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9/24/2018 0 Comments

Don't Stop Believing (Survivors): Sept. 8th-25th

Hi Teen Resisters! We hope your school years have started off fantastically. These past couple weeks have been chock full of news swirling around us. It's been a lot to stay on top of, so we've got you covered with what you should be paying attention to this week, including two ongoing and urgent topics.

What Went Down:

Midterms Update (ONGOING AND URGENT): We might have already highlighted the midterm elections in the last couple of lists, but they’re only getting closer - we’re not about to let anyone forget about them! In 43 short days, the country will decide on what kind of representatives we want making huge decisions and representing our communities for the next two years, at the very least. And it's a chance to have a Democratic Congress in the age of Trump. It’s a big deal, and you have a part to play.

Last month, we published a list of candidates that Teens Resist supports and detailed how you could help them. Last Tuesday, one of these candidates, Zellnor Myrie of Central Brooklyn, won his primary election, putting him in the position to help retake the New York State Senate for truly progressive Democrats! This is amazing news - let’s keep up the momentum! Be sure to check this list for opportunities to help each of our six highlighted candidates, including ways to canvass, text, and call, through their websites.

And as we get closer to the elections, the opportunities to help out continue to expand. Two of our favorite organizations, Indivisible and Swing Left, are now offering shifts to phone bank every day for a wide variety of progressive candidates - just head to this link and this link and start calling! This way you can make calls without having to go through each candidate’s website and signing up to volunteer, for an even greater number of candidates. (Swing Left currently has a shift for Gina Ortiz Jones, one of the Teens Resist candidates - but these rotate in and out, so act fast).

We keep on urging you to call voters (for a good reason - it’s one of the most effective ways to reach voters and influence elections for the better). But it doesn’t always seem easy. If the idea of speaking to strangers over the phone feels awkward, or if you get nervous thinking about the impact of mistakes you might make in conversation, you’re not alone (yeah, me too) - but we can help you out. Here are a few quick tips for making phone calls stress-free: If you’re nervous…

Smile! It’ll make you feel more relaxed, and that will come across over the phone to make a better impression with voters.
Stick to the script. All you have to do is read. If the script doesn’t feel adequate, write down responses to possible questions you might get asked that aren’t addressed in the script. Just read slowly!
Practice! Ask a parent or a friend to pretend to be a voter while you ask them the questions that would appear in a conversation for the campaign. It works wonders, and will make you sound a lot more comfortable and flexible when you get on the phone.
If it’s awkward, or you mess up, it’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Keep calling, and you’ll improve.

Some campaigns stress that you should only stick to the script, ever, but if they mention that you have more flexibility, there are some great ways to connect with voters.
- Ask questions. It’ll keep the person you’re talking to engaged and give them a chance to talk about themselves (everyone loves to do that). As I learned from the an organizer for Antonio Delgado’s campaign, a great way to start a conversation is asking, “have you ever heard of (the candidate)?” or, if they say they’re undecided or leaning against the candidate, ask why they don’t support them. Find a way to ask questions as much as you can throughout the interaction.
- Make it personal - share why you, personally, support the candidate you’re calling for. Instead of saying “x candidate believes…” say, “I support x candidate because they believe…”

And finally…

Have all the resources you need open. Keep the “issues” page of a candidate’s website in another tab on your computer so you can easily read off the candidate’s opinions to the voter.
Push for responses and opinions. If there’s an awkward silence, you can always ask, “so, can we count on you to vote for x candidate in November?” For that matter, if the voter tries to end the conversation, you can ask the same question. Don’t give up. It’s worth it.

Have fun calling! Keep going, and November is going to be amazing!

Kavanaugh Update (ONGOING AND URGENT): Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been accused by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford of sexually assault when the two went to high school together. Her account recalls a drunk Kavanaugh forcing himself on her while at a party. She said he pinned her down on a bed, attempted to remove her clothing and covered her mouth when she screamed for help. Dr. Ford's claims are backed up by support from her husband, high school friends, and therapist. It seems pretty clear that she is telling the truth, but Kavanaugh (and the GOP) have fervently denied all allegations. Dr. Ford agreed to testify on Monday Sept. 24th, but Republicans pushed the hearing to Thursday. New information has also made it clear that Republican staffers knew of the allegations beforehand, and were instructed by their bosses to push for the confirmation to be sooner, making the potential assault record an obstacle to Kavanaugh's appointment in Republicans' minds, rather than something that would prevent him from doing his job. Not only that, but the narratives that have been played out in the media are both racial double-standards (Kavanaugh gets "boys will be boys," while Trayvon Martin gets shot), and dangerous for teenage girls, as well as any other teen. Narratives like these are scary and dangerous. Women and their allies around the country have showed up in solidarity for Dr. Ford. We should be showing up too. And to any teens reading this who have been scared from this news cycle: we see you, we believe you, you matter.

What you can do:
Due to Kavanaugh’s abusive stance on many policies (check our other lists for more information) and these recent allegations, it is essential that he is not appointed as a Supreme Court Justice. Here are some things you can do to help:

Reach out to Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) (they are the two swing senators that have the potential to prevent Kavanaugh's appointment)
Use our previous lists to call your senators!!!! Even if they are already opposing him! Tell them you support!
Support the efforts of #CancelKavanaugh and Women's March, who are doing great work.

Senator Collins:
202-224-2523
Sign this petition addressed to the senator: https://www.change.org/p/susan-collins-do-not-confirm-brett-kavanaugh-for-the-supreme-court?signed=true

Senator Murkowski:
202-224-6665
Send a letter to Senator Murkowski:
https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/letters/sign-and-send-a-petition-to-sen-lisa-murkowski-save-roe-v-wade-oppose-any-anti-choice-supreme-court-nominee

The Murder of Botham Jean: On Sept. 6th, a police officer shot and killed a young unarmed Black man, Botham Jean, in his own apartment. The officer claims that she thought Jean’s apartment was her own when she walked in. Many of the details in her story have been proven wrong by investigative journalists. Since the shooting, in classic racist fashion, the mainstream media has chosen to highlight findings about Jean's marijuana habits. In the outrage that has followed, the officer, Amber Guyger, has been fired from the Dallas Police Department. But that's far from redemption. We continue to say, Black lives matter.

What you can do:

Fight back against false and racist narratives you see in your social media feeds and around you. Be a true ally by being anti-racist, not just non-racist.
Educate yourself by reading and watching media that depicts Black stories, and take time to learn about police brutality incidents in detail.
When events like this occur, look out for protests in areas near you.
When Guyger's case goes to court, check back to see how you can ensure she is convicted of the murder she committed.
Check back here for our upcoming police brutality feature!

Botham Jean (picture from St. Lucia News)

Cat Video (switching it up this week!): Click here.

Wishing you all a productive couple weeks!
Peace and Power,
TR

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9/8/2018 0 Comments

Call, Protest, Demand, Persist: August 22nd-Sept. 8th

Hello Teen Resisters!
School has finally started, it kind of felt like fall today, and we're ready to get back into the rhythm of the year (hopefully, your summers were fulfilling and revitalizing). As always, so much has happened these past few weeks, and it's important to remember that everything you do counts-- every call, every protest, every donation, and every social media outcry will make a difference. We've included some urgent action (midterms! Kavanaugh!), in addition to two regular briefings/action bullets on the death of Mariee Juarez and on Betsy DeVos's new sexual misconduct policies! Good luck with the start of the year, and remember do some self-care when necessary :))
peace&power,
TR

Something Exciting: We recently were given the opportunity to write about TR in Teen Vogue! We're incredibly excited to get the word out in this article-- be sure to check it out. much love!!

urgent action

Midterm follow up:
As discussed in our last list, we are feeling pretty hyped about midterms and super dedicated to helping Democratic candidates win in key races. We outlined the most accessible and effective ways to help (calling! texting! canvassing!), and specified 6 candidates we think deserve your help: Zellnor Myrie, Lucy McBath, Stacey Abrams, Gina Ortiz-Jones, Beto O’Rourke, and Jacky Rosen. It’s still a priority for you to help them out. They each have big elections coming up, all on November 6th, except for Zellnor Myrie, whose big election is the New York State primary on Sept. 13th.

Each of them is in close races, within a few points of their opponents. They need your support! Please check out last week’s list for a full list of ways to help. And if you have the means, consider donating a bit of money to their campaigns: any amount helps, even $3. Finally, keep on calling!!!

Kavanaugh (Kava-NAH) follow up:
Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s nominee to fill the space left by Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court bench, is currently undergoing confirmation hearings in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will determine whether the vote is taken to the Senate floor. After the Senate votes, a simple majority would cause Kavanaugh’s confirmation--an outcome which would be disastrous. Previously, Justice Kennedy was the swing vote in the Supreme Court; now, the very conservative Kavanaugh will become the deciding factor on essential cases (if confirmed, he very likely will vote to overturn Roe. v Wade, among others). Read more about him in our last list (link).

And, recently, Republican Senate leaders have refused Democratic colleagues’ multiple requests to see more than one million documents covering his years as White House staff secretary under President George W. Bush.

Kavanaugh needs to be stopped. Call your senators using this script (regarding their plans to support or oppose his nomination), and sign this petition and any others you find. Remember: there are two Republican senators--Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine)--who are pro-choice. If every Democrat, both Independents, and both of these Republicans oppose Kavanaugh, he won’t be confirmed, but barely. So every single call makes a difference.

Inform yourself: here to learn about the senators who will be most likely be deciding factors in the vote, here to learn about the likelihood of confirmation or opposition by Collins and Murkowski, and here to learn about why the ongoing confirmation hearings are so incomplete.

what went down

Mariee Juarez's Death
Yazmin Juarez, 20, and her almost 2-year-old daughter, Mariee, were detained by ICE officials on March 1st after coming into the United States from Guatemala. Yazmin and Mariee came seeking asylum, but instead ended up at a facility in Dilley, Texas, for nearly three weeks. Juarez’s law firm states that they were met with “unsafe conditions, neglectful medical care, and inadequate supervision.”

Shortly after her and her mother’s arrival, Mariee was found to have a respiratory infection. Yazmin’s lawyers also claim that her daughter was “woefully under-treated for nearly a month” during their stay. Mariee would eventually be diagnosed with acute bronchitis and an ear infection, with symptoms of weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever. Yazmin persisted in seeking health care for Mariee at the facility, but the numerous medications Mariee was prescribed did nothing to help her worsening condition. Once Juarez and her daughter were released, they flew to where Juarez’s mother lives in New Jersey before seeking medical care for Mariee. Mariee was hospitalized for six weeks before her untimely and tragic death at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on May 10th.

Just earlier this month, an investigation—yet to be closed—was launched into the allegation that a child died after leaving the residential center in Texas. While Mariee herself isn’t specifically mentioned, ICE issued the following statement: “ICE is committed to ensuring the welfare of all those in the agency’s custody, including providing access to necessary and appropriate medical care. Comprehensive medical care is provided to all individuals in ICE custody.” The agency also tweeted, “Reports that a child died in ICE custody at Dilley are false.” Currently, Juarez’s legal team is working with Mariee’s family to fight for the injustices faced by her and her mother.

What you can do:

First, here’s a brief list of groups you can support, donate to, and volunteer at:
- CARA: The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the American Immigrant Council, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal services, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association; these organizations provide legal services at family detention centers
- Pueblo Sin Fronteras: An organization that provides humanitarian aid and shelter to immigrants on their way to the United States
- RAICES: The largest immigration nonprofit in Texas that offers free to low-cost legal services to immigrant children and families
- The Urban Justice Center Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project: working to keep families together
- Here is the full list of organizations (courtesy of Slate.com)
Call your representatives!! This link takes you to a page on the ACLU’s website that makes it even easier to call your rep-- all you have to do is make sure your phone is near you and then enter your phone number and zip code, and the ACLU will make the call for you.
- Script: My name is ____, and I’m from ___. I’m calling to demand that Congress does not use my taxpayer money to fund the Department of Homeland Security as it continues to detain families, abuse immigrant children, and unleash ICE to terrorize communities. Inadequate medical care, unsafe conditions, and neglectful supervision are only a few of the heinous abuses suffered by families like Mariee Juarez’s in detainment facilities, and the DHS must be held accountable. Thank you for your time.
Sign this petition to end family separation once and for all, long past its due.

Betsy DeVos's New Sexual Misconduct Rules
Last week, The New York Times reported that Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is preparing federal policies on campus sexual misconduct that will make it easier for those accused of sexual violence to get away with their actions, and reduce the responsibility of the schools to do anything about it. Here is what the policy changes would mean for campus safety, and what you can do about it:

The new rules will narrow and change how we define “sexual harassment” in cases of campus sexual misconduct. The new definition — “unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it denies a person access to the school’s education program or activity” — seemingly exclusively punishes repeat-offenders or those accused of extremely violent abuses.

Schools will only be held legally responsible to investigate actions of sexual misconduct that take place on campus (so off-campus parties no longer count).
The new rules will protect school institutions in cases of campus sexual misconduct by holding them to a new (and lower) standard as to whether or not they properly handled the investigation
Schools will also only be held legally responsible for responding to formal complaints (meaning those to “official authorities” that exclude a variety of important campus figures, namely dorm residential advisors).
The victim and the accused will be allowed to cross-examine each other in the courtroom, which could be highly “traumatizing” and “perpetuate a hostile environment,” according to Obama-era Title IX reasoning.
Although the policy changes focus on college-level harassment, assault, and rape, they also will apply to all employees in primary and secondary schools.

So this is all pretty bad. But the policies are yet to be adopted; there’s still time! Take the following measures to make sure that victims of sexual violence on college campuses are protected by the school institutions and courts around them:

Support organizations that work to fight sexual violence and support victims both on college campuses and on a broader scale in whatever way you can:
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. They work to fight sexual violence across the country on a daily level by running various legal and support programs, including operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline, at 800-656-4673
- End Rape On Campus (EROC) advocates for survivors of campus sexual violence and their communities by providing personal and community support, educating college students on sexual violence, and fighting for crucial policy reform on the subject
Use that social media!!!!! Slam DeVos on Twitter and voice your concerns with her policy changes — she has the agency to stop or change the new rules, and if she gets enough dissent, maybe she will! Also use other platforms to spread the word about the policies… Amidst SCOTUS hearings, Russian collusion, and the like, this news has been drowned out; encourage your peers to fight for this, as well!
- Pro tip: use #StopBetty to make even more noise!!!

Support victims of sexual misconduct on college campuses by volunteering at a local sexual assault crisis center… there are tons set up across the country, so use Google as your tool!

And, finally, the puppy vid.

CUTENESS!!

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Don't Stop Believing (Survivors): Sept. 8th-25th

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