Important Dates:
- February 3 – Last Travis County VDR Training before primary election registration deadline (see details under Events, below)
- February 5 – last day to register to vote in the primary
- February 20 to March 2 – Early voting
- March 6 – Election Day!
Who’s on the Texas primary ballots in 2018? >>
Read how your voices are making a difference! >>
Actions
Hold Cornyn and Cruz Accountable for Voting to Deport Dreamers
There is bipartisan support for the Dream Act in both the Senate and House. Yet Senators Cruz and Cornyn would rather defend the administration’s racist policies and shut down the government than take a bipartisan deal to protect Dreamers, fund the government, and advance other critical priorities.
Get the “Dream Killer” script from Indivisible Project >>
Tell Your MoC to Reject the Republican Abortion Ban
TIME SENSITIVE: On January 29, the Senate is expected to begin a procedural vote on a bill to block access to abortion services after 20 weeks. According to the bill’s summary, the bill would “make it a ‘crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more.’”
This bill (S. 1922 in the Senate) is a horrifying, extreme attack on reproductive health and a woman’s right to choose. Tell your Senator to stand up for women and families, and oppose the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.
Sample script from Celeste Pewter >>
Scripts from Indivisible Project >>
Tell your MoC to Protect Mueller and Deter Election Meddling
Last week, the New York Times confirmed April Ryan’s previous reporting that Trump attempted to fire Special Counsel Robery Mueller in June of 2017.
Our elected officials need to speak out and make clear that firing Mueller would be a red line that Trump must not cross. Senators can co-sponsor legislation to protect against a Mueller firing: S. 1735 led by Senators Graham and Booker, and S. 1741 led by Senators Coons and Tillis. Representatives in the House can co-sponsor H.R. 3771, led by Representatives Jones and Conyers.
The House has also introduced a bipartisan bill to deter future election meddling, which mirrors a previous Senate bill. .
Call your representatives and demand that they defend Democracy and support these bills.
Scripts from Indivisible Project >>
Tell Ted Cruz to Return Donations from Sexual Predator Steve Wynn
Sexual harassment and assault affects women and men from all backgrounds, all political parties. We support #metoo and other movements that address this issue head on. Victims should not be political footballs.
It’s also important to hold our elected officials to the same standards to which they hold others. In October, Sen Ted Cruz called on the DNC to return donations from serial sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. We agree that that’s the right thing to do.
Now it has come to light that RNC Finance Chair Steve Wynn is also a serial sexual predator. According to FEC records, Wynn donated several times to Ted Cruz’s campaigns. It’s not a large amount of money — under $10,000 — but Ted Cruz should return it on principle. Call him and tell him so.
Events
Monday, January 29
7 p.m. Indivisible TX25 East Weekly Meeting, Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Dr.
6:30-8:30 p.m. UWSA Dessert Social and Action Meeting Please join Undoing White Supremacy Austin for a dessert social (including vegan, non sugar, savory, gluten free options) and discussion about the work ahead for racial justice in Austin.
Tuesday, January 30
9 p.m. (ish) #PeoplesSOTUResponse online at NowThis News
This event is still developing and will be updated as details get finalized.
The live-streamed “People’s SOTU Response” Tuesday grew out of a Twitter conversation among activists who launched a petition demanding that the anti-Trump resistance be given airtime on CNN for a State of the Union response. The petition was the brainchild of Shannon Watts, the founder of gun control group Moms Demand Action and board chair of Rise to Run, which trains young women to run for office. Brittany Packnett, co-founder of Campaign Zero, will host the event, joined by Cristina Jimenez, Ady Barkan, Ilyse Hogue, Vanita Gupta, Sam Sinyangwe, and Sarah Silverman.
Wednesday, January 31
6:30 p.m. From Jaywalking to Jail: Justice for Jason How does one go #fromjaywalkingtojail? On December 12th, 2017, Jason Donald was arrested for jaywalking at the Signature Shell at 9th street and IH-35. He was subsequently beaten by Austin Police Department. Join Black Sovereign Nation and members of the broader community as we gather for a mass demonstration to demand that Jason’s charges be dropped, that the officers who assaulted him be fired and charged, and that the City of Austin take steps to incorporate stronger measures of police accountability and transparency. #justiceforjason.
6 p.m. Austin Paid Sick Days: Reproductive Justice Advocate Training, Texas AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca St #200.
Saturday, February 3
10 a.m. Black Lives Matter Austin February Neighborhood Canvassing, Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg. Join neighborhood canvassing/blockwalkings and spread community awareness and community education.
10:30 a.m. Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training, Travis County Voter Registrar’s, 5501 Airport Blvd. LAST TRAINING before the primary election voter registration deadline on Feb. 5. The Travis County Tax Office hosts VDR Trainings on the first Tuesday and first Saturday of each month. Indivisible Austin believes Getting Out the Vote in 2018 elections (and beyond) is essential. The first step in voting is getting registered. Volunteer Deputy Registrars play a key role assisting the Tax Office with community outreach and engagement. How close can we get to an ideal of 100% registration of eligible voters?
Monday, February 5
7 p.m. Indivisible TX25 East Weekly Meeting, Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Dr.
Upcoming:
Sunday, February 11
3:30 p.m. TX-17 Candidate Forum, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr.
Thursday, February 15
6 p.m. Final vote and rally for Paid Sick Days!, Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas 78701
Saturday, February 17
7 p.m. “Black Art Matters” Art Show/Fundraiser, Pio Rita 1203 Chicon, Austin, Texas 78702
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