Read: How Your Voices Made a Difference Last Week
ALL WEEK: Congressional Recess – Check for Town Halls or Hold One of your Own
Congress is in recess, meaning they are traveling within their districts, allegedly to meet with constituents. Town Halls and other pubic appearances will be scheduled on short notice, so watch this space for regular updates. If there aren’t any official events scheduled, call them and ask why. They work for you, and you have a voice.
There are other “Constituent Town Halls” (events where your MoC probably won’t appear) popping up, and you can also create your own. It’s fun!
ALL WEEK: Tell Your Member of Congress to Cut Recess Short and Hold a Vote on Syria
Whenever military action is taken, by any President, it is critical that Congress hold the President fully accountable. And that’s even more true when the President is a thin-skinned egomaniac. Trump cannot be allowed to fire off missiles the way that he fires off tweets. He cannot be allowed to bar Syrian child refugees from our shores and then claim he’s taking military action to protect them. And he absolutely cannot be allowed to drag us into another Middle East war. It’s Congress’ job to stop this from happening. Call your Member of Congress and demand that they return to session to exercise oversight over Trump’s warmongering.
We also encourage you to think about ways to help the people of Syria. Organizations like the White Helmets, Doctors Without Borders, and the International Rescue Committee are just a few of the many organizations helping on the ground and assisting refugees. Stand with them as an ally. And make your voice heard: there’s never been a more important time to call on your MoCs to support Syrian refugees. During this April recess, ask them what they’re doing to make sure America truly supports Syrian refugees by allowing them to come to the United States.
Monday, April 10
All day. Call TEXAS HOUSE REPS to Support Sandra Bland Bill
Tomorrow in the Texas Legislature, the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee will hold a hearing on HB2702, the Sandra Bland bill. This bill would limit police searches during stops, add reporting requirements for racial profiling, and create an independent ombudsman to monitor inmates’ rights and services. If you can’t be at the Capitol tomorrow to register your support, call your TEXAS HOUSE reps to express your support.
Tuesday, April 11
8 a.m. Texas House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee hearings on Sandra Bland bill and others.
(See Monday’s action.) You don’t have to stay for the hearings; but if you can drop in at the Capitol, you can register your support for the Sandra Bland (HB2702) bill at one of the kiosks. Indivisible TX Lege has detailed instructions here.
12 to 1 p.m. TX-10 Mock Town Hall at Rep. Michael McCaul’s Office
Rep. McCaul begins his two-week recess this week, and despite thousands of phone calls, emails and office visits, he has STILL not scheduled a town hall to hear the voices of his constituents. (And, NO, a “tele-town hall” with canned statements and pre-screened questions does not count.) So, we are going to his office TUESDAY, APRIL 11th @ NOON to ask our questions anyway. Hopefully a staffer will come out to take notes, but if not, we’ll still record the event (for those who wish to be recorded), collect the questions and make sure that McCaul’s office sees it all and feels obliged to respond. Let’s make sure his recess starts with a big “WE’RE STILL HERE!”
WHAT TO BRING: Since this is a mock town hall, write a letter that you’d read at a McCaul’s town hall if he were to have one. Make your letter personal and end it with your question for Rep. McCaul. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to, supporting others willing to speak is just as important. Also, bring a sign relevant to your topic or one just asking for a town hall. And as always, Children and babies are welcome!
WHERE:
Rep. Michael McCaul’s Austin Office
9009 Mountain Ridge Drive
Austin Building, Suite 230
Austin, TX 78759
We’ll meet in the office park parking lot at NOON promptly. Just an FYI: It’s a corporate office park off 360, so it’s a bit hidden. There is plenty of parking in the building lot and on the street.
6 – 7:30 p.m. Community Event: Black Lives Matter Austin General Body Meeting
Anderson Health and Wellness Center
1705 E 11th St
From the organizer: Join Black Lives Matter Austin for our April General Body Meeting. There will be several working committees: Education, Criminal Justice Reform, Health, Economics, Housing, Transportation, and Civics. “All are welcome at the table.”
8 to 9 p.m. Indivisible Austin Conference Call: Reclaim Recess!
We’ll discuss the area Town Halls and other actions happening during the congressional recess period.
Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542
Wednesday, April 12
ALL DAY – Call your TEXAS STATE HOUSE REP and ask them to vote No on HJR 39, the “Convention of States” bill
Courtesy of Indivisible TX Lege
On Thursday, April 13, there’s a House Federal Power & Responsibility Committee hearing on one of the far-right’s highest priorities: HJR39, to call a “Convention of States.” Call your State House Representative to oppose the call for a “Convention of States”.
SB21 and HJR2, resolutions that call for a Convention of States, have already passed the State Senate.
If its companion, HJR 39, passes the State House, Texas would become one of the 34 states needed to have a US Constitutional Convention. 28 States have approved such measures so far. Given the current political climate, there’s no telling what changes would be made to our Constitution, and how it would impact the separation of powers. If this doesn’t alarm you, it should.
- Read more: Dallas News: Senate Approves Bills that Call for Convention States to Amend US Constitution
- Say: “Hi, I’m a constituent of Representative ______ and I’m calling to request (s)he vote NO on HJR 39. This resolution is a distraction from the pressing needs and priorities of Texans and as a tax payer, I’m appalled that our state legislators are wasting limited resources on this initiative.”
You can read about Empower Texans, a huge, single-donor lobby that is the money behind this push for a Convention of the States here, and while you’re at it read about how the Koch brothers own Greg Abbott here and here.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup
Radio, 4204 Manchaca Road
Indivisible Austin’s weekly lunchtime coffee gathering. Drop by to say hi, ask a question, voice a concern, meet other members, grab some free swag, or buy a t-shirt ($20 cash). Location changes weekly. Can’t make daytimes? Check out our Thursday night meetup.
Thursday, April 13
12 to 1 p.m. Ted Cruz Office Visit: Protect the Environment & Our Natural Resources
Organized by Indivisible Rosedale Huddle
Trump’s budget proposal includes a 30% CUT to the EPA – eliminating funding for the Clean Power Plan, regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and research for climate change. The proposal also includes a 12% CUT to the Dept of Interior which protects our national parks, fish and wildlife and natural resources.
Senator Cruz has been quoted as commending Trump for his efforts to roll back Obama-era environmental regulations. We can’t let this happen.
WE MUST protect the environment and stop Trump.
Join us for a rally at Cruz’ office Thursday, April 13 @ 12pm
WHAT TO BRING:
- Write a short letter to Cruz addressing concerns about the proposed budget cuts
- Bring a relevant protest sign
- You will need a photo ID (in case we get inside the offices)
- Be prepared to read your letter to Cruz’ staff (optional)
- Children are always welcome
WHERE TO MEET:
Senator Cruz – Austin office
JJ Pickle Federal Building
300 E. 8th St 78701
(meet in the plaza, back of the building, off San Jacinto and 9th St)
PARKING:
St. David’s (corner Trinity & 8th St) has public parking. Street parking is also available
6 to 8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup
Central Market, 4477 S Lamar Blvd
A casual weekly meet-up for Indivisible Austin members and interested parties. Drop by to say hello, meet some of the members, grab a bumper sticker and wallet card, and maybe sit and chat for a while. We’re also now selling IATX t-shirts — $20 cash!
7 to 10 p.m. TX-21 Constituent Town Hall with Jim Hightower
Historic Scoot Inn, 1308 E 4th St
Thirty year incumbent Congressman Lamar Smith represents much of of central Texas and parts of Austin and San Antonio. He has said “Better to get your news directly from the president. In fact, it might be the only way to get the unvarnished truth.” He also is a climate change denier who chairs the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Frightening, right?
Meanwhile, we are committed to change in the exceptionally gerrymandered District 21.
Also joining us are potential or declared candidates for TX21 in next year’s election including Ryan Allen, Derrick Crowe, Joseph Kopser, and Rixi Melton, and possibly more.
Jim Hightower, a New York Times bestselling author and America’s #1 progressive, is the host of Hightower Radio, heard on over 100 stations. His nationally syndicated column is carried in 75 publications and his newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown, has more than 125,000 subscribers. Hightower is also the former Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
If you can see this Facebook page, please RSVP here.
8 to 9 p.m. Facebook Live Q&A with the Indivisible Project: “Reclaim Recess!”
Friday, April 14
Make plans to join tomorrow’s Tax March; the Kids’ Climate Action on April 20; the March for Science on April 22; and the People’s Climate March on April 29.
Saturday, April 15
12 to 3 p.m. Tax March Austin – Texas Capitol
Within days of his inauguration, over one million citizens called on President Trump to release his tax returns, signing a White House Petition that garnered more signatures than any other in history. The Trump Administration’s response? “People don’t care.”
On April 15, we are marching on the Texas Capitol to show that we do care. Americans across the country will, once again, come together to send a clear message to Donald Trump: the President is accountable to the American people, and he must answer to us.