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Families should not have to spend years fighting for justice for their loved ones killed by police. But for thousands of Black families across the country, that is an every day reality. Eric Garner, Ramarley Graham, Tamir Rice, Rekia Boyd, Tanisha Anderson, Mya Hall, Freddie Gray, Dajerria Becton, and most recently Sandra Bland, are just a few of the police brutality cases the Department of Justice is yet to prosecute. The DOJ’s failure to do it’s job and hold abusive and discriminatory police accountable in a timely and effective manner has had an unconscionable human toll. Since Eric Garner was killed, at least 12 Black people have been killed in New York, and countless others unjustly stopped and harassed.6 Last February, NYPD Officer fatally shot 28-year-old Akai Gurley as he walked up the stairs of an apartment building with his girlfriend.7 And in response to the growing resistance to the NYPD’s discriminatory practices, law enforcement is under reporting the number of times they stop and search people, creating an illusion of reform.8 In fact, the number of settlements New York has paid out for victims of police violence has sky rocketed in recent years.9 But in the face of injustice, we cannot back down. Recently, New York families spent months campaigning for a special prosecutor to oversee police killings in New York — and won 8 It is an incredible step in the right direction and speaks volumes to the power of Black and brown folks to create a safer and more just world for our communities. On this tragic 1 year anniversary, we must renew our calls for justice and send a clear message to our national leaders that we will not stop until justice is served. Thanks and peace, — Rashad, Arisha, Shani, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team Please help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. References, 1. “One Year Later, Remembering Eric Garner,” New York Times 07-17-15 2. “Officer Who Put Eric Garner in Fatal Choke Hold Would Like His Old Job Back,” New York Magazine 07-13-15 3. “New York Police Department Is Undercounting Street Stops, Report Says,” New York Times 07-09-15 4. “Eric Garner’s Family Urges Justice Department To Prosecute Officer,” NPR 07-14-2015 5. Communities United for Police Reform Upcoming Events 6. “The Counted,” The Guardian 7. “Officer Charged in Akai Gurley Case Debated Reporting Gunshot, Officials Say,” NYTimes 02-11-2015 8. See reference 3. 9. “Cost of Police-Misconduct Cases Soars in Big U.S. Cities,” Washington Post 07-15-2015
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Monthly Archives: January 2016
the Senate CONGRESS the House
The Senate stands adjourned Sine Die under the provisions of H.Con.Res.104 until 12:00noon on Monday, January 4, 2016, for a pro forma session only with no business conducted.
When the Senate adjourns on January 4, it will stand adjourned under the provisions of H.Con.Res.104 until 2:00pm on Monday, January 11, 2016.
On Monday, following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will enter Executive Session to consider the nomination of Luis Restrepo to be US Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. There will be 30 minutes of debate equally divided prior to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination.
As a reminder, during today’s session cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.2232, Audit the Fed (Paul). That cloture vote will be on Tuesday, January 12, at 2:30pm.
Monday, January 11, 2016 at 5:30pm
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #213, Luis Felipe Restrepo, to be US Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 2:30pm
- Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2232, Audit the Fed
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House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of December 18, 2015
| 9:00:02 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 9:00:08 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
| 9:01:14 A.M. | The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. | |
| 9:01:18 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Kelly of IL to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 9:01:34 A.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle. | |
| 9:17:49 A.M. | H.R. 2029 | Considered as unfinished business |
| 9:49:48 A.M. | H.R. 2029 | On motion to concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment specified in section 3(a) of H. Res. 566 Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 316 – 113 (Roll no. 705). |
| 9:49:57 A.M. | H.R. 2241 | Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2241 — “To direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the development and use of global health innovations in the programs, projects, and activities of the Agency.” |
| 9:50:39 A.M. | H.R. 2241 | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 9:50:46 A.M. | H.R. 2241 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:00:05 A.M. | The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.J. Res. 76, S. 284, H.R. 4246, S. 2261, and H.R. 2576. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 102. | |
| 10:02:53 A.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches. | |
| 10:18:28 A.M. | SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The Chair recognized Members for special order speeches without prejudice to the possible resumption of legislative business. | |
| 11:03:08 A.M. | The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 515 amended, and S. 227. | |
| 11:03:10 A.M. | SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House continued with Special Order speeches. | |
| 11:33:02 A.M. | United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission – Pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2001, amended by Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, the Minority Leader appointed Ms. Carolyn Bartholomew, Washington, DC and Mr. Jeffrey L. Fiedler, Great Falls, VA. | |
| 11:34:53 A.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair. | |
| 1:00:06 P.M. | The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 18. | |
| 1:00:24 P.M. | The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2015 at 12:34 p.m.: That the Senate concurred in the House amendments to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2029; that the Senate passed S. 2425 and H.R. 1321 without amendment. | |
| 1:01:28 P.M. | S. 2425 | Mr. Price, Tom asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider. |
| 1:01:28 P.M. | S. 2425 | Considered by unanimous consent. S. 2425 — “To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to improve payments for complex rehabilitation technology and certain radiation therapy services, to ensure flexibility in applying the hardship exception for meaningful use for the 2015 EHR reporting period for 2017 payment adjustments, and for other purposes.” |
| 1:01:58 P.M. | S. 2425 | On passage Passed without objection. |
| 1:02:00 P.M. | S. 2425 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 1:02:22 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 104 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 104 — “Providing for the sine die adjournment of the first session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress.” |
| 1:05:16 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 104 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 1:05:23 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 104 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 1:06:25 P.M. | The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2015 at 12:56 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 2152. | |
| 1:06:53 P.M. | CONDITIONAL ADJOURNMENT – Mr. Price, Tom asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today on a motion offered pursuant to this order, it adjourn to meet at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 104, in which case the House shall stand adjourned sine die pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 1:07:01 P.M. | Mr. Price, Tom moved that the House do now adjourn. | |
| 1:07:54 P.M. | On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. | |
| 1:07:56 P.M. | The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, unless the House sooner receives a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 104, in which case the House will stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. |
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Union of Concerned Scientists
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I won’t lie—there are a lot of reasons to be worried that Donald Trump’s presidency will be a disaster for science, public health, and the environment. He named Scott Pruitt, who built his career suing to stop environmental safeguards, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. He takes policy advice from Bob Walker, who wants to eliminate NASA’s earth science research program.¹ The list goes on and on. Worse than what we know, though, is what we don’t. Trump is the most erratic, unpredictable candidate to ever win the presidency. Will his administration’s attacks on science and climate policy be even worse than we expect? That’s what keeps me up at night, Carmen: that uncertainty, coupled with the industry-funded advisers he surrounds himself with. And it’s exactly why your support is needed so much right now.
The uncertainty of the Trump presidency; you can’t avoid it, so what do you do about it?You double down on the facts. You put grassroots pressure behind them, and you raise the stakes for anyone who would ignore or undermine them. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it works. We know it works because we’ve spent decades battling wealthy special interests that touted the same anti-science agenda as Trump and his team. And we won:
Even with Congress, state legislatures, and industry groups fighting us tooth and nail, these big wins should remind us just how much change we can effect when we stick to the science, promote the facts, and band together. There are just three days to go before the 2016 tax-deductible giving deadline. Hold corporate and political leaders accountable to ensuring our health and safety and the future of our planet by renewing your support now. Our unwavering commitment to scientific integrity and the facts is why the Union of Concerned Scientists is a top-rated organization on Charity Watch, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and considered one of the most effective organizations working on climate change by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia. We operate 100 percent independently and receive no government or corporate funding, so there’s never a question about our independence or objectivity. We’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $2,065,000 million in preparation for the fights ahead. Thus far, 19,505 have stepped up, contributing $1,755,432 million, but we still need to raise $309,568 more. Be one of the defenders of science to step up this month by renewing your support today. Thanks for putting your values into action, Carmen. And in the weeks and months to come.
1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/22/nasa-earth-donald -trump-eliminate-climate-change-research |
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Petition all 17 banks financing the Dakota Access Pipeline: Stop supporting DAPL
We — as customers and account holders — can pressure the lending banks to take a stand.
If you are thinking of moving your money to a bank not financing the Dakota Access Pipeline, please note where you currently bank so that we can have greater and more specific impact.
Petition to the 17 banks on the project loan for the Dakota Access Pipeline (Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, BayernLB, BBVA, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Crédit Agricole, DNB ASA, ICBC, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mizuho Bank, Natixis, SMBC, Société Générale, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, TD Bank, Wells Fargo):
Stop supporting the Dakota Access Pipeline and disregarding the inherent sovereignty and rights of Indigenous peoples, including self-determination, Free, Prior and Informed Consent and the rights recognized and affirmed in the 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties with the Sioux.
The vast majority of you have signed the Equator Principles, in which you commit to resolve differences to the satisfaction of Indigenous peoples. And, according to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, you all have a responsibility to respect human rights and remediate human rights violations linked to your business operations.
The militarized police actions against peaceful and unarmed water protectors have been widely and publicly condemned, and may result in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into police misconduct and civil rights abuses.
Continuing to finance DAPL signals your approval of the use of militarized force against those asserting their First Amendment rights and traditional spiritual beliefs and practices, and disregard for Indigenous responsibilities to protect people, lands and water.
We demand that you discontinue DAPL loan disbursements until outstanding issues with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation – Oceti Sakowin are resolved, and Equator Principle 5, which requires Free, Prior and Informed Consent from Indigenous peoples, is upheld.
For months the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Oceti Sakowin headmen and elders, other Indigenous peoples and other water protectors and allies have been under siege while peacefully and prayerfully resisting the DAPL.
The pipeline was approved without environmental reviews, adequate assessment of cultural properties and sacred sites, or the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the Standing Rock Sioux affirmed in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In addition to violating sovereign Indigenous rights and responsibilities, continued pipeline construction and any spills pose significant and direct threats to sacred sites and water supplies for the Standing Rock Sioux, who live less than a mile downstream, and threaten direct harm to the Missouri River, which provides drinking water to millions of people.1
The companies responsible for the pipeline are Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) and Sunoco Logistics, who have a deplorable track record of pipeline spills and total disregard for Tribal rights, land and water.2
On December 4, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the easement needed to finish drilling under the Missouri River, saying it was necessary to produce an Environmental Impact Statement and analyze alternatives.3Yet ETP insists that the companies “fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting.”4
This could lead to banks financing an illegal activity. ETP and Sunoco are rushing to build a pipeline that is economically unnecessary today, and will become a stranded asset as the world moves away from climate-destroying fuels.
If DAPL does not deliver oil by January 1, shipper contracts will expire and the project will be in jeopardy.5 The Morton County Sheriff’s Department has violently repressed the water protectors in service of the corporate desperation to meet this timeline. Given further project delays as a result of the December 4 decision, that January deadline won’t be met.
The 17 banks financing the DAPL project have not yet disbursed all the loan funds they’ve committed. These banks now face a clear opportunity to reconsider further funding a project steeped in controversy and demonstrating material loss.
Public pressure is forcing DAPL’s lenders to confront the reality that they are backing companies who are openly defying the rule of law, undermining the regulatory process and authority of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and setting a dangerous precedent. Now these lenders must take a stand.
It is time for these banks to cut their losses and for us to turn up the heat.
Sign this petition to support the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous peoples and hold DAPL banks accountable.
1. http://standwithstandingrock.net/history/
2. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-pipeline-nativeamericans-safety-i-idUSKCN11T1UW
3. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/04/dakota-access-pipeline-permit-denied-standing-rock
4. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161204005090/en/
5. http://ieefa.org/ieefa-report-dakota-access-pipeline-driven-high-risk-financing-overbuilt-region-little-known-economic-weaknesses-controversial-project
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How to Reduce Mass Incarceration Under Trump
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Think nothing good can happen under a Trump presidency? Think again. We’re about to take huge steps towards reducing mass incarceration. How? By getting rid of money bail. What’s that, you say? And why does it matter? Good questions. And all ones we answer in our new video, Breaking Down Bail, which was released today as part of a crucial effort to eliminate money bail in California and beyond. Brave New Films is joining with the Pretrial Justice Institute, the ACLU, Human Rights Watch and many others to take on money bail, which is one of the main feeders of America’s mass incarceration crisis. It traps poor people in the system – and then keeps them stuck in it. In fact, over 500,000 Americans are in jail everyday without any conviction just because they are too poor to post their bail! But all we have to do to change that is pass legislation and win litigation at the state and local levels! Aka, no Trump or Congress needed! To get there, though, we need to start educating and informing people about this now. And that’s where you come in. Check out Breaking Down Bail and share it to get this movement going! Let’s do this, |
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