2017 Weekly Action Archives

View this week’s actions

Week of December 18, 2017

Read how your voices made a difference last week >>

It’s been a week of milestones, with Doug Jones’s historic win in Alabama, the first anniversary of the Indivisible Guide, and four days later, the first anniversary of Indivisible Austin.

Most importantly: Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress have failed to enact a single piece of harmful, major legislation.

And it’s all thanks to resisters like YOU.

It’s also thanks to you that Indivisible Austin has grown from a lowly Twitter account to a coalition of Texans representing thousands of members who are committed to defending Democracy and opposing authoritarianism.

Our first tweet

Celebrate with us!

On December 18th — our anniversary — we invite you to deliver coal to both of our venal senators at a merry event we’re calling…

How Congress Stole Christmas: Santa Resists

How Congress Stole Christmas: Santa Resists

We’ll kick off at 3 p.m. outside Sen. Cruz’s office, and then take video of participants telling why their senator gets a lump of coal in his stocking.

When the stocking is full, Santa and his elves will present it to Sen. Cruz’s staff, and then we’ll carol our way six blocks to Sen. Cornyn’s office by about 3:45 for the same (program, video, Santa visit).

We plan to end at 4:30 with some closing thoughts about this year of resistance

RSVP for this event on Facebook >>

View details on our website >>

And… come to our Holiday Party on Wednesday!

Actions

As always, Find the contact information for your elected officials here: Who represents me?

Government Funding: The government runs out of funding on December 22. Instead of passing a comprehensive bill to fund the government through next year before that date, it appears likely Congress will again kick the can down the road and pass a short-term funding bill next Thursday or Friday–but that is far from clear.

While Democrats have stated their goal is to include DREAM and CHIP funding (more actions on those below) in any funding, it remains to be seen if many members of Congress are willing to stand by that pledge.

Tell leadership of both parties: “A funding bill that neglects the health of children and the security of DREAMers is unacceptable. Vote NO on any spending bill that leaves children and DREAMers behind.”

Tell Members of Congress to Vote No on Tax Scheme

Late Friday, Republicans released their conference report of the tax scam bill. Despite some small changes, the tax scam is a giveaway to the wealthy while taking away from working families.

The House is set to vote on Tuesday, with the Senate following the day after.

Call your Representative along with Senators Cornyn and Cruz and tell them Texans won’t forget that a “yes” vote on the tax bill is a vote against Texas’s families.

Read more about the Trump Tax Scam >>

Tell Cornyn and Cruz to reauthorize CHIP

It is unconscionable that Congress would let health insurance expire for children and pregnant mothers. CHIP once had broad, bipartisan support, and the only reason it hasn’t been funded is because of Congress’s ineptitude, and its zeal for repealing the ACA. Call your MoCs in both the House and Senate and tell them to fund the CHIP program before more Texas children and pregnant women lose coverage.

Read: 30+ Texas Health Groups Send Urgent CHIP letter to Washington >>

Continue pressuring Republicans to endorse a clean DREAM Act.

Recently, Sen. John Cornyn introduced the SECURE Act, which purports to be a solution for DREAMers. It’s not. (Read the statement on the SECURE Act from United We Dream.)

There are 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas alone, and each year they contribute $313,095,000 in state and local taxes. It’s up to your members of Congress to stand up to secure the futures of all DREAMers with a legislative fix: The DREAM Act.

Tell Cornyn and Cruz to end the uncertainty and pass a clean DREAM Act now.

Demand your MoCs take the DREAMer Pledge >>

Tell John Cornyn and your other MoCs that you support the Mueller investigation

On Friday night, Sen. John Cornyn hinted that he would be comfortable with the firing of Robert Mueller. He later clarified that he thinks Mueller needs to “clean house of partisans.” This kind dog whistling makes clear that the Mueller investigation needs legislative protection. Bills from both Democratic and GOP Senators have been drafted but blocked.

Call your Senators (especially Cornyn) and House representatives. Tell them that you support the Mueller investigation, wherever the facts lead, and that it must be protected by Congress.

Read more on our blog: “What to do if Mueller is fired” >>

Read “GOP Leader Sen. Cornyn Casts Doubt On Legitimacy Of Mueller’s Probe” (Talking Points Memo) >>

Demand a telecoms bill to protect Net Neutrality

As expected, the FCC voted to to repeal net neutrality. Now only Congress can prevent corporations from throttling the Resistance. Call your reps and demand that they enshrine rules against blocking and throttling and deny the FCC a blank check over the internet.

Read more on Wired.com >>

Events

Monday, December 18

3 to 4:30 p.m. How Congress Stole Christmas: #SantaResists, Sen. Ted Cruz’s office, and then caroling to Sen. Cornyn’s office.

Wednesday, December 20

11:30 a.m. Don’t Be A Grinch Sen. Cornyn — Pass A Clean #DreamActNow, hosted by Jolt Texas at Republic Square (422 Guadalupe) with a march to Sen. John Cornyn’s office.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn refuses to vote for a clean Dream Act — it might be because his heart is two sizes too small! Join DREAMers and allies as we come together outside Sen. Cornyn’s office to celebrate our dreams and tell our stories. Our hope is that Sen. Cornyn’s heart grows three sizes more, and that he votes for a clean #DreamActNow.

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Indivisible Austin Holiday Party, Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 Guadalupe.

Support Indivisible Austin

Archives of weekly actions >>

Week of December 11, 2017

Save the Date: December 18 – How Congress Stole Christmas >>

Read how your voices are making a difference >>

On Thursday, Congress passed a short-term funding bill that keeps the government running until December 22. A more comprehensive bill is expected in the coming weeks.

While Democrats have stated their goal is to include DREAM and CHIP funding (more on those below), it remains to be seen if many members of Congress are willing to stand by that pledge.

Tell leadership of both parties: “A funding bill that neglects the health of children and the security of DREAMers is unacceptable. Vote NO on any spending bill that leaves children and DREAMers behind.”

Actions

Make sure your Alabamian friends are voting in the Special Election on Tuesday, December 12

The Special Election on Tuesday is critically important. If Doug Jones wins this Senate seat, that’s one more vote we can count on to stop the Trump agenda. Even if it’s awkward, contact all of your friends and family in Alabama and make sure they are voting on Tuesday.

Find Facebook friends in Alabama >>

Enroll in the ACA by Friday, December 15

Looking for coverage? Here’s what you need to know:

  • Open enrollment for health insurance ends on Friday, December 15.
  • 2018 health insurance plans will not be affected by any changes in proposed tax bills in Congress.
  • There will still be a tax penalty if you don’t have health insurance in 2018.

Find out where to get enrollment help in your local community >>

Stand Up for DREAMers

Last week, Sen. John Cornyn introduced the SECURE Act, which purports to be a solution for DREAMers. It’s not. (Read the statement on the SECURE Act from United We Dream.) There are 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas alone, and each year they contribute $313,095,000 in state and local taxes. It’s up to your members of Congress to stand up to secure the futures of all DREAMers with a legislative fix: The DREAM Act. Tell Cornyn and Cruz to end the uncertainty and pass a clean DREAM Act now.

Demand your MoCs take the DREAMer Pledge >>

Tell Cornyn and Cruz to reauthorize CHIP

It is unconscionable that Congress would let health insurance expire for children and pregnant mothers. CHIP once had broad, bipartisan support, and the only reason it hasn’t been funded is because of Congress’s ineptitude, and its zeal for repealing the ACA. Call your MoCs in both the House and Senate and tell them to fund the CHIP program before more Texas children and pregnant women lose coverage.

Read: 30+ Texas Health Groups Send Urgent CHIP letter to Washington >>

Tell Cornyn and Cruz and your House rep to defend Net Neutrality

On Dec. 14, the FCC is likely to roll back net neutrality rules — despite the revelations that millions of comments in favor of the rollback sent to the FCC were fraudulent . This means that only Congress can save it, by introducing legislation to preserve net neutrality. Net Neutrality is a safeguard against autocracy. If we lose it, our Democracy suffers.

Read our explainer on why net neutrality matters and what you can do it about it >>

Thank Rep. Doggett for opposing Concealed Carry Reciprocity; Tell Sens. Cruz and Cornyn to also oppose

Last week, the House voted for something called “concealed carry reciprocity.” This means that gun licenses work the same way as driver’s licenses and are valid across state lines. Seems reasonable, right? It’s not.

Rep. Beto O’Rourke had a good Twitter thread on how this law affects Texans. Some highlights:

  • Texas law requires safety training to qualify for a licence to carry. 18 other states do not.
  • Texas does not issue a license to carry to abusive partners. 14 other states do.
  • Texas doesn’t issue to violent offenders. 22 other states do.
  • Texas doesn’t issue to people convicted of stalking. 21 other states do.
  • We should hold those from out-of-state to Texas’ standards when they travel to our communities. We should not subject ourselves to the lowest common denominator in the U.S. because that will make Texas less, not more, safe.

Call Rep. Doggett and thank him for opposing this abominable law that overrules state law and makes Texans less safe. (While you’re at it, thank Beto too.) Call Senators Cruz and Cornyn and tell them you expect them to also oppose this bill when it reaches the Senate.

Call your City Council Member and ask them to vote NO on the police union contract — and show up on December 13

Join us, and partner organizations, as we attend the December 13th City Council Special meeting to encourage City Council to stand up to another police union contract that lacks accountability, stronger civilian oversight, and true transparency.

This is a chance for the City of Austin’s leadership to take a strong stance against a contract that is highly ineffective and very expensive. Contrary to some belief, if City Council chooses to boldly opt-out of this contract the road ahead is not at all uncertain. Saying “No” to the contract affords the City of Austin new and innovative ways to pursue paths to things absent in the contract and it would also allow MILLIONS of dollars to become freed up to allocate to other avenues of public interest.

Inform City Council it’s ok to stand up against the police union and faulty contracts!

City Council Contact Information >>

Austin Justice Coalition’s Complete Guide and Facts on Austin’s Police Association Contract >>

Facebook event for December 13 City Council Meeting >>

Events

Monday, December 11

7:30 p.m. The Tax Scam is Not a Done Deal. Join Indivisible’s policy and organizing teams to talk about the state of play in Congress, and how YOU can use your constituent power to turn the tide at 7:30 Central, on Facebook Live.

Tuesday, December 12

6:00 to 8 p.m. Phone bank for the Police Contract Vote. Join us at 1100 S IH 35 Frontage Rd (ADAPT of Texas office) to call supporters and active community members to ensure that people turn out to the vote on Wednesday.

7 to 9 p.m. Indivisible Cedar Park Monthly Meeting, Twin Creeks Country Club, 3201 Twin Creeks Club Dr., Cedar Park. At the smaller FAC building next to the swimming pool. We have a guest lined up who has many years of organizing experience. She will talk with us about our goals and plans as a group for 2018. Hope to see you there!  Please contact Melissa Crijns with any questions: melissa.crijns@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 13

3 p.m. to ? Urge City Council: Vote NO to Another WEAK Police Union Contract, Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.

Thursday, December 14

6 to 8 p.m., OneTX holiday party, North Door, 502 Brushy St. Free and open to the public.

Support Indivisible Austin

Archives of weekly actions >>

Week of December 4, 2017

Quick Links

Actions

Here’s what you need to do every single day until the final tax plan vote

Thank you to Celeste Pewter for these scripts and other information.

Call Sens. Cornyn and Cruz and give them hell for tax bill vote

Send the following message:

  • I’m calling to let you know I oppose your vote on the tax bill
  • The vote was on a bill still being written just hours before the vote, it will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit, permanently benefiting corporations while negatively impacting individuals and families and destabilizing the health insurance market.
  • The vast majority of American and your constituents do not want this bill.
  • Do not continue to rush this bill through. Return to regular order.

Call your House member and let them know they are on notice!

  • I’m calling to let you know I’m opposed to both the House and Senate versions of the bill as they currently stand.
  • This bill contains many provisions that are damaging for individuals and families (share the ones that impact you most).
  • Don not continue to rush this bill through the conference committee–return to regular order.

And call your state rep and senator! Who represents me?

The tax bill will have implications for the state budget! Call your Texas state representative (use the link above to find yours if you don’t know) and senator (Kirk Watson for most in the Austin area) and ask them to go on the record in opposition to the tax bill. We don’t have any specific details yet on impacts to the Texas budget, but as soon as we have them we’ll share.

THURSDAY: Protest at City Hall 5:30 p.m. >>

The government has to get funded by 12/8 or shut down. It’s the last chance to fund CHIP before kids across the country get kicked off their health insurance.

We’ve shared a lot in the past about the impact the government’s total and complete failure to ensure millions of children don’t get kicked off their health insurance.

This is at the final, most crucial moment–if CHIP isn’t included in the end-of-year government funding bill, all those children will get insurance termination notices. That’s a big, ugly piece of coal in the stocking.

Call your representative and both senators and demand a bipartisan CHIP funding solution NOW. 400,000 Texas kids are at risk.

30+ Texas groups send URGENT CHIP letter to Washington >>

Tell Congress: The clock is ticking for 800,000 DREAMers

Congress needs to pass a government funding bill this week – and the DREAM Act must be part of that bill. There is bipartisan support for the Dream Act in both the Senate and House, and this is our last chance this year to protect DREAMers from Trump’s deportation machine. We’re down to the wire on getting the DREAM Act passed by the end of the year and protecting the futures of 800,000 young adults.

Call Sens. Cornyn and Cruz and your House member and demand that they protect Dreamers and end the uncertainty NOW.

Help Get Out the Vote in Alabama!

Alabama is winnable. The race is tied. And as we saw in Virginia last month, progressives are mobilizing in huge numbers. But it takes work—and you can help from your home in Texas.

Find your Facebook friends in Alabama. Write a postcard. Get Alabamians to VOTE on December 12th. >>

Events

Thursday, 5:30 pm, City Hall

Save the date and time. Meet at City Hall for a community action to protest the immoral tax bill.

Monday, December 4

6:55 p.m. Bill Flores Tele-Town Hall. If you live in TX-17, join Rep. Bill Flores’s tele-Town Hall and give him an earful about the tax bill. Questions will be screened in advance, so plan accordingly.

7 p.m. ATX 25 East Weekly Meeting, Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Dr.

Tuesday, December 5

Various times – Monthly Deputy Voter Registrar Training, Travis County Tax Office – Main, 5501 Airport Blvd. For further information or to schedule a group training, call (512) 854-9473

6:30 p.m. Special Meeting – Public Safety and Austin Police Contract, Cepeda Branch, Austin Public Library. Hosted by Austin Justice Coaltions.

Thursday, December 7

5:30 p.m. Meet at City Hall for a community action to protest the immoral tax bill.

Saturday, December 9

10 a.m. Unlearning Circle: Cultural Norms of Whiteness, Wildflower Church, 1314 E. Oltorf. Hosted by Undoing White Supremacy Austin.

Upcoming:

December 14th, 4 p.m., Urge City Council: Vote NO to Another WEAK Police Union Contract, Austin City Hall. Hosted by Austin Justice Coalition.

Week of November 27, 2017

Read how your voices made a difference last week >>

Trump Tax Scam Roadside Theater

Join our “Trump Tax Scam Roadside Theater” event!

WHEN: Noon-1pm on Monday, Nov. 27

WHERE: 221 W. 6th Street (Sen. Cornyn’s office)

Thanksgiving may be over, but the tax bill is still a turkey!

Come on out at noon for a creative action to protest this tax bill at Sen. Cornyn’s office. This bill puts money in the pockets of the wealthy and corporations at the expense of everyday working folks. Oh, and it repeals a chunk of the ACA, too!

WHAT TO BRING

  • Yourself, dressed in black from head to toe
  • Creative signs about the terrible tax bill
  • Monocles, top hats, and other “Monopoly Man” props if you have them

Stick around to visit Senator Cornyn’s staff to tell him to vote NO on the tax bill, or just show up and be counted.

View this event on Facebook >>

Phone Banking to Stop the Tax Scam

The Indivisible phone bank to stop the tax scam is live again! Starting Monday morning, we’re asking you to make calls to constituents with moveable senators who are potential swing votes on this heinous tax bill.

It’s easy, and you can call from anywhere. Can you commit to making 15 calls to remind people to call their senators and urge them not to vote for the tax bill?

Sign up here to make calls>>

Demand a Clean DREAM Act — and a SECURE Act to protect TPS Recipients

Last week, the Trump administration announced that it would not renew the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 60,000 Haitians–giving them 18 months to return to Haiti. TPS provides protection to immigrants already in the US whose country of origin is unsafe. Haiti is the latest of several countries for which Trump has overturned TPS.

In addition to calls for a clean DREAM Act, which would protect the DACA recipients who came here as children, there is also the SECURE Act, which protects TPS recipients and puts them on a path to citizenship. Trump’s needless and cruel rollback of TPS is a reminder to all of us to call our MoCs to demand protections for immigrants whose safety is at risk.

Get scripts on the DREAM and SECURE Acts >>

Read about Haitian immigrants fleeing the US for Canada >>

Contact the FCC and your MoCs about Net Neutrality

The debate over Net Neutrality can sound like a “first world problem” compared to life-or-death issues like DACA and healthcare. Here’s are two reasons why it matters:

  1. Voters getting information from a limited set of news sources is what gave us the Trump presidency. Without Net Neutrality, those voters might be literally unable to access any major news website other than Foxnews.com. Put another way, ending net neutrality is the atom bomb in Trump’s war on the truth.
  2. Net Neutrality allows Austin tech companies to compete on a level playing field. For the last 25 years, US tech companies have thrived in an environment where small startups can reach millions of users. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram—they all benefited from this environment. If you throttle that environment, companies like Verizon get to decide which websites you visit.

The FCC is scheduled to make their final decision on December 14. Contact them now, and also call Cornyn, Cruz, and your House rep to let them know that without Net Neutrality, our Democracy suffers.

Read more about Cornyn and Cruz’s Stance on Net Neutrality >>

Read Sarah Kendzior’s latest on Net Neutrality in the Globe and Mail >>

Take Action so City Council will end Austin’s “Meet and Confer” negotiations/police union contract

Austin City Council is set to vote December 7th on the unjust police union contract negotiated between the union (Austin Police Association) and the City. Our friends at Austin Justice Coalition and Just Liberty are calling on you to act: now is the most important time for you to contact your Council Member and voice the need to end the contract! The importance of calling and emailing your Council Member cannot be understated.

Events to attend and promote in your community:

    • November 28th community forum on Austin’s Police Contract, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join Austin Justice Coalition, Undoing White Supremacy Austin, and Grassroots Leadership in learning why the police contract is so bad for Austin. (Crestview United Methodist Church, 1300 Morrow St.)
    • On December 4th and 5th, prepare to speak up before the Public Safety Commission
    • Dec. 5th, 6-9 pm, Austin Justice Coalition open meeting on the contract
    • December 7th is the big event: Make plans to show up (at 4 or 5 p.m. if you can) and urge the Austin City Council to Vote NO on the police union contract

Comprehensive resources developed by Just Liberty and the Austin Justice Coalition to educate and move Austin constituents:

Events

Monday, November 27

12 to 1 p.m. Trump Tax Scam Roadside Theater, Sen. John Cornyn’s office, 221 W 6th St. Monday November 27 is a national day of action to resist the Trump Tax Scam. We’re joining in with a creative action outside Sen. Cornyn’s office.

WHAT TO BRING:

  • Yourself, dressed in black from head to toe
  • Creative signs about the terrible tax bill
  • Monocles, top hats, and other “Monopoly Man” props if you have them

Stick around to visit Senator Cornyn’s staff to tell him to vote NO on the tax bill, or just show up and be counted.

Tuesday, November 28

7 p.m. Community Forum on Austin’s Police Contract and Accountability, Crestview United Methodist Church, 1300 Morrow St.

Wednesday, November 29

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop Tax Scam In-Person Phone Bank, Texas AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca St #200. Phone bank is on both Wednesday and Thursday. There is no parking onsite; there may be street parking nearby. The Capitol Visitors Garage is a .5 mile walk, but it’s free for 2 hours.

Thursday, November 30

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop Tax Scam In-Person Phone Bank, Texas AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca St #200. Phone bank is on both Wednesday and Thursday. There is no parking onsite; there may be street parking nearby. The Capitol Visitors Garage is a .5 mile walk, but it’s free for 2 hours.

4 to 6:30 p.m. 3rd Third Stakeholder Meeting on Paid Sick Days, Fiesta Gardens Building, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St. This is the last of the three stakeholder meetings hosted by the City of Austin to gain public feedback on a potential city-wide paid sick days policy. Work Strong Austin, business owners, and community members will continue discussing the kind of sick days policy that Austin workers and employers would most benefit from. Can’t make it? Share your input with the City of Austin by making an account and submitting your comments to http://bit.ly/paidsickdaysnow, or texting AUSTIN to 5126435627!

6 to 8 p.m. WhereRtheRefugees candlelight vigil and rally, St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd. Hosted by Refugee Services of Texas.

Friday, December 1

6 to 9 p.m. 14th Annual Women & Fair Trade Festival, St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd.

Saturday, December 2

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 14th Annual Women & Fair Trade Festival, St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd.

Support Indivisible Austin

Archives of weekly actions >>

Week of November 20, 2017

Read how your voices are making a difference >>

Defeat the Trump Tax Scam

1,036,000 people in Texas would lose health insurance coverage 1,203,900 Texas families would see a tax increase

Before you lapse into a Thanksgiving food coma this week, here are a few ways to fight tax breaks for billionaires on the backs of the middle class.

Holiday Homework: Learn About Austin’s Police Union Contract and the Meet and Confer Negotiations with City Council

Next month, “Meet and Confer” negotiations resume. Just Liberty and the Austin Justice Coalition have developed new resources to educate the public.

Giving Thanks

Thank John Cornyn for Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Background Check System and Encourage Ted Cruz to Add His Name

Last week, Senator Cornyn and Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the criminal background check system. Senator Cruz has thus far not added his name to the bill. Here are scripts for calling both Texas senators.

Script for Senator John Cornyn

Thank you for working across the aisle on commonsense gun legislation. A majority of mass shooters in this country have histories of domestic violence, and we’re glad that Sen. Cornyn is working in a bipartisan way to address gaps in the background check system that allow people with dangerous histories to obtain firearms. We hope this signals a willingness to take additional steps to confront the epidemic of gun violence in our country.

Script for Senator Ted Cruz

Your colleague, John Cornyn, has cosponsored a bipartisan bill to address gaps in the background check system that allow people with dangerous histories to obtain firearms. I encourage Sen. Cruz to join his colleague and add his name to this bill. Almost 10 percent of Sutherland Springs’ population was wounded or murdered by gunfire. If that is not enough to get Senator Cruz’s attention on gun violence, then what is?

Read more about the bipartisan bill >>

Thank you for your persistence in the resistance.

Indivisible Austin began as a lowly Twitter account almost one year ago. Today we are a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization harnessing the collective power of multiple Indivisible groups in Central Texas. If you are not already involved with one of these groups, please check them out.

And most of all, thank you for your voices, your activism, and for showing up. Together we will win.

Week of November 11, 2017

What we’re reading this week:

Actions

Tell John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to withdraw their endorsements of Roy Moore

Update 11/13/17:

Both Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have endorsed alleged child molester and nominee to the US Senate, Roy Moore. Along with Rand Paul—who is home with six broken ribs—they the last senators still supporting Moore, despite considerable pressure.

Let’s keep that pressure on.

Call Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and ask what, exactly, it would take for them to disavow Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore. At what point is a GOP candidate so unqualified—and frankly disgusting—that he would no longer have their support?

Read more about Cornyn and Cruz’s failure to withdraw their endorsements of Roy Moore >>

Help Get Out the Vote in Alabama!

The choice in Alabama could not be more stark. As CNBC reporter Christine Wilkie tweeted:

And here’s the thing… Alabama is winnable. The race is tied. And as we saw in Virginia last week, progressives are mobilizing in huge numbers. But it takes work—and you can help from your home in Texas.

Text HELLO to 484-ASK-ABBY to get started sending postcards to Alabama voters

Find your Facebook friends in Alabama. Write a postcard. Get Alabamians to VOTE on December 12th. >>

Tell Cornyn and Cruz to Oppose the Confirmation of Brett Talley to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

Update 11/13/17 (it just gets worse):

Last week, Sens. Cornyn and Cruz and the other GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee forwarded to the full Senate the nomination of Brett Talley for a lifetime federal judgeship. The nonpartisan American Bar Association (ABA) has given Mr. Talley its lowest possible rating: unanimous Not Qualified—largely because Talley, at 36 years old, has never even argued a motion in federal district court.

In committee, Cornyn and Cruz may have already said Yes to the tragically unqualified Tally, but that doesn’t mean this is over, or that they shouldn’t hear from you. Tell Cornyn and Cruz that their endorsement of Tally is an embarrassment to Texas and to our judicial system. Tally’s inexperience and extremist views make him wholly unfit for a lifetime appointment. When the full Senate votes on his confirmation, Cornyn and Cruz need to say No to Talley.

Read more about Tally’s extremist views from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights >>

Tax scam

The Trump Tax Scam increases inequality, raise taxes on the middle class and working poor, and lays the groundwork to RADICALLY CUT Medicare and Medicaid.

Chart from Joint Committee on Taxation showing that millionaires get a tax cut 145 times as large as the median income

  • Call your House representative EARLY this week and tell them to vote “NO.” The house will vote on the bill before the end of the week.
  • The Senate is marking up their tax bill this week. Call Cornyn and Cruz and tell them not raise taxes on the poor and middle class to finance tax cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires.
  • Your friends probably know this unpopular bill is bad. Encourage them to call too.

Get call scripts from Indivisible Project >>

Support Cornyn’s baby steps on gun legislation

Since the devastating shooting in Sutherland Springs that we’re all still grieving, Sen. Cornyn has been making some…interesting noises regarding background checks.

And shortly after the (also devastating) Las Vegas shooting, Cornyn suggested that perhaps we ought to look at bump stocks. Those calls went quiet for a while, but the Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, will hold a hearing on Tuesday.

From the latest reports, Sen. Cornyn will introduce bipartisan legislation as early as Monday to improve background checks with respect to convictions that should prevent someone from being able to buy a gun.

There’s no bill yet, but it wouldn’t hurt to call Cornyn and let him know that you support efforts to strengthen background checks and close loopholes that would allow convicted felons and abusers from buying guns.

Keep sounding the alarm on CHIP funding

We’ve shared a lot in the past about the impact the government’s total and complete failure to ensure millions of children don’t get kicked off their health insurance. Now we know that Texas is going to run out of CHIP funding very soon, and families will start getting notices in December that their coverage will end soon.

Call your representative and both senators and demand a bipartisan CHIP funding solution NOW. 400,000 Texas kids are at risk.

30+ Texas groups send URGENT CHIP letter to Washington>>

Events

Monday, November 13

Wednesday, November 15

  • 7 p.m. Indivisible Cedar Park Monthly Meeting, Twin Creeks Country Club, 3201 Twin Creeks Club Dr, Cedar Park, TX

Saturday, November 18

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Strategic Anti-Racist Direct Action Training, University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe. This training is brought to you by an exciting collaboration among groups including: Undoing White Supremacy Austin, Indivisible Austin, IfNotNow Austin, AZAAD, Left Up to Us, Austin Democratic Socialists of America, Austin Jews for Justice, Pantsuit Austin – Racial Justice

Week of November 6, 2017

As we were finishing this week’s actions, news broke of another horrifying mass murder, this time about 80 miles away in Sutherland Springs, TX. Many of us have family in the area. While we wait for details to emerge, our statement on last month’s slaying in Las Vegas, and statements on Sutherland Springs from Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Sen. Chris Murphy strike a similar note: Enough is enough. We demand action. Congress must act. Thoughts and prayers are insufficient. The time for sensible gun legislation is now.

What We’re Reading This Week:

Actions

Join the Week of Action against the Trump Tax Scam

The Trump Tax Scam will transfer trillions to corporations and the wealthiest Americans, slash trillions from essential programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and it WON’T create jobs.

Show up for DACAmented youth

  • Ask your Republican Members of Congress to sign the DREAM Act.
  • Ask your Democratic Members of Congress to sign the DREAMer Pledge, which states that they will vote against the “continuing resolution” until a clean DREAM Act is included.
  • Thank your MOCs if they have signed on. Cosponsors can be found here and here.
  • Support United We Dream’s day of action on Thursday, Nov. 9.
  • More information on DACA, and sample call dialogue from the Indivisible Project
  • Download, print, and send a postcard to your representatives! (sized for Avery 8386)

Help spread the word about ACA Signup

ACA/Obamacare enrollment is happening NOW through Dec. 15. Please spread the word far and wide.

  • Use Cover Texas Now’s Texas toolkit to do outreach in your community.
  • Outreach materials (including Spanish-language) are available here.
  • Share the following messages on social media:
    • The ACA is still here for us
    • Financial help is available to lower your monthly costs
    • Don’t wait! Enrollment ends on Dec. 15
    • Plans, prices, and financial help change every year, so shop again for the best plan
    • Local, in-person assistance is available to help you apply
  • In Central Texas, refer people to EnrollATX to find local enrollment assistance

RSVP for Strategic Anti-Racist Direct Action Training on November 18

This training will include opportunities to deepen your anti-racist understanding and practice, develop deeper relationships with your co-organizers, and build direct action skills and tactics including risk assessment and de-escalation.

Sign up here >>

Demand a truly bipartisan CHIP funding bill

The House finally passed a CHIP bill. That should be good news, but it’s not. The bill was not bipartisan, and it extends CHIP coverage by ripping health insurance from as many 700,000 people. House Republicans once again are playing politics with our health care, and this time they are holding the lives of children in the balance.

Like many other states, Texas is going to run out of CHIP funding very soon, and families will start getting notices in December that their coverage will end soon.

  • Call your member of Congress and express your displeasure at the bill passed last week which changes Medicaid income eligibility requirements and raids the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund (Carter, Flores, McCaul, and Smith voted FOR; Williams did not vote)
  • Call Rep. Doggett and thank him for holding the line to protect the 400,000 Texas kids who depend on CHIP without harming others’ access to health insurance
  • Call Cruz and Cornyn and demand a clean extension of CHIP with bipartisan agreement on both policy and funding
  • Read more about CHIP in Texas in this recent Dallas Morning News article.

Thank you

This week we are thanking Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) for his advocacy on behalf of Rosa Maria Hernandez. Congressman Castro released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who is recovering from gallbladder surgery:

“Finally, Rosa Maria has been released to her family where she belongs. This young girl and her loved ones have been through a traumatizing ordeal. I wish them the best, and hope Rosa Maria’s health improves.

“While this is welcome news, Rosa Maria’s future remains uncertain. The Trump Administration has not made clear whether they will proceed with deportation proceedings against her. I continue to call for Rosa Maria’s case to be administratively closed. Moving forward, we must address the Trump Administration’s callous actions. The United States should not be a place where children seeking life-sustaining medical care are at risk of apprehension. I urge the Department of Homeland Security to abide by its claims that dangerous criminals are the agency’s priority and reinforce its sensitive locations policies to employees. A case like Rosa Maria’s should never happen again.”

San Antonio District Office: 210-348-8216

Washington, DC Office: 202-225-3236

Events

Monday, November 6

Tuesday, November 7

  • ELECTION DAY!
  • 6:30 p.m. Austin Justice Coalition General Body Meeting, Windsor Park Branch, Austin Public Library, 5833 Westminster Dr.
  • Various times: Monthly Deputy Voter Registrar Training, Travis County Tax Office – Main, 5501 Airport Blvd. Trainings are at 10:30 a.m, 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. For further information or to schedule a group training, call (512) 854-9473.

Wednesday, November 8

Thursday, November 9

  • 11:30 a.m. Support United We Dream’s day of action at John Cornyn’s office, 220 W. 6th St. (And then stay for the Rally for Peace!)
  • 12:30 p.m. Rally for Peace at John Cornyn’s Office, sponsored by Indivisible Austin, TX10Indivisible and Beyond the Bomb – Austin Chapter. We will meet on the corner of 6th and Colorado promptly at 12:30 p.m.
  • 5:30 p.m. Deliberative Dialogues on Safety & Justice, Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon Street, Davage-Durden Student Union. Hosted by Community Advancement Network, the dialogues will focus on how we can increase trust and goodwill between citizens and law enforcement to ensure everyone feels safe in our community
  • 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Rally + Informational Against ATX’s Police Association Contract​​​​. Please support Austin Justice Coalition by rallying at city hall to show community support for ending the unjust police union contract, increasing police department accountability and transparency, and saving the city millions of dollars each year.

Week of October 30, 2017

What We’re Reading This Week:

  1. First Charges Filed in Mueller Investigation (CNN)
  2. Early voting goes through November 3: Here’s a guide to the Texas Constitutional Amendments (TXLEGE Indivisible)
  3. Rep. Bill Flores’s Campaign Just Endorsed State-Sanctioned Execution of Political Opponents (Indivisible Austin)
  4. Burning Down the House: Joe Straus and the End of the Moderate Texas Republican (Texas Observer)
  5. How Your Voices Made a Difference: Indictment (Indivisible Austin)

Reminder: Election Day is Tuesday, November 7.

Early voting runs through Friday, November 03.

Find voter information for Travis County here.

Actions

Hold Your Republican MoCs Accountable for Fast Tracking the Trump Tax Scam

Republicans have cleared the first stage of jamming the Trump Tax Scam through Congress, by passing a budget resolution in the House and Senate. But this fight is far from over. Call Cruz, Cornyn and your Republican House Rep to decry this massive giveaway to corporations and the wealthy on the backs of the middle class. Scripts are available here.

Many of our national allies are planning a call-in day on Thursday, November 2, so mark your calendars. We’ll update our actions webpage with details.

ACA Open Enrollment Starts WEDNESDAY, November 1.

Here are three things to tell people about enrolling early:

  1. You must sign up for insurance between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15 to get covered for 2018, otherwise you will not be covered and may have to pay a fine.
  2. Do not wait until December 15 to sign up. There have been website problems in the past during a big rush at the end, and you could miss your chance to get covered.
  3. Financial assistance to pay for coverage is available! Don’t get fooled by the Trump admin’s anti-ACA hype and confusing news reports.

Cover Texas Now has a ton of online resources to help you do local outreach. All the current materials (including Spanish-language) are available here.

Phone banking for Virginia elections

Indivisible groups are banding together to elect progressives up & down the ballot in Virginia! Use the form linked below to get out the vote with a virtual phone or text bank from the comfort of your own phone.

Sign up to Get Out The Vote in Virginia

Call Cornyn about His Roy Moore Endorsement

Last week Sen. Cornyn threw his support behind Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore. He flip-flopped on his original endorsement of Moore’s opponent, saying, “Getting thrown off the Supreme Court of your state twice, I don’t think, is a credential that commends you for membership in the United States Senate.”

In case you’ve forgotten, Roy Moore was twice removed from the Supreme Court bench in Alabama, both times for defying the U.S. Supreme Court and the Constitution. He is a theocrat who believes we should be governed by the bible. He denied custody to a mother of her three children because she was a lesbian. He’s also a birther, claiming that President Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. He believes Rep. Keith Ellison shouldn’t be allowed to serve in the House because he’s Muslim. Moore has called for the impeachment of judges, including Supreme Court justices, who ruled in favor of same-sex marriage rights. He plans to rid the Senate of the filibuster.

But last week Sen. Cornyn decided to endorse Moore, comparing him to that weird relative you don’t really get along with, but who’s still a big part of the family nonetheless.

Nope.

Call John Cornyn this week ask him what, exactly, it would take for him to disavow a Republican Senate nominee. If John Cornyn can overlook Moore’s glaring unfitness for office, what else is he willing to accept?

Call the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement to Demand They Close Rosa Maria’s Deportation Case

Border patrol agents followed the ambulance and camped outside the hospital room of a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy getting emergency surgery – then jailed her in a detention center for kids. Call the Office of Refugee Resettlement today and demand they release Rosa Maria Hernandez immediately.

The ACLU will route your call here

 

Thank Yous

Rep. Lloyd Doggett has been speaking out tirelessly on the need to reauthorize CHIP. This essential program provides health care to 400,000 children in Texas (as well as pays for the care of hundreds of thousands more) and 9 million children across our country. For the first time in its history, Congressional GOP leadership in DC has let the program expire–and states, including ours, are quickly running out of money to provide coverage.

Thank Lloyd for his powerful op-ed published this week and his work to help the youngest Texans stay healthy and cared for!

And the Congressman has also continued his work to address the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs that are financially crippling families. He recently introduced a bill with Bernie Sanders to ensure Americans can get a better deal for their medications and also spoke out during a hearing on U.S. trade policy.

Events

Thursday, November 2

6 to 7 p.m. Día de los Muertos Remembrance / Conmemoración, hosted by Grassroots Leadership, “in remembrance of victims of detention and deportation. At Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.

6 to 8:30 p.m. Austin Candidate Forum, hosted by ATX Democratic Veterans at Craftsman, 2000 E. Cesar Chavez.

Nov. 3-5

ATX Political Hackathon. Join Indivisible Austin for three days of of progressive coding.

Nov. 4-5

Voto Latino Power Summit, a two-day leadership conference for emerging leaders.

View more events on our community calendar

Week of October 23, 2017

Quick Links:

  1. Keep Calling: CHIP is Still not Funded
  2. Keep Calling: For a clean DREAM Act
  3. Read: How your voices made a difference last week

Calls to Make This Week

Texans Have a Moral Obligation to Help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

The outpouring of support for Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey demonstrates how functional institutions can help people in dire situations. Sen. John Cornyn is even holding up a cabinet nominee to demand additional Harvey aid. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have no such representation in Congress. 

To put things into perspective, Puerto Rico has 300 people working to restore power. Texas had 5,300, for an area one-tenth the size. And the U.S. Virgin Islands is still 100% without power.

As Texans, we have a moral obligation to show our fellow Americans the same generosity and support that we have received.

Here are ways to help >>

Oppose the Trump Tax Scam

Last week, Senate Republicans approved a budget resolution that called for cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid and $470 billion from Medicare over 10 years. The budget would also add $1.5 trillion to the deficit. This week, the resolution moves to the House, which passed its own, similar resolution on October 5. All of this is a lead-up to a scheme to cut taxes for corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

Read more and get scripts from the Indivisible Project >>

Stop Trump from Taking Us to War

  1. By decertifying the Iran deal, Trump signaled that he wants war with Iran. If Congress votes to reimpose sanctions, war is likely. Call Cruz, Cornyn and your House Representative and tell them not to reimpose sanctions. Get scripts and more info from the Indivisible Project.
  2. Trump’s ongoing threats to North Korea are terrifying and must not be ignored. Congress can stop Trump from issuing a nuclear first strike. This should be a bipartisan issue, as no president, Democrat or Republican, should wield the power to launch a nuclear attack without Congressional approval. Get scripts and more information from our website.

Support the Bipartisan Alexandar-Murray Bill to Stabilize the ACA

Tell your MoC to support this bipartisan effort. Tell them that the only acceptable changes to Alexander-Murray are those that would go further to protect people’s care.

Read more at Indivisible Project >>

Support the Bipartisan Honest Ads Act of 2017

This legislation, introduced by introduced by Sens. Klobuchar (D-Minn), McCain (R-AZ), and Warner (D-VA), seeks to address a loophole that allowed Russian entities to purchase political ads on major social media platforms ahead of the 2016 election without detection.

Read more at the Brennan Center >>

Events

Monday, Oct. 23

  • 7 p.m. America Ferrara’s “Out of Reach” at Alamo Drafthouse – Mueller  FREE screening co-hosted by Workers Defense Project, Indivisible Austin, RAICES, and Working Films. Out of Reach follows actress America Ferrera as she travels to Texas in the final months of the Obama administration to find out how immigration policies affect the 1.65 million undocumented people currently living in the state. Screening will be followed by discussion with local leaders on strategies to resist SB4.

Wednesday, October 25

  • 4:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No walls No deportations — ATX Demands a #CleanDreamAct. Join ATX Environmental Justice, United We Dream, and the Texas Sierra Club to demand that Senator John Cornyn speak up and support passage of a clean #DreamActNow — that means without terrorizing our communities and neighbors by funding the further militarization of our borders, no mass deportations, and no funding for a wall.

Thursday, October 26

Upcoming

Nov. 2 ATX Dem Vets Candidate Forum

Nov. 3-5 ATX Political Hackathon

Nov. 4 Voto Latino Power Summit

Nov. 7 Election Day

Week of October 16, 2017

Quick links:

  1. Last chance to buy tickets  for Understanding Autocracy: An Evening with Sarah Kendzior
  2. Read how your actions made a difference this week
  3. Keep Calling: CHIP is Still not Funded
  4. Tell John Cornyn to Withdraw Support for Judicial Nominee Jeff Mateer

The House is in recess this week. Calls to make and Austin-area events are below.

Calls to Make This Week

Call Cruz, Cornyn & Attorney General Ken Paxton About Trump’s Decision to End CSR Payments

A worst-case scenario came true: the administration has announced that it will end the cost-sharing reduction payments, or CSRs, that lower out-of-pocket costs for low income enrollees. This may take effect immediately. And Sen. Cornyn has expressed concern, stating “I’m not for further complicating the lives of Texans just to make a point.” So there is hope for a bipartisan remedy!

But remember! The ACA is still here, financial assistance is still available, and we need to help people get enrolled for 2018.

Get more information and scripts here >>

Join Cover Texas Now’s statewide ACA outreach and enrollment effort >>

Tell Cruz, Cornyn, and Your House Representative to Cosponsor the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act

Trump’s statements on nuclear weapons indicate both an unhealthy obsession and a complete lack of understanding of how they work. This is beyond dangerous. Call your MoCs and demand they constrain Trump’s authority to use nuclear weapons by co-sponsoring the “Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act” (H.R. 669 in the House and S. 200 in the Senate).

We’re helping Global Zero form an Austin chapter to fight nuclear proliferation. Find out how!  >>

Support Puerto Rico: Tell Cruz, Cornyn, and Your House Representative to Rescind the Jones Act for Areas that Receive Federal Disaster Aid

We’re just going to say it: Trump’s attitude toward Puerto Ricans is racist as hell. On Sept. 2, after Hurricane Harvey, he promised help to Texas “EVERY SINGLE DAY AFTER, to restore, recover, and rebuild!” On Oct. 12, after Hurricane Maria, he tweeted “We cannot keep FEMA, the Military, and First Responders… in P.R. forever!”

Last week Congress finally passed an aid package, which included assistance for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with Texas. But the Jones Act, which forbids non-US ships from delivering aid, is back in effect. Ask your MoC to amend the Jones Act so it does not apply to areas that are receiving federal disaster aid.

Special call for constituents of Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25): Ask why he voted against the latest relief package.

Read more about Hurricane Maria Relief >>

Donate to a charity >>

Thank Rep. Lloyd Doggett for Standing Firm Against the NRA

Call Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s office at (512) 916-5921 to thank him for his statement after the Las Vegas shooting. Here is that statement:

“Apparently this massacre has moved even the NRA to acquiesce in one narrow bump stock provision in order to bump consideration of any other gun safety measures,” Doggett said in a statement. “One and done is not enough. Republicans want much more than their pending bill to loosen restrictions on gun silencers. They are still trying to silence full, fair, bipartisan debate on meaningful ways to make our families safer, such as closing the gun show loophole.”

Events

Wednesday, Oct.18

Thursday, Oct. 19

Friday, Oct. 20

Saturday, Oct. 21

Sunday, Oct. 22

  • 1 to 2:30 p.m. Town Hall with Beto in Austin. Beto O’Rourke will be hosting a town hall with the University Democrats in Texas’s 25th Congressional District. Burdine Hall, Room 106, 2505 University Ave.

Monday, Oct. 23

  • 7 p.m. America Ferrera’s “Out of Reach” at Alamo Drafthouse – Mueller  FREE screening co-hosted by Workers Defense Project, Indivisible Austin, RAICES, and Working Films. Out of Reach follows actress America Ferrera as she travels to Texas in the final months of the Obama administration to find out how immigration policies affect the 1.65 million undocumented people currently living in the state. Screening will be followed by discussion with local leaders on strategies to resist SB4.

Tuesday, October 24

 

Week of October 9, 2017

Tickets on Sale Now for “Understanding Autocracy: An Evening with Sarah Kendzior”

NY Times: How to Help Puerto Rico and Other Islands After Hurricane Maria

Read how your voices made a difference last week

We were beyond saddened last week when a Las Vegas man fired on concertgoers through his hotel window, killing 58 and injuring almost 500 others. The man used a device called a “bump stock,” which makes a semiautomatic weapon fire more rapidly.

Unbelievably, John Cornyn and the NRA are blaming the Obama Administration for the legality of bump stocks. It is true that, during the Obama administration, the ATF determined that they could not regulate bump stocks.

It’s also true that if John Cornyn and other senators had voted for the post-Sandy Hook assault weapons ban, bump stocks would be illegal now. (Watch this video of John Cornyn learning about the risk of bump stocks in 2013.)

Pick up the phone and call John Cornyn, and let him know what you think. Call Ted Cruz and your House representative and demand common-sense gun regulations now.

The Senate is in recess this week. Watch for Cornyn and Cruz to announce last-minute public appearances — and be ready to mobilize.

Calls to make this week

Call John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and your GOP House Member and Demand a Bipartisan Process to Improve the Affordable Care Act

The fight to save the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is far from over. The Trump administration engages in new efforts to sabotage the ACA daily and the possibility of another repeal attempt is always looming.

In fact, we anticipate an executive order this week designed to create instability in the individual market (i.e. it will help Obamacare implode).

Simultaneously, the Trump budget gives tax breaks to millionaires by slashing Medicaid. And Congress STILL hasn’t reauthorized CHIP, a key health insurance program for kids across the country, including Texas.

There are two health care calls to make this week:

  1. Ask Congress to stop the administration’s game-playing and sabotage, and instead to act on bipartisan fixes to stabilize the individual markets by permanently funding cost-sharing reductions that help people who purchase ACA Marketplace plans afford their out-of-pocket costs.
  2. Demand a clean 5-year CHIP reauthorization, with no strings to Puerto Rico aid, or cuts to Medicare or Medicaid. Congress is playing games with the health care of 400,000 Texas kids.

Call John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and Your House Representative and Tell Them: Texans Do Not Want a Border Wall. Pass the DREAM Act Now.

We still don’t have a DREAM Act, which means millions of Americans continue to live in fear of deportation to a country they have never known. This could have huge repercussions on our state. To give just one example: If DACA expires, 2,000 Texas Teachers could lose their jobs.

TXLEGE Indivisible has a great writeup (and a script!) about what real Texans think of border walls, and what you can do to save DACA.

Call John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Tell Them to Withdraw Support for Jeff Mateer

Jeff Mateer, a top lawyer in the Texas Attorney General’s office, was nominated last month for a lifelong appointment to the federal court. Mateer, a proponent of gay “conversion therapy,” has described transgender children as part of “Satan’s plan” and warned that same-sex marriage would lead to polygamy and bestiality. Both Ted Cruz and John Cornyn recommended Mateer to the bench, but Cornyn may be having second thoughts. Both Senators need to hear that homophobic and anti-trans bigotry has no place in our court system.

Call John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and your GOP House Member to Protest Trump’s Narrowing of the Contraception Coverage Mandate

MEN: You need to make this call too.

Last Friday, effective immediately, Trump rolled back the requirement created by the Affordable Care Act that required employers and insurers to include birth control in their health insurance plans. The ACLU and other groups are suing, but your electeds absolutely deserve an earful about this.

Trump’s actions could have immediate economic damage: the rules he attacked helped women save $1.4B in 2013 on birth control pills alone. Before the ACA was implemented, more than one-third of women reported that they had trouble paying for their birth control.

Any elected who doesn’t speak out against this latest attack on women’s health is complicit in Trump’s decision to let bosses dictate their employees’ personal lives and health care decisions.

A government that fails to support basic healthcare needs for women — this was also a week in which the House voted to advance a 20-week abortion ban — while simultaneously failing to pay women equally or to support paid maternity leave, is a government declaring war on half its population. We need to get loud on this issue.

Call Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s Office and THANK Him for Demanding Trump’s Taxes…Again

For the fifth time, Rep. Lloyd Doggett has filed an amendment demanding Trump’s tax returns. Call his office at 512-916-5921 and say thanks. And it’s worth watching the whole video of Doggett introducing his amendment on the House floor.

Events

Oct. 9-12 (various times)

  • Screening of Dolores, the documentary about legendary labor and immigrant rights activist Dolores Huerta, at Austin Film Society.

Monday, October 9

Tuesday, October 10

  • Last day to register for November 2017 elections

Wednesday, October 11

Thursday, October 12

 

 

Week of October 2, 2017

Tickets on Sale Now for “Understanding Autocracy: An Evening with Sarah Kendzior”

Read how your voices made a difference last week

UPDATE: Read our statement on the Las Vegas shooting. 

Sabotage

In a week when Trump issued a revised Muslim Ban, went on several racist tweetstorms about the Mayor of hurricane-ravaged San Juan, and fired HHS Secretary Tom Price — oh, and Trumpcare was killed, and there is still no DREAM Act — it’s hard to know where to focus.

But we’re going to try.

The Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land! But…Trump and the GOP are actively sabotaging it. (The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) has a great writeup on this sabotage).

The next open enrollment period for the ACA Marketplace begins on November 1 and ends on December 15. The Cover Texas Now coalition (of which CPPP is a member) is enlisting volunteers to get people enrolled–in other words, to do the job that our government is failing to do.

Here are two ways to help this week:

  1. Register for this Oct. 6 webinar: “Become an ACA Coverage Champion: Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment 101”
  2. Fill out this volunteer form from Cover Texas Now; let them know you’re interested in helping

Call #1: Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands

President Trump’s tweets attackingSan Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and all Puerto Ricans were racist and indefensible. Congress must act on three fronts:

  1. Censure the president for his comments. We cannot ignore his racism and misogyny while he golfs and Americans die.
  2. Provide an emergency relief package for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — just as Congress did for Texas and Florida after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
  3. Lift the Jones Act permanently. Your calls last week helped get this antiquated law lifted for ten days–but recovery from Hurricane Maria will take much longer than that, and the Jones Act inhibits supplies from reaching Puerto Rico.

Hufflington Post: Here’s How You Can Help People In Puerto Rico

Call #2: Trump Tax Scam

Last week, the White House unveiled a draft of a tax scam framework, building off their one-page memo from this spring. Republicans are, once again, trying to ram this bill through using the budget reconciliation process just like they did with TrumpCare. Here’s what you need to know:

The House will vote on its budget resolution on Thursday and the Senate will mark up its resolution Wednesday and Thursday. These budgets cut critical services and would force deep cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security down the road. All to give massive tax cuts to the rich and corporations.

Here in Texas, the plan gives 52 percent of Texas’s tax cuts to millionaires even though they only make up 0.3 percent of the population—an average tax cut of $445,000 per millionaire or 10.4 percent of their income. Meanwhile, the 46.2 percent of Texans that make less than $45,000 would only get 3.7 percent of the total tax cut—an average of $240 per person or 0.9 percent of their income.

Get sample scripts at the Indivisible Project’s “Trump Tax Scam” website

Call #3: CHIP

Congress failed to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Plan by the September 30 deadline. CHIP gives modest-income families that earn too much for Medicaid an affordable coverage option. What does this mean for the 400,000 Texas children covered by CHIP? According to the Dallas Morning News, a lot of uncertainty, especially for Harvey survivors:

“As…the system absorbs new applicants made eligible by Harvey, some experts fear that between rising demand for care and unpredictable reauthorization, these families will have nowhere to turn for health insurance.”

CHIP has broad, bipartisan support, and the only reason it hasn’t been funded is because of Congress’s ineptitude, and its zeal for repealing the ACA last week. Call your MoCs in both the House and Senate and tell them to fund the CHIP program before more Texas children and pregnant women lose coverage.

Call #4: No Wall / Clean DREAM Act only

Last week, House Republicans, including our own Michael McCaul, unveiled a plan to fund Trump’s stupid border wall. (Which Mexico was going to pay for, but whatever.) While unlikely to pass the Senate, some version of “border security” is likely to be used to hold DACA recipients and the DREAM Act hostage. Call your reps and demand a clean DREAM Act now. Here are some talking points:

  • Our Members of Congress should not be wasting their time and energy on a border wall when the country has other urgent matters to address, namely, passing the DREAM Act.
  • Our Members of Congress should vocally, publicly signal support for a clean DREAM Act, which would provide permanent protection and a pathway to citizenship to undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children.
  • There are 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas alone, and each year they contribute $313,095,000 in State and local taxes. Furthermore, passing the DREAM Act, and placing all of the eligible workers on a path to legal status, would add a total of $22.7 billion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).
  • Any bill that compromises the integrity of the DREAM Act with language that would allow a “wall,” increased militarization, or deportation forces, is unacceptable.

Monday, October 2

Tuesday, Oct. 3

  • Various times: Deputy Voter Registrar Training. Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport Blvd. For further information or to schedule a group training, call (512) 854-9473.
  • 6 to 8 p.m.: What Now? The Status of Health Care for Young Women, in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd.
  • 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Austin Justice Coalition general body meeting, Terrazas Branch, Austin Public Library, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St.
    Little Walnut Creek Branch, Austin Public Library, 835 W Rundberg Ln.

Wednesday, October 4

Thursday, October 5

Friday, October 6

Sunday, October 8

Monday, October 9

Thursday, Oct. 19

Week of September 25, 2017

Before we get started with upcoming actions, read how your voices made a difference last week. We are also excited to announce that we are hosting writer Sarah Kendzior in Austin on October 19. Get your tickets here.

This week’s priorities are largely the same as last week’s–healthcare and DACA (with added scripts on North Korea and Puerto Rico). Despite Sen. McCain’s “No” on the Graham-Cassidy bill, we must continue applying pressure to Sens. Cornyn and Cruz. Cornyn is on record as a “Yes.” Cruz, who at TribFest on Sunday hinted that he was a “No,” is more likely holding out for another “Cruz Amendment” to make this bad bill even worse. Do not stop calling until we have killed this bill dead.  

We’ve also introduced some new ways to apply pressure on Graham-Cassidy:

Email the Senate Finance Committee by Monday (9/25) morning. This one is time-sensitive; the committee meets on Monday afternoon.

Sign up for a time slot for calling Cornyn and Cruz. The idea here is to spread calls throughout the day, with the goal of two calls every 15 minutes.

Call constituents in other states and ask them to call their Senators. The Indivisible Project has a convenient new tool to facilitate these calls.

Call #1: Zombiecare 3.0

Sample Script for Senators:

I want Senator [Cruz/Cornyn] to oppose Graham-Cassidy. The bill is just like other TrumpCare bills in that it destroys Medicaid by turning it into a capped system. This hurts children with disabilities, seniors, and even victims of natural disasters like Harvey and Irma. It also takes away funding to help people afford health insurance through the marketplace, and it punishes states that did the right thing for their residents by expanding Medicaid.

Read more about Trumpcare 3.0

Call #2: DACA

If Congress hadn’t tried to ram through the Graham-Cassidy “healthcare” bill, they could be voting on a clean DREAM Act to protect DACA recipients by now. The DREAM Act has bipartisan support and does the most to protect DREAMers. Continue calling your Senators and House representatives and insist on its passage.

Special Call to Action for constituents of Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10) and Rep. John Carter (TX-31): McCaul and Carter are part of an informal working group in the House, focusing on DREAMers. It’s especially urgent to call these two reps!

Sample Script for Senators and House Representatives:

There are 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas alone, and each year they contribute $313,095,000 in State and local taxes. Donald Trump has betrayed our values and unraveled our promise to these young immigrants who grew up calling the United States home. Now it’s up to you to stand up to Trump’s hateful decision and secure the futures of DACA recipients with a legislative fix: The DREAM Act (S.1615 / H.R.3440).

Visit standup.indivisibleguide.com for more information on how to support immigrants in our communities.

Call #3: CHIP

Children’s Health Insurance Plan funding expires on Sept. 30, and health insurance of more than 9 million CHIP kids is in jeopardy without immediate Congressional action. The Senate has made a bipartisan agreement to extend funding, and the House needs to get on board. This is a call your representative’s office will be happy to take! CHIP has always had broad bipartisan support.

Sample Script for Senators and House Representatives:

  • Thank you for voting in 2015 to reauthorize CHIP funding (all area reps voted for CHIP in 2015)
  • Please take action now to authorize a five-year funding extension for CHIP
  • CHIP helps keep 400,000 Texas kids healthy, and is very important for Texas now in the aftermath of Harvey

Read more about the Texas CHIP program and the impact of CHIP funding on the state budget

Call #4 North Korea

Sample Script for Senators and House Representatives:

Trump’s dangerous rhetoric is fanning the flames with North Korea. His words could provoke the unstable Kim Jong Un and further escalate tensions when our top priority should be de-escalation and diplomacy. Will you denounce Trump’s dangerous rhetoric that puts our national security at risk? Will you demand he come to Congress first before engaging in any sort of military operation against North Korea?

Read more North Korea resources on the Indivisible Project website

Call #5 Puerto Rico

If a natural disaster devastated Iowa, Mississippi, or Arkansas — all states with populations smaller than Puerto Rico’s — leaving over 3 million people without power, we’re pretty sure the White House response would be immediate. Not so with Trump, who spent the weekend tweeting racist things about athletes. (We took a knee at Sunday’s Cornyn/Cruz rally, but we’ll save that story for another day.)

One way you can make a difference in the lives of Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria is to call your reps in both the House and Senate and ask them to join Rep. Nydia Velazquez in supporting a one-year waiver of the Jones Act. This waiver would allow more ships to transport relief supplies to the U.S. territory. (The Jones Act mandates that cargo going to the island be transported on U.S. vessels.) While you’re talking to staff at your Rep’s office, remind them how quickly Congress moved on Harvey and Irma relief, and ask for equal treatment for Maria survivors. This should be the legislative priority this week — not robbing Americans of healthcare.

Read more about Rep. Valazquez and the devastation in Puerto Rico at ABC News

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Thursday, Sept. 28

  • 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Indivisible Austin Women’s Coffee Meetup, NeWorlDeli, 4101 Guadalupe. This is intended as a safe space to get to know each other, network, discuss our activism activities, check in about how we’re holding up, and see if we can offer help, resources, and connections for our various resistance activities

Tuesday, Oct. 3

  • 6 to 8 p.m.: What Now? The Status of Health Care for Young Women, in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd.
  • Various times: Deputy Voter Registrar Training. Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport Blvd. For further information or to schedule a group training, call (512) 854-9473.

Thursday, Oct. 19

View more events on our community calendar

View archives from previous weekly actions

 

Week of September 18, 2017

We’re changing the formatting of our weekly actions. Let us know what you think!

This is looking like quite a week. On top of the ongoing threats to DACA and DREAMers, ACA repeal — in the form of the Graham-Cassidy bill — once again threatens the lives of millions of Americans. Oh, and the president is tweeting crazy shit again.

Before we get started with upcoming actions, read how your voices made a difference last week. By popular demand, we’re bringing back this regular feature!

Calls to make this week

Call #1: Zombiecare 3.0

Trump and the Senate Republicans have been put on a tight deadline if they have any hope of passing TrumpCare. They’re making one last push on TrumpCare—a bill known as “Graham-Cassidy”—and it should be taken seriously to make sure we defeat TrumpCare for good.

Sample Script for Senators:

I want Senator [Cruz/Cornyn] to oppose Graham-Cassidy. The bill is just like other TrumpCare bills in that it destroys Medicaid by turning it into a capped system. This hurts children with disabilities, seniors, and even victims of natural disasters like Harvey and Irma. It also takes away funding to help people afford health insurance through the marketplace, and it punishes states that did the right thing for their residents by expanding Medicaid.

Read more about Trumpcare 3.0

Call #2: DACA

There are several bills under consideration (the Washington Post has a good comparison), but the one that we and our friends in United We Dream and other advocacy groups support is the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act has bipartisan support and does the most to protect DREAMers. Continue calling your Senators and House representatives and insist on its passage.

Special Call to Action for constituents of Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10) and Rep. John Carter (TX-31): McCaul and Carter are part of an informal working group in the House, focusing on DREAMers. It’s especially urgent to call these two reps!

Sample Script for Senators and House Representatives:

There are 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas alone, and each year they contribute $313,095,000 in State and local taxes. Donald Trump has betrayed our values and unraveled our promise to these young immigrants who grew up calling the United States home. Now it’s up to you to stand up to Trump’s hateful decision and secure the futures of DACA recipients with a legislative fix: The DREAM Act (S.1615 / H.R.3440).

Visit standup.indivisibleguide.com for more information on how to support immigrants in our communities.

Call #3: CHIP

Children’s Health Insurance Plan funding expires on Sept. 30, and the health insurance of more than 9 million CHIP kids is in jeopardy without immediate Congressional action. The Senate has made a bipartisan agreement to extend funding, and the House needs to get on board. This is a call your representative’s office will be happy to take! CHIP has always had broad bipartisan support.

Sample Script for Senators and House Representatives:

  • Thank you for voting in 2015 to reauthorize CHIP funding (all area reps voted for CHIP in 2015)
  • Please take action now to authorize a five-year funding extension for CHIP
  • CHIP helps keep 400,000 Texas kids healthy, and is very important for Texas now in the aftermath of Harvey

Read more about the Texas CHIP program and the impact of CHIP funding on the state budget

Call #4: Demand Texas Secretary of State Pablos Enforce High School Voter Registration Requirements

Under the Texas election code, high school principals are required to provide at least two opportunities for eligible students to register to vote every year. However, data from the 2016 election shows that too few high schools are providing their students with the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

On September 5, 2017, our partners at the Texas Civil Rights Project delivered a letter to Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos demanding that he not only comply with the state law, but that he do so in a way that takes substantive steps to actually empower Texas high schools to get their students registered.

Read the full call-to-action on the TXLEGE Indivisible Website

Upcoming Events

Monday, Sept. 18

Tuesday, Sept. 19

  • 6 p.m.: Civics 101: How To Get Involved. Presented in partnership with KUT Austin, YNPN Austin, AIA Austin Emerging Professionals, Young Invincibles, GivingCity, and in.gredients. 2610 Manor Rd.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Friday, Sept. 23

Sunday, Sept. 24

Thursday, Sept. 28

  • 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (NOTE: there was a mistake in the weekly email; this ends by 12:30, not 2 p.m.): Indivisible Austin Women’s Coffee Meetup, NeWorlDeli, 4101 Guadalupe. This is intended as a safe space to get to know each other, network, discuss our activism activities, check in about how we’re holding up, and see if we can offer help, resources, and connections for our various resistance activities

Tuesday, Oct. 3

  • Various times: Deputy Voter Registrar Training. Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport Blvd. For further information or to schedule a group training, call (512) 854-9473.

Week of September 11, 2017

This week, as hurricanes and wildfires devastate much of the country, the Trump administration will continue to act on the executive order to rescind DACA from 800,000 immigrants–including 138,440 DACA recipients in Texas.

Each year Texas DACA recipients contribute $313,095,000 in State and local taxes. Now it’s up to your representatives in Congress to stand up to Trump’s hateful decision and secure the futures of DACA recipients with a legislative fix: The DREAM Act (S.1615 / H.R.3440).

“Among the DACA recipients in Texas is a Houston-area paramedic named Jesus Contreras who spent at least six days helping people during Harvey’s record floods. Another was Alonso Guillen, who died while working as a volunteer trying to rescue people in the storm.” (New York Times)

If you only make one call this week, tell your members of Congress that you want the DREAM Act attached to every must-pass bill in Congress. Here’s a sample script:

“I expect [Senator/Representative] to get on the right side of history with this issue and co-sponsor the bipartisan DREAM Act. The bill number is S.1615 / H.R.3440. It is inhumane to tear away young people who are American in every way except on paper—and our economy would take a huge hit if they are forced to leave their jobs.”

Correction:

The link to the Amazon Wish List of Support the Girls was incorrect last week. (If the link still doesn’t work, visit their website.) See more ways to help Hurricane Harvey survivors here.

Monday, Sept. 11

7:30 p.m. Facebook Live with the Indivisible Project

Join Indivisible Policy Director Angel Padilla and others from our team to talk about the latest on the Dream Act, the Budget, tax reform, and more on Monday at 8:30PM ET, and bring all your questions about what’s next for Congress this month and what you and your group can be doing to hold them accountable.

Facebook Live

Tuesday, Sept. 12

All Day. Stand Up for immigrants: tell your MoC to vote no on H.R. 3697.

With the whole country’s eyes on the futures of DACA recipients, Trump’s friends in Congress have been working to move along other parts of their anti-immigrant agenda. The House is expected to vote this Tuesday on H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act. This bill would allow Trump’s deportation machine to label wider categories of immigrants as “gang members,” including those fleeing gang violence. It also affects vulnerable populations such as asylum seekers, TPS holders, and unaccompanied children. Tell your MoCs to vote “No.”

6 to 7:30 p.m. Black Lives Matter September General Body Meeting

1705 E 11th St.

From the organizers: Join Black Lives Matter Austin for our September 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.”

RSVP on Facebook 

Wednesday, Sept. 13

9 a.m. Senate Judiciary hearing on DACA

UPDATE: The DACA hearing has been postponed. No new date has been set. Committee Chair Chuck Grassley decides the date. Our Senators Cornyn and Cruz are both committee members; let’s call them today to demand that they don’t forget DREAMers. This issue cannot wait any longer.

The futures of 800,000 young Americans still hang in the balance — use this hearing to amplify demands that your MoCs support the DREAM Act. Ask your MoCs for a clean vote on the DREAM Act and that it be attached to a must-pass vehicle this month.

More about the hearing.

Saturday, Sept. 16

9 to 10:30 a.m. Rep. Lloyd Doggett Town Hall in San Antonio

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and State Senator José Menéndez invite you to a town hall to discuss Veterans Affairs

Saturday, September 16, 2017
9am-10:30am
San Antonio College
Nursing and Allied Health Complex (NAHC)
Room 218 A&B
(Off San Pedro Ave. and W. Park Ave.)

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Minnie Abrego-Sanchez at 210-733-6604 or Minnie.sanchez@senate.texas.gov

View this event on Facebook

3 to 5 p.m. Flashmob for Resistance

From the organizers: This is a flashmob so information here is limited. The performance will be quick, simple to prepare for, and is designed so anyone can participate regardless of performing arts ability. Although, there will be an opportunity for some group members to have more of a spotlight role. Kids age 8 and up welcome with an adult.

RSVP on Facebook to learn more

Week of September 4, 2017

Defend DACA

Jeff Sessions is making a statement on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in which he is expected to announce the Trump administration’s plan to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. DACA grants protections to immigrants brought to this country as children. DACA recipients work, pay taxes, and have no criminal records.

There are no valid reasons to rescind DACA — only racism, cruelty and a desire to stir up Trump’s ever-shrinking base.

Although DACA has broad bipartisan support, conservatives often complain about the way it was implemented–through executive order by President Obama, rather than through congressional legislation. Now is the time for those conservatives to step up, and do more than just “express concern.” Now is the time for congressional action on two key pieces of legislation:

  1. Call John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and tell them to co-sponsor the bipartisan Durbin-Graham “DREAM Act” (S. 1615) to create a legislative fix to the predicament of these young Americans, and take their future out of Trump’s hands.
  2. Call your House Representative and tell him to co-sponsor Rep. Gutierrez’s American Hope Act (H.R. 3591) to give those with DACA and others who arrived in the United States as children a path to permanent legal status and eventual citizenship.

Also call Attorney General Ken Paxton (512-463-2100) and demand that he rescind his letter to the Trump Administration asking them to do away with DACA. One of the reasons the President gave for ending DACA was lawsuits from state Attorneys General, including Texas’ own Ken Paxton. Paxton claims that DACA’s issuance amounted to overreach by President Obama, yet DACA has held up to numerous legal challenges. Let’s flood his phone lines to make sure he knows that Texans support DACA.

Read more about DACA at the Indivisible Project

Read “Ending DACA would be Trump’s most evil act” in the Washington Post

Hurricane Harvey Update

Last week, 40 Indivisible Austin volunteers helped out at the Central Texas Food Bank. This week, why not buy something from the Amazon Wish List of Support the Girls? Learn more about the organization here. We’re developing a page for this and other slightly-under-the-radar Harvey resources. Let us know your suggestions.

Tuesday, Sept. 5

10 a.m. Jeff Sessions Expected to make statement on DACA

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has applied steady pressure to get Trump to rescind DACA. The fact that it’s Sessions making the statement is not good. Be prepared to light up the phones and possibly take to the streets.

4 p.m. Join United We Dream to Defend DACA at Ken Paxton’s Office

209 W. 14th St.

From United We Dream:

Paxton has threatened to kill DACA by using the courts against immigrant youth, unless the Trump administration ends DACA by September 5th. Together we will stop his racist agenda and #DefendDACA! Meet us at 4PM central time at Paxton’s office! Bring signs, spirit and heart.

RSVP for this event on Facebook

7 to 9 p.m. Community Event: This is Us: Reflections on Charlottesville, Racism & What’s Next

Hosted by Austin Justice Coalition at American YouthWorks, 1901 E Ben White Blvd.

Join us for a deep conversation on race, white supremacy/privilege, and hatred in America and how we can confront and defeat it to move forward to a better, more equitable nation.

This is a family friendly event and we encourage everyone to ask as many people to come as possible.

Learn more and RSVP on Facebook

Wednesday, Sept. 6

All day. Call Governor Greg Abbott’s office at 512-463-2000 and demand he use the state’s rainy day fund to help Texans impacted by Harvey

According to the state comptroller’s office, Texas has the largest rainy day funds in the country at $10 billion. In order to tap those funds for Harvey relief, Texas Governor Greg Abbott would need to call a special session to have the legislature vote. So far, the Governor has said he does not plan on calling a special session. Well, it rained in Texas. A lot. Seems like the prime time to put those funds to good use.

Thursday, Sept. 7

CANCELED: 12 to 1 p.m. Training: Indivisible 101 (South or Central Austin)

We’re canceling this event but will be rescheduling soon. We especially are seeking venues in South Austin. Please get in touch if you can help.

 

Saturday, Sept. 9

3 to 5 p.m. Training: Protest Safety & Verbal Self-Defense

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Ave.

We’re  excited to host a session on protest safety and verbal assertiveness led by trainer Susan “George” Schorn.

We’ll cover:

  • 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**

***NOTE: Recording (video or audio) of this event is not permitted***

Please RSVP here. 

View more events on our community calendar

View Archives

 

Week of August 28, 2017

UPDATE: some of this week’s events have been cancelled or postponed due to Harvey recovery efforts. Please see below for updates.

We’re writing this on Sunday morning, as rain continues to drench Austin and the news out of Houston is very grim. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo (formerly of Austin) is instructing people not to go to their attics, but to their roofs. The 911 system is already overwhelmed, and the rain will continue for days.

If you are in a position to help, here are some resources and places that need volunteers and money:

The Austin Chronicle has a list of Austin shelters and primary sources of information.

Austin Pets Alive needs foster families and donations.

Central & South Texas Red Cross offered just-in-time training for shelter volunteers over weekend; check back for regular updates and volunteer resources 

How to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey (another great list of resources from our friend Celeste Pewter)

As Harvey was barreling toward the Texas coast on Friday, Trump wished us “good luck” and then pardoned Joe Arpaio. While not unexpected, this pardon is still shocking, for a number of reasons.

James Madison, our fourth president and “Founding Father,” said that abuse of the presidential pardon would be an impeachable offense. And “abuse” is too weak a word to describe Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio.

We’ve assembled a page for “Arpaio Facts,” like this one:

No posts found.

You can use these facts when you call your reps this week. Some other points to note when you call:

  1. Arpaio was Trump’s biggest partner-in-crime in the “birther” conspiracy — the lie that President Obama was not born in the United States
  2. DOJ policy on presidential pardons is to wait for five years after conviction of a crime; Trump issued the pardon before Arpaio was even sentenced
  3. Trump’s pardoning of Arpaio sends a signal to others in Trump’s orbit who have been, or may be, accused of crimes: Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Don Jr. Some of them may refuse to even testify now that they know how easily obtained a pardon will be.

In sum, this pardon is a catastrophic violation of democratic norms. There must be consequences to this action, and your reps are the only ones who can impose those consequences.

Monday, August 28

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12 to 1 p.m. Legal Observer Training

Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave # 700

You will learn:

  1. how to best record facts and collect materials during public demonstrations and protests so that their materials can be utilized by defense attorneys or civil rights attorneys in resulting civil or criminal cases;
  2. how to assist with jail support, including jail release of demonstrators who get arrested; and
  3. how legal observing and jail support fits into the larger picture of movement lawyering.

Register on Eventbrite

6:30 to 8 p.m. Media Training for Activists

Hosted by Indivisible Rosedale Huddle

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

**We’re meeting in the 2-story white house at 5000 Burnet, in the middle of the food trailer court.**

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Tuesday, August 29

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All day. Get ready to Defend DACA.

In 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program became the largest victory of the immigrant youth movement. It allowed thousands of us to protect ourselves from deportation, receive work permits, while providing more freedom to thousands of youth and their families across the country.

A handful of far-right Republican politicians are attempting to take DACA away if Trump doesn’t end the program by September 5th. The clock is ticking – are you ready to fight?

Learn more at DefendDACA.com

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Wednesday, August 30

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6:30 to 8:30 p.m. San Antonio: Town Hall with Rep. Joaquin Castro

Luther Burbank High School, 1002 Edwards, San Antonio, TX 78204

Please join Rep. Castro for a Town Hall in San Antonio at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 30, at Burbank High School. All are welcome.

UPDATE: Has been moved to Tuesday, Sep. 5
7 to 9 p.m. Community Event: This is Us: Reflections on Charlottesville, Racism & What’s Next

From Austin Justice Coalition, location TBD:

Join us for a deep conversation on race, white supremacy/privilege, and hatred in America and how we can confront and defeat it to move forward to a better, more equitable nation.

This is a family friendly event and we encourage everyone to ask as many people to come as possible.

Learn more and RSVP on Facebook

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Thursday, August 31

ALL DAY

In solidarity with Workers Defense Project and Left Up to Us, we’re asking y’all to make some calls to City Council related to SB4, which goes into effect on Friday.

Call your Austin City Councilmember and ask them to support two items on tomorrow’s council agenda:

  • Item 96: renewal of funding for emergency legal services for immigrant families impacted by SB4 (part of budget, which has a hearing tomorrow)
  • Item 102: approve a resolution directing the city manager to provide monthly data concerning the enforcement of immigration laws, and that will provide information about the use of City resources for immigration enforcement

Not sure who your council member is? Find out here.

District 1 Council Member Ora Houston 512-978-2101
District 2 Council Member Delia Garza 512-978-2102
District 3 Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria 512-978-2103
District 4 Council Member Gregorio “Greg” Casar 512-978-2104
District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen 512-978-2105
District 6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan 512-978-2106
District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool 512-978-2107
District 8 Council Member Ellen Troxclair 512-978-2108
District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo 512-978-2109
District 10 Council Member Alison Alter 512-978-2110

1 to 2 p.m. Legal Observer Training

University of Texas School of Law, 727 E Dean Keeton St

The National Lawyers Guild has a rich history of training and providing legal observers at civil rights and anti-fascist demonstrations. Legal observers serve as part of the NLG legal team by documenting police activity and interactions with demonstrators.

Read more and RSVP on Facebook.

UPDATE: This has been postponed, and not yet rescheduled.
6 to 8 p.m. Community Event: Not Going Quietly: Interfaith Witness Against SB4

University Presbyterian Church Austin, 2203 San Antonio St.

Join with people of diverse faiths as we witness to our solidarity with the immigrant community and learn practical responses to the new law for congregations and faith-based ministries.

Contact Krystal Leedy for details or to get involved.

4 to 6 p.m. Show Up & Shout Out! Senator Ted Cruz…You Work For Us!

Hosted by TX-10 Indivisible at Sen. Ted Cruz’s office, 300 E 8th St.

SHOW UP & SHOUT OUT! August recess and not one open, public town hall from Senator Cruz. Let’s remind Congress and Cruz – You Work for Us. BRING NOISE MAKERS! I have 20 of these signs to share with the crowd. CORNER of 8th & San Jacinto Blvd.

RSVP on Facebook

6 p.m. Press Conference on SB4 at City Hall

Hosted by Workers Defense Project, Grassroots Leadership, ICE Out of Austin/ICE Fuera de Austin, Texas Advocacy Project & Austin Sanctuary Network

We will rally against anti-immigrant bigotry and racial profiling on THURSDAY. A judge in San Antonio is still deciding whether the racist, anti-immigrant law (also known as SB4) will be allowed to go into effect on September 1.

The judge could decide ANY DAY between now and then.

No matter what happens, communities in Austin will gather *Thursday, August 31* at 6 p.m. in front of Austin City Hall. We’ll be there because with or without SB4, we’re still fighting for local policies that keep Black, Brown and poor communities safe from arrest, incarceration, and deportation.

Facebook event

Friday, September 1

12 to 2 p.m. Statewide Strike & Youth Rally Against Hate

Texas State Capitol

From the organizers: SB4 opens the door for extremists to target immigrants and all people who look or speak differently. We can’t let that happen, and we won’t. That’s why we are calling for a Statewide Strike to protest SB4 on Friday, September 1, the day the law goes into effect. The same day, students will gather at the Texas State Capitol for a Youth Rally Against Hate to raise their voices with communities across Texas to say Basta SB4! Basta Texas!

RSVP on Facebook

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Volunteer with Indivisible Austin at Central Texas Food Bank

The Central Texas Food Bank needs help packing food boxes for Harvey evacuees, so we’re helping them out Friday afternoon! You must register directly through our group volunteer link to participate.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

*There are 40 volunteer slots available and we want to fill them all!

*You MUST register with the food bank to volunteer. Do that here.
http://indivisible.cafb.volunteerhub.com/events/indexv1

*You MUST be on time and stay for the ENTIRE shift (3 hours)
NO sleeveless tops or open-toed shoes allowed–we will be in a working warehouse

*Please watch this brief video if you’ve never volunteered at the food bank warehouse before.
https://vimeo.com/184720523

Saturday, September 2

11 a.m to 3 p.m. Basta Texas: Unity March and Concert Against Hate and White Supremacy

Indivisible Austin is proud to cohost the Basta March and Concert at the Texas State Capitol.

From the organizers: We’re bringing together Texas’ diverse communities of color with a free concert and march to show lawmakers that we are powerful, that we are united, and that we will fight against SB4 and all attacks on our community. The March is three days ahead of the deadline given to the federal government to end the renewal of DACA. If the program is renewed, the Attorney General from 10 states have threatened to sue the Trump administration.

Learn more on the Basta Texas website

Week of August 21, 2017

Over the past week, communities from Austin to Houston to Dallas to Boston have shown that Americans will not tolerate white supremacist hate groups. Let’s keep that momentum going by pressuring our MoCs to censure the President for his vile “both sides” comments on the domestic terror Charlottesville.

Censure is nothing more than a formal rebuke from Congress. It has no legal consequences, but it sends a strong signal. Reps. Nadler, Watson Coleman, and Jayapal filed a resolution for censure, which is gaining momentum in the House. (Our own Rep. Lloyd Doggett is on the record supporting censure.) And as conservative blogger Jennifer Rubin argues in the Washington Post, “Any Republican not willing to sign on should be voted out.”

This week, call your House rep and tell them to support “H.Con.Res.77 – Condemning fear-mongering, racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry, and violence perpetrated by hate groups.” (The Senate can censure as well. Ted Cruz has been very vocal in his criticism of hate groups, while John Cornyn has…not. Call them as well.)

It is also Pride Week in Austin, culminating in the festival and parade on Saturday, August 26.

Monday, August 21

All day. Call your Reps and tell them to censure the president for his comments on the domestic terrorism in Charlottesville.

USA Today’s editorial provides a great outline for a script. (You’ll want to pare this down when you call.)

Expressing disapproval in 140 characters or fewer is insufficient when the president angrily asserts that there were some “very fine people” among the bigots waving Confederate battle flags and swastika banners; when torch-bearing marchers chanted “Jews will not replace us”; and when police said one Nazi sympathizer rammed a sports car into a crowd, killing an innocent counterprotester. The victim, 32-year-old Heather Heyer, was remembered Wednesday at a heartbreaking memorial service.

When these things happen in the United States, and the president blames “both sides,” more formal condemnation is necessary. This is a moment of reckoning for members of the Party of Lincoln: Do they want to stand up for American values, or do they want to keep enabling a president whose understanding of right and wrong has slipped dangerously off the rails?

If congressional Republicans choose the former – and history will be watching – they should join together with Democrats to censure Trump.

The Indivisible Project has more great resources:
Are Your Members of Congress Doing Enough to Respond to White Supremacy?

Tuesday, August 22

6 to 8 p.m. Civics 101: Your Guide To Local Government

Hosted by Austin EcoNetwork at in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd.

Calling all City Hall newbies! This event is for you. We’ll teach you how to figure out who your City Council member is, what they actually do, and how you can get involved in shaping the future of Austin.

RSVP on Facebook

Thursday, August 24

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Indivisible Austin Women’s Coffee Meetup

New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe St,

The Indivisible Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup is now coming to you monthly on the 4th Thursday at 11AM. This is intended as a safe space to get to know each other, network, discuss our activism activities, check in about how we’re holding up, and see if we can offer help, resources, and connections for our various resistance activities. This will be a facilitated discussion and every attempt will be made to make sure everyone attending has a chance to be heard and offer their thoughts, struggles, questions, etc.

Facebook Event

8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Sing Along in the Capitol Rotunda

In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening. https://www.facebook.com/solidaritysingalongtx/

Friday, August 25

7 to 9:30 p.m. Beto O’Rourke Meet and Greet

Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd

Come meet Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, who’s running against Ted Cruz in 2018. (But you knew that.)

Saturday, August 26

9:30 a.m. Free Introduction to Islam Class

Hosted by Austin Network for Islamic Studies at North Austin Muslim Community Center, 11900 N. Lamar Blvd,

From the organizer: We believe that building bridges of understanding between communities start with knowledge and compassion.

Event is free. But must register so we can get the right amount of food. (and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions):

Register Here

8 p.m. Austin Pride Parade

The Parade kicks off at 8 p.m. from the Capitol, proceeds down Congress and then marches through the Warehouse District on 4th Street/Bettie Naylor to Republic Square Park.

More info about the parade and festival, and other Pride events, are on the Austin Pride website.

Monday, August 28

6:30 to 8 p.m. Media Training for Activists

Hosted by Indivisible Rosedale Huddle

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

**We’re meeting in the 2-story white house at 5000 Burnet, in the middle of the food trailer court.**

RSVP on Facebook

Week of August 14, 2017

We are deeply saddened about the white supremacist-fueled violence in Charlottesville over the weekend. It was an act of domestic terrorism, plain and simple.

On Saturday, Heather Heyer was murdered on the streets of Charlottesville when a man who identified with neo-Nazis used his vehicle as a weapon. Many others were injured, and people still remain hospitalized. When we speak of terrorism as a threat to our nation, we must include the threat of white supremacist domestic terrorism. And we must call it by its name.

Friday and Saturday it was one side that took to the streets and the campus of the University of Virginia wielding torches and chanting hateful words. It was one side that called for white supremacy over all other races. It was one side that proclaimed anti-Semitic slurs. It was one side that yelled actual Nazi slogans. It was one side that targeted protestors carrying Black Lives Matter signs and ran them down with a car. It was one side that rained blessings on the president for not condemning the white supremacist domestic terrorists. And it was one side that said white supremacists will “fulfill the promises of Donald Trump,” and reminded the president of their role in electing him.

Some of our lawmakers have made strong statements condemning the white supremacist terrorism, while others have cowered behind the ambiguous, “gotta hear both sides” language of our president. There is one side. They need to make that absolutely, completely clear. So far it’s a mixed bag.

We’re keeping track of lawmakers’ statements here.

Sen. Ted Cruz was the first to respond, and later, followed up with the most forceful language of any of our representatives.

Compare to Sen. John Cornyn, who as of this writing was the last to respond, and with one of the weakest statements:

Really? These actions should be condemned? But you’re not actually condemning them?

This week we need to hold our representatives accountable for their responses to the violent acts of white supremacist domestic terrorism in Charlottesville. This is not the time for ambiguity; there is a clear choice to be made between right and wrong. Check to see what your representatives are saying, and then call them with either praise or condemnation. Some good rules of thumb are:

Lawmakers should:

  • Label the violence “domestic terrorism”
  • Call the perpetrators “white supremacists”

Lawmakers should not:

  • Be ambiguous
  • Leave any room for white supremacists to interpret their statement as tacit approval.

Examples of ambiguity:

“We must stand against all who try to divide us with hatred and bigotry.” (Dan Patrick)

“There is no place for hate in this country” (Roger Williams)

“We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!” (Donald Trump)

While you are calling, it’s a good time to ask your GOP reps: “Do you still support Donald Trump, who has refused, repeatedly, to condemn the white supremacists who support him?”

Monday, August 14

7:30 p.m. Indivisible Project’s livestream on DACA

The Obama-era program Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows some undocumented immigrants (DREAMers) to apply for temporary work permits, Social Security numbers and protection from deportation, is very much under threat. We need to fight back to prevent the needless deportation of people who came to the US as children.

The Indivisible Project has great resources on DACA, and legislation that you should call your MoCs about. They are also doing a Facebook Live at 7:30 to provide more detail.

Tuesday, August 15

3 p.m. Defend DACA rally outside Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Office

Hosted by United We Dream at 209 W 14th St.

From the organizers:

If far-right Republicans get their way, over one million immigrants could be deported. Texas Attorney General Paxton and others are pressuring President Trump to end the immigration protections of DACA and TPS that millions of us rely on the live, work, and study here.

But here’s the thing: We are stronger and we outnumber them. The majority of Americans don’t want to see young immigrants deported. Far-right Republicans want the public to believe lies and falsehoods about immigrant youth.

Every story of a young immigrant living, working, and thriving here is a weapon we will use to poke holes in their lies. That’s why, on August 15th, we’re taking to the streets — and to the halls of Congress — to speak our truth.

Facebook event

Wednesday, August 16

All day. Tell Your MoCs to Stand Up for Childhood Arrivals and Co-Sponsor S.1615 and H.R. 3591

From the Indivisible Project:

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT DACAMENTED YOUTH?

Like so many other issues, Congress has the power to remedy this situation. Congress doesn’t have to—and should not—sit on the sidelines. Congress can pass legislation protecting these immigrant youth.

  • Call your Senators and tell them to co-sponsor the bipartisan Durbin-Graham “DREAM Act” (S. 1615) to create a legislative fix to the predicament of these young Americans, and take their future out of Trump’s hands.
  • Call your House Representative and tell her/him to co-sponsor Rep. Gutierrez’s American Hope Act (H.R. 3591) give those with DACA and others who arrived in the United States as children a path to permanent legal status and eventual citizenship.

7 p.m. Vigil for Charlottesville Against Racism and Hate

From the organizers: Free Souls Church & St. Paul AME are hosting a prayer vigil for Charlottesville this Wednesday, August 16 @ 7 pm. at St. Paul AME in RR, 407 N. Sheppard St. We will have spiritual readings/perspectives, small group sharing, music, and a community prayer closing with candle lighting. Contact Rev. Chuck Freeman – freesouls1@mac.com.

Thursday, August 17

8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Singalong in the Capitol Rotunda

From the organizers: “Texas Solidarity Sing Along is leaderless, and there is no official spokesperson. We are not an organization.We sing songs of resistance every Thursday in solidarity with all states.”

Friday, August 18

Pride Week Begins in Austin.

Check out https://www.austinpride.org/ for events kicking off this weekend.

Mark your calendar for August 26!
8 p.m. Austin Pride Parade

From the organizers:

The largest event of Austin PRIDE Week, the PRIDE Parade keeps getting bigger and better with last year’s event drawing record numbers of parade participants and spectators to the streets of downtown Austin!! Over 120+ entries, floats, special live performances & more!

The Parade features two emcee stages, one on Congress Ave. at the Paramount/Stephen F. Austin and one on the roof top of Rain on 4th. Booby Cook returns to emcee from the roof top of Rain.

The Parade kicks off at 8pm from the Capitol, proceeds down Congress and then marches through the Warehouse District on 4th Street/Bettie Naylor to Republic Square Park. Make sure you head over directly from the Festival to stake out the best viewing area!

Week of August 7, 2017

Congress is in recess this month, which means… TOWN HALLS!

Democrats Lloyd Doggett and Joaquin Castro are doing a joint Town Hall in San Antonio on Saturday. (Details below.)

As of this writing, not one of our five Austin-area Republican representatives has scheduled a Town Hall during the August recess, nor have either of our two senators.  This week, call and ask why they are not scheduling a Town Hall during the long summer break.

Monday, August 7

While all eyes were on the Senate’s ACA repeal, the House Budget Committee passed a resolution that would give massive tax cuts to the wealthy by cutting the basics, like Medicare, Medicaid, and education.

Since our Republican reps are apparently not willing to face constituents in person, it’s up to us to call them and ask for these commitments:

  1. Will you commit to me, your constituent, that you will oppose the FY18 budget resolution?
  2. Will you commit to me that you won’t use the threat of a shutdown to advance other policies and instead pass a clean Continuing Resolution?
  3. Will you promise me you won’t mess around with the full faith and credit of the United States, and that you’ll support a “clean raise”?
  4. Will you oppose any budget resolution or funding bill that has cuts to public education?

Before you call, please read the Indivisible Project’s August Recess Toolkit to gain deeper understanding of the budget process.

Tuesday, August 8

6 to 7:30 p.m. Black Lives Matter August General Body Meeting

1705 E 11th St.

From the organizers: Join Black Lives Matter Austin for our August 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.”

Facebook Event

Wednesday, August 9

7 p.m. Free Screening of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”

Regal Cinemas Arbor 8 at Great Hills 9828 Great Hills Trail

We’re proud to host this event, which will include a Q&A following the film. Act quickly: Tickets are going fast, and are available on a first come, first served basis.

RSVP on Eventbrite

Can’t come to the screening? Check out Indivisible Project’s new Climate toolkits, and also our Kids’ Climate Action toolkit (done in April but still a valuable resource).

Thursday, August 10

6:30 p.m. The Austin City Council votes tonight on whether to make Austin 100% Carbon Free by 2030. Show your support at City Hall.

8 p.m. “Texas Solidarity Singalong” in the Capitol Rotunda

From the organizers: In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening.

Friday, August 11

12 p.m. Free “Indivisible 101” Workshop

Wells Branch neighborhood. RSVP for details.

For new activists and seasoned members of the Resistance alike. Join us for a discussion of the Indivisible movement, which has its roots in Austin. At this workshop we’ll look back on the last seven months and discuss where to go from here.

RSVP on Action Network

Saturday, August 12

3 p.m. Town Hall in San Antonio with Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Joaquin Castro

Ella Austin, 1023 N Pine St.

Our Republican lawmakers have so far steered clear of any interaction with actual constituents, but not so for Democrats Lloyd Doggett and Joaquin Castro. Be sure to email your RSVP to Doggett’s office, as this could fill up quickly.

RSVP: lloyd.doggett@mail.house.gov

2 to 4 p.m. Postcard Writing Party

Hosted by Indivisible TX-25 East Austin at Black Star Coop, 7020 Easy Wind Dr.

Come for some air conditioned activism (and a beer), and keep up the pressure on our elected officials! We will have postcards, all the names and addresses you need, plus issues and sample scripts to help you get started. Join other like minded folks to make sure that our elected officials know that we are watching!!

Week of July 31, 2017

Early Friday morning, with three key Republican NO votes, the Senate’s latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid failed decisively. That victory was a testament to constituent power. Groups from all over the country banded together to protect our care — and it worked!

Back in January, we heard daily that the ACA would be repealed in full on day 1. Here we are, more than six months later, with Congress’ repeal attempts in tatters. This is a huge win!

But this fight is not over, and as a movement we’ll need to remain vigilant against further attacks on the ACA and Medicaid, promised as early as this week. Together we’ll keep fighting until zealots like Ted Cruz and John Cornyn no longer hold office.

View our photo album from Saturday’s March for Healthcare Austin: Our Lives on the Line. We’ll keep organizing to protect our care as long as we need to!

There are two things you can do this week to keep this momentum going this week:

  1. Call John Cornyn and Ted Cruz’s offices and tell them that you expect the senate to return to “regular order,” with bipartisan cooperation and at least 60 votes on any healthcare bill.
  2. Support National ADAPT’s “Disability Integration Act” (DIA). Call both senators and your House representative and tell them to support the DIA, which addresses the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are forced into institutions, rather than remain in their communities.

Monday, July 31

7:30 – 9 a.m. A Conversation on Bathrooms with Sen. Garcia & Rep. Simmons

Presented by the Texas Tribune at the Austin Club, 110 E. 9th St.

“Join us in person or on our livestream for a conversation on bathroom politics and policy with state Sen. Sylvia Garcia and state Rep. Ron Simmons.”

More information and registration here.

Tuesday, August 1

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Y’all Means All: Interfaith Lobby Day

Hosted by Texas Impact at the Texas State Capitol.

Tentative Schedule for the Day

10am Press Conference on the South Steps of the Capitol

11am Advocacy Training (Robert E. Johnson Building)

12pm Lunch

1pm – 3pm Legislative Visits

Save the date and spread the word as Texas faith community leaders and Texans of all faiths stand against discrimination. Plan now to join us at the Capitol for a press conference, legislative updates, and visits with lawmakers during the high stakes special session.

Mainstream faith communities affirm the shared values of respect, dignity, and welcome for every person. Discriminatory legislation that targets individuals based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity runs counter to Texan values.

We reject the fear-filled rhetoric and un-American endorsement of discrimination that underlie proposed “bathroom legislation.” This legislation would pose a threat to vulnerable individuals, affirm state-sponsored discrimination, and dismiss the wisdom of local communities.

REGISTER HERE.

And then sign and share this statement opposing discriminatory legislation.

View this event on Facebook for the latest updates. 

5 to 9 p.m. Night Out for Safety and Liberation

Hosted by Grassroots Leadership at Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Rd.

What do you think #SafetyIs? This year, more than ever, we must redefine what safety means to our communities and demand what we need to thrive. Trump and his administration want us to fear each other, but we know we will all be safer when we turn to our neighbors, instead of turning on them.

Safe communities are important to all of us—join us on August 1st for Night Out for Safety and Liberation (NOSL) as we reimagine what public safety really means for our communities: having a living wage job, healthy food, healthcare, housing, education, and more.

Read more and RSVP on Facebook

Wednesday, August 2

John Cornyn tweeted this gem:

He is the biggest troll ever. Call his office and ask him how Senate Ds were supposed to cooperate when they were never invited to do so. Also say you expect a return to “regular order,” with 60 votes on all healthcare bills going forward.

Thursday, August 3

8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Sing Along

In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening.

https://www.facebook.com/solidaritysingalongtx/

Friday, August 4

6:30 to 9 p.m. Austin Candidate Forum

Hosted by ATX Democratic Veterans and PDA-CenTex at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd

Topic areas: Healthcare, Community support, and veterans issues
Meet and greet will begin at 6:30

For a list of candidates who will be attending, view this event on Facebook or on Eventbrite.

Saturday, August 5

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Training: Military 101: Understanding Shared Values Across Communities

Hosted by Indivisible Austin at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Ave

Only 7.3% of living Americans have served in the U.S. military at some point of their lives, leaving most policymakers, advocates, and everyday citizens with a dearth of knowledge about the military’s organization and culture. Taught by military veterans, this training covers everything from high-level questions about the values of those who serve in the military all the way down to details about the differences between the various branches and ranks. Participants will walk away with a better sense of who serves in our military, why they do it and the values of public service and equality they share with the progressive community.

Please register here.

View this event on Facebook.

Week of July 24, 2017

Early Friday morning, with three key Republican NO votes, the Senate’s latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid failed decisively. That victory was a testament to constituent power. Groups from all over the country banded together to protect our care — and it worked!

Back in January, we heard daily that the ACA would be repealed in full on day 1. Here we are, more than six months later, with Congress’ repeal attempts in tatters. This is a huge win!

But this fight is not over, and as a movement we’ll need to remain vigilant against further attacks on the ACA and Medicaid, promised as early as this week. Together we’ll keep fighting until zealots like Ted Cruz and John Cornyn no longer hold office.

View our photo album from Saturday’s March for Healthcare Austin: Our Lives on the Line. We’ll keep organizing to protect our care as long as we need to!

There are two things you can do this week to keep this momentum going this week:

  1. Call John Cornyn and Ted Cruz’s offices and tell them that you expect the senate to return to “regular order,” with bipartisan cooperation and at least 60 votes on any healthcare bill.
  2. Support National ADAPT’s “Disability Integration Act” (DIA). Call both senators and your House representative and tell them to support the DIA, which addresses the fundamental issue that people who need Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are forced into institutions, rather than remain in their communities.

Monday, July 31

7:30 – 9 a.m. A Conversation on Bathrooms with Sen. Garcia & Rep. Simmons

Presented by the Texas Tribune at the Austin Club, 110 E. 9th St.

“Join us in person or on our livestream for a conversation on bathroom politics and policy with state Sen. Sylvia Garcia and state Rep. Ron Simmons.”

More information and registration here.

Tuesday, August 1

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Y’all Means All: Interfaith Lobby Day

Hosted by Texas Impact at the Texas State Capitol.

Tentative Schedule for the Day

10am Press Conference on the South Steps of the Capitol

11am Advocacy Training (Robert E. Johnson Building)

12pm Lunch

1pm – 3pm Legislative Visits

Save the date and spread the word as Texas faith community leaders and Texans of all faiths stand against discrimination. Plan now to join us at the Capitol for a press conference, legislative updates, and visits with lawmakers during the high stakes special session.

Mainstream faith communities affirm the shared values of respect, dignity, and welcome for every person. Discriminatory legislation that targets individuals based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity runs counter to Texan values.

We reject the fear-filled rhetoric and un-American endorsement of discrimination that underlie proposed “bathroom legislation.” This legislation would pose a threat to vulnerable individuals, affirm state-sponsored discrimination, and dismiss the wisdom of local communities.

REGISTER HERE.

And then sign and share this statement opposing discriminatory legislation.

View this event on Facebook for the latest updates. 

5 to 9 p.m. Night Out for Safety and Liberation

Hosted by Grassroots Leadership at Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Rd.

What do you think #SafetyIs? This year, more than ever, we must redefine what safety means to our communities and demand what we need to thrive. Trump and his administration want us to fear each other, but we know we will all be safer when we turn to our neighbors, instead of turning on them.

Safe communities are important to all of us—join us on August 1st for Night Out for Safety and Liberation (NOSL) as we reimagine what public safety really means for our communities: having a living wage job, healthy food, healthcare, housing, education, and more.

Read more and RSVP on Facebook

Wednesday, August 2

John Cornyn tweeted this gem:

He is the biggest troll ever. Call his office and ask him how Senate Ds were supposed to cooperate when they were never invited to do so. Also say you expect a return to “regular order,” with 60 votes on all healthcare bills going forward.

Thursday, August 3

8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Sing Along

In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening.

https://www.facebook.com/solidaritysingalongtx/

Friday, August 4

6:30 to 9 p.m. Austin Candidate Forum

Hosted by ATX Democratic Veterans and PDA-CenTex at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd

Topic areas: Healthcare, Community support, and veterans issues
Meet and greet will begin at 6:30

For a list of candidates who will be attending, view this event on Facebook or on Eventbrite.

Saturday, August 5

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Training: Military 101: Understanding Shared Values Across Communities

Hosted by Indivisible Austin at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Ave

Only 7.3% of living Americans have served in the U.S. military at some point of their lives, leaving most policymakers, advocates, and everyday citizens with a dearth of knowledge about the military’s organization and culture. Taught by military veterans, this training covers everything from high-level questions about the values of those who serve in the military all the way down to details about the differences between the various branches and ranks. Participants will walk away with a better sense of who serves in our military, why they do it and the values of public service and equality they share with the progressive community.

Please register here.

View this event on Facebook.

Trumpcare, aka the “bill that won’t die,” may get voted on in the Senate this week. Or maybe they will vote for repeal-only. Or maybe it will get kicked down the road for another week. No one knows, not even the senators casting votes.

Sen. John Cornyn released this video, in which he says the ACA is in “meltdown” (not true) and that states should control healthcare.

Have you seen what’s happening in the Texas Legislature? Do we really want Gov. Greg Abbott to make healthcare decisions while, under his watch, our maternal mortality rate has skyrocketed?

John Cornyn clearly takes the matter seriously, spending time over the weekend fondling guns with Dan Patrick.

John Cornyn and Dan Patrick standing in Patrick's office holding old-fashioned muskets

We know this zombie bill is getting tiresome; it’s important to keep calling, and keep sharing your stories. Check Saturday’s actions for the March for Healthcare — let’s show our electeds that we still have fight left in us.

—

The special session in the Texas legislature continues this week. The hearings are being announced with very little notice, so keep checking back for more information. If you’re interested in ongoing Lege updates, please sign up here.

Monday, July 24

All Day #TXLEGE Action: Flood Texas Republican Senators’ Phone Lines

From Indivisible TX LEGE:

We’re targeting the four Republican Senators below, and the Lt. Gov’s office. But after you’ve called these four Senators & the Lt. Gov, feel free to contact any one of the Republican Senators’ offices.

Senator Don Huffines
Capitol: (512) 463-0116
District: (214) 239-6131

Senator Joan Huffman
Capitol: (512) 463-0117
District: (281) 980-3500

Senator Donna Campbell
Capitol: (512) 463-0125
District: (210) 979-0013

Senator Konni Burton
Capitol: (512) 463-0110
District: (817) 882-8157

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Capitol: (512) 463-0001
Capitol: (512) 463-5342

Background & Script Suggestions:
The agenda being jammed through with little oversight or public input this special session are a huge waste of my taxpayer money. Texas has real problems. There are other things that really matter for Texans, that we should be focusing on, but it’s clear that the Senator/Lt Gov doesn’t care. The Sunset bill should have been all we needed.

Republicans are attempting to revive legislation that would divert public funds to private school vouchers and restrict bathroom use for transgender students, which would subject kids to dangerous bullying and, would further vilify a misunderstood minority group.

It is deeply troubling that the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the Senator are cynically using Texas’ children as pawns in a political game where our students, schools and educators will be the biggest losers.

This is a war on local control. We elect city council members and our neighborhoods know what’s best for our citizens. I heard the Senator try to use the term “liberty,” but individual liberties do not trump the common good of our society. This is just another proxy war for the “them vs us” strain of paranoia politics that’s taken over Texas.

Furthermore, these bills push unfunded mandates onto cities and counties; the teacher raise is a perfect example of that. It doesn’t go into effect until 2020, it’s a paltry $60 a month AT MOST, and there’s still no telling there’s no NEW money for it. It just means local ISD’s have to cough that money up somehow.

The state–and the Republican party–needs to accept responsibility for its failure to properly fund public education and for our ever increasing property taxes, which will continue to increase unless a real, long-term solution is proposed. That is not happening in this special session.

7 p.m. Bill Flores (TX-17) Tele-Town Hall (Northern Counties)

Telephone and Video Town Hall Northern Counties (Falls, Freestone, Leon, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Robertson)

Call-in number: 1-877-229-8493 Access code: 111954

Tele-Town Halls are a sham. But you can still make the most of them. Watch this short video for tips on how to do that.

 

Tuesday, July 25

Morning. Senate to vote on “motion to proceed” on ACA repeal / BCRA vote — they need 51 Senators, so keep calling!

7 p.m. Bill Flores (TX-17) Tele-Town Hall (Southern Counties)

Telephone and Video Town Hall Southern Counties (Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Lee and Travis) Tuesday, July 25, 2017 7:05 PM – 8:05 PM Call-in number: 1-877-229-8493 Access code: 111954

See the video in Monday’s section for tips on how to make the most of sham Tele-Town Halls.

Wednesday, July 26

Volunteer to help out with Indivisible TX Lege

In the coming weeks, and importantly to prep for the 2018 elections, Indivisible TX Lege needs your help! Let them know how you can help create a Texas that better reflects the rich diversity and empathy of its residents.

Indivisible TX Lege – I want to help!

Thursday, July 27

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Indivisible Austin Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup

New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe

Back by popular demand! The Indivisible Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup is now coming to you monthly. This is intended as a safe space to get to know each other, network, discuss our activism activities, check in about how we’re holding up, and see if we can offer help, resources, and connections for our various resistance activities. This will be a facilitated discussion and every attempt will be made to make sure everyone attending has a chance to be heard and offer their thoughts, struggles, questions, etc.

Friday, July 28

Check back for TX Lege and Trumpcare updates. 

Saturday, July 29

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March for Healthcare Austin: Our Lives on the Line

Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St

With the fate of healthcare coverage for millions of Americans still hanging on the line, we invite you to help us form a LIFE LINE for all those that depend on the ACA and Medicaid to survive and thrive!  Join us on Saturday, July 29 at City Hall from 10am noon.  We will gather at 10 a.m. with the program starting at 10:20.  At roughly 11:05 we will begin to form LIFE LINES down the two sides of Congress Avenue and we will MAKE SOME NOISE!  COME HELP US FORM THE LONGEST LIFE LINE POSSIBLE for the 22-32 (depending on which bill you look at) Americans whose healthcare is at risk.

This event is part of the national OUR LIVES ON THE LINE movement that is working to raise the voices of people across the nation to send a message to Congress to Protect Our Care!

On the LIFE LINE that we will physically hold for all to see, we will hang our STORIES.  Please bring or be prepared to write your personal story or – if not directly impacted – your reason for supporting healthcare for ALL.

WHAT YOU CAN BRING:

  • Yourself, your family and friends
  • An item to contribute to a massive community display to honor and lift up the lives of those threatened by cuts any cuts to our healthcare (photographs, written stories, letters, drawings) or an item that celebrates the lives and health of those helped by the ACA!
  • 2 copies of a personal letter we’ll hand deliver to Senators Cornyn and Cruz detailing your concerns about undermining the ACA and cutting Medicaid
  • Sunscreen, water, bug spray

Our coalition includes Children’s Defense Fund-Texas, ADAPT OF TEXAS, Our Revolution Central TX, Indivisible Austin, Austin DSA, TARA Austin, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, Young Invincibles, Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas, Left Up To US, and others.

Join our diverse coalition on Saturday July 29 at 10 a.m. We welcome Texans from all racial and ethnic backgrounds and from all identities to speak with one voice for our health, our children, and our nation!

Facebook event

Week of July 17, 2017

Monday, July 17

All day. Call Sen. Ted Cruz and ask how weakening protections for pre-existing conditions helps Texans

Virtually everyone except a handful of Republican senators thinks the Cruz Amendment to the BCRA is a terrible idea. From the CPPP:

His amendment would set up two parallel health insurance markets – one with popular consumer protections from the Affordable Care Act and one without them. The idea would result in people with pre-existing conditions paying much more for health insurance, if they can afford it at all.

Additionally, his so-called “Freedom Plans” are junk, subprime insurance plans that could even force people to lose coverage when they get sick. From the Los Angeles Times:

Buyers of cheap Cruz plans would be locked out of the insurance market if they get sick. A little-noticed aspect of the Cruz proposal is that the cheap plans it allows would not qualify as legitimate insurance coverage under the GOP’s “continuous coverage” rules.

Those rules, embodied in both the House and Senate GOP repeal bills, guarantee coverage for preexisting conditions as long as the buyer maintains insurance coverage without a break of longer than two months. Under the Senate bill, anyone with such a lapse would face a six-month waiting period for new insurance before the preexisting condition guarantee would be effective.

Our Senator is working every day to make Texans sicker. Call and tell him what you think.

Tuesday, July 18

One Texas Resistance Rally

On the first day of Special Session, July 18, we will be holding a full day of action at the Capitol. This will kick off the 30 days of action during Special Session. Get ready, it will be all hands on deck!

We are requesting that everyone wear a shirt to represent one of their organizations or causes. We want to show a large coalition of groups coming together as one to stand in opposition to Abbott and Patrick’s backward agenda!

Official schedule for July 18th is as follows:

  • 10:00-11:30am – Training to prepare for our 30 days of action in the Reagan building–Room 140
  • 1:00pm- Rally on the Capitol south steps
  • 2:00pm- Direct action inside the Capitol
  • 4:00pm- Happy Hour at Scholz Garten

See the Facebook event for more detail and full list of sponsoring organizations. 

Wednesday, July 19

10 to 11 a.m. Quinceañera at the Capitol

From Jolt! Texas:

Join us on Wednesday, July 19, at the South Steps of the Texas Capitol for Quinceañera at the Capitol. Come and rally around 15 young women who will share the 15 reasons that they’re resisting SB4. We’re going to combat hate and racism by celebrating Latino culture.

PROGRAM

  • 10:00 AM – 10:05 AM Procession
  • 10:05 AM – 10:10 AM Welcome & remarks
  • 10:10 AM – 10:25 AM Dance performance
  • 10:25 AM – 10:30 AM Call to action & procesion
  • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Quinceañeras deliver gifts to authors of SB4

~~~
In Latino culture, Quinceañeras are an important tradition that highlight the bonds of family, community, culture and bring people together through celebration.

This is the spirit of the Quinceañera at the Capitol event: to celebrate the resistance to SB4 by highlighting our commitment to our communities and culture. After all, SB4 isn’t just about politics: it will sow fear and distrust into our communities and break apart our families. To resist this harmful and hateful law, we will draw on the incredible power within the very communities that SB4 will affect.

Facebook event

2 p.m. Twitter Chat: Latinx & the BCRA

Join Voto Latino, Planned Parenthood and other organizations using the hashtag #LATINXCARE to discuss how Trumpcare would be devastating to the Latinx community.

Thursday, July 20

8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Singalong

From the organizers: In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening.

https://www.facebook.com/solidaritysingalongtx/

Friday, July 21

9 a.m. Hearing on the “Bathroom Bill” in the Texas Capitol

Sen. Huffman has announced there will be a hearing on Sen. Kolkhorst’s anti-transgender bill. The hearing will be Friday, July 21st at 9 a.m. at the Texas State Capitol.

FromBill language has not been released. We will continue updating this page as we get more information.

Info on the hearing:
The Hearing will be in the Senate Finance Committee Room.
There will be no invited testimony.
Registration will be open for 3 hours; we are unsure what the start time will be for registration.
All testimony will be limited to exactly 2 minutes.
We will likely see paper registration for testimony & registering opposition to bills.
If you are intending on testifying, plan on arriving early on Friday.

The hearing is currently schedule for room E1.036.

Registration for testimony will begin around 7am-7:30am. Everyone should be there by 6:45am and staff members & volunteers from coalition organizations will be there to help direct traffic.

More info in Facebook here

Update on Special Session Schedule:

FRIDAY

8 a.m., Health and Human Services in the Capitol Extension, Room 1.016

SB 11/SB 80, SB 4, SB 10, SB 17

All abortion except insurance, maternal morbidity, DNRs

9 a.m., State Affairs, Senate Gallery

Bathroom bill – SB 3 and “other privacy bills”

10 a.m., Education

Vouchers, school finance commission – SB 2, SB 16 and “other school finance bills”

SATURDAY

9 a.m., Business and Commerce – SB 8, and SB 12, 13, 14, 15

Abortion insurance, construction projects, local permits, tree reg, texting pre-emption

11 a.m., Government Reform – SB 1, SB 18

Property tax cap, local spending limit

1 p.m., Finance – SB 9, SB 19 and “maybe other teacher hiring bills”

State spending cap, teacher pay raise and benefits

Week of July 10, 2017

That said, the Russian affair will continue to unravel slowly, while Senators get back to work on Trumpcare this week. Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn would love to ram through the BCRA while we’re all looking towards Moscow. Ted Cruz would love to be adding amendments to make the bill worse. So yes, the Russia story is important, and we’ll give it the attention it is due. But don’t stop calling, faxing, emailing, and sharing your ACA stories. This fight is urgent, and it is winnable.

Oh, and one of our representatives is holding a town hall! (Spoiler alert: It’s Lloyd Doggett.) For details, see the listing on Sunday, July 16.

Monday, July 10

12 p.m. in San Antonio: Rally Outside Court Hearing to End Texas Gerrymandering

Federal Courthouse, Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division
655 E Cesar E Chavez Blvd, San Antonio, Texas

A five-day trial begins today to determine whether new districts are required for the 2018 elections and the remainder of the decade. Join Mi Familia Vota, Indivisible SATX, MOVE San Antonio, UNITE HERE, Texas Organizing Project, and Women’s March on Washington San Antonio for a rally and press conference at 12 p.m. in front of the federal courthouse.

Facebook event

6:30 p.m. ATX 25 East Weekly Meeting

Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Dr.

Weekly meeting for TX-25 residents in or near the Windsor Park neighborhood.

Join Facebook group for more info

Tuesday, July 11

6 p.m. Black Lives Matter Austin July General Body Meeting

Agard-Lovinggood Auditorium at Huston-Tillotson University

From the organizers: Join Black Lives Matter Austin for our July 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.”

UPDATE: We will still be on campus, but our meeting room has changed to the Agard-Lovinggood Auditorium which is two buildings away from the Sandra Joy Anderson Health and Wellness Center. You can still park in the SJA parking lot and walk to the AL building.

Facebook Event

Wednesday, July 12

Call the FCC and your MoCs about the FCC’s intention to repeal net neutrality rules.

Video explainer from FCC Chair Wheeler

From Bill Moyers:

“Net neutrality is a principle that internet service providers (ISPs) — and the regulators that oversee them — treat all internet traffic the same way. The idea is to keep the net free and open, giving users equal access to any website or application. net neutrality would prevent companies that provide internet access from blocking or slowing down traffic to or from specific sites in much the same way as a phone company has to put through your call, regardless of whom you’re calling.”

Scripts, contact info, and more detail from Celeste Pewter are here.

Thursday, July 13

8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Sing Along

From the organizers: In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening.

Learn more on Facebook

Saturday, July 15

10 a.m. Deputy Voter Registrar Training

First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover Ave.

Use this form to sign up. 

7 p.m. Meet & Greet with the TX-10 Democratic Candidates in Smithville

From the organizers: You won’t want to miss this Meet and Greet! Six Democratic candidates who hope to represent you will be joining us at West End Park in Smithville. Please feel free to RSVP so we can plan ahead more efficiently!

Joining us for this event are three Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives: Tawana Cadian, Joe Miguez, and Ryan Stone are hoping to run against Republican incumbent Michael McCaul.

Also in attendance will be: Kim Olson, running for Texas Agriculture Commissioner against Sid Miller. Michelle Ryan looking to represent District 17 in the Texas House of Representatives against Republican incumbent John Cyrier. Kirk Watson is seeking re-election to the Texas State Senate and will also be in attendance!

Food, drinks, music, and the best conversation in town will be provided. Join us!

Facebook Event

Week of July 3, 2017

Have you shared your ACA story at protectourcare.us? We’ve collected more than 500 stories and are almost to our stretch goal of 1,000. We’ve emailed hundreds of them to Senate staffers and will deliver a hand-tied bundle this week. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

Monday, July 3

Today you should make a plan for Thursday, because it will be action-packed. Put in a time-off request, arrange childcare, whatever you need to do! Below is a summary; full details are in the Thursday section.

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THURSDAY ACTIONS TO PLAN FOR:

  • 12 p.m. Rally at John Cornyn’s Office
  • 6 p.m. Rally outside Ted Cruz’s sham town hall
  • – OR – 6:30 Indivisible 101 training
  • 8 p.m. Texas Solidarity Singalong

NOTE: These actions on are Thursday, not today! Scroll down for full details.

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Tuesday, July 4

8  a.m. to 12 p.m. Community Event: Lanzamiento: Día de la dependencia // Dependence Day in Cedar Park

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H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
2100 Ave of the Stars, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Note: Organizers will gather at 8 a.m. for the Cedar Park Fourth of July parade, which begins at 10 a.m.

From the organizers:

This July 4th, while many American families head to the beach or the park to barbeque, Movimiento Cosecha will draw attention to the immigrant families who will not be participating in these celebratory festivities, afraid to come out due to the the anti-immigrant and racist policy here in Texas, and across the country. This July 4th instead of celebrating Independence Day, we will be celebrating #DependenceDay; a day we commemorate this country’s dependence on immigrant workers and families.

American people in support of laws like SB4 do not realize that they depend on us. This state and this country depends on our labor power and our consumer power. And now is the time to use it to fight back.

Facebook event

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Wednesday, July 5

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Upper Crust Bakery, 4508 Burnet Rd

Indivisible Austin’s monthly lunchtime coffee gathering. Drop by to say hi, ask a question, voice a concern, and meet other members.

Thursday, July 6

Noon to 1 p.m. Rally at John Cornyn’s Office to Stop Trumpcare

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Rally outside John Cornyn's office at noon on Thursday
Sen. Cornyn is one of 13 senators responsible for the BCRA, which will rip health insurance from 22+ million people AND gut Medicaid.

On Thursday we’ll raise our voices and rally at his office to tell him NO to gutting Medicaid, NO repeal of the ACA, and NO to Trumpcare. We will NOT let the Senate vote on an Affordable Care Act repeal bill that is both disastrous and cruel without hearing the loud voices of Texans!

Once again, we will join our collective voices, our bodies and our power to fight to protect everyone’s health care!

IF EVER THERE WERE A NEED TO SHOW UP IN PERSON, THIS IS IT!

WHAT TO BRING:

Write a personal letter to Sen. Cornyn about how the ACA or Medicaid has impacted your life. Include your concerns about Trumpcare and backdoor dealings. Bring 2 copies of your letter- 1 to read out loud and 1 to deliver to Senator Cornyn’s staffer. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to, supporting others is just as important. Bring your friends!!! Bring your children and babies!!!! Get the word out. We need BIG NUMBERS in attendance!! (Also, probably bring your bug spray and sunscreen.)

WHEN:

Thursday July 6th @ NOON

WHERE:

Sen. Cornyn’s office
Chase Bank Building
221 W. 6th Street, Ste. #1530
Austin, TX 78701

PARKING INFO:

There are some metered spots along the street, and there are several parking garages in the area. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to find parking and walk to the location.

WE WILL NOT STAND BY AND LET 22+ MILLION PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HEALTHCARE!! PLEASE, PLEASE JOIN US!

Facebook Event

– or –

RSVP Here

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5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rally outside Ted Cruz’s sham Town Hall

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On July 6th, Ted Cruz will be attending what is billed as a “town hall” event hosted by the “Concerned Veterans for America.” Despite their claims to be “non-partisan,” CVA is a Koch brothers-funded organization that exists almost exclusively to pursue Republican legislation and pour millions of dollars into Republican campaigns in swing states. Its far-right agenda is opposed by virtually every other major veterans group in America.

Tickets (now sold out) were available to the public, but out of respect to people who served in the armed forces, we will not disrupt the event. Instead, we will meet up with other groups outside the venue to hold a protest that communicates these messages:

  • We OPPOSE Cruz’s efforts to strip healthcare funding from vulnerable Americans by repealing the ACA.
  • We OPPOSE Cruz’s efforts to make veteran’s care a money-making scheme for his wealthy donors by privatizing the Veteran’s Administration healthcare program.
  • We DEMAND that Cruz also meet with organizations and constituents that don’t share his far-right agenda or contribute to his campaigns, like the Vietnam Veterans of America or the Disabled American Veterans.

WHERE & WHEN
The event is scheduled from 6PM to 7PM on Thursday, July 6th at the Renaissance Hotel, Arboretum
9721 Arboretum Blvd
Austin 78759

PARKING
The Renaissance Hotel parking lot is large and open. According to the hotel, parking is free if you are not staying overnight.

Signs are strongly encouraged! Many people are planning to be there until 7:30, but stay as long as you can!

-or-

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6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Training: Indivisible 101

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Programming note: Yes, this conflicts with the Ted Cruz rally. If you were planning to come to this training, but would rather go to the Cruz rally, there will be another 101 session in August. And if you’d prefer air-conditioned activism, we’re still holding this workshop and would love to see you there!

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Ave

New to the Indivisible movement? Ready to #Resist Trump but aren’t sure how to get started?

Join this basic training on what Indivisible is all about. You’ll learn:

  • How to adopt Tea Party tactics for progressive change
  • How we use Austin’s six gerrymandered congressional districts to our advantage
  • How we have been successful in blocking the worst of Trump’s policies
  • There will be a short, 30-minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes (or so) of Q&A.

Please register here, and feel free to bring guests.

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8 to 9 p.m. Community Event: Texas Solidarity Sing Along

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From the organizers: In solidarity with singers across the nation, we sing songs of resistance in the Texas Capitol rotunda every Thursday evening.

More information at facebook.com/solidaritysingalongtx.

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Friday, July 7

7 to 9 p.m. Pantsuit Austin LGBTQIA Ally Training

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Texas Music Museum, 1009 E 11th St

From the organizers: Please join us for an evening of LGBTQIA Ally information education and sharing. Our host, Jessica Soukup, Ally Professional Development Facilitator at Texas State University will talk for 90 minutes covering concepts and information important for Allies of LGBTQIA People followed by a 30 minute question and answer panel. You will learn vocabulary and concepts that will help you become a better ally to the LGBTQIA People in your life. CEUs will be available for LPCs and Social Workers.

Please register here.

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Week of June 26, 2017

Four ways to stop Trumpcare this week

(j/k, we added even MORE ways to stop Trumpcare–check out Wednesday and Thursday)

A Senate vote on Trumpcare could happen as soon as Thursday. Here are four ways to help kill the bill.

  1. Visit protectourcare.us and share your story. We’re more than halfway toward our goal of 500 stories. This week we’ll email them to to senate staffers, and also print a bundle for hand-delivery to Sens. Cornyn and Cruz’s offices.
  2. We’re hosting three storytelling work sessions this week where you can share your stories, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights! See below for details. 
  3. Hand-deliver your own concerns to Senate offices. It’s too late for postal mail, so when you call–and yes, continue to call–arrange an appointment to deliver a letter or postcard expressing your concerns about the bill. If you can’t get an appointment, go anyway, and slide your letter under the door if no one is there.
  4. Visit trumpcareten.org to find friends in states with more “movable” Republican senators, and encourage those friends to act. (The 10 states are Alaska, Arkansa, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; be sure your friends in those states are calling their senators!)

Monday, June 26

8 a.m. to noon San Antonio: Rally to Block Show Me Your Papers Law SB4

655 E Cesar E Chavez Blvd, San Antonio, TX

From the organizers:

On the day of the first hearing in the lawsuit to stop Texas’ show-me-your-papers law, SB4, we’re going to gather outside of the courthouse to show that Texans reject hate in their state. We reject SB4 because it encourages and legalizes the racial profiling of immigrants and people of color. We will show we stand united against oppression, racism and hatred.

El día de la primera audiencia en la demanda para detener la ley Tejana Mostrame Tus Papeles, SB4, vamos a reunirnos fuera de la corte para mostrar que los tejanos rechazan el odio en su estado. Rechazamos SB4 porque alienta y legaliza el perfil racial de inmigrantes y personas de color. Mostraremos que estamos unidos contra la opresión, el racismo y el odio.

Facebook Event

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Protect Our Care Story Project: Storytelling Work Session

Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Rd

ProtectOurCare.us is a project led by Indivisible Austin, devoted to telling the stories of ACA, preventing its repeal, and illustrating AHCA’s devastating impact.

We’ve set a goal to collect 500 video testimonies of real, everyday constituents whose health insurance is threatened by this bill. Join us in a writing, photographing & recording work session to raise your voice and tell your story.

Tuesday, June 27

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Protect Our Care Story Project: Storytelling Work Session

Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Rd

ProtectOurCare.us is a project led by Indivisible Austin, devoted to telling the stories of ACA, preventing its repeal, and illustrating AHCA’s devastating impact.

We’ve set a goal to collect 500 video testimonies of real, everyday constituents whose health insurance is threatened by this bill. Join us in a writing, photographing & recording work session to raise your voice and tell your story.

Wednesday, June 28

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Medicaid and ACA Rally + Die-in, hosted by ADAPT of Texas (BYOT- bring your own tombstone)

Texas State Capitol

From the organizers:
SAVE MEDICAID and the ACA — IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION!

Join with many hundreds of people who care about Healthcare and Medicaid at the ACA at the Texas State Capitol South Steps on June 28th at 10 a.m., Followed by a March and Die-In. Bring your tombstones!!!

The Senate and House healthcare repeal bills will decimate our healthcare system, leaving millions uninsured and many more with higher costs and worse care. Devastating cuts and caps to Medicaid will destroy the lives of people with disabilities, children, women and seniors. People will die from not receiving the needed medical attention.

Join us and bring your friends to this critical event.

Facebook event

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Protect Our Care Story Project: Storytelling Work Session

Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Rd

ProtectOurCare.us is a project led by Indivisible Austin, devoted to telling the stories of ACA, preventing its repeal, and illustrating AHCA’s devastating impact.

We’ve set a goal to collect 500 video testimonies of real, everyday constituents whose health insurance is threatened by this bill. Join us in a writing, photographing & recording work session to raise your voice and tell your story.

Thursday, June 29

7 p.m. Human Chain at Texas Capitol

We could be just days away from the Senate voting on an Affordable Care Act repeal bill that is both disastrous and cruel. But we’re not going to let them vote without hearing the loud voices of Texans!

This may be our last chance to show the Senate what we’re made of – to tell them NO to gutting Medicaid, NO repeal of the ACA, and NO to Trumpcare.

Thursday night we will surround the Texas State Capitol with a human chain–circling the Capitol with our collective voices, our bodies and our power. Join us!

IF EVER THERE WERE A NEED TO SHOW UP IN PERSON, THIS IS IT! WE NEED AT LEAST 500 PEOPLE TO MAKE A FULL CIRCLE AROUND THE CAPITOL!

WHAT TO BRING:
Write a personal letter about how the ACA or Medicaid has impacted your life. Include your concerns about Trumpcare and backdoor dealings. Bring the letter to read out loud or simply hand it in for us to deliver to a senator staffer. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to, supporting others is just as important. Bring your friends!!! Bring your children and babies!!!! Get the word out. We need BIG NUMBERS in attendance!! (Also, probably bring your bug spray.)

WHEN:
Thursday June 29th @ 7pm

WHERE:
Texas State Capitol
Meet at the South Steps

PARKING INFO:
Parking in the Capitol Visitors’ Garage is free for the 1st two hours (unless there is special event parking).

NEW CBO SCORE IS OUT AND WE WILL NOT STAND BY AND LET 22+ MILLION PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HEALTHCARE!! PLEASE, PLEASE JOIN US!

This action is co-hosted by Indivisibleatx, TX-10 Indivisible, Indivisible TX-17 Congressional District, TX21 Indivisible, Indivisible TX25E, Wilco Indivisible, TX35 Indivisible, Children’s Defense Fund-Texas, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, ADAPT of Texas, Young Invincibles and the Center for Public Policy Priorities.

Facebook Event

or

RSVP via Action Network if you aren’t on Facebook

Friday, June 30

Possible Trumpcare vote in the Senate. Check back for further information. Lawmakers may be flying back to their districts today.

Saturday, July 1

7 to 9:30 p.m. Community Event: Breaking Down Walls:True Stories from Local Immigrants

Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River St

Bear witness to the silent suffering within our community’s local undocumented immigrants, as they share their experience of struggling through fear, intimidation, and prejudice in their pursuit to forge a better life in the United States. Six local community members will share personal stories, in ten minutes or less, on their experience as immigrants in Austin. Tellers include locals Alex Gutierrez, Julian Copado, Cinthya Zapata, Monica Tornoe, and others.

Live stories will be interspersed with music by Carlos Millo Ufret from Los Bohemios Perdidos, Salvadorian singers and songwriters Teresita and Mauricio Callejas, Colombian singer Diana Naranjo, and singer-songwriter Juan Antonio de Los Angeles with Ana Cantú on percussion. The event includes a gallery display of over a hundred hand-written stories of undocumented immigrants from our local Hispanic community. In addition, there will be an art installation focusing on the Hispanic immigrant experience.

The event is free to the public. A suggested $5 donation will go to support immigration programs of Grassroots Leadership, a local nonprofit that provides support, protection, and justice for immigrants impacted by U.S. detention and deportation policies.

More information and registration on Eventbrite​

Sunday, July 2

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. #ImpeachmentMarch

Texas State Capitol

From the organizers:

Calling all Patriots! The US is experiencing a Constitutional crisis and our system of checks and balances is being called into question. On July 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas, we march in solidarity with Impeachment March across the country to demand the removal of Donald J. Trump from the office of President.

For more info and to volunteer, visit impeachmentmarchaustin.org

Week of June 19, 2017

Wednesday, June 21

Share your healthcare stories to stop Trumpcare

Thursday, June 22

11 a.m. Indivisible Austin Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup

New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe St

Back by popular demand! The Indivisible Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup is now coming to you monthly. This is intended as a safe space to get to know each other, network, discuss our activism activities, check in about how we’re holding up, and see if we can offer help, resources, and connections for our various resistance activities. This will be a facilitated discussion and every attempt will be made to make sure everyone attending has a chance to be heard and offer their thoughts, struggles, questions, etc.

2 p.m. Stop Trumpcare at Senator Cruz’s Office

Sponsored by TX-10 Indivisible:

Sen. Cruz’s Central Austin Office
J.J Pickle Federal Building
300 E 8th
Suite 961
Austin, TX 78701
(Please meet in the Plaza in the back of the building. The entrance is through a large black gate on the west side of the building off San Jacinto and 9th.)

PARKING INFO:
St. David’s at the corner of Trinity & 8th has a public parking garage. That is an option if you can’t find street parking.

WHAT TO BRING:
Write a personal letter about how the ACA has impacted your life. Include your concerns about Trumpcare and backdoor dealings. Bring the letter to read out loud or simply hand it to the senator’s staffer. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to, supporting others is just as important. Bring a relevant protest sign. Bring your friends!!! Bring your children and babies!!!! Get the word out. We need BIG NUMBERS in attendance!!

Facebook Event

6 p.m. TX Legislative Update & Organizing for the Special Session

Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St,

Join State Representatives Eddie Rodriguez, Donna Howard, Celia Israel, and Gina Hinojosa for a follow-up to the “2017: What’s Next?” community engagement forum held in January.

The event will begin with a recap of the 85th Legislative Session, including a discussion about attacks on Austin’s local control, school finance reform, the biennial budget, SB 4 (the “sanctuary cities ban”), women’s health and more.

After the legislative update, your local lawmakers will discuss the upcoming “special session” to begin on July 18th with a focus on how the community can resist the misplaced priorities that will dominate the session and your representatives’ plans to advance good public policy.

At least 3 of the items that will be addressed are directly targeted at Austin – we will have to work together to protect our community and preserve the city we know and love.

Questions? Please contact Rep. Eddie Rodriguez’s office at lauren.rangel@house.texas.gov or call 512-463-0674.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/285477705249452

Friday, June 23

4:30 to 6 p.m. Fredericksburg – Save Our Healthcare Rally

Marktplatz (Market Square), 126 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX

TX21 Indivisible is hosting the Save Our Healthcare Rally on June 23 at the Fredericksburg Marketplatz in the center of town. The event will begin promptly at 4:30 PM and end at 6:00 PM.

The Trump Administration and Congress are attempting to rush his legislation through passage because they do not want scrutiny and informed criticism of their harmful actions. Unfortunately, the coalition of the far-right has the upper hand and our nation’s health is at risk. Healthcare is the ultimate nonpartisan issue and attacks on preexisting conditions, Medicaid, older Americans, and Planned Parenthood could eliminate healthcare for 23 million people. We must make it clear that we are watching, angry with their tactics, and will not be silent.

Here are two things you can do to help magnify our message:

Make signs that express your thoughts about rejecting AHCA and instead making ACA better — join our street-side protest

Consider telling your personal healthcare story to our rally audience or allowing us to video your telling. See examples here: Healthcare Testimonials. If you wish to participate, please contact: hillcountry@tx21indivisible.us

Saturday, June 24

1 to 5 p.m. Come on Down to the Indivisible Central Texas Roundup and Town Hall with Ezra Levin!

ACC Eastview Campus 3401 Webberville Road
Bldg. 8500
Austin, TX 78702

Tickets: $20. Please RSVP here.

Indivisible groups in Central Texas have become POWERHOUSES of activism. We want to celebrate all that you’ve done, and build for the future. So we’re excited to invite y’all to come on down for the Indivisible Central Texas Roundup with our special guest Ezra Levin, Co-Executive Director of The Indivisible Project!

The Roundup includes an afternoon of learning, networking, and recharging for Indivisible group leaders, super-volunteers, and passionate supporters – folks who are very engaged in their local Indivisible groups and ready to take their activism to the next level. Our learning sessions will be followed by a Town Hall (ticketed and open to the public) with Ezra.

Schedule and more info are here. 

5:30 p.m. Indivisible Austin No Hate Happy Hour!

On June 17, one of our members was targeted for abuse by a group of white supremacists and their car was vandalized. In response, we’re holding a “No Hate Happy Hour” at Scholz Garten, which is where the incident took place.

Scholz Garten is well-known as the home of Texas progressive social gatherings, and Indivisible Austin will not stand by while bigots turn it into a home for hate groups. We have decided to carry on with our previously scheduled happy hour there next Saturday at 5:30 p.m. If you plan on coming, please show your solidarity with an Indivisible or other progressive t-shirt.

Sunday, June 25

2 to 5 p.m. Community Event: Greenpeace Summer of Resistance Screening

Apache Shores Event Hall
14919 General Williamson Dr.

On June 25th, thousands across the country will gather to join Greenpeace for the Summer of Resistance kickoff webcast. Communities will gather locally to watch the webcast to learn about non-violent, creative resistance and how to take our resistance to the next level.

More information and RSVP.

Monday, June 26

8 a.m. to noon San Antonio: Rally to Block Show Me Your Papers Law SB4

655 E Cesar E Chavez Blvd, San Antonio, TX

From the organizers:

On the day of the first hearing in the lawsuit to stop Texas’ show-me-your-papers law, SB4, we’re going to gather outside of the courthouse to show that Texans reject hate in their state. We reject SB4 because it encourages and legalizes the racial profiling of immigrants and people of color. We will show we stand united against oppression, racism and hatred.

El día de la primera audiencia en la demanda para detener la ley Tejana Mostrame Tus Papeles, SB4, vamos a reunirnos fuera de la corte para mostrar que los tejanos rechazan el odio en su estado. Rechazamos SB4 porque alienta y legaliza el perfil racial de inmigrantes y personas de color. Mostraremos que estamos unidos contra la opresión, el racismo y el odio.

Facebook Event

Week of June 12, 2017

All Week

Final push to stop Trumpcare

We know you’re tired of fighting to save the Affordable Care Act. But this is the final push. The House’s AHCA bill is now under Senate review, behind closed doors, and they are planning a fast-tracked vote this month. We need to draw on our reserves and keep making those calls to Senators Cruz and Cornyn.

And let’s be honest about those guys: We know which way they are likely to vote. Cruz campaigned on repealing the ACA. Cornyn has made clear his intentions as well, calling data from the nonpartisan CBO “fake news.” But let’s make that vote difficult, even painful for them. Because the senators have a loose grasp on facts, and don’t seem to care that the AHCA would cause millions of Texans to lose their health insurance, let’s appeal to them on an emotional level.

Share your stories with the Senators. For example, how would losing Medicaid — and the Senate’s version of the bill is all about killing Medicaid — affect you or someone you know? Or perhaps you have a family member affected by the opioid crisis, which would be far worse without the ACA?

The point is to make it personal. The staffers who hear your voices and read your letters are human beings, and when enough of us share our stories, they cannot help but be affected.

In addition to calling, please start drafting a handwritten letter to both senators. We’re making plans to deliver these letters to senate offices over the next few weeks. Watch this space for more detail. 

Sunday, June 11

12 to 3 p.m. Texas Equality March for Unity and Pride

Texas State Capitol

From the organizers:

The Texas Equality March will begin with a rally at 12 PM at the south steps of the Texas Capitol Building. We will hear from some hard-working activists, organizers, and leaders from across the state. Our lineup represents the beautiful and rich diversity of Texas’ LGBTQ+ communities, and we are humbled and honored to highlight their advocacy work in this context. Some of our speakers include Fatima Mann from Counter Balance ATX, Naushaba Patel from the Montrose Center, and Adonias Arevalo from United We Dream. We will also hear from Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston, and the inimitable Ray Hill, whose activism has spanned the past five decades. After the rally, we will march through a circular downtown route: west on 11th St, south on Lavaca, east on 6th St, and north on Congress, ending at the Capitol.

Read more and RSVP at the Facebook Event

Monday, June 12

6:30 to 8 p.m. Training: Twitter For Activists

Manchaca Library, 5500 Manchaca Road

Feel like a Twitter novice but want to learn how to use Twitter for activism? Come to this session with your phone or device handy and let’s get started!

TX21 Indivisible organizer Carolyn Foote will lead this educational session, which is free and open to the public.

Register here.

Tuesday, June 13

6 to 9 p.m. I Am An Immigrant: Austin Training And Happy Hour

Microsoft Corporation
10900 Stonelake Boulevard
Building B

In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, FWD.us and the YWCA are partnering for an event for allies and immigrants alike.

  • From 6:00-7:30 p.m. the YWCA will lead a training for allies
  • From 7:30-9 p.m. join us for a happy hour celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month

Learn more and register.

Wednesday, June 14

National Stop #TrumpCare Senate Call-In Day

We’re doing this all week, but on this day let’s make our voices heard the loudest.

Sen. Cornyn 512-469-6034
Sen. Cruz 512-916-5834

Emails of staffers who cover healthcare:
Beth Nelson
beth_nelson@cornyn.senate.gov
Joel Heimbach
joel_heimbach@cruz.senate.gov

Thursday, June 15

10 a.m. TrumpCare press conference from the Cover Texas Now Coalition

Live Stream

2 p.m. Stop TrumpCare at John Cornyn’s Office

WHAT TO BRING
Write a personal letter about how the ACA has impacted your life. Include your concerns about Trumpcare and backdoor dealings. Bring the letter to read out loud or simply hand it to the senator’s staffer. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to, supporting others is just as important. Bring a relevant protest sign. Bring your friends!!! Bring your children and babies!!!! Get the word out. We need BIG NUMBERS in attendance!!

WHEN
Thursday June 15th @ 2pm

WHERE
Sen. Cornyn’s Central Austin Office
Chase Tower
221 West Sixth Street
Suite 1530

(We will be meeting in front of the building, near the corner of 6th and Lavaca)

Read more from TX-10 Indivisible

Friday, June 16

Check back for additional events, and keep up with the calls/emails/faxes/letters to stop Trumpcare!

Saturday, June 17

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Deputy Voter Registrar Training

First United Universalist Church
4700 Grover Ln.

Please use this form to sign up in advance. 

Sunday, June 18

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Resistance Needs Coffee – Wilco Indivisible

Cuppa Austin, 9225 Parmer Ln.

Join Casey for another round of The Resistance Needs Coffee! Bring your postcards, ideas, and righteous anger. Family members, friends, and children are always welcome. Come and go as you can.

Please RSVP here.

Week of June 5, 2017

ALL WEEK: Continue asking Cornyn and Cruz these questions about Trumpcare

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From Indivisible Project’s “Defend the ACA and Medicaid”:

  1. As your constituent, can you promise me that you:
    • “…won’t vote for a bill that would lead to millions of Americans losing their health coverage?”
    • “…won’t vote for a bill without first knowing its full implications from a CBO score?”
  2.  Can you guarantee that any replacement plan will cover at least as many people as would be covered under the ACA? Can you guarantee that no one will lose their coverage as a result of your vote?
  3. I [or someone I know] has “x” condition and I’m afraid that I [they] will be unable to obtain affordable health coverage because of my [their] pre-existing condition. I want to know if you can assure me that I’ll be able to get the same consumer protections as the ACA, including for a pre-existing condition?
  4. Can you assure me that funding for Medicaid won’t get cut under ANY replacement plan?
  5. Can you also assure me that Medicaid will remain an entitlement, and that anyone eligible will be guaranteed coverage?

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ALL WEEK: Demand to know why Cornyn and Cruz told Trump to leave the Paris Climate Accord

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Senators Cornyn and Cruz, along with 20 other GOP senators, signed a letter to Donald Trump telling him to withdraw from the climate accord for baseless legal reasons. From ABC News:

Most of the senators who signed are from states that depend on the continued burning of coal, oil and gas. That includes Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe and others who, like Trump, have suggested the scientific data showing the Earth is warming due to man-made carbon emissions is a hoax.

Call your senators and demand that they explain themselves. Why are they putting oil-company interests ahead of our children’s and grandchildren’s? And even it is a non-binding treaty, as they like to point out, why isolate the U.S. from our global allies?

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Monday, June 5

All day. Call your HOUSE rep and tell them to oppose the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R.10)

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Remember the Great Recession? Remember when banks could charge outrageous overdraft fees, and payday lenders triple-digit interest rates? The GOP, despite being plenty old enough, seems to have no recollection of those days. They see no reason for Dodd-Frank, which created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to protect consumers from predatory financial institutions.

Hence the Financial “CHOICE” Act, which deregulates Wall Street, and puts our jobs, homes and savings at risk. Our Rep. Roger Williams contributed language to the bill, and then posted some fake-sounding quotes on Twitter about it:

Indivisible TX-25 East did a deep-dive on the bill’s provisions for payday lenders, which would affect 10.2% of Texans (higher than the national average).

The Indivisible Project also has detailed scripts.

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Tuesday, June 6

2 to 3:15 p.m. Don’t Cap My Care Press Conference

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ADAPT Office
1640A East 2nd St

To support national efforts opposing the AHCA on June 6th, ADAPT of Texas will hold a press event in Austin highlighting the people who might lose Medicaid or coverage for pre0existing conditions or related coverage.

Folks on Medicaid, those with pre-existing conditions and other folks harmed by AHCA will be the speakers.

Gather 2pm. Press event 2:30pm

More information from ADAPT

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Monthly Deputy Voter Registrar Trainings (various times)

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  • 10:30 a.m.
  • 12:30 p.m.
  • 6:30 p.m.

Travis County Tax Office – Main, 5501 Airport Blvd.

For further information or to schedule a group training, contact  (512) 854-9473

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Wednesday, June 7

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Monthly Coffee Meetup

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Upper Crust Bakery, 4508 Burnet Rd

Indivisible Austin’s monthly 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). Can’t make daytimes? We also have a monthly Thursday night meetup.

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1 p.m. Terminate Hate: Fire Matt Rinaldi Statewide Event

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This is a STATEWIDE event sponsored by Indivisible, Pantsuit Nation, and Border Network for Human Rights calling for Dykema to fire Matt Rinaldi as an attorney in their organization.

AUSTIN: Meet at 111 Congress Ave. (One Congress) at 1pm.

SAN ANTONIO: We will show support at SA City Hall on Wed. June 7 at 1pm for members of Council who are against the Trumped Up SB4 which threatens our economy and all Texans of color. Then we will have a short march to the law firm that employs Rep. Matt Rinaldi at 112 E. Pecan Street (The Weston Bldg.) There, our STATEWIDE demand of Dykema is to Terminate Hate by firing Matt Rinaldi for calling ICE on protesters and threatening to shoot a Latino state rep on the floor of the House.

DALLAS: Meet at 1pm at 1717 Main St.. (Comerica Bank Tower)

EL PASO: Meet at 1pm CST/12pm MST at 221 N. Kansas (Wells Fargo Bldg) contact the Border Network for more info.

MCALLEN: Meet at 1pm at 1400 N. McColl Blvd (Commerce Center West)

Bring your signs: Terminate Hate.–Fire Matt Rinaldi–Don’t Employ Hate–Repeal SB4–Dont Make Texas A State of Hate–(you get the idea. just stay on message, please:-) Our Goals: Put Pressure on Matt Rinaldi. Remind the public that SB4 is a bill that violates civil rights of millions of people in Texas. We will not let Texas become a State of Hate.

More information on Facebook from from Repeal SB4: A Coalition of Resistance

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Thursday, June 8

Before noon: Call your HOUSE rep and tell them to oppose the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R.10).

See Monday’s action on this. Vote is today.

Canceled: Indivisible Austin Monthly Evening Coffee Meetup

Friday, June 9

12 to 1 p.m. Indivisible 101 Training

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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, 4700 Grover Ave

New to the Indivisible movement? Ready to #Resist Trump but aren’t sure how to get started? Join this basic training on what Indivisible is all about.

You’ll learn:

  • How to adopt Tea Party tactics for progressive change
  • How we use Austin’s six gerrymandered congressional districts to our advantage
  • How we have been successful in blocking the worst of Trump’s policies

Feel free to pack a lunch!

Space is limited. Please RSVP here. 

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7 to 9:30 p.m. Community Event: Mass Meeting for White People for Racial Justice

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University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe St

From the organizers:

As white people, and members of Undoing White Supremacy Austin, we have been organizing in Austin for over three years now, building a strong group, hosting Community Dialogues and Unlearning Circles, showing up in solidarity at City Council or in the streets, and providing childcare for mamas of color organizing for racial justice. We have also been active on the Mayor’s Task Force on Racial Equity, the City Racial Equity Team and have been working for a racially just Code Next.

We invite you to come together with us to deepen our connections, strengthen our ability to support frontline communities, and use our privilege in service to the crucial work ahead. Please bring your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers or members of your faith community to this meeting.

Read more and RSVP on the Facebook Event

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Saturday, June 10

9 to 11 a.m. Muslim Solidarity ATX Press Conference & Donation Drive

NEW: Indivisible Austin is cosponsoring this event at the Governor’s Mansion. 

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From the organizers:

Muslim Solidarity ATX, the group responsible for organizing the 2000+ peace observers on Muslim Capitol Day 2017, other Muslim allies and the Muslim community will hold a press conference and a donation drive in response to ACT for America’s anti-Shari’a rally.

We felt it was neccesary to create an alternative to counter-protesting because the Muslim community would rather oppose fascism with an act more in line with the self-reflective, peaceful, and giving spirit of Ramadan. It has also become clear that even if counter-protesters greatly outnumber protesters, clashes and arrests might ensue, as they did in Portland on 6/4/2017. Muslims don’t need their tactics or the tactics of their supporters to reinforce prevalent negative stereotypes about them.

We think that the best response during Ramadan for the Muslim community and it’s allies, is to show how Austin is “already” a loving community of diverse people that work together. White supremacy loses when we connect our communities and foster each others’ sense of belonging.

Since this is the month when Muslims are encouraged to become aware of the suffering of those less fortunate, we ask that you bring a non-perishable item to the 9:30 AM press conference at the Governor’s Mansion (see below for details of what to bring). After collecting the donations, we will march together to the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) to deliver the gifts.

POSSIBLE ITEMS TO BRING: New M and F white socks and underwear, travel-sized shampoo and body lotion, disposable razors, shaving cream (regular size cans or travel-sized), deodorant (full-sized), backpacks or small rolling suitcases (new or gently used), local bus day passes and tote bags.

Event sponsors are: Muslim Solidarity ATX, Undoing White Supremacy Austin, Austin Arab Anti-Discrimination Council, Austin Refuse Fascism, Left Up To Us, Indivisible Austin.

Read more on the Facebook Event

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Sunday, June 11

12 to 3 p.m. Texas Equality March for Unity and Pride

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Texas State Capitol

From the organizers:

The Texas Equality March will begin with a rally at 12 PM at the south steps of the Texas Capitol Building. We will hear from some hard-working activists, organizers, and leaders from across the state. Our lineup represents the beautiful and rich diversity of Texas’ LGBTQ+ communities, and we are humbled and honored to highlight their advocacy work in this context. Some of our speakers include Fatima Mann from Counter Balance ATX, Naushaba Patel from the Montrose Center, and Adonias Arevalo from United We Dream. We will also hear from Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston, and the inimitable Ray Hill, whose activism has spanned the past five decades. After the rally, we will march through a circular downtown route: west on 11th St, south on Lavaca, east on 6th St, and north on Congress, ending at the Capitol.

Read more and RSVP at the Facebook Event

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Week of May 29, 2017

ALL WEEK: Ask Cornyn and Cruz these five questions about the AHCA

From Indivisible Project’s “Defend the ACA and Medicaid”:

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Since the fight to save the ACA is now in the Senate, the following question are for your two senators. Questions for your representative, see here.

  1. Republicans in the House sided with Trump over the wellbeing of their constituents when they voted to pass TrumpCare. They voted for it without a CBO score, meaning that they didn’t even know how much it would harm their constituents. We now have a CBO score and know that TrumpCare would kick 23 million people off of their health care. As your constituent, can you promise me that you:
    • “…won’t vote for a bill that would lead to millions of Americans losing their health coverage?”
    • “…won’t vote for a bill without first knowing its full implications from a CBO score?”
  2. I don’t believe that ensuring “access” to health care, which doesn’t take into account affordability or quality of care, is good enough. Can you guarantee that any replacement plan will cover AT LEAST as many people that would be covered under the ACA? Can you guarantee that no one will lose their coverage as a result of your vote?
  3. I [or someone I know] has “x” condition and I’m afraid that I [they] will be unable to obtain affordable health coverage because of my [their] pre-existing condition. I want to know if you can assure me that I’ll be able to get the same consumer protections as the ACA, including for a pre-existing condition?
  4. Thanks to the ACA, I was able to enroll in my state’s Medicaid program for the first time. I’m afraid that a replacement plan will end funding for state Medicaid expansions. Can you assure me that funding for Medicaid won’t get cut under ANY replacement plan?
  5. Currently, anyone who is eligible for Medicaid is able to get it. I’m one of those people. I’m afraid that I may lose my Medicaid coverage if the program is restructured. Can you also assure me that Medicaid will remain an entitlement, and that anyone eligible will be guaranteed coverage?

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ALL WEEK: Stake out Sen. 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:

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  1. Visit cornynstakeout.com
  2. Connect with your local Indivisible group to sponsor a shift at one of Sen. Cornyn’s seven offices, May 30 – June 2 (followed by the Rally for Truth on June 3).
  3. If you need help finding a group, or want to sponsor a stakeout, email stakeout@indivisibleaustin.com

If you can’t come to the stakeout, call Sen. Cornyn and ask why he recommended an independent investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails but won’t do the same for Russian election interference. And ask him when Jared Kushner will be called to testify!

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ALL WEEK: Help Indivisible Austin Grow

To ensure the health and longevity of our organization, Indivisible Austin is expanding its leadership team.

Help us make sure that a diverse and representative group of Austinites know about this opportunity by sharing this application link—and applying!

Monday, May 29

All day. Congress in in recess, so keep checking back for in-district appearances.

9:30 am to 4 pm. Fight Back Against Anti-Immigrant SB4

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Texas State Capitol

From the organizer, United We Dream:

This is the summer of resistance. We have testified, rallied, protested and marched across the state of Texas to stop the racist bill SB4. And we are not stopping now.

On May 29th, the Texas state capitol is our house. We will show legislators and the world what our community looks like.

We will continue to build, unite, educate and inform our Texas community of the actions we can take so that SB4 does not go into effect September 1st.

Bring your family and friends — the Capitol is OURS , and we need as many of us in it to fight back!

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All Day. Call the Governor’s office and tell him no special session

Monday is the last day of the 85th Texas Legislature, and this one has been a doozy when it comes to bills targeting vulnerable Texans, including trans schoolchildren.

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Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has spent the entire session maneuvering to get his discriminatory “bathroom bill” passed. The clock has nearly run out, and the Texas House has thus far refused to pass a bill that would sufficiently discriminate against transgender Texans in Patrick’s eyes. Now, he is trying to force a special session to pass this hateful legislation once the 85th session wraps up today.

Governor Abbott is the only one who can actually call a “special session,” and he needs to know that Texans are done with this bill and demand that the state stop harassing trans kids. Oh, and it costs $800,000 to convene a special session.

Governor Greg Abbott

Office phone number: 512-463-2000

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Tuesday, May 30

All day. Congress is in recess, so keep checking back for in-district appearances.

All day. Cornyn Stakeout!

6 to 8 pm: Community Event: Fundraiser for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas

From the organizer:

NARAL Pro-Choice Texas is committed to protecting reproductive freedom. We invite you to be part of that by joining our Reproductive Freedom Party!

Rattle Inn
610 Nueces St
Austin, TX 78701

Purchase tickets

Wednesday, May 31

All day. Call John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and ask why they are encouraging Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord

Senators Cornyn and Cruz, along with 20 other GOP senators, signed a letter to Donald Trump telling him to withdraw from the climate accord for baseless legal reasons. From ABC News:

Most of the senators who signed are from states that depend on the continued burning of coal, oil and gas. That includes Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe and others who, like Trump, have suggested the scientific data showing the Earth is warming due to man-made carbon emissions is a hoax.

Call your senators and demand that they explain themselves. Why are they putting oil-company interests ahead of our children’s and grandchildren’s?

All day. Congress is in recess, so keep checking back for in-district appearances.

All day. Cornyn Stakeout!

Thursday, June 1

All day. Congress is in recess, so keep checking back for in-district appearances.

All day. Cornyn Stakeout!

Friday, June 2

All day. Congress is in recess, so keep checking back for in-district appearances.

All day. Cornyn Stakeout!

Saturday, June 3

All day. Congress is in recess, so keep checking back for in-district appearances.

10 am to noon: Community Event: Black Lives Matter Monthly Canvassing

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From the organizer:

Join us on our neighborhood canvassing/blockwalkings in the Austin as we spread community awareness and community education.

Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E Rundberg Ln

Facebook event

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11 am to 1 pm: Rally for Truth

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The Centex Chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and local chapters of Indivisible will host the People’s Rally for Truth on Saturday, June 3, from 11-1 at Austin City Hall (301 W. 2nd St.). The rally is part of the nationwide March for Truth, a grassroots, volunteer-led series of nonviolent demonstrations being planned in 100+ cities in five countries on June 3.

The rally will feature local elected officials, community leaders, and performers, to be announced.

The goals of the March For Truth demonstrations are to restore faith in American government and demand an impartial investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and ties to the Trump administration.

Facebook Event

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View more events on our community calendar

View Archives

Week of May 22, 2017

ALL WEEK: Help Indivisible Austin Grow

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To ensure the health and longevity of our organization, Indivisible Austin is expanding its leadership team.

Help us make sure that a diverse and representative group of Austinites know about this opportunity by sharing this application link—and applying!

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ALL WEEK: Get ready to stake out Sen. John Cornyn’s offices until he can provide answers on Russia

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This is a statewide action, so please spread the word outside of Austin. Here’s how it works:

  1. Visit cornynstakeout.com
  2. Connect with your local Indivisible group to sponsor a shift at one of Sen. Cornyn’s six offices, May 30 – June 2
  3. If you need help finding a group, or want to sponsor a stakeout, email stakeout@indivisibleaustin.com

If you can’t come to the stakeout, call Sen. Cornyn and ask why he recommended an independent investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails but won’t do the same for Russian election interference.

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Monday, May 22

All Day, call Mayor Steve Adler to thank him for taking legal action against SB4 and standing with the immigrant community

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Phone: (866) 587-6101

Sample script (but feel free to put into your own words, or tell your personal story):

My name is …. I’m an Austin resident an I want to thank the mayor for taking legal action against SB4 and supporting the immigrant community and people of color who will be targeted by this racist bill.

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All day. Tell Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to stop targeting vulnerable Texas children

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Lt. Governor Dan Patrick

Comment Line: (512) 463-5342

Office Line: (512) 463-0001

From Equality Texas, May 21, 2017:

“Tonight, the state of Texas voted to advance two bills that discriminate against LGBTQ Texans. SB 2078 allows for continued discrimination against transgender students with regard to restroom facilities and HB 3859 allows faith based child welfare providers to use taxpayer money to refuse to serve LBGTQ people. No amount of discrimination is acceptable. There is no middle ground. All discrimination is bad, full stop. Targeting some of the most vulnerable children in our state is abhorrent, shameful, and disgraceful. The Texas lawmakers of the 85th legislative session are on the wrong side of history. No matter how upset or scared our LGBTQ friends and families are feeling this evening, Equality Texas wants you to know that we stand with you; and we will fight to protect you.”

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Tuesday, May 23

Noon. Die-In at John Cornyn’s Austin office, hosted by Indivisible TX-10.

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TOPIC:

The senate is currently working on a plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and implement “TrumpCare 2.0.” We must send a strong message to Senator Cornyn that stripping away healthcare from millions of Americans is simply unacceptable. A “die-in” creates a stark visual to remind our representatives that if protections for essential benefits and those with pre-existing conditions are erased, millions of Americans will lose their access to affordable healthcare, and people will die from preventable conditions. We cannot let this disaster of a plan pass. We must show Senator Cornyn what his actions will do. Join us for a die-in and bring a headstone with a message for the senator.

WHAT TO BRING:

  • Signs in the shape of headstones with sayings like, “Lived under ACA, died under Trumpcare,” or “R.I.P. Affordable Healthcare.”
  • A blanket or mat
  • NOTE – This is a busy area of town, so people should lay single-file if necessary to avoid blocking the street and sidewalk and to maintain everyone’s safety.

WHAT TO WEAR:

  • Black or grey clothing
  • Costumes and/or masks such as the grim reaper
  • Any theatrical elements you think are appropriate

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 12:00 pm

WHERE:

Senator John Cornyn’s Austin Office
221 W 6th St #1530
Austin, TX 78701

PARKING INFO:
There are some metered spots along the street, and there are several parking garages in the area. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to find parking and walk to the location.

Share as widely as possible! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/408221736227492/

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8 p.m. Conference Call on #TrumpRussia and the #CornynStakout

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For participants in and organizers of the Cornyn Stakeout

Guest Speakers:

  • Daniel Epstein, West Texans Concerned About Vladimir Putin
  • Kell Simon, Kell Simon Law

Dial-in:

1-(712) 770-8067
Code: 409542

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Wednesday, May 24

All day. CBO score expected on the AHCA. Keep calling your reps!

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The Congressional Budget Office is expected to release its score on the AHCA. The score will almost certainly reveal the AHCA for the train wreck that it is. Keep calling Senators Cornyn and Cruz, as well as your House representative, to let them know what you think of this bill.

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Thursday, May 25

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Indivisible Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup!

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NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe St.

Introducing the Indivisible Women’s Lunchtime Coffee Meetup inaugural event. This is intended as a safe space to get to know each other, network, discuss our activism activities, check in about how we’re holding up, and see if we can offer help, resources, and connections for our various resistance activities. This will be a facilitated discussion and every attempt will be made to make sure everyone attending has a chance to be heard and offer their thoughts, struggles, questions, etc.

NeWorlDeli has the perfect mix of ambiance, fantastic sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, desserts, and, as necessary, alcohol 😉 We’ll be arriving just as they open, fyi. Please consider purchasing something to support the establishment and thank them for generously hosting.

Tentatively, we’re planning this to be one of the mix of monthly Indivisible Coffee Meetups.

Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1451845914888912

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NOTE: CORRECTED TIME: 7 to 9 pm ACA vs. AHCA: What the Healthcare?! Small Biz owner/Self-Employed Trumpcare Crash Course

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Are you confused and concerned about what might happen to your health care if the American Health Care Act (aka Trumpcare) becomes law? Do you work for yourself or only employ a handful of folks?

Come out and let Cheasty Anderson, Senior Policy Associate for Children’s Defense Fund-TX and Cover Texas Now, break down what could change for freelancers, small biz owners, and other entrepreneurs if Trumpcare replaces Obamacare. Then find out what you can do to convince our U.S. Senators Cornyn and Cruz to consider the Texas microbusiness community when they’re deciding the future of our health care.

BYO snacks, beer, wine, and questions!

Fibercove is on the opposite end of the parking lot from Snooze Cafe on South Lamar.

A project of TX21 Indivisible and the Texas Microbusiness Coalition.

RSVP Here

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Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 28

Three-day Campaign Bootcamp from the New Politics Forum

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From the organizers:

Campaign Bootcamp is a three-day nonpartisan training that gives young people the opportunity to experience a practical introduction to what it’s like to work on and run a political campaign.

Learn more and register

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Monday, May 29

9.30 a.m. Fight Back Against Anti-Immigrant SB4

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Texas State Capitol

From the organizer, United We Dream:

This is the summer of resistance. We have testified, rallied, protested and marched across the state of Texas to stop the racist bill SB4. And we are not stopping now.

 

On May 29th, the Texas state capitol is our house. We will show legislators and the world what our community looks like.

 

We will continue to build, unite, educate and inform our Texas community of the actions we can take so that SB4 does not go into effect September 1st.

 

Bring your family and friends — the Capitol is OURS , and we need as many of us in it to fight back!

 

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Week of May 15, 2017

ALL WEEK: Email Sen. John Cornyn Your ACA Story

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Sen. Cornyn sent an email asking for Texans to share their ACA stories. This is from his newsletter:

Health care affects each and every Texan’s life. As the United States Senate continues the process of replacing President Obama’s healthcare law, I want to hear about your experiences and how we can do better.

Texans across our state have told me that under Obamacare, they haven’t been able to keep their doctors, plans have disappeared, and high deductibles and double-digit premium hikes have made coverage unaffordable.

But, I’d like to hear from you. Let me know how Obamacare has impacted your family, your loved ones, or your business by replying to this email. As Congress crafts a new health care law, I want to be sure your voice is included in the conversation.

You can send your stories to newsletter_@cornyn.senate.gov with the subject “Tell Me Your Obamacare Story”

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ALL WEEK: Get ready to stake out Sen. John Cornyn’s offices until he can provide answers on Russia

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This is a statewide action, so please spread the word outside of Austin. Here’s how it works:

  1. Visit cornynstakeout.com
  2. Connect with your local Indivisible group to sponsor a shift at one of Sen. Cornyn’s six offices, May 30 – June 2
  3. If you need help finding a group, or want to sponsor a stakeout, email stakeout@indivisibleaustin.com

If you can’t come to the stakeout, call Sen. Cornyn and ask why he recommended an independent investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails but won’t do the same for Russian election interference.

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Sunday, May 14

12 to 3 p.m. Texas’ Moms Fight Back / Madres de Texas en la Lucha

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Austin City Hall
301 W 2nd St

This Mothers Day, Texas moms fight back to say no to SB4!

From the organizers, in Spanish and English:

Enviar mensaje “MARCHATX” al 877-877
Send a text that reads “MARCHATX” to 877-877

ENGLISH BELOW:

SB 4 es la ley conocida como “enséñame tus papeles” que transformará a Texas en un nuevo Arizona — para lo peor. Generaciones de jóvenes texanos recordarán a los políticos que votaron en favor de atacar a sus padres, a sus abuelos, a sus comunidades. Este es nuestro hogar, estamos aquí para quedarnos, y esos políticos pagarán un precio muy caro.

Durante esta semana y durante meses si es necesario, alzaremos nuestras voces en protestas, en reuniones comunitarias, en rallies alrededor del estado para denunciar SB4 por lo que es — una ley racista diseñada para perseguir a personas de color, para pisotear los derechos civiles y obligar a miles de texanos a convertirse en blanco de abusos y de discriminación racial.

Unase a nosotros este domingo en el dia cuando honramos nuestras mamás valientes mientras resistemos el SB 4 en nuestro estado! Es tiempo para tomar accion y enseñarles el poder de nuestra comunidad! Vistese de color rojo y traiga su cartelon!

Comparta con todos sus amigos y familia, y nos vemos en las calles!
____________________________________________________________

SB 4 is the “show me your papers” law that will transform Texas into the new Arizona — for the
worse. Generations of young Texans will remember the politicians who voted to attack their
parents, grandparents & communities. This is our home, we are here to stay and those politicians will pay the price.

Throughout this week and beyond, we will rise up in protests, community meetings and rallies
across the state to decry SB 4 for what it is — a racist law designed to target millions of Black and brown people, trample on civil liberties and force millions of Texans to vulnerable to racial profiling and abuse.

Join us this Sunday on the day we honor our courageous mothers as we resist SB4 in our state! This is our time to take action and show them what community looks like! Wear a red shirt and bring a sign!

Share this with all your friends and family, see you on the streets!

Facebook event

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All Day, and open to all–nationwide! Call people in TX-23, inviting them to Rep. Will Hurd’s San Antonio offices to demand a special prosecutor in the Russia investigation

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This is an opportunity for everyone to influence Rep. Will Hurd in TX-23, regardless of where you live.

There will be a rally at Hurd’s San Antonio offices on Tuesday, May 16 to demand a special prosecutor to investigate Russian election interference. A phone bank has been set up that enables you to call constituents in his district, encouraging them to go to the rally.

Once you log in, there will be scripts for you to follow. If you don’t have a VPB account, it takes two minutes to create one.

Get started phone banking!

Event info:

Northside: Meeting at noon at 17721 Rogers Ranch Parkway.

Southside: Meeting at noon at Texas A&M University-San Antonio
One University Way, San Antonio, Texas 78224.

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Monday, May 15

All Day, and open to all–nationwide! Call people in TX-23 to tell them to go to Rep. Will Hurd’s San Antonio offices to demand a special prosecutor in the Russia investigation

[showhide type=”20170515willhurdphonebank” more_text=”Show more…” less_text=”Show less…”]

This is an opportunity for everyone to influence Rep. Will Hurd in TX-23, regardless of where you live.

There will be a rally at Hurd’s San Antonio offices on Tuesday, May 16 to demand a special prosecutor to investigate Russian election interference. A phone bank has been set up that enables you to call constituents in his district, encouraging them to go to the rally.

Once you log in, there will be scripts for you to follow. If you don’t have a VPB account, it takes two minutes to create one.

Get started phone banking!

Event info:

Northside: Meeting at noon at 17721 Rogers Ranch Parkway.

Southside: Meeting at noon at Texas A&M University-San Antonio
One University Way, San Antonio, Texas 78224.

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Tuesday, May 16

12:15 p.m. Press Conference: Show Your Support for Litigation against SB4

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PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

What: City council members, county commissioners, state legislators, and grassroots organizations from all of Texas’ major metropolitan areas will announce their support for litigation against the State of Texas to stop the unconstitutional and anti-immigrant Senate Bill 4, signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on May 7th.

Who: Elected officials from Texas cities and community organizations.

When: Tuesday, May 16th at 12:15pm CST

Where: Texas State Capitol South Steps, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Full press release from City Council Member Greg Casar

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1:30 to 3 p.m. Die-In at Sen. Cruz’s Office: R.I.P. = Republican Insurance Plan

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The AHCA passed the House last week and now goes to the Senate for review. Let’s show Senator Cruz exactly how we feel about Trumpcare and the number of lives this bill will impact.

  1. Bring your STORIES! Do you (someone you know) rely on the ACA? How will the changes affect your friends/loved ones? Write a letter and bring it with you.
  2. Come with PROPS for visual effect – tombstones, RIP signs, etc. This is a die-in format which means we want to be dramatic with our props. WEAR BLACK. The AHCA will impact access to care for millions and lives are at risk.
  3. It’s recommended you bring a yoga mat or blanket to put on the ground. For those able, we will lie down to reinforce the dying effect.

Hosted by Indivisible Rosedale Huddle.

Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1861280994139294/

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Wednesday, May 17

All Day. Contact the FCC and Congress and tell them not to change Net Neutrality rules

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Tomorrow, May 18, the FCC will vote on whether to roll back Obama-era Net Netrality rules.

FCC Contact Info:

Toll-Free Voice:
1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)

Toll-Free TTY:
1-888-TELL FCC (835-5322)

Toll-Free Fax:
1-888-418-0232

Here’s a script from Celeste Pewter:

To the FCC:

You: Hi, my name is [name]. I’m calling from [zip code].

You: I am calling to state that I do NOT want the FCC to change net neutrality rules. A change in rules would take away our freedom on the internet, and negatively impact individual constituents and small businesses alike.

You: I am asking the FCC board to vote NO on May 18th. Thank you and have a good day.

To your MoC/Senator: 

You: Hi, my name is [name]. I’m calling from [zip code].

You: I am calling to ask that [MoC/Senator] take a stand against changes to net neutrality rules.

You: A change in rules would take away our freedom on the internet, and negatively impact individual constituents and small businesses alike, and I think it is important that [MoC/Senator] speak out in advance of May 18th, and fight any attempts to change these rules.

You: Can I count on [MoC/Senator] to respect the freedom of the internet?

If yes: Great, thank you and have a good day!

If no: I strongly ask [MoC/Senator] to consider the impact of these changes. This would negatively impact the share of information and ideas that have helped the United States lead the way in internet information and entrepreneurship. Thanks and have a good day!

Much more detail is available on Celeste Pewter’s “It’s Time to Fight” website

[/showhide]

Thursday, May 18

6 to 9 p.m. Wilco Indivisible VDR Training and General Meeting

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United Christian Church, 3500 W Parmer Ln, Austin, TX 78727

6 p.m. (Registration Required) Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training

7 p.m. General meeting. Our focus will be voting rights and gerrymandering. Pre-meeting session for VDR training starts at 6. Speakers about gerrymandering TBD. We will likely also have progressive candidates on hand. For more information: Wilco.Indivisible@gmail.com.

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8 to 9 p.m. Webcast from the Backbone Campaign: “Love Wins – Grand Strategy in a Battle of Paradigms”

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Bill Moyer of Backbone Campaign, veteran “artful activist” and sought-after activism trainer, will be doing a free webcast training especially for Texas Resistance groups this Thursday at 7pm. Bill has been fighting for progressive values for 14 years and has much wisdom about theory of change, strategy and tactics, and fun direct actions to share with us.

Sign-up here.

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Friday, May 19

If you or someone you know is interested in joining Indivisible Austin’s leadership team, please get in touch. Application deadline is June 1st.

Saturday, May 20

10 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training

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First United Universalist Church,4700 Grover Ave, Austin, TX 78756

Fill out this form to preregister

[/showhide]

Week of May 8, 2017

ALL WEEK: It’s time for AHCA Payback

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The House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a cruel bill designed to strip healthcare from millions of Americans while giving a tax cut to the rich.

Read more about the bill here.

Continue calling your House reps who voted for the bill, as well as your Senators (the bill will move the Senate in the next few weeks.)

  • Sen. Cornyn 512-469-6034
  • Sen. Cruz 512-916-5834
  • TX-10 McCaul 512-473-2357
  • TX-17 Flores 512-373-3378
  • TX-21 Smith 512-912-7508
  • TX-25 Williams 512-473-8910
  • TX-31 Carter 512-246-1600

This week your House reps are scheduled to be in their home district. There are numerous AHCA protests at various stages of planning. We have a full listing here. 

[/showhide]

ALL WEEK: Get ready to stake out John Cornyn’s offices until he can provide answers on Russia

[showhide type=”20170508russia” more_text=”Show more…” less_text=”Show less…”]

This is a statewide action, so please spread the word outside of Austin. Here’s how it works:

  1. Visit cornynstakeout.com
  2. Connect with your local Indivisible group to sponsor a shift at one of Sen. Cornyn’s six offices, May 30 – June 2
  3. If you need help finding a group, or want to sponsor a stakeout, email stakeout@indivisibleaustin.com

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Monday, May 8

3:30 – 5 pm. AHCA PAYBACK at Michael McCaul’s office

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Hosted by TX-10 Indivisible

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 3:30 PM promptly.  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.

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4 – 5 pm Die-in at Bill Flores’ AUSTIN Office

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Hosted by Indivisible TX-17

Rep. Bill Flores’ Austin Office
14205 Burnet Rd, Suite 230
Austin, TX 78728
Facebook event

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Tuesday, May 9

8:30 to 10 a.m.We Are #HereToStay And We Will Remember

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Texas Governor’s Mansion
1010 Colorado St

From the organizers:

SB 4 is the “show me your papers” law that will transform Texas into the new Arizona — for the worse. Today we will rise up in protests, community meetings and rallies in Austin and across the state to decry SB 4 for what it is — a racist law designed to target millions of Black and brown people, trample on our civil liberties and make our communities hide in fear until the next round of abuse.

Facebook event

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11 a.m. AHCA Payback at Sen. John Cornyn’s office

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Hosted by Indivisible Austin
RSVP Here

Chase Tower
221 West Sixth Street
Suite 1530
Austin, TX 78701

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8 pm Indivisible Austin conference call with NARAL Pro Choice Texas

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Between the AHCA’s defunding of Planned Parenthood and its attack on women generally, and the series of vile, misogynist bills sailing through the Texas legislature, the timing could not be more perfect for this call.

Our guest speaker will be Dr. Valerie R. Peterson, who is on the Board of Directors of NARAL Pro Choice Texas. Dr. Peterson also shared her personal abortion story in the New York Times and continues to be engaged with reproductive rights in the Texas Legislature.

To join:

1-712-770-8067
Code: 409542

[/showhide]

Wednesday, May 10

5 p.m. Emergency Action at Ted Cruz’s office to Sound the Alarm on Russia

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https://www.facebook.com/events/1378042378951821/

Additional info from MoveOn

[/showhide]

7 p.m. SB4 Vigil at the Governor’s Mansion

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Workers Defense Project, United We Dream, University Leadership Initiative, Education Austin, Grassroots Leadership and Inmigrantes Unidos are planning a vigil at the TX Governor’s Mansion this Wednesday, May 10th at 7pm.

This event is part of our continued week of resistance following Governor’s Abbott signing of SB 4 last Sunday.

In honor of Mexican Mother’s Day, we will be honoring the women who have taught us what it means to love, to come together, and to stand up for what is right.

Facebook Event

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All Day. Email John Cornyn your ACA story!

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From Sen. John Cornyn’s newsletter:

Health care affects each and every Texan’s life. As the United States Senate continues the process of replacing President Obama’s healthcare law, I want to hear about your experiences and how we can do better.

Texans across our state have told me that under Obamacare, they haven’t been able to keep their doctors, plans have disappeared, and high deductibles and double-digit premium hikes have made coverage unaffordable.

But, I’d like to hear from you. Let me know how Obamacare has impacted your family, your loved ones, or your business by replying to this email. As Congress crafts a new health care law, I want to be sure your voice is included in the conversation.

You can send your stories to newsletter_@cornyn.senate.gov with the subject “Tell Me Your Obamacare Story”

[/showhide]

All Day. Call ALL MoCs and demand a special prosecutor for investigation into Russian election interference

[showhide type=”20170510russia” more_text=”Show more…” less_text=”Show less…”]

Here’s a script from Celeste Pewter:

You: Hi, [my name is] and I’m calling from [zip code].

You: I’m asking [MoC/Senator] to push for a special prosecutor and an independent commission to investigate the Trump Administration.

You: The firing of Director Comey was a clearly a partisan act, based on false reasons. This reinforces the idea that we are in need of non-partisan investigations, urgently.

You: Please support this effort, and do what you can using the Ethics in Government Act. Please do what you can.  Thanks. [hang up]

[/showhide]

Thursday, May 11

2:30 – 4 p.m. ACA Die-In at Rep McCaul’s Office

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TOPIC:
Michael McCaul just voted to strip away healthcare from millions of Americans and replace it with a plan that would be disastrous for our country. Let’s show him what the results of his actions will look like. A “die-in” is meant to create a stark visual to remind our representatives what the consequences of their actions are: Little or no access to healthcare for millions of Americans, higher rates of preventable death and disease, and poorer health for us all. If the ACA is repealed and replaced with the AHCA, an estimated 52 million people would have no healthcare coverage by 2026. And the latest version of the bill lets individual states decide whether insurers must cover those with pre-existing conditions. We can’t let this disaster of a plan pass. We must show Michael McCaul what his actions will do. Join us for a die-in and bring a headstone with a message for McCaul. Reference: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/52486

WHAT TO BRING:
– Cardboard signs in the shape of headstones with sayings like, “Here lies the ACA,” or, “Trumpcare killed me,” or “McCaul voted to take away my healthcare.”

WHAT TO WEAR:
– Black, white, or grey clothing
– If possible, costumes such as the grim reaper
– Any other theatrical elements you think are appropriate
NOTE – People should lie down in shifts to prevent exhaustion and overheating.

WHEN:
Thursday, March 11, 2:30 – 4:00pm

WHERE:
Congressman Michael McCaul’s Austin Office
9009 Mountain Ridge Dr #203
Austin TX 78759

PARKING INFO:
Please park along the street near the office building called Mountain Ridge Drive.

Share as widely as possible! Looking forward to seeing you there!

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4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Conversations at the Capitol: Public Policy, Process, Innovation

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Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Avenue, Civil Rights Room 3E.4

Hosted by InterLocal and Austin Tech Alliance

From the organizers: What is going on inside The Texas State Capitol and why should I care? The goal of our conversation is answer these questions to better include young professionals, innovators, and technology entrepreneurs in our political process.

Facebook event

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5 to 7 p.m. Refugee Services Benefit Night

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Ten Thousand Villages of Austin
4803 Burnet Rd, Austin, Texas 78756

From the organizer: Refugee Services of Texas serves refugees, asylees, individuals with Special Immigrant Visas, Cuban-Haitian entrants, Central American minors, survivors of human trafficking, and other vulnerable populations. Come support at Ten Thousand Villages! Refugee Services of Texas – Austin

Facebook Event

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Friday, May 12

All day. Email Sen. John Cornyn your ACA story

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From Sen. John Cornyn’s newsletter:

Health care affects each and every Texan’s life. As the United States Senate continues the process of replacing President Obama’s healthcare law, I want to hear about your experiences and how we can do better.

Texans across our state have told me that under Obamacare, they haven’t been able to keep their doctors, plans have disappeared, and high deductibles and double-digit premium hikes have made coverage unaffordable.

But, I’d like to hear from you. Let me know how Obamacare has impacted your family, your loved ones, or your business by replying to this email. As Congress crafts a new health care law, I want to be sure your voice is included in the conversation.

You can send your stories to newsletter_@cornyn.senate.gov with the subject “Tell Me Your Obamacare Story”

Further reading: “John Cornyn Wants to Hear Your Obamacare Story”

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Saturday, May 13

11:45 am – 2:15 pm. TX-25 Congressional District Town Hall

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Hosted by Indivisible TX-25 East

Did you know that 45% of Congressman Roger Williams voters live in Travis County?

Austin constituents from Texas Congressional District 25 are hosting a town hall meeting for Congressman Roger Williams in the King-Seabrook Chapel at Huston-Tillotson University on May 13 from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 2:00 p.m. Doors open at 11:45 am.

We will have a moderator and non-partisan policy experts lined up to answer your most pressing questions if Congressman Williams chooses not to attend.

Make your voice heard!

RSVP Here

[/showhide]

Sunday, May 14

12 to 3 p.m. Texas’ Moms Fight Back / Madres de Texas en la Lucha

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Austin City Hall
301 W 2nd St

This Mothers Day, Texas moms fight back to say no to SB4!

From the organizers, in Spanish and English:

Enviar mensaje “MARCHATX” al 877-877
Send a text that reads “MARCHATX” to 877-877

ENGLISH BELOW:

SB 4 es la ley conocida como “enséñame tus papeles” que transformará a Texas en un nuevo Arizona — para lo peor. Generaciones de jóvenes texanos recordarán a los políticos que votaron en favor de atacar a sus padres, a sus abuelos, a sus comunidades. Este es nuestro hogar, estamos aquí para quedarnos, y esos políticos pagarán un precio muy caro.

Durante esta semana y durante meses si es necesario, alzaremos nuestras voces en protestas, en reuniones comunitarias, en rallies alrededor del estado para denunciar SB4 por lo que es — una ley racista diseñada para perseguir a personas de color, para pisotear los derechos civiles y obligar a miles de texanos a convertirse en blanco de abusos y de discriminación racial.

Unase a nosotros este domingo en el dia cuando honramos nuestras mamás valientes mientras resistemos el SB 4 en nuestro estado! Es tiempo para tomar accion y enseñarles el poder de nuestra comunidad! Vistese de color rojo y traiga su cartelon!

Comparta con todos sus amigos y familia, y nos vemos en las calles!
____________________________________________________________

SB 4 is the “show me your papers” law that will transform Texas into the new Arizona — for the
worse. Generations of young Texans will remember the politicians who voted to attack their
parents, grandparents & communities. This is our home, we are here to stay and those politicians will pay the price.

Throughout this week and beyond, we will rise up in protests, community meetings and rallies
across the state to decry SB 4 for what it is — a racist law designed to target millions of Black and brown people, trample on civil liberties and force millions of Texans to vulnerable to racial profiling and abuse.

Join us this Sunday on the day we honor our courageous mothers as we resist SB4 in our state! This is our time to take action and show them what community looks like! Wear a red shirt and bring a sign!

Share this with all your friends and family, see you on the streets!

Facebook event

[/showhide]

Week of May 1, 2017

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:

  1. Visit cornynstakeout.com
  2. Connect with your local Indivisible group to sponsor a shift at one of Sen. Cornyn’s six offices, May 30 – June 2
  3. 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.

View Facebook Event

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.

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

TX21 Indivisible is excited to host a session on protest safety and verbal assertiveness led by Susan Schorn.
We’ll cover:
  • 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)!

RSVP for this workshop

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 ____.”

Find your Texas rep.

Friday, May 5

All day. Call Texas House reps and ask them to vote NO on Bathroom-Bill companion HB 2899

SB6 (the bathroom bill) passed the Texas State Senate in March. We hoped that the State House of Representatives would let it die in committee, but it looks like its House companion HB 2899 is gaining support in the House, as reported by Patrick Svitek on Friday: Texas Tribune: Patrick Expresses Support for House Companion Bathroom Bill.
Call your state representative and ask them to vote No on the discriminatory HB 2899 if it comes up for a vote.
Here’s a list of Representatives on the Texas House of Representatives State Affairs Committee

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!

RSVP for this event

Week of April 24, 2017

ALL WEEK: Defend the ACA…again

Friday is the deadline for Congress to pass a budget, and your health is being used as a bargaining chip to get that bill passed. The main difference in this latest bill is the MacArthur Amendment, which would give waiver options to states. This amendment is there to appease the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus. In other words, this bill is even worse than the last one.

Here’s an example from Celeste Pewter of what the MacArthur Amendment would allow insurers to do:

It would give states the option of opting out of requiring insurance companies to charge the same price to everyone who is the same age, a provision called “community rating.”

In other words: “the draft amendment would allow states to seek a waiver, freeing insurers to go back to using an individual rating system to set premiums.” This ultimately impacts people with pre-existing conditions.

E.g. Per MIC: If passed, this could allow insurance companies to charge cancer patients more for their insurance plan, that may not cover their drugs.

It’s an extremist example, but apt.

Call your HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES and tell them NO on the latest attempt to repeal Obamacare

ALL WEEK: Early Voting for May 6 Elections

Early voting for the May 6 local elections in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties takes place from April 24 – May 2. 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 WEEK: Climate Justice Week

Climate Justice Week—a week of workshops, presentations, and panel discussions, culminating with the Austin People’s Climate March on April 29th—aims to foster understanding and build power at the intersections of protecting the planet with fighting the injustices facing people living in the margins of society.

Sunday, April 23

4 to 5:30 p.m. Climate Justice Week: Forests, Food, Faith and Climate Change

Austin Public Library Yarborough Branch
2200 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756

Monday, April 24

All Day. Call Texas State House Reps to Tell Them NO on SB4: The Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bill

On Wednesday, SB4, the “Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bill” goes for the full House for a vote. There are several actions planned to draw attention to this cruel legislation.

Script for calling Texas House Reps:

“Hi, my name is ________ and I am calling to demand that the Representative OPPOSE Senate Bill 4 in any form. [My family / Texas students / Texas children] deserve/s to live without fear, and to live lives of dignity and prosperity. Please tell the Representative that Texans OPPOSE SB 4 and they must too.”

For up to the moment information, text “StopSB4” to 877877 to stay up-to-date on how you can help, and to be a part of this action to block Trump’s mass deportation agenda in Texas.

Download the Immigrant Ally Toolkit from Indivisible Guide

Read more from Indivisible TX LEGE

All Day. Call TEXAS HOUSE REPS to OPPOSE GERRYMANDERING / HB 2221

Last week, the Senate passed SB 949 that would cap legal fees owed to successful challengers of redistricting and school finance claims to $250,000. This comes on the heels of yet another federal court ruling that found that Texas intentionally diluted minority votes when drawing the State House Districts in 2011. To date, the ongoing litigation surrounding this court case has topped $5 million. According to Senator Kirk Watson, D-Austin, “[This] bill will make it harder for citizens of this state who are aggrieved by actions that violate the Constitution, to bring these cases.”

HB 2221 is the House companion bill to SB 949, and it’s in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. The bill is set for a hearing on Tuesday. We need to slow this bill down. NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS and tell them you OPPOSE gerrymandering and therefore also OPPOSE HB 2221:

Chair: Rep. John T. Smithee (512) 463-0702
Vice Chair: Rep. Jessica Farrar (512) 463-0620

Members:
Rep. Roland Gutierrez (512) 463-0452 ***
Rep. Ana Hernandez (512) 463-0614
Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (512) 463-0186
Rep. Andrew S. Murr (512) 463-0536
Rep. Victoria Neave (512) 463-0244 ***
Rep. Matt Rinaldi (512) 463-0468
Rep. Mike Schofield (512) 463-0528 (the AUTHOR of HB 2221)

*** Representatives that we know already will oppose HB 2221. But still okay to call to say thanks.

Next, CALL YOUR HOUSE REP and tell them to OPPOSE HB 2221.

Read more from Indivisible TX LEGE

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Climate Justice Week: Change Changemakers: Law and Policy

Austin Public Library Cepeda Branch
651 N Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin, TX 78702

Tuesday, April 25

All Day. Call Texas State House Reps to Tell Them NO on SB4: The Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bill

On Wednesday, SB4, the “Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bill” goes for the full House for a vote. There are several actions planned to draw attention to this cruel legislation.

Script for calling Texas House Reps:

“Hi, my name is ________ and I am calling to demand that the Representative OPPOSE Senate Bill 4 in any form. [My family / Texas students / Texas children] deserve/s to live without fear, and to live lives of dignity and prosperity. Please tell the Representative that Texans OPPOSE SB 4 and they must too.”

For up to the moment information, text “StopSB4” to 877877 to stay up-to-date on how you can help, and to be a part of this action to block Trump’s mass deportation agenda in Texas.

Download the Immigrant Ally Toolkit from Indivisible Guide

Read more from Indivisible TX LEGE

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alliance for Clean Texas (ACT) Lobby Day

Texas State Capitol. RSVP by April 24 by emailing rita.beving@gmail.com

From the organizers: The Alliance for a Clean Texas (ACT) represents a coalition of environmental, public interest, consumer rights and religious organizations dedicated to improving public health, quality of life and the environment
in Texas by working for change at the regulatory and legislative levels.

More information from ACT

6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Climate Justice Week: Climate Change, Housing Affordability, and Gentrification

Green Room
4804 B Grover Ave Austin, TX 78756

8 to 9 p.m. Emergency SB4 Conference Call with Indivisible Austin, Workers Defense Project, and United We Dream

Guest Speakers:

Jose Garza, Executive Director, Workers Defense Project
Chris Valdez and Karla Perez Ramirez, United We Dream

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, April 26

All Day. Call Texas State House Reps to Tell Them NO on SB4: The Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bill

On Wednesday, SB4, the “Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bill” goes for the full House for a vote. There are several actions planned to draw attention to this cruel legislation.

Script for calling Texas House Reps:

“Hi, my name is ________ and I am calling to demand that the Representative OPPOSE Senate Bill 4 in any form. [My family / Texas students / Texas children] deserve/s to live without fear, and to live lives of dignity and prosperity. Please tell the Representative that Texans OPPOSE SB 4 and they must too.”

For up to the moment information, text “StopSB4” to 877877 to stay up-to-date on how you can help, and to be a part of this action to block Trump’s mass deportation agenda in Texas.

Download the Immigrant Ally Toolkit from Indivisible Guide

Read more from Indivisible TX LEGE

9 a.m. United We Dream Press Conference to Stop SB4

South Capitol Steps

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Cafe Java, 11900 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 78758

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!

6 to 8 p.m. Capitol Vigil for Our Families to Stop SB4

Organized by United We Dream: Immigrant families, friends, & allies from across the state will join in solidarity and hold vigil at the State Capitol to uplift our families as the Texas House votes on Immigrant HATE Bill SB 4

6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Climate Justice Week: Climate Change and Education

University of Texas CPE 2.218
200 E Dean Keaton

Thursday, April 27

12 to 1 p.m. Training: Indivisible 101

North Austin, Location TBD

Instructor: Noah Masterson, Indivisible Austin co-founder and Board Vice President

New to the Indivisible movement? Ready to #Resist Trump but aren’t sure how to get started?

Join this basic training on what Indivisible is all about. You’ll learn:

  • How to adopt Tea Party tactics for progressive change
  • How we use Austin’s six gerrymandered congressional districts to our advantage
  • How we have been successful in blocking the worst of Trump’s policies

Feel free to pack a lunch!

RSVP FOR THIS EVENT

6 to 8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Central Market, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78745

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!

6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Climate Justice Week: Climate Change and Public Health

Austin Public Library Pleasant Hill Branch
211 E William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78745

Friday, April 28

Time TBD. Climate Justice Week Social/Hangout

Green Room
4804 B Grover Ave Austin, TX 78756

Saturday, April 29

1 p.m. Austin People’s Climate March

Texas State Capitol

Sunday, April 30

2:30 to 4 p.m. Training: “How to Plan & Attend In-Person Indivisible Actions”

Manchaca Road Library
5500 Manchaca Rd., Austin, TX 78745

Have you been to an action or 6 at your member of Congress’ office and wondered, wow, how did those organizers get so organized?

Have you thought, gosh, I’d like to plan a meeting, program, or demonstration but I don’t even know where to start?

Or have you just been reluctant to go to your member of Congress’ office because you don’t know how things would work when you got there?

Then come to our first-ever training on how to plan and attend in-person actions!

You’ll come away with creative ideas and practical tips for organizing and attending a successful event or meeting for your group.

All are welcome at this training!

RSVP FOR THIS EVENT

Week of April 17, 2017

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: Make plans for the Kids’ Climate Action on Thursday

If you have children or grandchildren (or just small humans in your care), start making your after-school plans to join the Kids’ Climate Action on Thursday, April 20. See our Kids’ Climate Action toolkit for details.

Monday, April 17

All day. Call your MoC and ask three things:

  1. Is it okay for the President to use the office for personal, financial gain?
  2. Is it okay to change the tax code in ways that could personally benefit the President and his family members?
  3. Is it okay to hide the truth of whatever is in the President’s tax returns, obscuring his conflicts of interest?

Here’s our Board President, Lisa Benjamin Goodgame, at the Tax March rallying the crowd to do these three things. Pick up the phone!

Tuesday, April 18

All Day. Tell your Members of Congress to Vote Against Deportation Funding

Congress needs to pass a funding bill by April 28 of this year, or the government will shut down. And Donald Trump is using the budget process to ram through one of his most vicious policies.

Trump is requesting additional money (a “supplemental request”) in order to begin work on his border wall, expand his internal deportation force, and add more detention facilities to hold immigrants. This money will be used to rip apart American families, harm communities, and make us all less safe.

And how does he plan to pay for this? By cutting funding from essential programs that actually keep us safe and healthy—programs like education, housing, disease prevention, disaster response, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tell your MoCs that you don’t want Congress to spend one penny more to fund Trump’s deportation force, detention facilities or border wall. Tell them that you don’t want funding for essential programs cut.

This is especially relevant in Texas, where Trump’s first private prison for immigrants is already in the works.

8 to 9 p.m. Indivisible Austin Conference Call

Topic and guest speakers TBD.

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, April 19

ALL DAY. Tell MoCs to Investigate Russian Interference in the Election

Each day the American people watch as new bombshells drop related to Russian interference in the 2016 election, and connections between Russia and the Trump administration emerge. Trump officials have lied, been forced to resign, and now are shopping for immunity. Alarmingly, key Republicans leading investigations into Russia have closed ranks to protect Donald Trump, suppressing testimony and public hearings.

Enough is enough. The American people deserve better. Congress should appoint a special commission to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. Members of Congress have introduced bills in both the House and Senate that propose setting up an independent commission, composed of experts outside of Congress, to examine Russian influence in the 2016 election.

Ask your Representative to co-sponsor the Protecting Our Democracy Act (bill number H.R. 356). This bill would create an independent commission to investigate Russian interference in our elections.

Ask your Senator to co-sponsor Senator Cardin’s bill S. 27, which would similarly establish an independent commission to investigate Russian interference.

10 a.m. to noon. TX-21 Indivisible Rally to Keep the Hill Country Beautiful

700 Main St, Kerrville, TX 78028

The rally to Keep Our Hill Country Beautiful is happening April 19 from 10:00 AM until noon (or later if we are having too much fun)! Dr. Bob Elde, co-founder of the Hill Country Science Mill, is our special guest speaker! Bob is our Hill Country neighbor and a scientist, author, educator, and environmental expert. You should not miss this. Bring a hand-written letter on environmental issues addressed to “Lamar” to participate in a special event! Rally participants from all over the district are invited!

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Epoch Coffee at the Village, 2700 W Anderson Ln #409

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!

Afternoon: Hearing on House “alternative” to SB 6 “bathroom bill”

From our friends at Equality Texas:
The Texas House Committee on State Affairs will hear witness testimony on HB2899, a proposed House alternative to the SB6 “bathroom bill,” on Wednesday, April 19th, starting in the afternoon in the John H. Reagan Office Building Room JHR 140 in the Capitol complex.

Read the proposed Committee Substitute to HB2899 here.

To be clear, this bill being promoted as an alternative to SB 6 by Texas lawmakers is unacceptable. CSHB 2899 is discriminatory and will leave thousands of transgender Texans without protections and vulnerable to harassment and violence.  

There are many ways to voice your opposition to HB2899. Two important ways are through social media and through testimony at the public hearing. For social media, we ask throughout the day that you use #StopHB2899 and #YallMeansAll when posting to Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media app in order to create more advocacy noise. Read more to find out how to give public testimony on Wednesday.

Thursday, April 20

 3:30 p.m. Kids’ Climate Action

Gather kids between 3:30 and 4:00 on April 20th at the member of Congress’s office. Kids should bring prepared crafts, signs, and letters that they can read aloud and then leave with the member of congress or staffer.

Please see our Kids’ Climate Action toolkit for details. 

6 to 8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Cafe Express, 3418 N 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!

Friday, April 21

Make plans to join tomorrow’s March for Science and the People’s Climate March on April 29.

Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day!

9 a.m. to noon. March for Science

From the organizer:

Hey, Austin! We’ll stand in solidarity with friends and allies around the world to support and defend all things SCIENCE!

Science is more than just important. We couldn’t live without it.

Here is the schedule of events:

9-11 a.m. – Teach-in on the Texas Capitol grounds
11 a.m.-Noon – Rally at the Texas Capitol
Noon – March from the Capitol to the Earth Day celebration at Huston-Tillotson University

Facebook event

—

Week of April 10, 2017

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.

Facebook Event

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.”

Facebook event

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.

  • 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

Facebook Event

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!”

April’s district work period is under way through April 23. Join the Indivisible Project again for a live webinar this Thursday to hear more about this recess’ policy priorities and our latest tips on how to hold your Member of Congress accountable.
There will be a livestream for those not on Facebook.

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.

Tax March Austin website

 

Week of April 3, 2017

ALL WEEK: Tell CRUZ and CORNYN to vote NO on cloture for Gorsuch + Oppose the “nuclear option”

Last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Neil Gorsuch were more of the same for the Trump administration: an extreme nominee attempting to defend his record of standing with corporate power instead of the American people. To ensure Gorsuch doesn’t roll back civil rights, women’s rights, labor rights, and many other rights for years to come, we need the Senate to show some serious spine.

The important vote for Gorsuch is the “cloture” vote. Voting for “cloture” means voting to cut off debate and end a filibuster. This vote requires 60 votes to succeed, which means Senate Republicans CAN’T win this on their own—they don’t have enough votes. Ask your Senator (regardless of party) to vote “NO on cloture” for Gorsuch.

If Republicans cannot find 60 votes for cloture, tell your Senators that you do NOT support the use of the “nuclear option”, which would change the Senate rules to allow for a simple majority to move the process forward. Tell your Senators that if the GOP can’t get to 60, they should change the nominee, not the rules!

Check out a script on this here

Monday, April 3

All Day. Call members of the Texas House redistricting committee

Want to end gerrymandering? It starts with the Texas Lege’s willingness to vote on redistricting. Please call the House Redistricting Committee to tell them how excited you are that HJR 32 and HB 369 have made it to their committee, you want them to call it for public hearings, and to vote to PASS this on to the Legislature for a full vote.

Scripts and contact information are here

Tuesday, April 4

8 p.m. “Reclaim Recess” Webinar from the Indivisible Team

NOTE: We are doing this instead of our regular Tuesday night call.

Last recess, more than 100,000 people showed up for town halls across the country and helped save health insurance for 24 million Americans. What can we accomplish this time?

The next in-district work period will begin on April 8. Join us for a live webinar this Tuesday to hear about this recess’ policy priorities and our latest tips on how to hold your Member of Congress accountable.

RSVP Here

Also check out our new Constituent Town Hall Toolkit

Wednesday, April 5

All Day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS to protest Trump’s response to Syrian war crimes.

Just read this:

Trump statement on Syria chemical attack

It’s hard to overstate how bizarre and dangerous this statement is. Normally, we focus our calls on specific legislation or cabinet nominees. But when your president violates decades, if not centuries, of norms, you can still make your voices heard. Speak from the heart, but if it helps to have a script, this will get you started:

President Trump’s response to war crimes committed by the Assad regime against the Syrian people is unacceptable. Blaming the previous administration for a foreign government’s use of chemical weapons is unpatriotic and dangerous. When the United States cannot present a united front on the international stage, our credibility is severely diminished. Please put country over party and speak out against such a clear violation of American values.  

All Day. Call TEXAS HOUSE REPS to stop companies from selling your personal data

The Texas House votes on their budget tomorrow. There are many amendments, both good and bad, to call your rep about. But one in particular warrants attention because Trump just signed a bill that clears the way for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to sell your browsing history and other personal data.

But… you can stop this at the state level by telling your rep in the Texas House to support Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas)’s pro-privacy amendment. This should be a bipartisan issue!

Read about Anchia’s amendment (and many others) at Indivisible TXLege

Find your Texas House Rep

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Upper Crust Bakery

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 6

6 to 8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup

Cafe Express

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!

Friday, April 7

All day. Call MoCs and ask what Trump’s Syria strategy is; demand a public statement on refugees

Major hat tip to Celeste Pewter on this one. 

Last night, the U.S. launched dozens of missiles at Syrian military targets. This is a complicated situation. Yes, chemical attacks are unacceptable and need strong response; but does anyone trust Trump to carry out that response? Also, most Central Texas MoCs opposed any military strike on Syria when Obama was president. Now they are changing their tune.

  1. If your MoC opposed a strike in 2013, but approved Trump’s unilateral bombing last night, ask them why. What has changed? Why wasn’t Congress consulted? And what is the plan now?
  2. Also ask them: Now that we are bombing Syria, ostensibly for humanitarian reasons, what is their stance on allowing Syrian refugees into the United States? Demand a public response… and also a Town Hall.

All day. Call MoCs and demand a Town Hall!

Congress heads into recess this weekend, which allegedly means they make themselves available to meet with constituents in their districts. So call them up and ask for a meeting! And if they refuse, considering hold one anyway–without them. Here are some tips on how to hold your own “Constituent Town Hall.” 

Saturday, April 8

9 – 10:30 a.m. TX Lege Town Hall with Eddie Rodriguez, TX House District 51

Linder Elementary School, 2801 Metcalfe Rd

Facebook event

1:30-5:30 p.m. Community Event: Resistencia Fest

In February 2017, almost 20,000 Latinx youth from Austin walked out of school to protest immigration raids and resist Donald Trump’s hate agenda. Resistencia Fest is a free event to celebrate the students who walked out and bring Latinx youth (many of whom will be eligible to vote soon) together to empower them to take their movement to the polls next year.

Resistencia Fest Website

Week of March 27, 2017

ALL WEEK: Call Your MoC’s and Ask Them to Support an Independent and Complete Investigation Into Trump’s Ties with Russia

Despite calls for an independent investigation lead by an independent prosecutor the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), insists on holding hearings in secret, behind closed doors. Call your MoC’s and tell them that this issue is too important to be hidden from the full view of the American people and to take the investigation out of the hands of partisan Members of Congress.

Monday, March 27

All Day: Ask Your HOUSE REP to Support the Release of Trump’s Tax Returns

Ask your MoC to co-sponsor H.Res.186, which directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide to the House of Representatives the tax returns and other specified financial information of President Donald J. Trump.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Pascrell on March 9, 2017 and is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means. A mark-up of the resolution is scheduled for 4:00pm on Tuesday, March 28th.

Texas Representatives on the House Ways and Means Committee

  • Kevin Brady
  • Sam Johnson (R)
  • Kenny Marchant (R)
  • Lloyd Doggett (D)
View scripts and more information

Tuesday, March 28

All day. Call HOUSE REPS and tell them to protect our internet privacy by voting NO on S.J. Res. 34

This bill rolls back Obama-era Federal Communications Commission protections and allow broadband internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to sell your sensitive internet activity data (including location and web browsing data) to the highest bidder.

Read more about internet privacy

All day. Call SENATORS to say NO VOTE on Gorsuch until there is an independent and complete investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia

Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. We can afford to wait a few months for the FBI to complete its investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. Republicans did not allow Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland to even have a hearing. Now we are deep in the confirmation process of a nominee from a president who the FBI may reveal is illegitimate. Tell Senators that the confirmation process must stop until we know what’s going on.

Read more about Neil Gorsuch

8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Conference Call on Texas Gerrymandering

Carthy Shelton, DeGerrymander Texas – Organizer
Stephanie Swanson, DeGerrymander Texas – Organizer
Liz Haltom, Texans Ending Gerrymandering

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, March 29

All day. Call SENATORS and ask them to support the Presidential Tax Transparency Act

Donald Trump must fully release all of his recent tax returns to prove he is working for the American people, instead of getting rich from foreign governments and shady deals. Since 1980, every major party nominee has voluntarily released their tax returns. The recently-leaked two-page summary of his 2005 returns are not enough, and raise more questions than answers.

Read more about the Presidential Tax Transparency Act

Thursday, March 30

All day. Call MoCs and demand that Devin Nunes step down as House Intelligence chair

Devin Nunes cannot be trusted to lead an investigation into Russian meddling with the elections when his allegiances are clearly with the White House and the Trump campaign. This call is especially important if your representative is on the House Intelligence committee.

Texas members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence:

  • Mike Conaway (R)
  • Will Hurd (R)
  • Joaquin Castro (D)

More resources and scripts on Devin Nunes are here. 

Friday, March 31

All day. (Repeat from Tuesday — it’s that important!) Call SENATORS to say NO VOTE on Gorsuch until there is an independent and complete investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia

Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. We can afford to wait a few months for the FBI to complete its investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. Republicans did not allow Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland to even have a hearing. Now we are deep in the confirmation process of a nominee from a president who the FBI may reveal is illegitimate. Tell Senators that the confirmation process must stop until we know what’s going on.

Read more about Neil Gorsuch

And one more to end your week…

Today we’re borrowing from Indivisible TX Lege and asking you to call your TEXAS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE in support of House Bill 4260, which would fine men $100 for masturbating and require that they read a booklet about “men’s health” procedures like vasectomies and colonoscopies.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Read more on the Indivisible TX Lege website. 

Week of March 20, 2017

First, let’s look at how your voices made a difference last week.

ALL WEEK

Monday, March 20

All day – Call SENATORS to Combat Donald Trump’s Arch-Conservative SCOTUS Pick

Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court. Judge Gorsuch does not belong on the Supreme Court—and not just because Republicans stole this seat by refusing to hold a hearing (let alone a vote!) for Merrick Garland, President Obama’s supremely well qualified and moderate nominee. Judge Gorsuch is a staunch conservative out of step with the American people.

More info >

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Community Event: Equality Texas – All in for Advocacy Day, Texas Capitol

Equality Texas, ACLU of Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Texas Freedom Network, and Transgender Education Network of Texas invite you to our All In For Equality Advocacy Day. This is an opportunity for YOU to ask state leaders to pass inclusive policies that protect all Texans, including our children; and end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Registration Required

Tuesday, March 21

All Day – Call your MoC to Save the Arts!

Today is National Arts Advocacy Day.

Call your reps TODAY and tell them that the arts are not optional — they are important to you and to the nation’s economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the creative industries generate $704 billion (4.2%) of the U.S. economy — greater than the contributions of the construction ($586.7 billion), transportation and, warehousing ($464.1 billion) industries — and provide jobs to 4.7 million Americans. The arts also bolster local economies by attracting the tourist dollar. They enrich our lives immeasurably, improve quality of life, and study after study shows that children who partake of arts education do better in math and reading, hone discipline and concentration skills, have greater cultural awareness, and learn foreign languages better.

Last week, President Trump released a non-binding budget resolution that proposed the elimination of 19 federal agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts. Congress must still put forward and pass their own budget legislation, which means there’s time to build and strengthen relationships with lawmakers and urge them to save the NEA and fund the agency at $155 million for fiscal year 2018.

A related issue is tax reform — there have been proposals from both sides of the aisle that would limit giving to charitable communities. The nonprofit sector is urging Congress to preserve the full scope and value of the tax deduction for all charitable gifts.

8pm – 9pm  Indivisible Austin Conference Call – Fight back on ACA repeal!

Join us for our weekly conference call with our guest speaker Melissa McChesney, Healthcare Outreach Coordinator with the Center for Public Policy Priorities. She’ll discuss the specific impacts of the repeal bill to Texas. This call will help you be a better advocated when you call your House rep and ask them to vote NO.

Dial-in Number: 1-712-770-8067
Conference Code: 409542
If you’re on Facebook, please RSVP here

Wednesday, March 22

11 am Coffee Meetup with Indivisible Austin. Get a free bumper sticker!

Epoch Coffee at the Village, 2700 W Anderson Ln #409, Austin, TX 78757

ACA Vigils: Don’t Take Away Our Healthcare

Let’s gather together in solidarity with dozens of other Indivisible groups across the state on Wednesday at dusk for a candlelight vigil. Bring a candle; we will have some extras…we will provide the light!

Show our representatives and our community that we do not condone stripping healthcare from millions of Americans.

Austin Citywide Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, University Medical Center Brackenridge, 601 E 15th St, Austin, Texas 78701

Western ATX Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, Baylor Scott & White – Lakeway, 100 Medical Parkway, Lakeway, Texas

Wilco/Round Rock Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, 2400 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, TX 78681

TX17 Vigil: 7:30-9 pm, Rep. Bill Flores’ Austin Office, 14205 N. Burnet Rd Suite 230, Austin, TX 78728

Kerrville Vigil: 7:00 pm: Kerr County Courthouse, 700 Main St., Kerrville, TX

San Antonio Vigil: 8-9 pm, 500 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX

Waco Vigil: 7:30 pm, Rep. Bill Flores’s Waco Office: 400 Austin Ave # 302, Waco, TX (and again on Thursday, March 23, same time and place)

Thursday, March 23

All day – Trumpcare vote expected in the House – call your HOUSE representative!

6-8 p.m. – IATX Evening Meet-up & Bumper Sticker Giveaway

Cafe Express, 3418 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705, USA (map)

Friday, March 24

Plan a visit to your MoC’s office to provide feedback on their vote on Trumpcare.

Saturday, March 25

11am – 1pm District 25 Social at Black Star Coop

Black Star Co-op (map)

This is a bi-monthly social gathering for members of Indivisible TX-25 to meet in person, share information, and have a good time. Indivisible members from other districts are welcome to attend.
More Details

Week of March 13, 2017

ALL WEEK

  • Call your Congressperson to stop ACA Repeal attempts by Trump/Ryan!
    Call your MoC and say:
    Will [Senator X, Rep Y] commit, publicly, to opposing any congressional action on ANY ACA repeal bill without a transparent process, including public hearings on options besides a full repeal, a public nonpartisan CBO score, concrete objectively determined estimates of how many Americans will lose coverage, and a full congressional debate?
  • Call your Congressperson to demand a full investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia!
    Call your MoC and say:
    Will [Senator X or Rep Y] commit to publicly demanding Jeff Sessions’s resignation or removal, as well as a bipartisan select committee to investigate possible Republican ties to and collusion with Russia? I’d like to know whether he/she will uphold her elected duty to safeguard our nation and our democracy.

Monday, March 13

9am to 2pm – Immigrant Youth, LGBTQIA Community, and Faith Leaders Rally

Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, USA (map)

On Monday, immigrant youth from across the State, along with faith leaders and LGBTQIA leaders from Houston, will join in solidarity to show their collective power against State legislation currently threatening their community, among those Senate Bill 4, which is due for a House hearing on March 15th. They will join in prayer and reflection at the State capitol, visit legislators and hold a media event as State legislators are set to make critical decisions that affect their lives.

More details

9 am – Ask Your Member of Congress to Oppose H.J.Res.83

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is an important safeguard for American workers. Its regulations don’t just apply to those whose jobs require physical labor—nearly all Americans who hold jobs are protected by OSHA regulations. This joint resolution would limit OSHA’s ability to cite employers who violate workplace injury and illness requirements. Currently, when an employer violates record-keeping requirements, OSHA has up to 66 months from the time of violation to cite or impose a penalty.

However, if H.J.Res 83 passes the Senate, OSHA’s jurisdiction would be limited to six months after the records violation occurred. This joint resolution effectively decreases OSHA’s ability to hold employers in violation of records-keeping requirements from five years from the date of violation to just six months. This puts workplace safety at risk, because employers will have little incentive to keep records: it’s unlikely that an already over-extended OSHA will be able to catch infractions in this extremely short timeframe.

The House has passed H.J. Res 83, but the bill still needs to clear the Senate. Tell your Senators that you support American workers and oppose H.J.Res 83.

Tuesday, March 14

9am – Ask Your Member of Congress to Support the Release of Trump’s Tax Returns

Ask your MoC to co-sponsor H.Res.186, which directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide to the House of Representatives the tax returns and other specified financial information of President Donald J. Trump.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Pascrell on March 9, 2017 and is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

6pm – 7:30 pm – Black Lives Matter March General Body Meeting

1705 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, USA (map)

Join Black Lives Matter Austin for our March 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.
Facebook Event

8pm – 9pm  Indivisible Austin Conference Call

Join us at our weekly conference call! This week’s topic: Increase your digital security and safety!
Dial-in Number: 1-712-770-8067
Conference Code: 409542
Here are some resources:
Keeping Digital Self Secure in the Era of Trump

Wednesday, March 15

9am – Ask your Member of Congress to Oppose ACA Repeal

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expected to release the score for the GOP’s Plan early this week. Please call your MoC and ask them to oppose the GOP’s harmful healthcare bill.

All day! Stop SB4 w/ Workers Defense Project

Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, USA (map)

SB 4 is on the move in the Texas legislature. Since it was voted out of the Senate last month, it was sent to the House to be referred to a committee. This week SB 4 has been sent to House State Affairs along with the companion House bills. Is your rep on the committee?
Learn more about SB4 from our recap of the Texas Senate’s vote to advance the bill in February. 
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez is the only Austin-area rep on the State Affairs committee. If you’re in his district, give him a call at (512) 463-0674 and let him know you want him to vote against this bill!
Our friends at Workers Defense Project have kindly provided this script:
Hi, My name is __________.  As a concerned constituent of the state of Texas. I urge Representative _______ to oppose SB 4 and all companion bills – HB 611, HB 754, HB 889, and HB 1308.  I care about keeping Texans safe and together, this includes my immigrant neighbors. Texas is great because of the contributions, diversity, and hard work immigrants from all over the world bring to their community. Implementing Senate Bill 4 means putting the people I deeply care for, including my (example: mom, priest, pastor, friend, son, etc) __________ in danger of being racially profiled and this will have a negative economic effect on our state. Immigrant neighbors will be afraid of being separated from their loved ones because of Senate Bill 4 and will be afraid to report a crime to local law enforcement. Senate Bill 4 goes against our values as Texans and many Texans oppose this bill, including faith, business, law enforcement leaders.
More information on WDP’s Facebook Event

11 am Coffee Meetup with Indivisible Austin. Get a free bumper sticker!

Texas French Bread, 2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705, USA (map)

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm –  JOLT Volunteer Orientation and Potluck

4704 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, USA (map)

Join us for a volunteer orientation from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm followed by a potluck for all Jolt members. We’ll talk about how to build the power of the Latino community and next steps to organize Latino voters. We’ll share the orientation address via Facebook message with those who sign up.
Facebook Event

Saturday March 18

11am – 1pm District 25 Social at Black Star Coop

Black Star Co-op (map)

This is a bi-monthly social gathering for members of Indivisible TX-25 to meet in person, share information, and have a good time. Indivisible members from other districts are welcome to attend.
More Details

Week of February 27, 2017

Monday, Feb. 27

All day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and ask them to request Donald Trump’s tax returns from the Treasury Department. Donald Trump is the only president in our modern history not to release his tax returns. The American people deserve to know whether the president is following the law like the rest of us. Congress empowered itself in 1924 to obtain tax returns from executive branch employees, including the President. It has been used before, including to obtain Richard Nixon’s tax returns. Additional scripts are here.

All day. TX-21 (Lamar Smith’s Constituents): Tomorrow morning the House Judiciary Committee votes on a resolution (H. Res 111) requiring Attorney General Jeff Sessions to release documents related to corruption by Trump or his cronies, including ties to foreign governments. Lamar Smith is on this committee, please call and ask him to a) co-sponsor the bill, and b) vote FOR it.

All day. Call SENATORS and ask them to Vote No on the confirmation of Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary (vote is tonight):

Hello, I’m calling to ask my senator to vote NO on the nomination of Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary. I am concerned about Mr. Ross’ record of predatory business tactics which favor the corporation over the worker and his financial and political conflicts of interests. Mr. Ross has a long history of favoring the bottom line over that of the common man in many industries, from coal to banking. Thank you for your time.

More on Wilbur Ross

Tuesday, Feb. 28

All day. Call SENATORS and ask them to vote No on Rick Perry as Energy Secretary. Sample Script:

Hi my name is ____, I am a constituent of Sen. [Cornyn or Cruz] and I am calling to urge you to vote “NO” on the confirmation of Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy. Gov. Perry has no scientific or professional background that qualifies him to serve in this role. His fundamental misunderstanding that the DOE is responsible for securing our nation’s nuclear arsenal makes him wholly unqualified for this role. Furthermore, he is on the record as a climate change skeptic, and I believe he is unlikely to continue the DOE’s cultivation of safe, renewable energy sources. I hope you will demand a higher qualification for this important position than political loyalty to the President-Elect. Thank you.

Courtesy of TX-10 Indivisible

8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Weekly Conference Call

Dial-in Number: 1-712-770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, March 1

All day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and ask for an investigation into Trump’s ties with Russia.

Michael Flynn, disgraced former national security advisor to the Trump administration, resigned after it was discovered that he illegally contacted Russian officials prior to President Trump’s inauguration. In these conversations, Flynn discussed sanctions levied by President Obama against the country due to its involvement in the 2016 presidential election and urged Russia not to overreact to the action, making clear the sanctions would come under review after the inauguration.

Through these conversations, a non-elected official, appointed by a President-elect who had yet to take office, violated the Logan Act of 1799, which prohibits unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments that the US is engaged in disputes with. Not only did Flynn act illegally, his relations with Russia continue to reveal a troubling relationship between the Trump camp and Russia.

Most troubling of all, the White House knew about Flynn’s illegal communications with Russian officials for at least two weeks and did nothing about it. Flynn resigned only after the information became public through extensive reporting from major news outlets. It is not enough that Michael Flynn has resigned. This is a matter of national security that must be fully investigated by Congress.

Read more scripts and information abut Trump’s ties to Russia

Thursday, March 2

All day. UPDATE: As further evidence mounts of the Trump campaign’s direct ties to Russia, and AG Jeff Sessions lying under oath about his own conversations, it’s more urgent than ever to hold Trump’s enablers in congress accountable.

Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and demand a full, independent investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia—as well as the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions for lying under oath. Recusal is not enough; he MUST resign. 

And if your MoC is on the House Oversight Committee, tell them to do their jobs and shine light into the dark corners of the federal government.

This is the House Oversight Committee’s Mission Statement:

Our mission statement is to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the federal government and all its agencies. We provide a check and balance on the role and power of Washington – and a voice to the people it serves.

House Oversight Committee Members from Texas:

  • TX-27 Blake Farenthold
  • TX-23 William Hurd

Our Members of Congress need to do their jobs!

WHILE YOU HAVE SENATORS ON THE PHONE: The full Senate will vote on the nomination of Ben Carson for HUD Secretary. Here’s our script:

I’m calling to urge you to block the appointment of Dr. Ben Carson as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Carson himself admits that lacks the experience and expertise necessary for this, or any, cabinet position, and his retrograde statements on fair housing rules are a threat to the civil rights of countless American citizens. Please block Dr. Carson’s confirmation. Thank you.

Friday, March 3

ALERT! Two committees in the House appear to be planning to jam through legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act next Wednesday, March 8.  Call HOUSE REPS—especially Bill Flores if you are in TX-17—and ask them not to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

I am calling to ask my representative to vote NO on the repeal of the ACA and the mandates which help Obamacare function. The ACA has made it possible for 20 million more Americans to get health insurance, and reduced the uninsured rate to the lowest in history, and made health insurance within reach of 17.6 million people. We should not return to the time when a family was an illness away from bankruptcy, and taxpayers had to pay $75 to $125 BILLION dollars for uncompensated emergency-room visits. Please vote NO on repealing the ACA/Obamacare without plans for a replacement.

This is especially important if your rep is on the House Ways and Means or Energy and Commerce Committee. These are the committees planning to vote Wednesday.

Texas Representatives on the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

  • Joe Barton  (R) – Vice Chairman
  • Michael Burgess (R)
  • Pete Olson (R)
  • Bill Flores (R)
  • Gene Green (D)

Texas Representatives on the House Ways and Means Committee

  • Kevin Brady
  • Sam Johnson (R)
  • Kenny Marchant (R)
  • Lloyd Doggett (D)

Read our deep-dive on the ACA.

Saturday, March 4

Take a rest today if you’re coming to our event tomorrow. Or check our calendar for community events happening today.

Sunday, March 5

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indivisible Austin Citywide Gathering & Rally

Week of February 20, 2017

Monday, Feb. 20

All Day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and ask them not to repeal the ACA. Despite not having a plan for a replacement, Congressional Republicans plan to go ahead with ACA repeal, and many are pushing for a faster timeline. We have loads of resources on the ACA here.

All Day: RSVP for the Cover Texas Now Rally to Protect Health Care + Lobby Visits

Indivisible Austin is proud to partner with the Cover Texas Now coalition in the fight to #ProtectOurCare.

On March 6, rally with health care activists from across the state of Texas to PROTECT, DEFEND and EXPAND HEALTH CARE for children, women, Texans with disabilities, and all uninsured and underinsured Texans. You’ll also get to meet with state lawmakers in the afternoon during lobby visits. RSVP is required to join the lobby visits.

12-3 p.m. Not My President’s Day Rally

From the organizers:

We’ll be meeting at the south side steps! Bring your signs and your voices!

He was elected by a minority of the American public but governs as if there’s no resistance. But there is – and on February 20th, we will honor previous presidents by exercising our constitutional right to assemble and to protest peacefully against everything that Donald Trump represents.
Please share! Let’s see how many people we can get!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/654986854698916/

6-8 p.m. Cruz/Cornyn Mock Town Hall

Spider House Ballroom
2906 Fruth Street, Austin, TX 78705

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1447442305307711

Tuesday, Feb. 21

All day. Ask SENATORS and HOUSE REPS to oppose the Muslim Ban Executive Order.

On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” As promised during his campaign, Trump issued the EO to discriminate against Muslims and refugees. His unconstitutional order, which is being temporarily blocked by the courts, harms immigrant families in the US and our international standing, and threatens our national security.

Ask your Senator to support S.274 and your Representative to support the SOLVE Act to nullify and defund the ban.

8-9 p.m. Indivisible Austin Weekly Conference Call — all are welcome to attend

Dial-in Number: 1-712-770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, Feb. 22

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee Meetup / Bumper Sticker Giveaway

Upper Crust Bakery
4508 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

5:30-7:30 p.m. TX31 Wilco Indivisible John Carter Town Hall

Champion Park

3830 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/727964680696280/

7:30-8:30 p.m. TX17 Indivisible Bill Flores Town Hall (Pflugerville)

Blackhawk Amenity Center

3111 Speidel Dr., Plugerville, TX 78660

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/175693349589186/

Thursday, Feb. 23

All day. Call STATE representatives and demand that they oppose SB6, aka the Bathroom Bill. Full writeup from TX Lege Indivisible is here.

6:30-8 p.m. TX10 Indivisible Michael McCaul Town Hall

Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX 78756

RSVP HERE

Friday, Feb. 24

Note: There is NOT a TX-10 Town Hall tonight. It was last night. We had it wrong in the email. Sorry for the error.

All day. If you didn’t call yesterday, call STATE representatives and demand that they oppose SB6, aka the Bathroom Bill. Full writeup from TX Lege Indivisible is here.

Saturday, Feb. 25

1 – 3 p.m. Protest Safety & Verbal Self-Defense Training

Austin Public Library – Manchaca Branch
5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745

RSVP Here

2-4 p.m. No Ban, No Wall Rally, Texas Capitol

From the organizers:
 The purpose of the No Ban, No Wall Rally is to bring awareness to the struggles of the immigrant and refugee communities in Texas. In light of recent federal and state policies against vulnerable but strong Latinos and Muslims, it is very important that we send a unified message that is heard by the Texas State Capitol and the White House. We will meet at Texas State Capitol (South side) on Saturday, February 25th, at 2 p.m. It is a peaceful event; you are welcome to bring your family.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1901402873424330/

5-7 p.m. TX21 Indivisible Lamar Smith Town Hall
Historic Scoot Inn, 1308 E 4th St,

Facebook event: www.facebook.com/events/1360916700598119/

 

Sunday, Feb. 26

Self-care Sunday! If you need a break, do something nice for yourself.

Week of February 13, 2017

Monday, Feb. 13

All day. Call SENATORS and REPRESENTATIVES and demand a congressional investigation in Michael Flynn’s communications with Russia. Use this outstanding resource from the Indivisible Guide on how to call for action on investigating Flynn and his Russian ties. Note, this was compiled before Flynn resigned, but the call for investigations remains the same.

All day. Call SENATORS to oppose the nomination of Steve Mnuchin for Treasury Secretary.

Wall Street’s Favorite Nominee. Putting a former Goldman Sachs banker and hedge fund billionaire in control of the Treasury Department would set loose the biggest alligator the D.C. swamp has seen yet. At every opportunity, Mnuchin has taken advantage of vulnerable people in order to enrich himself. He will do the same to the American people if confirmed.

Foreclosure king. Mnuchin made millions off of the misery of American families by aggressively foreclosing on desperate homeowners during the depths of the housing crisis, including suing to foreclose on a 90-year-old woman’s home for a 27 cent payment error.

Racist history. Under his leadership as Chairman, subprime mortgage bank OneWest faced allegations that it consistently violated the Fair Housing Act by systematically refusing to locate bank branches in areas with high populations of racial minorities and refusing to grant mortgages to people of color.

6:30 p.m. Indivisible TX25-East Weekly Planning Meeting
United Memorial Methodist Church – PARLOR ROOM• 6100 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723
RSVP Here

Tuesday, Feb. 14

All day. Deliver valentines to your local MoC’s district office! Ask them to do a Town Hall, save the ACA, or other sweet nothings.

All day. You did it! Michael Flynn resigned! But this is not the end of the story. Call our SENATORS  and demand a congressional investigation in Michael Flynn’s communications with Russia. It’s time to demand a full, independent investigation into what Trump knew about communications with Russia–and when.

Call Sens. Cornyn and Cruz and demand a Senate Investigation into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia!

The Trump administration may think that Gen. Flynn’s resignation will satisfy critics of their unseemly ties to Russia, but this is clearly just the tip of the iceberg. From hacking to sanctions to tax returns and intelligence dossiers, the alarm bells have been ringing for MONTHS and they’re only getting louder. It’s time for Congress to do its job and launch a formal investigation into Trump’s relationship with Russia. Sen. Cornyn has already signaled an openness into an investigation of Flynn, but it needs to probe deeper. Thank him for his leadership on this issue, and encourage him to get all the way to the bottom (or top). Ask Sen. Cruz to support the investigations as well.

SAMPLE SCRIPT (CORNYN):

“Hello, I am a constituent of Sen. Cornyn and I am calling to thank him for his support of a Senate investigation of Gen. Flynn’s ties to Russia. As an American, I am deeply troubled by the Trump administration’s suspicious ties to the Russian dictatorship, and I encourage him to continue his support of these investigations until a full accounting is made. There is no way the American people will be able to have faith and trust in their leadership as long as these questions remain. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT (CRUZ):

“Hello, I am a constituent of Sen. Cruz, and I am calling to urge him to join his fellow senate Republicans in calling for investigations into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia. There are too many warning signs for Congress to continue to ignore, and there is no way the American people will be able to have faith and trust in their leadership as long as these questions remain. Please support these investigations until a full accounting can be made. Thank you.”

All day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS about Trump’s conflicts of interest. With Donald’s many conflicts of interest once again front and center given his attack on Nordstrom (and the appalling retweet from @POTUS) and Kellyanne Conway’s illegal infomercial for Ivanka Trump’s products in a news interview, we need to put pressure on the Senate to bring the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2017 (which would require the president to put his investments in a blind trust and cooperate in annual reports on his financial interests) to a vote. It was introduced Jan 9 and the GOP has sat on it since. We must also demand our individual House representatives vote on HR 371, which is the companion bill in the house and has similarly been stalled by Republican lawmakers.

Here’s a simple sample script for your Senators:

My name is [______]. I’m a constituent calling about the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2017. Please ask [Senator____] to support this resolution. The American people deserve a president who’s accountable to us, not his bank account. I expect my Congressmen to uphold the integrity of the presidency and support this resolution.
And for your House reps::
My name is [______]. I’m a constituent calling about H.R. 371, Rep. Katherine Clark’s Presidential Conflict of Interest Act. Please ask [Rep____] to support this resolution. The American people deserve a president who’s accountable to us, not his bank account. I expect my representatives to uphold the integrity of the presidency and support this resolution.

12 – 1:30 p.m. Love & Unity Rally @ Islamic Center of Lake Travis Site.

Join the Lake Travis Progressives at the site of the tragic fire that occurred on January 7th at the Islamic Center of Lake Travis. Let’s show them our love and support by bringing a Valentine to place at the site, a treat to share in fellowship.

RSVP Here

8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Conference Call

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, Feb. 15

All day. You did it! Michael Flynn resigned! But this is not the end of the story. Call our SENATORS  and demand a congressional investigation in Michael Flynn’s communications with Russia. It’s time to demand a full, independent investigation into what Trump knew about communications with Russia–and when.

Call Sens. Cornyn and Cruz and demand a Senate Investigation into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia!

The Trump administration may think that Gen. Flynn’s resignation will satisfy critics of their unseemly ties to Russia, but this is clearly just the tip of the iceberg. From hacking to sanctions to tax returns and intelligence dossiers, the alarm bells have been ringing for MONTHS and they’re only getting louder. It’s time for Congress to do its job and launch a formal investigation into Trump’s relationship with Russia. Sen. Cornyn has already signaled an openness into an investigation of Flynn, but it needs to probe deeper. Thank him for his leadership on this issue, and encourage him to get all the way to the bottom (or top). Ask Sen. Cruz to support the investigations as well.

SAMPLE SCRIPT (CORNYN):

“Hello, I am a constituent of Sen. Cornyn and I am calling to thank him for his support of a Senate investigation of Gen. Flynn’s ties to Russia. As an American, I am deeply troubled by the Trump administration’s suspicious ties to the Russian dictatorship, and I encourage him to continue his support of these investigations until a full accounting is made. There is no way the American people will be able to have faith and trust in their leadership as long as these questions remain. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT (CRUZ):

“Hello, I am a constituent of Sen. Cruz, and I am calling to urge him to join his fellow senate Republicans in calling for investigations into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia. There are too many warning signs for Congress to continue to ignore, and there is no way the American people will be able to have faith and trust in their leadership as long as these questions remain. Please support these investigations until a full accounting can be made. Thank you.”

All day. Call your HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE and tell them to oppose the Electoral Assistance Commission Termination Act (HR 634). The bill recently passed out of committee and would eliminate the Electoral Assistance Commission (EAC), the only institution that oversees the security of voting systems, and states’ compliance with federal voting registration laws.

All day. Call your SENATOR and tell them to oppose the nomination of Andrew Puzder for Labor Secretary. Script courtesy of The Nation:

I am calling to urge you to oppose the nomination of Andrew Puzder as Labor Secretary. Mr. Puzder has shown again and again that he cannot be trusted to look out for workers’ best interests or to even follow basic labor laws himself. His company, CKE Restaurant, is currently being sued for wage theft and sexual harassment, and we recently discovered that he did not even follow labor laws when hiring a housekeeper in his own home. I urge you to oppose Andrew Puzder’s nomination.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indivisible Austin Coffee House Meet & Greet and Bumper Sticker Giveaway. We’ll be hanging out at Brew & Brew, enjoying some great coffee, chatting with Indivisible members who drop by, and handing out free bumper stickers. Come get yours and say hi! Wright Bros. Brew and Brew, 500 San Marcos St #105

Thursday, Feb. 16

All day. Call your SENATORS to oppose Trump’s stolen Supreme Court pick. Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court. Gorsuch does not belong on the Supreme Court – not just because he’s a conservative firebrand, far from the mainstream of American jurisprudence, nor solely because he’s been a hardline opponent of reproductive rights – though both of those things are deeply worrisome. No, Gorsuch doesn’t belong because Donald Trump should not have a vacancy to fill.

Friday, Feb. 17

Ask your Member of Congress to host a town hall about the ACA so you can encourage them to oppose repeal. We have lots of resources on the ACA.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Coming soon!

Sunday, Feb. 19

Self-care Sunday! If you need a break, do something nice for yourself.

Week of February 6, 2017

Monday, Feb. 6

All day. Continue calling SENATORS on Betsy DeVos. More information and scripts are here, here, and here. Sen. Cornyn announced via Twitter during the Super Bowl that he would support DeVos. (Cruz had already endorsed.) So the tone of your calls should now be disappointment, or an appeal to listen to constituents and reconsider.

All day. Contact your TEXAS STATE SENATORS about SB4, the anti-“Sanctuary Cities” bill. Information on how to do that is here. The bill passed committee vote despite overwhelming opposition and now goes to the Senate and House.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

All day. Contact your TEXAS STATE SENATORS about SB4, the anti-“Sanctuary Cities” bill. Information on how to do that is here. The bill passed committee vote despite overwhelming opposition and now goes to the Senate and House.

Script:

Hi, my name is ________ and I am calling to tell Senator ___________ that my family and I OPPOSE SB 4. The Senator has the power to stop this hateful bill from moving forward. In just over a week’s time, thousands of Texans have expressed their opposition to Senate Bill 4 through calls, petitions, and hundreds of testimonies at the State Affairs Hearing last Thursday. Don’t let those voices go unheard. The people of Texas are watching. Use your power to stop this bill from terrorizing Texas immigrants and people of color. Vote against Senate Bill 4.

These senators are rumored to be on the fence. If you are in their district, CALL!

  • Senator Kel Seliger 512-463-0131
  • Larry Taylor 512-463-0111
  • Konni Burton 512-463-0110

8-11 a.m. (Vote is at 11 a.m. CT) Continue calling SENATORS on Betsy DeVos. More information and scripts are here, here, and here. Sen. Cornyn announced via Twitter during the Super Bowl that he would support DeVos. (Cruz had already endorsed.) So the tone of your calls should now be disappointment, or an appeal to listen to constituents and reconsider.

11 a.m. Tackle Cornyn’s ACA Repeal Kickoff
Sen. John Cornyn’s Office
221 W 6th St Ste 1530
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP HERE

8 p.m. Weekly Indivisible Austin Conference Call. All are welcome.

Dial-in Number: 1-712-770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, Feb. 8

All day. Contact SENATORS about Jeff Sessions. More information and scripts are here.

Thursday, Feb. 9

All day. If you haven’t tired of calling Senators, give them another earful about these cabinet nominees:

Tom Price: Rep. Tom Price is a zealous opponent of Obamacare, and his financial conflicts of interest continue to raise doubts about his ethics and judgment.

Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO on Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Scott Pruitt: Putting Scott Pruitt—who places private profits ahead of the public good—in charge of the EPA is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. Unfortunately, in this case the hens are America’s health and the environment.

Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO on Scott Pruitt for EPA Director.

Steve Mnuchin: Predatory lender Steve Mnuchin is also under fire for failing to disclose millions of dollars in assets and his role as director of an investment fund incorporated in the Cayman Islands.

Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO on Steve Mnuchin for Secretary of the Treasury.

Friday, Feb. 10

All day. President Trump’s decision to remove the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff (actual national security experts) from the National Security Council and instead give a permanent seat to Steve Bannon was an unprecedented politicization of what is supposed to be a nonpartisan body.

Call your Senators and ask them to cosponsor S.291 to modify the requirements for membership in the NSC.

Call your Representative and ask them to cosponsor H.R.804 to prevent political appointees from serving on the NSC.

Saturday, Feb. 11

1-4:30pm Writing Postcards and Phone Banking at Nomad Bar

Postcards, pens, stamps, and scripts will be provided, and donations accepted to offset costs. See Facebook event for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1178833028831408/

Nomad Bar
1213 Corona Dr
Austin, TX 78723

Sunday, Feb. 12

Self-care Sunday! If you need a break, do something nice for yourself.

View Archives

Week of Jan. 30, 2017

Monday, Jan. 30

All day: Call your SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES and ask if they support Trump’s Executive Order to Limit Refugees Into the U.S. aka the Muslim Ban.

Updates:

Also call SENATORS and demand they cancel vote on Jeff Sessions because of his reported involvement with the Executive Order.

ACLU statement on Muslim Ban:

“‘Extreme vetting’ is just a euphemism for discrimination against Muslims. Identifying specific countries with Muslim majorities and carving out exceptions for minority religions flies in the face of the constitutional principle that bans the government from either favoring or discriminating against particular religions. Any effort to discriminate against Muslims and favor other religions runs afoul of the First Amendment.”

6-7 p.m.: Refugees Welcome: Interfaith Community Vigil
First English Lutheran Church
3001 Whitis Ave, Austin, Texas 78705

8 p.m.: Emergency Call to Stand Against Trump’s Muslim and Refugee Bans

Indivisible (the national team) is co-hosting a big planning call with Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), and National Immigration Law Center (NILC-IJF)

RSVP HERE

Tuesday, Jan. 31

9 a.m. Texas Muslim Capitol Day
Read more about this call to action. 

All Day: Call SENATORS to vote NO on Betsy DeVos.

8 p.m. Weekly Indivisible ATX conference call

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Tuesday is insane. See our calendar for more. 

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Call SENATORS to vote NO on Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Read this for updated information. 

We also have extended Jeff Sessions scripts.

If you are reading this from out-of-state, call your DEMOCRATIC SENATOR and bolster their courage to vote NO on Trump’s Supreme Court pick. Republicans held up Merrick Garland’s confirmation for a year.

2 p.m. TX-10 visit to Rep. McCaul’s office

Thursday, Feb. 2

8:15  – 9:30 a.m. Hearing on SB4 scheduled in Texas Senate Chamber. If you can’t be there, call Lt. Dan Patrick and voice your opposition to SB4, the anti-sanctuary city bill. More details are on the Commonsense Immigration Website.

While you’re at, call Gov. Greg Abott and tell him you support Sally Hernandez, the Travis County Sheriff who refuses to be bullied by his executive overreach on sanctuary cities.

Friday, Feb. 3

All day: Call SENATORS to vote NO on Betsy DeVos. Keep the pressure on Cornyn, especially.

All Day: Call Gov. Abbott at (512) 463-1782 and tell him that his ban on “Sanctuary Cities” and his withholding of funds to Travis County violates his own belief in local control of government. Much more information is here…

12 p.m. Visit to Roger Williams.

Saturday, Feb. 4

11 a.m. TX-25 is holding a meetup at Black Star Coop
7020 Easy Wind Dr, Austin, TX 78752

Week of Jan. 22, 2017

Sunday, January 22

TONIGHT: Emergency call with Indivisible, MoveOn, and Working Families

7 Central Time

Monday, January 23

Call your Senators!

Senate will vote on the confirmation of Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (NYTimes)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on Secretary of State nominee, Rex W. Tillerson (NYTimes)

View scripts here.

Tuesday, January 24

Rallies at Senators’ district offices to stop the cabinet of corruption

When: Tuesday, January 24 at noon (local time)

Where: Senators John Cornyn’s and Ted Cruz’s Austin District Offices
Chase Tower, 221 W. Sixth St.
Austin, TX 78701

This event is hosted and organized by MoveOn. Per MoveOn, all protestors are required to abide by local laws and be peaceful.

Call your Senators!

Committee votes on Carson, Chou, Hailey, Ross.

Hearings on McMahon, Mulvaney, Price.

This is a good primer. 

Here are some scripts.

Call your representative in the HOUSE and tell them to vote No on HR 7 aka the Hyde Amendment.

You would think, in the wake of Saturday’s monumental Women’s March that Congress might show some respect for women’s rights. You’d be wrong. Instead, on Tuesday, January 24th, the House has scheduled a vote on HR 7. This unnecessary and intrusive legislation meddles with the private insurance marketplace and attacks women’s reproductive rights. It’s not the first time Republicans have tried to pass this anti-woman bill.

Planned Parenthood page on the Hyde Amendment

Weekly IndivisibleATX Conference call

8 p.m. Central Time

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, January 25

This space intentionally left blank. Get some rest.

Thursday, January 26

Call all of your Members of Congress (MoCs) on Trump’s executive orders. 

 

Friday, January 27

Keep the Pressure On: Tell Congress to #ProtectOurCare.

One of President Trump’s first acts in office was to sign an Executive Order that could threaten essential components of the Affordable Care Act. But to dismantle the ACA, Trump will need to get repeal legislation through Congress. Keep the pressure on your members of Congress! Tell your Representative and two Senators that you won’t stand by and let 30+ million people lose their healthcare — and that you expect that they won’t either.

Week of Jan. 16, 2017

Monday, Jan. 16

MLK Community March

The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 16, 2017 at 9 a.m.with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. 

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Lamar Smith Office Visit

Residents in District 21 should plan on dropping in on Lamar Smith for an early lunch (11 a..m – 12 p.m.)

2211 South IH-35, Suite 106 Austin, TX 78741

Contact the TX-21 Indivisible group for details.

Join the District 21 Facebook Group

Follow District 21 on Twitter

Call your Senators about Betsy DeVos.  Here’s a script!

Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary

 

Weekly Conference call – 8 p.m. CT

Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 770-8067
Conference Code: 409542

Wednesday, January 18

This is a great day to call all of your reps about the ACA. Share personal stories. Ask why they want to strip basic healthcare from millions of Texans. We have scripts!

Office Visits to Cruz and Cornyn! See our calendar for details. 

The Affordable Care Act

 

Also call senators about the nomination of Tom Price for HHS Secretary.

Tom Price Appointment as Health & Human Services Secretary

 

And Scott Pruitt for EPA!

Statement from Sierra Club:

“Having Scott Pruitt in charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is like putting an arsonist in charge of fighting fires. He is a climate science denier who, as Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, regularly conspired with the fossil fuel industry to attack EPA protections.

“Nothing less than our children’s health is at stake. Scott Pruitt, whose own bio describes him as ‘a leading advocate against the EPA’s activist agenda’ cannot be trusted to head the EPA, an agency charged with protecting all Americans from threats to their water, air, and health. We strongly urge Senators, who are elected to represent and protect the American people, to stand up for families across the nation and oppose this nomination.”

Thursday, January 19

Call your state representatives about SB6, the so-called “bathroom bill.” More info and, yes, more scripts!

Oy, here we go with the “bathroom bill!”

 

Friday, January 20

One Resistance Rally and Protest

When: Fri, January 20, 5pm – 6pm
Where: We’ll meet by the box office at the Long Center, and then walk over and join the main crowd.
Here are some protest songs to keep spirits high!

Saturday, January 21

Women’s March on Austin

When: Sat, January 21, 12pm – 1pm
Where: Meet at Capitol Visitors Center
Here are some protest songs to keep spirits high!

More on this weekend’s marches

Week of Jan. 9, 2017

MONDAY:

Cabinet Nominees / Fast-Tracking / OGE Letter

I’m calling to ask what the Senator is doing about cabinet appointees such as Rex Tillerson and Betsy DeVos who have not completed financial disclosure forms or undergone background checks. In the Office of Government Ethics’ 40-year history, the Senate has never held a confirmation hearing before the nominee’s ethics review was complete.  The Senator cannot fulfill his Constitutional duty if he doesn’t fully understand potential conflicts of interest. Can you tell me what the Senator is going to do about this?

Hat tip to Indivisible D/FW TX – contact them for long-form scripts

TUESDAY:

Jeff Sessions

I am calling to voice my concerns about the selection of Sen. Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, and urge you to block his appointment to the Justice Department. Sessions has a long record of racial insensitivity, bias against immigrants, disregard for the rule of law and hostility to the protection of civil rights that makes him unfit to serve as the attorney general of the United States.

Affordable Care Act

Call your senators to protest the repeal of the ACA. Be sure to share your personal stories. More here:

The Affordable Care Act

 

 

Millions March Action

Millions March Action and Rally at the State Capitol

 

WEDNESDAY

Rex Tillerson

Hello. I’m calling to ask my senator to vote NO on the nomination of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. I am concerned about Mr. Tillerson’s numerous potential conflicts of interest, especially his close ties with Russia’s Vladmir Putin. These ties are worrisome in light of the US intelligence community’s assertion that there was Russian interference in the November 2016 election. Furthermore, Tillerson’s stance on climate change is unclear and should be considered during his confirmation because as Secretary of State he could have some influence on environmental policy. Thank you for your time.

Courtesy of Kendall Shearman

Elaine Chao

Hello, I’m calling to ask my senator/representative to vote NO on the nomination of Elaine Chao as Secretary of Transportation. I am concerned about Ms. Chao’s financial and political conflicts of interest. Furthermore, Ms. Chao’s tenure as Secretary of Labor was earmarked by brutal cost slashing and union busting efforts. If this same style of reduction is applied to our nation’s infrastructure, it could potentially have a deadly result. Thank you for your time.

Courtesy of Kendall Shearman

John F. Kelly

Hello, I’m calling to ask my senator/representative to vote NO on the nomination of John F Kelly as head of the Department of Homeland Security. I am concerned about Mr. Kelly’s flippant attitude about civil rights issues, particularly in regards to prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. Mr. Kelly described actions by civil rights groups as “foolishness.” The President Elect’s attempt to fill positions with warhawks is disconcerting. Thank you for your time.

Courtesy of Kendall Shearman

(Betsy DeVos delayed until next week!)

THURSDAY

Ben Carson

I’m calling to urge you to block the appointment of Dr. Ben Carson as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Carson himself admits that lacks the experience and expertise necessary for this, or any, cabinet position, and his retrograde statements on fair housing rules are a threat to the civil rights of countless American citizens. Please block Dr. Carson’s confirmation. Thank you.

James Mattis

Hello, I’m calling to ask my senator/representative to vote NO on the nomination of James Mattis as Secretary of Defense. I am concerned that Mr. Mattis has not yet completed the mandatory waiting period required between armed service and appointed office. Furthermore, Mr. Mattis has a checkered history, having once been quoted as saying it was a “a hell of a lot of fun to shoot” people. The President Elect’s attempt to fill positions with warhawks is disconcerting. Thank you for your time.

Courtesy of Kendall Shearman

Mike Pompeo

Hello. I am calling to ask you to vote No on the confirmation of Mike Pompeo for CIA director. Pompeo has no meaningful experience in espionage. He has advocated for the bulk collection of domestic calling records that violates US citizens’ privacy. He also advocates returning to the use of waterboarding and other ineffective torture techniques, and is against closing CIA black sites. Please vote no and do not confirm Mike Pompeo.

Rex Tillerson

(Call today if you didn’t get to it yesterday.)

Hello. I’m calling to ask my senator to vote NO on the nomination of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. I am concerned about Mr. Tillerson’s numerous potential conflicts of interest, especially his close ties with Russia’s Vladmir Putin. These ties are worrisome in light of the US intelligence community’s assertion that there was Russian interference in the November 2016 election. Furthermore, Tillerson’s stance on climate change is unclear and should be considered during his confirmation because as Secretary of State he could have some influence on environmental policy. Thank you for your time.

Courtesy of Kendall Shearman

*URGENT* #SaveACA Conference Call TONIGHT 7 pm CST

 

SUNDAY

Austin Writers Resist: A Counter-Inauguration

6-9 p.m. at BookPeople