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.
The next Hour is August 7th 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.
Healthcare Postcards from WITCH Boston
These are the senators most likely to switch their vote! Tell them why they should vote AGAINST the passage of the AHCA by downloading a postcard, filling it out, and sending it:
Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Alaska
522 Hart Senate office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. Bill Cassidy - Louisiana
520 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. Ben Sasse - Nebraska
136 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. Bob Corker - Tennessee
Dirksen Senate Office Bdlg SD-425
Washington, DC 20510
Safe Communities Act Update
It’s going to be kicking around in the background but keep pressure on your local senator (Joan Lovely).
Learn about the MA statewide Safe Communities Act here.
Text RESIST to 50409 and follow prompts to send messages to your reps. “I demand an independent prosecutor to investigate Trump/Russia ties now. Impeach Donald Trump.”
1. Write down your emails for the Witching Hour Update Email
2. Take a moment to BREATHE
3. Call and thanks Seth Moulton
(Check out https://5calls.org/ for more scripts)
+1 202-225-8020 (Office of Seth Moulton, our Rep in the House)
+1 978-531-1669 (Secondary local number if mailbox is full)
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from Salem at [STREET #, CITY, STATE]. I’m calling for a few reasons. First, to urge [REP NAME] to reject the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to the education department. OPTIONAL: Share a personal story or reason why this matters to you. For example:
I (or someone close to you) am a product of the public school system, and I think more effort should be spent on improving it, not abandoning it.
I (or someone close to you) needed federal assistance to pay for higher education, and I support the programs that make it easier for students to do so and protect them from abuse by lending companies.
It is important to me that my children (or young people close to you) have access to arts (or science, foreign language, etc.) education in their schools, and do not want to see those programs dismantled.
I’m also calling today because I’m extremely concerned about the expansion of Trump’s mass deportation agenda through H.R.2431, the Davis-Oliver Act, and H.R. 2406, the ICE Authorization Act of 2017. I ask that [REP NAME] vote against these harmful bill. OPTIONAL: Share a personal story about why this matters to you.
Lastly, I’m calling to oppose the EPA's planned rollback of the Waters of the United States Rule. Ensuring clean water for all Americans is a national priority that requires federal support, and it is irresponsible to end a rule that protects 1 in 3 Americans' drinking water sources. I urge [SEN/REP NAME] to fight against the elimination of the Waters of the United States Rule.
Thank you for your work answering the phones. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
4. 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 Salem at [STREET #, CITY, STATE]. I’m calling for a couple reasons. FIrst, to urge [REP/SENT NAME] to reject the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to the education department. OPTIONAL: Share a personal story or reason why this matters to you. For example:
I (or someone close to you) am a product of the public school system, and I think more effort should be spent on improving it, not abandoning it.
I (or someone close to you) needed federal assistance to pay for higher education, and I support the programs that make it easier for students to do so and protect them from abuse by lending companies.
It is important to me that my children (or young people close to you) have access to arts (or science, foreign language, etc.) education in their schools, and do not want to see those programs dismantled.
I'm also calling to urge [SENATOR NAME] to oppose any provision in the Better Care Reconciliation Act which would harm women by defunding Planned Parenthood, rolling back Medicaid coverage, and allowing insurers to stop covering maternity care services and contraceptive access. Women should not face financial penalties and barriers to healthcare access simply because of their gender. [OPTIONAL: Share a story about how the BCRA would harm you or women in your life.]
Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
5. Call the Department of Justice/Attorney General
+ 202-353-1555
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a concerned citizen from Salem at [STREET #, CITY, STATE].
I am calling for a couple reasons. First, to express my deep concern over the increase of hate crimes in America, especially anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has often opposed LGBTQ rights in the past, but as the head of the Department of Justice, he now has a responsibility to protect all Americans. I expect each and every hate crime to be fully investigated and prosecuted.
I'm also calling to express my disapproval of the Justice Department's delay in enacting consent decrees made with police departments across the country. Our criminal justice system is in need of major reform, and any rollback of these efforts could prove detrimental to the safety of many Americans.
Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
6. Call the Department of Education (Betsy DeVos)
+202-401-3000
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a concerned citizen from Salem at [STREET #, CITY, STATE]. I'm calling to express my support for transgender student rights in our schools and communities, and to ask that the Department of Education reinstate its federal guidance to schools to protect these vulnerable children and teens from discriminatory actions. Thank you for your time and attention. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
7. Choose 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 08/7/17:
7/12/17
Together North Shore Monthly Meeting
7/15/17
Festival Betances 2017
7/15/17
Proctor's Ledge Cleanup
7/18/17
Show Your Support to Raise the Minimum Wage! Legislative Hearing
7/18/17
July Monthly Meeting for Salem No Place for Hate Committee
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.
