#Resist 9 February

SNOW DAY!

Today I made phone calls using guidance from Solidarity Lowell.  Here's what I did (info pasted from Solidary Lowell posting):

 

Call the Lowell City Manager and ask him to adopt the Trust Ordinance

Kevin Murphy: 978-674-4400

Ask Kevin Murphy to adopt the Trust Ordinance for Lowell, which would guarantee in writing that the LPD will not enforce federal immigration policy.

Made the call, left a message.

Speak out against Mitch McConnell shutting down Elizabeth Warren

Phone: (202) 224-2541 
Made the call, got a message saying that lines were very full, it was not possible to leave a message.  Tried several times.  Ended up sending an e-mail through his form, instead (I know it's not as effective).  Because the form asks you to choose which topic you want to discuss, and no topic provided seemed quite right, I chose "CONGRATS."  

As in, CONGRATULATIONS!  You have invented a new kind of stupid, a damage you can never undo kind of stupid, an open all the cages at the zoo kind of stupid.
 

I think we could offer "congratulations" to many more senators in this fashion.

Stand up for the EPA and our National Parks!

Elizabeth Warren: 202-224-4543 -- Called and Left message

Edward Markey: 202-224-2742 -- Called and spoke to a staffer who let me know that Markey is already on board and doing this.  Thanked for the work.

Niki Tsongas: 978-459-0101 --

Scott Pruitt, Trump-appointed leader of the EPA. has created a bill to abolish this important institution. He created a blueprint to repeal climate change rules, slash the EPA’s staff by two-thirds, close regional offices, and permanently weaken the agency’s regulatory authority. Rep. Paul Gosar also introduced HJR 46, which would allow drilling in our national parks. Gosar is reported to have received $250K from Big Energy.

#Resist 7 February

Jake and I attended Lowell City Council Meeting.

We have so much work to do.

More details later.  Lowell Sun's take on things here.

#Resist 5 February

Jake and I attended a meeting this evening for Solidarity Lowell.

Learned about Sanctuary City / Sanctuary Campus / Sanctuary Congregation.  Got info on Sue Kim's Petition to City Council to consider adopting a Trust Ordinance in the City.  We're planning to attend the City Council meeting to show our support.

Discussed in an abstract and yet shockingly real way the possibilities of getting arrested.

Did not watch the thing everyone is watching.  Instead, TROLLHUNTERS!

#Resist 3 February

Donated to friend's campaign to raise money for the International Institute of New England: https://www.crowdrise.com/rowing-for-refugees-crash-b-sprints-2017/fundraiser/dianaarchibald

Today we worked on Pennsylvania, together with Mom (who lives there).

Attempted to call, e-mail, and fax Senator Toomey on my mother's behalf.  Was not able to get through via any of those means.

Update: Afternoon round

Successfully sent e-mail to Senator Toomey on my mother's behalf, asking him to stand up to Trump's Immigration order, citing her own immigration case and the situations of several of her neighbors who are refugees and also Muslim.

Helped Mom to send e-mail to Lou Barletta, her State Congressman, expressing disagreement with his terrible statement (he's with Trump and fully on board with the immigration order), again citing her story, the stories of her neighbors, and, well, common sense and facts.

Helped Mom to send e-mail to Senator Casey, who has come out strongly against Trump's Immigration order, and thanked him for serving the people and doing the right thing.

#Resist 2 February

E-mails today:

Wrote Nebraska Senator Deb Fisher about DeVos.  You can do it here, too, and here is what I wrote:

Dear Senator Fisher,
Although I am not directly your constituent, I write to urge you to vote AGAINST the nomination of Betsy DeVos as U.S. education secretary. I am from a family of educators, and have been educated through the public school system myself.  DeVos is not a reasonable or acceptable candidate for this important position.  Her policies are dangerous and discriminatory and her appointment appears to largely be based on her status as a donor of large amounts of money.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

Helped my mom write to her Senator, Pat Toomey; basic gist of what we wrote here:

Dear Senator Toomey,
I write to urge you to vote AGAINST the nomination of Betsy DeVos as U.S. education secretary.  I noticed that DeVos has donated $60,050 to your own campaign funds, and I find it DEEPLY distressing that you would allow such a thing to cloud your judgement.  You still have a chance to stand up and speak out against this nominee, who is not a reasonable or acceptable candidate for this important position.

Also Helped mom write to Bob Casey, again against DeVos nomination.



Calls today:

We also tried to call Toomey on mom's behalf, but line is continually busy.

Called Senator Warren and talked to very nice and helpful staffer.  Thanked for support and actions AGAINST Muslim Ban and AGAINST DeVos nomination.  She's already on the side of right, but wanted to convey support.

This was my first phone call to a representative.  I could get the hang of this.

Last night Jake went to a meeting at the International Institute of New England.  We're going to find ways to join their efforts.

The New York Times did a great piece recently on their important work: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/us/trump-refugee-lowell-massachusetts.html?_r=0

#Resist 1 Feb

Today's Actions:

Donated to National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/

E-mailed members of Trump's Business Advisory Council.  Info on how to do this here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FOtt5BKvKvEIPT6Y5RZlEiGqufMRKDsaQBGjSViu1Ns/edit

I got all the information there and chose three to write to.  May try to do more later.  Here is what I wrote; feel free to use anything that is useful, or to suggest more useful language or direction of such sentiments.

Letter to Kalanick supporting his position:

Dear Mr. Kalanick,
Thank you for taking a public stand in which you said you would pressure the president to "stand up for what's right."  I understand that you are a part of Trump’s Business Advisory Council, which according to some reports will be meeting this Friday.  Please speak directly and clearly to the President to tell him that his Executive Order on Immigration has unleashed chaos for thousands of innocent people, many of them legal US residents, and many of them refugees fleeing oppressive regimes.  His policy will only feed further radicalization of Muslim populations who see this policy (rightly) as a ban on Muslims and an affront to the ideals of the United States.  Please don't back down, and please continue to speak out against this dangerous and immoral policy.

Thank you,

Bridget Marshall

US Citizen and Voter

Lowell, Massachusetts

Letter to other members of the Business council:

Barra of GM:

Dear Ms Barra,
I understand that you are a part of Trump’s Business Advisory Council, which according to some reports will be meeting this Friday.  I ask that you please consider standing with your colleague on that council, Mr. Travis Kalanick, who has said that he will pressure the president to "stand up for what's right."  I would also urge you to make a similar public statement regarding the President’s wrong-headed and immoral immigration ban.  Please speak directly and clearly to the President to tell him that his Executive Order on Immigration has unleashed chaos for thousands of innocent people, many of them legal US residents, and many of them refugees fleeing oppressive regimes.  His policy will only feed further radicalization of Muslim populations who see this policy (rightly) as a ban on Muslims and an affront to the ideals of the United States. 
Thank you,
Bridget Marshall
US Citizen and Voter
Lowell, Massachusetts

 Iger of Disney:

Dear Mr. Iger,

I understand that you are a part of Trump’s Business Advisory Council, which according to some reports will be meeting this Friday.  I ask that you please consider standing with your colleague on that council, Mr. Travis Kalanick, who has said that he will pressure the president to "stand up for what's right."  I would also urge you to make a similar public statement regarding the President’s wrong-headed and immoral immigration ban. 

Particularly given the fact that the Disney Corporation's success relies on workers from around the world, of all faiths and cultures, I would hope that you would stand up for your employees who are affected by this ban.  If only from a business perspective, consider the negative impact on your audiences -- the people who pay to see your films, buy your products, and travel to your parks.  Finally, given the messages sent by your films regarding the value of diversity and inclusiveness, I would hope that you could stand up for these ideals in the real world, and not just the fairy-tale world.

Please speak directly and clearly to the President to tell him that his Executive Order on Immigration has unleashed chaos for thousands of innocent people, many of them legal US residents, and many of them refugees fleeing oppressive regimes.  His policy will only feed further radicalization of Muslim populations who see this policy (rightly) as a ban on Muslims.  This order is an affront to the ideals of the United States, and it must be stopped.  Will you step up to help stop Trump's agenda of hate?

Thank you,
Bridget Marshall
US Citizen, Mother, and Voter
Lowell, Massachusetts