Take action for those most affected by CORONAVIRUS
Updated May 14th, 2020
This coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is lifting the veil on the injustices and oppression communities of color have always known to affect their health and safety. Demanding health justice for all is more pertinent than ever. Take action with the following list of demands to our representatives to leverage this reality in effort to move forward towards a more just and healthy society.
Note that participating in some actions may automatically sign you up to the organization’s mailing list.
Tips for Contacting Your Representative During this time:
Even if you sign on to letters coordinated by organizations, we encourage you to also share those same sentiments by contacting your representative directly. It is always best to directly call their local district offices. Hearing from you will always be most effective. Use the language in the sign on letters and/or petitions as key talking points.
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Criminal Justice, Policing & Militarism
Cut on mass incarceration and detention by demanding the release of ICE detainees, incarcerated people at high risk of COVID19 & all criminalized survivors. Incarcerated people do not have the privilege to physically isolate while often being exploited to create needed supplies.
Demand clemency for incarcerated people vulnerable to the Coronavirus.
Call your governor using call-in script originally directed at Governors Newsom in CA and Cuomo in NY
Sign and share this Color of Change petition calling on the governor to #FreeOurElders
Resource: Map of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases Behind Bar & other resources
Immigration should have never been criminalized but detention is especially no place for anyone during a pandemic. Demand release of those at most risk in ICE detention.
Contact your representatives to demand ICE Halt Immigration Enforcement and Release Detainees to Curb COVID19 Crisis to continue the momentum since the #FreeThemAll National Week of Action.
Criminalized survivors were wrongfully incarcerated to begin with. They should also be prioritized for their release.
Join in on these release campaigns for individual survivors and learn more about how to develop a legal defense campaign for survivors who are prosecuted or incarcerated.
In the midst of martial law and many shelter in place orders, we must ensure that these measures are not used to infringe on our civil rights, criminalize particularly houseless and low income communities of color. We must center community safety and public health.
Sign-on to this National Letter for Public Health Responses, Not Militarism, to COVID-19 by Human Impact Partners (HIP) and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC)
Housing & other immediate needs
CDC guidelines are meaningless when we fail to consider the poorest among us. Many do not have the privilege to work from home and many others have lost their jobs. We cannot all shelter in place if we do not have safe and affordable housing with dignified utility access. The demand for affordable & safe housing is as obvious as ever.
Contact your representative with the list demands you can use in form of a script to support houseless communities from the National Coalition for the Homeless
Sign on to this national housing justice platform for a homes guarantee
Access to Care
Unfortunately, this pandemic has brought to light what many in poor communities of color already know, we need dignified access to care for everyone.
Restricting abortion access is not new, but exploiting the #COVID19 pandemic to erode and roll back access to essential reproductive health services is a new low.
Thirty-two states have federally-facilitated health insurance marketplaces. These states would need action from federal agencies from Human Health Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in order to open Special Enrollment period to sign up for health insurance
COVID19 testing and treatment is imperative for everyone and should not be allocated by ability to pay. People with low incomes also deserve comprehensive COVID19 care.
Contact your representative to support H.R.6379 - Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act which would let states add coverage of COVID-19 treatment under Medicaid and also increase federal matching rates during this and future economic downturns
More: What People (and Policymakers) Can Do About Losing Coverage During the COVID-19 Crisis
Health is collective and we are only as healthy as those with the least power and access to care. Undocumented people, many of which are essential, frontline workers, deserve protection to seek care without fear and be included in relief bills.
Worker’s Rights
Protection for all workers on the front lines or not is absolutely necessary. Many workers are facing dangerous working conditions, a loss of wages, and a lack of access to healthcare, while many corporations are profiting off this crisis.
Companies are responsible for their workers’ safety
Sign on to Food Chain Workers Alliance’s (FCWA) petition for 3 priority demands to our representatives and other actions to specific companies FCWA has been uplifting
Packing house workers striking for safe conditions, supported by Pioneer Valley Workers Center
Amazon workers calling for governors to investigate and close Amazon warehouses that put us at risk
Venceremos calling on poultry companies to ensure essential benefits and safe conditions
Trader Joe’s workers across the country calling for increased safety measures
Yet, to support these efforts we must demand more protections at the federal level
PAID Leave Act Sign-On with the National Partnership for Women & Families
Our health care workers are facing dangerous working conditions. This administration is not even competent enough to ensure proper protection and equipment availability. Their work ethics should not be compromised because of the lack of equipment.
Students & Right to Education
Students across the country are facing unprecedented problems with accessing education right now. We cannot allow for inequities in access and learning to further diverge.
Cancel student debt as part of COVID19 relief with Generation Progress
Internet access in the digital age.
Tell Congress: School Food Service Workers Need Our Help with Center for Science in the Public Interest
Disability Rights
Keep your local care providers & government representatives on notice. Ensure there is no discrimination to limit care for people with disabilities, fat people, elders, and people with AIDS or other illnesses.
Participate in #NoBodyIsDisposable Campaign Against Discrimination in Triage
Sign on this World Institute on Disability’s call to action Regarding: The Rights & Needs of People with Disabilities Who Use Personal Assistance Services & Supports Throughout COVID-19 Planning & Response.
Voter Protection in the face of COVID19
It is an election year and we must prepare for COVID19 may affect turnout.
Ask the Senate with ACLU to Pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act
Call your representative to commit to make elections safer
Also consider to add the following demands:
protections/alternatives for people who would need additional assistance (disabilities & other impairing conditions, non-english speakers)
A way for houseless people to participate
Paid postage
Spread the word on how to apply for a mailed-out-ballot in your state with Vote at Home