Hello, Resistance!
In the final* death of the zombie Wealthcare/Trumpcare bill this week, the Resistance experienced our biggest victory yet. Check out this reminder from the authors of the Indivisible Guide of who killed the bill: YOU did!! Against huge odds and taking on every level of political power in this country, the Resistance showed the world that US democracy is still alive and well, despite Trump Inc.’s constant assaults. I hope this moment has given you all a little morale boost and the motivation to keep going. Or maybe it earned you the right to take a little break! For me, it was definitely a reminder of what’s possible and an inspiration that our efforts can pay off. Riding high on at least a momentary victory, check out this week’s action plan below. And take a little time to celebrate this week. You’ve earned it!!
* – We HOPE… but again, you can never take your eye off those guys…
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Our monthly group meeting is this Sunday, August 6 at 2pm in the second floor meeting room of the Rockville Memorial Library. No guests speakers this week, but I will be able to share some news from various past speakers about their plans going forward. And we’ll be discussing Rockville Resistance Projects – a new way for us to organize in the new phase of our Resistance efforts. Looking forward to seeing you there!
- If you haven’t already, please RSVP to let me know if you would like to meet with possible candidate for MD governor Kevin Kamenetz, current Baltimore County Executive. We’re hoping to arrange a visit with him for Wednesday, September 6th to hear from us about issues, priorities, and questions.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
LGBTQ Rights & Equality
- Trump thrust a whole new abhorrent impulse into the spotlight this week with his proposed ban on transgender military servicepeople, and Jeff Session’s announcement that his Justice Department thinks civil rights don’t apply to gay people. Here are some quick actions to you can take to fight back and support the LGBTQ community:
- Order a Human Rights Campaign sticker and display it proudly.
- Sign the ACLU’s petition to block the military ban.
- Support the It Gets Better project, offering hope and support for LGBTQ youth.
Elections
- MD-8 has a new Sister District assignment: supporting Danica Roem for Virginia Delegate! Danica lived and worked as a reporter in Rockville before moving to the Manassas area, and is making history as the first transgender person to run for the VA General Assembly. Learn more and sign up to support her here.
- And in case you missed it, the 2020 presidential race has officially started, kicked off with a familiar face!
August Recess
- Another congressional recess is upon us soon, August 11 – September 5. Would you like to organize or join a group visit to one of our congressional representatives? We can help recruit members to join you! Check out this refresher on advocacy tactics from Indivisible and let me (Ailea) know if you have a topic(s) we should bring to our reps this month.
Environment
- Al Gore’s new documentary film, An Inconvenient Sequel, updates the powerful stories and information of his original 2006 An Inconvenient Truth. You can join a screening this weekend to help the Chesapeake Climate Action Network recruit volunteers. Sign up here.
- Meanwhile, our own Gov. Larry Hogan stonewalls against joining the climate alliance. Call his office this week and tell him Maryland wants in!! (410) 974-3901
POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE
A little bit of good news to keep hope alive in these dark times!
- While Russia’s attempts to hack our democracy are extremely disturbing, take heart in this NY Times analysis describing how Putin’s gamble in meddling in US politics appears to be backfiring spectacularly.
- And it’s not just on Russia where the administration’s evil hopes and dreams seem to be getting systematically thwarted one by one. The Washington Post describes a boomerang effect of almost every nefarious thing Trump attempts.
- I remain hopeful that the Republican tide of Trump appeasement will turn, hopefully before it’s too late… And there are continuing signs that it may be turning already. This week Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona published what is probably the most fulsome critique of not just Trump himself, but the Republican party’s handling of him, that I’ve seen yet. He and his party still have a LONG way to go to right the ship of our nation’s democracy. But this criticism offers a signal that change may indeed be nigh.
- In case you forgot what it looks like when our congressional representatives stand up to Trump’s corrupt administration, watch legendary Resistance Leader Maxine Waters remind us what democracy looks like when questioning Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
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