321ACTION: Take action to address the intersection of white supremacy and gun violence
Your civic action to-do list for May 16, 2022
We know this week has been fraught with senseless and terrifying tragedies, and at times it feels like we are being attacked from all sides. With the overwhelming number of challenges plaguing our country right now, we had to expand this week's 321 into four key updates and action steps. It can feel hopeless at times, but we hope this content can empower you to take meaningful action to address these issues. We are in this together and we will not stop fighting to build a brighter, safer, and more equitable world.
Fight for Reproductive Justice
The Supreme Court is anticipated to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer. We must let them, and federal and state legislators know that people’s bodily autonomy is not negotiable.
If you are in DC tomorrow, May 17 at 9 AM ET, join JWI, and our friends at NCJW, at The Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, DC. We will meet up at a central location, provide signs, and walk together to the rally. If you can't attend in person, you can access the livestream at jewishrallyforabortionjustice.org.
Address the Intersection of White Supremacy and Gun Violence
This past weekend, a gunman motivated by racial and anti-Semitic hate took the lives of 10 people and injured 3 others at a grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo, NY.
We cannot ignore the role that white supremacy played in this act of domestic terrorism. The tide of gun violence and mass shootings cannot be stemmed if action is not taken to address white supremacist extremism.
Urge the White House to convene a summit on hate and extremism. Call on your senators to support the confirmation of Steve Dettelbach to the position of ATF Executive Director. On May 26th at 1 PM ET, join JWI and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence (FUGVP) for a discussion on how faith groups can protect their communities from gun violence.
Keep Guns from Abusers
In an average month, 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner; nearly half of these women are killed by a dating partner. Yet, current law allows abusers convicted of dating violence to keep their guns.
The closure of this atrocious loophole was removed from the Violence Against Women Act that passed via the omnibus spending bill. However, there have been bipartisan efforts to get legislation passed that will remove guns from abusive dating partners.
This Wednesday, May 18th tune into the hearing on the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act which will close this loophole (JWI’s friend and partner, Rob Valente, domestic violence expert, will be testifying); ask your senators to pass it expeditiously
Support Pregnant Workers
Nearly 25,000 women each year are denied the reasonable workplace accommodations they need for their pregnancy, requiring them to choose between a paycheck and the health of their baby.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) would require employers to work with employees to implement reasonable accommodations. This important bill is up for a vote this week; urge your senators to pass it now.
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