Teens resist.
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Lists
    • Basics
    • Index By Issue
    • Past Articles
    • The Must-Have List
    • Teens Elect 2020! (Archive) >
      • Getting Started
      • The Why
      • The Candidates
      • The Toolkit
      • Log Calls
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Get Involved
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Lists
    • Basics
    • Index By Issue
    • Past Articles
    • The Must-Have List
    • Teens Elect 2020! (Archive) >
      • Getting Started
      • The Why
      • The Candidates
      • The Toolkit
      • Log Calls
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Get Involved
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

LISTS

Our biweekly lists lay out notable issues in the news and tell you what you can do about them.
SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES:
Subscribe

11/26/2018 0 Comments

Holiday Haze: Nov. 12th-26th 2018

Hello Teen Resisters! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We're ready to dive in to some of the biggest issues of the week.
Also to take note of:
- the Green New Deal proposed by new House Dems in response to the climate crisis. It's pretty fantastic. 
- The current situation at the border, which we are not covering until next list because of its undeveloped nature. If you have questions about it, feel free to email us or DM us on Instagram. For now, here's a good article.
​So let's jump in!

What Went Down

California Wildfires: On November 8th, near Pulga California, the “Camp Fire” was first reported. As of November 25th, it has been 100% contained. The last 3.5 weeks have resulted in a death toll of 85, causing it to be the most destructive and deadliest fire in California state history. The Camp Fire is not an isolated case. Fires in 2018 have been 30% larger than the average over the past decade. As with most issues in the world, the cause can be related back to humans. This past winter was cool and wet, following a long period of drought. This enabled a sudden growth in easily flammable shrubs and grasses. This past summer saw record high temperatures and heat waves, causing these grasses to dry out and become even more flammable. These temperatures can be linked to human caused climate change and scientists predict this trend of more extreme fires is not limited to California.   

What you can do:
  • Check in with people you know in affected areas. You can use this map to track the location of fires. Additionally, Red Cross has an online tool so loved ones can register themselves to say they are safe.
  • As with most disasters, the most effective means of relief come from monetary donations to reputable charities. See here for a list of charities accepting donations.
  • For those living in California, even if not in a fire zone, air quality is still an issue; try to avoid physical activity outdoors
  • Call the EPA (877-251-4575) and/or your reps (202-224-3121) to pressure them for more concrete climate legislation. You can use this script:
Hi, my name is ________, and I live in ___________. I'm calling to ask that you push for more concrete climate legislation in Congress. Scientists have proven that our Earth is in grave danger and global warming is a serious threat. The increase in the severity of California wildfires this past year is an example of the real world effects of climate change. Our government needs to be thinking more seriously about this. The future will look very different for the Earth if our government does not implement proper legislation. I hope that you will take the severity of the situation into account and vote conscience over party. Thank you.
Picture
Image from Wilmette Weekly.
Thanksgiving Special: Mashpee Reservation Reaffirmation Act: The Native Wôpanâak tribe, also known as “the People of the First Light,” have inhabited modern day Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for over twelve thousand years. The often romanticized story of Thanksgiving involves the European Settlers “celebrating” with the Wampanoag people. As nice as it would be to believe our country started harmoniously between the Native Americans and the pilgrims, the reality is that the Wampanoag tribe have been subject to prejudice and great injustice by the American government. 
Today, approximately 2,600 people are documented as citizens of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe living on their reservations in Mashpee and Taunton. After all the history of the Native Americans’ struggle to keep their land and preserve their culture, the Trump administration is threatening to take away their land once again. Trump has an unsurprising history of anti-Native racism (“They don’t look like Native Americans to me,” Trump stated in 1993 (pre-presidency) when he testified before congress stating that the Gaming Regulatory Act was hurting his business.). Now, the Trump administration is fighting to take away the 500,000 acres of land that was entrusted to the Mashpee tribe under the Obama Administration. 128 other tribes are at serious risk of losing their reservations as well.
That’s where the Mashpee Reservation Reaffirmation Act comes into play. This bill, introduced by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and junior senator Edward Markey, was proposed in order to protect the Mashpee reservation. This bill has twenty one cosponsors from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The tribe’s rightful ownership of their land, rich with so much history, is dependent on the passing of the bill.

What you can do: 
  • Call the Senate Indian Affairs Committee leadership and say: 
    Hi, my name is ________, and I live in ___________. I'm calling to ask that you protect the Mashpee Reservation and pass S. 2628 The Mashpee Reservation Reaffirmation Act. This tribe has been stripped of their land and rights throughout our country's history, and they deserve to keep rightful ownership of their land. I hope that you will vote conscience over party. Thank you.
    CONTACTS:
Chairman Hoeven: (202) 224-2551
Ranking Member Udall: (202) 224-6621
Your Senator! (202-224-3121)
  • Use the hashtag #StandWithMashpee to show your support!​​
Picture
Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
New Section! State Assembly Spotlight: Introduction to Your State's Congress: 
(Writer Kat Falacienski is starting a monthly section focusing on state assemblies and their workings)
​
Simply put, state Congresses, often called general assemblies, are the legislative branches of each state. They can pass any law that isn’t prohibited by either the federal or state Constitutions. Because they’re controlled by the states, general assemblies come in all shapes and sizes, from Nebraska’s unicameral legislature of 49 senators with term limits to New Hampshire’s bicameral legislature of 424 legislators without term limits.
In many ways, your state’s general assembly affects your life more than the U.S. Congress does. States are primarily responsible for education, roads, welfare programs, and conduction of elections (that includes voter accessibility and suppression). The feds and the states also share the responsibility of taxation, and the quality of public programs depends on how much money they have to spend, money that they get from taxation.
How to stay updated on your state’s general assembly: Every assembly has a website, all of which are listed at https://www.congress.gov/state-legislature-websites. It’s also helpful to know when your assembly is in session; you can find the 2019 state legislative calendar at http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2019-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx. This link goes to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which provides lots of general info about assemblies and has a magazine dedicated to local political happenings. Newspapers local to your area are good resources as well.
Finally, if your general assembly is currently hearing a bill that’s important to you, you can testify for or against it! Rules on testimony also vary by state, so check your state’s website for more details. If you can’t find the testimonial rules (some of these websites are difficult to navigate) contact your legislator(s) to ask.
Picture
Inside California's State Assembly.
​Aaand your puppy video. Click here. Have a fantastic week!
Peace and Power,
​Teens Resist
0 Comments

11/12/2018 0 Comments

Midterm Elections 2018 Recap

Last Tuesday were the much anticipated Midterm Elections. We've been providing actions about them for some time now. Here's our recap of what went down.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Efforts of progressive organizing across the country seem to have paid off when it comes to House elections: Tuesday night saw the House of Representatives flip soundly from Republican to Democratic control (take a moment, take a breath, and let yourself feel happy). Before Election Day, Democrats had controlled 195 of the 435 seats in the House (218 is necessary to gain the majority); now they have, at the very least, 227. One of those seats flipped is now Lucy McBath’s, one of Teens Resist’s highlighted candidates—so congratulations to all those who channelled their efforts into helping her win!
Picture
Before we dive in, we want to highlight a couple more standout races. In one major upset, Democrat Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma City blue for the first time in almost 50 years, defeating Republican incumbent Steve Russell in Oklahoma’s 5th district. And in New York’s 11th Congressional District, which covers Staten Island and a sliver of Brooklyn, Democratic veteran Max Rose beat Trump-endorsed incumbent Dan Donovan. Although a FiveThirtyEight polls gave Rose only a 1 in 4 chance of winning and rated the race “Likely Republican,” Rose won by an astounding six percentage points. And overall, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California—Democrats flipped either three or four seats in each—were key to this representation of the Blue Wave.

10 seats remain uncalled, so Democrats have the chance to pick up even more seats as final results continue to trickle in. Of those uncalled seats, Democrats have a lead in four. 

Democratic control of only one house of Congress might seem like a disappointment, but the House of Representatives alone can do a whole lot of good. Admittedly, progressive legislation that passes the House is unlikely to become law facing opposition from both the Senate and the White House. But a House controlled by Democrats means…  
  • The GOP legislative agenda is as good as dead. Democrats might not be able to get too many laws passed, but they will no longer be on the defensive against bills like the tax cut, the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, cuts to food stamps, yet more tax cuts for the wealthy, and loosening gun regulation like the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. It might not seem like much, but it’s an incredible relief not to have to spend so much time and energy fighting back against these bills. 
  • Congressional oversight of the Trump Administration. For the past two years, the Republican House majority has shown little interest in aggressively investigating Trump’s many possible misendemours—re: anything from collusion with Russia during the 2016 election to inappropriate financial ties to tax evasion (maybe we’ll finally get to see those returns!), Democrats have indicated that with control of the House, they’re ready to make Trump’s life very, very difficult. They can subpoena documents and order live testimony, for instance, and they have the potential to unearth something that could potentially be extremely incriminating and possibly destructive to his presidency.  
  • Maybe… maybe… some constructive legislative action. There’s no understating the obstacle that is a Senate under strong Republican control, but it’s worth mentioning that both President Trump and Senate Republicans are incentivized to collaborate with Democrats on at least some fronts now. Passing legislation that would be widely popular could give senators and the president issues to campaign on in 2020. You don’t have to be thrilled about the idea of their reelection, but ideally, Senate Democrats would be able to do things like address DACA, pass an infrastructure spending bill, or even pass gun control legislation, while still avoiding handing Trump a big enough legislative victory to spurn him to reelection. ​​
THE SENATE

The Republicans made gains in the Senate this past Tuesday and retained the majority they have had since January of 2015. With victories in North Dakota, Missouri, and Indiana, they flipped three previously blue seats red (with incumbents Heidi Heitkamp, Claire McCaskill, and Joe Donnelly losing, respectively). Democratic sensation and Teens Resist candidate Beto O’Rourke lost his race to Ted Cruz for the open Texas seat, something that I think we’re all a little sad about, no matter how unlikely a blue victory was. But it’s important to remember that he lost by less than 2.6 points in a state that went for Trump by 9 points in 2016, and Cruz won by 16 points when fighting for the same seat in 2012. Beto may not have won, but he did prove that we need unashamedly progressive, compelling candidates like him to appeal to red states, not centrists.
Picture
​In a major Democratic victory, though, Teens Resist candidate Jacky Rosen beat Republican incumbent Dean Heller to win the seat in Nevada. And, after a very drawn-out race, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema emerged victorious over Republican Martha McSally in Arizona, flipping another seat blue. In Florida, however, a recount is ongoing, presenting a potential opportunity for Democrats (if they win) to limit the Republican net gain to only one seat. The recount is taking place due to the difference between the top two candidates being within Florida’s recount margin of one half a percent.
       The chance of a Democratic win in the Senate was highly unlikely, given the fact that Democrats had to play defense in many races and had only a handful of opportunities to win Republican-held seats, many of which were in heavily rural, red states. Sinema’s and Rosen’s victories in Arizona and Nevada are significant in their location in the west, which once was thought of as a bastion of conservatism. Though the 'blue wave’ may not have entirely come to fruition within the Senate, a blue ripple has definitely occurred.
GUBERNATORIAL RACES

    Last week, Democrats made impressive gains in gubernatorial races during the midterm elections. The first regular election in all but three states since 2014, the gubernatorial primaries were held in 36 states and three territories. Incumbent state governors running to be reelected included 14 Republicans, 5 Democrats, and 1 independent.  Winning 49.4% of the popular vote, Democrats flipped seven Republican strongholds, while Republicans lost six seats on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Notably, in Kansas, one of the most conservative states in the nation, Democratic State Senator Laura Kelly won in a decisive victory over current Kansas Secretary of State (and ruby-red Republican) Kris Kobach. Similarly, in the gubernatorial race in Illinois, Michigan billionaire J.B Pritzker (Dem) unseated first term Governor Bruce Rauner (Rep), who supported the suspension of Syrian refugees into our nation. In Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers narrowly beat incumbent Republican Scott Walker largely by running on a platform of education. The highly contested race in Florida is currently being recounted, although Democrat Andrew Gillum is lagging slightly behind his opponent.  Check the GA/FL section below for more info on those races!!
    The combination of tireless activism, grassroots efforts, and passionate lobbying across the country will result in substantial progress for the Democratic party. Almost all the governors elected last week will still be in office in 2021, when the next cycle of congressional redistricting begins.  This is significant because the 2022 midterm elections will feature new boundaries for House districts based on the 2021 census. In 37 states, the legislature approves these maps, and in the majority of those states, the governor can veto the redrawing of legislation maps. In general, the gains Democrats made could also mean significant liberal policy change, tighter gun laws, and looser marijuana laws.
​ONGOING RACES IN GA AND FL
PictureStacey Abrams on Election Night. Image via GPB News.
There are a few races that still do not have a winner as of right now (Monday, November 12th at 3:30 PM). We’re spotlighting the ones that have to do with voting rights and voter suppression.
    One highly publicized race is the Georgia governor’s race. The candidates are Brian Kemp, a Trump-endorsed ruby-red conservative who currently serves as Georgia’s Secretary of State, and Stacey Abrams, an Obama-endorsed candidate known for her liberal beliefs and bipartisan compromises who has served as the Georgia Assembly’s Democratic Minority Leader since 2010. If Abrams wins, she will be the first Black female governor in United States history.
Controversy has been present since the election’s beginning—Kemp’s responsibilities as Secretary of State include overseeing elections, meaning that he would be responsible for the fairness of the race he was a candidate in (pretty backward, right?). As we previously covered, an “exact-match” voting policy was introduced in the fall, which demanded that people’s voter registration documents match their Social Security or driver’s records letter for letter and hyphen for hyphen. The policy was meant to combat mostly nonexistent “voter fraud” and (big surprise) disproportionately affected Black and Latinx voters in Georgia. Justice groups affiliated with the Abrams campaign sued and the policies were relaxed a little.
On Election Day, Georgia voters were faced with three hour-long lines (the time allotted off from work to vote is two hours), malfunctioning equipment, and confusion over absentee and provisional ballots. Kemp won the majority of votes on election night, but Abrams refused to concede. On election night, three counties had reported only some of their mail-in ballots, and four counties had reported exactly zero of them. Those counties lean Democratic. Since then, Kemp has self-coronated himself, while Abrams has continued to fight, saying that she will not concede until every single vote has been counted. The Abrams campaign has filed lawsuits to count late ballots delayed by Hurricane Michael and other similar voting discrepancies. After around-the-clock legal work, the Abrams campaign has found that at least 30,823 ballots have yet to be counted, and the campaign is confident that a runoff election or recount is possible. Kemp has stepped down as Secretary of State, meaning he would not be overseeing a runoff election if that were to happen.
    Abrams has said that no matter the outcome, it is important for every vote to be counted for the sake of democracy, and has urged Kemp to support her campaign’s efforts to count every vote. Abrams garnered unprecedented support and received 4 percent more of Georgia’s population of white voters than Hillary Clinton did in 2016. She also received half of the votes of white, college-educated women, while Clinton received only a third.
    A similar situation is occurring in Florida, where progressive Democrat Andrew Gillum is running for governor and Bill Nelson is running for Senate. The races were razor-thin, and the Florida Secretary of State announced that a recount would take place for the gubernatorial, Senate, and agricultural commissioner’s races. This development came after Gillum revoked his concession and various lawsuits were filed. Here is a more detailed description of recounts in the state, if you’re interested.
In a major move to combat voter suppression (in future elections), the state also passed a ballot measure that will give over 1 million individuals previously convicted of felonies in Florida the right to vote in the future.

BIG FIRSTS & DEMOGRAPHICS!

FIRSTS
  • Sharice Davids (KS-3) became the first openly LGBTQ+ Kansan elected to Congress.
  • Sharice Davids (KS-3) and Debra Haaland (NM-1) became the first Native Americans elected to Congress.
  • Ilhan Omar (MN-5) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) became the first Muslim women elected as representatives.
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Abby Finkenauer (IA-1) became the youngest women elected to Congress, both at 29.
  • Angie Craig (MN-2) became the first lesbian mother elected to Congress.
  • Jared Polis (Colorado) became the first openly gay man elected as governor.
  • Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) became the first Latina congresswomen elected from Texas.
  • Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) became the first Black member of the House elected from Texas.
  • Jahana Hayes (CT-5) became the first Black female congressperson from Connecticut.
  • Republican Kristi Noem (ND) became the first woman elected as governor from North Dakota.
  • Janet Mills (ME) became the first woman elected as governor from Maine.
  • Republican Marsha Blackburn (TN) became the first woman elected to Senate from Tennessee. NOTE: This is something we celebrate much less, since she is a bigot.
  • Democrat Kyrsten Sinema became the first female senator from Arizona (and she is America’s first bisexual senator)
Midterm voter turnout was the highest it has been in 50 years; well over 100 millions Americans showed up at the polls.

Some notable facts about voter demographics in the two-party U.S. House vote:
  • Over 65 percent of the 18-39 age group voted Democratic (up 10 percent from 2016).
    • To put that into perspective, just about 45 percent of the 65+ age group voted Democratic.
  • Women voted 13 points more Democratic than men (60 percent to 47 percent).
  • Among white voters, college-educated women voted the most Democratic (over 65 percent), while non-college-educated men voted the least Democratic (under 40 percent).
  • People of color voted overwhelmingly Democratic, as opposed to white voters, who voted 44 percent Democratic:
    • Hispanic voters voted 69 percent Democratic
    • Black voters voted 90 percent Democratic
    • Asian voters voted 77 percent Democratic

If you want more detailed info and statistics, check out this article and this article! Since the elections were fairly recent and there’s a lot of data still coming in/being analyzed, this is obviously an overview of who voted how. If you’re interested, make sure to do some googling in a couple weeks!

​
0 Comments

11/5/2018 0 Comments

The Final Countdown: Oct. 22nd-Nov. 5th

Picture
Hello Teen Resisters!!
These past two weeks might be the craziest that 2018 has seen thus far (three shootings. midterms. bomb threats. foreign elections. the constitution threatened by a president. the list goes on.)
That's why we decided to format this list a little differently to make things less overwhelming. We've separated the list into three main sections: Key News Items (really important things that happened but that we can't really do much about, other than being informed); News Linked to Actions (things that happened that relate to some main issues/ideas that we can act upon); and Actions, which ties together "what can you do" into a shorter list. 
Before you jump in, check out our two urgent topics below!! (I'm sure you can guess what at least one of them is...election day is near)
Sending all of our love, support, and passion!!
peace&power,
TR

URGENT UPDATE 1: MIDTERMS!!!
They are tomorrow. Tell everyone you know to vote. Phonebank, text, canvass, volunteer, post on social media. Check out these past lists (list/descriptions of featured candidates, update and guide to phone banking, update and voter suppression) for ways to get involved and for races to watch.

For further reading, here are:
​Everything you need to know (NYT)
Senate races to watch (FiveThirtyEight)
​House races to watch (NYT)
Midterms road map (CNN)


URGENT UPDATE 2: TRUMP ANTI-TRANS MEMO
Last list, we reported on the horrible new anti-trans policy that the Trump administration wants to implement. You can refer back to that, and check on some of these articles for more recent developments:
  • ‘Transgender’ Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration
  • Scientists Blast Trump’s ‘Absurd’ Anti-Trans Memo
  • The Trump administration’s latest anti-transgender action, explained

what went down: key news items

Brazil Election
Jair Bolsonaro, 63, recently won the presidential election in Brazil, defeating his leftist opponent Fernando Haddad and winning with 55 percent of the vote. Bolsonaro has often been referred to as the “Brazilian Trump,” as he shares common views with the president and ran a similar campaign to him as well. Bolsonaro’s campaign was centered around social media, most prominently Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Bolsonaro is a former military captain and congressman, and throughout his political career he has expressed his support and admiration of Brazil’s former military dictatorship, as well as his support of the use of torture. Bolsonaro has been vocal about his opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, women’s rights, immigration, affirmative action, gun control, and many other stances typically associated with the right-wing.
Picture
The beginning of Bolsonaro’s campaign included numerous challenges, including running against former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was president for 8 years. During the campaign, da Silva was sent to prison for corruption charges. Bolsonaro’s opposition was Fernando Haddad, who served as a stand in for da Silva. In addition to facing Haddad as a challenger, Bolsonaro experienced a hectic campaign, during which he was stabbed in the abdomen at a rally this September. Despite this being a physical setback, Bolsonaro’s popularity only increased as a result of the stabbing. Bolsonaro has often said that he will reverse the status quo in Brazil and focus on reducing the crime rate, which has included a record high in homicides over the past year. As president, Bolsonaro claims that he says that he will increase the power of military leaders, allow the police in Brazil to kill suspects, make it easier for the public to obtain guns, and decrease the age of criminal responsibility. 

Across the board, Bolsonaro is attempting to fight violence with violence. Bolsonaro’s presidency has the power to set precedent for global politics, as well as encourage a worldwide shift to the right. 

Links to articles for a more comprehensive and in depth look at this topic:
Jair Bolsonaro Wins Brazil’s Presidency, in a Shift to the Far Right 
Bolsonaro wins Brazilian presidency 

​Bombs Sent to Democrats
Over the course of a week, 14 packages containing explosives were sent out to various prominent Democratic figures. Fortunately, none of the pipe bombs detonated, and no one was injured as a result of the mailings.  

So, why was what tied the targets together so significant? Each target has expressed an opposition to Trump in the past, exposing a clearly political motive. The first package was delivered to George Soros, a billionaire and liberal campaign donor. Explosives were also sent to Hillary and Bill Clinton’s house and to Barack and Michelle Obama. The bombs sent to the Clintons and the Obamas were both caught by the Secret Service before arriving at their final destinations. The other bombs were sent to CNN offices in New York City, to Maxine Waters, a Democratic politician from California, to actor Robert De Niro, to Joe Biden (a former vice president), to Cory Booker, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, to James Clapper, the former Director of National Intelligence, to Tom Steyer, a liberal donor, and to Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California. 

Four days after the first bomb was discovered, the FBI arrested 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc after DNA evidence. Sayoc was arrested in Plantation, Florida, and a white van covered with pictures of President Trump and of Vice President Mike Pence and a “CNN Sucks” sticker was found in Plantation.  Sayoc was very active on social media, showing his strong support for President Trump and his administration. His social media became overrun with his political views, and he seemed to have particular interests in immigration, Islamist terrorism, and anti-Democrat conspiracy theories. Sayoc has a history of arrests, including a bombing threat from 2002. 

Links for a more in depth look at this topic:
Cesar Sayoc’s Path on Social Media: From Food Photos to Partisan Fury 
A Timeline of the Pipe Bomb Scare  

Trump and Birthright Citizenship

By definition, birthright citizenship is “a legal right to citizenship for all children born in a country's territory, regardless of parentage.” In the U.S., it’s one of the most famous parts of the Constitution. Citizenship’s meaning has certainly changed since it was created just over 200 years ago, notably in 1868, when the 14th Amendment—declaring that U.S. citizens are “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof”—was passed. Today, it holds true that any children born on US soil is automatically a citizen, regardless of heritage or parental immigration status. Just last week, President Trump challenged this notion (that is, in fact, the literal law). He claimed that the U.S. is the only country in the world that honors birthright citizenship, which is blatantly false—there are well over 30 other countries worldwide who do as well. Trump also claimed he can change with an executive order (which, in fact, he can’t. Not exactly). Essentially, an executive order on his part would make a case in court, but it is ultimately up to the Supreme Court to decide whether they still honor and interpret the fourteenth amendment’s statement of every person. Essentially, the abolition of birthright citizenship would be awful--it’s a tenant of America, and it is incredibly important to millions of immigrants who make this country what it is (and to their children). Read more here and here.

what else went down: news linked to actions

Pittsburgh Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue
    Last Saturday, a white nationalist gunman murdered eleven Jewish people praying at Shabbat morning services at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The murderer had previously been posting intensely anti-Semitic messages on the now-defunct white nationalist site gab.com. As he was shooting, he yelled phrases such as “All Jews must die.” All of the victims of the shooting were over 50 years old, and five of them were alive during the Holocaust. The shooting shows clearly how guns turn bigoted thoughts into bigoted violence in our country.
Picture
​The attack was heartbreaking for American Jewish people who have witnessed a rise in anti-Semitic acts since the 2016 election. Since the shooting, anti-Semitic incidents have spiked around the country, particularly in Brooklyn, where two incidences of anti-Semitic graffiti and seven incidences of arson occurred in the past week. Anti-Semitism has also shown up in midterm campaigns around the nation. Also since the shooting, Jewish people and allies have come together for vigils and protests, and for #ShowUpForShabbat, which took place this Saturday. The Jewish community has received incredible allyship from the Muslim community and other minority groups since the shooting.
An important way to react to this shooting is to make sure you do what you can to understand anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred, and functions in a cyclical way that differs in nature from other forms of systemic hatred. Therefore, it is both very invisible and very dangerous, as it relies in part on people’s belief that it does not exist. It also forms the ideological core of white nationalism, which places Jews in a puppet-master position in which they are responsible for Black people, Latinx people, and other hated groups' ability to thrive in society. In your daily life, it’s important to do research about this and also show solidarity to Jewish people and environments in your life. American Jewish life often thrives off of bonds with other communities.

Here are a few articles for more information on Pittsburgh and anti-Semitism:
  • Informative article on the shooting from the New York Times.
  • This video features expert Eric Ward succinctly explaining anti-Semitism’s role in white nationalism. His more extensive article from Political Research explains why anti-Semitism must be dismantled in order for racism to be dismantled. This is Ward’s latest campaign to Vote Against Anti-Semitism.
  • The stories of the victims of the shooting in Pittsburgh, from CNN.
  • This article is a beautiful letter to the Pittsburgh Jewish community in Alma, a millennial Jewish women’s media platform.
  • This article is by Yotam Marom on Medium and explains the cycle of anti-Semitism very well. We don’t necessarily endorse every single idea in this article but find the informative aspects very helpful. 

Kentucky Shooting
    Maurice Stallard, 69, and Vickie Lee Jones, 67, were murdered by a white nationalist last weekend at a supermarket in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to the shooting, the shooter almost entered a predominantly African-American church but was blocked from entry. When that attempt failed, he went to a nearby Kroger grocery store, where he shot and killed Stallard and Jones. The crime is currently being investigated as a hate crime, although it is very difficult for crimes to be classified as hate crimes in the United States. 
Stallard’s son serves as the mayor of Louisville’s chief equity officer, and Stallard was a veteran and former GE employee. Jones was a fixture at her church choir meetings and volunteered in women’s and youth ministries. Both victims were beloved, and key parts of their communities.
    The shooting is another example of how guns can turn racism into racist violence. We must fight the dual-pronged spear of gun violence and white nationalism with all of our might.

Further reading:
  • More about the victims’ stories, from CBS. 
  • The latest on the shooting, from the New York Times.
  • A New York Times article on the rise of white nationalism and how law enforcement deals with it.

North Carolina Shooting
      Last Monday, October 29th, a student at a high school near Charlotte in North Carolina shot and killed 16-year old sophomore Bobby McKeithen. According to officials, the shooting was a result of bullying that had "escalated out of control." This event--one of three shootings that happened within a week--is another devastating representation of the ways that America's lack of gun control is one of its most pressing issues. The Red Flag law (see Actions section) below is especially relevant to this event.

Further reading:
  • What exactly happened, from the https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/us/north-carolina-school-shooting.html.
  • Another take on it, from CBS​
Death of Danye Jones
24-year-old Danye Jones was lynched just over two weeks ago in St. Louis, Missouri. Jones’s body was found by his relatives hanging in a tree behind his family’s lake house. Although detectives are investigating his case as a suicide—there was no real evidence of struggle—his mother, Melissa McKinnies, believes otherwise. She says her son showed no sign of being suicidal, and the manner in which his body was found—with his clothing rolled down, wrapped in sheets that were unfamiliar to their family home, and a “knot” on his face—show that the death was a homicide. Additionally, she claims that Danye would have and had no way of knowing how to tie the knots. Danye also had a packed overnight bag, which led his mother to believe that he had plans to go out with the person who murdered him.
Picture
All of this information, including the story, went viral on social media with its own hashtag and fueled public outcry from various activist groups.
Melissa Mckinnies, a prominent activist herself, in an active protestor in the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s important to mention that there is a pattern involving activists tied to, or involved with, the protests in Ferguson, MI. Her son was the fourth person known to be involved in the Ferguson protests to die under “suspicious” circumstances, and it goes without saying that this is not a coincidence. Mckinnies and many others hope that the exposure of Danye’s story will urge officials to see his death for what it is: murder. And, according to her, she is more than ready to keep fighting for her community and her son.

Further reading: 
  • Breakdown of what happened here (via Essence)
  • Connection to another similar case here (via Think Progress)
  • Explanation of mother Melissa McKinnies’s statement here (via Teen Vogue)

actions

The biggest thing? GET OUT THE VOTE TOMORROW! We know you know tomorrow is one of the most important elections of our lifetime. If you can vote, vote! If you can’t vote, call, write, stand by subways, and tell every single person you know to vote.
Voting is by no means a remedy for the deep problems in America. But it’s a pretty substantial start because the truth of the matter is that we give a lot of power to the people we elect into office and they can do a lot with that power.

Gun reform scripts:
  • 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.
  • Through the organization DoSomething, you can call the number below. Once you call the number, when prompted enter your zip code and you will be connected to an elected official near you. Number: 202-335-8470  
    • Script: Hi, my name is ____, I’m from ____, and I’m calling to ask you to speak out for gun reform in the United States. I believe that stricter gun reform is a necessity to keep our country a safe place. I urge you to use your conscience in making your decisions around this topic. I hope that you will use your position to pass common sense gun legislation. Thank you for your time.
  • 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.

Do all you can to rail against white nationalism. Campaign against white nationalist candidates. Support and keep track of organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. Speak about it on your social media and in your communities. Amidst all the noise, it is an enemy for any minority group and anyone who believes in democracy.

Organizations to support:
Support DoSomething, this organization is a non-profit in the US who focus on helping young people to become educated and involved. They offer great resources to stay informed on everything going on, and they also have easy ways to take action against a large number of various issues.
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.
and, of course, the puppy vid.
0 Comments

    UPdates

    These lists include featured organizations, scripts, numbers, news updates and inspirational activists.

    Archives

    January 2022
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

About

About Us
​

FAQ

Get Involved
​

Content

Resource Guide

Lists

Basics

Index by Issue

Archive

Must-Have List

Support

Contact


Picture
© COPYRIGHT TEENS RESIST 2020