Blount County Huddle Objectives for May 2020

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the beautiful weather. I’m pleased to tell you that the speaker for the May 28th Huddle Meeting, Sam Bledsoe of American Promise, has agreed to present his material to us via the online meeting/chat room, Zoom. If you have never used Zoom and would like to learn a little about it, check out this basic introduction and download the here:  How Do I Join A ZOOM Meeting  You DO NOT need to buy an account in order to participate in a gathering scheduled by someone else. If unable to watch the meeting through Zoom, we will provide a phone number where you can call in and listen to the meeting. More details will be provided as we approach the meeting date.

You are also invited to join 2 webinars this next week for a conversation about gun violence sponsored by Moms Demand Action. Hosts are Ms. Shannon Watts and Ms. Julvonnia McDowell.

• Monday, May 4th, 7 PM ET: Conversation with Sen. Elizabeth Warren. RSVP here.
• Thursday, May 7th, 7 PM ET: Conversation with Sen. Amy Klobuchar. RSVP here.

Actions for Week of May 3, 2020

1. Sen. McConnell is calling the Senate back into session not to address the coronavirus plight of Americans but to resume confirming judges.  In particular, he wants a political ally, Justin Walker, to be confirmed to the very important DC appellate court despite being deemed as not qualified by the ABA. He was confirmed to a district court in KY only one year ago. It appears he is a loyalist to the Federalist Society, rather than an impartial arbiter. Please ask our Senators to oppose his nomination.

2. Petitions to Sign –
   1. Urge our Congressmen to include suicide-prevention measures in the next coronavirus relief bill by signing this petition. And this petition also encourages Congress to support gun safety.
   2. Here’s a petition demanding fair elections and the end of voter suppression. And here’s a 2nd one to the Supreme Court informing them of your disappointment of the ruling for Wisconsin’s primary to be held during the pandemic.
   3. Support Amazon workers’ call for climate and labor justice.

3. Free Sticker – You can order a free  “We Love Mail Carriers” sticker to support the US Postal Service from MoveOn.org

Good News!

1. The Supreme Court ruled the Clean Water Act applies to some groundwater pollution.
2. A Texas judge ruled fear of coronavirus is a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
3. Several groups have filed a lawsuit in TN to allow any voter to cast an absentee ballot this year.
4. Betsy DeVos has been sued because she is garnishing the wages of student loan borrower’s during the pandemic, despite provisions protecting them in the CARES Act.

5. Educate Yourself
   1. Here is information about Gov. Lee’s plans to let gyms/health clubs reopen this week.
   2. Read about how the 1918 flu pandemic almost derailed women’s hard-earned right to vote.
   3. Learn about how to measure your nation’s response to coronavirus.

6. Postcard Writing Group is Working from Home

If you want to write postcards from home, please let us know. Supplies will be delivered to your door/porch/convenient drop off-site. The group wrote an amazing 981 postcards at home this week. Go Team!

Members of Congress (MoC) Contact Information
A good way to fax these folks is to use ResistBot. Text “resist” to 50409 and follow the instructions. When contacting them in any form, always ask for a response.

Rep. Tim Burchett: 800 Market St. Suite 110 Knoxville TN 37902, phone: 202-225-5435 (DC), 865-523-3772 (Knoxville), 865-984-5464 (Maryville), email: https://burchett.house.gov/zip-code-lookup?form=/contact/email-me, Twitter = @timburchett

Sen. Alexander:  455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone:  202-224-4944 (DC), 865-545-4253 (Knoxville),  423-752-5337 (Chattanooga) or 615-736-5129 (Nashville), email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email.

Sen. Blackburn: B40B Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, phone: 202-224-3344 (DC),  865-540-3781 (Knoxville), 423-541-2939 (Chattanooga), email:  https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/contact_marsha , Twitter = @MarshaBlackburn

Upcoming Events
See & Bookmark this calendar:  https://sites.google.com/view/wmcethuddle/calendar?authuser=0

May 28th, Thurs 7PM: Huddle Meeting. Speaker is Sam Bledsoe of American Promise. Meeting will be held via Zoom. American Promise support the 28th Amendment that will end the ability for large monetary donations to influence elections.

June 5th, Fri All Day: Wear Orange. June 5th is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, when we Wear Orange to honor the more than 100 Americans shot and killed every day and the hundreds more who are wounded. This is the kick off of #WearOrange weekend.

Future Huddle Meeting Dates: We meet in Dorothy Herron Room A at Blount County Public Library on the last Thursday of the month. Please save these future meeting dates: May 28 (American Promise, June 25 (Legislative Summary/Indivisible Update), July 30 (Candidate Forum), Aug 27 (RescuingHealth.org), Sept 24, Oct 29.

If you have to head out this week to work or other public areas, stay safe, wear a mask and keep 6′ from others if at all possible. In light of social distancing requirements, this remix of Don’t Stand so Close to Me with Jimmy Fallon, Sting, the Roots, etc. seems very appropriate!

Rhea Morgan