MoveOn National Call 1/29 Notes
Notes, National Ready to Resist Emergency Call
Sponsored by MoveOn.org, Working Families Party, and People’s Action, 1/29/17
Recorded by: Ogie Strogatz (ogstrogatz@gmail.com; or you can find me on FaceBook).
Note: a recording of the call can be accessed at www.moveon.org/readytoresist .
These calls will continue weekly, every Sunday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm Pacific Time, for the remainder of the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
Update on Resistance to Muslim Ban Executive Order (Faiz Shakir, ACLU National Political Director; FShakir@ACLU.org)
Although Trump has said publicly this is not a Muslim ban, Rudy Giuliani indicated that Trump had asked him how to implement a Muslim ban legally. Reference below, Washington Post article, 1/29/17:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/29/trump-asked-for-a-muslim-ban-giuliani-says-and-ordered-a-commission-to-do-it-legally/?utm_term=.857e0828d071
Faiz summarized the ACLU’s 1/28/17 injunction on behalf of the 2 Iraqis with valid visas who were detained. The judge’s stay applies nationally; no one will be turned away at a US point of entry. However, people still may be detained for questioning. This was an immediate injunction.
The bigger fight that now will be undertaken is the constitutionality of the executive order.
The airport protests were critical, they made the injustice more clear and the need for action more critical – the judges saw that.
Three near-term political priorities
Overturning the ban
Postponing the vote on Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State until more can be learned about his position regarding the ban (floor vote now scheduled for Monday, 1/30)
Recalling Jeff Sessions to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee to learn more about his positions on the numerous executive orders signed in Trump’s first week (committee vote now scheduled for Tuesday, 1/31)
What you can do
If you hear about any refugees encountering visa difficulties, please contact Domenic Powell, DPowell@ACLU.org.
Live your values: help refugees being resettled locally.
Principles for action (Victoria Kaplan, MoveOn.org)
Drawn from Indivisible
Resisting Trump’s agenda; immoral, bigoted
Local defensive Congressional advocacy
Progressive values
Drawn from MoveOn
Non-violent, peaceful, legal protests
Coming from a place of love, and with firm demands
Draw leadership from those most affected
Resist Trump Tuesdays (Mehrdad Azemun, People’s Action, Campaigns Director, peoplesaction.org)
All about local action
MoCs are our public servants
We must engage in visible, persistent resistance.
Clicks and calls are not enough. We have to show up physically.
Although Resist Trump Tuesdays focus attention nationally on all of us taking action each week, we are encouraged to take action any day! Whatever works for us.
Action may at times focus on state and local level officials in addition to members of Congress.
For fact sheets on the next Resist Trump Tuesday (1/31/17), go to www.moveon.org/jan31 and to www.resisthere.org
Top 2 priorities this week: progress to overturn the 3 immigration-related executive orders, and slowing the review of Cabinet nominees so the American public can learn more about them
Immigration-related executive orders (important to stand locally for sanctuary)
Building the wall against Mexico
Increasing the deportation force and eliminating federal funds for sanctuary cities
Restricting refugee access to the US
Cabinet nominees (Democrats must force 30 hours of floor debate on each nominee)
Sessions, Mnuchin, DeVos, Tillerson, Puzder, Price
Note: Trump may announce SCOTUS nominee on Thursday, 2/2
Managing large crowds and rallies (Nelini Stamp, Organizer, Working Families Party)
Recommended resources
www.resisthere.org -- action toolkit and fact sheets
www.organizingforpower.org
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-your-rights-are-violated-demonstration-or-protest
www.nlg.org (National Lawyers Guild)
Need to be attentive to permissions when seeking to meet on private property (e.g. privately owned office building where elected official may have an office)
Generally do not need permit to hold meeting in public space, except if there will be a stage and amplified sound
Have legal counsel (National Lawyers Guild can help)
Record what’s going on at your event (not only for posting publicly after the event, but as evidence, should it be needed)
Helpful roles to assign
Police liaisons (1-2 people to negotiate between officers and protesters as needed)
De-escalators (leading the effort to stay calm and avoid confrontation, as needed; must be attentive to non-violent, inclusive, respectful language)
Ok to ask someone to leave if disruptive
Ok to ask participants to ignore a disruptive person
De-escalators can pull disruptive person off to the side and speak with her/him
People to look after participant well-being (water, ponchos, leading songs, chants, etc.)
Social media
Twitter (use quotes, short videos, photos; stick to no more than 1-2 hashtags)
FaceBook (post photos one at a time, take horizontal shots to get more into the photo; use FaceBook Live)