Our highlighted issues, actions, and events in the democracy movement this week—Please share widely.
SCOTUS: INVESTIGATE NOW—MEN DON'T GET TO DECIDE

The Democracy Initiative stands with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, and applauds her incredible courage to come forward to speak her truth. We also want to echo Sen. Hirono's challenge:
"I just want to say to the men of this country just shut up and step up. Do the right thing for a change," Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) slams treatment of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's accuser. pic.twitter.com/ApVKqAc5xz
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 18, 2018
In light of what's at stake in this #MeToo moment, the DI is providing a few resources for people who want to get involved in the fight against Kavanaugh:
- Women's March is planning a nonviolent, direct action in Washington DC on Monday, September 24 to show the Senate #WeBelieveChristine and demand that they #CancelKavanaugh and vote no on his confirmation. Click here.
- DI partner Friends of the Earth asks you to tell your senator to stop the vote on Kavanaugh. Sign the petition.
- Read President and Executive Director of DI partner Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Kristen Clarke's op-ed with former US District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin on the the ugly double standard over Kavanaugh's so-called youth, discussing the gendered and racial implications of arguments defending Kavanaugh.
- Sign DI partner Common Cause's petition to put the brakes on Kavanaugh's appointment.
In Solidarity,
The DI Team
FB LIVE: MOBILIZING FOR LABOR AND VOTING RIGHTS
DI Executive Director Wendy Fields and the AFL-CIO Civil, Human, and Women's Rights Director Nakisha Lewis will join a FB live discussion—hosted by the Declaration For American Democracy coalition—TODAY, Thursday, September 20, at 6pm. They will discuss threats to voting rights, how protecting and improving access to the ballot connects to AFL-CIO’s key issues, and provide key resources for people to get involved.
To watch and join the discussion, visit https://www.facebook.com/DeclarationforAmericanDemocracy/ at 6pm tonight.
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY TOOLKIT

National Voter Registration Day is less than a week away! Here are some tools to help you organize and spread the word:
- Nonprofit Vote has a partner communications toolkit for those who want to pitch to a journalist or write an op-ed about the work you do to make sure every eligible person can have their voice heard in November.
- The Arab American Institute has produced a downloadable voter registration toolkit.
- The AFL-CIO has created a toolkit with information about voter registration in 17 states.
- The Election Protection Coalition's Election Protection Hotline will go live on Tuesday, September 25. To learn more and volunteer, go to: http://866ourvote.org/.
SHOW OUR COLLECTIVE POWER: SIGN THE VOTING RIGHTS PETITION!
This November, 26 million young people, women, and people of color who voted in 2016 are predicted to not turn out to vote. We need these 26 million voices to be heard. We need ALL of our voices to be heard. Let’s prove them wrong. In the 21st century, we should have a democracy that is built on the basic principle of maximum participation.
On National Voter Registration Day, we want you to sign and distribute the petition with your members, and join us to stand up for our voting rights and a stronger democracy. Our petition engagement guide can be found here. To get involved, contact Getachew at gkassa@democracyinitiative.org.
To tweet a link to our petition on NVRD, click here!
VOTER REGISTRATION DAY TOOLS—RESTORATION OF RIGHTS MAKES A DIFFERENCE
17 million people with former felony convictions are eligible register to vote right now, but many do not know their rights. DI partner Campaign Legal Center has developed Restore Your Vote to provide information and resources to help those with past convictions reclaim their right to vote. The tool will be updated with information from all 50 states. Share this tool widely to ensure everyone who is eligible can vote. Disenfranchisement affects everybody.
DI PARTNER CORNER

VERIZON LEAVES ALEC AFTER COLLECTIVE ACTION
On September 15, Verizon announced that it will be leaving the Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, in response to scrutiny generated by a letter from DI partners and allies that denounced ALEC and its association with David Horowitz, famous for bigotry and his platforming of white nationalists.
The letter successfully put Verizon on notice: “Make no mistake, your continued financial support of ALEC is an endorsement of this dangerous vision for our country.” Verizon’s departure from ALEC marks a major victory against special interests, and shows us what we’re capable of when we stand together to pressure the powerful into listening to the people.
Read more here.
DARK MONEY GROUPS NOW MUST DISCLOSE DONORS
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, September 18 to let stand a lower court ruling compelling political nonprofits to disclose the names of donors who’ve contributed over $200 to groups advocating for politicians. The temporary action likely comes in order to stall while the Supreme Court can reach a final resolution on the case, which is under appeal. But for now, the ruling is a major victory for transparency and accountability.
Read more here.
DI LEADERS ON THE MOVE

“We need to be building power and we need to be getting corporate money out of our political system, because our democracy should be the best tool that we have to advance solutions, and we just can’t use it because it’s been hijacked by special interests.”
—Annie Leonard
You can watch the full interview here.
KNOW A DEMOCRACY CHAMPION? NOMINATE ONE
SAVE THE DATE: DI ANNUAL MEETING 2018
