34 weeks down, 70 weeks to mid-term elections.

Actions and More Events You Should Know About

July 8 - Congresswoman Debbie Dingell hosts two "Congress in Your Community" events in Washtenaw County. In Ann Arbor it will run from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit Street. In Ypsilanti it will run from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market- Depot Town, 400-698 Rice St.

July 8 - Washtenaw Sheriff Jerry Clayton – Talk on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Public Safety in our county – 12:30pm. For those who could not attend Sheriff Clayton’s PEG talk, you don’t want to miss his next talk. He will discuss why he believes the county should provide additional help to people with mental health and substance abuse challenges and why that would lead to reduced arrests and jail terms and would improve the lives of all residents of Ann Arbor. Come to the Washtenaw county Learning Resource Center 4135 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

July 9 - Attend Free Leadership Training. Learn about Power, Self-Interest, and Team Structure - 12pm-4pm. Michigan United Washtenaw County will host a training designed to create an atmosphere for deep self-reflection on behaviors, attitudes and beliefs that inhibit leadership. In confronting those internal obstacles, we are able to unlock the full potential of our leadership and grow any movement for deeper impact. It will take place at the Pride Center, St. John’s UCC, 801 Mechanic St., Jackson, Mi.  Please RSVP here.

July 11 - The A2D2 Indivisible Group will be holding their A2D2 Progressive Potluck and General Membership Readiness Picnic. The event runs from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and will be held at 4410 Canterbury Court in Ann Arbor. To RSVP and for more information, click HERE.

Everything you need to make this a successful recess can be found at recess.indivisibleguide.com—including more info on this week’s to-do list, call scripts, and explainers.

As always, don’t forget to register all your events on our website; we will be able to help you recruit new Indivisible group members, and people from other organizations... and we'll be able to notify our press team of your event!

In Celebration:

Call to thank Republican Senators Susan Collins (ME), Mike Rounds (SD), and Bob Corker (TN) for coming out against repealing a surtax on net investment income imposed under Obamacare. They are against cutting taxes on the rich while transferring burdens on the poor. They also object to the soaring premiums and deductibles for millions of low-income people as scored by the CBO. Phone them to thank them for expressing these opinions.

Susan Collins (ME) (202) 224-2523

Mike Rounds (SD) (202) 224-5842

Bob Corker (TN) (202) 224-3344

Celebrate our win in forcing Mitch McConnell to postpone the Senate vote on Trumpcare, the bill that would deprive 23 million Americans of health insurance.

We need to maintain our resistance as McConnell and the Republican money machine are sure to use the July 4th recess to strongarm and bribe the 9 Republican holdouts.

Action steps to defend Obamacare:

-Call your Democratic Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary C. Peters at 855-912-2982. You can thank them for their support of Health Care and urge them not to vote for any amendments that will help Republicans pass Trumpcare.

-Urge your friends and family across America to call their senators at 855-912-2982 especially friends and family who live in Alaska, West Virginia, Ohio, Nevada, Maine, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Arkansas.

-Join a MoveOn community cookout this weekend. Click here.

-Sign up for MoveOn text message alerts. Click here.

-Click here to chip in $3—or whatever you can afford—so we can keep it up.

Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 24, Volunteer with Planned Parenthood at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs

Planned Parenthood will be will be tabling in three-hour shifts. To learn more about this opportunity, click here. Ann Arbor Art Fairs, 9:30 am - 9 pm.

Tuesdays July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22. Planned Parenthood activist nights. Meetings will consist of event planning, occasional training and some administrative tasks as necessary. Please check Facebook page here for updates. RSVP now. Location subject to change due to local events and actions; changes or cancellations will be posted by 3 pm on Tuesdays.) Ann Arbor Main Health Center, 3100 Professional Drive, Ann Arbor, 6 -7:15 pm.

Saturday July 15, Community Conversation on Gerrymandering. Convened by the Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Emeth in the adult lounge, 2309 Packard Road in Ann Arbor at 11:30 am.

Wednesday, July 26. Educate yourself about Gerrymandering.

Things to do at Any Time

Want fair elections? Support the Fair Representation Act. Email your Rep here. Sample letter here. Calling them increases their likelihood of responding. The Fair Representation Act goes beyond addressing gerrymandering, redistricting, and money. It can provide meaningful elections, ensure accurate representation, and create open elections reflecting our full diversity. Consider sharing the petition online and drawing people’s attention to the new video and great resources. Learn much more at Fairvote.org
 

Oppose a 10-year delay in enacting air pollution regulations

Contact: Send an email to all three MOCs (lookup or leave message).

Script: Dear [MOC], I am concerned about the Ozone Standards Implementation Act (S263 (Senate) / HR806 (House). I support longstanding protections enacted by the EPA and the Clean Air Act. The OSI Act would disable the clean air standards that make people safer. We need emission reductions and toxin mitigation from industry. (If you have family, friends with lung issues or allergies, mention this.) I’m counting on you to work to protect my family’s health and stop this bill. Your actions on this issue affect my vote at the polls. Thank you.

Check out some of Indivisible’s how-to docs to help your causes. Exercise some self care with their tips for making advocacy work for the long haul. You may also be thinking about how to recruit new people you meet. tips for recruitment. And as an important reminder about staying safe during your advocacy, check out our resource on your rights during a police encounter.

Oppose the ban against Muslims

Write: Your 3 MoCs at a local office (lookup or leave message).

Script: I’m a constituent from [ZIP], concerned about discrimination against Muslims immigrating to the US and the SCOTUS ruling. I am asking you for two things: 1. To extend the definition of family to include grandparents, fiancé/es, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces. 2. To pass stronger anti-discrimination and sanctuary resolutions so that liberty and welcome may prevail.

Oppose invasive data collection and champion the right to vote.

Call: Your governor’s office (lookup) and Secretary of State (lookup).

Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from [ZIP] calling to express my concern about the federal election integrity commission. Vice Chair Kobach’s history of voter suppression makes recent letters requesting citizen data deeply concerning. Don’t let him steal our votes. Please refuse to comply with this invasive request.

Join one of several local calling parties! Oppose bills which would allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit or any training. (HR4416 – 4419)  Please RSVP here. Several dates and places already available in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti or Flint/East Lansing, with snacks! You can also choose to host your own! Sponsored by The Michigan Resistance: Stop bad bills, support good ones.

Oppose the ban against Muslims, despite SCOTUS ruling.

Write: Your 3 MoCs at a local office (lookup or leave message).

Script: I’m a constituent from [ZIP], concerned about discrimination against Muslims immigrating to the US and the SCOTUS ruling. I am asking you for two things: 1. To extend the definition of family to include grandparents, fiancé/es, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces. 2. To pass stronger anti-discrimination and sanctuary resolutions so that liberty and welcome may prevail.

Bonus: Read this infographic.

Oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to mix church and state.

Contact: Send an email to all three MOCs (lookup or leave message).  Better to call.

Script: I’m from [ZIP] and am very concerned about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to use taxpayer funds for church expenses. I do not want our country to abandon its longstanding constitutional protection of separation of church and state. I oppose government funds going directly to any house of worship. Please tell me what [name] is doing to address this issue.

Advocate for constitutional freedoms. Oppose ad implying that peaceful marches and progressive ideas are anti-American.

Write: NRA, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (or call 800-672-3888)

Script: The right to bear arms is a guaranteed constitutional right, as is the freedom to peacefully assemble. I oppose the new ad implying that peaceful marches and progressive ideas are anti-American. (If you are an NRA member, please mention this.) Americans are our neighbors, not enemies. I look forward to donating to an anti-gun organization this week in the NRA’s name.

Bonus: Report this video to YouTube as violent.

Advocate for Republicans joining the 2016 election hacking panel.

Call: Your one representative (lookup or leave message).

Script: Hi. I’m calling from [ZIP] to express my support for the new House panel that plans to investigate the Russian hacking of the election. Safeguarding future elections isn’t a liberal or conservative issue, it’s an issue about democracy. Democrats have invited Republicans to participate in this panel, and I would like [name] to do so. Can you please convey my message to her/him?

Join an ACLU Special Volunteer team: Sign up here to join our new Ground Support Team. In addition to the organizing that you all do on the ground for the ACLU, you can also join one of our Special Volunteer teams. These groups help support the work of activists nationwide. The Texting Team gives the ACLU the capacity to text for rapid response events and more local events. The Call Team has helped activists fight back - from healthcare rallies in West Virginia, to vigils in Alaska, to voting rights action training in Florida. The Translation Team has been working around the clock to translate some of our most important People Power resources from English to Spanish. And our Ground Support team helps with Freedom cities and beyond.

Get a Washtenaw ID.

The Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition of Immigrant Rights urges all county residents to apply for a Washtenaw ID as a way of supporting the county’s immigrant community. By obtaining that ID, a legitimate alternative to a driver’s licence, you legitimize all those who must rely on this kind of ID. Learn more at www.washtenawid.com.
 

Support Immigrants by getting and displaying your free yard sign.

They are available while supplies last, thanks to the Women’s Action Movement. If supplies last, at Grafaktri, 1200 South Main Street, Ann Arbor.

Interesting Things to Read, Watch and Listen To

This article could inform which senators you might want to contact to preserve the ACA. Read more - fivethirtyeight
 

Vultures --- they must be voting on the health bill.

Lost and Found Department

Please contact us at info@equalityingov.org if either item (below) found at the Pittsfield Township Hall  below is yours.

Jacket - found at the May meeting       

Water bottle - found at the June meeting