Many of us are seething with rage over the likelihood that Brett Kavanaugh, who lied under oath and is unfit to serve in any judicial capacity—let alone the Supreme Court—will be confirmed by the Senate.
You may just need to take care of yourself right now.
But if you want and need to take meaningful action to make your voice heard, influence those in power, effect change, and vent your fury, there are important things you can do:
Register to vote.
With the midterm elections just around the corner, on November 6th, it is essential that you register to vote ASAP, if you haven’t done so already. You might think you’re all set, but double check that your voter registration information is correct and up to date. (For example, if you’ve moved recently, you’ll need to update your address and find your new polling place.) In New York State, the deadline for registration to vote in the midterms is October 12. If you live in another state, go to vote.org to see a complete list of voter registration deadlines. Get on this immediately to ensure that you can vote on Election Day.
Protest!
The last-ditch, grassroots effort to stop Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation is happening today in Washington, D.C. The Women’s March and other activist groups have organized the Cancel Kavanaugh march (#CancelKavanaugh). Similar demonstrations and protests across the nation are scheduled over the next few days.
Write letters to your senators.
Compose your own letter or use this form to send a letter online to your senators (#BrettBye). If you’re fully confident that your senators will vote no on Kavanaugh (for example, New York’s Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand won’t confirm him), send a letter to express your full support of their decisions and to reiterate the reasons why. If one or both of your senators may vote yes—or are undecided—it is absolutely crucial that you urge them in writing to vote no.
Contact the five pivotal senators who will really decide this.
Most of the Kavanaugh vote on the Senate floor will fall along ideological and party lines (the vast majority of Republicans will vote yes; the vast majority of Democrats and Independents will vote no.) Five senators have indicated that they are undecided: Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). The three Republicans on this list are not facing re-election in the 2018 midterms. But the two Democrats on this list are facing re-election—in red states, and in tight races. You can help to influence how all five of these senators vote by contacting them today.
Senate Russell Office Building 413
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-4521
Government Website: flake.senate.gov
Official Website: jeffflake.com
Facebook: facebook.com/JeffFlake1
Twitter: twitter.com/jeffflake
YouTube: youtube.com/jeffflake
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Government Website: collins.senate.gov
Official Website: susancollins.com
Facebook: facebook.com/susancollins
Twitter: twitter.com/senatorcollins
YouTube: youtube.com/senatorsusancollins
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202)-224-6665
Government Website: murkowski.senate.gov
Official Website: lisamurkowski.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SenLisaMurkowski
Twitter: twitter.com/lisamurkowski
YouTube: youtube.com/senatormurkowski
306 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3954
Government Website: manchin.senate.gov
Official Website: joemanchinwv.com
Facebook: facebook.com/JoeManchinIII
Twitter: twitter.com/JoeManchinWV
YouTube: youtube.com/user/SenatorJoeManchin
SH-516 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
Government Website: heitkamp.senate.gov
Official Website: heidifornorthdakota.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SenatorHeidiHeitkamp
Twitter: twitter.com/SenatorHeitkamp
YouTube: youtube.com/user/HeidiForNorthDakota
Thank Christine Blasey Ford for her courage.
Dr. Ford’s testimony before a predominantly Republican, predominantly white male Senate Judiciary Committee was nothing short of heroic. By coming forward with her credible allegations against Kavanaugh, she exposed herself to open misogyny, the most hateful treatment imaginable, and even death threats. In a respectful way, we owe her a message of gratitude for her bravery in coming forward. Thank her for speaking truth to power. Tell her that you believe her. Send her a letter or thank you card to the following address:
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
c/o Palo Alto Univerity
1791 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
c/o Katz, Marshall & Banks, LLP
1718 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC 20009
Thank Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick for their courage.
Although these two women never had the opportunity to speak to the Senate Judiciary Committee, they came forward with their stories in the media—a difficult and courageous act that exposed each of them to public humiliation, harsh criticism, intimidation, and threats of violence. They deserve our respect and thanks. Contact them through their attorneys:
Deborah Ramirez
c/o John Clune, Attorney at Law
Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC
921 Walnut, Suite 200
Boulder, Colorado 80302
Julie Swetnick
c/o Michael Avenatti, Esq.
520 Newport Center Drive, Ste. 1400
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Thank Ana Maria Archila and Maria Gallagher for their courage.
Archila and Gallagher confronted Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) in an elevator last week, and that confrontation shook up the whole confirmation process. Afterward, Flake, following a private discussion with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), insisted that the Senate Judiciary Committee get President Trump to order a new FBI probe of Kavanaugh—albeit ridiculously limited in scope and duration. Submitted to the Senate last night, it wasn’t a real and full investigation, just a supplemental background probe and a handful of interviews. It was far, far, far from complete. It was unfairly constrained in both time and scope. It’s already been denounced as a sham and a whitewash by Democrats in Congress. But the Senate Judiciary Committee was stopped in rushing to a vote without obtaining any FBI report specific to sexual misconduct allegations. And these two women did that. Regardless of the eventual outcome on Kavanaugh, stand with them and thank them.
Ana Maria Archila
The Center for Popular Democracy
1730 M Street NW, Suite 1115
Washington, DC 20036
Ana Maria Archila
@AnaMariaArchil2
Maria Gallagher
@mgallagher822
Join organizations and volunteer your time.
Progressive organizations need your support, it goes without saying. Show your support and become a member of the Women’s March organization. Get involved with The Pussyhat Project. Volunteer for Planned Parenthood to help protect Roe v Wade. If you want to look for other progressive causes to get involved with, check out DoSomething.org and find a worthy cause to commit yourself to. If you’re broke but have some spare time, this is an effective way to make a difference.
Donate money.
It’s more critical now than ever to put your money where your mouth is, if you can. The opposition has huge coffers and well-funded PACs working on their side. Progressive organizations that are fighting for women’s rights and LGBTQ rights need and depend on small (and big) donations. To start that ball rolling, you can contribute directly to the Cancel Kavanaugh effort. Most donations are tax-deductible. And any amount helps!
Run for office.
Don’t be shy. If you think you have what it takes to be a leader, run for public office. Start small, if you prefer, but think big. Women are still vastly underrepresented in government. In the U.S. Congress, we are underrepresented by an 80-20 ratio. That is unacceptable. We have to move the needle faster—way faster—on women’s issues and rights, as well those of LGBTQ people. The best way to do that is to stop depending on others to do the right thing and start determining our own fate. If you don’t like the job our elected officials are doing, take their jobs. Take action. Test the waters. Launch a campaign.
VOTE!
Again, the midterm elections take place on November 6th. Register to vote or confirm your registration details. Find your polling place. Plan your Election Day. You know what to do.
As President Obama—how much we miss him!—once said: “Don’t boo, vote!”
What Do You Think?