POLITICAL ACTION WITH THE WITCHING HOUR 11/18

The Witching Hour is HausWitch’s attempt to help our community stay accountable for their activism. We call representatives, senators and other government officials from around the Salem, MA area about things we care about and donate to local causes. If you're interested in donating to Black Lives Matter you can purchase the postcard pictured in-store.

The next Hour is December 3rd at 7pm at the shop.

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

First things First.

MA reps are already 100% for Net Neutrality. Still call them, but you can also leave a comment during the public comment period as explained here. Public comments with real backing like "net neutrality means I can run my small business and participate in the American economy in a real and valuable way, without it my business will go under due to a la carte internet costs" and things like that will get the most attention. So really think about what you want to say!!

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

Ranked Choice Voting allows for your vote to always be a part of the decision-making process every election — even if you voted for a third party or less likely to win candidate. Their website best describes the process:

"Instead of choosing just one candidate, you may choose multiple candidates on your ballot, ranking them in the order you prefer — 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. You can still pick your favorite as your 1st choice, followed by a series of backup choices. If your 1st choice candidate doesn't have enough support, then your vote transfers to your next choice. That means your vote always stays in play and is almost never wasted. It also means that the winning candidate gets a true majority — more than 50% — of active votes cast."

You can see how this would be counted here. Or if you're more visual this video takes 39 seconds to explain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1N37rPmHc

We also heard from Pippin, who is interested in lobbying for more funding for youth homelessness. More to follow at our next meeting on materials to distribute and how we can help in a tangible way.

Call and thank your representatives (More scripts can be found on 5calls.org)

Seth Moulton + 202-225-8020 and if the office voicemail is full: + 978-531-1669

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE, STREET]. I’m calling for a few reasons. First, to ask Rep. Seth Moulton to support HR 2670 the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act, and HR 3207 the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act. Congress must act now to close dangerous loopholes in gun laws that allow perpetrators of domestic abuse access to deadly firearms. I’m also calling to express my outrage to the rollback of the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Adding more exemptions to the contraception mandate will erode access to preventative healthcare for millions of Americans. I demand Congress take immediate actions to ensure all women have affordable access to the healthcare they need. [OPTIONAL: Tell how the mandate has helped you or someone you know]

Lastly, I'm calling to urge Rep. Seth Moulton take action to reduce the epidemic of gun violence in the United States by...[CHOOSE 1-3 POLICIES BELOW]

• Closing the loophole that lets people buy guns at shows and through private sellers without background checks
• Instituting universal background checks for ammo and gun buyers, a measure 80% of gun owners support
• Removing the Dickey Rider from the federal budget and finally allowing the CDC to research gun violence prevention
• Funding evidence-based community anti-violence programs, like Ceasefire, which have been shown to reduce shootings

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]. I'm calling for a few reasons: First, I’m calling to demand that [SENATOR NAME] call on President Trump to implement Russian Sanctions, signed into law in August 2017. Trump’s recent comments sympathetic to Russia and Putin amid the ongoing investigations into the Trump administration's relationship with Russia make it imperative that Congress keep up pressure to implement sanctions. Secondly, I’m calling to urge [SENATOR NAME] to oppose any reopening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling. We should not destroy protected land and endanger wildlife in exchange for an unnecessary giveaway to fossil fuel companies.

I'm also calling to urge [SENATOR NAME] take action to reduce the epidemic of gun violence in the United States by...[CHOOSE 1-3 POLICIES BELOW]

• Closing the loophole that lets people buy guns at shows and through private sellers without background checks
• Instituting universal background checks for ammo and gun buyers, a measure 80% of gun owners support
• Removing the Dickey Rider from the federal budget and finally allowing the CDC to research gun violence prevention
• Funding evidence-based community anti-violence programs, like Ceasefire, which have been shown to reduce shootings
• Ban the use of deadly bump stocks

Lastly, I'm calling to express my opposition to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It is clear this bill is designed to benefit the ultra-wealthy and corporations while providing minimal benefits to most middle-class households. The bill will also create a massive revenue deficit, which will force immediate cuts to programs like Medicare. I ask that [SENATOR NAME] oppose this truly unfair and harmful tax plan. Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Call the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

+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 take action on the Community Health Centers Fund reauthorization bill. Community health centers provide essential healthcare to millions of vulnerable Americans and need this money to stay open. Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Call the Senate Committee on Energy and Renewable Resources

+202-224-4971

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, STATE, STREET]. I'm calling to ask that the committee find other means to produce federal revenue than reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling. We should not destroy protected land and endanger wildlife to fund unnecessary tax breaks for the wealthy. Please pass my message along to the Chairman and other committee members. Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Call Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman

+202-418-1000

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a concerned customer from [CITY, STATE, STREET]..

I'm calling to express my disapproval that the FCC is trying to kill net neutrality and the strong Title II oversight of Internet Service Providers. Preserving an open internet is crucial for fair and equal access to the resources and information available on it. [Important: Explain why net neutrality is personally important to you or your work] Thank you for your time and attention.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Call local legislators: Senator Joan B. Lovely 617-722-1410 and Representative Paul Tucker 617-722-2396.

Hi, my name is [Name] and I’m a constituent from Salem at [#] [Street], Salem. First, I want to thank you for your recent vote to override the governor's elimination of funding for the youth homelessness line item 4000-0007, restoring $675,000 to the budget. Second, I am calling to ask you to make supplemental funding for housing and services for youth experiencing homelessness a priority when the Legislature starts formal sessions again in January. We must increase funds to address the urgent needs of young people without homes. Please speak to Legislative Leadership so that funding at least matches the Fiscal Year 2017 budget of two million dollars. While this amount would not be enough to meet all the housing, shelter, and service needs of youth and young adults age 24 and younger who are living outside the custody and care of their parents or guardians, it would allow the state to make a deeper impact. We know all too well that youth homelessness takes its toll on both the youth and our society at large. [Add a personal story about why this matters to you. This can be a personal story about yourself or a young person you know who has experienced homelessness or housing instability, a general value that makes you care about youth homelessness like protecting vulnerable people, etc.] Thank you for your time. Please let me know actions the (Representative/Senator) takes.

Choose (at least) two events and go to them before the next Witching Hour. Find a buddy, or a few and carpool.

Find all links to Facebook Events in our Google Doc: http://bit.ly/WitchingHourDoc

Before the Moon on 12/3/17:

11/19/17
November Racial Justice Brunch

11/19/17
Salem Walk for Opiate Awareness

11/19/17
World Day of Remembrance 2017: Road traffic crash victims

NOW - 11/21/17
10th Annual It Starts With ME! Turkey Drive

11/21/17
Support the Bill of Rights for People Experiencing Homelessness

11/26/17
HRC Free Community Coffee & Film Screening: For Ahkeem

11/28/17
Forum: Criminalizing Poverty in America

11/29/17
"No Place Like Home" Dinner & Auction

12/1/17
World Aids Day

12/5/17
Salem Democratic City Committee Year End Meeting & Holiday Party

12/6/17
Homeless for the Holidays Wine Tasting

12/8/17
Rock for HAWC Fundraiser SHOW

12/14/17
Reimagine Manhood: A Prevention Summit

Friendly Reminder:

Our Moon Meditation starts at 8pm. If you come to The Witching Hour to get political and then want to stay for the meditation please remember to buy your ticket ahead of time next time at stag.hauswitch.com/events. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay in the shop…without a ticket ;).

Questions? Email cheryl@hauswitch.com.