5 Things Friday
Become an election defender, do your part to flip the senate, and BREATHE away that debate, Here are your 5 actions steps for Friday, October 2.
Bob Daugherty/Associated Press, 1964
FLIP THIS The senate, obvi. But for real now, folks. This conservative supreme court takeover is just one of the serious situations Democrats will have no power to fix if the senate remains Republican controlled. Here in CA, we are solidly blue, so it's time to take out your pocketbooks and donate some volunteer hours to candidates around the country. We're personally fighting hard for Jamie Harrison (South Carolina) to unseat Lindsey Graham, Mike Espy (Mississippi), Paula Jean Swearengin (West Virginia), and Amy Mcgrath, who is running to ditch Mitch McConnell in Kentucky. Here's a comprehensive list.
SHOW UP FOR THIS We really don't want to mention that debate the other night, but among countless vile things that were said, one was a call for right wing-intimidation at the polls. With the stakes being as high as they are, voter suppression already more rampant than ever, and the nationalist right emboldened by conspiracy theorists and the President himself, we need to step up to ensure people are able to vote freely and safely. How can you help? By becoming an Election Defender. Unlike traditional poll watchers, Election Defenders will be working to provide safe supports for voting (such as PPE and water), election and voter defense, de-escalating right-wing intimidation tactics, and signaling to a network of groups and lawyers if and where trouble arises. Sign up to schedule your virtual training and become Election Defender here.
WATCH THIS We've mentioned the Breathe Act before. It's the comprehensive bill presented by the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives. The bill proposes to divest taxpayer dollars from policing and invest in alternate, community-based approaches to public safety. Yes, that's a mouthful, but it's revolutionary and you should be on board. So how about you watch this new video about it instead?
SIGN THIS Breonna and her family are still without justice. Last week's announcement by Attorney General Daniel Cameron was a slap in the face to the family of Breonna and the community at large. Grassroots Laws has outlined five things that must happen to ensure an injustice of this magnitude never happens again. Sign on to support these initiatives now.
DON'T FORGET Breonna's name and story has become the rallying cry of the moment, but never forget that she is just one of thousands of people who have been murdered by the police who have never been held accountable. You can find up-to-date information of the ongoing cases of some of the others—including Atatiana Jefferson, DJ Henry, Muhammad Muhaymin, Sean Monterossa, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and sadly, many more—and find info on how to support them right here.