ALL WEEK: Defend the ACA…again
Paul Ryan worked all weekend to whip up votes needed to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a Freedom Caucus-approved monstrosity of a bill. We have not yet won this battle. In fact, we’re closer than ever to losing it.
Call your HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES and tell them NO on the latest attempt to repeal Obamacare
Read more about the bill here.
ALL WEEK: Get ready to stake out John Cornyn’s offices until he can provide answers on Russia
This is a statewide action, so please spread the word outside of Austin. Here’s how it works:
- Visit cornynstakeout.com
- Connect with your local Indivisible group to sponsor a shift at one of Sen. Cornyn’s six offices, May 30 – June 2
- If you need help finding a group, or want to sponsor a stakeout, email stakeout@indivisibleaustin.com
Monday, May 1
All Day. Early Voting
Early voting for the May 6 local elections in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties runs through May 2, with Election Day on May 6. Municipalities and school boards throughout the region have positions up for election, and there are a number of bonds and tax elections, as well. Find out more about the elections and propositions on your ballot with the League of Women Voters – Austin Voters Guide, and more information about specific races, including the option to build your own ballot is available at Vote411.org.
All Day. Rise Up! Austin
Host Organizations: Workers Defense Project, Grassroots Leadership, Fight for $15, Education Austin, One Resistance, Black Sovereign Nation, ICE out of Austin, ISO/Austin Socialist Club, Inmigrantes Unidos
Austin organizations are calling on immigrant workers to stay home on May 1, keep their children home from school and to refrain from purchasing things in order to demonstrate the economic power of immigrant workers. Throughout the day there will be a series of action across the city of Austin, culminating at the Texas Capitol at 4pm.
Schedule:
9:30am Texas State Capitol (1100 N. Congress Ave) Action opposing SB 4. (Grassroots Leadership)
3:00 pm Rally and Gathering at Austin City Hall (301 W. 2nd Street). March depart to Capitol up Congress Ave
4:00 pm March arrives at Texas Capitol on South Steps, hold short rally.
4:15 pm Coalition organizations will hold teach-ins at Capitol Rotunda.
More information at reformimmigrationforamerica.org
Tuesday, May 2
Note: There will not be an Indivisible Austin conference call tonight. Our next call is May 9 with NARAL Pro Choice Texas.
All Day. Early Voting
Early voting for the May 6 local elections in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties runs through May 2, with Election Day on May 6. Municipalities and school boards throughout the region have positions up for election, and there are a number of bonds and tax elections, as well. Find out more about the elections and propositions on your ballot with the League of Women Voters – Austin Voters Guide, and more information about specific races, including the option to build your own ballot is available at Vote411.org.
All Day. Call HOUSE REPS and tell them to oppose the Oppose the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R.10)
The Financial CHOICE Act is scheduled for a markup. The bill would replace the protections put in place Dodd-Frank, which Obama signed into law in 2010. This includes gutting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What else do we know about HR 10? Well, for one thing Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin likes it. And Democrats on the Financial Services Committee are calling it the #WrongChoiceAct.
Congress Threatens To Block CFPB Payday Lending Protections – #WRONGChoiceAct #StopTheDebtTrap https://t.co/pv8dVZFlKK via @YouTube
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) April 28, 2017
Wednesday, May 3
7:30 – 9 a.m. Community Event: Can Austin Unto Racism?
Palmer Event Center
Tickets: $25
Speakers:
Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Co-Chair, Mayor’s Task Force, President, Huston-Tillotson University
Dr. Paul Cruz, Co-Chair, Mayor’s Task Force, Superintendent, Austin Independent School District
From the organizer: Thanks to a group of citizens who participated in the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and System Inequities and issued a recent report, our city continues to move forward toward action. Join us on May 3 to hear from the Co-Chairs of the task force about the recommendations being made to tackle issues of racial and economic segregation. More info and ticket purchase from Leadership Austin.
6:45 to 8: 45 p.m. Protest Safety & Verbal Self Defense Workshop
Manchaca Library, 5500 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78745
- Grounding and emotional self-regulation techniques for public speaking/civic conflict situations
- De-escalation and other group safety skills
- Tactical nonviolence planning essentials
- How to take control of a conversation (being rude for the right reasons)
Please wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to move around (all activities can also be done seated)!
Thursday, May 4
All day. Call your Texas House Representative for a NO vote on HB 1911, which allows handguns to be carried without a license.
The bill has been toned down a bit since it was debated three weeks ago (thanks to those who testified!), but still has troubling components including allowing guns to be carried in places of worship and people over 21 to carry a gun without a license (unless they’re in a “street gang”)
For more: Austin American Statesman: HB 1911 House Committee OKs Gun Carry without License
Read (includes summary of all gun-related bills in the TX lege): Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Texas Lawmakers Ready to Let Gun Owners Carry without Licenses?
Say: “Hi, I’m a constituent of Representative _____. As a [parent/teacher/citizen] in the great state of Texas, I’m concerned about HB 1911 which would allow Texans to carry handguns without a license. Texas is an example of responsible gun ownership, which includes proper training on how to use and store guns to protect our children. If passed, this bill would undermine that, and allow unsafe and untrained people to own and carry guns. It will also make it harder for our police to do their job safely and effectively. Support the children and police of Texas and vote NO for HB 1911. My zip code is ____.”
Friday, May 5
All day. Call Texas House reps and ask them to vote NO on Bathroom-Bill companion HB 2899
Saturday, May 6
All day. Election Day!
Vote in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. Municipalities and school boards throughout the region have positions up for election, and there are a number of bonds and tax elections, as well. Find out more about the elections and propositions on your ballot with the League of Women Voters – Austin Voters Guide, and more information about specific races, including the option to build your own ballot is available at Vote411.org.
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Media Training for Activists
Yarborough Library• 2200 Hancock Dr., Austin, TX 78756
The work you’re doing is at the forefront in the fight to resist authoritarianism and defend democracy! Talking to the media is an important part of our work as activists–but it can be nerve-racking and intimidating. Let’s fix that!
In this training you’ll learn how to:
- Draft a media advisory and press release about your organization or event
- Find the right journalists to contact with your story
- Develop interview skills–practice your message and stick to it!
- Look and sound your best for TV and radio
Our training will be led by organizers and activist PR pros from several Austin-area indivisible groups.
You’ll come away with a new set of skills and several helpful templates for media communications.
All are welcome at this training!