Actions for Week of December 13, 2020 

Supreme Court Lawsuit – On Friday SCOTUS refused to hear the lawsuit brought by Texas that would have negated election results in 4 swing states (GA, PA, MI, WI) won by Biden. The TN Attorney General (Herbert Slatery) , Rep. Tim Burchett and many of TN Reps signed amicus briefs in support of the suit that would overturn the will of the people in those states. Please contact them with your feedback. Here are the other 126 Republican House members that signed the brief.

1. 1. AG Slatery:  615-741-3491, tnattygen@ag.tn.gov 

   2. Rep.  Burchett: phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://burchett.house.gov/zip-code-lookup?form=/contact/email-me , Twitter = @timburchett 

COVID-19 Vaccine Update – Pfizer’s vaccine was approved by the FDA on Friday and will start shipping today. It is being sent to 600 large medical facilities around the country that can accommodate the super cold storage temperatures required by this vaccine. 

2. 1. Number of vaccines distributed to states is based primarily on population, with TN receiving 56,000 doses to cover the first 28,000 healthcare workers (2 doses per person). The first release effort hopes to vaccinate 2.9 million people nationwide. The US has purchased only 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, however, and it may be June 2021 before any additional doses become available. 

   2. Once Moderna’s vaccine is approved, TN will receive 100,000 doses in the first roll out. That vaccine’s storage requirements are less stringent, so it will be sent to some rural areas in TN. The US is purchasing 200 million doses of the Moderna vaccine. Moderna hopes to have 50 million doses available by January 1st and another 500 million available over the course of 2021. 

   3. Data on the Astra-Zeneca vaccine shows at full dosage it has lower efficacy than the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines, so new trials may be performed using a half & full-dose combination. It’s roll out may be delayed until further studies are performed. This vaccine requires no special cold handling/storage, so can be shipped everywhere. 

   4. Initial results with the GlaxoSmithKline-Sanofi vaccine indicate it does not protect people older than 49 years, and the initial trial contained a dosing error. They are going to redesign the trial and tweak the vaccine. Expect it to be delayed until at least late 2021. 

When Can You Get Vaccinated? – You can read Gov. Lee’s draft vaccine plan here. Vaccine administration will be prioritized as follows (see pages 12-14): 

3. 1. Phase 1: 

      1. 1a1 = Health care providers for COVID patients, emergency physicians/staff, testing sites, home care services, and nursing home staff/residents. 

      2. 1a2 = Primary care providers, pharmacists, therapists, urgent care, oral care providers and staff. 

      3. 1b = Adults with 2 or more high-risk conditions. 

      4. Priority in all 3 categories is given to people >65 years old.  Estimated population of Phase 1 group is 1.75 million, so 3.5 million doses are needed.

   2. Phase 2: Everyone >65 years old, critical infrastructure workers, teachers, everyone with 1 high risk condition, corrections residents/staff. Estimated population of this group is 2.5 million, so 5 million doses are required. 

   3. Phase 3: Everyone else. Estimated population of this group is 2 million, so 4 million doses are needed. 

   4. Phase 4: Anyone not already vaccinated. Estimated population of this group is 500,000, so 1 million doses are needed.

   5. Continue to Play it Safe: Since it will take many months to vaccinate a significant portion of the US population, please continue to practice all recommended COVID-prevention measures. 

Good News!

4. 1. The 45 campaign now has 58 losses against one win in their post-election law suits. Another loss is expected tomorrow or Tues. Read about the 86 judges who have heard and rejected the lawsuits brought to overturn the election. 

   2. US Court of Appeals has rejected the administration’s proposal to allow offshore oil drilling in the Arctic.

   3. A federal court has blocked an attempt to require women to see a physician to obtain pills for medical abortions.  

   4. The new Los Angeles DA has announced he will end cash bail, the death penalty and trying children as adults. 

   5. SCOTUS rejected a challenge to an Oregon school policy allowing transgender students to use the bathroom and locker room of the gender they identify with. 

Actions for Week of December 6, 2020 

Support COVID Relief Bill – Please contact our MoCs to request they pass a COVID relief bill immediately.  Without action by the U.S. Senate, 16 million people will lose unemployment benefits on December 26. And on New Year’s Eve, the eviction moratorium expires, causing even more uncertainty and financial pain. Contact information for MoCs is listed below. And here’s a petition to sign. 

Good News!

2. 1. California certified the state’s presidential election results, ensuring that Biden officially has enough electors to become president. 

   2. On Friday, courts in 6 different states handed losses to the 45 election campaign. Their  track record so far is 1 win to 46 losses. 

   3. A federal judge ordered the administration to fully reinstate DACA and to accept new DACA applications immediately. 

   4. Another judge ruled against the administration’s Public Charge rule, saying it would impose a wealth test on immigrants seeking green cards. 

   5. A federal lawsuit has been filed in TN claiming the state makes it too arbitrary and hard for felons to restore their voting rights. 

   6. Bank of America and other major financiers have pledged not to finance oil operations in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge, even though the administration is racing to try and sell leases. 

Educate Yourself

3. 1. Watch this gif on the unequal wage growth over the last 40 years, and here’s a chart of the productivity-pay gap that has developed since 1979. Courtesy of Economic Policy Institute

   2. Read about the kindness yard sign project. 

   3. A scathing review of Gov. Lee’s ineptitude has been published in Tennessee Lookout. 

   4. Learn how an alleged hate group leader has been appointed to the TN State Textbook Commission. 

   5. Read about how conservative ideology is partially to blame for the horrible US response to COVID-19.

Dear Huddlers,

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Let’s take a few minutes to review developments over the last week that we can be thankful for…

1. 52 days to inauguration! The official transition website is up in case you want to apply for a job. 

2. 2020 election saw the greatest voter numbers in history (>150 million) and the greatest ever cast for the presidential winner (>80 million).

3. 45 is 1 win & 39 losses on his election lawsuits. The one win caused no significant change in vote tallies (change in signature curing time from 6 to 3 days in PA).

4. The RNC paid $3 million for a recount in Wisconsin and the result found another 132 votes for Biden. 😊

5. Women and POC are playing a prominent role in the new administration’s transition and leadership roles, including UN Ambassador,  Homeland Security, and head of CIA nominees.

6. The son of Jewish Cuban refugees (Alejandro Mayorkas) who had a hand in designing DACA will head the Department of Homeland Security. 

7. For the first time, the presidential envoy for climate will be a cabinet position and John Kerry will lead us back int the Paris Climate Accord. Folks from Al Gore to the Sunrise Movement are happy about this appointment.

8. The next 1st Lady (Dr. Jill Biden) will continue to teach at Northern VA Community College and education will be a priority for her. 

9. Doug Emhoff (the first 2nd husband) has resigned his job and will take on food insecurity as one of his causes.

10. Once again there will be dogs in the White House (Major, Champ) and one of them is a rescue dog (Major). The dogs don’t know it yet but the Bidens are also planning to get a cat to take with them.

11. As of 11/23, a record number of absentee ballot applications (>750,000) had been submitted for the Georgia Senate run-off elections.

12. Army Corp of Engineers denied a permit for Pebble Mine that would have threatened the Bristol Bay salmon habitat. 

13. EPA staffers have started openly resisting the outgoing administration’s attempt to ignore medical research data. 

14. It became widely known that Dolly Parton donated $1million towards the development of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine created by researchers at Vanderbilt University.

15. The FAA is preparing plans for delivering mass air shipments of COVID-19 vaccines as they become available. The 1st shipment flew into Chicago from Belgium Saturday night. 

16. The UK may clear the Pfizer vaccine for public use as early as this week. 

17. TN was chosen as 1 of 4 states to participate in a pilot program for the delivery of the Pfizer vaccine that requires ultra-cold storage. 

18. Scotland became the first country to provide feminine products for free and its MPs are calling for an investigation of the financing of 45’s business interests in the country. 

19. US Women’s Soccer team wore Black Lives Matter jackets at their match with Holland.

20. Even wildlife made the news as Utah officials announced many animals are using a specially-created, highway overpass above I-80 that was designed to prevent motor vehicle accidents. Check out the video!

Actions for Week of November 22, 2020 

Contact Rep. Moon & Sen. Swann – These two elected officials signed on to a letter that calls into question the integrity of the election. The letter states “When there are alleged software glitches, lost or destroyed ballots, and questionable practices implemented in some areas of the country, litigation must have a day in court to decide the outcome of this election process.” Since 34 of 36 lawsuits filed by 45’s lawyers have been thrown out/failed and vote counts in 20 states will be certified as accurate by end of day tomorrow, perhaps they may want to reconsider. Please consider providing them some feedback: rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov (615-741-5481); sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov  (615-741-0981). 

Petitions to Sign – 

2. 1. This petition asks the Army Corp of Engineers to follow existing controls when issuing coal mining permits. 

   2. This petition asks our Senators to support the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act. The bill has passed the House. 

Good News!

3. 1. A federal judge has halted expulsions of child migrants. 

   2. So far 45 is 2 wins/34 losses in his law suits over election/voting issues. Suits have been completely withdraw from AZ and NV, and last evening a federal judge in PA threw out the most important remaining suit. Following that result, Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA) spoke out recognizing Biden as the winner of the election.

   3. Vote certification deadlines for MI and PA are tomorrow, and remaining deadlines are listed here. 

   4. With lawsuits failing and votes being certified by the states as accurate, it appears the administration is going to try and convince electors to cast their votes for him on Dec. 14th instead of the real winner. Keep in mind that last July 2020, the US Supreme Court upheld laws across the country that remove or punish rogue delegates. 

Educate Yourself

4. 1. The current administration is moving fast to try and auction off leases for drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge before the new administration takes over. 

   2. Learn about the doctors in TN are pushing Gov. Lee to be more aggressive in his response to COVID-19. Visit the protectmycare.org website. 

   3. Read about how Tyson Foods managers bet money on how many of their workers would contract COVID. 

Actions for Week of November 15, 2020 

Request Blount County Mask Mandate – COVID cases in BC are sky rocketing. The TN Medical Association is asking County Mayors to enact mask requirements based on the criteria outlined in its July 8th letter. Death rates are higher in TN counties without mask mandates. Please consider calling Mayor Ed Mitchell’s office to ask he enact a mask mandate: 865-273-5700. His email address is emitchell@blounttn.org. For additional coronavirus data see this website. 

Support Transition – Members of the outgoing administration are obstructing the new transition team from receiving information, office space, government email addresses, and money to prepare for taking over government functions in January. Sign this petition to Emily Murphy of the GSA. You can also call her 844-472-4111, email her Emily.murphy@gsa.org or Tweet her @GSAEmily. 

Ban 45 from Twitter – On a daily basis over the last week, Twitter has flagged tweets made by 45 as containing false or contested information about the election. Consider signing this petition asking his twitter account be suspended. 

Face Book Groups: Consider joining the Environment Working Group and Nurturing Nature Facebook groups. Thanks to the Huddlers managing these groups/pages. 

Good News!

A federal judge ruled that since DHS head, Chad Wolf, was unlawfully appointed he had no right to suspend DACA. When added to the US Supreme Court ruling this summer that DACA could not be shut down, it offers DACA recipients major protections. 

Over the last week, 19 of the 20 lawsuits brought by 45 over voting in various states have been dismissed or dropped, and two of his legal teams have quit.

Sixteen assistant US Attorneys have told AG Bill Barr that they see no evidence of voter fraud.

Another judge denied DOJ efforts to end a defamation suit against 45. 

Educate Yourself

6. 1. Seven TN State Representatives declined to sign a letter demanding litigation over 45’s election loss. Rep. Bob Ramsey was one of them. You can thank him at rep.bob.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov . Unfortunately, Sen. Art Swann signed a similar letter written by State Senators and Gov. Lee is also not recognizing the new president. 

   2. More than 130 Secret Service agents have contracted COVID after guarding 45 at his campaign rallies. 

   3. Several State Senate candidates in FL were plants paid for by dark money to siphon votes away from Democrats. 

November 8, 2020

Dear Huddlers,

What a difference 4 years make! On November 9, 2016 we awoke in disbelief, disappointed, and dejected. But within a few days, we shook it off and started to plan the largest single-day event ever held in the USA, the first Women’s March. We were joined by millions around the globe who were also justifiably alarmed at the outcome of the 2016 election. The Women’s March on 1/21/17 taught us many others felt as we did. It gave us hope, encouragement and the determination to act.

And act we did. In February, we held the first meeting of the Maryville Huddle. When I signed up to host the event, I hoped perhaps 6-10 people would participate. To my surprise, 65 people attended! At that meeting we identified the issues important to us and set up working groups to address major priorities. The initial meeting taught us that even in a deep red county, in a deep red state, we were not alone. And importantly, people stepped up to lead and facilitate future meetings.

We liaised with individuals in the area who had been toiling alone for social justice, equality and transparency. We joined with other local organizations, providing them with infusions of additional energy, ideas and labor. We created new working groups to address priorities not covered by others. We met new friends, created new alliances and became more politically savvy. Over time our numbers grew. Currently, 218 people receive the Huddle’s weekly emails.

2016-2018 were horrifying years. One-by-one the issues we had listed as important to us were attacked, and the people/groups we cared about were denigrated and marginalized. But importantly, we learned there was power in the mobilization of large numbers of people. When the calls when out on social media for folks to go to airports the night the Muslim ban went into effect (1/28/17), people responded. As a result, everyone being detained at airports were released. On a Friday summer evening (7/28/17), we sighed in relief as Sen. John McCain voted down the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. And we cheered each time a state or federal judge stood up for the rule of law and over turned the capricious actions of the administration. Victories were few but never the less, we persisted.

The 2018 elections provided more hope. We learned that progressive women could run for office and win. Jackie Hill was elected the first African-American woman to the Blount County Commission and Gloria Johnson was re-elected to TN State House. Four progressive candidates won Knoxville City Council seats and the mayor’s office was handed off from one woman to another. A record 102 women were elected to the House of Representatives and the House became the most diverse ever. In April 2019 Tanya Martin was elected the first Black woman to Alcoa City Council. Spurred on by these wins, we continued our work.

A gigantic THANKS to all of you who…

• Attended/hosted/recorded/live streamed Huddle and Working group meetings and took minutes; suggested books and other resources; taught us how to tweet and navigate social media; educated us on the needs of others in our local, state and national communities; helped build and maintain our website; started the Huddle, EWG and Nurturing Nature FB pages; interviewed speakers and sent out podcasts; and so much more

• Contacted elected officials via in-person meetings, letters, emails, phone calls, tweets, faxes (ResistBot), FB posts, signed petitions, and offered public comments

• Made signs and showed up for so many rallies, vigils, memorial services and marches

• Joined other organizations in person, remotely and on social media to keep us informed and offer ideas for actions, and followed through on those actions

• Hosted educational forums for the public

• Wrote post card after post card, purchased supplies, made trips to distribute and send mailings

• Phone banked, text banked, distributed signs and flyers, walked neighborhoods, donated time and money to the campaigns of progressive candidates

• Registered voters, reminded voters, drove folks to the polls, worked at the polls

• Monitored legislation at the local, state and federal level, and coordinated responses across the state

• Showed up for County, City, Election Commission, General Assembly and other public meetings

• Reached out to help immigrant neighbors, the disenfranchised, elderly and disaffected

• Did so many other things to support the cause

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Because of efforts like these, we will wake up tomorrow morning (11/9/2020) with anticipation and hope. As we celebrated privately and in the streets yesterday, folks around the world who marched with us on 1/21/17 also rejoiced. Fireworks were set off in England and Scotland. Church bells peeled in Paris and across France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, etc. Canadians were amongst the first to join us in the streets cheering and they lit up twitter with their relief and happiness. Even the Prime Minister of Australia tweeted his relief and the mayor of Paris shouted “Welcome back, America”. Ireland eloquently pointed out Biden’s Irish roots and India celebrated Kamala’s elevation to VP-Elect. World leaders and media immediately respected the legitimacy of the election outcome, looked forward to improved relations, and a return to sane American policies.

Please take some time to celebrate and savor all that has been accomplished over the last 4 years. As Jennifer Taub pointed out: “Robert Mueller didn’t save us. Impeachment didn’t save us. We saved ourselves. We voted.” And as we begin the return to decency, compassion, and American ideals, rejoice in the following:

• For the first time a woman, a Black woman, a woman of South Asian descent, and the daughter of immigrants will be our Vice President!

• A good, decent, honest, compassionate man with decades of experience governing will once again hold the office of the Presidency.

• The House of Representatives now includes 135 women.

  • Missouri and Vermont elected their first Women of Color.

  • New Mexico is the first state to elect all women of color to the House, and a record number of Native American women now serve.

  • Hawaii elected its second native Hawaiian to Congress.

  • All 4 members of the progressive squad were re-elected.

  • John Lewis’ successor is the first women to represent Georgia’s 5thCongressional District and she is African-American.

• Members of the LGBTQ community were elected to State legislatures, even here in TN.

• The entire Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is now ALL women.

• Sarah Herron was elected the first women to the Maryville City Council.

• While the governorship of Georgia may have been stolen in 2018 via voter suppression from Stacey Abrams, the foundation she started (Fair Fight) helped register 800,000 voters and turned GA blue.

• And Hillary Clinton is an elector for the state of New York, who relishes casting her Electoral College vote in December.

Thanks again, everyone! Stay safe,

Rhea Morgan

ELECTION ALERTS:

Nov 1

New Absentee Ballot Delivery Process: If you know of anyone in Blount County who has yet to return their absentee ballot, please advise them to take it to the Maryville Post Office, 226 Keller Lane, Maryville by 3 PM election day.The external return envelope must be addressed to the BC Election Commission 383 Court St. Maryville 37804 and have a postage stamp on it. The envelope must also be handed to post office desk staff and they should be told it is an absentee ballot. If these steps are completed, the Election Commission will receive and count them as timely ballots.

What to Watch for Election Night

Below are some tips on what to watch for the evening of the election and subsequent days. Thanks to Marilyn Finley for her help putting together this information.

The counting of votes this year is complicated by the high number of mail-in ballots, especially with respect to when they arrive and when they will be counted. In virtually all states, ballots must be postmarked by November 3rd but in 22 states and Washington DC they will be counted beyond Nov. 3rd if received by a certain deadline. For example, deadlines for receipt of mail-in ballots in PA = 11/6, AK = 11/13, CA = 11/20, IL = 11/17, IA = 11/9, MN = 11/20, NC = 11/12, etc. In addition, AK and NY will not report counts of mail-in ballots at all on the night of Nov. 3rd.  The Table below provides a summary of what is planned in states that are particularly worth watching. Keep in mind, results at the beginning and end of election night may not be accurate reflections of final vote tallies. For more details on when states are expected to report initial votes the evening of Nov. 3rd see this article by NCSL. Remember that states have until December 8th to certify the final vote count.

Status: Toss Up

Mail-In Ballots must be in date

When Mail-in Ballots can be Pre-Processed

When Counting Starts of Mail-in Ballots

Florida

Nov 3rd

Upon receipt

Oct 12th

Georgia

Nov 3rd

Oct 19th

Nov 3rd

Texas

Nov 4th

Oct 22nd or Oct 30th

Nov 3rd

North Carolina

Nov 12th

Sept 29th

Weekly since Sept. 29th

Iowa

Nov 9th

Oct 31st

Nov 2nd

Ohio

Nov 13th

Oct 6th

Nov 3rd

Maine

Nov 3rd

Oct 27th

Nov 3rd

Status: Leaning Blue

Mail-In Ballots must be in date

When Mail-in Ballots can be Pre-Processed

When Counting Starts of Mail-in Ballots

Arizona

Nov 3rd

Upon receipt

Oct 20th

Michigan

Nov 3rd

Nov 2nd

Nov 3rd

Minnesota

Nov 10th

Oct 20th

Nov 3rd, polls closed

Nebraska

Nov 3rd

Nov 2nd

Nov 2nd

Nevada

Nov 10th

Oct 27th

Oct 27th

New Hampshire

Nov 3rd

Nov 3rd

Nov 3rd, polls closed

Pennsylvania

Nov 6th

Nov 3rd

Nov 3rd

Wisconsin

Nov 3rd

Nov 3rd

Nov 3rd

Based on the above, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, and North Carolina are better positioned to report more complete vote tallies on election night than other states because they pre-process (i.e. verify signatures, voter registration status) and start counting ballots before Nov 3rd. In fact, Iowa may report results of absentee ballots before in-person votes, and North Carolina is expected to report both at the same time. Other states allow signature verification early but only open ballots on the dates listed above (e.g. ME, MN).  These dates have been flux over the last few weeks because of several lawsuits.

States to Watch: Political analysts suggest that 4 toss-up states (i.e. TX, GA, FL, NC) are important because they must all be won by 45 in order to ensure he gains the 270 Electoral College votes needed to declare himself a winner the night of the election. If he loses any of the 4, then the outcome of the election may not be known for days, depending upon what happens in other toss up and battle ground states. This is why counts from FL and NC will be watched closely the night of Nov. 3rd since they may accurately reflect the final end-result in those states. Conversely, counts from battleground states like PA may not reflect the end result because 7 counties won’t even count mail-in ballots until after Nov. 3rd.

How are Vote Counts Reported Election Night: There is no federal system for reporting vote tallies the night of the election. Instead, this responsibility has historically been assumed by the Associate Press. 4,000 AP reporters who have a trusted relationship with local officials are given vote counts by county clerks and phone them into 800 data entry clerks at AP Vote Entry Centers around the country. Votes are reported by precincts. Counts are evaluated by computer programs that flag discrepancies or inconsistencies with prior history and other data. Based on solid data only (no speculation), AP will declare winners when enough votes have been counted that the eventual outcome is not in dispute.

Turn Out

Texas leads the nation in turn out so far, with 8.5 million votes (94% of 2016 turnout) cast. Early voting youth turn out has been very high in a number of states. With regards to TN, 2,280767 early voting or absentee ballots have been cast, a 36.1% increase over the same period in 2016. For Blount County 50,952 have been cast early, which represents a 55.6% turnout (91,500 registered voters); a 48.8% increase from 2016; and 96.2% of all votes cast in 2016. No matter the outcome, this increase in voter engagement is very encouraging!

Legal Challenges Looming

What is not encouraging are the lawsuits that have been filed and are anticipated around election day. These suits are designed to throw out ballots and undermine the outcome. This weekend, suits were filed in TX to declare drive-through voting in Harris County illegal and to throw out the 127,000 votes cast that way. Harris county includes Houston and is the most populous county in Texas. Many of these votes were cast by women and people of color.  A similar case was rejected by the TX State Supreme court on Oct. 22nd and drive-through voting was not challenged in the primary. However, the latest suit was filed in federal court before one of the most conservative judges in the nation. The suit will be vigorously challenged Monday morning.

In Pennsylvania, the RNC has been videoing Philadelphia voters depositing ballots in sanctioned drop boxed. Although it is legal for folks to drop off multiple ballot envelopes at a time, it is suspected the RNC will file a ballot-harvesting/fraud lawsuit this week in PA. And despite losing a suit before the US Supreme Court that challenged counting mail-in ballots received between Nov 3-6, the RNC is expected to file another suit now that Amy Coney Barrett has been sworn in.

Stay Alert

Claims of widespread mail-in voter fraud are known to be false. Given the fact that elections are run by local county officials all across the USA, perpetrating widespread in-person voting fraud is extremely difficult. However, operatives all over the USA are preparing to question the results, even here in TN. We need to be prepared to participate in Count the Vote actions beginning on Nov 4th to support our local election officials; to ensure all votes are counted; and to demand the will of the people be respected and carried out. See details below for the Nov. 4th action and stand by for more information as things unfold over the next several days!ELECTION ACTIONS:

Dear Huddlers,

Rather than a traditional Actions email this week, this email willintroduce you to efforts to protect the integrity and results of the 2020 election. All of us in the Huddle have spent tremendous time and energy working to affect the outcome of the November 3rd election. It would be great if by midnight that night, results were known, everything was over and we could (hopefully) begin to celebrate. But that is unlikely, so we must prepare ourselves to defend the results of the election. While reading the material below, click on the links for further information. Please also visit ProtectTheResults.com and sign up for the KnoxvilleCount Every Vote event to receive email alerts.  

PROTECT the RESULTS

Background Information: 45 is alleging that mail-in/absentee ballots are susceptible to voter fraud; that the only way he can lose the election is if it is rigged; and he will not guarantee toleave office peacefully if he is defeated. All of these statements have raised serious concerns and a flurry of activity to support the integrity of the election and to ensure the will of the people is carried out after the election, no matter who wins. For the sake of democracy in our country the results of a free, fair election must be respected.

Entities that are making preparations include lawyers to file briefs against any attempt to stop the counting of mail-in ballots; a coalition of former Republican & Democratic cabinet members/leaders (National Council on Election Integrity); national leaders of major labor unions; military advisors worried they may be given unconstitutional orders; and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter). Ordinary citizens are also organizing under the tutelage of Protect the Results (formed by Indivisible, Stand up America), Choose Democracy, and Hold the Line. Protect the Results is supervising the organizing of events (325 so far), while the latter two organizations are holding training programs. 

What are people preparing for? Hold the Line Guide bookexplains the potential scenarios very well…

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS, RED LINES 

How could President Trump lose the election and stay in power? What other problems could arise around the election and the presidential transition? And what lines do we need to protect?

In June 2020, a group called the Transition Integrity Project gathered a bipartisan group of more than 100 experts to explore different election scenarios that could play out between Election day (Nov. 3, 2020) and Inauguration day (Jan. 20, 2021). A summary statement from their report was: “We assess with a high degree of likelihood that November’s elections will be marked by a chaotic legal and political landscape. We also assess that… President Trump is likely to contest the result by both legal and extra-legal means in an attempt to hold onto power.” In particular, the Transition Integrity Project issued several key findings: 

• “The concept of ‘election night,’ is no longer accurate and indeed is dangerous.” Because of the large number of mail-in ballots this year, we may not know the winner of the election on election night, and it may take a week or weeks to count every ballot―especially when we consider possible court challenges. This provides a significant amount of time for Trump to cast doubt on the eventual election results, and/or declare himself the winner even before all the ballots are counted. 

• “A determined campaign has the opportunity to contest the election into January 2021.” Regardless of whether a clear winner emerges on election night, lawsuits, misinformation, polarizing media, and disputes around ballot counting provide the opportunity for campaigns to refuse to concede and instead to continue contesting the election results all the way to Inauguration day. President Trump has already set the stage for this by shaping a narrative where he can claim a Biden victory is illegitimate because of his accusations of vote fraud. In addition, Trump has certain powers of the federal government that he could try to exercise to influence the election’s outcome significantly.

• “The administrative transition process itself may be highly disrupted.” Even if Biden is declared the winner of the election and Trump accepts defeat, the transition process until January 20, 2021 is likely to be very challenging. Trump will have opportunities to engage in financial corruption (i.e. profiting from deals; diverting government resources; bribing people) and other forms of abuse (i.e. seeking pardon of associates or Trump himself; declassifying records or intelligence for political gain). Thetransition period is likely to require vigilance and action.

• There are 78 days between the election and inauguration, with several official, legislative deadlines, i.e. Dec 8 (deadline for votes to be certified, Electoral College votes & electors to be decided by states), Dec. 14 (Electoral College votes cast), Jan. 6 (Congress counts Electoral College votes and declares a winner). The only way these dates can be changed is by a new bill voted upon by Congress. 

In light of these risks, what are some possibilities that could occur? Here are three that could unfold: 

➔ SCENARIO 1: Election day results are unclear, and Trump declares victory anyway. 

➔ SCENARIO 2: Election results show significant irregularities and/or signs of tampering, and Trump declares victory. 

➔ SCENARIO 3: Trump loses the election but refuses to leave office.

If Trump legitimately wins the election, we will have grave concerns about the future of the country, but we will respect the results.

WHAT are the PLANS? 

If Scenario 1 or 2 occur, we will immediately hit the streets in our communities and demand that every vote be counted, even if it takes days or weeks to get an accurate count from critical states, especially given the expansion of mail-in and absentee voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will also organize and act to ensure that the loser concedes and that Congress, the Electoral College, and state officials honor the accurate, final vote count.

Save the Date: If necessary, A Count Every Vote Event is planned by the Knox Protect the Results Coalition for Wednesday, November 4th at 4PM in Krutch Park. Please save the date, share the information with allies and friends, and stand by for further details as we get closer to November 3rd. Sign up at ProtectTheResults.com to receive email alerts about the event.  Plans are in the works to provide a variety of ways (e.g. on foot, in cars, virtually) for people to participate.

While we hope for the best and hope this event will not be necessary, we are planning for the worst. If the worst happens, then multiple events over days to weeks will be scheduled. Please note that we are not alone in these efforts. Knox Protect the Results Coalition represents >20 organizations, and the national coalition is comprised of >100 organizations. As these uncertain times approach, remember that ordinary citizens hold power when they are inclusive, show up in large numbers, are unified in purpose (i.e. upholding democracy), and dedicated/committed to nonviolent actions. 

For questions, concerns or ideas, please email maryvilletnhuddle@gmail.com .

Stay safe everyone! 

Rhea Morgan

Actions for Week of October 18, 2020 

Election Countdown – 16 days until the election. Everytown is offering the opportunity to phone bank in battleground states over the next 2 weeks. Visit this website to sign up. 

Judiciary Committee Vote – On Thursday, October 22nd, this committee will vote on whether to pass Amy Cony Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination to the rest of the Senate. Sen. Blackburn serves on this committee. Please contact her to provide input on how you feel she should vote. Make sure your call is logged by her office staff. Contact information is below. Here is one talking point, here is another, and here’s a third.

Good News!

3. 1. A federal judge overturned the 2015 TN law that requires an abortion waiting period.

   2. A judge ruled NC must count absentee ballots post marked by November 3rd and received through November 12th. 

   3. A US District judge appointed by 45 upheld MN’s ruling to extend the counting of absentee ballots for 7 days beyond the election as long as they postmarked by Nov. 3rd.

   4. Voting is up all over the USA. Despite terribly long waits (8-11 hrs), 22.6% of early voters in Georgia did not vote in 2016. 

   5. Prosecutors nationwide are saying they will refuse to press charges for abortion even if Roe v. Wade is overturned. 

Educate Yourself

4. 1. Learn about what happened when researchers gave homeless people money. It may surprise you!

   2. Read about the dark money being spent to influence Supreme Court nominations. Thanks to Sen. Whitehouse for this expose. 

   3. Learn the inside story on how the Dept. of Justice purposefully mapped out their separation of migrant children policy. 

   4. Follow the Coup-o-Meter which monitors the chances 45 will try to steal the election.

Actions for Week of October 11, 2020 

Election Countdown – 23 days until the election. Early voting starts this week! Vote safely and take a friend. This is what we’ve been waiting for. The change starts with us!

Oct 14-29th: Early Voting Period. Note: The BC Courthouse is no longer an early voting location. Early voting locations:

1. Foothills Mall near JC Penny: Mon-Sat from 10AM- 6PM

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

3. Everett Gym/Rec Center: Mon-Fri from 11AM- 7PM

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

5. Providence Baptist Church, 5748 Sevierville Rd Seymour: Mon-Fri from 11AM-7PM

Report Voting Issues – A nationwide hotline has been set up for reporting any and all types of voting issue. Number is 866-687-8683. For local problems, call the BC Election Commission office at 865-273-5920, Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30 PM. Here’s an advice sheet on what to do if you see any signs of voter intimidation.

I Vote Sign – Once you’ve voted, consider placing an “I Vote Sign” in your yard. Signs are available through BC League of Women Voters. Contact M. Finley at mlynfin@gmail.com to get one. Also feel free to post a photo of yourself with your “I Voted” sticker on the Huddle’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryvilleHuddle

Good News!

1. 1. The Supreme Court blocked the administration’s efforts to prevent voting by mail in Montana. And a federal judge denied all attempts by the RNC to restrict voting.

   2. The Supreme Court also blocked the administration from requiring a woman to see a doctor in-person prior to obtaining the morning-after pill.

   3. A federal judge told the administration they cannot withhold $1200 stimulus payments from incarcerated people.

   4. The couple who brandished guns towards peaceful protestors in St. Louis have been indicted on several charges.

   5. The police officer who killed Jonathan Price in North TX while Mr. Price was trying to stop an assault on a woman has been charged with murder.

   6. A DC circuit court ruled the administration cannot spend funds on the border wall unless they are approved by Congress. And another judge ruled 45 cannot use his emergency powers at all to the build the wall.

Educate Yourself

1. 1. Sen. Loeffler (who is running again in Georgia) has introduced a bill requiring girls to undergo genital exams in order to compete in school sports. It is part of her attempt to ban transgender girls from competing.

   2. Review the timeline of 45’s encouragement of hate groups and political violence.

   3. Learn about the 627,000 women who dropped out of the work force last month in comparison to 78,000 men.

   4. Read about the Catholic Lobby that rejects the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. You’ve just got to love the Nuns on the Bus.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. We’re coming down to the wire. You still have a chance to get involved. Just email maryvilletnhuddle@gmail.com and we’ll put you in touch with the group.

 Actions for Week of October 4, 2020 

Election Countdown – 30 days until the election. Now is the time to do something to support candidates running for office. Your mission this week is to take at least one action. Consider joining the Black voter Text-a-thon. 

Delay Judicial Hearings – Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (Sen. Mike Lee, Thom Tillis) have tested positive for COVID-19. Sen. Ben Sasse is self-quarantining in New Mexico for 2 weeks, and Sen. Blackburn was also exposed. In light of these events and potential new developments in the days ahead, please contact both our Senators to request the hearings scheduled to start on October 12th over the nomination of Amy C. Barrett for the Supreme Court be delayed indefinitely. See contact information below.

Good News!

3. 1. The Appeals Court has upheld the decision that Gov. Lee’s school voucher bill is unconstitutional. 

   2. A federal judge halted the provision in TN’s heart beat anti-abortion bill that requires doctors to give medically unsound advice on trying to reverse a medical abortion. The bill has now been blocked by 2 different courts for 2 different reason.

   3. LeBron James has recruited 10,000 volunteers to assist at the polls in black districts. 

   4. Another judge ruled the president’s law enforcement commission violates the law.

   5. A federal judge has blocked the administration’s attempt to raise fees on those applying for asylum and naturalization. Unfortunately, only 15,000 refugees will be let into the USA in 2021 if 45 remains in office. 

Educate Yourself about Efforts to Steal the Election - As witnessed during last Tuesday’s presidential debate, 45 and his followers are promising to contest the upcoming election and to question the validity of votes, particularly mail-in ballots. A protracted post-election struggle may develop, especially if in-person voting the night of November 3rd does not result in an Electoral College landslide. Former Dept. of Justice employees are concerned William Barr will use the DOJ to undermine the outcome. Republicans are mobilizing thousands of attorneys for an election fights, and Democrats are beginning to mobilize. Fight Back Table is organizing a Democracy Defense Nerve Center and Choose Democracy is making preparations. Efforts are also underway to create a coalition of organizations in the greater Knoxville area to defend any threats to a peaceful transfer of power, and more information on those efforts will be forth coming. In the attempt of a coup, here are 10 things you need to know:

4. 1. Don’t expect results election night.

   2. Any effort to steal the election is a coup.

   3. Believe that a coup can happen in the USA.

   4. Know that coups can be stopped by regular folks.

   5. Be ready to act quickly.

   6. Focus on widely-shared democratic values, not on individuals.

   7. Convince people not to acquiesce or just go along.

   8. Commit to actions that represent rule of law, stability, and nonviolence.

   9. Remain calm.

   10. Prepare deterrences to a coup before the election. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Since September 20th, the group wrote 1,890 more postcards for a total of 20,733.  Hurrah!

Contact TN Senators –This past week, 45 wouldn’t promise to accept results of the upcoming election and leave peacefully if defeated. He further is claiming fraud with mail-in ballots. Please contact our Senators and ask them to list specific steps they support to ensure the president leaves office if defeated at the polls. See contact information below. 

Voting Reminder – 37 days to the Election! Please do the following:

2. 1. Make sure your voter registration is up to date by checking it at GOVOTETN.org or vote.org 

   2. If planning to vote absentee, please submit your application now. If you’ve received your ballot, please complete and return it immediately.

   3. Make a plan as to when and where you will vote.

   4. Please ask 5 friends or family members as to whether they are registered and their registration is up to date, and encourage them to vote.

Petitions to Sign

3. 1. Here are 2 more petitions in support of the US Postal Service.

   2. This petition, this petition, and this petition go to Senators to ask they reconsider voting on a replacement for RBG prior to the election. 

   3. If you are a healthcare professional, please consider signing the Climate & Carbon Pricing Declaration. 

Good News!

4. 1. A judge ruled that TN’s law prohibiting 1st time voters from voting absentee is illegal, so they can now vote absentee the first time. 

   2. Democracy Docket won a case this week in NC. Ballots postmarked by Nov. 3rd and received by 11/12 will be counted. The state is required to adopt a “cure” process for initially-rejected absentees, and to establish ballot drop-off stations. 

   3. They also won a case in SC that required a witness for anyone signing an absentee ballot request.

   4. Former Mayor Bloomberg has raised $20million to pay the fees/debt of 31,000 felons so their voting right can be restored. 

   5. Following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, voter registration has surged and 62% were women. Close to 25% were ages 18-24 and the largest group was between 25-34 years.

   6. A judge has blocked plans in Texas to do away with straight-ticket voting because it placed an undue burden on black and Hispanic voters. More than 60% of voters in TX have historically voted straight ticket.

Educate Yourself

5. 1. TN has waived the application for COVID-related food assistance for needy school children. The state must distribute the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer funds by Sept. 30th. Blount County has announced that all children in county schools will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch. 

   2. Read about the bipartisan campaign to reassure voters and combat 45’s continuous claims of voter fraud.

   3. By 20 percentage points (56% to 36%), people feel the next president should nominate RBG’s replacement. See this interesting pdf.

   4. Read the public service announcement from the FBI regarding cyber criminal intervention in the upcoming election. Please report any suspicious websites, FB groups or Twitter folks. 

Banned Book Week – From Sept 27 through Oct 3rd, the American Library Association is highlighting censorship in the USA. These are the top 10 banned books and why they are considered by some to be objectionable:

6. 1. And Tango Makes Three (LGBTQ content)

   2. Harry Potter (magic, witchcraft)

   3. Drama (LGBTQ characters)

   4. The Handmaid’s Tale (vulgarity, sexual overtones

   5. I am Jazz (transgender character)

   6. Prince & King (gay marriage)

   7. Sex is a Funny Word (LGBTQ content, sex education)

   8. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo (LGBTQ content)

   9. Beyond Magenta (LGBTQ content)

   10. George ( transgender character)

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Since September 4th, the postcard group wrote an amazing 3,747 postcards. Impressive!

Actions for Week of September 20, 2020 to Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg

RBG’s Dying Wish - "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed." RBG’s wish is important for 2 reasons. It tells us she believes Biden/Harris can win the election. She is urging us to get over our grief quickly and to act to ensure the wish becomes true.

How things stand:  Shortly after her death, Mitch McConnell announced he will proceed with pushing 45’s nominee to replace RBG to the floor of the Senate. 45 plans to announce a nominee to replace RBG within the next week. In 2016, Sen. Graham said that not allowing a vote for Merrick Garland 237 days before the election was setting a new Republican precedent and that the Republicans would honor that precedent if the same situation arose in a future election. We are now 44 days before the election. You can watch his exact words in this video. Unfortunately, yesterday he said he would move a nominee forward.

Two senators (Collins, Murkowski) have issued statements saying they will not vote for a nominee before the election, and Collins stated the winner of the election should propose the nominee. Sens. Romney and Grassley have previously expressed similar sentiments but have not issued public statements since RBG’s death. If Mark Kelly wins the Arizona senate race he can be seated as early as November 30th because the seat is a vacancy that McSally was appointed to fill. However, a vote would have to be delayed until after that date. Otherwise, 4 Republican senators must refuse to vote for the nominee or a 50-50 tie will occur that Mike Pence will break. Based on this, please contact at least 3 these senators.

Contact Sen. Alexander –It is urgent that as his constituents we ask him to pledge not vote for any nominee presented to the Senate prior to the election, and to not vote for any nominee presented after the election should 45 lose. Please consider calling all of his offices, and call at least one office daily for the next week. Here is his 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. If you want to write a letter or postcard, other office addresses are provided here: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/officelocations. Twitter: @SenAlexander 

If phone lines are busy, you can also fax him via ResistBot by texting RBG to 50409 and follow their instructions. ResistBot is quite busy at the moment, but they get back to you if the lines are swamped when you text them. 

Contact Sen. Romney – Email: https://www.romney.senate.gov/contact , 124 Russell Senate Building, Washington DC, 20510, 202-224-5251, St. George: 435-522-7100, Salt Lake City: 801-524-4380, Twitter: https://twitter.com/senatorromney , @SenatorRomney 

Contact Sen. Grassley – Washington DC: 135 Hard Senate Office Building, Washtington DC, 20510, 202-224-3744, Des Moines: 515-288-1145. Email: https://www.grassley.senate.gov/constituents/questions-and-comments Twitter: https://twitter.com/chuckgrassley, @ChuckGrassley

Other Actions – 

1. Attend tonight’s vigil. See details below. Here are some signs you can download and print: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/atvylr8cgubhnt0/AAALou_sxRiBusy1tqvlHXeDa?akid=374.274923.EzKH-a&dl=0&rd=1&t=3 

2. Sign this MoveOn petition and this second one.

3. Read Bill Hagerty’s response to RBG’s death and vote accordingly. 

4. Learn about the Get Mitch or Die Trying movement. 

5. Use the attached template to send RBG postcards to all Senators. Template is designed for Avery 5919 card stock.

6. In the hours after RBG’s death (9 PM Friday – Saturday afternoon),  people donated $46 million to  blue candidates and causes. Google Flip the Senate to learn more. 

Good Voting/Election News

6. 1. A Michigan judge ruled the state must accept ballots that arrive within 14 days of the election as long as they are postmarked by November 2nd. And another MI judge blocked the law that made it a crime to hire drivers to take folks to the polls. 

   2. Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the Green Party nominee cannot appear on the ballot in that state and ballots will be counted if they arrive within 3 days of the election as long as they are postmarked by November 3rd.

   3. Wisconsin Supreme Court also ruled to keep the Green Party off the ballot. 

   4. A lawsuit has been filed in TN that challenging criminal felony charges for sharing the absentee ballot form.

   5. A federal judge has temporarily blocked all US Postal Service operational changes that could slow down delivery and return of ballots.

   6. Vanderbilt University has launched a voter engagement program.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home - Support local candidates by joining the final push to get postcards out. If you want to join this effort, please email Maryvilletnhuddle@gmail.com and we’ll put you in touch with the coordinators. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site.

Actions for Week of September 13, 2020 

Election Countdown – 50 days until the election. Now is the time to do something to support candidates running for office. Your mission this week is to take at least one action. Feel free to let us know what you’ve done. 

Presidential Debate Question – Please consider asking the Commission on Presidential Debates to make climate change a centerpiece of the debates. You can write a note to the Commission at 1200 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 445, Washington DC 20036, email them at media@debates.org or call them at 202-872-1020. 

Good News!

3. 1. Africa has been declared free of wild polio. 

   2. By a vote of 8-2, the full federal appeals court rejected the request by Dept. Justice to end the Michael Flynn case. 

   3. A federal judge has extended the deadline for absentee ballots submitted in GA. They need to be postmarked by Nov. 3rd and received by 7 PM Nov. 10th. 

   4. Old Navy will pay its employees to work the polls on Election Day.

Educate Yourself

4. 1. EPA has relaxed rules limiting coal plants from polluting waterways with lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.  

   2. The administration has instructed federal agencies to cancel racial sensitivity training.

   3. Learn what economists think the next COVID-relief package from Congress should include. 

   4. Unfortunately, a federal judge overruled a lower court and has upheld Florida’s poll tax on convicted felons.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. This group is working hard to support local candidates, so please consider participating!

Actions for Week of September 6, 2020 

Petitions to Sign – 

1. 1. Please consider signing this petition requesting the hometown of Chadwick Bosman, Anderson SC, replace a Confederate statue with one of Chad, who played the Black Panther. 

   2. Here’s petition opposing the Mountain Valley Pipeline in VA and WV to carry fracked gas. 

Election Countdown – 57 days until the election. Now is the time to do something to support candidates running for office. Your mission this week is to take at least one action. Feel free to let us know what you’ve done. 

Good News!

3. 1. A judge rejected Betsy DeVos’ plan to send federal funds to private schools. 

   2. Walmart is going to give their 1.5 million workers up to 3 hours of paid time off to vote in November. Other companies are joining the Time to Vote movement. 

   3. The NBA has offered its stadiums as voting locations so that large numbers of voters can be accommodated while physical distancing. 

   4. North Carolina rejected a requested permit to allow a 75-mile fracked-gas pipeline. 

Educate Yourself

4. 1. DeVos has issued a rule blocking undocumented students from receiving CARES Act Grants passed by Congress. Cruelty is the point. 

   2. William Pendley’s nomination to head the Bureau of Land Management has been withdrawn. He promotes selling off federal lands and has relocated/scattered most jobs from Washington DC to the West. The BLM has had no Senate-confirmed director since 45 took office. However, he will remain as acting director for the foreseeable future. Another case of 45 circumventing the Senatorial approval process. 

   3. Read how many people have lost their work-sponsored health insurance due to COVID and what steps can be taken to rectify this problem in the future. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Between August 7 – September 4, the group worte 2275 postcards, for total of 15,096! Go Team! 

Actions for Week of August 30, 2020 

Speak out for Jacob Blake – Please join others in calling for the removal of Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis for his handling of the shooting of Jacob Blake and his fraternization with white supremacist vigilantes who descended upon Kenosha after the shooting. Police & Fire Commission = 844-966-0055. Office of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers = 855-880-2155. 

How to be an AntiRacist – This book by Ibram X. Kendi is now available for free in audio version on Youtube.

Election Countdown – 64 days until the election. Now is the time to do something to support candidates running for office. Your mission this week is to take at least one action. Feel free to let us know what you’ve done. Writing postcards is an easy task that can be done at home. 

Good News!

4. 1. A federal judge stopped Idaho from refusing transgender students from playing sports. 

   2. The two largest federal employee unions have endorsed Biden.  Many former Republican National Security officials are also endorsing Biden. 

   3. A federal appeals court in Virginia upheld transgender rights to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. 

Educate Yourself

5. 1. Check out the Commonwealth Club of California’s informative interviews on a wide range of topics on YouTube. Thanks to Terry for sharing this link. 

   2. Some people have expressed concern that 45 may not step down if he loses the election. Read about the measures that are in place to ensure he leaves. 

   3. Learn about the various vaccines being developed and the COVID-19 vaccine trials taking place. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of August 23, 2020 

Ask MOCs to Support Postal Service – The Senate heard from the Postmaster last week and the House has scheduled a hearing with him this week. Please contact our Members of Congress and ask them to support the Postal Service and provide them feedback with how it is important to you. Unfortunately, Rep. Burchett voted against the bill passed in the House yesterday that funds the USPS. Please ask our Senators to pressure Mitch McConnell to bring the bill to the floor. See their contact information below. Here are some petitions to sign:

1. 1. Ask our Senators to save the US Postal Service by signing this petition.

   2. Here’s a petition asking the Board of Governors to remove Postmaster Louis DeJoy.

   3. Here’s a petition asking for an investigation.

More Petitions to Sign

1. 4. Join the ACLU in asking governors to grant clemency for millions imprisoned in state prisons by signing this petition.

   5. Did you know that unaccompanied migrant children are secretly being held in hotels to keep them from due process and reunited with their families? Here’s a petition asking Congress to investigate. 

Good News!

3. 1. A judge ruled the House can subpoena former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify.

   2. A federal judge denied 45’s request for stay on the subpoena requesting his tax records. 

   3. Coca Cola is joining other businesses to give their employees the day off to vote on November 3rd. 

Educate Yourself

4. 1. Read Gov. Lee’s answer about why he won’t meet with protestors or the Black Caucus.

   2. Read about ways to financially fix the US Postal Services. Wow! How insulting!

   3. The administration is going to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for gas and oil drilling. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of August 16, 2020 

Ask Governor to Veto HB 8005 – TN made the national news this week when it passed this onerous anti-protestor bill. The bill makes camping (such as placing food, water, personal belongings after 10 PM) out on State property a Class E felony; makes marking government property (even with chalk) a crime; imposes automatic 12-hour jail hold times without bond for protest-related offenses, etc. Please ask Gov. Lee to veto the bill at 615-741-2001 or via the website.  

Contact USPS Board of Governors – Please consider contacting  Postal Service’s Board of Governors with your concerns about the administration’s undermining of the USPS during this critical time. Note that the Chairman, Robert Duncan, is also chairman of the Senate GOP Super Pac.  Be sure to include any personal experience you’ve had with mail delays.

2. 1. Robert Duncan: mduncan@inezdepositbank.com

   2. John Barger: barger.jm@gmail.com

   3. Ron Bloom: ron.bloom@brookfield.com

   4. Roman Martinez: roman@rmiv.com

   5. Donald Moak: lee.moak@moakgroup.com

   6. William Zollars: DirectorAccessMailbox@cigna.com

   7. Complete mailing addresses and phone numbers for these men are available in this screen shot. 

   8. Postmaster General responsible for these changes is Louis DeJoy: louis.dejoy@usps.gov or 202-268-2608. The House requested to meet with Mr. DeJoy but he postponed the meeting until Sept. 17th.

Good News!

3. 1. The City Council of Ketchikan Alaska unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ folks after a local business man refused to serve them. 

   2. Sen. Murkowski has said she would not support filling an open Supreme Court seat before January’s inauguration. But we are hoping/praying that RBG lives to be 100!

   3. Dolly Parton spoke out in support of Black Lives Matter this week and she’s also dropped the word “Dixie” from all her commercial properties. 

Educate Yourself

4. 1. Check your voting status and receive automatic updates by signing up with TurboVote. 

   2. It only took 48 hours for 45 to start promoting a racist birther conspiracy story against Kamala Harris. 

   3. Learn about the 14 early warning signs of Fascism: 

Powerful and continuing nationalism

Disdain for human rights

Identification of enemies as a unifying cause

Supremacy of the military

Rampant sexism

Controlled mass media

Obsession with national security

Religion and government intertwined

Corporate power protected

Labor [sic] power suppressed

Disdain for intellectuals & the arts

Obsession with crime & punishment

Rampant cronyism & corruption

Fraudulent elections

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Actions for Week of August 9, 2020 

Protect Protesters in TN – Rep. William Lamberth is filing two bills tomorrow, August 10th, that pertain to protesting in TN. These bills are designed to punish the protestors who have been protesting at the TN state capitol for racial justice and removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust. But they will allow almost any participant of a protest that gets out of hand to be jailed and charged, even if the individuals are peaceful. Please contact your state Representative and Senator with feedback on these bills:

a. HB 8004 gives jurisdiction to the Attorney General to prosecute cases related to protests, which would allow the state-appointed AG to prosecute people, even if the locally-elected District Attorney declines to do so. Currently, the State AG does not prosecute criminal offenses. 

b. HB 8005 mandates that anyone who knowingly comes in physical contact with a law enforcement officer (including spitting) will automatically be jailed for 30 days. A person can be charged with disorderly conduct, even if they are not present at the scene. Sopeople could be swept up blocks from an altercation and prosecuted. Anyone leaving water or food on public land for use by protestors can be charged with illegal camping. Anyone charged with camping and vandalism will be held for a minimum of 12 hours before they can post bond.

New Liability Law Unnecessary – Gov. Lee has already provided for limited liability protection in his COVID-19 executive order, which is still in effect. He now wants to grant immunity for any such lawsuits brought by the public. Liability bills (Safe Harbor Act) were considered in the June GA session but failed to move forward because the House and Senate could not reconcile their differences. Because liability laws already exist in the State and are amongst the most difficult to win, many feel further immunity is unnecessary. Again, Rep. Lamberth is the main sponsor of the immunity bill, probably because a nursing home in his district is subject to lawsuits after 23 residents died of COVID-19. If legislators proceed with their plan to make the bill retroactive to March, it will most likely be deemed unconstitutional.  Please contact your state Representative and Senator with feedback on this bill.

 Good News!

a. New York has filed a lawsuit to dissolve the NRA for gross financial misconduct as a nonprofit organization. 

b. The Senate passed the National Defense Appropriations Act that includes a measure to rename US Military bases named after Confederate officers. The vote was 86-14, which is veto proof.

c. A judge ruled that E. Jean Carroll can seek 45’s DNA for her defamation suit.

d. Read about how the NFL and Carolina Panthers have launched a voter engagement initiatives and how the latter will allow their stadium to be used as a voting site.

 Educate Yourself

a. Read about the winners and losers in primary elections across TN last week. Note that GA incumbents Micah Van Huss, Matthew Hill, Rick Staples, Rick Tillis were defeated, and a record number of women won their primaries. If you want to follow some of the women candidates on Twitter, here they are:

@bondjohnsontn

@gabbysalinas

@campbelltn20

@Civil4TN

@VoteGloriaJ

@VoteVirginiaC

@Mariah4TN

@JerriGreenFor83

@ElectCarolAbney

@Bradshaw2020

b. Read about how the pandemic is hurting women, especially working women, harder than men. It may be creating America’s first female recession. 

c. The administration continues to flaunt the constitution, almost every day. When the nomination for a controversial Pentagon pick failed, he was named to the position anyway, despite not being approved by Congress. He was already bypassing Congress to install loyalists in the Pentagon. 

d. If you think things are bad in TN, the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld a black man’s life sentence for stealing a pair of hedge clippers. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Between July 19 and August 8th, the postcard group wrote 1201 postcards reminding folks to vote. Hurrah!

Actions for Week of August 2, 2020 

Project Implicit – Ever hear of implicit bias? Visit this website to test yourself on implicit bias across a wide variety of subjects, peoples, races, religions.

Petitions to Sign –

• 1. Sign this petition to ask Congress to continue the extra $600 weekly unemployment benefits in the next stimulus bill. Here is some background information on the benefit. 

  2. Ask Congress to include zoos, like Zoo Knoxville, in the upcoming COVID relief/stimulus bill by signing this petition. 

  3. 10Million people have signed this petition demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. Please add your name. You can also take action through this petition on the justiceforbreonna.org website. 

  4. Another wolf was purposefully killed in Washington State recently. Consider signing this petition to Gov. Inslee requesting the state’s policy be re-examined. 

Ask 45 to Sign HR 1957 - The House passed the Great American Outdoors Act,  which was introduced by Rep. John Lewis last year. It permanently funds the Land & Water Conservation Fund and provides $9.5billion for maintenance projects in the National Parks. The vote was 310 to 107, with Rep. Burchett voting “Yes”. The Senate passed the bill in June and it now goes to the White House to be signed. You can email the White House here. 

Good News!

• 1. The Supreme Court upheld Nevada’s policy to limit in-person church attendance to 50 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

  2. The White House is withdrawing the nomination of Anthony Tata for the Dept. of Defense Undersecretary position over his calling President Obama a Muslim terrorist leader. 

  3. Basketball legend, Michael Jordan, and his foundation are donating $2.5million to combat black voter suppression.

Educate Yourself

• 1. Learn about Charles Koch’s efforts to kill the US Postal Service.  Also read about the campaign donor who now heads the USPS and how his changes are impacting its service.

  2. The case against Michael Flynn is not dead. The full DC Circuit Court of Appeals will rehear the case on August 11th. 

  3. The administration has issued a report allowing the Pebble Mine Project to proceed. It directly contradicts a 2014 report. Read about the potential impact of this gold mining process on Bristol Bay, one of the largest salmon spawning areas in Alaska. You can provide feedback to Congress on this move at this website. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of July 26, 2020 

Support BREATHE Act – The bill was created by the Movement for Black Lives and offers some sweeping changes, such as requiring a plan to close all immigration detention centers, abolish ICE and DEA, ban police departments from using military-grade weapons, and reallocate funds from policing and incarceration to social welfare, health care, education, and environmental programs. Please ask Rep. Burchett to support this bill. 

Support Local Journalism – The Local Journalism Sustainability Act is a bipartisan bill filed in House that supports local newspapers by offering credits to incentivize subscriptions to local newspapers; provides payroll credits for journalists; and business tax credits for purchasing advertisement in local papers. Please ask Rep. Burchett to co-sponsor and support this bill. You can also send a letter of support through this website. 

TN Face Mask Poll – Channel 4 News in Nashville wants to know how you stand on Gov. Lee issuing a face mask mandate for TN. Consider taking this poll. 

Coronavirus Data – Thanks to National Geographic for providing these resources:

• 1. Coronavirus Data as of July 25, 2020. 

  2. What COVID-19 does to a child’s body. 

  3. Up to 40% of people in USA who are positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic. Why?

Good News!

• 1. A judge has ordered the administration to accept new DACA applications.

  2. Federal appeals court ruled the administration cannot withhold grants from California sanctuary cities.

  3. Robert E Lee Highschool in Fairfax VA is changing its name to John R. Lewis Highschool.

  4. After the Supreme Court upheld a Florida law requiring felons to pay all fines and fees before being allow to vote, LeBron James created a new nonprofit that will donate $100,000 to pay the outstanding money. Go King James!

Educate Yourself

• 1. To understand what is happening in Portland in the stand-off between protestors and unidentified federal agents, watch this video. 

  2. ICE is launching a citizens’ academy that would train ordinary citizens to arrest immigrants suspected to be undocumented. 45 also signed an executive order that would exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2020 Census. See you in court!

  3. The administration lifted a ban on sales of gun silencers to foreign entities. The ban was to protect US soldiers stationed overseas.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. These industrious folks have written 1777 postcards since July 3rd, for a total of 11,260 postcards written in 2020 so far. Wow! Amazing!

Actions for Week of July 19, 2020 

Ask House to Support S 3422 - Great American Outdoors Act provides $9.5Billion over 5 years to address crumbling infrastructure on public lands and waters. The National Parks will receive $6.5Billion of that. The bill has passed the Senate and is headed to the House. Please ask Rep. Burchett to support it. 

Local Surveys & Petitions to Sign – 

• 1. Channel 4 in Nashville is seeking your input on how 45 is handling the coronavirus pandemic. Answer their survey here. 

  2. Channel 4 is also polling people about whether the governor should mandate face mask wearing. Answer their survey here.

  3. This local petition asks the US Army Corp of Engineers to change the navigable status of the Little River so that tubing in Townsend can be regulated. 

  4. Consider signing this petition to expand Medicaid in TN. 

  5. This petition encourages Gov. Lee to mandate face mask wearing in TN.

National Petitions to Sign –

• 1. As you know, Rep. John Lewis died on Friday. Please add your name to this petition supporting changing the name of the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma AL to the John Lewis bridge. 

  2. Here’s  petition asking for an investigation of Facebook’s profiting from vote-suppression ads from 45’s reelection campaign that contain disinformation. 

  3. This petition urges Congress to pass legislation requiring COVID-19 data be sent to both CDC and HHS. HHS has taken over data collection from the CDC, which allows the data to potentially be manipulated. 

Good News!

• 1. Three major pipelines have recently been abandoned or temporarily halted:

     1. Duke Energy and Dominion have abandoned the natural gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which was to have run across the Appalachian Trail.

     2. A judge ordered temporary shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline by August 5th until such time as an environmental impact statement has been prepared. 

     3. A federal judge in Montana vacated some permits for the Keystone XL pipeline in April. The Supreme Court excluded Keystone KL when they fast tracked some other permits. 

  2. The Washington Redskins are finally changing their name. Old signage was removed this week. 

  3. Judge Sullivan is refusing to dismiss the case against Michael Flynn and has asked the full DC Circuit to rehear his case.

Educate Yourself

• 1. The administration is poised to roll back transgender health care protections. 

  2. Did you know that 45 has dismantled more monuments than any protest?

  3. The TN abortion ban bill was in effect for less than an hour before it was halted by a restraining order. 

  4. The administration proposes opening a large area of wild Alaska to oil drilling.

1. Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of July 12, 2020 

Migratory Birds Endangered  – The administration plans to strip away critical protections in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The changes would allow incidental killing of birds in oil pits and other polluted sites, tall towers, power lines, etc. Please offer your comments on the proposed changes by July 20th at this website. Click on black Comment Now! box in right upper corner. 

Horrible BLM Nominee – 45 is nominating William Pendley to the position of Director of Bureau of Land Management. He has been in an acting position since July 2019. He is an advocate of selling off public lands; has moved hundreds of jobs out West; and has claimed climate science is junk science. Please contact our Senators and ask them to oppose this nomination. 

Good News! – Republicans & Military for Biden. More & more Republicans are coming out in favor of Joe Biden and supporting his campaign in a variety of ways. The advertisements these groups are publishing are hard hitting. Whew! Consider following these folks on FB, Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

• 1. Lincoln Project - https://www.facebook.com/thelincolnproject.us,  https://twitter.com/projectlincoln, https://www.instagram.com/lincolnproject.us/

  2. 43AlumniForJoe Biden - https://www.facebook.com/43Biden, https://twitter.com/43Biden, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLj1_z4Tm3uVX37S4yTVsYw?app=desktop

  3. Republican Voters Against Trump - https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Frvat.org%2F, https://twitter.com/RVAT2020?s=09

  4. VoteVets.org - https://www.facebook.com/votevets, https://twitter.com/votevets

Educate Yourself

• 1. Physician’s for Human Rights has deemed the administration’s policy of family separation for migrant families is a form of torture.

  2. Consider watching Point of View program entitled And She Could be Next from PBS: Episode 1 and Episode 2. They follow a defiant movement of women of color during the 2018 election as they transform politics from the ground up. 

  3. The PBS American Masters program entitled Unladylike2020, that tells the stories of American heroines is also available for viewing. 

  4. Read about TN’s Voter Restoration Gauntlet in this article by the Marshall Project. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of July 5, 2020 

Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust – Gov. Lee is convening a meeting of the State Capitol Commission on Thurs, July 9th to discuss removal of the bust. The commission’s decision will then be forwarded to the Historical Commission. If the latter agrees, the bust may be removed. Please speak up once again on this issue.  

• 1. Here is the governor’s contact information: 1st Floor, State Capitol, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Nashville TN 37243; email = https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html; phone= 615-741-2001.

  2. Here is the contact information for commission members:

     1. Butch Eley, chairman = butch.eley@tn.gov

     2. Christi Branscom = christi.branscom@tn.gov

     3. David Salyers = david.salyers@tn.gov

     4. Tre Hargett = tre.hargett@tn.gov

     5. David Lillard = david.lillard@tn.gov

     6. Justin Wilson = justin.wilson@cot.tn.gov

     7. Jack Johnson = sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov

     8. Matthew Hill = rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov

     9. Howard Gentry = howard.gentry@nashville.gov

     10. Hallerin Hill = hallerinhillscc@gmail.com

     11. Dr. Logan Hampton = lhampton@lanecollege.edu

Good News! 

• 1. The deadline for filing for Pandemic-EBT benefits to help alleviate missed school meals in March-May has been extended to July 13th.P-EBT benefits provide parents with $5.70 per child for each day that school was closed due to COVID-19. Benefits will be issued in two installments. The first installment will include financial assistance for meals in March and April, and the second installment will arrive in July for meals missed in May. Folks can apply online here.

  2. Gov. Lee has announced that law enforcement training procedures will be reviewed and changed in light of the recent deaths of POC.

  3. A judge ruled that Rep. Devin Nunes (CA) cannot sue Twitter over parody accounts posing as his mother (@mom_nunes) or cow (@DevinCow). Seriously. Btw, the cow is hilarious!

Educate Yourself – Consider this wise advice from the daughter of MLK Jr:

                a.  Don't use his name; EVER (45 will do)

                b. Remember this is a regime and he's not acting alone;

                c. Do not argue with those who support him--it doesn't work;

                d. Focus on his policies, not his orange-ness and mental state;

                e. Keep your message positive; they want the country to be         angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow;

                f. No more helpless/hopeless talk;

                g. Support artists and the arts;

                h. Be careful not to spread fake news. Check it;

                i. Take care of yourselves; and

                j. Resist!

                k. Keep demonstrations peaceful. In the words of John Lennon, "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you - pull your beard, flick your face - to make you fight! Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor."

                 l. When you post or talk about him, don't assign his actions to him, assign them to "The Republican Administration," or "The Republicans." This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don't like; he will not get the focus of attention he craves; Republican representatives will become very concerned about their re-elections.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Between 6/21-7/3 the group wrote 1103 postcards to Blount County voters and sent out ~700 text messages about absentee voting! Wow! Great work! 

Actions for Week of June 21, 2020 

TN Legislative Report – Last week the TN General Assembly stooped to some new lows. You can contact your representatives with feedback on the following measures through the GA website.

• 1. After midnight last Thurs they passed the most restrictive abortion bill in the country. Abortions after 6 weeks carry a $10,000 fine and Class C felony conviction. Ultrasounds are required along with instructions on how to “reverse” a chemical abortion procedure that is medically unsound. No exemptions for rape or incest. The same bill stripped out $6million in the budget set aside for prenatal care and funds to expand postpartum insurance coverage. If the courts strike down the 6-week ban, in conjunction with the detection of a fetal heartbeat, the legislation goes on to automatically enact abortion bans at eight, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 weeks of gestation. All Senate Republicans voted for the bill. Here is how the House representatives voted. 

  2. They passed a resolution (HR0340) citing the media for sensationalizing COVID coverage on the exact day that TN became the 5th ranking state in the country for the fastest increase in coronavirus infections. See the link for how your representative voted. 

  3. The House failed to pass a resolution (SJ1315) memorializing black teenager, Ashanti Posey, who was shot and killed in Nashville, and also impunged her reputation. See this link for how they voted. 

Petition – Here’s a petition supporting renaming the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma AL after Rep. John Lewis. 

Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust – Attached is a template for sending postcards to Governor Lee expressing your desire for this bust to be removed. Feel free to share with friends. Address them to: Govenor Bill Lee, TN State Capital, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Nashville TN 27243. 

Good News! 

• 1. The Supreme Court ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of LGBTQ folks in their workplace. 

  2. The Supreme Court ruled that 45 cannot shut down DACA. This does not protect DACA recipients completely as Chief Justice Roberts laid out a pathway for the administration to rescind the program if they so choose. However, any attempt to do so will be met with new lawsuits. This is another reason to vote in November!

  3. Tulsa rally was a flop! Only 6200 people showed up for 45’s re-election rally in Tulsa. His campaign was punked by teenagers here in the USA, Korea and elsewhere. They quickly reserved thousands of rally tickets, making the campaign think the turn out would be huge. The teenagers then deleted their accounts, making the campaign’s data collection worthless! Thanks to TikTok and K-Pop fans for spreading the word! 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Learn about the #8CantWait steps that are proposed for police reform: 

     1. Ban choke holds and strangleholds

     2. Require de-escalation

     3. Require warning before shooting

     4. Exhaust all other means before shooting

     5. Duty to intervene

     6. Ban shooting at moving vehicles

     7. Require use of force continuum

     8. viii.Require comprehensive reporting

  2. Consider reading Edward Baptist’s book, The Half Has Never Been Told – Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism. 

  3. Also consider reading Ibram X. Kendi’s book on How to be an Antiracist. 

  4. The SEC is calling on the state of Missipppi to remove the Confederate symbol from their state flag or they will be penalized. 

  5. Learn about the symbols built into the Juneteenth flag. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

June 14th

Why You Vote Project – In honor of women earning the right to vote a century ago (thanks heavens for Feb and Harry Burns), news agencies want to learn about why you vote.

• 1. The Maryville Daily Times wants to hear why you vote. Everyone (men and women) are invited to send their submissions to Shelby.harris@thedailytimes.com. You can also send or drop off your submission to The Daily Times, 307 E. Harper Ave. Maryville 37804. Please ask your friends to join in. Please offer your comments soon! The Daily Times plans to do an article on this subject as we approach the August 18th centennial anniversary.

  2. WUOT 91.9FM would like to record your reasons for voting and make them available on its website. Please visit the Everywomanvote website to learn more.  Also listen to some of the interviews while there (scroll down the page).

Nathan B. Forrest Bust – Last week a bill requiring removal of the Forrest bust from the TN State capitol was defeated. A House bill terminating the state holiday (July 13th) that commemorates the firth of NBF passed but the corresponding Senate bill was watered down to just relieve the governor of signing a proclamation about the day. NB Forrest amassed a fortune as a slave owner before the Civil War; was a ruthless general during the war; was responsible for the massacre of African American troops at Fort Pillow TN (1864); and served as the first grand wizard of the KKK. Please contact Gov. Lee and ask him to support removal of the bust. Phone: 615-741-2001 and email: https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html

Also, here's a petition to sign requesting that NBF State Park be renamed.

Good News! 

• 1. A federal court ruled Florida’s law requiring requirement of paying court costs and fees before being allowed to vote is unconstitutional. TN has a similar law.

  2. Plaintiffs in the absentee ballot suit in TN have filed a contempt motion against the state for violating the judicial order allowing them for all voters. The judge on the case is also angry with the state.

  3. 45 lost his appeal to keep his taxes from the State of New York. A judge ruled he must hand them over.

Educate Yourself – Please take a moment to learn about the significance of Juneteenth, the celebration of the freeing of slaves on June 19, 1865. Also familiarize yourself with the 1921 massacre of African Americans by a white mob in Tulsa. Next Saturday (6/20/20), the president will be holding an election rally in Tulsa on the anniversary weekend of Juneteenth. Please consider joining the virtual Juneteenth Town Hall or the live Juneteenth Freedom Rally in Knoxville on Friday. See details in the events list below.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site.

Actions for Week of June 7, 2020 

Let Justice Ring Rally – Please consider joining the rally today in some form. See this flyer for details. If you are unable to walk or are self-quarantining because of COVID-19, you can still support the rally and the work needed after it is over. Today, you can drive by the marchers and honk your horn in support. You can park your vehicle along the route (MLK Center down East Franklin St. Alcoa, to S. Hall Rd to Ellis St to Court St. to the Courthouse steps) and place a sign of support in your window/dash. You can tweet, post on Facebook, have conversations about racism, and join other local groups (e.g. Alcoa-Blount NAACP, BC United, BC SURJ) working towards making our community more inclusive.

For those planning to march, note that members of the Alcoa, Maryville and Blount County police forces will be marching with us to show their support and to send the message that police violence against People of Color is unacceptable. They are also marching to keep us safe.

If marching today, please be safe today. Wear a face mask and try to social distance as best you can. Water will be available at MLK center and Courthouse but consider bringing your own water, and be prepared for heat and sun. Keep your eyes open and watch out for each other.

Petitions to Sign –

• 1. Here’s a petition calling for the resignation of Attorney General, William Barr.

  2. This petition encourages Congress to stop giving weapons of war to police departments.

  3. Bob Kroll, the leader of the Minneapolis/St. Paul police union is a racist supporter of 45. Here’s a petition calling for his ouster.

  4. Sign this petition to tell our TN representative/senators to Vote No on Extreme Gun bill.

Good News! 

• 1. The Supreme Court rejected a church’s suit that questioned the state of California’s right to restrict church attendance during the coronavirus outbreak.

  2. State of Maine won’t follow guidelines put forth by Betsy DeVos that would send COVID-19 relief funds to private schools.

  3. Primaries were held in several states this past Tuesday and women candidates won big!

Educate Yourself – 

• 1. See Blount County Public Library’s reading list of Anti-Racism Resources. Feel free to share these widely.

  2. State Election Coordinator, Mark Goins, is telling local officials not to comply with the judicial ruling allowing anyone in TN to apply for an absentee ballot for the fall elections.

  3. TN Republican Senatorial candidate, Bill Hagerty, has called on 45 to invoke the Insurrection Act to mobilize the military against US citizen protestors. 

  4. 45 vetoed the student loan forgiveness bill.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of June 1, 2020 

Petitions to Sign – 

• 1. In honor of Ahmaud Arbery, please consider signing this petition asking that Georgia repeal its “stand your ground” law and this one demanding justice for Mr. Arbery. 

  2. In honor of Breonna Taylor who was killed by police in her own bed in Louisville KY, please consider signing this petition. 

  3. Here’s a petition asking for justice for George Floyd and see this website for other steps you can take. 

Support Lanier Elementary School – Recently, it was recommended that capital improvements not be made to Lanier Elementary School in Blount County because of budgetary shortfalls. Some local officials have even proposed the school be closed. Consider joining the Lanier Matters Facebook group and sign this petition.

Good News! 

• 1. A federal judge is allowing a lawsuit against 45 and his family to proceed. The lawsuit contends the used a fraudulent marketing scheme to prey on investors. 

  2. Twitter has started placing warnings on 45s tweets that contain inaccurate voting information or incite violence. Let the Twitter wars begin!

  3. A Texas judge ruled that fear of getting COVID-19 is a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot. 

  4. Michigan will send absentee ballot applications to every voter. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Read about the Dept. of Justice’s decision to drop charges against the Russians indicted in the Mueller probe.

  2. Hungary has passed a law banning legal recognition of transgender people.

  3. As China begins to take away more personal freedoms in Hong Kong through the passage of their security law, the UK is considering offering a path to British citizenship to certain passport holders. This offer could apply to almost 3 million people living in Hong Kong (population 7.5 million). 

Actions for Week of May 24, 2020 

1. Justice for Ahmaud Arbery - Stand up Against Racism – As you probably know 25-yr-old Arbery was gunned down while jogging in February. The men who killed him and assisted in chasing him down were not arrested until this past week. This CNN article describes the event and the racism involved. Unfortunately, we have bigots living right here in Blount County who have excused his death and feel it is not newsworthy. Please read this position statement on Mr. Arbery’s killing from the local NAACP chapter and read this article from the Christian Science Monitor. Then please consider the following:

   1. Submit a letter to the Editor of the Daily Times decrying Mr. Arbery’s death and the bigotry displaced in Blount County.

   2. Send an email to the Daily Times c/o Mr. Todd Foster thanking them for covering the story @ todd.foster@thedailytimes.com.

   3. Also consider subscribing to the Daily Times in either its print, electronic or both forms. All local newspapers are struggling to stay in business and they need our support.

   4. Also consider joining one or more of several local groups in Blount County fighting racism, e.g. BC United, Aloca-BC NAACP, and BC SURJ. If you are interested in joining these group, email the Huddle at maryvilletnhuddle@gmail.com and we’ll forward their contact information to you.

1. Honor COVID-19 Victims – The front page of today’s New York Times lists the names of a 1000 people who have died from COVID-19. Please take a few minutes to read them. Please wear a face mask when in public and sign this petition to support making any vaccine available to all peoples globally, i.e. People’s Vaccine.

1. Good News! 

   1. The state of Virginia has passed bills removing several abortion restrictions.

   2. General Mills is committing to using 100% renewable energy by 2030, and GM’s auto plant in Spring Hill TN says they will be running on renewables within 2 years!

   3. In honor of Pride Month (June), Skittles is giving up its colors to honor the rainbow flag. It will be selling bags of colorless candies.

1. Educate Yourself

   1. National Geographic is making a series of articles available coronavirus stories and databases.

   2. The EPA is going to revoke a 2011 finding that perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel should be regulated.  

   3. Read this article or watch the accompanying video on how gerrymandering effectively steals votes.

1. Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Amazingly, this group wrote 1,285 postcards between May 1-17 encouraging folks to vote! Kudos to all of you!

Actions for Week of May 17, 2020 

Scientists Want Your Data – An app has been built that allows people to enter information on how they are feeling, which is then shared by scientists monitoring the coronavirus pandemic. The app was developed by HowWeFeel.org with help from the Gates Foundation. Information is logged by zip code and then analyzed. For every person who participates, HWF will donate a meal to people in need. It’s easy! It’s anonymous! It’s helpful. Please join in. 

Support Insure TN - To date, the state of Tennessee has refused to participate in Insure Tennessee, a conservative plan that would result in $1.4 billion in federal funds a year and would support Tennessee’s stressed medical facilities and 300,000 Tennesseans who do not have access to health insurance. The Coalition for a Strong TN and League of Women Voters is asking our support in contacting Gov. Lee between now and May 31st to encourage him to enact Insure TN. Please be sure to give him a reason why you support the measure. Address: Governor Bill Lee, State Capitol, 1st Floor, 600 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr, Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243. Email: Lee@tn.gov. 

Good News! 

• 1. For the first time in 60 years, TVA generated/received more power from renewables that burning of coal. 

  2. Finally, the US Treasury is going to distribute $4.8Billion in pandemic funds to Native American tribal governments. In case you haven’t heard, Native Americans have been disproportionally affected by the disease, to the point where Doctors Without Borders sent medical teams to the Navajo Reservation to help out. 

  3. More than 2,000 former FBI and DOJ officials have called for William Barr to resign. The federal judge overseeing the Michael Flynn case (Emmet Sullivan) is not going to immediately dismiss it as Barr requested. Instead, he has appointed a former prosecutor and judge, John Gleeson, to oppose DOJ’s effort and to investigate the possibility of Flynn having perjured himself. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. 45 has picked Louis DeJoy, a top GOP/Trump campaign donor and fund raiser to become Postmaster General. With 45’s stated unwillingness to support the USPS and use it to damage Amazon, this appointment raises concerns. 

  2. Read this local story on how regulators altered and deleted information on radiological contaminants in the Kingston coal ash spill. 

  3. Betsy DeVos has issued new Title IX rules that no longer require coaches to report sexual misconduct.  

  4. COVID infection data specific to each TN county can be found at this realtime website sponsored by Covid ActNow. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Week of May 10, 2020 

Why You Vote Project – In honor of women earning the right to vote a century ago (thanks heavens for Feb and Harry Burns), the Maryville Daily Times wants to hear why you vote. Everyone (men and women) are invited to send their submissions to Shelby.harris@thedailytimes.com. You can also send or drop off your submission to The Daily Times, 307 E. Harper Ave. Maryville 37804. Please ask your friends to join in. The Daily Times plans to do an article on this subject as we approach the August 18th centennial anniversary. 

Absentee Ballots Available – As of May 8th, you can apply for an absentee ballot for the August 6th State and Federal Primary, and County General Election. If you are concerned about voting in person, here are the allowed reasons in TN for obtaining an absentee ballot: 1) will be out of the county during early voting & election day; 2) 60 years of age or older; 3) assigned to jury duty; 4) hospitalized, sickness or physical disability; 5) caretaker of hospitalized, 6) ill or disabled person; 7) disability that makes my polling place inaccessible; 8) permanent absentee voter  (requires a separate application from a doctor); 9) candidate for officer; 10) religious holiday exemption; or 11)  poll worker.  You can download the application from the Blount County Election Commission website or visit GoVoteTN. 

Petitions to Sign - 

This past week the Dept. of Justice dropped its case against Michael Flynn, despite his guilty pleas. Consider signing this petition calling for the removal of Attorney General Barr. 

Ahmaud Arbery (a young black man) was gunned down 10 weeks ago while jogging in a white neighborhood in Brunswick GA. His killers were not arrested until a private citizen made cell phone video public that portrayed the event. Law enforcement and DA’s chose to ignore this video in siding with the perpetrators. Here is a petition calling for their removal and here is a petition calling for justice. 

Here’s a petition opposing reauthorization of the Patriot Act.

Good News! 

A police officer who was fired in Ohio because she’s a lesbian ran against the person who fired her and won.

The Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by the NRA against New York city’s firearms transportations laws. 

Gov. Lee’s school voucher bill was ruled unconstitutional and the judge placed a stay on all applications to the program. 

Educate Yourself

The Senate Intel Committee issued a report confirming Russia acted to help 45 in the 2016 election. 

The Liberty Counsel, an anti-LGBTQ organization, is a moving force behind the bid to reopen churches. 

In another move against equality for women, the administration is rolling back protections for women workers. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Week of May 3, 2020 

Another Bad Nominee – Sen. McConnell is calling the Senate back into session not to deal with coronavirus but to resume confirming judges.  In particular, he wants a political ally, Justin Walker, to be confirmed to the very important DC appellate court despite being deemed as not qualified by the ABA. He was confirmed to a district court in KY only one year ago. It appears he is a loyalist to the Federalist Society, rather than an impartial arbiter. Please ask our Senators to oppose his nomination. 

Petitions to Sign –

• 1. Urge our Congressmen to include suicide-prevention measures in the next coronavirus relief bill by signing this petition. And this petition also encourages Congress to support gun safety. 

  2. Here’s a petition demanding fair elections and the end of voter suppression. And here’s a 2nd one to the Supreme Court informing them of your disappointment of the ruling for Wisconsin’s primary to be held during the pandemic.

  3. Support Amazon workers’ call for climate and labor justice.

Free Sticker – You can order a free  “We Love Mail Carriers” sticker to support the US Postal Service from MoveOn.org

Good News! 

1. The Supreme Court ruled the Clean Water Act applies to some groundwater pollution. 

2. A Texas judge ruled fear of coronavirus is a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot. 

3. Several groups have filed a lawsuit in TN to allow any voter to cast an absentee ballot this year. 

4. Betsy DeVos has been sued because she is garnishing the wages of student loan borrower’s during the pandemic, despite provisions protecting them in the CARES Act. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Here is information about Gov. Lee’s plans to let gyms/health clubs reopen this week. 

  2. Read about how the 1918 flu pandemic almost derailed women’s hard-earned right to vote. 

  3. Learn about how to measure your nation’s response to coronavirus. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. The group wrote an amazing 981 postcards at home this week. Go Team! 

Actions for Week of April 26, 2020 

1. Financial Collapse of US Postal Service – USPS may be out of money by September-October due to the pandemic. The administration is unwilling to bail out USPS. Please contact our Senators and ask them to support Congressional efforts to help USPS. On Friday, the House voted to end the requirement that USPS pay for future retiree’s healthcare in advance. Ask them to pressure Sen. McConnell to bring this bill to the floor for discussion and vote. Here’s a petition to sign. 

2. More Petitions to Sign

a. Here’s a petition to restore full funding to the World Health Organization. 

b. Sign here to demand Congress pass the Essential Worker Bill of Rights that is being championed by Sen. Warren.

c. Sign here to support the National Vote by Mail billsponsored by Sen. Klobuchar. Here’s a similar petitionfrom the Brenna Center for Justice. And here’s a petition urging state governors to enact vote by mail. 

d. Here’s a petition asking that prison & jails make communication free during the coronavirus outbreak and thereafter. 

3. Good News! 

a. A judge has canceled a key permit for the Keyston XL oil pipeline citing the Corps of Engineers failed to adequately consider its effects on endangered species. Work at the Canadian-Montana border can continue but new studies are needed to extend the work south. 

b. A federal judge struck down ruled the administration’s weakening of school-meal nutrition standards.

c. A federal just has asked ICE to consider releasing immigrant detainees at high risk for COVID-19.

4. Reopening of TN – As you may know, Gov. Lee is partially reopening the state tomorrow. Here is a copy of his last executive order and the TN Pledge, which provides guidelines for restaurants and retail stores. Close-contact businesses (e.g. hair salons, massage and tattoo parlors, etc.). A message from the Blount County Intergovernmental Agency provides additional cautionary information. If you want to keep up with the lasted COVID-19 numbers in the State, click on this link. Despite the governor’s claim that the “curve has flattened” in TN, results of the recent increase in free testing make it hard to know if that is true. Please remain cautious! See the TN Dept. of Health website for further breakdown on infections. 

5. TN Unemployment Information – TN Dept of Labor started processing unemployment payments for self-employ/gig workers the end of last week. Some folks may receive a request of more information and some folks who filed early may have to refile, if they don’t receive payments by early this week. If it is necessary to refile, then the claim will be back dated to the date it was originally filed.  

6. Educate Yourself

a. Learn about Project Blitz, the effort to pass pro-Christian legislation around the country in an effort to minimize separation of church and state. Not all denominations are supportive.

b. The TVA has published revised procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). You can read about the procedures here. Enactment will be delayed until after COVID-19 outbreak settles down. 

c. Does the coronavirus outbreak reveal the USA is a failed state? 

7. Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Would you believe they’ve written 734 Get Out the Vote postcards since April 3rd!!! Way to go!!

Actions for Week of April 19, 2020 

Remove 45 from Twitter – Join thousands of Americans calling for the president’s removal from Twitter. He breaks all the rules regarding civility, harassment, incitement of violence and racism every week! This past week he was particularly offensive in tweeting LIBERATE Michigan, LIBERATE Minnesota and LIBERATE Virginia. These tweets incite insurrection. Twitter corporate phone number = 415-222-9670. You can also tweet the founder/manager of Twitter at @jack and go to @realDonaldTrump and report each of these and other tweets by 45 to twitter and ask him to be blocked. 

Call Irwin Detention Center – Georgia has a stay-at-home order but immigrants in detention cannot practice social distancing. Irwin detention center operates with little to no oversight -- it is not part of the federal government. Those inside are altogether neglected, and these institutions have the potential to become death chambers for those inside and potential new sources of infection for the surrounding communities (largely rural, impoverished areas). Women in the detention center have posted this video on YouTube despite their fear of reprisals. Please call the detention center (404-893-1210) and ask that they follow CDC and state guidelines regarding social distancing and providing personal protective gear for all employees. 

Good News! 

• 1. Human rights organizations have filed suit of Pompeo’s Commission on Unalienable Rights over fear it will seek ways to roll back protections for women, LGBTQ groups and minorities.

  2. Gov. Northam of VA signed legislation repealing the state’s voter id law, expanding access to early voting and making Election Day a state holiday. 

  3. The Wisconsin Supreme Court justice backed by 45 was defeated by liberal judge Jill Karofsky. 

  4. A judge has ruled that TN cannot block access to abortion during the pandemic. 

COVID Information – Stores are offering special hours for at risk shoppers. If you need to shop, please wear a protective mask and stay 6’ away from other shoppers. Here’s a list of shopping times designated for people >60 years old and other considered at risk: 

• 1. Food City- 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. daily

  2. Kroger- 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Monday-Thursday

  3. Walmart- 6:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m. Tuesday

  4. Dollar General- 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. daily

  5. Target- 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Wednesdays

  6. Big Lots- 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. daily

  7. Whole Foods- 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. daily

  8. The Fresh Market- 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Monday-Friday

  9. Costco- 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Monday-Friday

TN Unemployment Information – The TN Department of Labor & Workforce has recently issued these alerts. You can follow the department on Twitter and Facebook. Also visit their website (https://www.tn.gov/workforce ) for updates. 

• 1. STARTING SUNDAY: Due to the spike in unemployment claims, claimants now need to certify by the last digit in their social security number. SUNDAY - 0,1, 2, 3; MONDAY - 4, 5, 6; TUESDAY - 7, 8, 9; WED-SAT - ALL NUMBERS; Your new payment date will be 48-72 hours after you certify.

  2. SELF-EMPLOYED - When PUA starts processing in a matter of days, you can start certifying again. Not until then. Once that happens, you can go back and enter the missed certification for this week. We know this is stressful. We appreciate your patience during this crisis.

  3. The Dept. has notified members that the Stimulus checks for individuals and families from the IRS is NOT CONSIDERED REPORTABLE INCOME. If you are receiving unemployment from TN you DO NOT NEED to include this money as earned income when you complete their weekly unemployment certifications.

Educate Yourself

• 1. Idaho recently passed 2 bills limiting the rights of transgender people.

  2. Early data shows minorities are dying from COVID-19 at disproportional rates.

  3. What do countries with the best COVID response have in common? They’re run by women!

  4. Most American supports paying a monthly universal basic income of $2000 to all eligible individuals during the pandemic and a wealth tax is the most popular way of paying for it. 

  5. In the UK dogs are being trained to sniff out COVID-19. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Amazingly, they wrote 256 postcards from home this past week! Go Group!

Actions for Week of April 12, 2020 

No Utility Shutoffs – Although local utility companies have stopped shutting off service to folks who cannot pay their bills right now, other TN companies are continuing shutoffs. Appalachian Voices has invited us to join their effort in calling Gov. Lee to request he order a moratorium on utility shutoff in TN. Here’s a script for the call. You may also email him at https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html . 

Petitions to Sign – 

• 1. The administration is considering re-opening the country despite no evidence coronavirus is waning here. Here is a petition supporting a national stay-at-home order.

  2. Not only did 45 remove the intelligence inspector general, he also fired Glenn Fine, the acting inspector general assigned to oversee distribution of $500 billion to businesses from the CARE Act. Here’s a petition opposing the firing. In all, 45 plans to purge 7 IGs in order to consolidate his power. 

  3. There is great concern about COVID breaking out in ICE detention centers. You can sign a petition here asking the acting ICE director to #FreeThemAll.

  4. The administration is moving to steal land from Massachusetts’ Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. The Wampanoag is a well-recognized tribe in the state, whose ancestors have lived in the area for >12,000 years. Please support the tribe by signing this petition.  

Good News! 

1. TN Health Centers will receive $25 million in grants from HHS. 

2. An Oklahoma judge blocked state order restricting abortion access during the COVID outbreak. 

3. Sen. Sanders & Rep. Jaypal have filed the Healthcare Emergency Guarantee Act the empowers Medicare to provide healthcare for all during the pandemic. 

4. The last Chick-fil-A in the UK closed for good. 

Educate Yourself

1. The USA had a research program (PREDICT) that identified lethal viruses abroad and worked to prevent their spread to our country. It was working in China. It was shut down in October 2019, just before the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. 

2. Read about current clinical trials on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. France is reporting heart incidents linked to the drug. 

3. 45’s new chief of staff is seeking to lower farmworker pay as a way of helping the agriculture industry.  Yet big companies that binged on stock buybacks are now asking for big handouts.  In addition, many farmworkers were left out of the stimulus package bill. 

4. Federal funding for coronavirus ended on April 10th, leaving testing states and local municipalities to pay the cost. 

5. Learn how the Feds are seizing medical supplies and forcing states to bid against each other for PPE and other items. 

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. Amazingly, they wrote 256 postcards from home this past week! Go Group!

Actions for Week of April 5, 2020 

Petitions to Sign

Here is a petition supporting Sen. Kamala Harris’ bill to require paper ballots and a paper trail in federal elections. 

The president has declared gun stores are essential businesses and can remain open during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here’s a petition telling him you oppose that position.

Now more than ever it is time to expand Medicaid in TN. Here is a petition supporting that position. 

Here’s information on the status of infections in workers at Amazon warehouses and a petition to support them. 

This petition requests that Kroger provide paid sick leave to their employees. 

Good News! 

• 1. The Knox Makes Masks group has grown to 1000 strong. Prestige Cleaners has stepped into support the group and are inserting filters in masks with pockets. They are also drop off sites. On April 3rd alone, 458 masks were delivered to medical facilities all over the greater Knoxville area. In addition, the Knoxville Vet Med Assoc delivered around 100 masks to area veterinary clinics.

  2. Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, flew the team plane to China this past week to pick up 1.2 million N95 masks from China for distribution in MA, CT and NY. 

  3. Joe Tsai, the owner of the Brooklyn Nets and co-founder of Alibaba is donating 2.6 million masks, 170,000 goggles and 2000 ventilators to NY. Elon Musk donated 1000 ventilators to the State of CA.

  4. Watch the sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt cheering Navy Capt. Brett “Hero” Crozier who was relieved of command for sounding the alarm that COVID-19 infections were developing on the ship and his sailors needed help. 

Educate Yourself

1. Learn about efforts to shutter immigration courts and release detained immigrants before COVID breaks out in them.

2. Read how 45 plans to get around oversight built into the CARES bill when $500 billion are to be distributed to big businesses. 

3. On Friday evening, 45 fired the intelligence Inspector General who told Congress about the Ukraine call. He is talking of nominating a loyalist White House lawyer to the position. 

4. While we are preoccupied with COVID-19, 3 states passed laws criminalizing fossil fuel protests. 

5. This website provides an amazing graphic description of the state-by-state spread of COVID-19 in the USA. It is updated daily. Poor New York! ☹

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of March 29, 2020 

ACLU Petition – There is great concern that COVID-19 may spread like wild fire in the prison population in the USA. Oklahoma activists have filed a constitutional ballot initiative. Here’s a petition you can sign urging the release of certain prison inmates: Release of federal prisoners petition. 

TN COVID Data Appalling – Because Gov. Lee has not acted decisively, the number of COVID-19 cases in TN is much higher than in KY. The situation is so bad, the governor of KY is advising his residents not to travel to TN.  Physicians across TN are begging our governor to act. Visit the Protect My Care website to learn more and sign a petition urging Gov. Lee to enact a shelter-in-place order. Up-to-date TN data is available through the GADS Lab at ETSU. 

Good News! 

1. Blount County Good Neighbors is receiving a $35,000 grant from East TN Foundation as part of their #COVIDgiveWhereYouLive effort.

2. If you need some uplifting during this difficult time, join the The Kindness Pandemic Facebook group. It’s members tell stories of how people helping people to get through this crisis. Stories are posted from all across the globe.

3. Here are 23 pieces of good news regarding COVID-19. 

4. A new FDA-approved COVID test can report results in 5 minutes. 

Educate Yourself

1. Learn about  Kinsa’s fever map which may prove to be useful in predicting where the next COVID-19 hot spots will be. Explanation is also provided for the effectiveness behind physical distancing.

2. Would you believe the NRA is suing the state of CA and the LA sheriff for closing gun stores because they are not considered essential businesses!?!?! 

3. Don’t be tempted to follow any of the president’s recommendations on medications that might be helpful for coronavirus. The man is a quack! 

4. New York is going to start using convalescent plasma/serum to treat coronavirus. The hope is that recovered patients will have enough antibodies against the virus to help the recipient fight the disease. It is a mark of how desperate of times these are.  

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of March 22, 2020 

Petition to Support Healthcare Workers – Nurses and doctors are risking their lives to help us during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please consider signing this petition requesting Congress find ways to provide them with personal protective equipment. Also feel free to share this tweet widely: https://twitter.com/SenWhitehouse/status/1241455539055288320?s=09

Shelter in Place Policy – More than 1500 physicians in TN have signed a letter asking the governor to mandate sheltering in place. If you agree with this position, you can contact the governor here.

Good News! 

1. United Way has a COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund. Call 1-866-211-9966 and provide your zip code. You will be given a list of local agencies that are assisting during this time of need.

2. A federal judge blocked the new rule that could have cut food stamps for 700,000 people. 

3. For folks financially distressed during the COVID-19 outbreak, here are some features of the Families First Act that will help them.

   1. Workers who become ill with coronavirus will receive 2 weeks paid sick leave. The entire salary is to be paid up to $511/day.

   2. The bill provides up to 3 months of paid family /medial leave for people caring for individuals subject to quarantine/isolation or caring for children home because of school closures. Daily limit is $200/day. 

   3. Cost of COVID-19 test is free and help is also provided for insurance co-pays if hospitalized with coronavirus.

Educate Yourself

1. The Senate Coronavirus bill would give Secty. DeVos power to waive education law. 

2. The intelligence community warned the administration about the potential impact of COVID-19 weeks ago. 

3. The Dept. of Justice is appealing to Congress for new emergency powers allowing them to detain people indefinitely without trial.

Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home 

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off site. 

Actions for Week of March 15, 2020 

Contact Sen. Alexander & Blackburn – This past week Sen. Alexander blocked a vote the coronavirus emergency sick leave bill in the Senate. It would give workers 14 days of paid sick leave and up to 3 months of paid family/medical leave. Please contact our senators to request they support the compromise bill passed in the House Friday evening.  Senate returns tomorrow (March 16th) and should take up the bill immediately.  You might also ask Rep. Burchett why he was only one of 40 House members to vote against the bill. 

Weakening of Migratory Bird Treaty – Proposed changes in the implementation of the treaty eliminates most penalties for industrial killing of birds. US Fish & Wildlife Service is soliciting comments from the public. Comments must be submitted by March 19th  at this link.

Good News! 

• 1. Parents in Nashville & Shelby Counties have filed a second lawsuit against the Governor’s voucher bill.

  2. The Senate overturned DeVos rule limiting debt relief for defrauded students. 

  3. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg turned 87 today, March 15th. You can sign a birthday card here for her.  Long live Ruth!

Educate Yourself

• 1. Learn about how a Trump megadonor has purchased a stake in Twitter and wants to oust Jack Dorsey. Remember that Twitter is not allowing political ads on its platform.

  2. Read about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) passed in the House. 

  3. US Soccer claims women don’t deserve equal pay. Read their rationale here. Just days after this statement, the president of US soccer stepped down. 

Postcard Writing Group will tentatively meet April 3rd and 19th. We'll keep you apprised of their schedule. If anyone wants to write postcards while they are self-isolating, let us know. 

Actions for Week of March 8, 2020 

1. Comment on NEPA Rollback – The administration proposes to gut the National Environmental Policy Act by relaxing requirements of NEPA and allowing federal judges more latitude in saying what projects must be submitted to environmental review. Comments must be submitted by March 10th. Visit this link for background information and here is the website where you can offer comments. 

2. Universal Background Checks –Sen. McConnell has tabled the universal background checks bill (HR 8) for more than a year. Please call him via this number 877-906-2185 (sponsored by Gabby Giffords) to express your concerns. You can also email him at https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform

3. Good News! 

a. A Wisconsin appeals court overturned the order to purge >200,000 voters.

b. Colorado became the 22nd state to repeal the death penalty. 

c. A federal court ruled the administration cannot force asylum seekers to wait in Mexico; they can enter the USA and remain here while their cases are heard. 

4. Educate Yourself

a. A bookkeeping change in the Dept. of Education will cut thousands of dollars from the poorest rural schools. It is expected to adversely impact schools here in Blount County.

b. Read how the Administration sabotaged our ability to deal with the coronavirus outbreak by pushing Congress to cut funding for disease security programs; eliminating the Complex Crises fund and the NSC Global Health Security Office; and reducing the budget of the CDC, DHS, and HHS sections that deal with global diseases. 

c. Learn about how healthcare reform like Medicare for All would help the labor market. 

5. Postcard Writing Group Meeting on March 15th has been cancelled due to the coronavirus situation. The group is still planning to meet on April 3rd at the present time

Actions for Week of March 1, 2020 

Permitless Gun Carry in TN – Gov. Lee has announced he is filing legislation that will allow anyone to buy and carry a gun in TN, without restrictions. No permit, training or identification would be required. See this statement by State Rep. Clemmons for talking points. Please contact the following people and sign a petition here. 

• 1. Gov. Lee = 615-741-2001, https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html 

  2. Lt. Gov McNally = 615-741-6806, lt.gov.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov

  3. For contact information on your specific state Rep and Senator = http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/

Restoration Voting Rights Act – With the addition of Sen. Lisa Murkowski,  S 561 now has 45 sponsors. The bill provides greater transparency in federal elections, protects voters from discrimination and combat voter suppression. Please ask our Senators to cosponsor and support this bill. Neither of them has signed on to support it so far. 

Good News! 

• 1. Federal Appeals Court rules that Florida cannot bar felons who served their time from registering to vote simply because they have failed to pay all fines and fees stemming from their cases.

  2. Virginia passed a law that ends 20+ years and life sentences without parole for minors.

  3. This week the House passed a bill making lynching a federal crime. Read who voted for and against the measure. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Listen to this video about the 100 million nonvoters in the USA.

  2. RNC voter suppression efforts continue. They are supporting an effort in Michigan that makes it a misdemeanor to organize rides to the polls. 

  3. Watch John Oliver’s video making the case for Medicare for All.

Postcard Writing Group Meets March 6th and 15th 

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month from 12-2 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

Actions for Week of February 23, 2020 

Medicaid Expansion in TN – State Rep. Ron Travis is sponsoring a bipartisan bill expanding coverage through Gov. Haslam’s Insure TN program. He lost his sister-in-law late last year. She lacked insurance and therefore avoided going to the doctor. By the time she was taken to a hospital emergency room, it was too late and she died of sepsis. Please thank Rep. Travis for filing the bill: 615-741-1450, rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov  and ask Speaker Sexton to support it: 615-741-2343, speaker.cameron.sexton@capitol.tn.gov .  You can also sign a petition supporting medicaid expansion here. 

Bill Barr Should Resign – Consider signing this petition and this petition calling for the Attorney General to resign.  

Good News! 

• 1. Virginia passed a bill ending the day honoring Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson. It is being replaced by an Election Day holiday. 

  2. Virginia also passed an automatic voter registration bill; they are advancing redistricting reform; and passed a bill giving electoral votes to the popular vote winner. Go Viriginia!

  3. A federal judge ruled that holding cell conditions at the border violate the constitution and people must be released in 48-72 hrs. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Read about the 150+ companies raising objections to TN’s anti-LGBT adoption bill.

  2. Read how ancient Native American burial sites are being destroyed to build the border wall. 

  3. Learn about the organization, Equality Federation, that is behind the anti-LGBTQ bills being filed in state legislatures across the country. 

Postcard Writing Group Meets March 6th and 15th 

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month from 12-2 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

Actions for Week of February 16, 2020 

1. Tampon Dispute – A bill has been filed in the TN General Assembly to include feminine hygiene products in the 3-day, tax-free weekend in TN. Sen Joe Hensley is objecting because of the potential lost income if women were to buy the products in bulk. This objection comes despite the fact that Sen. Hensley has proposed eliminating tax on ammunition and gun sales. Teen girls are missing schoolbecause they can’t afford these products. Please contact Sen. Hensley (a physician) with your thoughts on this matter: 615-741-3100, sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov .

2. Contact Sen. McConnell - HRJ 79 passed in the House this week. It removes the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. It is important because Virginia became the 38th state to ratify it recently. Ask Sen. McConnell to take up this issue in the Senate: 202-224-2541, https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform

3. Crown Act Petition - Learn about the Crown Act, which protects against discrimination in schools and the work place based on hairstyles. The bill has been passed in CA, NY, MD & NJ. Sign the petition supporting the bill here. 

4. Good News! 

a. Key House committees are working to reverse the administration’s harmful changes to the Endangered Species Act.

b. You can stream the Oscar nominated documentary film “For Sama” free from a variety of outlets. It tells the story of a young woman living in Aleppo during the siege. 

c. Native American Tribal IDs will be recognized as valid IDs for voting. This is a huge win against voter suppression!

5. Educate Yourself

a. Check out the newly released redistricting software.

b. Read about more problems with TN’s application for block grants. 

c. Here’s a list of companies to boycott who are supporting 45’s re-election.

d. According to HHS documents, thousands of migrant children were sexually abused while in US custody. 

6. Postcard Writing Group Meets March 6th and 15th     

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month from 12-2 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

February 9, 2020 

Call ICE Office – A Guatemalan woman living in Knox County while she seeks asylum was abruptly taken into custody by federal immigration agents last Wednesday, separating her from her 5 month- and 2-year-old children. Please all the local ICE office at 865-539-0921 (press 2) to demand they release Elena Felipe Mateo. The woman broke no laws. She is a legal asylum seeker.

Ridiculous Resolution – Several TN legislators have introduced a resolution proclaiming CNN and The Washington Post as fake news and condemns them for denigrating our citizens. This resolution is on the calendar of the General Assembly’s Constitutional & Sentencing Subcommittee for 2/11/20. Please ask these committee members to oppose the resolution. 

Micah VanHuss, Chair, 615-741-1717, rep.micah.vanhuss@capitol.tn.gov 

Michael Curcio, 615-741-741-3513, rep.michael.curcio@capitol.tn.gov 

Martin Daniel, 615-741-2287, rep.martin.daniel@capitol.tn.gov 

Rick Eldridge, 615-741-6877, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov 

Bruce Griffey, 615-741-6804, rep.bruce.griffey@capitol.tn.gov 

Bo Mitchell, 615-741-4317, rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov 

Paul Sherrell, 615-741-1963, rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov 

Good News! 

• 1. Knoxville State Sen. Richard Briggs has introduced a law (SB2131) that would ban stores from giving throw-away bags to customers. 

  2. On January 30th, Virginia passed 7 common sense gun safety bills, including universal background checks, red flag law, localities can regulate guns, mandated reporting of lost/stolen guns, one handgun purchase per month limit, prohibiting child access to guns, and disarming domestic abusers. 

  3. The House voted on 1/30/20 to limit 45’s ability to go to war with Iran.

  4. HR 3621, the Comprehensive CREDIT Act passed the House. It helps reform the broken credit reporting system. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Did you know that 45’s approval rating is climbing in TN?

  2. EPA is rolling back Clean Water Act Protections for many streams and wetlands and the administration is decreasing protections for migratory birds. 

  3. Read about how supporters of 45’s re-election are attempting to buy the votes of African Americans. 

  4. The administration has expanded the Muslim travel ban to 6 more countries, further increasing fear in Muslim communities here in the USA. And Iranian students with valid visas are being deported rather than being allowed to start school here. 

Postcard Writing Group Meets February 16th      

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month from 12-2 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

Actions for Week of February 2, 2020 

Contact Your Blount County Commissioner – This anti-refugee resolution is on the agenda for the Blount County Commission Workshop Committee meeting scheduled for Tues, February 11, at 6:30 PM in Room 430 of the Blount County Courthouse. See the recent Huddle email sent with background information and talking points, as well as this January 31st Daily Times article and letter from local clergy. Please contact your Commissioners to give them feedback on the resolution by February 4th. Contact information for Commissioners is located on this website: https://www.blounttn.org/835/Commissioners. Please also consider attending the meeting on February 11th. If you want to speak, each person has a maximum of 3 minutes. If you don’t want to speak, no problem. Just being present sends a strong message. Thank you!

Petition to Sign – Ask Congress to pass the Embrace Act that makes all federal benefits available to eligible adults, regardless of immigration status. Petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/embrace-act-aoc-immigration?t=7&akid=34827%2E14448205%2EBCUM0f

Good News! 

• 1. TenTree has developed a away to stop junk mail and save trees. 

  2. Fifth Third Bank is pulling all financial support of Florida’s educational voucher bill over LGBTQ discrimination.

  3. Pinterest is banning all misinformation about the 2020 Census from its site. 

Educate Yourself

• 1. Learn about how Fox News is bad for our politics. 

  2. Follow the Markin Report, an interesting blog pertaining to the president’s actions.

  3. Read about how 45 wants to make bribery legal. 

Postcard Writing Group Meets February 7th and 16th      

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month from 12-2 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

Actions for Week of January 26, 2020 

1. Impeachment Witnesses – Sen. Alexander has announced he is open to calling for witnesses in the impeachment trial. However, he voted against initial motions this past week to call witnesses. Please contact him to urge him to call for them after initial arguments are heard. See some interesting background information in this article and his contact information below.

2. Sen. Blackburn – Instead of following the rules and remaining in chamber during the impeachment trial, Sen. Blackburn went on Fox New for a live interview. She also bragged about reading a book rather than listening to the proceedings and on Friday she posted these tweets while the trial was in process that slander Lt. Col. Vindman:

a. It makes sense that Alexander Vindman leaked the July 25th phone call to his friend (aka the “whistleblower”). They both have lots in common: —Held the same NSC job —Liberals who worked under Obama —Wanted to take out Trump

b. Adam Schiff is hailing Alexander Vindman as an American patriot. How patriotic is it to badmouth and ridicule our great nation in front of Russia, America’s greatest enemy?

c. Alexander Vindman broke the chain of command and leaked the contents of the President’s July 25th phone call to his pal, the “whistleblower.” Over a policy dispute with the President!

Over the weekend, the Pentagon has refuted all of the above statements and expressed concern about Lt. Col. VIndman’ssafety. They worry the Senator’s comments could incite violence against this decorated war veteran. Sen. Blackburntook a solemn oath to be an impartial juror in the impeachment trial but it appears to mean nothing to her. Please contact her to raise your objections. See contact information below. 

3. Good News! 

a. Utah became the 19th state to ban conversion therapy. 

b. The UN ruled that people fleeing climate crisis must be accepted as refugees and cannot be sent home. 

c. States are starting to add native American history to their education curricula. 

4. Educate Yourself

a. A right-wing group has sent a letter to all TN county clerks advising them not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This is in direct violation of the US Supreme Court ruling. If you hear of any clerks following this advice, please contact TEP at INFO@TNEP.ORG .

b. Read about the proposal to further weaken enforcement of fair housing laws.

c. An appeals court reluctantly thew out the case brought by youths (Juliana vs United State) demanding the government do something about climate change. Read about what may happen next. 

5. Postcard Writing Group Meets February 7th and 16th     

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month from 12-2 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering

Actions for Week of January 19, 2020 

Sen. Blackburn & Whistleblower Caucus – Although a member of the senatorial caucus charged with protecting whistleblowers, Sen. Blackburn has made rude, hostile, critical remarks about people who testified in the House Impeachment inquiry, including the whistleblower. Her tweets about Lt Cl Vindman, Fiona Hill, and others have been particularly disturbing. Please contact her and ask her to resign from the Whistleblower Caucus. See contact information below. 

Impeachment Witnesses – Sen. Alexander has announced he is open to calling for witnesses and will vote against any motion to immediately dismiss the charges. Please thank him! See contact information below.

Good News! 

• 1. Goldman Sachs will not finance oil & gas drilling in the Artic and will direct $750billion to financing climate transition and sustainable businesses. 

  2. A federal judge temporarily blocked NC’s voter ID requirement. Perhaps we should file a similar lawsuit in TN?

  3. The anti-Robocall bill was signed into law. 

Educate Yourself on Impeachment

• 1. The nonpartisan General Accounting Office says the administration violated the law in withholding aid to Ukraine. 

  2. If you didn’t see Rachel Maddow’s interview with Lev Parnas, it was mind-blowing. You can watch some video clips here. He clearly stated that 45, Pence, Mulvaney, Bolton, Pompeo and Barr all knew and facilitated what they were doing. 

  3. Here is information on the impeachment trial schedule.

Postcard Writing Group Meets February 6th and 16th      

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month at 12:30 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

Actions for Week of January 12, 2020 

No War with Iran

• 1. War Powers Resolution – The House voted Thursday to require the president to receive Congressional approval for any further military action against Iran. A similar resolution will come before the Senate for a vote. Please ask our Senators to vote for this resolution.  

  2. Sign this petition, this petition  and this petition against war with Iran.  

  3. Global Day of Protest is planned for Saturday, Jan 25th. Watch for developments here. 

Family Paid Leave in TN – Gov. Lee issued an executive order that provides 12 weeks of family paid leave to TN state employees. Thank Rep. Gloria Johnson & Sen. Kyle for introducing family paid leave legislation in the TN General Assembly that would pertain to ALL families in TN. Sign the card here. 

Good News! 

• 1. A Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban bill.

  2. Ruth Bader Ginsberg announced on Wednesday she is cancer free! Long live RBG!!!!

  3. A federal appeals court upheld the decision by Pres. Obama to create a national monument that protects thousands of miles of ocean near New England.

Educate Yourself

• 1. Read about how Congress finally passed a law funding research on gun violence after a 20-year freeze on such efforts!

  2. Read how 45 is reshaping the judiciary. One-fifth of federal trial judges and one-fourth of federal appellate judges have been approved over the last 3 years. These jurists are leading a conservative revolution that will upend decades of precedent and enshrine reactionary policies into the law.

  3. An appeals judge appears to be skeptical of the administration’s rule limiting asylum seekers from Central America. 

Postcard Writing Group Meets January 19 and February 7, 2020     

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month at 12:30 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.

Actions for Week of January 5, 2020 

Sen. Alexander & Impeachment Trial – Last week Sen. Murkowski criticized the plan to hold a sham impeachment trial in the Senate.  Could other fence-sitting senators, such as Sen. Alexander join her? Our major action for this week is to write and call ALL of his offices requesting he support plans to hold a trial that requires the White House release documents that were withheld from the House, along with the testimony of more eye witnesses. Remind him that his legacy is at stake. Here is his contact information: 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

Thank Gov. Lee – Recently Gov. Lee announced that TN will continue to take in refugees by participating in the federal government’s resettlement program. He is taking a lot of heat from Republicans in the state, and some counties are considering rebuking the governor by passing an anti-immigrant resolution. Please write (https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html), call (615- 741-2001) or tweet (@GovBillLee = https://twitter.com/GovBillLee )Gov. Lee thanking him for his support of refugees. 

Good News! 

-A federal judge blocked use of Pentagon funds to build the border wall.

-The House passed a bill that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented farmworkers.

-A federal judge ruled Samoans are US citizens by birth.

-A Dutch court ruled people have a fundamental right to be protected against climate change. 

Educate Yourself

1. See the results of the Facebook C-SPAN impeachment poll and offer a comment. For those of you who aren’t on FB, 54% supported impeachment.

2. Learn about how ICE is reopening DACA recipient immigration cases with the hopes of deporting them before the Supreme Court rules on DACA.  The cruelty of this administration seems to know no bounds.

3. A Court of Appeals let stand a previous ruling the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Ace is unconstitutional, which leaves the entire bill in question. 

Postcard Writing Group Meets January 3 and 19, 2020     

* The group meets on the first Friday of the month at 5PM at The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville. 

* The group also meets the third Sunday of the month at 12:30 PM at Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville

* Supplies and instructions are provided, except for your own personalized return address labels. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend to this fun gathering.