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10,000 deaths on Abbott’s watch
A week ago 10,000 Texans had died of COVID-19. As we type this, the number has surpassed 11,000. By the time you read this hundreds more will have died.
We’ve come to normalize social distancing, mask wearing, and for those of us with the privilege to do so, working from home. But let’s not forget how utterly preventable all of this was—and that Gov. Greg Abbott, who follows Trump’s lead at every opportunity, is responsible. Whether it was reopening the state too soon, undoing local ordinances, or packing his response team with wealthy donors, every step of the way we saw Texans and their families suffer because of Abbott’s actions.
Abbott isn’t up for reelection until 2022, although there is already momentum to replace him. To save the lives of Texans now, our best bet is to apply pressure. After all, above all else, he’s a politician—and, considering his constant back-pedaling and half-measures—he’s clearly scared of the electorate.
Call: Office of the Governor: (512) 463-2000
Further reading
Greg Abbott’s Penchant for the Path of Least Resistance Has Led Texas to the Brink of Disaster (Texas Monthly)
Governor COVID: 10 ways Greg Abbott flubbed the Texas recovery effort (Progress Texas)
Texas Just Hit 10,000 COVID Deaths, and It’s ‘Flying Blind’ (Daily Beast)
Abbott is responsible for the fact that more than 10,000 TEXANS HAVE DIED from a virus whose spread was preventable if he’d only followed the science. No wonder he’s trying to change the subject. Absolute failure of leadership. https://t.co/4EXwqgWKws
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 18, 2020
Join the Postal Workers Union’s Day of Action on Tuesday, August 25
On Tuesday, August 25, thousands of people will take action across America with one clear message – #SaveThePostOffice.
The movement for our public Postal Service has three immediate demands of our elected officials and of Postmaster General DeJoy:
- Provide at least $25 billion in immediate support for the Postal Service
- Stop the mail slowdown policies introduced by Postmaster General DeJoy
- Ensure public confidence in voting-by-mail by providing all necessary resources for the most timely delivery of election mail possible.
Austin Rally: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Menchaca branch: 7310 Menchaca Rd.
RSVP for this event, or find or host rallies at other locations
Update: The House passed the bipartisan Delivering for America Act. Now it’s time for Cruz and Cornyn to get to work. Write them a letter here.
Action of the Week: #SaveThePostOffice rally at John Cornyn’s office.
More than 50 people showed up at John Cornyn’s Austin office to demand that he support emergency funding of the United States Post Office. On the same day, the House passed the bipartisan Delivering for America Act. Now it’s time for Cornyn to get back to work to protect our mail service.
Congress Critter of the Week: Rep. Roger Williams
In a recent radio interview, Rep. Roger Williams was overtly racist and disparaged a significant part of his constituency. Here are some of the quotes, which you can listen to here:
“When you begin to lose a city, it’s hard to get it back. And the problem is, is Austin is becoming an inner city, and you know what I mean by that is where people stay outside the city, they don’t come in, just like they don’t go into Chicago, they don’t go into New York, they don’t go into Portland. They stay out. And I think it’s a shame that Austin is heading toward being an inner city-type environment…”
He goes on to say we need to stand up against these “thugs” and the “mob” who take these cities over. That it’s an “invasion of our liberty.” And that “we got to elect people that think like the people do.”
Question for Roger Williams: Who are the “people” he is referring to? He might as well just come out and say white people. And to label Austin an “inner city”—it’s not even a dog whistle anymore; it’s flat-out racist and Williams needs to go.
Events
For candidate events visit our 2020 election resources page
August 24 to September 19 is the Austin Justice Coalition’s fourth annual ATX Black Food Week
Tuesday, August 25
Day of action to save the Postal Service!
The American Postal Workers Union is leading a day of action, with rallies at local post offices nationwide.
Austin: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Menchaca branch: 7310 Menchaca Rd
RSVP for this event, or find or host rallies at other locations
Virtual Fundraiser supporting MJ Hegar and Wendy Davis with Special Guest Connie Britton
A virtual reception supporting MJ Hegar, candidate for US Senate and Wendy Davis, candidate for TX-21 with Special Guest Connie Britton. For questions or to RSVP as a guest to come for free, please email: Taylor Klos at taylor@mjfortexas.com or Lark Herron at lark@wendydavisforcongress.com.
Wednesday, July 26
IATX Action Meetup
6:30 p.m. Join Indivisible Austin for an exciting new series: introductory trainings on anti-racism and community organizing and how approaches need to guide Indivisible’s fight for justice!
Thursday, August 27
Zoom With James and Julián!
A virtual conversation with State Representative James Talarico and Secretary Julián Castro to discuss the state of our country, life in the Lone Star State, and the importance of flipping the Texas House in 2020.
- VIP Reception from 4:30-5:00 pm
- General Event from 5:00-6:00 pm
Important Election Dates
- October 5 – Deadline to register to vote for the Nov 3, 2020 election (postmarked by)
- October 23 – Deadline to request a ballot by mail (received by)
- October 13 – October 30 – Early voting period
- November 3 – Election Day AND Last day to deliver a mail-in ballot to a county clerk’s office
View our 2020 Election Resource Page
Your moment of Zen
— The Portland Beehive (@OregonProgress) August 23, 2020