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.
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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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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!
– or –
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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!
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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.
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