library are co-hosting a non-partisan workshop for voters and candidates on “Medicaid Expansion” in Tennessee led by Carole R, Myers, PhD, RN. Associate Professor, University of Tennessee College of Nursing and Department of Public Health.

Separation of Immigrant Children at Border – The Trump Administration has directed Homeland Security to send “100 percent of illegal southwest border crossings” to the Justice Department to be prosecuted. When undocumented parents are criminally prosecuted, their children are automatically declared unaccompanied minors, detained and transferred into government custody. Separating families at the border violates international law.

Sign the Women's March petition telling Ivanka Trump that she MUST take action to #EndFamilySeparation today.

Sign this ACLU petition

Contact ICE directly through their website or 1-866-HDS-2ICE. 

3. Carbon Fee Legislation – Please call our MoCs on June 6th to urge them to support the Citizen’s Climate Lobby’s proposal for carbon fee and dividend legislation. Consider calling local and DC offices. Here’s link to a suggested script for the call: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/call-congress-about-climate-change/#/6/

4. Take the Pledge – Support the movement to elect candidates who treat our fellow citizens with dignity, civility & respect. Sign the Let’s Vote in 2018pledge. Consider participating in the webinar at 8 PM EDT on June 6, 13, 20 or 27th  on how to have Effective Conversations. 

5. Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of May 27, 2018

Request Rep. Duncan sign the DACA Discharge Petition:  Numerous Republican and Democratic Representatives are trying to force Paul Ryan to vote on DACA legislation.  So far, Rep. Duncan has not signed on. 

Greet Trump in Nashville:  45 is coming to town Tuesday, May 29th. People plan to meet 4-7 PM CDT at Metro Nashville Municipal Auditorium, 417 4th Ave. N, Nashville TN. https://www.facebook.com/events/588178808228965/.  The president is fundraising for Senate hopeful Marsha Blackburn, who has supported every aspect of his agenda.  Join Women’s March Coalition–Power Together TN (private), Nashville Indivisible (private), Indivisible Middle Tennessee, TN Advocates for Planned Parenthood and other progressive organizations to present a unified front to the anti-Trump agenda. Bring signs, banners, costumes, and musical instruments.  

National Gun Violence Awareness Day: Wear Orange Weekend June 1-3rd – Join people around the country to send the message we want to end gun violence now! Plan to attend the TN Knox Wear Orange Picnic at West Hill Park, 7624 Sheffield Dr. Knoxville at noon on June 2nd. 

Read about the disparities in how black (primarily homicides) and white (primarily suicides) men die in gun violence by state. Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine Journal. Across the United States, states with the highest levels of household gun ownership also have the highest rates of firearm suicide and homicide. https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/23/health/gun-deaths-in-men-by-state-study/index.html

Support TN Bottle Bill Project – Learn about the movement to get a bottle bill passed in TN and sign up for the action network. Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tnbottlebill/ Bottle bills have worked well in other states but previous attempts to pass a bill in TN have failed. Let’s try again!

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of May 20, 2018

Save the Date: Huddle Meeting May 31st 7PM -  This Huddle Meeting is dedicated to Getting out the Vote (GOTV) in 2018. Time to get off the couch and join your fellow Huddlers and other organizations in getting folks registered and to the polls. Learn about voter registration, voter restoration, neighborhood canvassing, voting reminders and much more! Come meet 9 progressive candidates running for local and state offices. Sign up for one of the following events by mailing maryvilletnhuddle@gmail.com (no training necessary): 

June 9th – Food distribution day at Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church in Townsend, 8:30AM-Noon. Activities include checking folks’ registration status, helping with voter registration, passing out information on absentee ballots, voting places/times, voter IDs.

June 28th – Senior Resources Day at Cherokee Health Systems Good Samaritan Clinic, Alcoa from 9AM-2PM. Activities include checking folks’ registration status, helping with voter registration, passing out information on absentee ballots, voting places/times, voter IDs.

June 30th – Neighborhood canvassing sponsored by NACCP to check registrations and pass out voting information.

Educate Yourself - Learn about the National Popular Vote Bill that recently passed the Connecticut Legislature and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Malloy. It guarantees the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote, wins the election! 

A national popular vote for President is an achievable political goal that can be in place in time for the 2020 election. It has been enacted into law in 11 states with 165 electoral votes (CA, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, RI, VT, WA).  This interstate compact will take effect when enacted by states with 105 more electoral votes.  It has passed at least one house in 12 additional states with 96 electoral votes (AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, ME, MI, NC, NM, NV, OK, OR) and been approved unanimously by committee votes in two additional states with 27 electoral votes (GA, MO).

Learn about this history of this bill in TN. It was introduced in 2016 by several Republican Representatives. Learn what you can do about getting it reintroduced here: https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/state/tn 

Help Ban Bump Stocks – Comments can be submitted to the ATF through June 27th via Giffords.org or Regulations.gov. The goal is to reach 30,000 requests for their ban. 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of May 13, 2018

Farm Bill HR2 Includes Deleterious Amendments – Amendments added to this bill gut dozens of environmental safeguards, particularly those affecting endangered species, severs ties to the low-income energy assistance program, and includes work requirements for recipients of the SNAP program. Please contact Rep. Duncan to ask he oppose this bill once it comes to the House floor for a vote. 

Let Net Neutrality Bill be Voted On – The FCC will repeal net neutrality on June 11, 2018. Please contact Sen. McConnell and urge him to bring the Congressional Review Act (Resolution of Disapproval) to the floor for a vote this week. Email form: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm Phone: 202-224-2541. Also contact our Senators and ask them to support the measure. 

Call/Email/Tweet the Governor – Gov. Haslam has until May 22 to sign or allow these bills to become law without signing them. Contact info: 615-741-2001, https://twitter.com/billhaslam , https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html , or bill.haslam@tn.gov 

SB 2332/HB2315-  As introduced, prohibits state and local governmental entities and officials from adopting sanctuary policies; requires law enforcement agencies to enter into memorandums of agreement with federal officials concerning enforcement of federal immigration laws.   

SB2333/HB2312: As introduced, prohibits the use of consular identification cards, and other similar documents not authorized by the general assembly for use for identification purposes, for determining a person's identity or residency by an official or employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of May 6, 2018

For everyone living in Blount County, please remember to place a bag of nonperishable food at your mailbox by 9 AM on Saturday, May 12th to support the Annual Postal Food Drive for the BC Food Connection. Thank you!

Refugee Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Rescinded – Over the last several months, the Trump administration has revoked protective status almost 437,000 refugees, including 262,000 Salvadorans, 59,000 Haitians, 5,300 Nicaraguans, 86,000 Hondurans, 14,800 Nepalese, 1,050 Sudanese, and other refugees from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. These people fled hurricanes, earthquakes, war, disease and famine. Some have lived here for 20 years. They are employed, pay taxes and have ~300,000 children born here who are USA citizens. They are not criminals. They are positive contributors to our society and economy. In addition, their countries are incapable of resorbing them. Our broken immigration system has offered them no pathway to citizenship; TPS is all they have. Faith groups of all kinds are decrying this move as cruel, inhumane, shameful and un-American. You can use this form to contact Congress and also consider contacting our MoCs directly. See this interfaith toolkit to defend TPS. We must never forget our forefathers were once in a similar situation and America welcomed them. Engraved on our Statue of Liberty:

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Scott Pruitt Must Go! – Why does this corrupt administrator of the EPA still have his job? Join 11 conservation organizations, including the NRDC, Environmental Defense Fund, League of Conservation Voters, and Sierra Club, in calling for his resignation. Please sign this NDRC Action Letter , the Boot Pruitt Petition, and contact our MoCs. Follow 

Educate Yourself – See these charts to learn why America’s teachers are fed up: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/health/teachers-pay-profession-charts-stats-trnd/index.html

Speaking up Makes a Difference - https://mic.com/articles/189208/while-you-werent-looking-5-resignations-from-the-trump-administration-you-maybe-missed#.KjIbldsWv

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided!

Actions for Week of April 29, 2018

Support Print Newspapers – Tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian newsprint are making it more expensive for local newspapers. Newspapers are already in difficulty because so many people obtain their news elsewhere. However, they remain important to our local communities. Please contact the White House (see below) and the Dept. of Commerce to request they rescind this tariff: https://www.commerce.gov/page/contact-us (call, write, scroll down to post a comment).

Send Postcard to State Dept. - The Administration's nominee to lead the UN International Organization for Migration, Ken Isaacs, has made comments that vilify Muslims. His ability to be impartial toward our neighbors is in question and his nomination is drawing worldwide concern.  

Address: Office of Public Engagement: PA/PL, Rm. 2206, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20520

Speak Up About Sinclair Broadcasting Merger – FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has publicly rejected calls from Congress to review the broadcast licenses of Sinclair Broadcasting Group affiliates because Sinclair forced stations to run “must-run” segments where anchors at its affiliates were required to read a dystopian script about the prevalence of "fake news" in the media. Sinclair is broadcasting propaganda in support of Donald Trump at an unprecedented scale. And now, under the leadership of the FCC, they're closing in on a deal to buy out Tribune Media, which would let them reach 72% of American households, which is greater than the legal audience limit of 39%. Click on the link to sign a petition and contact our MoCs.

Save the Date – The Suffrage Coalition will unveil the Burn Memorial on Sat, June 9th. You are invited to join the Knox Blue Dots in re-enacting the Historical Suffrage March at 3PM, 400 Main St. in front of the Knoxville City-Council Building. https://www.facebook.com/events/127646311426328/ 

Actions for Week of April 22, 2018

Tell EPA to Stop Coal Ash Pollution - The Trump administration’s EPA has proposed weakening national protections against coal ash pollution following the request of large utilities and their political lobbyists. Remember what happened in Kingston TN in 2008. Please offer comments by April 30th: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=EPA-HQ-OLEM-2017-0286-0001 

Early Voting – Last chance for early voting for the May 1st County Primary Election is April 26th. Early voting locations include: 

Blount County Courthouse: Mon-Fri from 8AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-2PM

Blount County Public Library: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Everett Gym: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

Pellissippi State College: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Become a SMiles Driver Volunteer – Blount County’s Community Action Agency runs a door-to-door transportation program for residents >60 years old. SMiles program needs more drivers! Please see the attached application form and contact Brooke Whitehead at 865-724-1331 or bwhitehead@blountcaa.org for more information. 

More Bad Nominees – Please contact our Senators about these five judicial nominees with long histories of discriminating against LGBTQ citizens: Sen. Mark Norris (R-TN), Kyle Duncan, Howard Nielson, Gordon Giampetro, and Michael Brennan. 

April 23rd, Mon 7-9PM: Candidate Forum for Congressional District 2 Race. Come meet the candidates for the seat currently held by Rep. Duncan. Sponsored by the Blount County chapters of the League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women, and the Maryville Daily Times. Location = William Blount High School Auditorium, 219 County Farm Rd Maryville. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

Book for April

In preparation for the April 26th Huddle Meeting on Healthcare for All, please consider reading An American Sickness, How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back by Elizabeth Rosenthal. 

Actions for Week of April 15, 2018

No One is Above the Law: There is a growing sense that Trump may soon fire Rod Rosenstein & Robert Mueller. Mueller is clearly honing in on the president himself with respect to the charge of  collision/conspiracy with Russia, and Trump’s legal defense team is crumbling. 

Please ask our Senators to support the bipartisan, Special Counsel Independence & Integrity Act, which was introduced on April 11th.  

If/when No. 45 fires Robert Mueller, groups across the country are preparing for protests and rallies. In our area, people will meet at the Baker US Courthouse, 800 Market St. Knoxville. If the firing occurs before 2PM, people will meet at 5PM that day. If the firing takes place late in the day, people will meet at noon the following day. To sign up for notifications, visit these links: https://act.moveon.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response-events/13359 and https://www.facebook.com/groups/1888408344803854/ 

Sign up for text alerts by texting Mueller to 94502.

Immigrant Family Emergency Plan Event – The next event is planned for Saturday, April 21st, from 11AM – 6PM at Lonsdale Elementary School, 1317 Louisiana Ave Knoxville. Volunteer positions are available for Spanish interpreters, notary publics, scribes (English or Spanish speaking), and childcare attendants. Please email Kori Lautner at klautner@greatschoolspartnership.com to volunteer. This is the first event scheduled since the raid in Morristown, so your help is needed more than ever! Also consider signing this petition: https://www.tnimmigrant.org/bringthemhome 

More Bad Nominees – Please contact our Senators.

Wendy Vitter, another judicial nominee in eastern LA, refused to say whether she agreed with the result of Brown v. Board of Education. 

Mike Pompeo has been nominated for Secretary of State. Pompeo has expressed anti-Islamic views in the past and is a known war hawk. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is on the verge of not voting him through. Please contact Senator Corker who sits on this Committee. 

National School Walkouts Against Gun Violence – April 20th @ 10AM students will walk out of class all over the USA. Several are planned at Knoxville and surrounding high schools, but so far none are scheduled for Blount County. See these links for further details on how to plan (https://www.nationalschoolwalkout.net/ ) and register (https://act.indivisible.org/event/national-school-walkout/ ) a walk.

Provide Feedback on These Environmental Issues

Comment by April 21st on toxic neonicotinoids at EPA site: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844 

Comment by April 23rd on proposed rollback of BLM Methane & Waste Prevention Rule at https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=BLM-2018-0001-0001

Early Voting – Early voting for the May 1st County Primary Election is April 11-26th. Early voting locations include: 

Blount County Courthouse: Mon-Fri from 8AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-2PM

Blount County Public Library: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Everett Gym: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

Pellissippi State College: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Actions for Week of April 8, 2018

ICE Raids in Granger County April 5th – Roughly 100 workers were taken from Southeastern Provisions, a meatpacking plant in Morristown, TN and detained. They were transported to the Army National Guard military base in Russellville, and some of the workers were released. The rest are being processed by ICE. Families were directed to a nearby school to pick up kids or to hear info about their loved ones. The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) and Catholic Charities Immigration Services folks reported immediately to the scene to help families with Powers of Attorneys, providing representation, and dealing with the chaos. What can you do to help?

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Morristown is taking monetary donations at 2518 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy 37814 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587692384951294&set=gm.418095548604093&type=3&theater&ifg=1 

Donate to the Go-Fund-Me account has been set up by Hola Lakeway, which is an existing organization in the Morristown area that supports Hispanic families. The funds will be distributed for legal expenses, food, clothing needs of the families affected by the raid. etc.  https://www.gofundme.com/gk9rj-aid-for-families-affected-by-raid

Join the Drop-in Discussion sponsored by SURJ and Blount County Immigrant Outreach tomorrow, April 9th, at 5:30 PM at Barley’s Taproom 128 W. Broadway Maryville.  If you plan to attend, please send an email to blountcountysurj@gmail.com  so they can anticipate how many tables will be needed, although last-minute folks are also welcome. Look for the SURJ/BCIO table-top sign.

Attend the Prayer Vigil – AKIN is co-hosting this public event on Monday, April 9th, at 6PM at TN Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN. https://www.facebook.com/events/424210821325827/ 

If you would like to learn of other ways to help these folks, feel free to contact Meghan Conley at AKIN at meghan.conley@gmail.com or 321-431-3766. 

Scott Pruitt Must Go! – Please contact our MoCs and the White House (see contact info below). Not only is Scott Pruitt anti-environment, he is wasting taxpayer money on unnecessary travel and security, has questionable ties to lobbyists, and refuses to be transparent about his dealings. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/31/epa-chief-scott-pruitt-under-scrutiny-for-renting-condo-from-wife-energy-lobbyist.html Three petitions to sign: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-demand-that-scott , https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-stop-trump-epa-secretary-scott-pruitts-wild-ride?nowrapper=true&referrer=email_233383&source= and https://www.thepetitionsite.com/315/667/297/scott-pruitt-needs-to-repay-taxpayers-for-extravagant-travel-expenses/ 

Early Voting – Early voting for the May 1st County Primary Election is April 11-26th. Early voting locations include: 

Blount County Courthouse: Mon-Fri from 8AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-2PM

Blount County Public Library: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Everett Gym: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

Pellissippi State College: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Seat at the Table – This dinner/discussion group will start meeting in Blount County in May. The primary purpose of A Seat at the Table is to establish connections among a diverse group of people so they can see how much they have in common as opposed to what they perceive to be differences. The first of these events will be for teens only and is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, from 6-8 p.m. at St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, 401 W. Broadway, Maryville. Please help us in recruiting teens, ages 13-19, to attend.  We are looking for 10-30 youth, representing a diversity of races, ethnicities, religious affiliations and life experiences. The youth can sign up for this gathering by sending an email to Robert McClelland at ramaloha@hotmail.com or a text message to 503-894-0187. They should provide the following information about themselves:          name, how they self-identify – race, gender, ethnicity, etc. and religious affiliation/faith/congregation. Dinner is free to the participants.

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

April 7th Sat 9:30AM-1PM: Nurturing Nature: An Ecological Landscape Workshop in the Sharon Lawson Room of Blount County Public Library. Sponsored by the Huddle's Environment/Climate Change Working Group and BC Public Library.  Our environmental group works to increase public awareness about actions we can take on a local level that make a difference.  An important example deals with the alarming loss of biodiversity that has resulted from development and conventional landscape practices. This event calls attention to the critical need for all of us to get involved.  In the words of esteemed biologist Doug Tallamy, “As gardeners and stewards of our land, we have never been so empowered to help save biodiversity from extinction, and the need to do so has never been so great. All we need to do is plant native plants!” Please share the attached flyer with friends and family. Also see this Blount County Library Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/events/2435523580006808. This event is open to the public and free of charge!

Book for April

In preparation for the April 26th Huddle Meeting on Healthcare for All, please consider reading An American Sickness, How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back by Elizabeth Rosenthal. 

Other Actions for Week of April 1, 2018

Early Voting – Early voting for the May 1st County Primary Election is April 11-26th. Early voting locations include: 

Blount County Courthouse: Mon-Fri from 8AM-4PM, Sat 8AM-2PM

Blount County Public Library: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Everett Gym: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

Pellissippi State College: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

2020 Census Citizenship Question – The Trump administration is adding a citizenship question to the 202 Census. It is an attempt to suppress responses from noncitizens living in the USA in order to artificially lower the population of areas with high numbers of immigrants. By doing so, future allocation of federal funds will be diverted from these areas. 

Please ask our Senators to support SB 2580 Every Person Counts Act sponsored by Sen Menendez that will prohibit this discriminatory question.

Also consider signing this petition: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-senators-demand-a-fair-and-accurate-2020-census?source=email& 

Another Bad Nominee – Please ask our Senators to oppose the nomination of Chad McIntock to lead the EPA’s Office of International and Tribal Affairs. The former Ford Motor Company executive is accused of overseeing an industrial spill that contaminated the groundwater of a Michigan suburb with a cancer-causing chemical: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chad-mcintosh-epa-ford-chemical-spill_us_5ab934fee4b0decad04cca25 

Educate Yourself on Gun Violence

How to take on the NRA: https://takingonthenra.org/#Solutions_to_Rebalance_Our_Democracy 

Maps that show how guns are trafficked: http://www.businessinsider.com/atf-maps-show-state-gun-trafficking-2015-11/?r=AU&IR=T

Gun laws by state: https://www.concealedcarry.com/america-gun-maps-law-politics-permit/ 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Record breaking crowds turned out for the March for Our Lives across the country.  The speeches made by the young people who stepped up in front of huge crowds in D.C., Knoxville and around the world, were inspirational. Learn more  about efforts to keep our community safe from gun violence from Kendra Straub, ET Moms Demand Action ,  this Thursday, Mar 29,  7PM at the Maryville Huddle meeting at the library.   

We also need to get to work and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) .    Stay Tuned for more scheduled events in the coming months and plan to attend the Huddle Meeting on May 31st to join in more Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities.   

Get to know the candidates:  Monday, March 26, 6-8 PM,  Maryville College Democrats are hosting an open public forum for Blount County Democratic candidates at the Center for Campus Ministry on Maryville College Campus.  The format will be question and answer and allow time for dialogue with the candidates. 

Other Actions for Week of March 25 2018

Save the Dates

 April 7th Sat 9:30AM-1PM: Nurturing Nature: An Ecological Landscape Workshop at the Blount County Public Library. Sponsored by the Huddle's Environment/Climate Change Working Group and BC Public Library (see attached flyer)  

Congressional District 2 Candidate Forum sponsored by the Blount County chapters of the American Assoc. of University Women & the League of Women Voters & The Daily Times. Monday, April 23rd from 7-9 PM at William Blount High School Auditorium. Eight candidates vying for the House seat now held by Rep. Duncan will be participating. All members of the public are welcome.

Educate Yourself

March is Women’s History Month.  Browse the National Archives topics on https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/womens-history.

Trump hired John Bolton as his National Security Advisor to replace McMaster. Bolton+Trump is dangerous.  Please read  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/opinion/john-bolton-trump-national-security-adviser.html   and then call or email Senators Corker, Alexander and your Representative to call for a limit of presidential nuclear first use authority.

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM.Supplies are provided!

Voter Registration Events begin on March 24th! The time for complaining is over. The time for concrete action is now. 

Please consider participating in one of these events:

Blount County Public Library, 10AM-Noon: Sponsored by the League of Women voters. One person is needed. Please contact Glenda Eastridge at eastridge_gs@bellsouth.net .

NAACP Neighborhood Canvassing: Teams leave from St. Paul AME Zion Church, 401 W Broadway Maryville at 11:45 AM.

March for our Lives at UT in Knoxville 2-5 PM:  Come march and join the folks from Indivisible to register voters. March details: https://www.facebook.com/events/549340128786299/  

           Sign up for voter registration here: http://eepurl.com/dmAb_f

      4. St. Paul AME Church of Alcoa, 10AM-2PM at 810 N Hall Rd Alcoa:  Contact Robin DeHart at robinodehart11@aol.com if you would like to help.

Stay Tuned for more scheduled events in the coming months and plan to attend the Huddle Meeting on May 31st to join in more Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities.

Other Actions for Week of March 18 2018

1.       Save the Dates

a.       April 7th Sat 9:30AM-1PM: Nurturing Nature: An Ecological Landscape Workshop at the Blount County Public Library. Sponsored by the Huddle's Environment/Climate Change Working Group and BC Public Library (see attached flyer)  

b.      Congressional District 2 Candidate Forum sponsored by the Blount County chapters of the American Assoc. of University Women & the League of Women Voters & The Daily Times. Monday, April 23rd from 7-9 PM at William Blount High School Auditorium. Eight candidates vying for the House seat now held by Rep. Duncan will be participating. All members of the public are welcome.

2.       Educate Yourself

a.       Tennessee is one of 6 states that does not enforce minimum wage rules: http://humphreyonthehill.tnjournal.net/politico-tn-one-six-states-no-enforcement-minimum-wage-rules/

b.      ICE plans to start tracking license plates, which can lead to home addresses, places and people associated with the car owner. See http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article197017994.html,http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/370855-ice-to-gain-access-to-database-for-tracking-license-plates, and https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/26/16932350/ice-immigration-customs-license-plate-recognition-contract-vigilant-solutions .

3.       Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Voter Registration Events begin on March 24th! The time for complaining is over. The time for concrete action is now. No definitive training is needed but training is available March 17th (See details in Events list below). Please consider participating in one of these events:

1. Blount County Public Library, 10AM-Noon: Sponsored by the League of Women voters. One person is needed. Please contact Glenda Eastridge at eastridge_gs@bellsouth.net .

2. NAACP Neighborhood Canvassing: Teams leave from St. Paul AME Zion Church, 401 W Broadway Maryville at 11:45 AM. 

3. March for our Lives at UT in Knoxville 2-5 PM:  Come march and join the folks from Indivisible to register voters. March details: https://www.facebook.com/events/549340128786299/  

Sign up for voter registration here: http://eepurl.com/dmAb_f 

1. St. Paul AME Church of Alcoa, 10AM-2PM at 810 N Hall Rd Alcoa:  Contact Robin DeHart at robinodehart11@aol.com if you would like to help.

Stay Tuned for more scheduled events in the coming months and plan to attend the Huddle Meeting on May 31st to join in more Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities. 

Other Actions for Week of March 11 2018

1. More Bad Nominees – Please provide our Senators with your feedback.

   1. Bill Otis has been nominated for the US Sentencing Commission. He is a proponent of long-term, mass incarceration, who has stated “I live to put people in jail”. http://amp.slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/trump-picks-bill-otis-a-man-obsessed-with-black-on-black-crime-for-the-u-s-sentencing-commission.html?__twitter_impression=true 

   2. Peter Wright, lawyer at Dow Chemical and chemistry industry insider, has been nominated to be EPA‘s assistant administrator for Land & Emergency Management. https://www.apnews.com/amp/cf2a6a09bfe3455cb40bc5ed858345ae?__twitter_impression=true and https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whitehouse/trump-picks-dow-chemical-lawyer-for-key-role-at-epa/2018/03/02/add83d04-1e76-11e8-98f5-ceecfa8741b6_story.html?utm_term=.eb88aa85ef8b 

1. Support SB2448 – This bill promotes next-generation technologies to provide alternatives to fossil fuels. Consider asking our Senators to co-sponsor this bipartisan bill. 

1. Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of March 4, 2018

Protect Domestic Violence Survivors – Please ask Rep. Duncan to support and co-sponsor HR307 by sending this petition letter: http://act.everytown.org/sign/tell-your-lawmakers-co-sponsor-hr-3207/?akid=68936.5887785.ikuFiQ&rd=1&refcode=emne_20180214-protectdvvictims-loophole&source=emne_20180214-protectdvvictims-loophole&t=16&utm_campaign=20180214-protectdvvictims-loophole&utm_medium=_e&utm_source=em_n_ 

Controversial Environmental Legislation – Please tell our Senators that we do not want to see controversial environmental legislation tied into budget appropriations and ask them to vote NO on any legislation that includes these environmentally destructive riders:  https://defenders.org/publications/FY2018-Anti-Environmental-Riders-List.pdf 

Please Thank These Businesses

Dick’s Sporting Goods – The company has decided to no longer sell assault rifles and high capacity magazines. They raised the age to purchase guns to 21 years and released a powerful statement on bump stocks: http://pressroom.dicks.com/press-information/media-statements.aspx?camp=sns::20180227:CS2015:am:end:&utm_medium=Social%20DSG&utm_source=&utm_campaign=CS2015&utm_term=&utm_content=20180227 You can thank them at PRESS@DCSG.COM  OR 724-273-5552.

Walmart – Walmart raised the age of gun sales to 21 years and released this statement: https://news.walmart.com/2018/02/28/walmart-statement-on-firearms-policy Click on the mail icon at the bottom to thank them. 

Delta – Despite being penalized by the GA Legislature, Delta is sticking to its principals: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/delta-nra-statement_us_5a998ff8e4b0479c02520e6a You can thank them via email, Twitter or Facebook . 

Lyft – For providing rides to the March for Our Lives rallies on March 2th. http://www.kristv.com/story/37632990/lyft-offers-free-rides-to-march-for-our-lives-rallies-across-us  You can email Lyft here: https://lyft.desk.com/customer/portal/emails/new 

Protect Public Media – The president’s budget eliminates funding for public television and radio. Sign the petition and email our MoCs at https://protectmypublicmedia.org/. 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Other Actions for Week of February 25, 2018

Anti-Gun Violence Measures to Consider

Take this Survey from March On - https://actionnetwork.org/forms/take-the-survey-do-you-demand-action-on-gun-violence?link_id=2&can_id=f8e80cb9cf95ad5bd550176ef6d8babd&source=email-we-say-enough&email_referrer=email_305267&email_subject=we-say-enough 

Thank Gov. Haslam for supporting these restrictive gun measures and ask him to draft emergency legislation on them: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/tennessee-gov-bill-haslam-says-u-s-should-ban-bump-stocks-raise-age-to-buy-ar-15 Contact info: https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html 

Please Thank the Businesses that broke ties with the NRA over the weekend. You can reach them via Twitter: @LifeLock, @Symantec, @SimpliSafe, @Hertz, @Delta, @United, @TrueCar, @Enterprise, @Alamocares, @NationalPro, @Avis, @Budget, @Alliedvl, @Americanvanlines, @MetLife, @Avis or via their websites.

Please Encourage These Businesses to break ties with the NRA: @FedEx, @eHealth, @Manageurid, @Teladoc, @Wildapricot, @LifeLine, @VinesseWines, @Starkeycares, @hotelplanner, @MedConciergeNet

Ask These Companies to stop streaming NRATV: @Amazon, @AppleTV, @ GooglePlay, @RokuPlayer

Protect National Monuments – The antiquities Act of 2018 (S2354) codifies into law the boundaries of >50 national monuments and states that only Congress has the authority to reduce or diminish them. http://krwg.org/post/congress-moves-protect-existing-national-monuments-through-antiquities-act-2018 Please ask our Senators to support and co-sponsor this bill. 

#WakandatheVote – Black Lives Matter is promoting voter registration at screenings of the Black Panther movie. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/voter-registration-black-panther_us_5a88616ae4b05c2bcacb7088 Anyone can text Wakanda to 91990 to register to vote. Follow the movement on Facebook & Twitter https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WakandaTheVote&src=tyah 

Good News for the Environment! - A federal judge ruled that U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s delay of the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule was “baseless” and posed significant public health risks. https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/federal-court-reinstates-key-methane-rule-calls-zinkes-delay-baseless and GSMNP completed clean energy project in Cades Cove - https://friendsofthesmokies.org/news/park-completes-clean-energy-project-cades-cove/

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Actions for Week of February 18, 2018

Protection from Sexual Harassment – Please ask Rep. Duncan to support HR4822, which better protects congressional employees from sexual harassment & requires MoCs to pay their own settlements instead of the taxpayers.  

DOJ Limits Use of Guidance Documents – In a probusiness move, the DOJ is now USDOJ civil litigators are “prohibited from using guidance documents—or noncompliance with guidance documents—to establish violations of law in affirmative civil enforcement actions.  In other words, it will now be harder for all Federal Dept. to penalize businesses who break the rules. For more info: https://www.laborandemploymentlawcounsel.com/2018/02/business-friendly-times-usdoj-limits-the-use-of-agency-guidance-documents-in-civil-enforcement/ and https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/10/us/politics/legal-violations-federal-rules.html?hpw&rref=politics&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well . Please give feedback to our MoCs. Thanks!

Educate Yourself – Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Diane Black helped secure a pollution loophole after receiving a contribution for $225,000 and using company-financed research as supporting evidence: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/us/politics/epa-pollution-loophole-glider-trucks.html?smid=tw-share,  http://humphreyonthehill.tnjournal.net/black-campaign-collects-225k-donors-linked-company-benefits-pollution-loophole-promoted/, http://humphreyonthehill.tnjournal.net/tn-tech-research-used-lobbying-eviscerated-professors/ Provide feedback to Rep. Black here: https://www.dianeblack.com/?s=contact

Petitions to Sign

Petition against Drilling at Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Petition to support judges in PA who issued the anti-gerrymandering ruling who the legislature is trying to impeach

Petition to protect migratory birds: Stop Industries from Getting a Free Pass to Kill Birds

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided!  

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Rep. Jimmy Duncan: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://duncan.house.gov/contact

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Take Action: Week of February 11th

TN General Assembly Legislative Alerts & Notices

New Bathroom Bill: A new bathroom bill was filed at the beginning of the legislative session; then it was withdrawn. Now it's back with new sponsors. SB2480/HB2620 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Holt would require the TN Attorney General to represent school districts if they get sued for engaging in anti-transgender bathroom discrimination.  In other words, the power of the state government will defend school districts that target transgender students.  Consider emailing Sen. Hensley at sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov  and Rep. Holt at rep.andy.holt@capitol.tn.gov  and ask them to withdraw SB2480/HB2620.  

Note: The date scheduled for discussion/vote, committee, committee member contact information and a link to each bill are provided below.

February 14 - Business License to Discriminate Bill (HB0054) – Prohibits state and local governments from taking discriminatory action against a business based on that business's internal policies. The bill would give businesses the freedom to discriminate based on gender, race, religion, etc. Please email Rep. Zachary at rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov and urge him to withdraw HB0054.  Also contact these committee members:

STATE GOVERNMENT SUBCOMMITTEE (Meets Wednesdays 1:30PM CT) 

CHAIR – Rep. Bill Sanderson - Phone: (615) 741-0718, rep.bill.sanderson@capitol.tn.gov

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rep. Bud Hulsey, Phone: (615) 741-2886, rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Darren Jernigan - Phone: (615)741-6959, rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Mary Littleton - Phone: (615) 741-7477, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Bob Ramsey, Phone: (615) 741-3560, rep.bob.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov

February 14 – All these bills are before the Civil Justice Subcommittee. Please consider opposing them. You can provide feedback on all them via one phone call or email! 

HB 2485 – Permits the carry of a handgun by certain persons in areas of airports that are accessible to the public and outside of a secured area (e.g. baggage claim & reception areas); creates misdemeanor offenses for violations of permitted carry at airports; permits carry of a handgun by certain persons on public transportation; preempts local regulations and postings that conflict.

HB0884 - Permits a valid handgun carry permit holder to carry a firearm at any time and in all places in Tennessee unless the permit holder has been drinking alcohol, is in a judicial proceeding, or is on school grounds and does not tell the principal.

HB1553 - Permits retired department of correction employees to be certified to carry a handgun without a permit.

HB1939 – Allows county commissioners to carry guns into buildings in which judicial proceedings are taking place, which are normally areas where guns are banned.

HB1602 - Enacts the "Second Amendment Civil Rights Act of 2018", which allows anyone to challenge local governments that declaring certain sites or venus as gun-free.

CIVIL JUSTICE SUBCOMITTEE (Meets Wednesdays 1:30PM CT) 

CHAIR - Rep. Mike Carter - Phone: (615) 741-3025, rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rep. Bill Beck - Phone: (615) 741-3229, rep.bill.beck@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Glen Casada - Phone: (615) 741-4389, rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Martin Daniel - Phone: (615) 741-2287, rep.martin.daniel@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Andrew Farmer, Phone: (615) 741-4419, rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. G.A. Hardaway - Phone: (615) 741-5625, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Debra Moody, Phone: (615) 741-3774, rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov

Results from last week:

HJR0109  - No action was taken on resolution to allow gambling in TN.

Other Actions for Week of February 11, 2018

Tutors Needed – Folks are tutoring Hispanics on Thursdays at Alcoa High School from 4-5PM. English lessons are given on Tuesdays, then on Thursdays the tutors go over their homework, have them read to us and just have conversation. All conversing is in English – no Spanish necessary! It’s open to anyone needing English lessons anywhere in the county.  If anyone is interested in being a tutor, please email Silvia Roca at silro@att.net . She can answer any questions you might have.  

Strong Families Act S1829 – This bill reauthorized funding for the Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. It has passed the House, so please ask Senators Corker & Alexander to support it.

Protect Bees - The EPA is currently accepting public comments on neonics, which are lethal to pollinators: https://www.nwf.org/Home/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2018/Feb-Mar/Gardening/Nixing-Neonics and https://vimeo.com/233666623  When you buy plants at the big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes, make sure they have not been treated with neonicotinoids. Submit comments to EPA by April 21 on neonicitinoids  https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844 .

More Bad Nominees – Please provide feedback to our Senators. 

Andrew Wheeler is a climate-change denier, coal lobbyist that is nominated for the No. 2 position at the EPA. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/andrew-wheeler-epa_us_5a78dc2ce4b0164659c73e97?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003 He passed the committee review process after hosting fundraisers for senators on the committee: https://theintercept.com/2018/02/07/coal-lobbyist-andrew-wheeler-epa-deputy-confirmation/  Please ask our Senators to oppose him when the final vote comes to the floor. 

Marco Rajkovich is nominated to chair the Federal Mine Safety & Health Review Commission (MSHA). He works in Kentucky representing coal companies who have been charged with violations by the MHSA. https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/mine-safety-nominee-defended-coal-companies/index.html  

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Rep. Jimmy Duncan: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://duncan.house.gov/contact

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Actions for Week of February 4, 2018

Release of Nunes Memo – Consider letting our MoCs know what you think about release of the Nunes memo that undermines the FBI and the DOJ’s Russia investigation. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/02/mccain-nunes-memo-putin-385547?lo=ap_b1 Ask them to support these bills that protect the Special Counsel.  

Special Counsel Integrity Act – HR3771, HR4669,  S1741

Special Counsel Independence Protection Act – HR3654, S1735

Join a Rapid Response Team – If/when No. 45 fires Rod Rosenstein or Robert Mueller, groups across the country are preparing for protests and rallies. In our area, people will meet at the Baker US Courthouse, 800 Market St. Knoxville. If the firing occurs before 2PM, people will meet at 5PM that day. If the firing takes place late in the day, people will meet at noon the following day. To sign up for notifications, visit this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMnmTmmon_P-cZ6XVZ8kx7H7COsAALuD9OpohZpRgeGJYRJw/viewform  You can voice your support for both gentlemen on this DOJ website: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice 

Equal Pay for Women in TN – Please sign the AAUW Petition/Pledge requesting our State Legislature supports equal pay for women: http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50796/c/29/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=21245 After signing the pledge, please share via Twitter and Facebook. Thanks!

Good News! - Kathleen Hartnett White’s nomination to head the national Council on Environmental Quality has been withdrawn. She’s a climate change denier who believes carbon dioxide is a good for the environment. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/04/kathleen-hartnett-white-dropped-trump-environment-adviser and https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/04/kathleen-hartnett-white-dropped-trump-environment-adviser 

Read a Book - Huddle Group Book Club will meet at 10AM on Wed, Feb. 21st to discuss Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debbie Irving. Meet at Southland Books 1505 E Broadway Maryville. 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Rep. Jimmy Duncan: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://duncan.house.gov/contact

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Action Items Jan 21st

TN General Assembly Legislative Alerts & Notices

January 23: TN SENATE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE (Meets 10:30 AM CT)   

CHAIR - Sen. Ken Yager, Phone (615) 741-1449, sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov

1ST VICE CHAIR - Sen. Richard Briggs, Phone: (615) 741-1766, sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov

2ND VICE CHAIR - Sen. Ed Jackson, Phone: (615) 741-1810, sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Sen. Paul Bailey - Phone: (615) 741-3978, sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Todd Gardenhire - Phone: (615) 741-6682, sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jack Johnson - Phone: (615) 741-2495, sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Bill Ketron - Phone: (615) 741-6853, sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Norris - Phone: (615) 741-1967, sen.mark.norris@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jeff Yarbro - Phone: (615) 741-3291, sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov

Bill to Support – SB1488. Lengthens voter registration period to 15 days before an election instead of 30 days before an election. 

January 24: TN HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS and MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE (Meets 10:30AM CT)

CHAIR – Rep. Gerald McCormick - Phone: (615) 741-2548, rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov

OMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rep. Kevin Brooks, Phone: (615) 741-1350, rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.gov.tn

Rep. Karen D. Camper - Phone: (615) 741-1898, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Jim Coley - Phone: (615) 741-8201, rep.jim.coley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Craig Fitzhugh - Phone: (615) 741-2134, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov

ep. David Hawk - Phone (615) 741-7482, rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Patsy Hazelwood - Phone: (615) 741-2746, rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Gary Hicks - Phone (615) 741-7480, rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Harold Love, Jr. - Phone: (615) 741-3831, rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov

ep. Steve McDaniel - Phone: (615) 741-0750, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Charles Sargent, Phone: (615) 741-6808, rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov

ep. Ryan Williams - Phone: (615) 741-1875, rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov

Bill to Support – HB0521. Requires all public schools to place automated external defibrillator devices in schools & encourages them in private schools. 

Bill to Oppose – HB0222. Requires “Non US Citizen” or “Alien” be printed on driver licenses, permits and other forms of identification. 

***Good News*** - These bills were taken off notice last week & won’t be considered. 

The Natural Marriage Defense Act HB892 which states the policy of Tennessee to defend natural marriage between one man and one woman regardless of any court decision to the contrary. 

The Fetal Heartbeat Bill HB0108 that prohibits abortions from the point a fetal heartbeat is detected.

The Gun Law HB1407 that prohibits the expenditure of state or local funds or employees to implement, regulate, or enforce any federal law or executive order regulating the ownership or possession of firearms or firearm ammunition. 

Constitutional Restriction Law HB0676 that enacts the "Original Intent Act of 2017," which requires the constitutions and laws of the United States and Tennessee to be interpreted in a manner to preserve their meaning at the time written.

School Vouchers – HB0126 (SB0161) that enacts the Opportunity Scholarship Pilot Program, i.e. a voucher program.

In addition, the new bathroom bill was withdrawn: http://humphreyonthehill.tnjournal.net/mccormick-drops-bathroom-bill-talk-ag-harwell/

Other Actions for Week of January 21, 2018

Déjà vu on Bad Nominees –  45 has re-nominated some folks that failed their initial confirmation hearings, falsified resumes, aren’t qualified or have prejudicial backgrounds. 

Kathleen Hartnett White is nominated to chair the Council on Environmental Quality despite being a climate change denier and believing that carbon dioxide is not harmful. https://www.ecowatch.com/ceq-nominee-white-2524022932.html?xrs=RebelMouse_fb&ts=1515568277

Robert Weaver, who has been nominated to head Indian Health Services, falsified his work experience claims on his resume and has no background qualifications for the position. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/05/trump-pick-for-indian-health-service-under-fire-for-qualifications.html and https://thinkprogress.org/trump-health-care-nominee-reportedly-padded-his-resume-then-blamed-it-on-a-tornado-b6d6c972bc91/

ResistBot – Hurrah! We have enough Resistbot users in Blount County to have turned it quite blue! https://resistbot.news/where-is-the-resistance-3f04be9e0f1c To participate, text Resist to 50409 and follow their instructions. Spread the word!

Read a Book – In addition to those recommended by the Huddle Book Club, consider reading How Democracies Die by S. Evitsky & D. Ziblatt; Trumpocracy; The Corruption of the American Republic by D. Frum; and On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by T. Snyder.  

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Huddle Actions for Week of January 14, 2018 

Request an MoC Response – Our MoCs have been silent on 45’s derogatory, racist denigration of Haiti and African countries this past week. It is fitting for us to remember this quote from Rev. ML King: “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” Please call our MoCs and ask for their official response to 45’s recent comments.

Important Legislative Issues left over from 2017 to Support

Healthcare Insurance Market Stabilization - Please consider contacting Sen. McConnell requesting the Alexander-Murray bill be brought to the floor for a vote. The CBO score is very favorable! It will decrease the deficit by $3.8billion and not decrease the number of people with insurance. See: http://www.businessinsider.com/alexander-murray-obamacare-bill-text-cbo-score-2017-10  and http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/25/cbo-score-murray-alexander-health-care-244158 . You can reach Sen. McConnell at 202-224-2541, 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510-0001 or https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm .

Clean Dream Act 2017 – As each week passes, the fate of DACA recipients continues to hang in the balance. The program is set to expire the end of March. The time to act is now! Please consider asking our MoCs to support HR 3440 and SB 1615.  For details and talking points: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0ahUKEwjVnP3IpbrXAhUM2IMKHf90BfoQFghcMAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcnl.org%2Fdocuments%2F453&usg=AOvVaw23585h3aJ-IQBQbT7yyWvv and https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/tell-your-senator-protect-dreamers-and-pass-clean-dream-act-now You can also join the Here to Stay movement:  http://weareheretostay.org/#action

Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program (CHIPS) – Please ask our MoCs to support and cosponsor funding of CHIPs through fiscal year 2022 via SB 1827. Funding runs out the end of March: http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/21/news/economy/chip-funding/index.html

Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access & Research (STAR) Act – Please ask our MoCs to support and cosponsor bipartisan bills HR  820 and SB 292. Sen. Alexander heads the HELP committee charged with reviewing this bill. http://knoxvillenews.tn.app.newsmemory.com/publink.php?shareid=119edd416

Say No to more Offshore Drilling - The Trump Administration has proposed opening up nearly all offshore waters to oil and gas drilling.  Anyone remember the Deepwater Horizon disaster, to name just one reason why this is a very bad idea.  http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2018/01/trumps_offshore_oil_drilling_p.html Read more and take action:  http://on.nrdc.org/2CWwkwO and call our MoCs.

Another Bad Nominee – Rep. Jim Bridenstine from OK is a climate denier, has been renominated to run NASA. http://newsok.com/jim-bridenstine-is-again-nominated-by-trump-to-lead-nasa/article/5578791 and http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/08/politics/jim-bridenstine-nasa-nominee/index.html . Please consider contacting our Senators to urge them to insist a nonpartisan, trained scientist be approved for this position, not Bridenstine.  A vote is tentatively scheduled for January 18th.  

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Rep. Jimmy Duncan: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://duncan.house.gov/contact

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Huddle Actions for Week of January 7, 2018 

Mentally Unfit to Serve – The president’s tweets, taunts and outbursts are progressively getting worse and are increasingly alarming to national security experts, mental health professionals and other world leaders. Examples: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/us/politics/trump-tweet-north-korea.html and https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/04/nuclear-war-cdc-briefing-266633?cmpid=sf Duty to Warn and Duty to Protect are organizations composed of mental health professionals who advocate immediate action to evaluate 45’s mental health. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/03/trump-25th-amendment-mental-health-322625 

Please contact Rep. Duncan and ask him to support HR 1987, a bill that allows Congress to create a committee to assess a president’s mental and physical health. 

Consider asking our MoCs to support and cosponsor bipartisan bills HR 669 and SB 200, which prevent the president from launching a nuclear first strike without Congressional authorization. 

Twitter Storm Monday, January 8th from 9-11 AM CT - We’ve been asked to join in tweeting as Rep. Marsha Blackburn hosts 45 for a speech in Nashville. They will be live tweeting starting at 11 AM, so Indivisible is staging a counter tweet storm. Include @VoteMarsha and #ByeByeBlackburn in every tweet. Here are sample tweets and memes can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1NXcjc4wPmDeYksDs3JBo8lh620wMpknx :

Thx @VoteMarsha. We wanted slower, more-expensive Internet access in 2018. #ByeByeBlackburn #NetNeutrality 

The most dangerous place in America – standing between @VoteMarsha and a #BigPharma check. #ByeByeBlackburn #BigPharMarsha 

@VoteMarsha says 74,000 Tennessee kids and expectant moms don’t deserve insurance. #ByeByeBlackburn 

Petitions to Sign

A decision was made by leadership in the TN State Legislation to ban handheld signs in building, although people will be allowed to carry guns: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/12/23/guns-allowed-signs-banned/976666001/ and http://knoxvillenews.tn.app.newsmemory.com/publink.php?shareid=38b4f1530 Here’s the petition to sign: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/173/204/652/ban-guns-not-protest-signs/  

Here’s another impeachment petition: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/congress-begin-impeachment?source=s.tw&r_by=10164408 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Rep. Jimmy Duncan: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://duncan.house.gov/contact

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Huddle Actions for Week of January 1, 2018 

Roll back of Offshore Drilling Regulations – The administration intends to revise/kill rules on offshore oil & gas drilling that were imposed after the catastrophic 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. https://wtop.com/national/2017/12/trump-administration-aims-to-trim-rules-on-offshore-drilling/ and http://environment.law.harvard.edu/2017/09/offshore-oil-gas-drilling-rules-guidance/ . Comments on this issue can be submitted until January 29, 2018 at https://www.regulations.gov/searchResults?rpp=25&po=0&s=DOI-2017-0003-0004.&fp=true&ns=true . 

Repeal of Fracking Regulations – On 12/29/17 the Interior Department repealed rules that set new limitations on hydraulic fracking on public lands. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/12/29/to-round-out-a-year-of-rollbacks-the-trump-administration-just-repealed-key-regulations-on-fracking/?utm_term=.975ce842dc23&wpisrc=nl_az_most&wpmk=1 and https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/12/29/2017-28211/oil-and-gas-hydraulic-fracturing-on-federal-and-indian-lands-rescission-of-a-2015-rule . Please consider commenting at https://www.regulations.gov/searchResults?rpp=25&po=0&s=BLM-2017-0001&fp=true&ns=true . 

Bills to Support – Consider asking our Senators to support and co-sponsor these bills.

SB2191 sponsored by Sen. Nelson (FL) that promotes investments in renewable energy and provides consumer loans for residential solar energy systems. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2191 

SB2185 sponsored by Sens. Heinrich & Heller reauthorizes the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) that uses proceeds from sales of certain federally designated areas to protect lands of exceptional conservation value. https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-heller-introduce-bipartisan-public-lands-bill2017 

Net Neutrality Suit – Consider contacting TN Attorney General, Herbert Slatery, to join with other states in the lawsuit to save Net Neutrality. For more information: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/12/15/the_states_planning_to_sue_to_protect_net_neutrality.html and https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/12/state-attorneys-general-line-up-to-sue-fcc-over-net-neutrality-repeal/ . Here is contact information on Mr. Slatery: https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/contact-us.html , Twitter: https://twitter.com/tnattygen and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tennessee-Attorney-General-1436615396648529/ 

Postcard Writing – It’s fun! It’s easy! The postcard writers are a great group of folks that meet at Vienna Coffee House 212 College St. Maryville on Sundays from 12:30-2PM. Supplies are provided! 

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information

Rep. Jimmy Duncan: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://duncan.house.gov/contact

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Corker: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-3344 (DC), 865-637-4180 (Knoxville), 423-756-2757 (Chattanooga) or 615-279-8125(Nashville), email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme