​Designed by Persist Strategies and Maintained by Action Together NEPA
Statement on the National Women's March
Although Action Together NEPA's local women's march is being independently planned, funded, and implemented 100 percent by AT NEPA members not the National Women's March, it is listed as a sister march on the National Women's March's website.
We did not take the accusations against Linda Sarsour lightly and researched the matter. The Women's March has repeatedly made statements condemning anti-Semitism and condemning the anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ language of Louis Farrakhan. The Women's March has also updated their unity principles to reflect that they oppose antisemitism. It is important to note that the Women's March organization follows the principles of Kingian non-violence, and principle 3 states to attack the forces of evil, not people doing evil; therefore, they do not condemn human beings, instead choosing to root out the causes of oppression and attack the systematic causes and actively fight white supremacy for all marginalized and impacted communities.
We feel the Women's March organizers have clarified their strong stance against antisemitism and discrimination. Obviously, Action Together's principles and mission include staunch opposition to hate speech and all forms of discrimination. This distraction is only helping the real haters to divide our collective progressive voice. We need to stand up to these forces trying to divide us and will continue with the planning of our local march to support women of all backgrounds across NEPA.
Statement on Supreme Court Nomination
Action Together NEPA opposes the nomination and confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. We have dire concerns about both the nominee's record and the confirmation process itself. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has come forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual assault, and there should be a full and fair official investigation into these allegations and a subsequent public senate hearing during which both Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey Ford can testify under oath. Additionally, thousands of pages of documents from Kavanaugh's tenure as a White House staff secretary during George W. Bush's presidency were withheld from the Senate Judiciary Committee, making it impossible for senators to perform their constitutional duty to fully provide "advice and consent" on the nominee. Action Together NEPA also objects to Kavanaugh's record as a far-right appellate judge on everything from women's reproductive rights and the environment to the ACA and civil rights. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wrote a column earlier this month titled "Kavanaugh Will Kill the Constitution" and noted that "his anti-labor views are especially extreme, even for a conservative." Finally, several democratic senators, including Sen. Patrick Leahy, are on the record as saying Kavanaugh misled the senate under oath during his confirmation hearings about his involvement in several George W. Bush-era controversies. Call Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey at the numbers below and tell them to vote "no" on Brett Kavanaugh.
Sen. Pat Toomey
Allentown: 610-434-1444
Wilkes-Barre: 570-820-4088
D.C.: 202-224-4254
Sen. Bob Casey
Scranton: 570-941-0930
AT Statement To Congress On Gun Control
Enough is enough! Action Together NEPA urges Congress to take immediate action on sensible gun violence prevention measures that are supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans. Silence is not an acceptable response to the multiple mass murders committed by domestic terrorists with inexplicable access to military-style firearms, high capacity magazines and unlimited rounds of ammunition. Our elected officials can and must stand up to the gun lobby to protect innocent Americans from this readily identifiable threat.
Sadly, rather than taking steps to reduce gun violence, America is moving in the opposite direction. It is inarguable that the frequency of mass shootings has increased since the assault weapon ban was allowed to lapse in 2004. In February 2017, President Trump signed a law making it easier for people with a history of mental illness to purchase guns. And plans are now underway for passage of a new law that will make it easier to import assault rifles, transport weapons across state lines, and purchase silencers - which have been banned since the 1930s.
We believe that now is that time to stand up to the bullying gun lobby, and we strongly support measures that will implement universal background checks, close the gun-show loophole, control online sales, limit the size of ammunition clips, monitor inordinate purchases of ammunition, improve our mental health system, authorize research to study and share information about gun violence, increase product safety, and control access to weapons of war and devices that make them even more deadly. We call on Congress to immediately establish a bipartisan committee to research gun violence and enact common sense legislation to help end this crisis.
AT Statement On The NFL
Action Together NEPA supports the First Amendment rights of NFL players and all Americans to peacefully protest and express their views. We will continue to fight for freedom of speech protections; advocate for racial justice and call out police misconduct where we see it; and encourage policies that support and honor our veterans and military servicemembers.
AT Statement On DACA
Action Together NEPA stands with and will protect our Dreamers. They support the American economy, reflect American values, and serve in the armed forces. For so many of them this is the only country they've known. Congress must act now to pass a permanent legislative fix that includes a path to citizenship so the 800,000 DACA recipients will be permanently protected.