Anti-Muslim hysteria grows

A massive wave of anti-Muslim hysteria is sweeping through Congress, and across America.

Dear MoveOn member,

A massive wave of anti-Muslim hysteria is sweeping through Congress—and, frighteningly, across America.

Here's the most urgent threat: A bill that would effectively end America's program of welcoming refugee families from Syria and Iraq passed the House of Representatives before Thanksgiving with enough votes to override President Obama's threatened veto.¹

Now, the Senate is expected to vote on the bill this WEDNESDAY—and if we lose like we did in the House, President Obama could be forced to close the door to ALL families seeking refuge from violence.

We can't let that happen. Will you chip in $3?

Yes, I'll chip in to help save the Syrian refugee program.

The anti-refugee backlash is a result of fear and bigotry shamelessly whipped up by politicians like Donald Trump, and a chorus of Republican governors who say they will refuse to accept refugees in their states.²

But even some Democrats are being swept up in it. In the House, 47 Democrats joined Republicans and voted to block the refugee resettlement program.³

We've been firing on all cylinders for the past few weeks. And we still need to raise at least $100,000 more to fight this anti-refugee bill in the Senate. With your help, we'll lift up the voices of refugee families, organize protests targeting key senators, and generate thousands of calls to Senate offices.

Will you chip in $3 to help save the Syrian refugee program?

Yes, I'll chip in to help save the Syrian refugee program.

Since the start of the Syrian civil war, more than 4 million refugees have fled the country.

Yet so far, the U.S. has accepted fewer than 2,000 refugees.⁴ The vast majority of them have been women, children, and the elderly.⁵ And not one terrorist attack has been committed in America by a refugee.⁶

Now President Obama is proposing to increase the number of refugees to 10,000, still a tiny fraction of the number needing help.⁷

This is the very least we can do to respond to one of the greatest humanitarian crises the world has seen in decades. Even France—in the aftermath of the horrific Paris attacks—will honor its commitment to take in 30,000 refugees.⁸

The world is watching. Will you chip in $3?

Click here to chip in and help save the Syrian refugee program.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ben, Robert, Alejandro, Joan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "House passes bill that could limit Syrian refugees," CNN, November 19, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308377&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=1

2. "Trump Says He Would Ban Syrian Refugees From Entering US," ABC News, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308404&id=&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=2

"30 Governors Call For Halt To U.S. Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees," National Public Radio, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308235&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=3

3. "Here's A List Of The Democrats Who Voted To Shut The Door On Syrian Refugees," The Huffington Post, November 19, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308378&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=4

4. "These charts put the US response to Syrian refugees in context: it's pitifully small," Vox, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308379&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=5

5. "Stretching Facts on Syrian Refugees," FactCheck.org, September 15, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308380&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=6

6. "Can Terrorists Really Infiltrate the Syrian Refugee Program?" The Atlantic, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308381&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=7

7. "Obama Increases Number of Syrian Refugees for U.S. Resettlement to 10,000," The New York Times, September 10, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308382&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=8

8. "France says it will take 30,000 Syrian refugees, while U.S. Republicans would turn them away," The Washington Post, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308387&id=135862-10220574-SfbNrQx&t=9

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

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FW: Please, don't delete

This political moment is the truest test we've faced during my time at MoveOn.

Hi there—I just wanted to make sure you saw Anna's message from the other day.

---

Dear MoveOn member,

This is a long email, but I hope you'll take the time to read to the end.

I've been a MoveOn member for over a dozen years, and on staff for eight—three of them as executive director. I've been part of so many MoveOn campaigns, from fighting to stop the Iraq War, to helping elect Obama, to defending diplomacy, and so much more.

This political moment is the truest test we've faced during my time at MoveOn. 

The Paris terror attacks sparked a terrible and counterproductive backlash here in America—one that's threatening the essential values proclaimed on the Statue of Liberty. Republican presidential candidates are proposing to close mosques and impose religious tests on refugees.¹ Local officials are publicly discussing internment camps.² At least 30 governors—including one Democrat—have declared their state borders closed to refugees.³

And I can't help but think: If we can't stop this backlash after a terrorist attack in Europe, what happens if—God forbid—there's another attack on U.S. soil? 

We seem to have forgotten the bitter lessons learned after 9/11. In fact, many Muslims and Arab-Americans say the climate in America today is worse than right after 9/11.⁴ George W. Bush's remarks about Islam then sound positively enlightened alongside Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio today.

And if we don't decisively turn the tide, I fear we're on a slippery slope to more endless U.S. wars abroad, and unprecedented new infringements on human rights here at home.

We urgently need to do two things:

1) Win a big vote on the fate of refugees in America in the Senate next week. The U.S. House already passed, with a veto-proof majority, a bill that would effectively stop any more Syrian and Iraqi refugee families fleeing violence from resettling in the US.⁵ The bill now moves to the Senate, where it has a real chance of passing with a veto-proof majority as well. Unless we mobilize, massively, right now, President Obama could be forced to close the door to ALL families seeking refuge from violence. 

To put this in a global context, France—the site of the recent terror attacks— has declared its commitment to continue accepting Syrian refugees.⁶ And we know that our actions are being watched in the Middle East, where extremists and terrorists such as Daesh (commonly known as ISIS) and Al Qaeda are hoping our divisive, xenophobic, and isolationist actions drive new recruits into their ranks.⁷

2) Win the cultural and political argument that's playing out right now in newspapers, at dining room tables, on TV, and on Facebook walls. We're collectively asking ourselves: How does America react to terror attacks now—this many years after 9/11? Do we race to criminalize Muslims—refugees and otherwise? Do we play into terrorists' hands by implying that Islam and Western democracy are at odds? Do we launch another era of open-ended and fundamentally unwinnable wars?

Or do we fight terror with decency, with civility, by opening our hearts and homes—and showing people around the world why the Statue of Liberty is still such a beacon of hope? And do we develop even smarter, more globally integrated, proactive, and progressive foreign policy strategies to beat extremism and keep us safe? 

To succeed, we have to win the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans who are fearful and looking for answers.

We've been pushing hard on this—but we don't yet have the money we need to rise to this historical moment over the next six weeks, and beyond.

Will you chip in $3 to support our emergency campaign?

Yes, I'll chip in to counter anti-refugee hysteria and rise to the historical moment.

My father is usually a sober-minded guy—a lawyer in Chicago who chides me when he feels our MoveOn emails get too dramatic. But he pulled me aside yesterday and, with unusual urgency, asked what we're doing to counter the dangerous remarks we're hearing from Donald Trump and others.

Here's what we're doing:

• Putting direct pressure on senators. Last week, MoveOn members made nearly 10,000 calls to their offices, and we're going to continue that effort when the Senate returns to Washington next week—along with showing up at their offices, pushing them on social media, calling them out by name when they turn their back on families in need, and elevating them when they stand up for American values.


• Taking this fight to the states. Over 200,000 MoveOn members have signed petitions targeting governors who threatened to close their doors to refugees. We have supported rallies, petition deliveries, and even community dinners that have all demonstrated that Americans still welcome refugees, and rebuked the politicians who choose fear over compassion.


• Fighting the culture of hate and celebrating the culture of compassion. We're calling out the rhetoric of Donald Trump and the violence of his followers, and calling on leading politicians to do the same. We're opening our homes and our arms to refugee families—and we're elevating their stories and voices so that the American people can hear from these families directly, over the din of the demagogues.

It's necessary work—but we urgently need to do more. We need your help to run ads featuring the faces of real refugee families, to organize protests targeting key senators, and to generate tens of thousands of calls to Senate offices. 

Will you chip in $3 to enable our emergency response?

Click here to support MoveOn's emergency campaign to respond to the Paris attacks and the backlash against refugees.

We must not cave in to xenophobia, discrimination, and hate. That's not who we are. Immigrants and refugees now within our borders deserve dignity and respect. And we must not turn our backs on millions of refugees—the largest displaced population since World War II—and leave them languishing in camps with unspeakable conditions. We have to speak out and fight for our shared values.

We need to build our strength and compassion for if, God forbid, there's another attack in the United States. Or else the next wave of terror-fueled counter-reaction will erode our liberties, feed terrorist propaganda videos, and take us to war.  

MoveOn is your organization. We've worked together to help end the Iraq war; to support progressive champions; to defend diplomacy; and to build the kind of inclusive, decent society that we need for all of our children.

We must rise to this moment together, because the consequences of our actions today will reverberate for years to come. And we can do it, but only with your help. Will you chip in $3?

Click here to chip in and support MoveOn's emergency campaign to respond to the Paris attacks and the backlash against refugees.

Thanks for all you do. 

–Anna

Sources: 

1. "A Complete Guide To How The GOP Candidates Reacted To Syrian Refugees After The Paris Attacks," ThinkProgress, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308254&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=1

2. "Mayor: Japanese internment camps justify rejecting refugees," USA Today, November 19, 2015

http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308395&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=2

3. "30 Governors Call For Halt To U.S. Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees," National Public Radio, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308235&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=3

4. "Muslim Americans: Current political climate worse than after 9/11," CNN, November 21, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308388&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=4

5. "House passes bill that could limit Syrian refugees," CNN, November 19, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308377&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=5

6. "France says it will take 30,000 Syrian refugees, while U.S. Republicans would turn them away," The Washington Post, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308389&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=6

7. "Why A Backlash Against Refugees Only Helps ISIS," The Huffington Post, November 15, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308390&id=135814-10220574-w83zpxx&t=7

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 28, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

You're more than just a consumer

Want to give a present that fights the right? That calls out conservative hypocrisy? Then visit MoveOn's Holiday Site and give the gift of democracy!

Dear MoveOn member,

Happy holidays to one and all

and welcome to the shopping season.

If you want to avoid the mall,

here's an option that's ethically pleasin'.

Tired of another ugly sweater?

Hoping to avoid disposable junk?

A MoveOn gift is so much better—

and will lift all liberals from their political funk.

Want to give a present that fights the right?

That calls out conservative hypocrisy?

Then visit MoveOn's Holiday Site

and give the gift of democracy!

Send your progressive pals a card,

or send one to a conservative friend.

And with your donation, we'll fight hard

for peace and justice, 'till the end.

Your dollars help an important cause.

We'll tirelessly fight the biggest fights.

You'll strengthen our nation and help fix its flaws,

stand up for our values, and save people's rights.

If you want to be more than just a consumer,

and think shopping at Walmart Black Friday's a crime,

choose a gift full of hope and humor

and help save our country—one card at a time.

Thanks for all you do.

–Tzyh, Justin K., Stephen, Manny, and the rest of the team

 

---

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Please, don't delete

This political moment is the truest test we've faced during my time at MoveOn.

Dear MoveOn member,

This is a long email, but I hope you'll take the time to read to the end.

I've been a MoveOn member for over a dozen years, and on staff for eight—three of them as executive director. I've been part of so many MoveOn campaigns, from fighting to stop the Iraq War, to helping elect Obama, to defending diplomacy, and so much more.

This political moment is the truest test we've faced during my time at MoveOn. 

The Paris terror attacks sparked a terrible and counterproductive backlash here in America—one that's threatening the essential values proclaimed on the Statue of Liberty. Republican presidential candidates are proposing to close mosques and impose religious tests on refugees.¹ Local officials are publicly discussing internment camps.² At least 30 governors—including one Democrat—have declared their state borders closed to refugees.³

And I can't help but think: If we can't stop this backlash after a terrorist attack in Europe, what happens if—God forbid—there's another attack on U.S. soil? 

We seem to have forgotten the bitter lessons learned after 9/11. In fact, many Muslims and Arab-Americans say the climate in America today is worse than right after 9/11.⁴ George W. Bush's remarks about Islam then sound positively enlightened alongside Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio today.

And if we don't decisively turn the tide, I fear we're on a slippery slope to more endless U.S. wars abroad, and unprecedented new infringements on human rights here at home.

We urgently need to do two things:

1) Win a big vote on the fate of refugees in America in the Senate next week. The U.S. House already passed, with a veto-proof majority, a bill that would effectively stop any more Syrian and Iraqi refugee families fleeing violence from resettling in the US.⁵ The bill now moves to the Senate, where it has a real chance of passing with a veto-proof majority as well. Unless we mobilize, massively, right now, President Obama could be forced to close the door to ALL families seeking refuge from violence. 

To put this in a global context, France—the site of the recent terror attacks— has declared its commitment to continue accepting Syrian refugees.⁶ And we know that our actions are being watched in the Middle East, where extremists and terrorists such as Daesh (commonly known as ISIS) and Al Qaeda are hoping our divisive, xenophobic, and isolationist actions drive new recruits into their ranks.⁷

2) Win the cultural and political argument that's playing out right now in newspapers, at dining room tables, on TV, and on Facebook walls. We're collectively asking ourselves: How does America react to terror attacks now—this many years after 9/11? Do we race to criminalize Muslims—refugees and otherwise? Do we play into terrorists' hands by implying that Islam and Western democracy are at odds? Do we launch another era of open-ended and fundamentally unwinnable wars?

Or do we fight terror with decency, with civility, by opening our hearts and homes—and showing people around the world why the Statue of Liberty is still such a beacon of hope? And do we develop even smarter, more globally integrated, proactive, and progressive foreign policy strategies to beat extremism and keep us safe? 

To succeed, we have to win the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans who are fearful and looking for answers.

We've been pushing hard on this—but we don't yet have the money we need to rise to this historical moment over the next six weeks, and beyond.

Will you chip in $3 to support our emergency campaign?

Yes, I'll chip in to counter anti-refugee hysteria and rise to the historical moment.

My father is usually a sober-minded guy—a lawyer in Chicago who chides me when he feels our MoveOn emails get too dramatic. But he pulled me aside yesterday and, with unusual urgency, asked what we're doing to counter the dangerous remarks we're hearing from Donald Trump and others.

Here's what we're doing:

• Putting direct pressure on senators. Last week, MoveOn members made nearly 10,000 calls to their offices, and we're going to continue that effort when the Senate returns to Washington next week—along with showing up at their offices, pushing them on social media, calling them out by name when they turn their back on families in need, and elevating them when they stand up for American values.


• Taking this fight to the states. Over 200,000 MoveOn members have signed petitions targeting governors who threatened to close their doors to refugees. We have supported rallies, petition deliveries, and even community dinners that have all demonstrated that Americans still welcome refugees, and rebuked the politicians who choose fear over compassion.


• Fighting the culture of hate and celebrating the culture of compassion. We're calling out the rhetoric of Donald Trump and the violence of his followers, and calling on leading politicians to do the same. We're opening our homes and our arms to refugee families—and we're elevating their stories and voices so that the American people can hear from these families directly, over the din of the demagogues.

It's necessary work—but we urgently need to do more. We need your help to run ads featuring the faces of real refugee families, to organize protests targeting key senators, and to generate tens of thousands of calls to Senate offices. 

Will you chip in $3 to enable our emergency response?

Click here to support MoveOn's emergency campaign to respond to the Paris attacks and the backlash against refugees.

We must not cave in to xenophobia, discrimination, and hate. That's not who we are. Immigrants and refugees now within our borders deserve dignity and respect. And we must not turn our backs on millions of refugees—the largest displaced population since World War II—and leave them languishing in camps with unspeakable conditions. We have to speak out and fight for our shared values.

We need to build our strength and compassion for if, god forbid, there's another attack in the United States. Or else the next wave of terror-fueled counter-reaction will erode our liberties, feed terrorist propaganda videos, and take us to war.  

MoveOn is your organization. We've worked together to help end the Iraq war; to support progressive champions; to defend diplomacy; and to build the kind of inclusive, decent society that we need for all of our children.

We must rise to this moment together, because the consequences of our actions today will reverberate for years to come. And we can do it, but only with your help. Will you chip in $3?

Click here to chip in and support MoveOn's emergency campaign to respond to the Paris attacks and the backlash against refugees.

Thanks for all you do. 

–Anna

Sources: 

1. "A Complete Guide To How The GOP Candidates Reacted To Syrian Refugees After The Paris Attacks," ThinkProgress, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308254&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=1

2. "Mayor: Japanese internment camps justify rejecting refugees," USA Today, November 19, 2015

http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308395&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=2

3. "30 Governors Call For Halt To U.S. Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees," National Public Radio, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308235&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=3

4. "Muslim Americans: Current political climate worse than after 9/11," CNN, November 21, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308388&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=4

5. "House passes bill that could limit Syrian refugees," CNN, November 19, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308377&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=5

6. "France says it will take 30,000 Syrian refugees, while U.S. Republicans would turn them away," The Washington Post, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308389&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=6

7. "Why A Backlash Against Refugees Only Helps ISIS," The Huffington Post, November 15, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308390&id=135680-10220574-6I_sRnx&t=7

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 25, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

#LaquanMcDonald

The City of Chicago has just released, under court order, the dashcam video from the brutal killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer.

Dear fellow MoveOn member,

I'm DeAngelo Bester, and I run the Workers Center for Racial Justice in Chicago. The City of Chicago has just released, under court order, the dashcam video from the brutal killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer—and it's as bad as we all expected.

At the same time as they released the video, the county prosecutor announced she'd be pursuing charges against McDonald's killer, Officer Jason Van Dyke. Unfortunately, these are charges that should have been filed a year ago, and that's why we started this petition calling for real structural changes and oversight in the Chicago justice system, which says:

On October 20, 2014, Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke brutally gunned down 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, shooting him 16 times. Because, for more than a year, Chicago city officials showed no intention of holding Officer Van Dyke accountable, we demand:

• The resignation of Superintendent Garry McCarthy for his inability to end the culture of violence towards Black people within the Chicago Police Department.
• The resignation of State's Attorney Anita Alvarez for her continued protection of violent and corrupt police officers.
• That Governor Rauner appoint a special prosecutor to investigate this case and all future cases of police killings.
• That the United Nations launch an immediate investigation of the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State's Attorney's office for violating the human rights of Black people in the city of Chicago and Cook County.

A nearby restaurant caught Laquan's murder on security video—but that video was erased by police.¹ Now, with the release of devastating video evidence from police dashboard cameras, it is clear that the police lied and Laquan did not act in an aggressive manner.

More than a year after the killing, even with full evidence, Chicago city officials did nothing but reassign Officer Van Dyke to desk duty. But now that sustained grassroots mobilizations forced the city to release the video, city officials are finally charging Van Dyke as they try to blunt the expected outrage.

The city's action's are late and insufficient—and that's why we're demanding the resignation of Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy and State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, an appointment of a special prosecutor, and a human rights investigation. Click here if you agree.

Black Chicagoans face extreme levels of anti-Black violence and terrorism at the hands of the police. Earlier this year, a lawsuit was filed against the Chicago Police Department citing instance of police brutality and a secret detention center. And this is the same city where off-duty Officer Dante Servin shot and murdered Rekia Boyd while she was walking with a group of her friends.

That's why, in addition to the resignations and special prosecutor appointment, we're demanding truly independent investigation conducted by the United Nations and the Organization of American States into the violation of the human rights of Black people in Cook County and the city of Chicago.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–DeAngelo Bester

Source:

1. "Alvarez Addresses Missing Minutes From Security Video in Laquan McDonald Case," NBC Chicago, November 24, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308384&id=135654-10220574-TRi121x&t=1

You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you. It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online petitions. You can start your own petition here. http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=306934&id=135654-10220574-TRi121x&t=2

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 25, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Have an idea for a petition?

Do you have an idea for a petition? Help change the world and start your own MoveOn petition today.

Dear MoveOn member,

Ever heard Margaret Mead's famous saying? "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

That's the story of MoveOn. In 1998, when a Republican Congress was focusing all its efforts on impeaching President Clinton, two people with no political experience started a simple online petition: "Censure President Clinton and Move On to Pressing Issues Facing the Nation."

They shared their petition with their friends, and within days they had hundreds of thousands of signatures. Today, MoveOn has over 8 million members—mostly folks who got involved by signing an online petition, and have stayed active in helping to fight for a progressive America.

That's why we launched MoveOn Petitions where you can start your own online petition and invite your friends to sign it. We'll send the most popular petitions to other MoveOn members to help build support for your cause.

It's easy to get started—just click here.

Thanks!

–Milan, Corinne, Maria, Ben, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 25, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Quick vote: Name for new gun owners' initiative?

Dear MoveOn member,

As one of the 32,200 gun-owning MoveOn members who support stronger gun laws, we'd love your help selecting a name for our initiative.

What should we call our effort? Please vote now.

There have been 160 school shootings in the nearly three years since the Sandy Hook massacre, and everyday gun violence has reached epidemic levels.¹

It doesn't have to be this way. The vast majority of gun owners support background checks and other policies to reduce gun violence.² And we can make real progress—and soon—if responsible gun owners come together and speak out.

Right now, President Obama is considering strengthening background checks—and he said earlier last week that reducing the epidemic of gun violence in our country will be one of his top priorities in 2016.³

Vote now, so together, gun owners can seize this moment to reduce gun violence and save lives.

Thanks for all you do.

–Jo, Emily, Brian, Jayne, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "160 School Shootings In America Since 2013," Everytown for Gun Safety, accessed November 24, 2015
http://everytownresearch.org/school-shootings/2982/

2. "Most gun owners don't belong to the NRA—and they don't agree with it either," The Washington Post, October 15, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308149&id=135625-10220574-Eaa_d6x&t=3

3. "Obama says gun control to be top issue of final year," The Washington Times, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308364&id=135625-10220574-Eaa_d6x&t=4

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

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WATCH: MoveOn's 2016 Presidential Forum

Rate the candidates' responses to your questions and share your favorite videos with friends. The MoveOn 2016 Presidential Forum isn't the sort of thing you'll see on the network debates, so let's spread the word.

Dear MoveOn member,

The MoveOn 2016 Presidential Forum is now live—click here to watch!

This isn't the kind of thing you see on the major network debates, with questions crafted carefully by TV studios focused on ratings. This is a grassroots forum—with questions coming entirely from MoveOn members.

On the forum website, you can search for answers to the issues you're most interested in—like money in politics, climate change, racial profiling, gun violence—and watch a short program with some of the most revealing conversations with the candidates.

You'll find questions from remarkable people like Josué—an MIT graduate student in the midst of a 34-day sit-in at the university president's office—as he and fellow students demand their campus divest from fossil fuels.

Click here to watch Josué and other MoveOn members in the 2016 Presidential Forum. Then rate the candidates' answers to the questions, and share your favorite videos with your friends.

More than 11,000 MoveOn members submitted questions for the presidential candidates in video and in writing. MoveOn members—everyday people asking the questions that are important to them and their communities—are the real stars of this forum.

You'll find questions from Fatima, a 17-year-old high school student from New York who recorded her question about the Syrian refugee crisis in her school library; Jennifer, a school teacher, mother, and aspiring homeowner who wants to know how the different candidates will approach our economy; and Beth, a 69-year-old living off the Social Security benefits she paid for throughout her career, wondering if the Democratic candidates will commit to not cutting benefits.

Ready to take a look—and see how the candidates responded? Click here to watch the forum today.

Of course, you'll also find real gems from the candidates themselves—like these quotes from Senator Bernie Sanders and Governor Martin O'Malley:

"We've got to expand [Social Security] benefits, we've got to extend benefits, and we do that by lifting the cap." —Sen. Sanders

"There are other ways to be a moral leader in this world rather than at the opposite end of a drone strike."—Gov. O'Malley

Sen. Sanders and Gov. O'Malley took this prime opportunity to speak directly to grassroots progressives about their vision and plans for the future. Secretary Hillary Clinton was invited but chose not to participate.

Click here to watch Sen. Sanders' and Gov. O'Malley's answers to members' questions, rate them, and share your favorite clips with your friends.

Thanks for all you do.

–Victoria, Ben W., Ben O., Maria, and the rest of the team

P.S. MoveOn members submitted their questions and the candidates recorded their answers before the tragic Paris and Beirut bombings. However, you can watch Sen. Sanders' and Gov. O'Malley's responses to those events here.

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 24, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Stand with Walmart workers on Black Friday

Dear MoveOn member,

After years of high-profile protests led by low-wage workers and their supporters, Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving—has come to be synonymous not just with big sales, but with Walmart workers rising up to demand justice, and millions of Americans standing with them.

This Friday, Walmart workers and their friends across the country are fasting to bring attention to an urgent crisis that many Walmart associates are experiencing: Walmart associates are going hungry trying to survive on low wages and reduced hours.¹ Many Walmart workers say that even basic groceries feel like a luxury.

That's why Walmart workers have launched the #fastfor15. By publicly fasting, Walmart workers are saying: we refuse to go hungry in silence while the Walton family continues to build their fortune on our backs.

MoveOn members have stood with Walmart workers as they've gone on strike in recent years. And this Black Friday, November 27, MoveOn members are joining the #fastfor15 by delivering petitions calling for $15 an hour wages and full-time work to Walmart stores across the country.  

Will you stand with Walmart workers this Friday, November 27—Black Friday—by dropping off a copy of the national petition to a Walmart store near you?

Yes, I'll deliver the national petition to a Walmart store near me this Friday.

No, but I'll join a Black Friday action if there's one near me.

If you sign up to deliver the petition, an OURWalmart organizer will get in touch with you to help you plan your petition delivery.

Walmart workers across the country are hungry every day, while Walmart is one of the most profitable corporations in the country. It just doesn't make sense. Last year, when MoveOn members and allies stood with Walmart workers, together we won raises for 500,000 workers. This Black Friday, we're continuing the fight so that every worker can earn $15 an hour and work full time.

Thanks for all you do.

–Victoria, Bobby, Maria, Nick, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "'Poverty pay' leads Walmart employees to skip lunch—or steal it from coworkers," The Guardian, November 12, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308355&id=135571-10220574-GkBXD8x&t=2

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 23, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley talk to MoveOn members

We think you'll love the interviews with Sen. Sanders and Gov. O'Malley—but the real stars of the 2016 Presidential Forum are you, the MoveOn members.

Dear MoveOn member,

This Tuesday, November 24, we're airing the MoveOn 2016 Presidential Forum, featuring questions from MoveOn members and answers from Senator Bernie Sanders and former Governor Martin O'Malley.

We invited all the candidates but, unfortunately, former Secretary Hillary Clinton has so far declined to participate. She's missing an opportunity to speak directly to and energize millions of us in this hugely consequential election—but that won't stop the other candidates from voicing their perspectives on the issues most important to progressives across the country.

Click here to automatically RSVP to watch the MoveOn 2016 Presidential Forum—then make sure your friends know about the forum too.

After the last Democratic debate, one thing was clear: The Democratic candidates aren't fighting about which direction we should head in—they're fighting about how we get there.

The power of the "Warren Wing" of the Democratic Party is on full display this election cycle.

In the MoveOn 2016 Presidential Forum, Sen. Sanders and Gov. O'Malley will tackle money in politics, climate change, gun violence, racism, Social Security, the Syrian refugee crisis, and more. They're bringing much-needed attention to the real problems facing our country and the kinds of solutions that grassroots movements have been pressing for.

Click here to automatically RSVP to watch the forum this Tuesday—we'll send you a note when the videos are live.

We think you'll love the interviews with Sen. Sanders and Gov. O'Malley—but the real stars of the 2016 Presidential Forum are you, the MoveOn members.

Unlike the CNN and CBS debates—where questions are designed to maximize TV ratings—the MoveOn forum is 100% questions from MoveOn members filming their questions on their smartphones at their kitchen tables, at their desks, and in their school libraries.

And more than 11,000 of us submitted questions, in fact.

Click here to automatically RSVP today and be the first to see which ones were addressed by the candidates this Tuesday.

Thanks for all you do.

–Victoria, Corinne, Justin R., Manny, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 22, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thank Sen. Schumer for standing up for refugees

Thank Sen. Schumer for standing up for refugees

Dear New York MoveOn member,

Big news: After thousands of calls from MoveOn members and allies, and a security briefing from the White House, yesterday Senator Chuck Schumer reaffirmed his support for taking in refugees fleeing the violence in Syria.¹

As one of the leaders of the Democrats in the Senate, Sen. Schumer's continued support will be critical in stopping Republicans from slamming the door on refugees seeking safety. 

Can you share the below graphic on Facebook and let Sen. Schumer know you appreciate his leadership?

You can also give his office a call to express your thanks as well. 

Here's the number for his Washington, DC office: (202) 224-6542

Then click here to report your call: 
http://civic.moveon.org/call/?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=2444&id=135422-10220574-yhdHsYx&t=3

Here's how Senator Schumer explained to a reporter why giving sanctuary to these refugees was completely safe and in our national interest:²

"There are about 2,000 refugees that have come here from Syria over the last four years. None have been arrested or deported for terrorism. None. The overwhelming majority of them are children, women and the elderly. Only two percent are single males of military age."

In the weeks ahead, Republicans will continue to try and exploit the tragedy in Paris and use fear and racism for political advantage. Some Democrats have been cowardly bowing to that pressure—including 47 House Democrats who joined with Republicans yesterday to vote to stop welcoming Syrian refugees to America. That means the Senate is our best hope to stop this tide of fear and bigotry.

That's why it's vital we show our support when senators take a courageous stand like Sen. Schumer did yesterday.

Click here to show your support on Facebook today.

Thanks for all you do.

– Ben W., Justin K., Matt, Victoria, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Schumer opposes 'pause' for Syrian refugee program," Politico, November 19, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308285&id=135422-10220574-yhdHsYx&t=5

2. Ibid.

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 20, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

BREAKING: Massive anti-refugee backlash

We're fighting this this xenophobic anti-refugee backlash in the Senate, and in states across America, but we need your help.

BREAKING: 47 House Democrats just joined Republicans to pass a shameful anti-refugee bill, with a veto-proof majority.¹

Our last chance to stop this xenophobic anti-refugee backlash is in the Senate.² Will you chip in $3?

Click here to chip in: Stand with refugees—and against anti-Muslim bigotry.

For more details on our emergency campaign, see Anna's message from late last night:

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Dear MoveOn member,

The Paris attacks have sparked a massive wave of anti-Muslim bigotry.

We need to speak out against this racist, xenophobic backlash. Now.

At least 29 Republican governors—and even one Democrat—say they want to close their states to Syrian refugees.³ Indiana's governor has already turned a family away.⁴ Presidential candidates are talking about shutting down mosques and discriminating against refugees on the basis of religion.^5,6 A state senator in Tennessee is proposing rounding up all Syrian refugees in the state.⁷

And now Republicans in Congress are threatening to cut off funding for refugee assistance while 4 million Syrian refugees are begging for help.⁸

This is immoral. And stupid. Because shutting out refugees doesn't make America safer—just the opposite: it fuels hatred at home, and resentment and extremism around the world. Will you chip in $3 to help fight back?

Click here to chip in and help fight the GOP's racist, anti-refugee backlash.

The first thing we need to do is hold governors accountable for attacking refugees. We've launched rapid-response campaigns in all 30 states, calling their governors out for this xenophobic pandering. More than 115,000 MoveOn members have already joined the call to stop attacking refugee families.

Second, we need to block Republicans in Congress from defunding refugee resettlement. This is the most cynical, immoral act you could imagine in response to a refugee crisis of this scale, and we're flooding Capitol Hill with phone calls and petition signatures to stop it.

Finally, we need to show the world that the hate mongers and racists don't speak for us. So we're teaming up with allies on college campuses and mobilizing MoveOn members on social media to show the world that we are a welcoming nation—and to push back against anti-refugee and anti-Muslim vitriol.

But this xenophobic anti-refugee backlash has intensified fast, which is why we need to raise at least $150,000 to enable all this work. Will you chip in $3?

Yes, I'll chip in to stand with refugees and against anti-Muslim bigotry.

This is an incredibly dangerous moment for America. If we don't push back against this outpouring of hate, it could spiral out of control into a wave of hate crimes like what we saw after 9/11—or get us stuck in another foolish war.

Republicans are telling people to be afraid of refugees. But over the past 40 years, America has taken in 2.5 million refugees.⁹ Not one terrorist attack has been committed in America by a refugee.¹⁰ Even the reports that the Paris attackers included a Syrian refugee are likely false.¹¹

The truth is, attacking refugees makes America LESS safe by feeding extremist propaganda as a massively chaotic situation spills from Syria into Europe.

But the American people are scared. And they're being misled by shameless politicians pandering to hate. That's why we need to fight back now, before this gets out of control.

Will you chip in $3 to help stand against the anti-refugee backlash?

Click here to chip in and join the fight.

Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Brian, Corinne, Milan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "House OKs GOP Bill To Curb Syrian Refugees With Veto-Proof Majority," TPM, November 19, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308281&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=1

2. "Senate Dems Try To Shift Focus From Syrian Refugees By Backing Visa Waiver Limits," HuffPost Politics, November 19, 2015 
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308278&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=2

3. "30 Governors Call For Halt To U.S. Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees," National Public Radio, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308235&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=3

4. "Syrian refugee family bound for Indiana forced to relocate after Gov. Pence's ban on refugees entering state," November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308270&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=4 

5. "A Complete Guide To How The GOP Candidates Reacted To Syrian Refugees After The Paris Attacks," ThinkProgress, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308254&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=5

6. "Donald Trump: 'Strongly consider' shutting mosques," CNN, November 16, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308255&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=6

7. "Tennessee GOP leader: Round up Syrian refugees, remove from state," The Tennessean, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308256&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=7

8. "Syrian refugee fight sparks government shutdown threat," Politico, November 16, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308257&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=8

9. "Refugee Resettlement in Metropolitan America," Migration Policy Institute, March 1, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308258&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=9

10. "We risk more in not accepting Syrian refugees into the US," The Hill, October 29, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308259&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=10

11. "Here's Why You Should Stop Worrying About Terrorists Entering The U.S. As Refugees," The Huffington Post, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308260&id=135379-10220574-RRc9htx&t=11

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

---

This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 19, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Refugees ARE NOT terrorists

Republicans are telling people to be afraid of refugees. But over the last 40 years, America has taken in 2.5 million refugees.

Dear MoveOn member,

The Paris attacks have sparked a massive wave of anti-Muslim bigotry.

We need to speak out against this racist, xenophobic backlash. Now.

At least 29 Republican governors—and even one Democrat—say they want to close their states to Syrian refugees.¹ Indiana's governor has already turned a family away.² Presidential candidates are talking about shutting down mosques and discriminating against refugees on the basis of religion.^3,4 A state senator in Tennessee is proposing rounding up all Syrian refugees in the state.⁵

And now Republicans in Congress are threatening to cut off funding for refugee assistance while 4 million Syrian refugees are begging for help.⁶

This is immoral. And stupid. Because shutting out refugees doesn't make America safer—just the opposite: it fuels hatred at home, and resentment and extremism around the world. Will you chip in $3 to help fight back?

Click here to chip in and help fight the GOP's racist, anti-refugee backlash.

The first thing we need to do is hold governors accountable for attacking refugees. We've launched rapid-response campaigns in all 30 states, calling their governors out for this xenophobic pandering. More than 115,000 MoveOn members have already joined the call to stop attacking refugee families.

Second, we need to block Republicans in Congress from defunding refugee resettlement. This is the most cynical, immoral act you could imagine in response to a refugee crisis of this scale, and we're flooding Capitol Hill with phone calls and petition signatures to stop it.

Finally, we need to show the world that the hate mongers and racists don't speak for us. So we're teaming up with allies on college campuses and mobilizing MoveOn members on social media to show the world that we are a welcoming nation—and to push back against anti-refugee and anti-Muslim vitriol.

But this xenophobic anti-refugee backlash has intensified fast, which is why we need to raise at least $150,000 to enable all this work. Will you chip in $3?

Yes, I'll chip in to stand with refugees and against anti-Muslim bigotry.

This is an incredibly dangerous moment for America. If we don't push back against this outpouring of hate, it could spiral out of control into a wave of hate crimes like what we saw after 9/11—or get us stuck in another foolish war.

Republicans are telling people to be afraid of refugees. But over the past 40 years, America has taken in 2.5 million refugees.⁷ Not one terrorist attack has been committed in America by a refugee.⁸ Even the reports that the Paris attackers included a Syrian refugee are likely false.⁹

The truth is, attacking refugees makes America LESS safe by feeding extremist propaganda as a massively chaotic situation spills from Syria into Europe.

But the American people are scared. And they're being misled by shameless politicians pandering to hate. That's why we need to fight back now, before this gets out of control.

Will you chip in $3 to help stand against the anti-refugee backlash?

Click here to chip in and join the fight.

Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Brian, Corinne, Milan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "30 Governors Call For Halt To U.S. Resettlement Of Syrian Refugees," National Public Radio, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308235&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=1

2. "Syrian refugee family bound for Indiana forced to relocate after Gov. Pence's ban on refugees entering state," November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308270&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=2 

3. "A Complete Guide To How The GOP Candidates Reacted To Syrian Refugees After The Paris Attacks," ThinkProgress, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308254&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=3

4. "Donald Trump: 'Strongly consider' shutting mosques," CNN, November 16, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308255&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=4

5. "Tennessee GOP leader: Round up Syrian refugees, remove from state," The Tennessean, November 17, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308256&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=5

6. "Syrian refugee fight sparks government shutdown threat," Politico, November 16, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308257&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=6

7. "Refugee Resettlement in Metropolitan America," Migration Policy Institute, March 1, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308258&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=7

8. "We risk more in not accepting Syrian refugees into the US," The Hill, October 29, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308259&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=8

9. "Here's Why You Should Stop Worrying About Terrorists Entering The U.S. As Refugees," The Huffington Post, November 18, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=308260&id=135336-10220574-liu8hVx&t=9

Want to support our work? MoveOn member contributions have powered our work together for more than 17 years. Hundreds of thousands of people chip in each year—which is why we're able to be fiercely independent, answering to no individual, corporation, politician, or political party. You can become a monthly donor by clicking here, or chip in a one-time gift here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on November 18, 2015. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.