HUDDLERS AGENDA: Week of July 18, 2021

Ruth Holloway

Maryville Huddle

Women’s March

MARYVILLE, TN (July 18, 2021) – If you were unable to attend the June Huddle Meeting, a recording of the presentation is available here and on our Facebook page: https://fb.watch/v/1TJEsHs7L/

Actions for Week of July 18, 2021

TN Top Vaccine Official Fired – Dr. Michelle Fiscus was fired this past week supposedly for distributing a memo relaying that under TN law, mature teenagers do not need parental consent to be vaccinated. The circumstances surrounding her firing appear to be political and supported by anti-vaccination/parental rights legislators. She was sent a muzzle in the mail prior to her firing. The Health Dept tried to claim Dr. Fiscus was fired because of her poor management skills but the following day, Dr. Fiscus released numerous, positive performance reviews she had been given. Gov. Lee signed off on the firing but has refused to answer reporters’ questions on the matter. TN physicians group is calling on the US Dept of Justice to investigate.

1. Following the firing TN health officials were ordered not to promote immunization awareness month (August) and to stop sending second COVID and other vaccine reminders to teens. TN has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country and COVID cases in TN are skyrocketing. Combined with an increasing prevalence of the Delta variant, COVID transmission may increase as schools open.
2. Please provide feedback to Gov. Lee and ask him to vigorously promote and support vaccinations for teens and other children, particularly as the next school term begins. Phone: 615-741-2001. Email: https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us.html. Twitter: @GovBillLee.

Petitions to Sign

1. 1. Ask Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act by signing this petition.
  2. This petition supports banning 45 from future office.
  3. Here is a petition asking that Rep. Gloria Johnson be treated equitably by the TN House Speaker.

Good News!

1. 1.2 million children in TN will benefit from the federal tax credits that began this past week.
2. Cherished Hearts is a Nashville program than aims to help survivors of human trafficking.
3. A lawsuit has been filed against the Texas anti-abortion law that awards private citizens when they bring complaints/suits against anyone facilitating an abortion.
4. The US Supreme Court left in place a previous ruling that a transgender student could use the bathroom of his gender identity not his birth identify.
5. On the 1-year anniversary of his death, the US Navy christened a ship after John Lewis.
6. Maine is the first state to ban “forever chemicals” in products.

Educate Yourself

1. Read about how corporations are donating large sums of money to support voter suppression bills.
2. Learn about the foundation funding the anti-critical race theory movement. This article explains CRT and why it is under attack.
3. Read about the Mercy Culture Church movement that promotes political actions to convert the USA to a nation ruled by religious authority.
4. CEO compensation increased by 16% in 2020, while average worker compensation rose only 1.8%. Wage suppression drives ever-increasing inequality. Perhaps taxing CEO windfalls could be done to pay for infrastructure improvements.
5. Learn about LARC, a Knoxville-based nonprofit providing information and access to long-acting birth control.
6. Minimum wage workers can no longer afford rent anywhere in the USA.

Upcoming Events

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

All On the Line is holding numerous seminars on redistricting throughout July and August. Registration is open for training sessions before the Census Bureau releases redistricting data. Check out the options below and register for training dates that work for your schedule!

Redistricting 101: Register here.

Tuesday, August 10 at 7:30pm-8:30pm ET
Monday, August 16 at 8-9pm ET
Saturday, August 21 at 6-7pm E

Mapping for Redistricting: Register here.

Thursday, July 22 at 8-9pm ET
Tuesday, Jul 27 at 8-9pm ET
Wednesday, August 18 at 8-9pm ET
Sunday, August 22 at 1-2pm ET

Knoxville Citizen’s Climate Lobby Meeting. July 20^th, Tues 7PM: Knoxville Public Works Building, 3131 Morris Avenue, Knoxville TN.

Hunger Among Military Families & Veterans Webinar. July 22^nd, Thurs Noon: Sponsored by TN Justice Center. For more information and to register, visit this link.

Building Blocks for Redistricting Webinar. July 22^nd, Thurs Noon:Speaker: Yuij Rudensky of Brennan Center for Justice. Sponsored by League of Women Voters TN. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84318298776?pwd=K05FVm1lb2YzTFA1djZ4dndBaFg5Zz09

Braver Angels Workshop. July 25^th, Sun 12-2:30PM: Braver Angels is a national nonprofit with a mission to depolarize America (https://braverangels.org/ ). This workshop is sponsored by CCL of Knoxville. For more information and to register, visit this link.

BEAC Luncheon Zoom Meeting. July 27^th, Tues 11:30 AM-1PM: Contact bcecumenicalactioncouncil@gmail.com for Zoom link. Dues are $20 per year.

Maryville Huddle Meeting: Challenges faced by Refugees. July 29^th, Thurs 7-9 PM: Speaker is Drocella Mugorawera, Executive Director of Bridge Refugee Services. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82874512471?pwd=dVo0dEhodlRBZ0dDTVFuSlF2YlJEUT09 .
Meeting ID: 828 7451 2471, Passcode: 148288 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/482725699626018?ref=newsfeed

Back to School Vaccine Session. Aug 4^th, Wed Noon: Sponsored by TN Justice Center. For more information and to register, visit this link.

Environment Working Group Meeting. Aug 11^th, 4:30 PM: Location: The Bird and the Book, 1509 E. Broadway, Maryville TN.

WIC 101 Webinar. Aug 12^th, Thurs Noon: Sponsored by TN Justice Center. WIC is the supplemental nutrition program for low-income women, infants and children. For more information and to register, visit this link.

Future Huddle Meeting Dates: We will continue to meet via Zoom on the last Thursday of the month. 2021 Meeting Dates: July 29^th(Bridge Refugee Services), Aug 26^th (TN Healthcare Block Grants), Sept 30^thNew Federal Policies Update), Oct 28^th. No meetings in November and December.

ABOUT: The Maryville Huddle in Tennesse is one of many Huddler groups across the country born from a continuation of the mission of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington.