FEBRUARY
Changing the world for the better - with LOVE at the center.
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Stacey Abrams starts campaign for Governor '22 |
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March for Voting Rights in 1975 |
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Activists demand the passage of Build Back Better |
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Hospitals overtaken by COVID-19 Omicron. |
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Video: One Year of Joe Biden's Presidency - Narrated by Tom Hanks. |
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If we organize, we can change the world. But we need to organize!!
There is a sour move in the public and dispiritedness in much of the movement. It is understandable with COVID, isolation, rising prices, stories about rising crime, the defeat of the voting rights bills, delay on Build Back Better, falling polling figures, and now even talk of war in Europe. And there are the looming threats against democracy and even lives from disinformation and the insurrectionists. The Generic polls currently tend to favor Republicans. Biden's favorability is at 41%. But there are many other elements that provide a path forward--if we organize.
But there are many other elements that provide a path forward.
Candidates matter and the specific real races are much more favorable and provide a basis for a pick-up of seats in the Senate, Governorships, and the House. Biden leads against all the currently perceived possible Republican opponents. The options are also better for the toss-up races in the mid-terms. The Republicans may rip themselves apart in the primaries (and political strategist Joe Trippi described them as “a crop of loons”). Redistricting has not been as lopsided as predicted -- though we have much further to go as it still continues to disproportionately impact Black and Latino voters and does not yet represent the popular will that is more heavily Democratic. There are many terrific organizations and party operations, especially in key states. And the Jan 6 investigation will likely expose the criminal plot to have a military coup against the democratically elected government of this country. It is up to us to get out the message about all of this.
We are still likely to pass part of Build Back Better. We are delivering for the American public and need to get out the message! (Lead out of our water pipes, wi-fi in rural areas, wages are going up, unemployment is down.) Spring will come and Covid should diminish, inflation will lower and we will get back to our more social lives.
There are also more of us than there are of them. But it all depends on how we spread the word and the work we do.
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Freedom is a Constant Struggle--a song from the Civil Rights Movement.
They say that freedom is a constant struggle,
O Lord, we’ve struggled so long,
We must be free, we must be free.
They say that freedom is a constant crying,
O Lord, we’ve cried so long,
We must be free, we must be free.
They say that freedom is a constant crying,
O Lord, we’ve cried so long,
We must be free, we must be free.
THEY NEVER GAVE UP. WE HAVE TO BE THE AGENTS OF HOPE.
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To win in these decisive battles ahead, we MUST keep organizing. |
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Leading civil rights organizations issued the following joint statement in response to the double atrocity blocking a vote on the Freedom to Vote Act & failing to change the filibuster:
“Members of the U.S. Senate tonight covered themselves in shame. They chose cowardice and discrimination over courage and principle. Whether out of a willingness to deny millions of Americans their most sacred constitutional right, a spineless submission to the party line, or a misguided allegiance to an arcane Senate rule, 52 Senators have betrayed the nation’s highest ideals. We cannot overstate the enormity of their actions tonight, nor our disgust and dismay in response. A failure to defend the right to vote is a failure to defend America itself. In choosing yet again to block a vote on the bill – supported by more than three in five Americans – these Senators have revealed their contempt for the will of the people. In refusing to amend Senate rules to exempt voting rights from the filibuster – also supported by a majority of Americans — they have revealed their contempt for the Constitution. We are glad that Democratic leadership pressed forward and powerfully presented the case for this vote. We believe it was important for the nation to see tonight those senators who stand with our communities and those who don’t."
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We can fight climate change, make childcare more affordable, expand healthcare access, and lower everyday living costs when the wealthy and corporations pay more of their fair share in taxes. THAT'S what it means to Build Back Better. It's time. #BuildBackBetterCantWait
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2022 elections are here & it is going to take all of us - organizing together - to register voters & get them out to vote for the candidates that will uphold democracy & move our country forward. |
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Inflation is spurred by the pandemic and corporate greed, not public investment. Inflation pressures are expected to moderate in the United States in the months ahead, with year-over-year inflation measures expected to come down as the Biden-Harris Administration works on every front to bring down prices for American families. When Build Back Better passes, even in a slimmed-down version, it will lower prices (lower prescription drug costs, energy costs, possibly child care, and more). More here
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"The Jane Collective was formed when a college student, Heather Booth received a desperate call from a friend looking for an abortion. Booth, active in the civil rights movement, found a doctor willing to help and passed along the information. “I made what I thought was a one-time arrangement,” she said in an interview. Soon another woman called. Then another. Booth found herself negotiating fees and learning the intricacies of the procedure so she could counsel women. After a few years, Booth, by then a mother working on her graduate degree at the University of Chicago, recruited others to fulfill the growing need." Read more here
3 Abortion Rights Pioneers Share Their Advice for the New Generation of Activists NowThis Article here
Before Roe v. Wade, a secret group provided abortions. Two new films tell the story. NPR article here
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The War on Reproductive Rights & How We Fight Back in 2022 with State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, Heather Booth, and Andi Friedman was a big success and it was great to see so many pro-choice advocates in one place. Jane’s Army is ready for the work ahead to protect Illinois from anti-choice extremists running for office and working to eviscerate the protections we’ve worked so hard to achieve over the past few decades in Illinois.
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Fannie Lou Hamer's America
PBS Premiere: Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 9/8c
WORLD Channel Premiere: Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8/7c
A fantastic film about Fannie Lou Hamer, a great civil rights heroine. Her struggle was for civil and equal and VOTING rights!!! The struggle continues.
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Barbara Lee Speaking Truth to Power
A documentary tells the complex story of Representative Barbara Lee, a steadfast voice for human rights, peace, and economic and racial justice in the US Congress who cut her teeth as a volunteer for the Black Panther Party and was the lone vote in opposition to the broad authorization of military force following the September 11th attacks.
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February 13: Superbowl LVI
February 14: Valentine's Day
February 21: President's Day
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When we organize, we can change the world. |
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We are so glad to be your partner in this movement for democracy and justice for all.
– Heather Booth, Lilly Rivlin, and the Film Team
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Newsletter Designed by Cara Freibaum |
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