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.

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!​​

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.

Inside California's State Assembly.

​Aaand your puppy video. Click here. Have a fantastic week!
Peace and Power,
​Teens Resist