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February 17, 2017
Are you overwhelmed by hundreds of new groups and apps? We are too. The resistance can seem chaotic, and thousands of you have asked us to help make sense of it. So here we go. This is the first edition of RISE Stronger’s The United States of Resistance bulletin, a weekly digest that presents the highlights from across the movement to help you understand what is out there, what is happening, and how you can get involved. We will profile some of the most interesting and innovative new organizations and feature analysis and op-eds from our staff and guest writers. RISE is in touch with hundreds of organizations and activists to make resistance easy for you.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine." -Donald J. Trump, February 16, 2017.
ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE DOING IT.
You guessed it. Attending a town hall. Next week is Congress' recess. We want every one to show up for a town hall. Need to know when the ones closest to you are happening? Search the People's Calendar to find a town hall or other political and advocacy event near you.
We're calling it - Resistance Recess. We've joined forces with MoveOn, Indivisible, Center for American Progress, Democracy Partners, Town Hall Project and more to mobilize Americans as part of Resistance Recess. Materials, toolkits, social media guides, and press tools are all available for your use.
And for the 200+ Representatives who are simply not having town halls, we suggest you make some noise. Not sure how to do this? Indivisible put together a great toolkit on how to Reclaim Recess.
THE SCOOP ON THE STATE OF THE RESISTANCE
Big Announcement: Mark your calendar. The Women's March organizers announced March 8 as the date for the Women’s March General Strike. The “Day Without a Woman” strike will be held on International Women’s Day.
Top Priority: RISE Stronger demands an independent bipartisan investigation into Russian hacking. Others do too. But we can’t seem to get the Republicans on board. Put some pressure on your Reps and Senators this week. We can’t wait any longer.
2018 Begins Now, says Swing Left. And we agree. Swing Left, the new election juggernaut that signed up over a quarter of a million people in a few days held its first national kickoff call on Sunday February 12. Swing Left organizers started with 3 action items: host a kickoff party, research your swing district, and partner with Knock Every Door to get out and talk with voters.
Opposition to Trump's action against refugees continues to build. 80 CEOs, former CEOs, and business leaders from 77 companies signed a letter to oppose Trump's executive order against refugees. Idealists, with the help of RISE Stronger and many other orgs, helped pull this extraordinary letter together.
CALL ME MAYBE?
MomsRising #KeepMarching Telephone Town Hall (Tuesday, February 21, 9pm ET/6pm PT) will share simple, easy-to-use tips about some of their favorite organizing and advocacy tactics with members who are ready to do more. Register here.
Ready to Resist? Emergency Call #4 (Sunday, Feb. 19, 8pm ET/5 pm PT) with MoveOn.org, Indivisible, Working Families Party, People's Action, and Center for Popular Democracy.
Or how about, "Hello. It's Me. I've thought about us for a long, long time...I take for granted that you're always there." We did too, until the White House comment line got taken off the hook. As of this week, the comment line is back up and running. Channel your inner Adele and call the White House comment line at 202-456-1111.
SOMETHING SPECIAL COMING YOUR WAY
Flippable is doing amazing work to keep us focused on critical state races. Delaware: Your special election is just 8 days away! On February 25th Democrat Stephanie Hansen faces off against Republican John Marino and Libertarian Joseph Lanzendorfer. Connecticut: You've got 11 days until State Senate special elections in the 2nd and 32nd districts and a State House special election in the 115th district.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE FOR THE AGES
Yes, that one. We are all scratching our heads after Trump's Feb. 16 press conference. News outlets are labeling it "insane,” a “marathon rant” and “a press conference for the ages.” Did you miss it? He was supposed to announce his new Labor Secretary pick, Alex Acosta, but instead he spent nearly 1 hour and 17 minutes berating the press, reminding us just how well the administration is running, and well, berating the press some more.
Top lines: "The leaks are real, the news is fake." "I want to find a friendly reporter." "I'm not ranting and raving, I'm just telling you you're dishonest people." Regarding Flynn, "I don't think he did anything wrong. If anything, he did something right." "You know what uranium is, right? It’s this thing called nuclear weapons. And other things. Like lots of things are done with uranium. Including some bad things."
We can't wait to see what SNL does with this one.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED THIS WEEK?
Flynn. National Security Advisor Flynn resigned this week. What happens next? He's being investigated, but it doesn't appear charges will be filed.
The Affordable Care Act is back on the front burner, and low-income Americans will take the biggest hit. House Republicans are debating a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act that would give consumers tax credits to buy insurance, cut back on Medicaid and allow people to save their own money to pay for health care costs. What does this actually mean? Fewer people covered, fewer subsidies for low-income families, less coverage under Medicaid. Your reps should have the plan in hand now, so let the questions roll.
#PollutionPruitt confirmed as new leader of the EPA in a 52-46 vote, despite citizens rallying against him, and EPA employees bravely calling on their Senators to reject Pruitt. Democrats Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) defied party lines and voted YES for Pruitt. Republican Susan Collins (R-ME) once again broke from her party and voted no.
Standing ovation to retired Vice Admiral Harward. According to sources, A big “No, Thank You” is what Retired Vice Admiral Harward said to Trump after being offered the job of national security advisor (to replace Flynn). Trump reportedly would not let Harward hire and fire his own staff, so Harward bailed. Good for him for not getting seduced by the job title. We thank him for his integrity.
PURE MARKETING GENIUS
We lost our Member of Congress, and don’t know where to find him. Hundreds of people in Vista, California crowdfunded a full page ad in the Union Tribune, inviting Congressman Darrell Issa to a town hall in Vista on February 21. Moral of the story? Don’t dodge your constituents request for a legitimate town hall…and crowdfunding works for all sort of things!
Award winning animators join up with RISE Stronger to launch policy and action oriented PSAs focused on issues current and relevant to the American people. Our Next 4 Years and RISE Stronger released the first animated PSA focusing on the Affordable Care Act. Watch it, like it, share it, take action!
PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK
It's the little victories. And here are a few of them. Andrew Puzder withdrew his name as nominee for Labor Secretary. Michael Flynn resigned as National Security advisor. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) broke away from her party and voted NO on Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. John McCain breaks ranks and votes NO against Mulvaney as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Ten members of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders resigned yesterday due to the administrations stance on immigrants, refugees, people of color, and more.
WHAT'S COMING YOUR WAY
Because the last one didn’t work so well, Trump vows release of a new order on immigration and refugees. Keep your picket signs ready.
Ready for 2020 already, Mr. Trump? So are we. Trump will hit the road and travel to Melbourne, FL International Airport for a 5pm rally this Saturday. Tickets here.
DNC Leadership Vote Next Week: Officials of the democratic party will be gathering in Atlanta next week to vote on the new slate of DNC leaders.
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Did we miss something? Know of a story or development worth sharing with the Resistance? Send us a note at [email protected].
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