Happy Tuesday, Activists!
Wow what an exciting few days we had late last week. Great jobs numbers and passage of the Infrastructure Bill (the BIF). It’s been a long haul and it sure feels good to see this progress. As you know, the BIF and the Build Back Better bill (together, the Biden agenda) have been a complicated process because there’s so much to be done and because Democrats have such slim margins in Congress. It’s all the more amazing that we’ve come this far.
So it's time to consider where we’ve been and check out where we go from here. A great synopsis of all of this is in Leah Greenberg’s post here. It’s a short read and we highly recommend it.
Rep. Evans – D.C. office 202-225-4001; Phila office 215-276-0340; email link
Rep. Boyle – D.C. office 202-225-6111; Phila office 215-335-3355; email link
Have a different representative? Call (202) 224-3121.
Sen. Toomey – Phila office 215-241-1090; D.C. 202-224-4254; email link
Sen. Casey – Phila office 215-405-9660; D.C. 202-224-6324; email link
For outside PA: Find your Senators’ phone numbers and emails at this link.
Our calls to action are simple and to the point -- to thank our progressive representatives for getting the BIF passed, and remind them to keep pushing to pass Build Back Better.
Plus, we need to tell our senators we need to fix the filibuster and pass democracy reform as soon as possible. This critical democracy reform is widely popular among both Democratic and Republican voters and would expand early voting, end partisan gerrymandering, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and more.
CALLS TO ACTION
1. Call your progressive representative and thank them for working hard to get Build Back Better over the finish line, and tell them to keep it up.
2. Call our senators and continue to call every day and demand they fix the filibuster and pass democracy reform. Senate staff total these calls up every day or week for the boss -- so don’t think this type of pressure doesn’t matter. Ask for a written response, and if you don’t get one -- call back again and ask what’s up.
OUR UPCOMING MEETINGS AND ACTIONS
TOMORROW - RALLY TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY November 10, 5:00 pm Join us tomorrow at 5:00 pm for a short action to show that the Senate must pass The Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act – and end the filibuster to do it. We'll have light-up signs and we’ll have other signs and ask drivers around City Hall to honk and wave for democracy! Where: Broad Street at the south side of City Hall - we'll meet on the south apron of City Hall, near the Cato statue. Sign up here.
Women’s Reproductive Health – Where Do We Go From Here? THIS THURSDAY, November 11, 7:30 pm Are you worried about the future of women's reproductive rights now that we have a super conservative Supreme Court? Chances are you are very concerned. So we need some ideas for where we focus if/when Roe v. Wade is stripped away. This meeting will give you those ideas from two experts who have been activists in this field for years. We'll welcome authors and activists Kathryn Kolbert and Julie Kay. Their new book is Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom. In 1992, Kolbert argued before the United States Supreme Court in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the seminal case that modified but upheld the rights established in Roe v. Wade. Our speakers will discuss the state of reproductive health laws after the recent rulings on the Texas anti-abortion law and the cases scheduled to come before the Supreme Court later this year. And they’ll offer what we should be ready to do in light of those realities. We are partnering with Turn PA Blue on this event. When: Thursday, November 11, 7:30 pm Where: Zoom SIGN UP HERE. QUIZZO NIGHT! Next Tuesday, November 16, 8:00 pm If you haven't played Quizzo before here's your chance! It's super fun. We will have a professional Quizzo Master lead the game. You can join a team or start your own, to go on to fame and glory! PLUS -- our crack video production team has created a fun new video that we'll premier at the event! So. Much. Fun. Come for the camaraderie! Come for the food! Come for the prizes! Come for the glory of a winning team! Come for the new video! And bring a friend! We'll provide all the food and there will be a cash bar. When: Tuesday, November 16, 6:00 pm Where: Black Sheep Irish Pub, 247 S. 17th St, Philadelphia, 19103, Second Floor. We'll have this private room to ourselves. The windows will be open so we have good ventilation. The Rules: You must: (1) be vaccinated; (2) bring proof of vaccination; (3) wear a mask in the building when you're not eating or drinking. SIGN UP HERE. (This party is brought to us through a generous grant from Indivisible national.)