Actions We Can Take To Make a Difference

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It’s real: Trump won the election and he is our president-elect. He is already implementing his platform of hate by appointing a known antisemetic misogynist (who refers to liberal women as “a bunch of dykes”) as his chief advisor. The KKK and the American Nazi party are thrilled! But we can fight this appointment! “Presidents have had to back down before, for comparatively minor reasons. (Some of us are old enough to remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, Bill Clinton’s two AG appointments, who had to withdraw for failing to pay Social Security taxes.)” Here, borrowed from a post I saw floating around online (where the quoted lines above are also from), are some concrete steps to #StopBannon, as well other actions we can take to make a difference during this insanity:

1) If you live in the US, call your Representatives and Senators and tell them this is unacceptable.
2) Paul Ryan is feigning ignorance again. Call his office at (202) 225-3031 and let him know that this is not ok. Same with Majority Leader McConnell, (202) 224-2541.
3) Call out the media when they report the Bannon appointment as a straight news story or refer to him as a “Breitbart executive” or a “provocateur,” but don’t call him what he is: a white supremacist, anti-semite, misogynist. Don’t let them normalize.
4) Where protests are ongoing, make this the focus, with signs, chants, etc. Next week we can turn our attention to other things. But for now let’s focus like a laser on this.
5) Let’s get religious groups on board; maybe even mainstream business groups, like the Chamber of Commerce (202-659-6000).
6) Contact other people of influence–College presidents, high-profile coaches and anyone else who has a public megaphone.
We can do this. #stopbannon

Find phone numbers for your Senators here.
Find phone numbers for your House Representatives here.

Here’s a sample script for when you call: “Hello, my name is [your name]. I am a constituent, living in [address, district]. I am horrified at the news of Trump appointing Steve Bannon, a white supremacist, as one of his closest advisors. Please publicly condemn this appointment.”

There are a bunch of petitions making the rounds. Here are a few I’ve signed that I think are especially important:

#StopBannon

Electoral College: Make Hillary Clinton President on December 19

Petition to provide Trump’s tax returns and supporting documents on potential conflicts of interest to the Electoral College before they vote on December 19th.

Petition to End the Electoral College

Appoint Garland Now (Senate Has Waived Its Rights)

Petition to make Bernie Sanders the Senate minority leader.

Support Bernie-Approved Keith Ellison for DNC Chair

Created by a FB friend of mine, here is a list of organizations and causes worthy of your support (time and money and promotion). I’ve set up automatic monthly donations to a couple of these and encourage you to do the same if you can:

American Civil Liberties Union – The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States. You can donate, become a member, or get involved with specific causes. I recommend checking it out.

The Anti-Defamation League – The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.

Center for Reproductive Rights – For more than 20 years, the Center for Reproductive Rights has used the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill.

Common Cause – Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process. You can donate, easily find and contact your elected officials, etc…

Council on American-Islamic Relations – CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. You can donate, report an incident, subscribe to their newsletter, volunteer, etc…

Crime Victims Treatment Center – The Crime Victims Treatment Center of Mount Sinai West and St. Luke’s Hospitals has been helping survivors of interpersonal violence heal since 1977. Our support comes in the forms of crisis intervention, individual and group trauma-focused therapy, legal advocacy, complementary therapy and psychiatric consultation. FairVote – http://www.fairvote.org/ – FairVote is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)h non-profit organization that seeks to make democracy fair, functional, and more representative. You can donate, become an advocate, etc…

Friends of the Earth – Friends of the Earth strives for a more healthy and just world. You can donate, become a member, provide gift & estate planning, give gifts of stock, etc…

The Future Project – Over 50 million students across the country are at risk of never discovering their full potential. Join the movement to inspire young people everywhere to build the future we all imagine. We work with schools to unlock the limitless potential of every young person in this country. You can donate, join the newsletter, etc…

Human Rights Campaign – HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. You can donate or become a member. I recommend you browsing their massive and excellent site to become more educated on the LGBTQ communities.

International Refugee Assistance Project – The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) organizes law students and lawyers to develop and enforce a set of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced persons. Mobilizing direct legal aid and systemic policy advocacy, IRAP serves the world’s most persecuted individuals and empowers the next generation of human rights leaders.

International Rescue Committee – The International Rescue Committee whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and regain control of their future.

Justice for Vets – Veterans fought for our freedom, now it’s our turn to fight for theirs. We enable the creation of a nationwide network of Veterans Treatment Courts that is transforming the way veterans are handled in the criminal justice system. In doing so we will keep veterans out of jail and prison; saving their lives, their families, and their futures, while saving tax dollars for the American public.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund – Often described as the “law firm of the Latino community”, MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access.

ModestNeeds.Org – Modest Needs offers grants designed to promote the self-sufficiency of individuals and families who, because they are working and live just above the poverty level, are ineligible for most types of conventional social assistance but who, all the same, are living one or two lost paychecks away from the kind of financial catastrophe that eventually leads to homelessness.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. You can donate, become a member, etc…

NAACP Legal Defense Fund – The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – The vision of NCADV is to create a culture where domestic violence is not tolerated; and where society empowers victims and survivors, and holds abusers accountable. You can donate, become a member, volunteer, etc…

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights – The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) works to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and refugees, regardless of immigration status. You be involved with campaigns, volunteer, become a member, become a intern, etc…

National Organization for Women — They have been working hard for years (since 1966) for women’s reproductive rights.

Natural Resources Defense Council – We combine the power of more than two million members and online activists with the expertise of some 500 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates across the globe to ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water, and the wild.

Operation HOPE – The mission of Operation HOPE, Inc. (HOPE) is silver rights empowerment, making free enterprise work for everyone.

Planned Parenthood – Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits. You can do a one-off donation, a monthly donation, or get involved through their Action Fund. ProPublica – https://www.propublica.org/ – ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

RAINN – RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. You can donate, volunteer for the hotline, become a student activist, and be a part of their social media action center.

Southern Poverty Law Center – The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality. You can donate, flag hate groups, etc…

The Trevor Project – The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

United SIKHS – UNITED SIKHS is a U.N. affiliated, international non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian relief, human development and advocacy organization, aimed at empowering those in need, especially disadvantaged and minority communities across the world. You can donate, volunteer, etc…

United Way – United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for all. Our focus is on education, income and health—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. You can donate, setup a workplace campaign, volunteer, etc…

And from Medium.com, a big list of actions you can take right now to make a difference and elicit change and progress.

#StrongerTogether #WeCanMakeADifference