The Amp

This week, the Trump administration released the second part of its 2020 budget. Although it’s dead on arrival in the House, it still relfects the president’s priorities: increasing defense discretionary funding while cutting funding for basic needs programs. Advocates held a Twitter storm on Tuesday to make clear the harm that Trump’s budget would cause. Discuss the proposed budget with the values of Community and Economic Security.

• 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 Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process; Policy Basics: Non-Defense Discretionary Programs; Coalition for Human Needs’ 2020 Budget and Appropriations Resources; Americans for Tax Fairness and partners' #BullyBudget Twitter storm resources
• Hashtags: #TrumpBudget; #BullysBudget; #HandsOffSNAP

The comment deadline is just around the corner for the Trump administration’s proposed rule on SNAP reporting requirements. If approved, the rule could deny food assistance to 750,000 people. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community when discussing this proposal.

• Take action: Join the Tweetups on Thursday, March 21 and and Tuesday, March 26 (more below). Also 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

“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 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

It’s the International Day of Happiness, according to The United Nations. This day is 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

From 1-2pm EST, the Center for American Progress will hold a #HandsOffSNAP Tweet storm about LGBTQ Americans and the administration’s proposed SNAP rule on reporting requirements.

• Messaging and communication tools: Center for American Progress' Twitter toolkit; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP

At 3pm EST, Community Catalyst is hosting a Twitter storm in honor of the Affordable Care Act’s ninth anniversary. They plan to highlight the ways the ACA has improved health coverage for women, LGBTQ people, and their families. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: Raising Women’s Voices’ ACA Anniversary Twitter Storm Toolkit; The Opportunity Agenda: Talking About Economic Justice: Communications that Support Efforts to Eliminate Poverty and Dealing with Lies in the Era of Trump; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump Budget Would Take Medicaid Away From People, Nationwide, Who Don’t Meet Work Requirements and Accomplishments of Affordable Care Act; Community Catalyst’s Building a Case for Medicaid and Protect Our Care
• Hashtag: #WinningWithTheACA

Today is also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, according to the United Nations. The timely 2019 theme is “Mitigating and countering rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies.” After the recent tragic events in Christchurch, New Zealand, white supremacy is again in the headlines. Discuss this issue citing the values of Voice, Equality and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race and Turning Our Sorrow and Outrage into Communications for Change; United Nations’ Let’s Fight Racism; ReThink’s New Zealand Mosque Shooting: Updates and Talking Points;  Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ Police Violence Against Afro-Descendents in the U.S.
• Hashtag: #FightRacism

The United Nations designated March 22 World Water Day to focus attention on the importance of universal access to clean water in developing countries. In the U.S., clean water continues to be an issue in Flint, MI as well as in many public schools across the country. Water infrastructure is also part of Trump’s 2020 infrastructure plan. Use this hook to discuss clean water infrastructure, citing the values of Economic Opportunity and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Talking About Economic Justice and Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; The Guardian’s A Hidden Scandal: America's school students exposed to water tainted by toxic lead; Our Neighborhoods Our Future campaign's Messaging Guide to the Trump Infrastructure Plan;
• Hashtags: #WorldWaterDay; #FlintCrisis

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law on this day, nine years ago. Since then, more than 20 million people have gained health coverage. Even though Congress has undermined the law by repealing the individual mandate that required Americans to have health insurance, voters in several states chose to expand Medicaid in 2018. Despite this, Trump’s 2020 budget proposes cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. To discuss the anniversary and current healthcare debate, cite the values of Economic Security and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda: Talking About Economic Justice: Communications that Support Efforts to Eliminate Poverty and Dealing with Lies in the Era of Trump; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump Budget Would Take Medicaid Away From People, Nationwide, Who Don’t Meet Work Requirements and Accomplishments of Affordable Care Act; Community Catalyst’s Building a Case for Medicaid and Protect Our Care
• Hashtags: #WinningWithTheACA; #HealthForAll; #MedicaidMatters

Today is the start of National Farmworker Awareness Week. Since 1999, Student Action with Farmworkers has coordinated this week of action to “raise awareness about farmworker issues, honor their everyday contributions, and gain more allies to help us advocate for better living and working conditions in the fields.” Farm work is the third most dangerous job in the United States and has few federal labor protections such as overtime, unemployment insurance, and protection when joining a union. Talk about the farmworker rights citing the values of Voice, Economic Security, and Community.

• Take action: Join or organize an event near you.
• Messaging and communication tools: Student Action with Farmworkers’ What is NFAW?; 2019 Messages; and Ideas for Action + Social Media; The Opportunity Agenda's Talking About Economic Justice
• Hashtag: #NFAW2019

On this day in 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 immigrant (predominantly women) garment workers in Manhattan. Use this anniversary to discuss the concerns of immigrant workers, particularly workplace safety. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s A Commonsense Approach: Immigration Policy - Solutions Upholding Workers’ Rights; National Employment Law Project's Workplace Safety Enforcement Continues to Decline in Trump Administration 
• Hashtag: #TriangleShirtwaist

Today is also the birthday of Aretha Franklin. The much-loved singer and social justice advocate passed away last year. Use the anniversary of her death to talk about the role of influential artists in fighting for the values of Voice, Equality and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Working with Cultural Influencers: 10 Tips to Spark Change and The Case of the Cultural Influencers: Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Kimmel, and #MeToo; Colorlines’ How Aretha Franklin Lent Her Voice to the Civil Rights Movement; Global Citizen’s 4 Ways Aretha Franklin Fought for a Better World
• Hashtag: #ArethaFranklin

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. 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