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Democracy Initiative Weekly Update 09.26.18

The DI Report
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Our highlighted issues, actions, and events in the democracy movement this week—Please share widely.

SCOTUS UPDATE: #CANCELKAVANAUGH

Democracy Initiative Executive Director Wendy Fields on the new lawsuit against Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh:


As more women step forward to speak their truth about Kavanaugh, the DI is providing a couple resources and actions for people who want to get involved in the fight against Kavanaugh at all levels:
 
  1. Women's March is coordinating a nonviolent, national day of action TOMORROW, Thursday, September 27 at 12:30pm to show up in full force to demand the Senate #CancelKavanaugh. Click here for more information.
  2. DI partner AFL-CIO asks you to call your senator to stop the vote on Kavanaugh. Take action here.
  3. Today, DI partner Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a historic lawsuit on behalf of Sen. Merkley against President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Charles Grassley to secure an injunction to stop the hearing process and #CancelKavanaugh. Read the press statement here.

In Solidarity,

The DI Team

DI LEADERS ON THE MOVE

NAACP PRESIDENT DERRICK JOHNSON CALLS FOR KAVANAUGH'S WITHDRAWAL
President and CEO of the NAACP Derrick Johnson released a statement today calling for the White House to withdraw Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination after new allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced:
 

 

“Today, new allegations have been made regarding Brett Kavanaugh’s abuse and violence toward women and girls. The Senate Judiciary Committee has committed a grave breach of the public trust in refusing to investigate these and all other claims promptly and thoroughly. Survivors of sexual violence who have spoken truth to power deserve much better than this from our elected officials. The Senate confirmation process has become a farce. It is past time for the White House to withdraw Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. The integrity and legitimacy of the Supreme Court are at stake. History will judge us harshly if this nomination proceeds.”

DI PARTNER CORNER

CLEAN MISSOURI WILL APPEAR ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT
Amendment 1 is on the November ballot in Missouri thanks to the efforts of DI ally Clean Missouri! Opponents of the amendment, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, sued to take the initiative off the ballot, but the Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear the case, meaning that the appellate court’s ruling in favor of Clean Missouri stands. The Clean Missouri Coalition has passed its latest hurdle and is now preparing for the final push heading into November.

Read more here.

DAY OF ACTION: SECOND CHANCES FLORIDA VIRTUAL CALLING
Floridians convicted of a felony are barred for life from voting—meaning 1.4 million Floridians who’ve completed their full sentence can’t participate in the democratic process. This November is an opportunity to fix this broken system, with Amendment 4, the Voting Restoration Amendment, which allows voters to restore the eligibility to vote to their friends, family and neighbors who have completed their full sentence.

On October 1, Second Chances Florida is kicking-off our Get Out The Vote campaign by calling Florida voters who Vote-By-Mail to give them a head’s up that ballots drop on October 2, encourage them to vote #Yeson4, and ask them to return their ballots as soon as possible.

Sign up to make GOTV calls from anywhere in the country on October 1st to support Second Chances for 1.4 million Floridians.

KNOW A DEMOCRACY CHAMPION? NOMINATE ONE!

As we begin planning our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 28, we’d like you to be involved. The DI Annual Meeting is an opportunity for us to gather as partners, look back on our successes and challenges in 2018, and develop strategic campaign plans for 2019.
This year, we want you to hear from you! Who is a Democracy Champion in your community or organization? Please use this link to nominate an organization or an individual for a Democracy Champion Leadership Award. Include a few sentences in support of your nominee. The deadline to submit nominations is September 21, 2018.
If you have any questions, please contact Elsie Guerrero at 202-567-6101, or eguerrero@democracyinitiative.org

SAVE THE DATE: DI ANNUAL MEETING 2018