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Keep
Faith
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Fair Count 2020 Image Hansi Lo Wang/NPR

Despite the gloomy news of late, hope is not lost! This week, it showed up in North Dakota.

Burleigh County, North Dakota looked like it might be the first local government to implement Trump’s executive order giving state and local governments the option to bar refugees. But, on Monday, its residents said no.

“For four hours, sixth-generation North Dakotans and recent arrivals from Cameroon and Congo took turns delivering impassioned testimony in what was often a contentious debate. Ultimately, the commission voted 3-2 to keep welcoming refugees.”⁣

This is a win for #PeopleLikeUs, and it just goes to show that refugees are welcome and valued all across the country.

 
Stay
Woke
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Last Friday, the House of Representatives passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4) on a bipartisan vote. If voted on and passed by the Senate, it would restore and expand the protections of the Voting Rights Act that the U.S. Supreme Court gutted in 2013. This is a big deal and desperately needed to create a more inclusive democracy!

Now, we need the Senate and Leader Mitch McConnell to bring H.R. 4—along with H.R. 1—to the floor for a vote immediately. As our Founder and President Sayu Bhojwani said in an op-ed for The Hill this week, “Their vote on this legislation represents more than their thoughts about this political moment. This is not just about voting or democracy. It’s about the America we want to be: just, inclusive, and representative.”

 
Take
Action
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We’re less than a year away from Election Day 2020, but many Americans—especially #PeopleLikeUs—face long lines, limited polling place hours, difficulties getting time off from work, electronic machines that are vulnerable to hacking, and voter suppression and intimidation. These conditions make it harder for us to make our voices heard. One way to eliminate many of these barriers? Voting by mail.

We need all states to implement vote by mail programs to increase turnout and expand the electorate. Every vote counts—especially in the critical 2020 election.

Sign our petition to show you support making every voice heard in our democracy through vote-by-mail programs in every state!  

 
NAL News
And Updates
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The final days of 2020 are here, and we’re getting ready to slide into the new year.

If you’re anything like us, you’ve already started planning ahead—through May 2020.

Our most extensive training schedule yet has a number of opportunities for you to get involved in the political process in 2020 and beyond. (Because, let’s face it, this needs to happen.)

Check out the full schedule here, and make one of your New Year’s resolutions to come out to one of our trainings in 2020. We have one for everyone! (The first two up are Ready to Rise in Miami and Boss Ladies in Phoenix on January 25th.)

Oh, and one more thing: If you’re an alum (NALpista), friend, or ally in the fight to build an inclusive democracy, please consider donating to us and supporting our work. Your tax deductible gift to NAL will help us do what we do best—empower the next generation of diverse leaders and shake up the political establishment!
Shout-outs
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This week, we want to give a shout-out to two recent election winners who were endorsed by New American Leaders Action Fund, our 501(c)(4) partner:

  • Julia Mejia, a first-time candidate and advocate for #PeopleLikeUs, won the fourth and final at-large seat on Boston’s City Council by JUST ONE VOTE! She’s the first Latina to serve on the Council.
  • Varisha Khan, who won a seat on the Redmond City Council in Washington by 66 votes, proving again that every vote matters. She is also both the first Muslim woman elected to the Council and one of first two Muslim women to be elected to public office in Washington.

Do you want to give someone a shout-out? Just send it to us via email or tag us on Instagram or Twitter (both @newamericanld) so we can repost and include it in the next Resistance Roundup!
Tweet of
The Week
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Every week, we deliver one key positive story to warm your heart, a negative story to keep you vigilant, and an action you can take to help build a more progressive, representative democracy.
   
New American Leaders does not endorse candidates for public office. All political and advocacy activities are organized through the New American Leaders Action Fund.
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