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3/26/2018 0 Comments

Fight for our lives: March 13th-27th

NOTE: From here on out, TR lists will be biweekly (every 2 weeks), with some additions made when necessary.
We're back on track with the biweekly lists! We are so inspired by your participation in the March for Our Lives and the action you've been taking. From gun control, to Stormy Daniels' 60 minutes. to the ongoing Mueller investigation to so much more, this week has been a wild one in terms of national and global politics. In this way, it’s so easy to get lost in all of the crucial issues/controversies going on and lose track of some of the ones that are equally as important. We hope these briefings and actions are helpful, and if not, that you can reach out to us and ask for what you may need!
We are always here.
all the best,
TR

What went down

Bombings in Austin: On Wednesday, March 21st, Mark Conditt was killed by his own bomb going off unexpectedly as authorities attempted to ambush him in his car. According to Reuters, the 23 year old was behind a series of bombings killing two and wounding five. Authorities say were potentially racially motivated, as both of the victims who were killed were black or hispanic, as were some of the other victims. Three explosives were left to detonate outside the victims’ houses, one was “placed on a sidewalk and attached to a trip-wire mechanism” and two were shipped via FedEx, helping authorities pin this crime on Conditt. These attacks beg the discussion of hate in the Trump era. Heidi Beirich, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Program says, “President Trump in 2017 reflected what white supremacist groups want to see: a country where racism is sanctioned by the highest office, immigrants are given the boot and Muslims banned,” meaning that since our President is so vocal about his hateful beliefs, the alt-right feels comfortable being vocal in, and taking action with, theirs as well.
What you can do: If you see a hate crime, report it to local law enforcement immediately, but also submit it to the SPLC’s website at this link: https://www.splcenter.org/reporthate.
- Raise awareness about these bombings and the way they're being dealt with.
You can also look more at their cause at: splcenter.org.

Draylen Mason, a victim of the bombings. He was 17. Photo from CNN.

Shooting in Maryland: On Tuesday, March 20th, 17-year-old Austin Wyatt Rollins shot two students at Great Mills High School in southern Maryland. The two victims were 14-year-old boy Desmond Barnes and 16-year-old girl Jaelynn Willey. Desmond was released recently from the hospital with a recovering leg injury. Jaelynn, however, was taken off of life support on Thursday following critical and devastating injuries.
Even though this school shooting was much smaller than Parkland, Sandy Hook, or Columbine, it speaks to less to the evils and lack of gun control which plague this country. The fact that a 17-year-old was so easily able to get his hands on a gun only demonstrates how much needs to change, right now. And it is awful that the words “school” and “shooting” have appeared next to each other for the 17th time in 2018. More than one school shooting every week this year so far.
17 has been seen frequently lately: The age of the Maryland shooter; the number of school shootings in 2018; and the number of victims of the shooting in Parkland.
What you can do:
For some quick action, sign this petition demanding comprehensive gun reform.
w/: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/gun-control-now-1
- For a more detailed listing of ways to take concrete action, check out last week’s list on what’s going on right now with gun control, the #enough movement, gun legislation and proposals, and organizations to support.
NOTE: Try doing some research into gun laws that could have prevented this in MD and advocate for those federally or in your own state! There is so much to consider.

Jaelynn Willey

Great Mills students march in DC at the March for Our Lives.

Ban on Transgender People in the Military: This executive ban has been long in the making and was originally announced summer of 2017, when Trump tweeted that transgender individuals would be blanket-banned from the military. Following an extensive (but perhaps not extensive enough) Pentagon investigation of the policy and its implications, The White House announced on Friday that Trump had signed a memorandum for the ban. The policy is the following: "transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria -- individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery -- are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances." So what does certain limited circumstances mean? Basically, the policy allows some transgender individuals who are already in the army to stay under a modified (and arguably worse) “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy; if they don’t pursue sexual reassignment surgery, or if they have been "stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to accession," they can stay. Otherwise, no new troops can join, and almost everyone is kicked out. In other words, Trump took a couple of steps back from his original Tweet blanket ban, but the ban is still highly exclusive and allows for essentially no wiggle room in application.

The White House claims to be instating this ban in order to apply “well-established mental and physical health standards… equally to all individuals who want to join.” I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound too ‘equal’ to me. Being transgender is not a disease. Not to mention, the military spends far more on Viagra than it would on trans people's healthcare.

What you can do:

Sign this petition.
Support the National Center for Transgender Equality, an incredible organization leading the world’s fight in advocating for social justice in the transgender community. Currently, the Center, among other LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, are demanding that a federal judge temporarily suspend the bill until further action can be taken. It is crucial that they have the resources to do so.
Call your representatives and ask them to work with the Congressional LGBTQ Caucus to propose and push for legislation that will suspend/prohibit the ban. Note: call Republicans and Democrats! Individuals from both parties oppose this ban! Use the following script:

Hi, my name is _____ and I’m calling because I care passionately about the equal rights of transgender people and I think [rep name] should, too. President Trump recently announced his signing of a memorandum that will ban almost all transgender individuals from joining the U.S. military. On a simple level, Trump is hiding behind a senseless ban to push his own transphobic agenda. This will just not do. I’m asking [rep name] to work with the Congressional LGBTQ Caucus and New Jersey senator Cory Booker (among others) to propose and push for legislation that will suspend/prohibit the ban. Our country is supposed to be founded on values of equality, in daily society and in our military, and it is simply offensive that we would not protect and treat equally people that are so integral to our society. Thank you.

Puppy Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGP6zk7jcrQ

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3/17/2018 0 Comments

Some Things You Should Know About Gun Control

Teen Resisters! We are back. This past month-and-change has flown by in a swirl of emotion, action, and passion. While we, and so many others, are devastated by the events in Parkland, and even some of the NRA actions since, it has been incredibly moving to see so many teens take action.
Teens Resist's goal is to inspire teens to turn their opinions into action, and give them the resources to do so. We have never seen so many teens who not only have passionate, strong opinions, but are also looking to do something about them. We've put together this list to help you all do that. We include some of the things you should know about gun laws themselves, and of course, what you can do. (And some self care tips at the end)
Keep fighting. We are so proud to be teens right now.

ITTY BITTY BACKGROUND INFO: Besides its massive financial dominance, a main way in which the NRA has been able to remain so influential and untouchable in modern US politics is through its transformation of the 2nd amendment in the eyes of the American people. A quick reminder, the 2nd amendment is the following:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Originally, the Amendment was interpreted as being designed to give government-affiliated military institutions the right to bear arms. As interpreted, “the people” to which the statement refers being those groups of people who secured the state. It is only in recent years — in some cases, only a decade ago, in the supreme court case of District of Columbia v. Heller — where this concept of the people being able to bear arms was extended to the regular American individual. And it was never said, even by the most conservative justices, that that right should be unlimited. Ever since, the NRA has dedicated its massive government funding and political resources to maintaining the concept of individual rights to guns.
Quick petition: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/gun-control-now-1

H.R.38 - Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (CCRA) was introduced in January of 2017 and passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 231-198 in early December (voting happened mainly along party lines – Republicans were strongly for it and Democrats were strongly against it, as expected).
Essentially, the bill would allow a “qualified individual,” or someone who has a concealed carry license, to possess a concealed firearm in any state, regardless of state laws, and to carry one across state lines. What this means: a concealed carry license that is valid in the owner’s home state would now be valid anywhere in the US; state-by-state gun laws would not have the same significance as they used to.
Alabama’s gun laws, for example, are much less strict than New York’s. Because of this, it is much easier to get a concealed carry license there than in New York. However, with the CCRA, individuals with an Alabama license could bring their weapons into New York without having to fulfill New York’s requirements for obtaining that license. The consequences of this bill reach far and wide, and would, in many ways, invalidate the gun control that any state has. Basically, the worst gun laws in the nation would become the national norm.
Interesting article: click here.
What can you do to help?
The bill still has not passed the Senate. Call your senator and tell them to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act at all costs.
Number: 202-223-3121 (enter zipcode, ask for senator); Script:
Hi, my name is _____, I’m from _____, and I’m calling to ask that Senator _____ votes against the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The easy accessibility of firearms is already the main reason why gun violence is so much more more frequent in America than in any other country. If the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act becomes a law, thereby allowing concealed carry licenses authorized any one state to become valid nationwide, all of the progress that [your state] has made on gun control will be rendered essentially insignificant. Protect students, victims of domestic violence, and every single person in this country that has been or could have their lives ripped apart by a gun in the wrong hands; choose people over guns. Thank you.
Support and stay updated with: Everytown and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Assault Weapons: One of the key concerns in the gun control debate has been that of highly dangerous assault weapons. Teens Resisters — we’re here to explain to you the controversial and problematic history of these weapons and what you can do to fight back. Firstly, you need some history and background context:
A new debate has come to the forefront of the gun control controversy — should individuals be allowed to bear assault weapons, as well? — and people are unsure what to do. After all, assault weapons are “arms” just as much as any other gun is; why should they be excluded from those weapons that individual people are allowed to carry (even with regulation)? And why are they so dangerous? Here’s why:

Assault weapons are defined as “semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine and pistol grip.” In short, statistically and historically we see that assault weapons have only been used to shoot people. They are special civilian-editions of military assault weapons (with no real difference between the two). They can accept detachable high-capacity ammunition magazines, meaning that one can shoot many rounds without having to reload, and they are designed to have features that allow for “spray-firing,” a military technique that allows for a gunman to “lay down a high volume of fire over a wide killing zone,” according to the Violence Policy Center.
The coining of the phrase “assault weapon” comes from gun manufacturers, sellers, and associations themselves, rather than anti-gun activists, as many people assume.
Throughout history, assault weapons have been used in many high-profile, devastating terrorist shootings, including 2016’s mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando which left 49 dead and 53 injured (the most deadly in history), the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut (28 dead, 2 injured), and the 1999 Columbine High School massacre (15 dead, 24 injured).
Another crucial historical factor to consider when looking at assault weapons is the now-defunct U.S. Federal Assault Weapons Ban. This 1994 ban prohibited the manufacturing and selling of assault weapons in the United States (including the AR-15, see below). Those guns already legally owned/used at the time were exempt from the bill. Unfortunately, this ban expired in 2004, and since then, despite lawmakers’ and activists’ efforts to re-institute similar bans, assault weapons are legally and commonly sold and used in the U.S. Today, some states outlaw assault weapons, while others do not.
The gunman at the most recent 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, used an AR-15 rifle, which is a semi-automatic rifle. Although not technically considered an assault rifle by gun associations today, there is much contention as to what specifically does define an assault weapon, and the AR-15 is nevertheless included in many modern assault weapon bans (as it should be).
The point is: No everyday American needs to possess that much military power. And it can be incredibly detrimental. It is naïve to pretend like guns haven't changed since the 2nd Amendment was written.
There’s your context, now here’s what you can do:

Support Everytown for Gun Safety, an amazing organization that seeks legislative gun reform in order to reduce gun violence in America, by spreading their mission, and, if you can, donating to the cause today.
Tell your representatives to propose a federal ban of assault weapons in congress. NUMBER: 202-224-3121. Script:
- Hi. My name is _______ and I’m calling because I care passionately about making the United States a secure and safe place to live, and I think [name of rep] should, too. I demand that they fight for a permanent federal ban of assault weapons today. Assault weapons are the most popular choice for gunmen in mass terror shootings in the US today; they were designed for the military, and should not be in the hands of individual civilians. I hope that [rep name] will take my concerns to heart, protect their people, and fight for a federal ban of assault weapons today. Thank you.

Red Flag Laws: Much of the current gun control debate has featured NRA proponents speaking about mental health, or saying they don't think guns should be in the hands of "dangerous people." The hole in that narrative? Those are typically the very same people opposing legislation that would make that happen. One example of that kind of legislation is Red Flag Laws, otherwise known as extreme risk protection orders (ERPOS). A Red Flag Law exists in 5 states, and are pending in 18, and they work to protect everyone from danger.

A Red Flag Law "empowers family members and law enforcement to seek an Extreme Risk Protection Order, a court order temporarily restricting a person’s access to guns when they pose a danger to self or others," according to Everytown. So what does that mean? When someone's family member or someone close to them notices that they have suicidal, homicidal, violent, or other dangerous tendencies, they can go to the authorities in order to have that person's gun temporarily taken away until the problem is cleared. For example, if Florida had a Red Flag Law, people who knew the shooter could have reported his issues and he could have had his weapon removed until it seemed his mental health was sound. This could not have occurred under regular background check laws, because he didn't have a criminal record or diagnosed mental illness. Red Flag Laws also have "robust due process," as in order to get a "final order," which lasts for a year, there must be a hearing. For a 14 to 21 day order, there does not have to be a hearing, as long as their is evidence that the order "is necessary to prevent immediate danger."
Red Flag Laws also protect against suicide, which accounts for nearly two thirds of gun deaths in the US. Having access to a firearm triples the risk of death by suicide, because 9 out of 10 suicide attempts with a gun end in death, whereas most people who attempt suicide by other means live. If a mother notices her adult son is expressing suicidal tendencies or thoughts, she does not have the legal right to take his firearm away. But if there is a Red Flag Law, they could receive an order making it so that he would not have access to the gun until his mental health was sound. Red Flag Laws are perfect examples of the often-referred-to "common sense gun reform," and seems like something gun owners could get behind, right?
Unfortunately, the NRA has fought the measure tooth and nail in every instance, with one spokesperson calling it "one of the most egregious violations of civil liberties ever introduced in the California Legislature." One thing's for sure: it's time for Red Flag Laws to be implemented.
Want more info: https://everytownresearch.org/red-flag-laws-helping-prevent-mass-shooting/

What you can do:
New Yorkers: Sign this postcard (LESS THAN 1 MINUTE)
If you don't live in Connecticut, Indiana, Washington, Oregon, or California, your state doesn't have a Red Flag Law. Look at the graphic on the right to see if your state has one pending. Once you check, call your state representatives: use this website to find their number. STORM THEIR PHONES!
Script: Hi, my name is _____ and I'm calling to ask that you do all you can to pass/introduce Red Flag Laws in [name of your state]. Red Flag Laws are common sense gun reform that protect people statewide. They are incredibly necessary, and in no way limit 2nd Amendment rights. Please do all you can to give our state Red Flag Laws. Thank you.
ALSO: Check in with Everytown and Moms Demand chapters near you to find out their efforts to pass Red Flag Laws.

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo speaks in front of Moms Demand Action Advocates about Red Flag Law measures

THE MARCHES! With the most recent horrific events that went down at Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, the youth of America have brilliantly taken it into their own hands to keep incidents like this in conversation. As many of you probably already know, an entirely student-organized nationwide walkout was held last week on the fourteenth of March. There are still two more impending protests— one on the 24th of March and one on the 20th of April.
Here’s the breakdown:
March 24th- March for Our Lives is a nationwide march taking place on 03-24-18 in protest to gun violence. The central march is occurring in Washington, D.C. at 12:00 P.M. beginning between Pennsylvania Ave NW and 3rd Street NW.
However, it has gained momentum in a majority of major cities in the U.S, including (but not limited to) Los Angeles; Chicago; Miami; Las Vegas; Springfield, Missouri; San Francisco; Dallas; and New York City. Here are the details for some:
Los Angeles- Starts at 9 A.M on W. 6th St.
New York- This march begins at 10 A.M. local time in Manhattan, starting at streets Central Park West and West 72nd street.
Boston- The march planned in Boston begins at 12 A.M. at the Boston Common on Charles Street.
Chicago- Chicago’s march starts at 11 A.M. in Grant Park.
If your city isn’t listed here, you can find a March for Our Lives near you at https://event.marchforourlives.com

April 20th- April 20th is the 19th anniversary of the Columbine, Colorado shooting and thus an appropriate date for a gun violence protest. It is a full day walkout, so once students leave school at 10:00 A.M., they don’t return. After students leave, they will gather in front of their respective schools, and then many will proceed to a rally.
For NYC, the rally will be at Washington Square Park. We can probably all understand why working to progress to a society free of gun violence and advocating for gun control takes priority over fulfilling the so-called “purpose” of 4/20. It is recommended that you make signs beforehand! You also should definitely wear orange! If you don’t own any, you can borrow from a friend or parent or relative. But if worst comes to worst, opt for anything in the general color scheme (red, yellow, pink, coral, etc.).
For April 20th, more info is likely to come out as the date gets closer, and also get into contact with student organizers in the area to find out more info.

Students in DC on March 14th

BUT ALSO TEEN RESISTERS: These are really, really hard times. So take care of yourself! Here are some of our fave self-care links:
- A Good Self-Care Spotify List
- Fairly Affordable (and amazing smelling) Handmade Essential Oil Candles (the person writing this 10/10 recommends "Balance" and Rejuvenation")
- A Vine Comp
- A Pug Video Playlist
- Best Smelling Body Lotion in the World (you're welcome)

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3/8/2018 0 Comments

international women's Day!

Brought to you by the always-boss Kate Griem and Proof Schubert-Reed, here are some things to keep in mind this International Women's Day and Women's History Month! xx, TR

Hello Teens Resisters!! In honor of International Women’s Day, here are some (almost unbelievable but somehow not surprising) facts to inspire you to take some concrete action around women’s rights across the world:

Full-time working women in the US receive 80 cents for every dollar their male counterparts make
- This number drops to 63 cents for Black women and 54 cents for Latina women
Fewer than 40% of countries in the world provide girls and boys with equal access to education
Women represent only 5.8% of Fortune 500 CEOs
Nearly half of working women in the U.S. say they have experienced harassment in the workplace
The 20 women serving as Heads of State or Heads of Government represent only 6.3% of international leaders
71% of human trafficking victims are women and girls
Only 19.8% of American Congress members are female
As of 2015, women held 47% of all jobs in the U.S., but only 24% of STEM positions
Men are twice as likely as women to be hired for a job in mathematics when the only difference between candidates is gender

These are only a small fraction of the statistics that continue to show us how much work still needs to be done. From workplace discrimination to scarce political representation to sexual harassment to human trafficking to lack of women in STEM — not just in the U.S. but all over the world — women deserve equal social and professional treatment and an equal voice.

What you can do

The good news is: these statistics can be changed! How can I take action?

Two phenomenal organizations to support, today and always, are EMILY’s List, an organization that works to elect pro-choice, Democratic women to U.S. office, and Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit that works to provide equal productive healthcare to women all over the world.
- On a global scale, support organizations such as the Malala Fund, which works to provide equal primary and secondary education for girls all over the world, and Women’s Environment & Development Organization, which integrates the fight for gender equality and environmental sustainability into a larger global goal
Text STAND to 22422 to stay updated on important fights for reproductive health and rights. Every few days, you’ll receive a brief text containing a) a problem or issue that needs to be confronted and b) an easy way to take action (for example, a phone number to call or a link to a script).
Tell Congress that you stand with Planned Parenthood. It’s simple-- just click here, scroll down to the section highlighted in pink, enter your information, and click submit. With each signature, lawmakers will realize more and more how important PP is in terms of providing critical health services to millions.
Support women around you! In the economic/business world, specifically make an effort to support female artists, writers, and entrepreneurs by appreciating and sharing their work and consuming products made by female-run small-businesses. Start online with The GreenBoxShop, a queer, Afro-Latina, mostly female-owned small business that creates social justice tees for people across the world! From a social standpoint, make efforts to support the women and girls around you on a daily basis — girls rock, and you should build them up, not tear them down!
NYC Resisters — this one’s for you! Support Women In Need (WIN) (you can volunteer or donate money or resources) a NYC-based homeless shelter that works to provide women and their families with stable, secure housing and resources to establish economic and professional independence in the city.
Female Resisters — get! involved! in! STEM! One of the best and most powerful ways to increase female representation in science, technology, engineering, and math is to get involved in STEM clubs/groups at and outside of your school (Girls Who Code for instance!) Most importantly, never be intimidated by any person, pressure, or social norm that tells you that you will never be as good at STEM as your male classmates. It’s not true. Speak with your administrators/faculty members to make sure your school promotes STEM programs for all students and to ensure they are not passively condoning gender discrimination in the classroom.

Engaging in Pop culture:

In honor of the sheer power of girl power, check out these super amazing pieces of music/literature/media created by women!!

Watch Shonda Rhimes’s TV shows (she writes and produces them), which all center around strong and complicated female characters in their respective professional worlds — Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How To Get Away With Murder
Listen to Beyonce’s iconic Run the World (Girls), which will always cheer you up when you need a little empowerment
Go re-watch the Harry Potter movies and this time keep an eye out for the amazing Hermione Granger, an empowered idol for girls all over the world!
Watch Yara Shahidi’s Grown-ish and Jane the Virgin, both fun comedies that center around young female icons in the real world
Listen to Kesha’s most recent album, Rainbow, which focuses on themes of female strength and empowerment, in addition to providing some epic tunes!
Watch Greta Gerwig’s Ladybird with a maternal figure in your life! It’s directed/written/produced by and stars women and features some incredible women doing some incredibly moving, empowering, thought-worthy, and funny things.

Read The Power, by Naomi Alderman, a book that will make you question everything you’ve ever thought about how our society is built and make you girls feel seriously empowered.

And above all, remember that supporting rights for girls means supporting all girls. Girls are powerful, they rock, and every single one of them deserves the same resources and support as everyone else in the world. Keep the above in mind today and every day as you continue to Resist and fight for equality across the world!
Happy IWD!

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Fight for our lives: March 13th-27th

What went down

Some Things You Should Know About Gun Control

international women's Day!

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