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Indivisibles,
Yesterday, in the wake of horrific violence in Uvdale, in New Orleans, in
Buffalo, and in too many towns and cities across the nation, our
co-founder Ezra Levin explained how we can be proactive about breaking
this cycle of horror, inaction, and then acceptance. Read his full message
below, and then take action with us: [ [link removed] ]Sign up to join activists across
the country on Saturday, June 11th protesting for an end to gun violence,
take a few minutes to [ [link removed] ]call your senators and tell them to speak out in
support of universal background checks, and, finally, hold MAGA extremists
accountable for their obstruction by directly asking them, on camera, why
they block common-sense reforms supported by 94% of the American public
([ [link removed] ]here’s a great example from Indivisible Houston).
Together, we must stop this before it ever happens again.
In solidarity,
Indivisible Team
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ezra Levin, Indivisible
Date: Tue, May 31, 2022
Subject: How to break the horror-inaction-acceptance cycle
Indivisibles,
I grew up in a rural part of Texas just a couple hours from Uvalde.
Watching the coverage after the elementary school massacre, I see kids who
look like the kids from my elementary school. I see parents who look like
the parents at my 20-month old’s day care right now. Their grief and pain
is palpable. It’s hard to watch, especially with my own toddler running
around full of life, squealing with joy, and exuding potential. But I’ve
forced myself to watch the interviews with parents and survivors. I can
give them my attention. I can feel sorrow and anger. And I can channel
those feelings into action. It’s the only thing I can do that feels like a
genuine response.
Attention sounds cheap and easy. But at a societal level, the attention
paid to massacres of innocents follows a shockingly predictable and
depressingly short pattern ([ [link removed] ]see here). The time is usually measured in
days, and then, collectively, the nation turns its attention to something
else. Nothing changes, the country moves on, and we all wait until the
next massacre for the country to temporarily turn its attention to the
issue for a few days. We know these massacres will keep happening -- even
while writing this email, I received news of another [ [link removed] ]shooting outside
of a New Orleans high school graduation at Xavier University.
For those of us interested in breaking the horror-inaction-acceptance
cycle, we have a simple goal: make the nation pay attention as long as
possible. Because if the public pays attention long enough, it will become
clear who the villains in this story are. And that will make it easier for
us to deprive those villains of the political power they so desperately
desire. And if they lose that power, then -- and only then -- will we get
more than thoughts and prayers.
Three quick things to know:
1. The reforms being proposed are wildly popular. Look down the long list
of gun violence prevention policies -- and every single one of them
has massive public support. The only people who oppose them are gun
zealots and MAGA Republicans bankrolled by the NRA. Our opponents in
this fight are a small, radical minority -- the vast majority of
normal people support gun reform.
2. House and Senate Democrats will attempt to pass popular reforms. The
specifics aren't yet set, but movement is happening right now. This
week, the House is going to pass a package of popular gun reforms. We
believe Senate Democrats will line up in support of these reforms as
well. We are not yet sure if universal background checks will make it
in the package -- but we’ll push for it (and it has 94% public
support).
3. If gun reform fails, it will be the MAGA GOP who block it. Gun reform
can’t get through without ten GOP votes because of the filibuster. Gun
reform used to have bipartisan support -- the assault weapons ban in
the 1990s wasn’t even filibustered. But that’s not the modern MAGA
GOP. Today’s Republicans have obstructed and are threatening to
obstruct all gun safety legislation.
What to do about it:
Remember our goal is to prolong the national attention on the issue beyond
the typical few days these massacres normally get. So with that in mind:
1. National show of support on June 11th. Indivisible is partnering with
March for Our Lives on nationwide actions in support of these gun
reforms on June 11th. Our goal is to keep the focus on getting
legislation passed ASAP. To do that, we need numbers -- and that means
you.
* [ [link removed] ]Click here to find an event near you.
* If there isn’t one planned, [ [link removed] ]click here to register an event
near you.
* If you’re in DC, [ [link removed] ]click here to register for the big
mobilization on the 11th.
2. Tell your senators to speak out in support of universal background
checks ([ [link removed] ]click here to be connected). You know who has a big
megaphone? Your senators. If they’re not out there loudly beating the
drum for reform, ask them why not. We’re not yet sure if Senate
Democrats will include the wildly popular universal background checks
reform in their legislation, so we need to directly encourage them to
do that. They’re hammering out bill details now, so time is of the
essence for this call.
3. Catch MAGA extremism on camera. Your GOP electeds have two goals right
now: do nothing & escape blame. The best way to prevent them from
achieving those goals is to confront them directly and make them go on
the record (on camera!) about their position on wildly popular gun
safety reforms. Let’s get specific:
Find your elected at a restaurant or a campaign event or a public
speech, and in the most friendly way possible, ask them: do you
support universal background checks? And then let them answer. Follow
up noting that 94% of Americans support universal background checks.
Why are they siding with the 6% instead of the vast majority?
Take inspiration from Benjamin Hernandez and the Indivisible Houston
team, who tracked down Ted Cruz in a restaurant and got [ [link removed] ]on camera
his refusal to support any type reforms.
The strategy here is simple: we are in the majority of Americans. They
are extremists out of touch with the public. Make them account for
their radicalism on camera for the world to see. Send it to me
[ [link removed] ]@ezralevin and [ [link removed] ]Indivisible’s main account, and we’ll make sure
you get attention.
What will this accomplish?
If we are successful in maintaining the nation’s attention on this, there
are two possible outcomes:
Possible outcome #1: Enough Senate Republicans are convinced that this
issue will hurt them politically, so they decide against publicly opposing
the popular reforms and we get the legislation signed into law.
Possible outcome #2: MAGA Republicans ignore public opinion and blockkill
the popular gun reform bills, publicly casting themselves as the villains
in this story.
I wish I could guarantee you outcome #1. I can’t. It’s extremely difficult
to overcome the massive gun industry that bankrolls MAGA Republicans. But
what I can promise you is that if you turn this into a political liability
for these Republicans, they will have a harder time winning political
power. If they lose power, then that paves the way to us actually breaking
this cycle of horror, inaction, and acceptance.
In solidarity,
Ezra
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