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BASICS OF PROTEST + ACTIVISM


Welcome! Here's the Witching Hour's 2018 Agenda and Notes from 5/2: Basics of Protest + Activism.

Updates + Announcements:

City:

  • There are plenty of board seats open right now! If there’s something in the city you care about, give their office a call and see if/when there will be openings. See the different boards here. 
  • We’re Walking for HAWC! Join our team on HAWC’s site by selecting “HausWitch” or donate on our page here: https://hawcdv.donorpages.com/Walk2018/HausWitch/

State:

  • FOSTA/SESTA - Our Senators voted in favor, with endangers sex workers instead of helping and protecting them.
  • Massachusetts laws do not require tracking or testing of rape kits; This advocacy group wants to change that in 2018:
  • Setti Warren has dropped out of the Race for Governor
  • State-level election process has begun! Keep an eye out for candidate forums and start figuring out your top choices. 9/4/18 is MA primaries!
    • Latest Left/Progressive Candidates:
      • Alice Merkl for Registry of Deeds in Essex County (Her kickoff is across the street!)
      • Seth Moulton is running again
      • Elizabeth Warren is also running again
National:
  • Maggie’s Global Hot Takes:
    • Apr 27 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with South Korean president Moon Jae-in. Agree to form a peace treaty to finally formally end the Korean War and disarm Korean Peninsula.
    • Massive anti-government protests in Nicaragua.
    • King Mswati of southern African country formerly known as Swaziland (colonial name) has changed country’s name to eSwatini, for 50th anniversary of independence.

Basics of Protest + Activism

Not Actually a Time Commitment At All:

  • Posting articles and events on Facebook (Not actually that impactful.....)
  • Telling your friends about important causes and charities they should support
  • Voting with your dollars - Don't give money to people or businesses that don't have the same views as you. Spend money at places with an eye on the ethics of their company, and human rights.

Quick, Easy, Low Time Commitment:

  • VOTE
    • Make democracy work for you. Stand up for what you believe in. Polls are usually open 7am-8pm on voting days so finding a time shouldn't be too much of a problem. You can also vote absentee ballot in Salem right up until noon before the day of voting! So you really have no excuse, tbh.
  • Calling (Read: Harassing) Reps and Senators with phone calls, letters, and emails
    • Calling your reps and senators is easy as pie. Have anxiety? Call after the offices are closed and leave a message. You can make it simple for yourself. If you don't have any problem speaking with people on the phone, you can learn more from the staff of the offices you're calling by calling during the day and asking them questions about the bill you're trying to support.
    • Emailing is super easy—you can even write one script and keep sending it every day! Send it to everyone so they can help spread the message as well.
  • Donating money online
    • Planned Parenthood, Black Lives Matter, and all kinds of organizations have donation sites and you can even set recurring payments. If you have the money, but not the time then this could be a great option.
  • Marching in large organized marches
    • These are important, but not as important as the daily attention you should give causes you care about. Lately there's a tendency to say "but I went to the Women's March!" as if that's the solution to everything. Unless you're also making phone calls and putting forth some effort in other ways...No. that. is. not. enough.

More Time Commitment: 

  • Showing up to fundraisers
    • Fundraisers are a fun way to get involved: The money gets where it needs to go, and you get to have a little fun. Be sure that you know the organizers are reputable and that the organizations involved are ones that you support! Flatbreads in Salem hosts many fundraisers for local schools, Puerto Rico, etc. Keep an eye on our events list for great fundraisers to support.
  • Showing up to sign-holding events
    • Aka, protests. People hear 'protest' and think they're going to get arrested. Many protests outside the statehouse, city hall, or around town, are small groups who hope enough people come for them to get a little attention from the press and lawmakers. Most protests are not organized with the intention of getting arrested. However, roadblocks and sit-ins are more likely to encourage a police response. If you do not have the ability to make bail, take off work, or any other reason why a night in jail would be detrimental, then there is usually time for you to exit the premises before an event turns into a scene where you might get arrested. Moral: Don't just not show up to protests, find out what kind of protest it is and then make your decision.
  • Showing up to events to learn from minorities, experts, hear from politicians, etc.
    • To me, this one is the most important: perspective. Maybe there's a bill going through the legislature that doesn't affect your life at all. But you go to an event and hear how damaging a certain bill is to a group of people you don't brush shoulders with very often. It changes your mind, you decide to support legislature that would help their community moving forward. Because you learned that maybe it doesn't affect you directly, but why would you ask your neighbor to put themselves in danger just because something doesn't affect you?

Highest Time Commitment

  • Dedicating yourself to a cause, campaign, or lobby that you really believe in
    • Contacting politicians who match your politics to find out how you can help get involved in their campaign is simple. And many times, even if you only have one free day, they can get you involved in phonebanking for the day.
  • Organizing protests yourself
    • Maybe none of the events going on are able to fit into your works schedule. Maybe you're a person who doesn't have a lot of time or funds. Organize a lunch or even an hour (haha) where you can share information with your friends and community and organize around picking a couple events to attend.
  • Changing the minds of those you encounter daily, or at least helping them think about other perspectives.
    • Shifting perspectives is difficult and time-consuming and worth it. Even if you can help someone simply see things from another angle, and not necessarily totally change their mind that's a win.

How do I hear about these things?

Sign up for the Witching Hour Newsletter! Email Cheryl@hauswitch.com to get on the newsletter. 

Like a bunch of these pages on facebook and actually attend their events:

  • ECCO
  • Black Lives Matter Boston
  • MCNAA
  • Salem Sound Coastwatch
  • Voter Choice Massachusetts
  • Raise Up Massachusetts

FAQ:

  • How do I know an event is legit?
    • Check out the organizer's page. Look at their website and read their about page. Make sure they stand for something you agree with.
  • What if I get arrested?!?
    • You probably won't if you're a white person. And honestly, unless you become violent, this really isn't a concern at most protests or rallies in Salem and Boston.
  • What if not that many people show up?
    • That's okay! You're doing what you can to raise awareness for your cause. Keep going. 

Scripts:

Call Seth Moulton +  202-225-8020

If voicemail is full: + 978-531-1669

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY,STATE, STREET]. First,  I'm calling to express my support for the Raise the Wage Act, [S. 1242 / HR 15]. Raising the minimum wage is necessary to combat poverty and income inequality in this country, grow the US economy, and create a better future for American families.Secondly, I am calling to ask Rep. Seth Moulton to oppose the PROSPER Act (H.R. 4508) because this bill makes it harder for students to afford higher education and eliminates regulations that protect students from predatory for-profit schools. Lastly, I'm calling because I'm outraged that the DHS is shifting funding from comprehensive sex education to abstinence-only education for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants. The TPP program has helped reduce the US teen pregnancy rate to an all-time low and should remain as it is. I ask that Rep. Seth Moulton pressure the Department of Health and Human Services to reinstate comprehensive sex education grants for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program so their important work can continue. Thank you for your hard work answering the phones.[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Call and thank our senators

+1 202-224-2742 (Office of Edward J. Markey, one of our Senators)

+1 202-224-4543 (Office of Elizabeth Warren, one of our Senators)

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY,STATE, STREET]. First,I'm calling to express my support for the Raise the Wage Act, [S. 1242 / HR 15]. Raising the minimum wage is necessary to combat poverty and income inequality in this country, grow the US economy, and create a better future for American families. Secondly, I'm calling because I'm outraged that the DHS is shifting funding from comprehensive sex education to abstinence-only education for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants. The TPP program has helped reduce the US teen pregnancy rate to an all-time low and should remain as it is.  I ask that [REP’S NAME] pressure the Department of Health and Human Services to reinstate comprehensive sex education grants for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program so their important work can continue. Lastly, I'm calling to ask [REP’S NAME] to support [H.R.Res 53 in the House / S.J.Res 5 in the Senate], which would remove the 1982 deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Now is the time to establish strong legal protections in our Constitution against sex-based discrimination.Thank you for your hard work answering the phones. [IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave full address to ensure call is tallied]

Paul Tucker, State Lower Legislature Representative
+1 617-722-2396 Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE, STREET]. I am calling to ask [REP NAME] to write or support legislation that promotes net neutrality, such as laws that incentivize net neutral internet service providers or laws that block the state government from doing business with non-net neutral providers. Preserving a free and open internet is essential to protect freedom of speech, a cornerstone of our democracy.Thank you for your time and attention.[IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave full address to ensure call is tallied]

Department of Justice

+1 202-353-1555 Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE, STREET]. I'm calling to express my strong disapproval of the Department's plan to rescind the policy of allowing states to take lead on marijuana law enforcement. The government should be focused on fighting the opiate epidemic, not cracking down on legal marijuana businesses. Thank you for all your hard work answering phones. [IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave full address to ensure call is tallied]

Department of Commerce, Office of Public Affairs

+1 202-482-4883 Hello, my name is [NAME] from [address, city, state]. I'm calling to urge the Department of Commerce, Office of Public Affairs to support The Every Person Counts Act, S. 2580, and prohibit the inclusion of a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. Adding this question will skew the census count by discouraging immigrants from participating, thus blocking states from receiving sufficient federal funding.Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

House Committee on Education and the Workforce

+1 202-225-4527

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE, STREET].I'm calling to ask that the committee schedule a hearing to discuss the Raise the Wage Act [S. 1242 / HR 15]. Nearly three-fourths of the American public support an increase to the minimum wage, and Congress must do its part and work towards achieving that goal. Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

+1 202-224-5375

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE, STREET].I'm calling to ask that the committee schedule a hearing to discuss the Raise the Wage Act [S. 1242 / HR 15]. Nearly three-fourths of the American public support an increase to the minimum wage, and Congress must do its part and work towards achieving that goal. Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Find all links to Facebook Events in our Google Doc: http://bit.ly/WitchingHourDoc or in the community page post of this agenda on the HausWitch website! (Posted the day after the meeting.)

 

5/10/18

Salem City Council Meeting

City Hall, 7pm

5/12/18

SHEER QUEER Benefit

5/12/18

Walk for HAWC

5/15/18

Flatbread Fundraiser for the Salem Education Foundation

5/16/18

North Shore Volunteer Fair

5/18/18

March for Our Lives Continues with Alice Merkl

5/24/18

Salem City Council Meeting

City Hall 7pm

5/24/18

Sanctuary-Art of LGBTQ Refugees

5/29/18

Flatbread Benefit Night for Salem Arts Festival

5/29/18

MOAR Northshore Action for Recovery Meeting

 

May 9, 16, 23 - PEM is hosting an Native American Film series

The Witching Hour is HausWitch’s attempt to help our community stay accountable for their activism. They occur the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm at the shop. They focus on a topic, project, or fundraiser. We call representatives, senators and other government officials from around the Salem, MA area about things we care about and donate to local causes. 

Can’t make it to The Witching Hour? Too far away? Thinking about starting your own accountability group? Two words: Do it! Email hello@hauswitch.com if you need a little guidance.

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