Take Action
Call Cornyn & Cruz before Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Hearing on Family Separation
The Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes both John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, meets on Tuesday morning. The topic is “Oversight of Immigration Enforcement and Family Reunification Efforts.” Despite the court-ordered deadline to reunite families, more than 700 children remain in detention due to Trump’s zero tolerance policy, and more than 400 have had their parents deported with no apparent plan to reunite them. The hearing will be simulcast online.
Thanks to the show of public outrage, we’ve already accomplished a lot with our rallies, calls, and emails. This is another thing we can do to help. Script and bird-dogging courtesy of Indivisible East Bay:
Hi, my name is [name] and I’m a constituent from [zip code]. I’m calling to ask the Senator to thoroughly examine the immigration officials at the Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, July 31. Please find out how this cruel family separation happened and how these families will be reunited. I have been so worried and appalled by our government’s treatment of these young children and their parents. The children might be damaged for life. Please make these immigration agencies take responsibility and fix the situation. Please also ensure that this is not the only hearing on the subject of family separation.
More ways to help:
Read: Immigrant Youth Shelters: “If You’re a Predator, It’s a Gold Mine” (ProPublica) >>
New RAICES fundraiser: Help reunify children separated from their families at the border by donating to pay for airfare, hotel, and personal items for children and parents released from detention.
While you’re chatting with Cruz and Cornyn: Demand the release of Brett Kavanaugh’s White House records
Also in their capacity as Judiciary Committee members, Senators Cruz and Cornyn signed off on a records request for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh with one glaring omission: records from Kavanaugh’s three years as staff secretary in the George W. Bush White House.
It is vital that these documents be made public so we know Kavanaugh’s involvement in some of the Bush Administration’s most controversial policies, including torture and privacy rollbacks.
Read Sen. Patrick Leahy’s statement >>
Help fill the funding gap in statewide races
Activists like you have successfully pressured your Members of Congress, and some progressive candidates are even outraising GOP incumbents. That is great news! Keep giving to candidates you believe in, and also remember the statewide races that aren’t getting as much attention or money.
For example:
- Greg Abbott has 130 times more cash on hand than Lupe Valdez.
- Dan Patrick has 233 times more cash on hand than Mike Collier.
- Ken Paxton has about seven times as much cash on hand as Justin Nelson.
These races are vitally important, too, and with less than 100 days until Election Day, now is the time to chip in.
How your voices are making a difference
- Support for Roe v. Wade has reached a new high among Americans
- Children led a sit-in at the Senate building to protest the separation of immigrant families
- Youth voter registration is up 41 percent in Florida since Parkland.
Events
Repeal and Replace Ted Cruz banner drop, Thur. Aug. 2, 8:30 – 9:30 am
Monthly VDR training – Sat. Aug. 4 (multiple times)
Big Bake Sale for Border Families, Sat. Aug. 4, 10 am – 2 pm
Action Spotlight: #100DaysOut Phone Bank with Ezra & Leah
Indivisible co-executive directors Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin with members of the board of Indivisible Austin.
On Sunday, Indivisible Austin held a phone bank. With about 50 of our closest friends—you!—we called prospective voters to make sure they know why this election is so important, and to get them engaged NOW so they’re ready to go to the polls as soon as early voting starts. Indivisible groups held over 150 events nationwide, kicking off the 100 days until Election Day in November. Watch this space for news of future phone banks and actions.
Congress Critter of the Week: Rep. Bill Flores (TX-17)
Q: When is a town hall not a town hall?
A: When Rep. Bill Flores has complete control over who can talk and for how long, without the audience being able to express themselves collectively or ever having to face them in person.
No, it’s not one of the Riddler’s clues. It’s what Bill Flores is making all his constituents deal with, rather than meeting his bosses in person.
Next week, I will be hosting two town hall events to give an update about the work being done in Washington and answer your questions. I am hopeful that you can join us on Monday (7/30) and Tuesday (7/31) at 6:30 PM. For more details visit https://t.co/BFmiifQTuR
— Rep. Bill Flores (@RepBillFlores) July 27, 2018
The occasional audio town hall is a useful tool, only as a supplemental way to keep your constituents informed, Bill. You need to hear from them in person. Why wouldn’t you want to meet them?
Book Club: It’s Time to Fight Dirty
This month the Indivisible Austin Book Club read It’s Time to Fight Dirty, by David Faris. After years of losing ground in Congress and state legislatures, and facing the possibility of an extremist Supreme Court, remedies are needed to bring our democratic systems back into balance.
Your Moment of Zen
Tiffany Day shared this gem of a video earlier this year, but we find it refreshing in the middle of a busy, hot summer:
found a well in italy with a nice echo ?❤️ missing this trip already pic.twitter.com/tTkJeFo97k
— Tiffany Day (@_tiffanyday) March 28, 2017
Funding the Fight
The #100DaysOut phone bank with Ezra and Leah was just the beginning. For the next 99 days, Indivisible Austin will be working with you at phone banks, door to door, in homes and neighborhoods, and in countless other ways.
We can make November happen, together, but we need you to be a part of it, both as a volunteer and through your contributions.
Be a part of our (and your) movement! Make a gift today!