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.
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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