Take Action
Share your Texas healthcare story
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation for children, adults, and women of childbearing age. Gov. Abbott’s failure to expand Medicaid in the midst of global pandemic exacerbates the deadly conditions that kill more Texans. The #SICKOFITTX coalition is collecting Texans’ healthcare stories to share with lawmakers.
RSVP for the Covid19 in Black and Latino Communities Virtual Town Hall
Call Cornyn and Cruz and demand they pass the HEROES Act
On Friday, May 15, House Democrats passed the fourth coronavirus package, the HEROES Act. The bill improves significantly on the CARES Act, especially on democracy and protections for immigrants, and provides additional financial relief and public health measures.
Connect to your senators via Indivisible’s calling tool
Tell John Cornyn to stop blaming China for Trump’s death toll
Donate to support UT’s undocumented students and their families
Although many in our community received relief from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), racist and xenophobic political leaders’ changes won out: immigrants were cut from provisions for COVID-19 testing, care, and economic relief. But it’s even worse for our undocumented family, friends, and neighbors. Undocumented students at UT, trying to accomplish dream of a college education, were not only denied CARES Act relief funds but were also misinformed about eligibility for these funds. So what can you do about it?
Donate directly to undocumented students through the student organization University Leadership Initiative (ULI) (@ulitx in Venmo)
Action of the Week
Austin Justice Coalition’s Virtual Tribunal on APD Chief Brian Manley
Last week more than 30 groups and individuals—including Indivisible Austin—participated in a virtual “tribunal” in which each person spoke about their own struggle with the Austin Police Department and its leadership.
Austin Justice Coalition is a Racial Justice Group that educates and builds community power for people of color who live in Austin, Texas that need support, community, and liberation during a time of systemic injustice in America.
The deadly shooting last month of Mr. Mike Ramos by Austin police , following closely on the publication of reports affirming a culture of racism within the police department, patterns of racial profiling in policing, and a fear of retaliation against those who report it, require us to call for new leadership over public safety.
WATCH: Austin Justice Coalition – Chief Manley Virtual Tribunal (Facebook Live)
UPDATE: Manley exonerates Mike Ramos’ shooter in report to Ken Paxton filled with false statements (by Scott Henson, interim executive director at Just Liberty)
ACT: Tell the City Manager to Bring In Progressive Police Leadership (Just Liberty petition)
Endorsement
TX-21 Indivisible endorses Wendy Davis for Congress
TX-21 Indivisible is proud to announce that their members have voted unanimously to endorse Wendy Davis to represent Texas’s 21st District in the United States House of Representatives.
TX-21 Indivisible has always been about the power of people on the ground, in their communities. In that spirit we strongly encourage TX-21 residents to volunteer for and support Wendy Davis as we head toward the November election.
Read the full endorsement from TX-21 Indivisible
Virtual Events
Tuesday, May 26
Covid-19 Report on the Economy, with Reps. Celia Israel and Donna Howard
2 p.m. on Facebook Live. The representatives will be joined by Steven Pedigo, Director of the The LBJ School of Public Affairs Urban Lab.
Sign up and watch on Facebook Live
Wednesday, May 27
Indivisible “Safe Voting” Town Hall with Elizabeth Warren
4 p.m. Central. Indivisible and Elizabeth Warren team up for this virtual town hall on safe voting!
Can you say dream team? ✨
Make sure to RSVP: https://t.co/9FCChvFKF0 pic.twitter.com/xxhievOfiA
— Warren Democrats (@TeamWarren) May 21, 2020
Texas Railroad Commissioner Candidate Forum
7 p.m. on Zoom. This year Texans will elect a new commissioner to the state agency that is responsible for regulating pollution from oil and gas development to uranium and coal mining. Join the conversation on how we can make this agency more accountable to the people of Texas – not just special interests.
Thursday, May 28
Covid19 in Black and Latino Communities Virtual Town Hall
6 p.m. on Facebook Live. As the opening of Texas is starting, the peak of the pandemic is too and with it, higher deaths in black and Latino communities. Join us for a conversation with medical professionals in Texas addressing the disparity of healthcare, effects on COVID-19, and what we must do to protect Black and Latino communities in Texas.
RSVP with Texas Organizing Project and #SICKOFITTX
Friday, May 29
Vote by Mail Lawsuit update
11 a.m. on Zoom. Please join TX Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas on Friday, May 29 at 11:00AM to get an update on the status of vote-by-mail in Texas, and how we can ensure that we have a safe in-person voting option. This event will also be an opportunity to directly ask the legal team any questions that you or your community have around vote-by-mail or in-person voting during the pandemic.
COVID-19 News & Resources
Sarah Eckhardt criticizes Greg Abbott’s reopening, coronavirus actions (Texas Tribune)
Lawmakers question $295M emergency deal to expand Texas contact tracing network (Houston Chronicle)
Many in Texas lose health insurance during coronavirus (Texas Tribune)
Opinion | Texas’s Republican leaders are fighting to keep voting unsafe (Washington Post)
You Don’t Need Invasive Tech for Successful Contact Tracing. Here’s How It Works. (ProPublica)
Do I Know Enough to Get a Job as a Contact Tracer? (ProPublica)
Study estimates 24 states still have uncontrolled coronavirus spread (Washington Post)
How the coronavirus spreads in those everyday places we visit (Salt Lake Tribune)
How We Reopen Safely (Andy Slavitt / covidexitstrategy.org)
Your moment of Zen
Me on my way sit on the couch and do nothing for 2 hours after sending one (1) email pic.twitter.com/K8MQMi3oxS
— Joy Kudia (@kudya_not) May 22, 2020