Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard

FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE

elections.hawaii.gov/voters/polling-places

Anti-immigrant politics and government policies are central to the Trump agenda and have been from the start. The same is true across the world. Everywhere, nationalism is hardening, fascists are being emboldened and empowered, and immigrants are used as scapegoats for the very real problems people – and our planet – face. In the United States, the Trump administration has put in place policies that have further devastated immigrants. The Muslim Ban has re-institutionalized racism in US immigration policy. Deportations are widely being used to frighten and silence people. The violent separation of children from their caregivers has shown us just how much the lives of immigrants are fodder for political games of brinkmanship. This must all stop. We need a new direction, one that understands that anti-immigrant politics are harmful for both immigrants and citizens. At this public forum on immigration, speakers will address both the harms and ways forward so we can realize justice for all.

WHEN : Wednesday, August 8, 6 - 8pm
WHERE : Harris United Methodist Church (20 S Vineyard Blvd)

SPEAKERS:

AMY AGBAYANI, co-chair of the Hawai‘i Friends of Civil Rights, was born in the Philippines and retired from UH Manoa in 2016. She was chair of the InterAgency Council for Immigrant Services, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission and Hawai‘i Judicial Selection Commission.

DOUG CHIN is the Lieutenant Governor of Hawai‘i and former Attorney General from 2015-2018. As Attorney General, he led other states in suing President Trump for banning travel from Muslim-majority nations into the United States based on discrimination.

CLARE HANUSZ is an attorney and the founder of Aloha Immigration.

JOHN KAWAMOTO was an analyst for the State Legislature before retiring. All of his grandparents were immigrants. He is a member on the Hawai‘i J20+ Immigration Committee, where he has taken a lead role in advocating for the Ho‘okipa Bill in the Hawai‘i State Congress.

HAKIM OUANSAFI is the President of the Muslim Association of Hawai‘i.

JOSH WISCH is the Executive Director of the Hawai‘i ACLU.

NICOLE WOO is the Chair of Harris United Methodist Church's Sanctuary ministry team.

Moderator : Nandita Sharma, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

Weinstein Ethics Lecture: "Ethics in Politics"

WHEN : Tuesday, August 7 /- 6 - 7:30pm

WHEN : Shidler College of Business, BUSAD A-102

to RSVP

Corruption is rife in today's political climate from Citizens United to the Koch Brothers and other corporation backed lobbyists. The average cost of running a campaign excludes most everyday people from running meanwhile the "salary" of an elected official is really small - most town council members, state senators, even Congressman can't afford to commit the time necessary because it won't pay the bills--meaning that only folks with certain types of careers can run (lawyers, businessman, wealthy). Is the political system rigged against only those who can afford to play the game - run a campaign, survive on political salary which in most cases are very low? Meanwhile, how do we prevent big business from influencing our representatives on important decisions? Should term limits or caps on political spending be imposed? These and other issues will be taken up on this promising panel.

This lecture features:

• Barbara Boxer, Former U.S. Senator for California

• Colleen Hanabusa, U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 1st Congressional District

Licensed attorneys are eligible for 1.5 CLE credits. Sign up via RSVP link. 

Contact : (808) 956-8478 / lawevent@hawaii.edu

WHEN : Thursday, August 2, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

WHERE : Hawai‘i Pacific University, 3 Aloha Tower Drive, Multipurpose Room 2 

WHAT : 

Honolulu Civil Beat presents a special four-part Civil Café series on the Governor's race in partnership with the Department of Communication at Hawaii Pacific University. The candidates speak with Civil Beat’s politics and opinions editor, Chad Blair, and answers questions from the audience.

Note : Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa declined multiple invitations from Civil Beat to participate in this series.

• Thursday, July 19 - Ray L'Heureux
• Tuesday, July 24 - John Carroll
• Wednesday, August 1 - Gov. David Ige
• Thursday, August 2 - Rep. Andria Tupola

This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP in advance. For those unable to attend in person, you can view Civil Beat's livestream on Facebook and YouTube.

Paid and valet parking options are available on-site. Discounts apply with Aloha Tower restaurant validation. For a map of Aloha Tower, please visit: http://www.alohatower.com/visit/index.html.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services (i.e. sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact membership@civilbeat.org at least 5 business days prior to the event.

By registering for this event, you'll receive a subscription to Civil Beat's free e-newsletter, the Morning Beat. And don't worry, we hate spam too! You can unsubscribe any time by clicking the link at the bottom of each email.

For more information about the Hilo Massacre

WHEN : Wednesday, August 1 at 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

WHERE : Hawai‘i Pacific University, 3 Aloha Tower Drive, Multipurpose Room 2 

WHAT : 

Honolulu Civil Beat presents a special four-part Civil Café series on the Governor's race in partnership with the Department of Communication at Hawaii Pacific University. The candidates speak with Civil Beat’s politics and opinions editor, Chad Blair, and answers questions from the audience.

Note : Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa declined multiple invitations from Civil Beat to participate in this series.

• Thursday, July 19 - Ray L'Heureux
• Tuesday, July 24 - John Carroll
• Wednesday, August 1 - Gov. David Ige
• Thursday, August 2 - Rep. Andria Tupola

This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP in advance. For those unable to attend in person, you can view Civil Beat's livestream on Facebook and YouTube.

Paid and valet parking options are available on-site. Discounts apply with Aloha Tower restaurant validation. For a map of Aloha Tower, please visit: http://www.alohatower.com/visit/index.html.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services (i.e. sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact membership@civilbeat.org at least 5 business days prior to the event.

By registering for this event, you'll receive a subscription to Civil Beat's free e-newsletter, the Morning Beat. And don't worry, we hate spam too! You can unsubscribe any time by clicking the link at the bottom of each email.

Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard

WHEN : Tuesday, July 24, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

WHERE : Hawai‘i Pacific University, 3 Aloha Tower Drive, Multipurpose Room 2 

WHAT : 

Honolulu Civil Beat presents a special four-part Civil Café series on the Governor's race in partnership with the Department of Communication at Hawaii Pacific University. The candidates speak with Civil Beat’s politics and opinions editor, Chad Blair, and answers questions from the audience.

Note : Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa declined multiple invitations from Civil Beat to participate in this series.

• Thursday, July 19 - Ray L'Heureux
• Tuesday, July 24 - John Carroll
• Wednesday, August 1 - Gov. David Ige
• Thursday, August 2 - Rep. Andria Tupola

This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP in advance. For those unable to attend in person, you can view Civil Beat's livestream on Facebook and YouTube.

Paid and valet parking options are available on-site. Discounts apply with Aloha Tower restaurant validation. For a map of Aloha Tower, please visit: http://www.alohatower.com/visit/index.html.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services (i.e. sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact membership@civilbeat.org at least 5 business days prior to the event.

By registering for this event, you'll receive a subscription to Civil Beat's free e-newsletter, the Morning Beat. And don't worry, we hate spam too! You can unsubscribe any time by clicking the link at the bottom of each email.

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : To Be Determined Just Prior

WHEN : Thu, July 19, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

WHERE : Hawai‘i Pacific University, 3 Aloha Tower Drive, Multipurpose Room 2 

WHAT : 

Honolulu Civil Beat presents a special four-part Civil Café series on the Governor's race in partnership with the Department of Communication at Hawaii Pacific University. The candidates speak with Civil Beat’s politics and opinions editor, Chad Blair, and answers questions from the audience.

Note : Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa declined multiple invitations from Civil Beat to participate in this series.

• Thursday, July 19 - Ray L'Heureux
• Tuesday, July 24 - John Carroll
• Wednesday, August 1 - Gov. David Ige
• Thursday, August 2 - Rep. Andria Tupola

This event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP in advance. For those unable to attend in person, you can view Civil Beat's livestream on Facebook and YouTube.

Paid and valet parking options are available on-site. Discounts apply with Aloha Tower restaurant validation. For a map of Aloha Tower, please visit: http://www.alohatower.com/visit/index.html.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services (i.e. sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact membership@civilbeat.org at least 5 business days prior to the event.

By registering for this event, you'll receive a subscription to Civil Beat's free e-newsletter, the Morning Beat. And don't worry, we hate spam too! You can unsubscribe any time by clicking the link at the bottom of each email.

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : 

You've seen the news. Trump embraces Putin and throws the US completely under the bus. A SCOTUS nominee who is vocally opposed to investigating and prosecuting the President is slated to be confirmed. Trump calls the media the "enemy of the people," despite its protection under the US Constitution. Kids are still missing, and those being returned are damaged for life.

And by the way, your health care, your reproductive rights, all rights of the LBGTQ community, your jobs, your security, and your ability to live freely in the USA are under dire threat.

We will talk to our Members of Congress about all this: what they will do, what their strategy is, and what happens over the next few weeks. And as their constituents, we ask that they do more, speak loudly, and embrace the realities that our nation is under attack from within.

Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : 

WHERE ARE THE KIDS? Despite the promises and the words, families are not being reunified and the government continues its under-handed and deceitful double-talk about the state of these families and its policies surrounding families at the border. We will ask our MOCs to continue to speak loudly and forcefully, to visit the detention centers, and to actively assist those who are trying to bring these families back together. This is a humanitarian crisis and we expect our MOCs to treat it that way. It’s not politics as usual. 

SCOTUS — THE GOP CHANGED THE RULES. Now they should have to live by them. We will ask our Senators where they stand on the SCOTUS nomination and why Democrats can’t adhere to a singular strategy to stand up against the GOP’s manipulation and tyranny. We will also remind them that the GOP’s talk of civility is yet another gaslighting strategy and that it’s our responsibility to stand up to their tactics and continue to speak loudly for the values we hold dear. 

AND EVERYTHING ELSE! From healthcare to the tariffs to North Korea’s latest nuclear moves to the upcoming Putin meeting, this administration is wreaking havoc on America here at home and crippling us on the world stage. We’ll ask our MOCs what their priorities are for the remainder of the legislative year and what they are doing now to preserve the domestic services people depend on and salvage our relationships with allies around the world. 

Windward Re-Sisters and Indivisible Hawai‘i will be conducting a massive voter registration drive at the Kailua July 4 parade. They will encourage every parade marcher and spectator to join their "I Will Vote" campaign. 

Volunteers are needed, please contact Gil Mendelson / 808-227-0471 / gilmend@yahoo.com

WHEN, WHERE + WHAT :

Wednesday, July 4 at 8AM - meet at Aikahi School Parking Lot to carpool to parade staging area (Kailua gets crowded for this big parade). We will talk with all the marchers, bands and float riders to carry our message as they march. Then we will fan out down the parade route to talk to every spectator and again at the end of the route at Kailua Elementary School ending around noon. We will arrange carpools back to your car. (wear red, white and blue or whatever shows your political activism)

Parade route : Kainalu Drive -> Palapu Street -> Kailua Intermediate School

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS :

1- Democrats must stand firm that a rushed SCOTUS decision is a non-starter, as per the GOP’s own rule-making in 2016. Secondly, all the discussion of a Roe v Wade litmus test must be called out for what it is —politicizing the bench rather than honoring the rule of law and the judicial standard, stare decisis, the legal principle of standing on precedent of cases already considered and decided. We’ll ask our MOCs to speak loudly and forcefully on these issues and ask Sen. Hirono specifically what her strategy will be as a member of the Judiciary Committee. 

2- The kids. We must stay focused on the kids. We will ask our MOCs again to confirm that no egregious family separations are happening at the Hawaii borders and continue to ask them to speak loudly on the issue. We will demand to know the status of reunification, asking them to cut through the double-talk of the administration and confirm how/when kids will be returned to their families. While the GOP is trying to pivot this discussion, making it about Dems wanting to abolish ICE, we will remind our MOCS that this isn’t about ICE. It’s about kids and families and that our outrage and messaging must continue to drive that home. We will also thank Sen. Hirono for showing up at the rally on Saturday (and ask our other MOCs what marches and rallies they attended). 

3- Lastly, as our MOCs go into this work period and summer legislative schedule, we will ask them once again to remember to stand firm and not capitulate. As Daily Beast reporter Gideon Resnick reported on Twitter today, callers to Schumer’s office are telling him, “You’ve not played to win like McConnell does” and “You’re the only party standing between us and dictatorship.” We need them to play hard, not capitulate, and not take the bait for civility over outrage. That tactic is one of gaslighting, telling us to be “good boys and girls,” and we’re not having it. Our country and our future is at stake. 

Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard

#solidarityalert (hosted by Sherry Alu Campagna, and local Hawai‘i organizations in affiliation with MoveOn, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and United We Dream)

UPDATED 6/28/18 - After reviewing Trump's Executive Order, it is clear that he is not listening to us. His policy allows Border Patrol to hold families in detention indefinitely. We must not be distracted by Trump's red herring executive orders. We MARCH ON!

Join your local members of the resistance along with MoveOn, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and United We Dream, in our national movement to:

1) reunify ALL families ripped apart due to the inhumane separation policies enforced at the U.S. continental border and release the families,

2) end the new Trump-led exclusions of gang-violence victims, domestic violence victims, and LGBTQ persons from seeking asylum in the U.S.

Trump's federal agents took children, from infants to teens, away from their immigrant parents — tearing apart families and meting out physical and psychological abuse at our border, every day. There are thousands of children living in detention centers and tent cities now. And THERE IS NO REUNIFICATION PLAN. Children are bound to be lost in our fractured foster care system.

Now is the time! We're gathering nationwide to demand that America reunify families and keep asylum open to those who need it!

WHEN: SATURDAY, JUNE 30
9:00am Gather at the Hawaii State Capitol
9:45am Welcome remarks
10:00am March to the Federal Building
11:15am Rally upon return at the State Capitol

Performances by: Jehzan Exclusive (aka Jesand Amodo), poetess Malia Connor, poet Jesse Lipman, and more TBA.

I'm a mother, a foster mother, and like many others in Hawai‘i, I am a descendant of a Japanese-American internment camp victim. My Great-grandfather Yamaguchi was a Maui school teacher who was separated from his family and sent to an internment camp in California because he was an educator and Japanese.

For more information, visit, https://www.familiesbelongtogether.org/

PLEASE.... SPREAD THE WORD
#FamiliesBelongTogther

The Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Muslim Ban! Join Hawai‘i J20+ in Protest!

The Supreme Court affirmed and expanded the president’s power to exclude entire classes of immigrants from the country. Its 5–4 decision in Trump v. Hawaii is a historic triumph for Donald Trump and a crushing blow to immigration activists MORE...

WHEN : 4pm TODAY (Tuesday, 6/26)

WHERE  :  Federal Building (ewa corner where Ala Moana Blvd meets Halekauwila St)

Joining us are... 

+ Hawai‘i Attorney General's Office
+ Lt Governor Doug Chin (former Hawai‘i Attoreny General who fought the Muslim Ban)
+ ACLU

+ TBA...

If you can't come do THIS

*Hawai‘i J20+ is a non-partisan organization. We have zero affiliation with political parties nor do we endorse candidates. Invited speakers are selected for their expertise related to event topics. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hawai‘i J20+ and its members.  

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : 

IT’S ALL ABOUT KIDS AND FAMILIES AND DOING WHAT’S RIGHT. Trump may have blinked and signed an executive order, but he’s still building internment camps on military bases, we’ve still not seen the babies and the girls, we’re still not getting inside those facilities, and children are still separated from their parents. That EO (which wasn’t even needed)  looks more like a publicity stunt than a policy decree. We’ll ask our MOC’s staffs what our Members are doing to find those kids and get them back with their families AND what they’re doing to stop this morally bankrupt practice at our borders. The US has seen the cruelty and long-term devastation of ripping families apart again and again. Now is not the time for equivocation and “good people on all sides.” We know it’s a tough road, being a Democrat in Washington right now — but these families, these children, and those of us who believe in doing what’s right need our Senators and Representatives to step up and demand transparency, action, and moral decency now more than ever. 

AMERICA’S SAFETY NET IS BEING RIPPED AWAY. From health care to social security to SNAP to Medicare, this administration is hell-bent on a destruction path that leaves large chunks of Americans without essential services. Once again, our moral compass is broken, and everyday people from every sliver of the country are paying the price. We will ask our MOCs what they see happening on these issues between now and the end of the year and what we can do between now and the election to let Washington know that these cruel and morally bankrupt policy changes are not what America stands for. 

5-4. A NUMBER WE’LL BE HEARING A LOT. SCOTUS upheld the Muslim Ban, giving this president a major victory and telling the world that racism and discrimination is alive and well in the United States. We know that the court has spoken and the Congress has little recourse against this decision, but we will ask them what’s next, and for those with families and loved ones no longer allowed to visit, what can be done to help them. 

#solidarityalert (hosted by World Can't Wait)

WHEN : Weds, 6/20, 4-6pm

WHERE : Hawai‘i Federal Builiding

(details on Facebook)

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS :  IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!

What’s happening at our borders is morally bankrupt, repugnant and unacceptable at every level. It’s a violation of human rights and goes against everything this country has learned over its short history. Every major organization around the world — from WHO to the UN to the American Assoc of Pediatrics — is speaking up against this atrocious policy and these horrific actions. We have several action items: 

We will thank our Senators for signing on to the bill and the letter to stop this egregious behavior and ask what, if anything, is happening with the legislation and how we can fast-track it. 

We will ask our House Members what pressure points we can impact on that side to end this now. 

We will follow up on our previous question: are children being separated from their families at the border in Hawaii? Have our MOCs looked into this, inspection cited our local facilities, and made it clear their views here in our own back yard? 

We will ask their counsel on the best public pressure points — raising money for the border legal defense efforts, writing to Phebe Novakovic (CEO of General Dynamics, the company contracted to build these detention/concentration camps), continuing to pressure Congress, etc. 

We will also remind them that one GOP Member can really start to turn this tide, as Sen. Collins did yesterday when speaking out agains these atrocities. What can we do to help cultivate that political courage? It worked when we fought for health care. Now let’s do it again for the children. 

See you out there!

Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : So much to talk about this week. Yeah, we’re tired and mad as hell, and sometimes it seems like too much. But the GOP and the Trump White House are hell-bent on dismantling everything we care about. If you don’t show up, make calls, donate, and get out the vote, you’re part of the problem. Harsh, I know. But these are harsh and dark times. Saddle up. We’ve got work to do. 

TRUMP ON THE GLOBAL STAGE puts America at risk around the world. Even a few GOP members are starting to worry. We will ask our Senators to support the bi-partisan defense amendment to restore the ZTE sanctions (put forth by Cotton, Schumer, and Van Hollen) and to stand firm on Trump’s dangerous dance with our allies. Our president is picking fights with our allies and cozying up with strongmen and dictators. These are dangerous times that can throw the world into chaos again. We’ll talk about what we can do, what Congress can do, and how we protect our elections in November. 

NET NEUTRALITY hit the wall today. Now what? Sen. Schatz has championed this fight, so we will ask his staff what the status is, how we can help, and what comes next. Going about the business of the nation on issues like this is a core tenet of protecting and preserving our democracy. We’ll thank Sen. Schatz and find out what’s next. 

CRUELTY AT THE BORDER WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Thanks to the national outcry and outrage, the administration’s policy of removing children from their parents is getting more and more attention, but the fight is far from over. We cannot let up! This administration’s cruelty — targeting the youngest and most helpless among us — cannot be ignored. History will judge us harshly; it’s on us to right the wrong. We will thanks Sen. Schatz and Hirono for cosponsoring a bill to halt this heinous act and ask how we can help. The bill, Keep Families Together Act, is sponsored by 30 Senators and has the support of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous Immigrant Rights groups. This is a good start, but it’s just a start. We will ask about Congressional oversight, about more visits like that of Sen. Merkley last week, and what other plans they have to protect these children and their families. 

See you out there!

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : 11:45am Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : 10:00am Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910) - Note: Hanabusa's staff is unavailable at the regular time and asked to reschedule this week.

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : 

As our Members get back to DC and the plethora of emergencies and crises that consume Washington day-in-and-day out, we are taking a few minutes tomorrow to say thank you. (And then talk about this week’s important stuff, because this is a marathon.) Unlike most folks around the country, we have a delegation that understands the importance of our democracy and is working with us in different ways to protect and preserve it. We may disagree from time to time on specific tactics, specific pressure points, and specific priorities —that’s how politics works. But over the last sixteen months, we have engaged in meaningful and productive dialogue with staff and our MOCs and have seen it make a difference. Half the battle is showing up, and we — along with our MOCs —will keep showing up to protect and preserve democracy!

WE WILL SAY THANK YOU to our MOCs for their work on health care and saving the ACA; for fighting for net neutrality and not giving up; for continuing to vocalize opposition to the corrupt and obscene behavior of Cabinet members like Zinke, Pruitt, and Devos; for taking a stand for America’s marginalized children, poor people, minorities and those most in need of assistance; for fighting to preserve the Mueller investigation; for becoming national voices of conscience and clarity; and so so so much more. As you make your way to our meetings tomorrow, please think about what you most appreciate them for doing during this hellish administration and be prepared to share those thoughts with them. Gratitude and appreciation are critical to enduring long and painful battles. It’s good tonic for all of us, so tomorrow is our day to share that gratitude with our MOCs, their staffs, and each other. 

THE NRA AND THE FBI. We’ll ask our MOCs to keep abreast of the nefarious goings-on at the NRA and their fundraising efforts, appearing to tap money from international sources for domestic political work —a clear violation of federal law. Representatives Lieu and Rice have sent a letter to FBI Director Wray asking him to launch an investigation, and we’ll ask our MOCs to put their support behind this investigation.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NEED OUR CLOSE EYE AND ATTENTION. The WH and their cronies are talking about the president being above the law and able to pardon himself and disinviting the Philadelphia Eagles to the WH because of their flag protests, but we aren’t going to be caught in their web. We look at what they do, not what they say. Children and families are being separated at the border, and that will continue to be top of mind for us until we know actions are being taken to protect those children and reunite those families.  

Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : 

IMMIGRATION NIGHTMARES CONTINUE!  While Trump makes noise about “spy gate” and the possible summit with North Korea, children are being ripped from their parents at the borders. And now Trump is trying to blame democrats for the policy. We will ask our MOCs to continue to stand up to the administration on this egregious policy and demand that there be oversight of the facilities housing and caring for these children. Shining light on this horrific policy is the only way to get the national focus and attention that’s needed to reunite families and keep kids with their parents. John Kelly’s comment that "the children will be taken care of, put into foster care or whatever…” is proof that this administration doesn’t give a damn about these kids. But we do. 

THE GOP ATTACK ON MUELLER IS RAMPING UP, and it’s up to Democrats to preserve the integrity of the investigation, allow him to finish the job, and keep the political climate sufficiently sane to respect the outcome of his findings. Rudy now joins Kellyanne in spinning the definition of “truth.” First we had “alternative facts,” and now we have Rudy saying that “truth is relative,” that the Mueller investigation is illegitimate, and that forces within the investigation want to undermine it. This administration and its henchmen are successfully re-defining truth and the rule of law with skillful use of dog-whistle terms that play to the president’s base. We are losing the battle to counter that attack. We will ask our MOCs what strategies they’re deploying to protect the investigation and whether there’s a plan in place to respond if/when the administration attempts to roll Rosenstein and/or Mueller. 

ON THE GLOBAL STAGE, WE’RE THE CRAZY ONES. Historically, the United States has been the sane, thoughtful leader on issues of trade, global security, and peace. Today, those tables have turned and we’re the crazy one. Leaders of North and South Korea are now meeting to figure out how to deal with Trump prior to the possible on-again-off-again summit. The president’s directive to Commerce to look into 25% tariffs on foreign cars —arguing that the import flood has eroded domestic manufacturing and threatens national security — leaves allies scratching their heads and adversaries looking for ways to further leverage his transactional approach. Citing national security as a rationale for his protectionism views is becoming standard for Trump, muddying waters on both trade and security fronts and eroding the actual significance of “national security” as a priority. In the barrage of Trump-induced chaos, these maneuvers are becoming normal, but we will ask our MOCs to continue to call out the administration on these dangerous declarations. 

Visit Hawai‘i Senators and Representatives offices every Tuesday to express your views on the most urgent matters. 

WHAT, WHERE + WHEN

Option 1 : Visit the offices of Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, and Rep. Gabbard Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana (gather at 11:45am at Ala Moana/Makai side entrance)

Option 2 : Visit Rep Hanabusa's office on Fort Street at noon (1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1910)

NOTE : Bring a photo ID

TALKING POINTS : 

"The Constitutional Crisis is here.” Eugene Washington of the Washington Post says today what many of us are thinking. Consider actions from the last last week. Trump demanded the Justice Department investigate whether the FBI’s surveillance work of the campaign was politically motivated, a move that resulted in the eventual disclosure of the informant’s name and a planned WH meeting with GOP lawmakers to review the classified information related to that surveillance. He suddenly announced he was lifting sanctions on the Chinese telecom giant ZTE after China gave a $500 million loan to a Trump Organization-linked project in Indonesia (Basically doing a TV infomercial for ZTE products). His new spokesman/lawyer, Rudy G, made the talk show circuit declaring it reasonable to have solicited Hillary-intel for the campaign, including from Russia, Saudi, and Emirati sources, despite the clear legal dictate that there can be on foreign government or individuals involved in US elections. And he doubled down on his vendetta against the press, a clear violation of the first amendment, demanding the Postmaster General double rates charged to Amazon (owned by WashPost’s Jeff Bezos), a media outlet he routinely considers “fake news.” We are 16 months into this administration and it is making headway with its barrage of tyranny such that it’s hard to know what’s normal anymore. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. WaPo’s Max Boot said yesterday, “Trump’s assault on democratic norms is all the more dangerous because the response is so tepid. Republicans approve of, or pretend not to notice…while Democrats are inured to it.” We will discuss this frightening chain of events with our MOCs and ask that they put context and implications behind their messaging regarding this continuous slip into a strong-man regime. 

We scored a big Net Neutrality win in the Senate. Now it’s on to the House. We will thank Sen Schatz for leading the effort, Sen. Hirono for supporting it, and then ask what’s needed to get it across the finish line on the House side. We will also ask Congresswomen Gabbard and Hanabusa to put their support and collegial relationships full behind this effort so we can protect this critical policy. 

North Korea remains in play, with the bumblings of Pompeo, Bolton, and Trump putting us in danger. Admiral Harry Harris took a turn to the north, the WH scuttling his ambassador post in Australia to dispatch him to South Korea post-haste — the man possibly most knowledgable and most capable should tensions in that region continue to escalate and our administration continue to bungle it. The June 13 talks appear in doubt, and North Korea has issued stark words about Bolton’s meddling in the process. We will ask our MOCs for their thoughts and concerns about activity in Korea now and what’s being done to reign in an administration that appears to be “flying by the seat of its pants” (with the rest of us hoping we don’t get killed in the process). 

WHEN : Monday, May 21 at 6:30pm
WHERE : Chiko's Tavern (930 McCully)

TOPIC : SEX WORK 101 - Session II

READINGS : 

1. https://www.ted.com/talks/juno_mac_the_laws_that_sex_workers_really_want/up-next

2. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/11/no-one-wants-listen-sex-workers%3famp

3. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/fosta-sesta-anti-sex-trafficking-bill

4. "Anti-Trafficking Rhetoric and the Making of a Global Apartheid" by Nandita Sharma (download)

Hawai‘i J20+ PLANNING MEETING

ORGANIZE • EDUCATE • PROTEST
Join us in Resisting Trumpism! Bring your hands, hearts + brains. 

WHEN : noon to 2pm
WHERE : UH Manoa, Saunders Hall Courtyard