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.
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.
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):
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.**