LWVAC is launching a "What You Can Do" (WYCD) campaign where we share a series of action plans. With so much happening on the national stage, these action plans are intended to encourage you to respond to the daily breach of the rule of law and the separation of powers. Read more about this campaign here. To receive the What You Can Do actions directly, please email info [at] lwv-alachua.org (subject: What%20You%20Can%20Do)  with "What You Can Do" in the subject line. Request to be added to the email list. Messages come out about once a week. 

ACTION TOPICS: 1) Public health 2) Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia deportation 3) Freedom of speech 4) Protests at Tesla site continue, Saturday, 10am - noon

Scroll down for phone numbers for legislators. Call EVERY day, at least once a day! Did you read an article of special concern? Call your legislators! Were you affected by something the national government has done? Call your legislators!

Suggested topics and questions:

1) Public Health

Public health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of an entire community rather than the needs of any one person. It requires that people understand the need to protect not only their families and friends but also unknown others, many of whom may be more vulnerable. Recent changes do not serve our community well. Following are issues and suggested questions. For more information, go to Health Affairs.org.

Federal officials pulled down or modified a wide range of public health-related websites including those maintained by HHS, CDC, and FDA. In a lawsuit filed by Doctors for America, a federal district court judge issued a temporary restraining order, and federal agencies have restored access to many of these websites as the litigation proceed.

• Important public information has been pulled from health-related websites, including Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration. What are you doing to ensure that your constituents get information from scientists and experts on diseases, food safety and health recommendations?
• An executive order was signed to withhold federal funds from schools and educational agencies that require students to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Over 90,000 Floridians died of COVID. Per research, vaccines are effective in reducing COVID and other diseases. What are you doing to protect Floridians from diseases through effective vaccination programs?
• The head of Health and Human Services has a history of discouraging vaccinations. The CDC is planning again to study whether there is a connection between vaccines and autism, even though multiple existing studies have failed to find evidence of any such link. What are you doing to keep personalities out of national health care decisions and keep effective vaccinations, including measles, available to Floridians?

2) Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was illegally arrested and deported to El Salvador by a government administrative error. The Supreme Court ruled that the government must facilitate his release and return him to the United States. A federal judge has ordered daily reports by an official with personal knowledge of his whereabouts. Florida has many immigrants. What are you doing to ensure that immigrants are treated lawfully in Florida?

3) Freedom of speech

The Associated Press was banned from press conferences because they continued to use the correct name “Gulf of Mexico”. A federal judge has ruled that the Associated Press must be allowed access. What are you doing to ensure that journalists and Floridians retain their right to free speech, even if their opinion differs from state and national leaders?

4) Protests “Takedown Tesla” continue at 2501 Main Street (Tesla dealership site)

The protests at the Tesla site and, last week, at the Depot Park traffic circle, have been energizing, positive events. With few exceptions, protesters have been courteous and joyful. Protests at the Tesla site will continue until further notice. They are organized by Badass Feminists with participation by other organizations. They are a consistent, visible way to support our democracy, speak up for causes like health care, veterans, the environment, etc, etc. If you can make a sign, great! If not, go anyway. Numbers count. I highly recommend that you join the protests. Keep activism visible!

Senator Rick Scott: (202) 224-5274
Senator Ashley Moody: (202) 224-3041
Representative Kat Cammack: (202) 225-5744