The Amp

On Tuesday, Congressional representatives in the House introduced The Dream and Promise Act (HR 6), a bill that would protect over two million people from deportation: recipients of DACA, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs. Discuss this legislation citing the values of Community, Family, and Economic Security.

• Take action: Encourage your networks to tell their representatives to support the act.
• Messaging and communication tools: United We Dream’s Digital Toolkit; The Opportunity Agenda’s Communications to Protect Dreamers and our Nation’s Values and Immigration Policy Solutions: Promoting Family Unity
• Hashtag: #DreamAndPromiseNow

Also this week, the Trump administration released its 2020 “Budget for a Better America.” It’s a statement on the president’s priorities: increasing non-defense discretionary funding 15 percent for the Department of Homeland Security while cutting 12 percent of funding for Health and Human Services, 18 percent for Housing and Urban Development, and 31 percent for the Environmental Protection Agency. Discuss the proposed budget with the values of Community and Economic Security.

• Take Action: Participate in the Coalition on Human Needs’ webinar on March 14
• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About Economic Justice and Census Data: A Fair and Accurate Count; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ 2020 Budget: A Disturbing Vision and New Budget Deal Needed to Avert Cuts, Invest in National Priorities; Coalition for Human Needs’ Talks and Speculation Kick Off FY20 Budget Season;
• Hashtags: #TrumpBudget #HandsOffSNAP

“Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence” is the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month. Use this hook to discuss the vital role that women have played in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Be sure to cite the values of Equality and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice and The Case of the Cultural Influencers: Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Kimmel, and #MeToo; WORLD Channel's #ShatterTheLens programming campaign and Women's History Month one-pager
• Hashtags: #metoo; #timesup; #womenshistorymonth #ShatterTheLens and #YesAllWomen

It’s also National Professional Social Work Month when social workers and their supporters educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the profession. Use this hook to discuss the values of Community and Economic Security.

• Messaging and communication tools: The National Association of Social Workers’ National Professional Social Work Month resources; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice
• Hashtag: #ElevateSocialWork; #SocialWorkMonth; #SWMonth and #NASW

From 1-2pm EST, the Center for American Progress will hold a #HandsOffSNAP tweet storm on Criminal Justice/Reentry/People with Criminal Records in relation to the administration’s proposed SNAP rule on work requirements. There are only three weeks left to comment on the Trump administration’s proposed rule on SNAP reporting requirements. If approved, the rule could lead to 750,000 people losing food assistance. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community when discussing this proposal.

• Take action: Encourage your networks to submit comments via platforms by Center for American Progress, FRAC and Feeding America.
• Messaging and communication tools: Center for American Progress’ Hands Off SNAP Digital Toolkit and Hands Off SNAP Key Messages; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Resources on SNAP and Work or Resources on Time Limits; and Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid; Center for American Progress’ #HandsOffSNAP: Don’t Let Trump Take Food Away from Struggling Workers and Families
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP

At 2pm EST, the Coalition on Human Needs will hold a webinar, “The Trump Budget: What You Need to Know” that will cover key takeaways from the Trump budget and the work ahead for better alternatives in Congress.

• Take Action: Participate or get materials by registering for the webinar.
• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About Economic Justice and Census Data: A Fair and Accurate Count; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ New Budget Deal Needed to Avert Cuts, Invest in National Priorities; Coalition for Human Needs’ Talks and Speculation Kick Off FY20 Budget Season
• Hashtags: #TrumpBudget #HandsOffSNAP

On this day in 1990, at least 16 activists were arrested in Washington, D.C. during a protest where people were demanding that the federal government pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today, provisions of the ADA are under attack. Activists are also pushing back against the “subminimum wage” for disabled people. Discuss this anniversary and current activism by citing the values of Voice and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: Rooted in Rights’ Bottom Dollars video series and recent #EqualPay4OurWork Twitter chat; Center for American Progress' Why It’s Time to Launch the Disability Justice Initiative”
• Hashtags: #HandsOffMyADA #EqualPay4OurWork

From 2-3pm EST, The Immigration Research Consortium will host a webinar with The Opportunity Agenda's Director of Narrative, Training, and Journalism, Julie Fisher-Rowe, who will discuss best practices for building research-informed messages. Sign up to become a participant in the consortium.

Today is also Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's 86th birthday. The documentary RBG about Ginsburg was nominated for an Oscar this year. Discuss the Justice’s lifelong work for gender equality by citing the values of Economic Security and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice and The Case of the Cultural Influencers: Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Kimmel, and #MeToo; WORLD Channel's #ShatterTheLens programming campaign and Women's History Month one-pager
• Hashtags: #RBG; #womenshistorymonth

Today is the birthday of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. As a gay black man who helped plan the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin’s life illustrates the reality of intersectional struggles. Share the Making Gay History podcast’s episode about Rustin, the documentary, Brother Outsider, or the video short Bayard & Me. Cite the values of Equality and Voice when talking about Rustin’s life.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice and Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice
• Hashtag: #BayardRustin

Public Defense Day commemorates the Supreme Court's 1963 ruling that states must provide free legal counsel for people living in poverty. The case, Gideon v. Wainwright, was spurred by Clarence Earl Gideon who was charged with a felony in Florida state court and denied a court-appointed lawyer. The Supreme Court's decision extended the right to counsel to state courts across the country. In 2018, the Department of Justice "quietly closed" the Office for Access to Justice that was designed to ensure this right. Discuss this historic case and recent developments by referring to the values of Voice and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Oppportunity Agenda's Ensure Fair Trials and Quality Indigent Defense; The Hill's A 'quiet' closing with resounding impacts on equal justice; The Brennan Center for Justice and partners’ Letter Opposing Closure of the Office for Access to Justice
• Hashtags: #PublicDefenseDay #RightToCounsel

On this day in 1917, the Supreme Court upheld the Eight Hour Act, the first federal law regulating the work hours of private companies. The law was passed by Congress after nationwide industrial strikes. Unions have also been instrumental in fighting for worker rights but fair scheduling and overtime are still issues for many Americans. Cite this anniversary citing the values of Community and Economic Security.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about the Importance of Unions and Economic Security; National Employment Law Project’s Americans Work Longer Hours But Don’t Get Overtime Pay; Center for Popular Democracy’s Fired on a Whim: The Precarious Existence of NYC Fast-Food Workers
• Hashtags: #8hourday

From 1-2pm EST, the Center for American Progress will hold a #HandsOffSNAP tweet chat to raise awareness and drive public comments on the proposed SNAP rule. This week’s theme is SNAP and LGBTQ Americans. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community when discussing this proposal.

• Take action: Encourage your networks to submit comments via platforms by Center for American Progress, FRAC and Feeding America.
• Messaging and communication tools: Center for American Progress’ Hands Off SNAP Digital Toolkit and Hands Off SNAP Key Messages; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Resources on SNAP and Work or Resources on Time Limits; and Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid; Center for American Progress’ #HandsOffSNAP: Don’t Let Trump Take Food Away from Struggling Workers and Families
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP

The United Nations declared today the International Day of Happiness. It’s meant to recognize that ending poverty, reducing inequality, and protecting our planet are three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. This year's theme is Happier Together, focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us. When talking about this hook, cite the values of Economic Security and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About Economic Justice and Shifting the Narrative on Poverty; Action for Happiness' 2019 World Happiness Report; Center for Popular Democracy’s Our Homes, Our Future: How Rent Control Can Build Stable, Healthy Communities
• Hashtag:#InternationalDayOfHappiness