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LISTS

Our biweekly lists lay out notable issues in the news and tell you what you can do about them.
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10/29/2017 0 Comments

Haunted House of Delegates: Oct. 23rd-30th

Happy Halloween Teen Resisters! This week, we're coming atcha with issues new and old that deserve your attention and dedication.

What went down:

Virginia Senate Races: Things are heating up in Virginia! We know what you're thinking: Virginia went for Hillary last election so what is there to worry about? A lot, it turns out. Virginia's governor and lieutenant governor are both Democrats and a large portion of the state is progressively minded. But due to gerrymandering (purposeful rezoning of districts in an inequitable way for political gain), the majority of Virginia's state congress is Republican. There are some pretty BS bills being proposed: ones that target women and minorities in particular and they're in huge danger of passing if we don't try to Flip Virginia Blue. There are a few candidates that are running and could help make sure that these laws aren't passed- and you can help from wherever you are. 
What you can do: Through the lovely work of NYC's The Broad Room (thebroadroomnyc.com), 7 of us had the opportunity to attend a phone bank for two candidates we'll highlight: Danica Roem and Jennifer Carroll Foy.
About Danica: Danica Roem is a Virginia native, and her campaign has focused on fixing transportation and infrastructure problems in her district. She's a mom and worked for nine years as a journalist. If elected, she'll also be the first transgender person ever elected in the House of Delegates. She knows these issues in and out and they matter to her. Call for Danica here.
About Jennifer: Jennifer Carroll Foy is a foster mom and was one of the first Black women to graduate Virginia Military Institute. She has worked as a public defender and she promises to protect VA's water supply from coal ash contamination, protect Planned Parenthood funding, education, transportation and help Medicaid stay strong in VA. Call for Jennifer here.
Want a more general way to help VA? Click this link for a great resource. Interested in seeing rad pics from The Broad Room's event? Click here (and play Spot the Teen Resisters!).

DACA: If you haven't heard, Trump is planning on rolling back DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), an imperative program that protects undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children (under 16). Known as Dreamers, these people (some of whom are now in their 20s and have children) are able to get jobs and financial aid for college as well as live without fear of being deported. These children had no say over whether they were brought here or not and they have grown up in America and contribute immensely to our society. All of the benefits DACA provides will be no more if, come March, DACA is repealed. But good news! A Dream Act of 2017 is in the works. A bipartisan bill, it will work to make sure that DACA recipients have an easy path to citizenship, and in the meantime, won't live in fear of deportation. 
What you can do: Call your reps! FWD (dreamers.fwd.us/daca-ending-call) provides a great way to call your senators in support of the Dream Act. Not a fan of their script? Check out ours via the Must-Have List.
Resources: fwd.us; maketheroadny.org; aclu.org

ACA Update: It's time to make sure we demand that congress fund cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers! Did you just read that sentence and audibly groan? We did too, when we first caught a glimpse of it on thesixtyfive.org. Here's what that basically means (in regular-people language): According to the LA Times, "The Affordable Care Act set up... [a system] in which Americans who don’t get coverage through an employer can shop among health plans that must all cover a basic set of benefits... Low- and moderate-income consumers qualify for subsidies [payments from the government] that offset the cost of their monthly insurance premiums." In addition to that, under Obamacare, people within 100-250% of the poverty line can receive extra subsidies and payments through certain Affordable Care Act plans. This does cost insurers extra- but through the ACA, the government would pay the companies back for it. It worked for everyone. Trump, however wants to change this and it would increase premiums and costs for insurance for people all over the country.
What you can do: Sign this petition. Have more time? Call your reps! 
Script (adapted from the 65): Hello, I'm _____. I'm extremely concerned about Trump's announcement that he intends to end cost-sharing reduction payments to ACA insurers. I'm calling because I expect you to immediately pass legislation to fund CSRs and stabilize the insurance market. I want Congress to work on fair, bipartisan solutions to improve the ACA, not just cut it, and, in doing so, put millions of Americans in danger. Thank you.
Number: 202-224-3121
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Puppy video of the week: 

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFUk5w_muXQ
PS: Don't forget that issues from past lists are still relevant! Check out our other most recent updates if you have a little extra time.
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10/22/2017 0 Comments

Spooky scary senate bills: oct. 16th-oct. 23rd

It's almost Halloween! And it seems the White House is ahead of schedule with some terrifying new legislation. Meanwhile, destruction in Puerto Rico and California is still aplenty and there were two attacks in Somalia last week. We're here to fill you in (and provide a puppy video).

What went down:

Birth Control Repeal: ​On Friday, October 6th, it was announced that the Trump administration had made the decision to repeal Obama-era birth control laws which required employers to cover contraceptives for their employees. If the employer's religious beliefs conflicted with this, the government would cover the birth control under the Affordable Care Act. "This system allowed specific employers to opt out of something that they had religious objections to while still ensuring the health and safety of women who worked for them," writes Kate Griem of Highly Independent.  The new proposed bill would allow employers to refuse to cover contraceptives without citing a specific reason and the ACA would no longer cover it. "Thousands of women whose birth control was previously covered by insurance will now have to pay from their pockets if they want contraception, and some of them who cannot afford it will have to sacrifice either contraception or another key health service," Griem says. Not only that, but the cost of birth control pills and other contraceptives can cost a minimum of $130 a year for women, while condoms cost about $1.33 for one condom. Also, with anti-abortion legislation, it's illogical to not cover contraceptives. And Griem also points out that birth control pills aren't solely used for preventing pregnancy: they're also used for acne, endometriosis and prevention of ovarian cancer. This is some utter BS, right? 
What you can do: Sign this petition here. For more, head to istandwithpp.org. Have a little extra time? Call your reps:
Script: Hi, my name is ______ and I'm calling to ask you to strongly oppose any efforts to repeal legislation that covers contraception. The previous laws that covered birth control is reasonable towards women, religious people and employers and the new legislation is a blatant attack on women. I ask that you do all you can to stop this from happening. Thank you.
Number: 202-224-3121; Republican senators (use google for this)
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Puerto Rico and California: The devastation from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and destructive wildfires in Northern California is still affecting citizens all over these areas. If possible, please donate to organizations doing work with this or encourage your reps to provide federal funding. To do this, see last week's list.
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Somalia: Somalia has suffered from an abundance of terrorist attacks from extremist group al-Shabab, and there were two terrible events last week. The death toll has risen to 358 and it seems the US is going to get involved soon. At this time, there is nothing we can do about this, despite the horror of the situation. 
Featured organization: International Rescue Commission (rescue.org); Somali Aid Foundation (http://saf-juba.org)
Puppy Video of the Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4pwoLhX8Xo
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10/15/2017 0 Comments

Hurricanes and harvey: oct. 9th- oct. 16th

We're not gonna lie: this week was a weird news week. We're here to explain and empower.

WHAT went down

Fire in Northern California & Relief for Puerto Rico: Natural disaster struck once again in this terrifying season of heartbreak. The wildfires in Northern California were extremely destructive, and if you have the means, please donate to help. Additionally, Puerto Rico is still suffering, so, if possible, find ways to help by raising money, donating or calling Congress (see last week's list for specifics). Need a particularly exciting way to get involved? Buy Almost Like Praying, a song performed by an amazing array of Latinx artists, and all the proceeds will go to Hispanic Federation, an extremely trustworthy and direct charity for hurricane relief. An even easier way to get involved? Follow the For Puerto Rico Por Puerto Rico playlist on Spotify, and they'll donate for every follow.
Resources: ABC News Wildfire Aid; Hispanic Federation
Harvey Weinstein Scandal: Recently, yet another horror story about a famous, public, and male figure has surfaced.  An article published by the New York Times last Thursday detailed sexual assault and harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein from many women spanning across three decades. A common thread throughout each woman’s experience was that Weinstein would invite them up to his hotel room, supposedly to discuss a potential role for them in one of his new movies. Instead of talking about their professional experiences or résumes, Weinstein would demand sexual favors in exchange for a lead role or career-changing opportunity.  Among the string of women who have come forward are Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Rose McGowan. Judd described his actions as “coercive bargaining.”  
    The response was quick and relatively harsh; three days after the story was published, Weinstein was fired by the board of his own company, and Bafta (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) suspended his membership three days after that. However, according to Kathy DeClesis, assistant to Bob Weinstein (Harvey’s brother) in the early 1990s, “It wasn’t a secret to the inner circle.”  And unlike other men such as Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly whose careers have been ruined by sexual assault allegations, Weinstein is a longtime Democratic donor and a generally liberal person.  What does that say about the toxic culture of Hollywood, and what does it say about the sexism and purely unacceptable conduct that people are willing to overlook because the perpetrator is powerful?
    For more info on what happened, read this timeline on how the scandal unfolded.  ​
What you can do: There's not necessarily a way to speak out against Weinstein himself, but here's a rad organization to check out that does tons of work for sexual assault survivors: http://www.risenow.us
EPA Coal Rollback: The Environmental Protection Agency has officially said that they plan to make an effort to roll back parts of the Obama administration's plan for slowing climate change. Chief on their list? Easing limitations on coal usage in factories that use them. Coal is a major factor in global warming and has proven to be extremely detrimental to the environment, and the laws put in place by the Obama administration tried to make the effects smaller. The EPA cited the reason for this as the restrictions were "unrealistic." Outrageous? We know.
​What you can do: Speak out! Call your reps: 
Script: ​Hi, my name is _______. I'm calling to ask you to do anything you can to stop the Obama administration's climate protection plans from being repealed. Our earth's safety is in danger, and our country, as a major world power and consumer, must do our part to prevent global warming from worsening. Please keep this in mind as you make decisions about coal limitations, the Paris agreement and all other climate action programs.
Numbers:
877-251-4575 (EPA); 202-224-3121 (Capitol)
​Resources: earthjustice.org; mrfcj.org

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Harvey Weinstein
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Relevant issues from last week's list: DACA, Puerto Rico Relief, HR 36, Gun Control

puppy video of the week

Because this political climate is crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Jr2WW4rY8
Image credits: fox.com; slate.com; radio.wosu.org
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10/9/2017 1 Comment

Columbus/indigenous peoples day action

Today, most of you probably have a day off from school in celebration of "Columbus Day". That's definitely a perk, but there's a lot not to celebrate about Christopher Columbus himself.
When he arrived in the Americas in 1492, it began the genocide of Native Americans that's lasted until today. He and his crew stole the land of the Arawak and Taino tribes, exploited them, pillaged and wrecked their communities, forced them into Christianity and raped, enslaved and killed them. Since then, Native Americans in America have been consistently exploited, pushed aside and mistreated. It's too much to go into the full history right now (here's a great article to read if you're interested), but we can boil it down to this: the last thing that should be happening in 2017 is exploitation of Native Americans.
Here are two ways to celebrate Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples Day to some other parts of the country):​

Stand up against the dakota access pipeline

​What is it? In 2014, it was announced that an oil pipeline would be built in North Dakota. Originally, the route was planned to go just north of Bismarck, a major city in North Dakota, but there were citizen concerns. So where did they decide to reroute it? Right through the Sioux Tribe's Standing Rock reservation. Construction began in 2016. The environmental review of the pipeline was essentially incomplete, and immediately, many concerns rose. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Sunoco Logistics, which is set to be the operator of the pipeline has been responsible for more oil spills and pipeline leaks than any other pipeline organization, with at least 203 leaks documented. If the Dakota Access Pipeline springs a leak, the oil will completely ruin the water supply of the Sioux tribe and destroy wildlife. The pipeline will also affect the farmland of the Natives. This has been classified as environmental racism, as the Sioux say the pipeline specifically threatens their "way of life, water, people and land." For most reservations-- areas of land Natives have been forced onto-- economic struggle is abundant, the education systems are failing and the federal government provides way too little funding. This pipeline will certainly not help. Additionally, the treatment of the protestors at Standing Rock has been terrible.
How you can speak out: Currently, the pipeline is still being built and the official "environmental review" has been postponed until the spring, even though it was originally planned to be finished by the end of 2017. You can call the government and urge them to stop construction until the review is over, and if you have the means, donate to the Standing Rock Water Protectors.
Script: Hi, my name is ___________, and I live in ____________. I'm calling to ask that construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline stop immediately and be cancelled and to stop the brutal treatment of Standing Rock Water Protectors. The pipeline threatens the life, land and water of the Sioux [pronounced Soo] people. It is diabolical to threaten such a basic right and resource such as water, and even more so considering the endless torture and terrorism Natives have endured in our country's history. I hope that you will separate ethics from party politics in order to see what an immoral and unjust act this is. Thank you.
Numbers: 202-514-2701 (Dept. of Justice Environment and Natural Resource Division); 202-761-8700 (DAPL comment line)
Resources: standingrockinfo.com; standingrock.org

CHECK out the Aclu of montana

While in Montana this summer, I had the honor of speaking with Meg Singer, the Indigenous Justice Outreach Coordinator of the ACLU of Montana. Montana is home to 7 reservations and has a large Native population. It’s also a mostly conservative state. While Native Americans make up 6.6% of the population of Montana, they make up 17% of the adult incarcerated population and 33% of the female incarcerated population. Singer shared with me some of the work she does with Native American kids who are being bullied in schools and at Montana state colleges and universities. She also identified one problem as being that Natives aren’t sure of what counts as a civil rights violation and so don’t always report a crime committed against them or a hate/racism-based violation of their rights.
Singer is the only staff member of the entire national ACLU who works exclusively on reservations, and she’s doing some great work (she also led the charge to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in Bozeman, a major Montanan city). The ACLU of Montana receives money when you donate to the national ACLU, but check out some of the amazing things they’re doing and if you have the means, perhaps donate directly.
Website: ​aclumontana.org
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10/3/2017 0 Comments

Week 1: September 27th-october 3rd, 2017

This week was filled with moments of horror, despair and power. Not all of the issues that are relevant specifically need you to call your senators or representatives, so we’ve provided some other ways to get involved.
  • Colin Kaepernick and the Take the Knee protests: In last year’s NFL season, Kaepernick, who at the time was playing for the San Francisco 49ers, bent on his knee during the national anthem at games instead of standing, as protest against police brutality and institutional racism around the country. When President Trump referred to Kaepernick and other NFL players who have taken a knee as a “sons of bitches” during a speech, football players (as well as other athletes) began kneeling for the anthem during their games in solidarity with Kaepernick and his message. The #TakeTheKnee social media trend spread like wildfire—many celebrities posted pictures of themselves kneeling, Stevie Wonder knelt at the 2017 Global Citizen Festival and Broadway show casts knelt at curtain call. Response from conservative commentators has been abundant, predominantly centering around “respecting the flag and veterans,” but it’s important to keep in mind that these protestors aren’t protesting the flag, the anthem or America itself and the important message of dismantling institutional racism is getting lost in the shuffle.
          What you can do: Show your solidarity by posting with #TakeTheKnee, but more importantly, look into Black Lives Matter rallies
          happening soon, start efforts in your school related to these issues and contact your congressional representatives about police brutality
          through
Teens Resist’s Must-Have List.

  • The Las Vegas Shootings: The immense tragedy of the events of October 1st in Las Vegas have been hitting our country hard. When terrorist Stephen Paddock fired a barrage of shots from the high floor of a hotel, at least 59 people at an outdoor concert were killed and at least 527 were injured. As the country and the city of Las Vegas attempt to come to terms with and help the victims of this atrocity, it’s more important than ever that we push policy changes on gun laws. It should certainly not have been this easy for Paddock to have access to such strong firearms as he did, and this is just another tick on the list of shootings that show the ever-strong epidemic of American gun obsession.
​         What you can do: Sign this petition here. Have more time? Call your reps! Don’t feel comfy calling your reps on the phone? Text ACT to
         6443 or tweet your reps.

         Script: Hi, my name is ______ and I’m a constituent. I’m asking you to vote NO on Senate Bill 446. I’m not OK with the fact that those living in the
         U.S. are 25 times more likely to die as a result of gun violence than
people living in other developed countries. The recent events in Las Vegas are
         even more proof that we need gun control and we need it now. Please keep the safety of Americans as your top priority. Thank you.

         Number: 202-224-3121

         Featured organizations: Everytown USA (everytown.org), Gays Against Guns (gaysagainstguns.net)
  • Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria: Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico incredibly hard, and the U.S. has been neglecting aid for them. People are dying and to ignore this anymore would be absolutely atrocious, especially considering that Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens. What you can do: If you have the means, of course, donate if you can through moveon.org or the Hispanic Federation (hispanicfederation.org/unidos) and call your reps!
       Script: Hi, I'm _____ and I’m a. I'm extremely concerned about my fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm calling to ask you
       to answer Senator Elizabeth Warren's call to consider an immediate appropriations bill to provide disaster relief. We need to make sure we provide
       adequately for a FEMA Disaster Relief Fund as well as Community Block Grants for disaster recovery! We can't continue to let more than 3.5 million
       Americans suffer in apocalyptic conditions, without water, food, medical treatment, and power. Thank you. (
adapted from The Sixty-Five)
       Number: 202-224-3121

       Featured Organizations: Hispanic Federation, Moveon (do not donate to the Red Cross!)
  • The D.R.E.A.M. Act (DACA): The fight rages on for undocumented immigrant children who have grown up here but weren’t born in America. After Trump announced that he was ending DACA, meaning around 800,000 young people could be taken away from their homes and forced to leave a country they belong in. The bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 hopes to provide a path to citizenship and prevent the repeal of DACA. (for more info, check out thesixtyfive.org).
          What you can do: Call your reps!
     Script: Hello, I'm _____ and I’m a constituent. I'm extremely concerned about the President's plan to end DACA, putting 800,000 young people at risk
     of being deported from the only home they have ever known. I'm calling to urge you to support the Dream Act and protect these young people. I
     value the contributions of young immigrants, and I think they deserve to live their lives free of the fear that they'll be deported. Thank you. (
adapted
     from The Sixty-Five)
     Number: 202-224-3121

     Featured Organization: Make the Road (maketheroadny.org)
  • H.R. 36: A new detrimental anti-choice legislation: The House GOP just passed HR 36, a new bill that would make abortion illegal after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The ban is EXTREMELY dangerous and Trump has already promised to sign it if given the opportunity.
      What you can do: Sign this petition: http://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/sign/171003-20-week-ban-senate/?source=social#.WdRJQGWld-U easily
     and quickly! Have more time? Call your reps (bonus points if you call Republican senators, even from other states)!
   Script: Hi, my name is _____. I’m calling to ask you to do all you can to block HR 36 from being signed into action. The bill is dangerous and
   detrimental to making sure that women can make choices about their bodies safely and without fear. If passed, women will be left with no safe and
   legal option for abortion access after 20 weeks and doctors will be criminalized for providing healthcare. Please stand up to this terrible bill with all
   your might. Thank you.

   Numbers: 202-224-3121, Republican numbers (find through google)
   Featured organizations: Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org); NARAL Pro-Choice America (prochoiceamerica.org)

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