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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Rebecca Sharer, covidresponse@fenton.com

Lindsay Meiman, lindsay@350.org

Tomorrow, July 8: Nationwide #SenateFail Day of Action Demands Action on COVID While Senators Go On Vacation

Activists from the nation's largest labor, environmental and progressive groups across the country are planning a nationwide #SenateFail Day of Action - actions targeting senators in battleground states for refusing to vote on the HEROES Act and going on vacation while COVID-19 cases rise around the country.

WASHINGTON

Activists from the nation's largest labor, environmental and progressive groups across the country are planning a nationwide #SenateFail Day of Action - actions targeting senators in battleground states for refusing to vote on the HEROES Act and going on vacation while COVID-19 cases rise around the country.

Activists will be delivering "failing" report cards to senators and participating in car caravans, socially distant rallies and press conferences, and digital actions in states including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Over 40,000 Americans are diagnosed with COVID-19 every day, thousands are hospitalized, and states are being forced to halt their re-openings to save lives. Americans are protesting on behalf of Black lives in the streets. Meanwhile, the senate has left to go on a vacation after refusing to pass the HEROES Act, abdicating its responsibility to do something to protect Americans.

The #SenateFail Day of Action is intended to remind senators that they are responsible for the massive amount of suffering that people are experiencing across the country. Communities across the country are preparing to welcome the senators home with a clear message that they are failing. Teachers, students and parents are preparing report cards to deliver to their senators in many states. In other states, community groups and frontline workers are preparing the list of Senate failures. Millions of workers -- essential and unemployed -- do not have the luxury of vacation and contend that elected officials are not entitled to take one during this crisis.

Planned actions across the country include:

  • Multiple report card deliveries in Florida to Sen. Rubio and Sen. Scott
  • A socially distant rally in PA targeting Sen. Toomey
  • A car caravan in Cleveland
  • A flashmob in Maine targeting Sen. Collins
  • In-person and digital actions planned in AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, KT, ME, NC, PA and SC

What: #SenateFail actions to hold senators accountable for refusing to pass the HEROES Act to bring relief to millions suffering because of COVID-10, particularly poor people, Black people and immigrants.

  • Report card deliveries
  • Car caravans
  • Socially distant rallies and press conferences
  • Mass digital actions

All social distancing guidelines will be observed

Who: Activists and members of progressive groups including American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, American Postal Workers Union, Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America, Labor Network for Sustainability, Greenpeace USA, Sunrise Movement, Friends of the Earth, 350.org, Sierra Club, Oil Change International, Center for Biological Diversity, North Carolina Roundtable on Jobs and Climate, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Center for Community Change, Colorado AFL-CIO, Center for Popular Democracy, Tuesday with Tomey, CASA, Indivisible Groups, PA District 10 , The Climate Center, National Children's Campaign, Earth Action, Inc.

When and Where:

  • July 8: Actions to take place in a number of cities in battleground states at different times/locations.
  • To watch or record remotely, livestreams will be shared online. Follow on social media at #SenateFail.

350 is building a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis. We're an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.