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Three more ways to end family separation

This cannot wait until Election Day. Trump’s new zero-tolerance policy on immigration has created a moral crisis on the border. The federal government is forcibly separating children from their parents. We must act now. Here are three ways to confront this evil.

1. Call your reps. Yes, it may feel inadequate, but call anyway. They need to hear from constituents that their continued silence and rationalizing is unacceptable. Scripts are below, courtesy of Celeste Pewter. Cornyn has been touting his 2014 HUMANE Act as a solution to the current crisis. Read what Indivisible Houston has to say about that.
2. Support on-the-ground organizations with experience advocating for immigrants.
   1. RAICES Bond Fund helps asylum seekers get released
   2. RAICES Leaf Fund provides legal representation to minors
   3. NETA distributes supplies to asylum seekers on both sides of the border
3. Make signs for a rally in Brownsville on June 28th. On Sunday Beto O’Rourke led the March to Tornillo. The next big rally on the border is in Brownsville on June 28th. If you can’t go in person, you can still support the organizers by making signs here in Austin that will be shipped to Brownsville. (See event listings below.)

Here’s what you need to know about House anti-immigrant bills scheduled for a vote this week

How your voices are making a difference The Austin City Council voted to pass a Freedom City policy Multiple Texas organizations filed suit against the state for laws that restrict access to abortion Paul Manafort is in jail Read more  >>

Speaker Ryan announced this week that the House will vote on two immigration proposals the week of June 18, both of which have been backed by the Trump White House: the “Goodlatte bill” and one negotiated by Paul Ryan and the White House (“White House 2.0”). Neither of these bills would provide real relief for Dreamers, nor would they end the White House’s family separation policy. What they would do is fund Trump’s wall and turbocharge Trump’s deportation machine. Let’s break them down.

Read more on Indivisible.org >>

Events

On June 28, ACLU, Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network, United We Dream, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Moms Rising, Move On, and America’s Voice will come together for the Families Belong Together Rally outside the federal courthouse in Brownsville. Organizers in Austin are hosting two sign-making parties this week. Signs will be mailed to the Brownsville organizers in advance of the rally. Sign-making supplies are needed; please bring posterboard and/or permanent-type markers.

• Tuesday, Jun. 19, 12-3 PM, Children’s Defense Fund Texas offices (1910 E MLK; entrance on alley) – Sign-making party #1 (Facebook event)
• Wednesday, Jun. 20, 5:30-8 PM, ABGB – Sign-making party #2 (Facebook event)
• Monday, Jun. 25, 1:30-3:30 PM, Austin Bar Association Periscope account (event fully booked) – Austin Bar Civil Rights and Immigration Section training for attorneys to help families separated (Event information)

Action Spotlight

While Ted Cruz was enjoying a celebrity basketball game, his opponent Beto O’Rourke was organizing Sunday’s March to Tornillo, where children separated from parents are being held in detention. With 24 hours’ notice, people traveled from all over the country to make their voices heard. The Dallas Morning News posted a dispatch last night.

Photo: United We Dream

Your Moment of Zen

May you have moments of joy in your life as pure as these kiddos’ joy at finding themselves in front of Cristiano Ronaldo at #WorldCup2018.

Click for full GIF Action…

 

Further Reading…

Indivisible Austin’s board president, Lisa Goodgame, went to Washington last week! She met with Indivisible’s national team, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, and staffers from Sen. Cornyn and Rep. McCaul’s offices. Read her dispatches below. 

Indivisible Goes to Washington

A Day on the Hill