Today’s Action: Productive patriotism on July 4th

Happy Independence Day! We wish everyone in the OD Action community a safe and fun day of barbeques, fireworks, and family.

For many Americans, this day is tough. July 4, 1776 was our country’s day of independence, yes…but not for many at the time. Not for native tribal nations, enslaved Africans, or women who fought nearly a century and a half for the right to vote.

243 years later, there will be no celebration of independence for asylum seekers denied America’s promise and inmates of concentration camps as our extremist president resort to unspeakable tactics to keep out immigrants in need — the very people who built our nation from day one. Still others may shoot fireworks even as they face systemic sexism, racism, homophobia, and voter suppression, battling to make their voices heard and their lives matter in their own country.

But here’s where we, at OD Action, feel EXTREMELY patriotic: we have the ability and the right to fight for those hurting, to help those in need, to elevate disenfranchised voices, and to use every resource to elect leaders who will listen to the will of the people.

Today, we encourage you to celebrate the rights you have – and let the fireworks light a spark in you to keep up the battle for those rights for which you are still fighting.

Helping disenfranchised citizens gain access to voting is one the best ways to take action in ensuring our country’s wealth of resources is available for ALL. More voters to shut out Trump and McConnell in 2020. More voters to overturn gerrymandering. More voters to elect leaders who want to stop our endless wars abroad. That’s the kind of patriotism we are need.

Writing letters to unregistered voters is one of the most effective AND convenient methods to building Democratic voting blocs…and the good folks of Vote Forward make it easy enough to tackle five letters before you can say “potato salad.”

This July 4th, sign up to write letters to future Democratic voters in key states, encouraging them to register to vote and sending the info they need to make it happen! You just need a few stamps, envelopes, and a printer…send a few letters today before you head off to your afternoon festivities!