{"id":2176,"date":"2018-05-25T11:33:22","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T15:33:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/?p=2176"},"modified":"2019-03-23T22:43:54","modified_gmt":"2019-03-24T02:43:54","slug":"victories-good-news-roundup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/victories-good-news-roundup\/","title":{"rendered":"VICTORIES &#038; GOOD NEWS ROUNDUP"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|54px|0px&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">These images are among our favorites. A <\/span><a style=\"font-size: 14px;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2017\/01\/30\/this-message-appeared-in-huge-letters-on-an-acadia-beach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">group of Mainers <\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">spent hours on Jan. 29, 2017 digging 25-foot-high &#8220;RESIST&#8221; into Sand Beach in Acadia (left), a birthday gift for MDI resident Gary Allen. A year later, Gary and his friends returned to tell the world that they are &#8220;STILL RESISTING&#8221; (right). So are we, Gary. So are we.<\/span> We work hard and we have MUCH to celebrate. So every month or so, we add to this ever-growing list of victories. Take a scroll down the page and see what you and your fellow citizen activists have done. Take a bow. And then get back to work so we have more good news to add to this list.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Apr. 22 &#8211; May 25, 2018<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A federal judge ruled May 23 that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/23\/business\/media\/trump-twitter-block.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trump violated constituents&#8217; First Amendment right<\/a>s when he blocked them on Twitter. Finding that the president&#8217;s Twitter feed is a public forum, the judge ruled that Trump and Dan Scavino, the White House social media director, \u201cexert governmental control over certain aspects of the @realDonaldTrump account.\u201d The ruling may <a href=\"http:\/\/mainepublic.org\/post\/judges-decision-trump-cant-block-critics-twitter-may-inform-suit-against-lepage#stream\/0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">affect a similar lawsuit<\/a> against Gov. Paul LePage brought by ACLU Maine on behalf of constituents<a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2017\/08\/08\/politics\/aclu-sues-lepage-for-blocking-facebook-critics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> LePage blocked from his official Facebook page<\/a>. That case is awaiting a judge&#8217;s ruling on LePage&#8217;s motion for dismissal.<\/li>\n<li>Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams became the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/22\/us\/politics\/georgia-primary-abrams-results.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nation&#8217;s first black woman to be a major party nominee<\/a> for governor when she won the May 22 Democratic state primary. Abrams, a former State House leader, is also Georgia\u2019s first black nominee for governor.<\/li>\n<li>A transgender student who sued the Gloucester County school board in Virginia for not allowing him to use the boys&#8217; bathroom won a victory May 22 when a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/22\/us\/gavin-grimm-transgender-bathrooms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">federal judge denied the board&#8217;s motion<\/a> to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the student, Gavin Grimm. The suit, filed in July 2015, alleges the school board violated Title IX as well as the equal protection clause of the Constitution. The judge agreed, ruling that\u00a0Grimm\u2019s transgender status constituted a claim of sex discrimination and that the bathroom policy had \u201csubjected him to sex stereotyping,\u201d violations of the law.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A farm bill that would have cut food assistance to nearly 2 million children and adults was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/05\/18\/politics\/farm-bill-house-agriculture-food-stamps-snap\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> defeated in the House <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May 18. The bill, which was written without any input from Democrats, fell when the conservative Freedom Caucus refused to vote for the legislation unless the House took up an immediate vote on a hard-line immigration bill. The House could take up the farm bill again at a later date. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/reject-farm-bill-fiasco-h-r-2-hurts-farmers-the-poor-and-the-environment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our C2A on the bill here.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Senate voted to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/the-switch\/wp\/2018\/05\/16\/net-neutrality-is-getting-a-big-vote-in-the-senate-today-heres-what-to-expect\/?utm_campaign=79d9d6d6fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_18&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Small%20Victories%20Newsletter&amp;utm_term=.cf7bef27cbbc\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overturn an FCC ruling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to repeal net neutrality rules for Internet providers, opposing the December ruling that was supported by the Trump administration. Both Maine senators voted to approve the legislation, passed under a provision that allows Congress to revisit\u2014and reject\u2014actions by administrative agencies within a certain time period after their approval. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/net-neutrality-defend-internet-freedom\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our C2A on this here.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The measure now goes to the House. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/entry\/north-carolina-teachers-walkout-closes-schools_us_5afc5f3be4b0a59b4dffc153?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=79d9d6d6fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_18&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-79d9d6d6fc-142004841\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> largest teacher march<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in North Carolina\u2019s history drew thousands of teachers to the streets in Raleigh May 16 to protest the state legislature\u2019s refusal to adequately fund schools while doling out huge tax cuts to the wealthy and businesses. North Carolina was the latest state to see educators take to the streets to demand better pay and school funding. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On May 15, Democrats <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/05\/16\/politics\/pennsylvania-41st-state-legislative-flip\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flipped their 41st legislative seat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since Trump\u2019s election. Democrat Helen Tai bested her Republican opponent in a special election in a district that went for Trump in 2016 and for Romney in 2012.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May 15 also marked primaries in several key states, including Pennsylvania. To retake the U.S. House in the fall, Democrats are looking to Pennsylvania, where women are leading the way. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2018\/05\/democrats-are-counting-on-these-women-to-win-back-the-house\/560549\/?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=79d9d6d6fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_18&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-79d9d6d6fc-142004841\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Six Democratic women won their primaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> May 15, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/05\/14\/politics\/democratic-women-success-primaries\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">joining other women <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democrats across the country who are faring well in this year\u2019s primary contests. The Pennsylvania contests are an especially large boost because of that state\u2019s current all-male Congressional delegation. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maryland became the 11th state to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/entry\/maryland-outlaws-gay-conversion-therapy_us_5afb185ce4b0200bcab94bf2?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=79d9d6d6fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_18&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-79d9d6d6fc-142004841\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ban gay conversion therapy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a practice denounced by every major medical organization. A similar bill in the Maine Legislature passed in the House in April and awaits a vote in the Senate. Read more about it in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Maine legislature overrode Governor LePage\u2019s veto on two significant bills, making them law over the governor\u2019s objections: LD 1872, which removed the age limit for the sale of life-saving Naloxone (Narcan) to treat opioid overdoses, and LD 1874, which provided continued funding for an important child abuse prevention program. For more information and to see our calls to action on these and other issues before the legislature, see our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/#VOTES\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which (ahem) we work hard to keep updated and accurate. You can also use the links there to see how your representatives voted. We bet you can\u2019t find better, clearer information anywhere else!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the 10-day period around the Apr. 20 National Walkout, part of the gun violence follow-up organized by the Parkland survivors and their colleagues across the country, the voter registration group Head Count reported a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HeadCountOrg\/status\/987722884574515206\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5000% increase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the number of voters registered, compared to that period in 2014.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philanthropist and former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg is making good on his commitment to contribute to the U.S. obligations under the Paris Climate Accords, which DJT backed out of, by announcing that he would<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/bloomberg-gives-4-5-million-to-help-u-s-keep-paris-climate-accord-commitment\/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&amp;linkId=50800018\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">give $4.5 million<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> toward our obligation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal appellate court in New York<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/384415-court-rules-against-trump-admins-delay-of-car-efficiency-fines\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overturned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a Department of Transportation decision to \u201cdelay\u201d implementing fines against automakers that fail to meet fuel efficiency standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In North Carolina, a state with ongoing problems with people, especially people of color, mysteriously disappearing from its voter rolls, data scientists and software engineers combined forces to produce an online<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailykos.com\/stories\/2018\/4\/26\/1753957\/-In-NC-election-hacking-voter-caging-and-poll-book-purges-meet-new-grassroots-technology-resistance\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">voter status monitoring service<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> similar to credit reporting services that send people an alert when something suspicious happens on their credit record. Both groups,<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/insight-us.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insightus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ragtag.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ragtag<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are all volunteers, and the service is free. If you live in North Carolina, sign up at<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ncgovote.org\/index.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NCGoVote.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">THIS<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is what democracy looks like!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York City<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/new-york\/city-shelling-23m-anti-bias-training-public-schools-article-1.3956566\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will invest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> $23 million in anti-bias training for public school teachers. Thanks to parent organizers at the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice and Color of Change for their advocacy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers continue to bring attention to the long-standing refusal to fund our schools. In one of the largest walk-outs to date, about 50K teachers and supporters<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/04\/arizona-teacher-walkout-strike-pay-funding-ducey\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">walked out<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and flooded the Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona. Republican teachers are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/04\/26\/opinion\/red-arizona-republican-teacher-strike.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speaking in favor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of raising taxes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite energetic attempts by his legal team to discredit his victims, Bill Cosby was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/04\/26\/opinions\/times-up-bill-cosby-hossain-opinion\/index.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">convicted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and then raping Andrea Constand. Over 60 women had come forward with similar accusations. Time\u2019s up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local communities across the country are standing against dirty energy projects, and they are winning. Read about grassroots efforts in New Orleans, California, and Colorado<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/blog\/2018-april\/community-uprisings-against-dirty-energy-spread-to-nola\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The European Union<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2018\/apr\/27\/eu-agrees-total-ban-on-bee-harming-pesticides\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has banned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> three main neonicotinoids, nerve agents used as insecticides, on all outdoor fields, for all purposes, due to their harmful effects on bee colonies. The ban will take effect six months from now.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We salute our friends at the ACLU (yet again) for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/blog\/privacy-technology\/location-tracking\/virginia-supreme-court-sees-through-police-claim-license\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">their victory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a case before the Virginia Supreme Court, which ruled that license plate data does, indeed, count as \u201cpersonal information\u201d and as such may not be gathered and kept by state agencies without establishing a clear need for it. So Virginia will not be able to track all their citizens\u2019 movements and places they visit via their license plates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plans to end a Bush-era federal legal aid program for immigrants<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americamagazine.org\/politics-society\/2018\/04\/27\/trump-administration-resumes-legal-aid-program-immigrants\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have been suspended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, at least for now. The program<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/news\/2018\/04\/27\/splc-statement-dojs-decision-maintain-legal-orientation-program-immigrants\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps immigrants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and actually saves the federal government money, so hopefully it will escape cuts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/museumandmemorial.eji.org\/memorial\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Museum for Peace and Justice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the nation\u2019s first memorial to the victims of lynchings and other sanctioned violence against the Black community, opened in Montgomery, Alabama. The museum is the project of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/museumandmemorial.eji.org\/about\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Equal Justice Initiative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which documented over 4400 lynchings in America between \u00a01877 and 1950, 800 more than had previously been recognized. Though not exactly a \u201chigh five\u201d story, this is good news because a national conversation about this is long overdue.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomas Honan, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the past 14 months and a man who has overseen a tripling in arrests of immigrants with no criminal record and increasing cruelty in immigration policy, has announced that he<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/04\/ice-chief-thomas-homan-the-leader-of-trumps-deportation-force-is-stepping-down\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will be retiring<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rather than seeking Senate confirmation in what would have been a contentious process. Thank you, Senate Democrats, for demanding answers and creating some pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods, which earlier announced that it would stop selling guns and even that it would destroy the ones it had in stock, has gone even further and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2018-05-03\/dick-s-sporting-goods-ramps-up-gun-control-push-hires-lobbyist\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hired a lobbying firm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to lobby in Washington for gun control.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Hampshire<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lgbtqnation.com\/2018\/05\/new-hampshire-will-protect-transgender-people-discrimination\/?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=ab0a648413-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_11&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-ab0a648413-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">passed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a law<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/5\/3\/17313206\/new-hampshire-transgender-discrimination-law?utm_campaign=vox.social&amp;utm_content=voxdotcom&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prohibiting discrimination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on gender identity in employment, housing, and any forum serving the public. It is the last New England state to do so and the 20th state in the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two industry groups representing about 300 companies in heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/industry-touts-economic-gains-of-obamas-climate-policy-to-trump-4c14291b-6284-4622-be27-6f86e445561d.html?utm_source=sidebar\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have issued a report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> defending an Obama-era climate policy related to phasing out refrigerants that produce greenhouse gases. The report, which has been sent to the EPA and the White House, documents broad economic gains, including job creation, that will occur if this policy is implemented.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new 700-home development outside Atlanta, Georgia will<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yaleclimateconnections.org\/2018\/05\/in-this-suburb-geothermal-has-arrived\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feature geothermal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> heating and cooling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first trial against the white supremacists involved in the savage beating of DeAndre Harris in a parking garage in Charlottesville, the accused<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/local\/white-supremacist-is-guilty-in-charlottesville-parking-garage-beating-of-black-man\/2018\/05\/01\/033396b4-4af9-11e8-8b5a-3b1697adcc2a_story.html?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.bff251a2f1d3\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was convicted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the jury, which also recommended jail time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a separate trial, another participating white supremacist was<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbc29.com\/story\/38103796\/alex-michael-ramos-court-05-03-2018\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">found guilty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 once again of \u201cmalicious wounding,\u201d a more serious charge than the assault and battery charge the defense had requested. Three more who participated in this assault have trials pending.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thegrio.com\/2018\/05\/03\/the-collective-pac-announces-plans-black-candidates-elected-this-november\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collective PAC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a political action committee that exists to train and support progressive Black candidates for office, held a major event for candidates and donors and will host the second annual Black Campaign School this summer in Atlanta.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In neighborhoods across New York City, parents and local school leaders are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/03\/opinion\/de-blasio-segregation-schools-new-york-city.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2FRace\/Related&amp;action=click&amp;contentCollection=Magazine&amp;module=Collection&amp;region=Marginalia&amp;src=me&amp;version=spotlight&amp;pgtype=article\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">working to address<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the city\u2019s segregation by integrating schools, despite the lukewarm support from the mayor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new group, Demand Justice,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/03\/us\/politics\/merrick-garland-judicial-trump.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has formed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the purpose of raising awareness among progressives about the importance of judicial appointments and using that awareness to motivate voting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White supremacist Richard Spencer\u2019s web site was<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/richard-spencers-white-supremacist-website-altrightcom-goes-offline-910320?utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_campaign=NewsweekFacebookSF&amp;utm_source=Facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">taken down by its host<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after a complaint by the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyerscommittee.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawyers\u2019 Committee for Civil Rights Under Law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the site was breaking the policies of the web host by promoting illegal activity and violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">America\u2019s incarceration rate is currently the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/5\/4\/17318790\/mass-incarceration-rate-prison-drop\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lowest in two decades<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (although still the highest in the world), and this trend is likely to continue despite the policy dreams of Sessions and DJT because most incarceration is done at the local and state levels, which they do not control.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An American voter who filed suit against Cambridge Analytica under British data privacy laws<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/amp.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2018\/may\/05\/cambridge-analytica-uk-regulator-release-data-us-voter-david-carroll?__twitter_impression=true\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has won<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the company has been ordered to turn the information over to him within 30 days. The firm representing him has had an outpouring of additional requests for assistance, which may make it possible to learn more about methods C.A. used to influence voters and undermine our democracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cynthia Bryant, executive director of the California Republican Party, informed the anti-Semitic misogynist who is the leading GOP candidate in the U.S. Senate race there that he was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/politics\/article\/Neo-Nazi-Senate-candidate-Patrick-Little-kicked-12890730.php?t=36afb5bf54\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not welcome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the party convention and had him removed by hotel security. You see, Republicans? It can be done!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Budweiser, will<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/386040-budweiser-parent-company-aims-to-replace-fleet-with-renewable\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buy 800 hydrogen-electric semitrucks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and plans a carbon emission-free long-haul fleet by 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a ProPublica and Frontline investigation (go, free press!), the Marines have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.propublica.org\/article\/marines-open-investigation-into-active-duty-white-supremacist?utm_campaign=sprout&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=multiple&amp;utm_content=1525620083\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opened an investigation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into a white supremacist at Charlottesville who is an active Marine. Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison has officially requested that the Defense Department provide information about how it screens military personnel and applicants for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.propublica.org\/article\/atomwaffen-division-hate-group-active-duty-military\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">involvement in hate groups<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beginning July 10, people buying political ads on Google about a specific candidate<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/google-election-ad-rules-verification-152539137-ae3b88ae-1fa3-4970-82cc-0503d6cc49c0.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will have to prove<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and the ads will need to state who paid for them. The new policy does not cover contentious issues, only candidates \u2013 but Google says it is exploring new policies for issue ads, too.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patagonia has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/05\/business\/patagonia-trump-bears-ears.html?module=WatchingPortal&amp;region=c-column-middle-span-region&amp;pgType=Homepage&amp;action=click&amp;mediaId=thumb_square&amp;state=standard&amp;contentPlacement=5&amp;version=internal&amp;contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&amp;contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F05%2F05%2Fbusiness%2Fpatagonia-trump-bears-ears.html&amp;eventName=Watching-article-click\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">filed a lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> against DJT, Zinke and others over their decision to cut Bears Ears National Park by 85%. Their argument is that the 1906 Antiquities Act gave the president the power to create national monuments, but not to reduce or terminate them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There will be a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailykos.com\/stories\/2018\/5\/9\/1763063\/-The-people-say-no-ICE-in-Mecklenburg-County-NC\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new sheriff in town<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which contains some relatively dense urban areas (like Charlottesville) where the previous sheriff\u2019s pro-ICE policies proved \u00a0unpopular with voters. Democrat Garry McFadden, a former police detective, promised to change that, and also some practices related to solitary confinement and video-only visits with relatives of inmates. The ACLU<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/aclu\/voters-in-north-carolina-hand-trumps-deportation-agenda-a-major-defeat-3d3c51144bc8\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">engaged in this campaign<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help educate voters about what was happening with the deportations. Thank you, ACLU and engaged citizens who are voters!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In two different districts in North Carolina, two<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/entry\/north-carolina-progressive-prosecutors_us_5af22ea3e4b0aab8a78a067e\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">black, progressive prosecutors<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/5\/9\/17335276\/primary-elections-2018-results-prosecutors-north-carolina?utm_campaign=vox.social&amp;utm_content=voxdotcom&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won their primaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for district attorney positions, and one of them is running unopposed now. District attorneys are the front line of the justice system and anyone interested in reform (ending mass incarceration, using more drug courts, holding abusive police accountable) should be attentive to these races.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lloyd\u2019s of London has directed its underwriters to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-lloyds-of-london-nra\/lloyds-underwriters-told-to-stop-insurance-linked-to-nra-idUSKBN1IA1T5\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stop underwriting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> any insurance offered or marketed through the NRA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Federal Election Commission has ruled that candidates for federal office can<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2018\/05\/10\/610099506\/fec-says-that-candidates-can-use-campaign-funds-for-child-care?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=ab0a648413-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_11&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-ab0a648413-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">use campaign funds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for childcare expenses that would not have been incurred if they were not campaigning. This is expected to make it easier for women and working parents to run for office.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connecticut<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/connecticut-lawmakers-pass-ban-on-bump-stock-gun-device\/?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=ab0a648413-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_11&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-ab0a648413-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">passed a law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> banning bump stocks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A documentary on Jutice Ruth Bader Ginsburg opened, and the League of Women Voters was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AlamoNYC\/status\/991357743352172544?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=ab0a648413-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_11&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-ab0a648413-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">registering voters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the screenings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An appellate court in Virginia became the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/blog\/privacy-technology\/privacy-borders-and-checkpoints\/another-federal-court-rules-fourth-amendment\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">latest court to rule<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that border agents can not search people\u2019s cell phones and electronic devices without real suspicion that a person has violated a law. The application of the Fourth Amendment in these cases is an area of the law that needs further strengthening and clarification, and this ruling is a step in the right direction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On May 11,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bankingjournal.aba.com\/2018\/04\/what-you-may-not-know-about-the-beneficial-ownership-rule\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a new banking regulation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> went into effect that requires banks to verify the identities not just of individual clients and borrowers (which was already in effect) but the individuals behind corporate accounts. This should make money laundering, shell companies, and other<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/if-trump-is-laundering-russian-money-heres-how-it-works\/?mbid=social_fb\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">financial shenanigans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which people like Michael Cohen specialize more difficult to pull off.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oklahoma\u2019s Republican governor<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/05\/oklahoma-republican-governor-fallin-nra\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vetoed a bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that would have allowed people to carry weapons with no permit and no training.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coal plants are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jeffmcmahon\/2018\/05\/09\/coal-collapsing-faster-under-trump-wind-solar-gas-to-benefit\/#14781e455ee4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing at a faster rate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than was anticipated even just a year ago, with wind, solar, and natural gas production taking coal\u2019s place.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help create more good news items for this list by being a voter. Maine\u2019s primary is <\/span><b>June 12<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Early and absentee voting is available now. You can vote on ballot measures (Yes on Measure 1 to enact ranked choice voting!) even if you are not registered in a party. Be a voter who doesn\u2019t miss an election.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong><span style=\"color: #efb217;\">Feb. 18 to April 21, 2018<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citizens are stepping up, young people are calling BS, people are voting, judges are upholding the rule of law, special prosecutors\u2019 teams are working with integrity, and journalists are exposing the truth. Because nevertheless, we are all persisting! We begin the latest installment of our Good News Report with highlights from Maine:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mainers mobilized in at least 15 locations statewide for the March 24 March for Our Lives protests against inaction on gun violence, and members of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Maine-Teen-Advocacy-Coalition-1777843685569542\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Teen Advocacy Coalition (MTAC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> traveled to D.C. You can read an essay by one of MTAC\u2019s members <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/march-for-our-lives-is-about-holding-leaders-accountable\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A record number of women are running for office in Maine, mirroring a similar increase seen around the nation. Half of the Democrats running for the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/davidfarmer.bangordailynews.com\/2018\/04\/11\/republicans\/equal-pay-starts-by-electing-more-women\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine House are women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and programs that train women to run for office, including <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/wgme.com\/news\/local\/women-gather-with-emerge-maine-to-announce-landmark-year\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emerge Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are seeing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/01\/14\/their-moment-is-here-and-maine-women-are-running-with-it\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dramatic increases in applications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from women interested in races up and down the ballot. Nationwide, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/f41233ffc9ca484ca8a91a59c083f6f9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">309 women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had announced plans to run for the U.S. House, a record number. That number could go higher, as a number of states have later filing deadlines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1774, an Act to Reduce Child Poverty by Leveraging Investments in Families for Tomorrow (LIFT 2.0)<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">became law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without the governor\u2019s signature. The law will increase access to training and education to boost the state\u2019s workforce and increase workers\u2019 ability to earn higher wages. Many thanks to all who responded to Suit Up Maine\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/child-poverty-maine-support-bill-improve-parents-access-education-training\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call to action<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on this bill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex offenders in Maine are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">now banned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from photographing minors without parental consent and posting the photos online. Learn more in Suit Up Maine\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1476<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">became law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after the Legislature overrode LePage\u2019s veto. This law incorporates into state law all of the \u201cessential\u201d medical services endorsed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and included in the Affordable Care Act. This guarantees coverage for preventive care, vaccines, contraceptives, treatment for substance abuse disorders, etc. Thank you, Maine lawmakers! Learn more in Suit Up Maine\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An anti-immigrant bill, proposed to the Legislature by the anti-Muslim hate group ACT for America, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">died<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in \u201cnonconcurrence\u201d when House and Senate supported different versions of the bill. Outright defeat would have been better, but we\u2019ll take it. Learn more in Suit Up Maine\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1757\/HP 1210, a bill to reduce the minimum wage increase approved by voters in 2016 and create a sub-minimum wage for teen workers,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is dead<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after failing in both chambers. (But note that every Republican other than Karen Vachon in Scarborough voted for it \u2013 remember in November!) Thanks to all who called or wrote their reps in response to our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/hands-off-paychecks-oppose-minimum-wage-reductions\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call to action<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bill to allow guns in school parking lots (LD 1761)<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">died<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by unanimous vote in the House. One of the reasons cited for the defeat was a rally at the Statehouse headlined by several young Mainers. You can read one of those speeches <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/suitupmaine\/photos\/a.1195581057194409.1073741828.1189683847784130\/1647947048624472\/?type=3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and learn more about the bill in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/guns-schools-grounds-oppose-ld-1761\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call to action<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ranked choice voting lives! Following a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/04\/17\/politics\/maines-top-court-clears-way-for-ranked-choice-voting-in-june\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, ranked choice voting <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be in effect for the <\/span><b>June 12 primaries<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for gubernatorial and congressional elections. Congratulations to the many Mainers who mobilized quickly to gather the signatures for a<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/03\/05\/politics\/maine-on-track-to-use-ranked-choice-voting-for-june-primaries\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people\u2019s veto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Legislature\u2019s attempt to disregard what the people passed by referendum in 2016. Maine will make history as the first state to implement ranked choice voting on a statewide level! Whether ranked choice voting is implemented in future elections depends on passage of Question 1 in June (yes, again). So mark your calendars and show up to vote in the primaries and vote YES on<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/cec\/elec\/upcoming\/index.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Question 1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Help Maine make history!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bipartisan majorities in both houses of the Legislature<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclumaine.org\/en\/press-releases\/legislature-rejects-anti-immigrant-bill\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">voted down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> LD 1833, an anti-immigrant bill that would have made all our police officers extensions of ICE. Thanks to all who responded to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/anti-sanctuary-bill-oppose-lepages-expansion-ice-power-maine\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on this bill and contacted their reps and testified against it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Publicity and good old-fashioned<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/local\/elected-rsu-17-school-board-member-criticized-over-social-media-posts\/97-526078312\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pressure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Oxford Hills Indivisible and other Oxford Hills residents who discovered a fervent racist on the school board (representing the town of Harrison) resulted in his resignation from the school board. Way to go, citizens!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine House candidate Les Gibson, who garnered national media attention (and ahem, lots of local heat from us) by saying vile things about Florida teen leader Emma Gonzalez,<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/mainepublic.org\/post\/leslie-gibson-drops-out-state-house-race\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrew<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the race.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine legislators<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/content\/news\/Lawmakers-Vote-Against-Maine-Joining-Convention-of-States-476401463.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">voted against<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> joining a convention of states to change the Constitution. This is a pet issue of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2017\/01\/no-one-knows-what-the-powerful-mercers-really-want\/514529\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (yes, the same Mercers who funded Cambridge Analytica\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/3\/21\/17141428\/cambridge-analytica-trump-russia-mueller\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">efforts to attack us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2017\/nov\/27\/koch-brothers-time-magazine-media-power\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kochs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who want to eliminate constitutional protections and safeguards so they can make more money and have more power.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Legislature passed LD 1587, which creates a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/freepressonline.com\/Content\/Top-Scrolling-Area\/Top-Scrolling-Area\/Article\/Eye-on-Augusta-Paid-Family-Leave-Drug-Transparency-Obscene-Pics-More\/126\/724\/56964\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">paid family medical leave program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Maine patterned after the unpaid family medical leave program existing in current law. It establishes a state-run program to which eligible employees or self-employed people could voluntarily contribute no more than 0.5% of the employee\u2019s or self-employed person\u2019s wages to an account that they could later draw on during leave for various family-related medical issues. Learn more in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bill that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/freepressonline.com\/Content\/Top-Scrolling-Area\/Top-Scrolling-Area\/Article\/Eye-on-Augusta-Paid-Family-Leave-Drug-Transparency-Obscene-Pics-More\/126\/724\/56964\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">requires drug manufacturers to disclose costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for drug production, research and development, and marketing and advertising, passed the Legislature this session. LD 1406, which also gives the Maine Attorney General\u2019s office authority to investigate companies that fail to comply with the law, is a critical first step in identifying factors leading to steep hikes in drug prices. Learn more in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bill \u00a0that would have imposed new annual fees to register hybrid or battery-electric motor vehicles was defeated in the Legislature. LD 1806 unfairly penalized Mainers for choosing fuel-efficient vehicles and offered no meaningful increase in transportation funding. Learn more in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/maine-legislature-roundup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislature Roundup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>In the world beyond Maine \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congress finally passed, and DJT actually signed, a comprehensive budget \u2013 one best understood as a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/03\/22\/us\/politics\/trump-government-spending-bill.html?action=click&amp;contentCollection=Politics&amp;module=RelatedCoverage&amp;region=Marginalia&amp;pgtype=article\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rebuke to the administration\u2019s plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. DJ did not get his wall or his massive deportation force, and funding was preserved for the EPA, clean energy research, the State Department, housing, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and health care research, among other things. See our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/omnibus-federal-budget-riders\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call to action<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Thanks to all who called and wrote our congressional delegation during that long process.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/382906-zinke-backs-off-plan-for-big-national-park-fee-increases\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backed off<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of his plan to increase admission rates to many national parks by as much as $45. There will be increases, but mostly of $5. Zinke cited the massive public response to his proposal as a reason for this shift. Good job, everyone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parkland students and their partners from schools around the country made us all proud at the March for Our Lives rally in D.C. and have been keeping the issue of gun violence in the headlines through subsequent programs and events, earning a top spot on <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortune<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> magazine\u2019s \u201c<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/blogs\/blog-briefing-room\/news\/383946-parkland-students-top-fortune-list-of-worlds-greatest-leaders\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">world\u2019s greatest leaders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d list.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head Count, an organization that registers voters, partnered with March for Our Lives and reported a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mic.com\/articles\/188599\/march-for-our-lives-protests-spark-record-breaking-day-for-voter-registrations-organizers-say#.gjoVyWCLS\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">record-breaking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> single-day tally for number of voters registered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon became the first state after the Parkland shooting to<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/376893-oregon-becomes-first-state-to-add-new-gun-law-since-parkland-shooting?amp\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> new gun restrictions. People convicted of domestic violence or stalking or who have a restraining order against them will<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.koin.com\/news\/oregon\/oregon-senate-passes-boyfriend-loophole-law\/987141330\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not be able<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to purchase guns or ammunition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kentucky Democrats<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2018\/2\/20\/17034262\/kentucky-special-election-linda-belcher\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flipped<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a state legislature seat in a district that DJT won by 49 points.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a lawsuit led by Earthjustice, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/blog\/2018-april\/judge-to-epa-do-your-job-and-enforce-civil-rights-law\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federal judge ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the EPA must investigate and respond to civil rights complaints it receives within 180 days. Communities of color have been disproportionately affected by environmental hazards, and complaints have been ignored, sometimes for years or even decades. Enough.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across the world in 2017, more<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1SmhaI-WAcmEMqR8R9oL5Fxn0cZ0kfY8Z\/view\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new energy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> wattage was created in solar than in coal, oil, and gas combined.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/03\/supreme-court-wont-save-pennsylvanias-gop-friendly-gerrymander\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declined to take up<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the GOP appeal of a Pennsylvania court decision that ended the racist and extremely pro-GOP gerrymandered electoral maps, some of the worst ones in the country. New maps will be in place for November elections and will likely lead to the Democrats gaining at least 3 House seats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the absence of government action, Kaiser Permanente will be<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/hiltzik\/la-fi-hiltzik-kaiser-guns-20180411-story.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">directing $2 million<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into research on how to prevent gun violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/healthcare\/383996-judge-rules-trump-administrations-cut-to-teen-pregnancy-prevention-program\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">judge declared<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the DJT administration\u2019s cuts to teen pregnancy prevention programs to be illegal and ordered the funding agencies to process four grant renewal applications as if the program funding had never been cut. There are additional plaintiffs with similar suits in process.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another federal judge<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-epa-ozone\/federal-court-orders-epa-to-implement-smog-rules-idUSKCN1GO2RB\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordered the EPA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to enforce smog reduction protections that Scott Pruitt was trying to avoid.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still another federal judge issued a<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/local\/lanow\/la-me-police-grant-ice-20180412-story.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">permanent, nationwide ban<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the Justice Department\u2019s policy of preferentially awarding grants to police departments that were cooperating with ICE.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And then an appellate court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/04\/a-federal-court-just-thwarted-trumps-efforts-to-punish-sanctuary-cities-1\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upheld a similar decision<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in favor of a nationwide ban, siding with the city of Chicago and adding that allowing the administration to bypass Congress in decisions about who should get funding could lead to tyranny. Thank you, judges, for defending the rule of law and honoring our Constitution!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high school student<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/entry\/high-school-student-organizes-first-pride-celebration-in-mike-pences-hometown_us_5ab39cf2e4b008c9e5f4a354\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organized the first Pride Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> parade in Mike Pence\u2019s hometown.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since 2015, the number of cities worldwide getting at least 70% of their power from renewable sources has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/cities\/2018\/feb\/27\/cities-powered-clean-energy-renewable\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doubled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The list now includes over 100 cities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The State of Washington <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/crime-justice\/2018\/03\/washington-state-just-made-it-easier-to-prosecute-police-for-using-deadly-force\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">changed its laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make the prosecution of police for on-duty shootings easier and mandated de-escalation training.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main coal miners\u2019 union in the U.S., which endorsed Conor Lamb in the recent Pennsylvania special election, will be<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.post-gazette.com\/news\/politics-nation\/2018\/03\/22\/Coal-miners-union-endorse-Democrats-ojeda-manchin-conor-lamb-West-Virginia-pennsylvania\/stories\/201803220137?utm_campaign=Echobox&amp;utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=Facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">endorsing two Democrats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in West Virginia, one for a state seat and one for U.S. Senate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal appeals court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/wonk\/wp\/2018\/04\/09\/court-employers-cant-pay-women-less-because-of-their-salary-history\/?utm_term=.af7e2bcdd377\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that paying women less than men due to their salary history does, indeed, violate the Equal Pay Act. The ruling is expected to help close the gender pay gap.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A former University of Wisconsin-Madison student <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/crime-justice\/2018\/02\/in-an-unusual-development-a-campus-rapist-is-set-to-go-to-prison\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pleaded guilty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a case of serial campus rape and faces up to 40 years of jail time (sentencing to come later). These cases hardly ever result in a conviction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liberal judge Rebecca Dallet was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2018\/4\/3\/17195062\/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-results\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">elected<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Voters in Anchorage, Alaska<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/identities\/2018\/4\/6\/17197910\/anchorage-alaska-transgender-proposition-1?utm_campaign=vox.social&amp;utm_content=voxdotcom&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rejected<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an anti-trans bathroom bill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maryland became the 12th state to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/04\/maryland-just-took-a-huge-step-for-protecting-voting-rights-automatic-registration\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enact automatic voter registration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 when people obtain or renew their driver\u2019s license.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026 and then New Jersey<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/04\/new-jersey-becomes-13th-state-to-adopt-automatic-voter-registration-governor-signs\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">became the 13th state<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to do so, a move expected to register 600,000 new voters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislators in 30 states have introduced 206 bills this year to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/03\/all-of-a-sudden-voting-rights-are-expanding-across-the-country\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expand access<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the ballot, reversing the trend toward voter restrictions that had been advancing since 2010.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the first time in its 130-year history, the Harvard Law Review has elected a black woman as its president. Congratulations to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2017\/02\/27\/us\/after-130-years-harvard-law-review-elects-a-black-woman-president.html?smid=fb-share\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ImeIme Umama<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the daughter of Nigerian immigrants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gallup has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/opinion\/commentary\/2018\/02\/22\/meet-new-texans-population-boom-willchange-politics\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reclassified Texas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from \u201cRepublican\u201d to \u201ccompetitive.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/374608-supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-challenge-to-california-gun-law\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refused to hear<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a challenge to a California law requiring a 10-day waiting period for gun purchases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026 and<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/mainepublic.org\/post\/us-supreme-court-rejects-abortion-protesters-challenge-maine-law-limiting-noise\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upheld a Maine law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> limiting noise made by protesters outside of medical facilities. The law had been challenged by an anti-abortion protester who had been told to lower the noise level in a protest outside a clinic in Portland.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chris Kobach, the Kansas Secretary of State tapped by DJT to head up his bogus \u201cvoter fraud\u201d commission, was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/03\/kris-kobach-just-got-humiliated-in-federal-court\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">repeatedly and utterly humiliated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in federal court as he<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/blog\/voting-rights\/fighting-voter-suppression\/courts-ruling-holding-kobach-contempt-well-deserved\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tried to defend<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> his removal of Kansans from the voting rolls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026 and then when he didn\u2019t do what the judge said, he was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/04\/kris-kobach-held-in-contempt-of-court\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">held in contempt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/383828-kobach-held-in-contempt-in-voter-registration-case\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to pay the plaintiff\u2019s legal fees. Well done,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACLU<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a major setback for DJT\u2019s anti-immigrant agenda, the Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/383512-supreme-court-invalidates-law-requiring-the-deportation-of\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in favor of an immigrant suing over a deportation order, arguing that the law\u2019s wording (\u201ccrimes of violence\u201d) was too vague.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep in red America, teachers in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/03\/06\/us\/west-virginia-teachers-strike-deal.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West Virginia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/4\/3\/17191082\/oklahoma-teachers-protest-pay\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oklahoma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Kentucky, Colorado, and Arizona have been leading the largest<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/politics\/features\/labor-strikes-trump-voters-w518701\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">labor disruptions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in decades and forcing Republican governors and legislators to fund schools. Way to go, teachers!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Republican governor of Vermont<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/vermont-governor-signs-bill-that-raises-age-to-buy-firearms-makes-it-easier-to-take-guns-from-people-who-pose-threat\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signed into law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a measure raising the age to buy firearms, banning high-capacity magazines, and easing the process of removing guns from people who pose a threat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DJT administration has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/03\/23\/business\/economy\/tipping-workers.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">retreated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from its proposal to let restaurant owners keep the tips earned by wait staff.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rachel Maddow continues to be cable\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/markjoyella\/2018\/04\/04\/rachel-maddow-beats-sean-hannity-takes-title-as-most-watched-cable-news-host\/#3d3be0165eea\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most watched news host<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with Hannity and Fox\u2019s prime time line-up slipping.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The town of Deerfield, Illinois (outside Chicago) has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/illinois-town-votes-to-ban-assault-rifles-fine-violators-1000-per-day\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">banned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> certain types of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. Those in possession will be subject to a fine of $1,000\/day. The measure passed unanimously.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a case argued by the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/work\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Resources Defense Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a judge ruled that the Bureau of Land Management<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/experts\/nrdc\/court-halts-illegal-coal-leasing-powder-river-basin?utm_source=fb&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_content=socialmedia\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">broke the law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by allowing fossil fuel development in the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.powderriverbasin.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Powder River Basin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In one of three emoluments-related cases against DJT, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/zoetillman\/a-judge-says-a-constitutional-challenge-to-trumps-decision?utm_term=.greeqlaD8#.is8lzwgGQ\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">judge has ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the attorneys general of Maryland and Washington, D.C. have standing to sue DJ over his continued profiting from properties and businesses in their jurisdictions. So their case will move forward.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Litigation by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/about\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earthjustice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> led to the EPA receiving a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/blog\/2018-march\/judges-to-epa-get-the-lead-out-on-protecting-children-s-brains\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">court order to update<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its standards on lead levels in paint and dust, which will protect the developing brains of thousands of children around the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remington, one of the oldest gun makers in the United States, is<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/blogs\/blog-briefing-room\/380230-gun-maker-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-one-day-after-march-for\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declaring bankruptcy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to the legal expenses of defending against lawsuits filed by the Sandy Hook families.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After public pressure, the First National Bank of Omaha announced that it will<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thinkprogress.org\/first-national-bank-ends-nra-visa-card-5809195f1672\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not renew its contract<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to issue special Visa cards to NRA members.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In New Hampshire and Connecticut, Democrats<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/375943-dems-flip-two-gop-held-seats-in-special-elections\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flipped two more<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> state legislature seats in special elections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a federal district court judge<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/news\/press\/2018\/federal-judge-blocks-construction-of-bayou-bridge-pipeline\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">halted the construction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which would connect the Dakota Access Pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico. This is a preliminary injunction while a case is moving forward. Kudos to local groups and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/about\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earthjustice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for their ongoing work on this.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DJT &amp; Co<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/blog\/2018-march\/trump-admin-just-lost-another-attempt-to-nix-commonsense-rules-on-methane\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lost yet another<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> court battle in their efforts to end rules curtailing the release of methane gases by oil and gas companies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A U.S. District Court in Alaska<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/features\/photo-essay-arctic#ocean\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will allow<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> environmental and Alaska Native groups to challenge the DJT administration\u2019s reversal of a ban on Arctic and Atlantic offshore drilling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsandguts.com\/california-rejects-plan-station-national-guard-border\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">officially rejected<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DJT\u2019s plan to station National Guard troops at its border with Mexico.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/381957-federal-judge-upholds-massachusetts-assault-weapons-ban\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dismissed a challenge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to a Massachusetts law banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, saying the ban did not undermine the 2nd amendment. He even cited Justice Scalia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grassroots action resulted in a judge ordering California to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactfund.org\/social-justice-blog\/california-pesticides\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stop spraying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a dangerous pesticide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efforts to privatize the nation\u2019s air traffic control, begun a year ago, have now<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.govexec.com\/oversight\/2018\/02\/air-traffic-control-privatization-architect-abandons-effort\/146307\/?oref=relatedstories\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">been abandoned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DeAndre Harris, the black man who was beaten at Charlottesville by white supremacists but later arrested for assault charges when one of them accused <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of assault, was found<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/03\/16\/us\/deandre-harris-charlottesville.html?mtrref=www.google.com\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not guilty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/3\/21\/17146780\/illinois-primary-election-2018-turnout\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democratic turnout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Illinois\u2019s recent primary was up 300% from 2014. Be a voter. In <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every election<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Just do it. Power to the polls!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NAACP is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/naacp-files-lawsuit-over-2020-census\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leading a legal challenge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> against DJT and the Census Bureau, alleging that the plans for the census will undercount minorities. They are asking a judge to require the Census Bureau to undertake measures that will ensure a credible census.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods announced that it will<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/02\/28\/business\/dicks-major-gun-retailer-will-stop-selling-assault-style-rifles.html?mtrref=www.facebook.com\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no longer sell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> assault-style rifles or high-capacity magazines, and that it will not sell any gun to anyone under 21. Then a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/02\/these-companies-are-done-with-the-nra-1\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whole host of companies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ended their ties to the NRA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/news\/politics-government\/article201386559.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Kansas acted improperly when it cut funding to Planned Parenthood under Governor Brownback, who now works in the DJT administration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A former Republican activist in Arizona who was appointed to a position in the Department of Interior<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/02\/28\/politics\/kfile-top-aide-to-ryan-zinke\/index.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resigned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after CNN revealed her social media posts containing conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim and anti-LGBT comments. Way to go, free press!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new global underwriting standard, the<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eeperformance.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investor Confidence Project<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, will give potential investors in green energy retrofitting projects more confidence and clarity about the expected return on their investments. This sounds awfully wonky, we know, but it is being<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edf.org\/blog\/2018\/03\/09\/global-game-changer-energy-efficiency-investments\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hailed as a \u201cgame changer\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and is expected to dramatically increase the investments made in making existing buildings more energy efficient.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The House<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2018\/02\/06\/house-passes-bill-force-lawmakers-pay-their-own-sexual-harassment-settlements\/311023002\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">passed a bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make lawmakers pay their own sexual harassment settlements instead of taxpayers paying them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A West Virginia judge<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/375397-judge-dismisses-coal-moguls-defamation-lawsuit-against-john-oliver\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dismissed a defamation lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> brought by a coal mogul against John Oliver and HBO for a segment criticizing the coal industry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protesters\u2019 efforts outside a sports show in Illinois resulted in that show<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/chicago.cbslocal.com\/2018\/03\/05\/dupage-county-gun-show\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">banning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AR-15s and other assault-style rifles and bump stocks, and cancelling its planned gun raffle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Zealand has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/04\/12\/world\/asia\/new-zealand-ban-oil-drilling.html?module=WatchingPortal&amp;region=c-column-middle-span-region&amp;pgType=Homepage&amp;action=click&amp;mediaId=thumb_square&amp;state=standard&amp;contentPlacement=10&amp;version=internal&amp;contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&amp;contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F04%2F12%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fnew-zealand-ban-oil-drilling.html&amp;eventName=Watching-article-click\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stopped issuing new permits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for offshore oil and gas exploration, citing climate change and a plan to move increasingly to renewables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rick Gates, assistant to Paul Manafort, became the third former DJT aide to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2018\/2\/23\/17045226\/robert-mueller-flip-rick-gates-russia\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flip and begin cooperating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Robert Mueller\u2019s investigation. This brings<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/2\/20\/17031772\/mueller-indictments-grand-jury\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the count<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to 19 individuals and three companies either indicted or pleading guilty. That we know of.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defying strenuous GOP efforts to sell their tax scam as a good thing for the country, the public seems<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/nymag.com\/daily\/intelligencer\/2018\/04\/the-trump-tax-cuts-unpopularity-is-a-crisis-for-the-gop.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not to be buying it<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sadly, we lost the vote on that, but we like to think we at least contributed to heightened public awareness of that terrible bill. Remember in November. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(But first <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">June 12<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> primaries and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes on Question 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!)<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong><span style=\"color: #efb217;\">Jan. 1 \u2013 Feb. 17, 2018<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Lots of good news to report from 2018 so far! We begin our list with items that Suit Up Maine has featured in its calls to action.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Millions<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/01\/20\/politics\/womens-march-latest\/index.html\"> took to the streets<\/a> on Jan. 20th for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/2018\/1\/23\/16922884\/womens-march-attendance\"> Women\u2019s March 2.0<\/a>, showing that the resistance is thriving. In Maine,<a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/01\/18\/news\/state\/a-year-after-the-biggest-protest-in-american-history-maine-women-plan-to-march-again\/\"> we gathered<\/a> in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralmaine.com\/2018\/01\/20\/about-2500-march-for-womens-rights-in-augusta\/\"> Augusta<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/01\/20\/news\/bangor\/womens-march-in-bangor-draws-novice-veteran-protesters\/\"> Bangor<\/a>, Gouldsboro,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdislander.com\/maine-news\/womens-march\"> Bar Harbor<\/a>, Lubec, Kingfield, Eastport, and Brunswick. A different event was held in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/01\/21\/portland-event-celebrates-womens-rights-activism\/\"> Portland<\/a> on Jan. 21. Power to the polls! Run for office.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vote411.org\/\"> Register<\/a>. Canvass.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vote411.org\/\"> Vote<\/a>. Bring others. Never sit an election out. Ever.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine is in the process of<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/01\/05\/maine-restoring-public-health-nursing-workforce\/?utm_source=Press%20Herald%20Newsletters&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=91054e25aa-PPH_Daily_Headlines_Email&amp;utm_term=0_b674c9be4b-91054e25aa-199839197\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doubling its workforce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of public health nurses, hiring more than 50 new nurses, as a result of a new law passed over the summer to address the critical shortage, especially in rural areas. Lobbying for the passage of this law, which occurred over the governor\u2019s veto, was one of our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/public-nursing-in-maine-support-legislation-to-restore-staffing\/1321508127935034\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">calls to action<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> last summer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal judges in San Francisco and New York have<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/373680-second-judge-issues-injunction-barring-trump-administration-from\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">issued injunctions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> barring DJT from ending DACA on March 5 as he had announced, pending consideration of these two cases on the merits. The government must continue processing and renewing DACA applications under the same terms that existed before DJT declared the program ended. Through the office of Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, Maine signed on to one of these cases and filed an amicus brief in the other. Though good news, this is not a long-term solution, so keep calling your congressional representatives! See our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/immigration-debate-stay-focused-dreamers\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the request of a number of Democrats in Congress, FCC chairman Ajit Pai is being<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/02\/15\/technology\/fcc-sinclair-ajit-pai.html?hp&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=first-column-region&amp;region=top-news&amp;WT.nav=top-news\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">investigated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the FCC\u2019s inspector general for some rule and policy changes he made that benefited the pro-DJT Sinclair media company in its efforts to acquire a large number of local media stations. Sinclair requires its stations to run pro-DJT propaganda, and this merger has been decried by many concerned with media consolidation and its harm on democracies. See our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/sinclair-propaganda-fight-back-against-far-right-control-of-local-tv\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A second appellate court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-court-immigration\/u-s-court-says-trump-travel-ban-unlawfully-discriminates-against-muslims-idUSKCN1FZ23U\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled against<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Muslim ban 3.0 \u2013 this one declaring it to be unconstitutional. See our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/call-to-action-list-week-of-3617\/1292940617458452\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DJT<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/01\/03\/us\/politics\/trump-voter-fraud-commission.html?action=Click&amp;contentCollection=BreakingNews&amp;contentID=66313925&amp;pgtype=Homepage\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dissolved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> his bogus \u201cvoter fraud\u201d commission, complaining that states weren\u2019t cooperating. Push-back works!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/refugee-crisis-water-shortage-2535042186.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ecowatch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> noted<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/trump-environmental-policy-changes-2518440716.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">five ways<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that DJT\u2019s efforts to harm the environment failed in 2017.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>In New York City, 120K teamsters are preparing to be a<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/new-york\/n-y-teamsters-form-sanctuary-union-fight-ice-agents-article-1.3813201\"> \u201csanctuary union\u201d<\/a> to protect their fellow workers from ICE.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/01\/03\/news\/state\/judge-orders-lepage-to-release-3-million-in-job-training-funds\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federal judge ordered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Governor LePage to release $3 million in job training funds that were supposed to go to Coastal Counties, one of the state\u2019s regional workforce development boards. This is a temporary injunction and might be appealed, but for now it is a good sign. It will help many people find jobs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/wonk\/wp\/2017\/12\/28\/hundreds-of-thousands-of-poor-americans-will-soon-be-able-to-move-to-better-areas-thanks-to-this-judge\/?utm_term=.d0297b763205\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federal judge ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could not \u201cdelay\u201d implementation of an Obama-era policy that would allow low-income people greater access to affluent neighborhoods. Hundreds of thousands of people will be able to move to better areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/01\/03\/world\/europe\/iceland-equal-pay.html?module=WatchingPortal&amp;region=c-column-middle-span-region&amp;pgType=Homepage&amp;action=click&amp;mediaId=thumb_square&amp;state=standard&amp;contentPlacement=13&amp;version=internal&amp;contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&amp;contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F01%2F03%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Ficeland-equal-pay.html&amp;eventName=Watching-article-click\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> went into effect in Iceland requiring companies and government agencies employing more than 25 people to prove that they are not paying men more than women.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey\u2019s governor created an<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nj.com\/news\/index.ssf\/2018\/01\/advocates_push_nj_to_provide_legal_assistance_to_t.html?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=3fc27b1ba4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-3fc27b1ba4-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Office for Immigrant Protection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At least 260 people with science backgrounds<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/entry\/science-candidates_us_5a74fffde4b06ee97af2ae60\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are running<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for federal, state, and local office in 2018, a record number in modern U.S. history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/constitution-pipeline-ferc-2524882629.html?utm_campaign=RebelMouse&amp;socialux=facebook&amp;share_id=3177086&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=EcoWatch&amp;utm_source=facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">denied a request<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Constitution Pipeline to overturn a ruling by New York State denying the company a permit to build a 124-mile natural gas pipeline because it had not done an adequate study to meet the Clean Air Act provisions. Thank you,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earthjustice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for your legal advocacy on this case.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democrats<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/372670-dems-pick-up-deep-red-legislative-seat-in-missouri\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flipped a seat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Missouri state house in a deep red district that DJT won handily.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Climate Advisory Panel that DJT disbanded<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.ei.columbia.edu\/2018\/01\/03\/national-climate-assessment-advisory-committee\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has been revived<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with support from the state of New York, Columbia University\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/earth.columbia.edu\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earth Institute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and others.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the past decade, Chicago-based nonprofit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elevateenergy.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elevate Energy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has helped<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yaleclimateconnections.org\/2018\/01\/nonprofit-helps-20000-apartments-go-energy-efficient\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make 20K apartments more energy efficient<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help low-income tenants save money and use less energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Elkhart County, Indiana, which is 90% white and voted 2-1 for DJT, pro-immigrant groups allied with RV company executives and others to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2018\/02\/heres-what-happens-when-trump-policy-comes-to-trump-country\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">block construction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a proposed private prison run by ICE.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washington is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/washington-state-changes-driver-apos-035149728.html?.tsrc=fauxdal\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">changing its drivers licenses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to eliminate the driver\u2019s place of birth, in order to complicate ICE\u2019s efforts to round up immigrants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/work\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Resources Defense Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a coalition of states led by New York and California<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2018-02-15\/judge-says-u-s-must-use-energy-standards-in-loss-to-trump\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won a lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> forcing the Department of Energy to begin using national energy efficiency standards that it was refusing to implement. The standards apply to portable window air conditioners and some other items.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DJT administration<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/chrisgeidner\/has-the-trump-administration-stopped-fighting-the-jan-1?utm_term=.quB72YYNV#.ikwwgEEpm\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">decided not to fight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the Jan. 1 deadline for accepting trans people into the military, and the military is now accepting trans recruits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rape survivors in Maryland can now<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/time.com\/5137717\/maryland-rapists-parental-rights\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ask a court<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to terminate the rapist\u2019s parental rights, and the bar of proof for proving rape for this purpose is lower than that for a criminal prosecution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A three-judge panel<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/electionlawblog.org\/?p=96824\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that North Carolina\u2019s gerrymandered voting districts violate the Constitution. This will likely go to the Supreme Court, but is a win for voting rights at this stage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pennsylvania\u2019s Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/370127-pennsylvania-supreme-court-rules-state-congressional-map-is\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the state\u2019s congressional map is gerrymandered to the extent that it violates the state constitution and ordered new maps to be drawn up in time for the 2018 midterms. The GOP appealed this to the Supreme Court, which<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/in-blow-to-gop-supreme-court-wont-block-pennsylvania-redistricting\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rejected<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the request to overturn it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efforts by Rick Perry\u2019s Department of Energy to establish policies that would favor coal production and hurt green energy were<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/energy-and-environment\/2018\/1\/9\/16866196\/perry-coal-bailout-nopr-ferc\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shut down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by a federal commission \u2013 one with most members appointed by DJT, no less.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine\u2019s Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/01\/23\/maines-supreme-court-rules-against-state-for-denying-food-stamps-to-asylum-seekers\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the state can\u2019t deny food benefits to legal asylum seekers who have been approved to work here but have not yet found work. The decision will affect about 150 asylum seekers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Attorney General of Washington is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national\/washington-official-motel-6-gave-info-to-feds\/2018\/01\/03\/6206c3dc-f0c2-11e7-95e3-eff284e71c8d_story.html?utm_term=.5dbe48c9b5b0\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suing Motel 6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for violating state law by providing personal information on guests to ICE.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine\u2019s own Attorney General, Janet Mills, has<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/mainepublic.org\/post\/maine-joins-lawsuit-revive-net-neutrality-rules#stream\/0\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">joined a 21-state lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to fight the FCC\u2019s repeal of net neutrality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a class action suit, a federal<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wpxi.com\/news\/national-news\/ap-top-news\/court-rules-los-angeles-sheriff-violated-immigrants-rights\/697263111\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">court ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the Los Angeles county sheriff violated people\u2019s civil rights (regarding arbitrary arrest) by detaining them after they were eligible for release in order to comply with an immigration detainer from ICE. The county ended the practice in 2014, but those detained between 2010 and 2014 can now sue, and the ruling should impact other places where law enforcement still works with ICE around these detainers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democrat Patty Schachtner<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/powerpost\/paloma\/daily-202\/2018\/01\/17\/daily-202-unexpected-defeat-in-rural-wisconsin-special-election-sets-off-alarm-bells-for-republicans\/5a5eb5d230fb0469e884019a\/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_daily202-755am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.35ba9117aec5\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won a seat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Wisconsin\u2019s Senate in a special election in a rural district that had voted for DJT by 17 points, even though the GOP dramatically outspent her in an effort to keep the seat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emocrat Margaret Good<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/campaign\/373735-dems-flip-seat-in-florida-state-special-election\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flipped<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a state legislative seat outside Tampa, Florida. Democratic women as well as Republicans and independents showed up to support her against a well-known opponent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In California, Oakland\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com\/2018\/01\/17\/oakland-bans-cooperation-federal-immigration-agents-braces-for-ice-raids\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">city council voted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 8-0 that the city would end all cooperation with ICE except in the case of public emergencies. The councilwoman who introduced the measure noted that ICE was targeting people based on their national origin, harassing people, and undermining justice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O\u2019Donnell are<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.politicususa.com\/2018\/01\/16\/rachel-maddow-lawrence-odonnell-crushing-fox-news-2018.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trouncing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fox and Hannity in viewership as increasing numbers of Americans demonstrate that they prefer more in-depth and less state-run news. We salute our free press and good journalists everywhere!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Energy experts expect an<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/battery-storage-renewable-energy-2526629658.html?utm_campaign=RebelMouse&amp;socialux=facebook&amp;share_id=3201687&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=EcoWatch&amp;utm_source=facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cenergy storage revolution\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2018. Advances in batteries for storing wind and solar energy could be a death knell for the fossil fuel industry, as greener becomes cheaper.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Robert Mueller\u2019s investigation produced<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawfareblog.com\/russian-influence-campaign-whats-latest-mueller-indictment\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13 indictments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Russian individuals and organizations, making it<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/trumps-russia-hoax-turns-out-to-be-real\/2018\/02\/16\/be3d174a-1346-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html?utm_term=.b5d98d62f01f\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for any sane person to discount the validity of this investigation and more awkward for DJ to take action to stop the investigation, laying the groundwork for future charges, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/muellers-new-indictments-put-the-pressure-on-trump-to-act\/2018\/02\/17\/da5b7ef8-13fa-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_take-1245p%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.3146cdd9553c\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">turning up the heat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on DJ over why he is doing nothing to answer this attack on our nation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Our hearty thanks to all these persisters for doing their part to protect the vulnerable, our rights, our planet, and our democracy.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">You may have noticed how many of these good news items have related to court victories. So far, the courts are doing their job as a check and balance, but some of DJ\u2019s nominees to lifetime judgeships could jeopardize that. Follow our<\/span><a style=\"font-size: 14px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/unqualified-and-extremist-judicial-appointments-demand-their-opposition\/\"> tracking of these nominations<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"> and contact your senators! Let\u2019s protect the courts so we can keep adding victories to this list.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>2017: The Year in Pictures<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>For a sampling of images from actions by Maine&#8217;s citizen activists during 2017, watch the <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/249275924\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2018: Maine Resists; 2018: Maine Persists<\/a><\/strong><\/span> slide show.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><b>Nov. 4-Dec. 31, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>Our wins at the polls in November (and a big one in December) deserve special attention, so<span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/a-nation-on-notice-election-roundup-november-december-2017\/\">they have their page<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Read on for other good news!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Despite DJT-GOP efforts to sabotage health care enrollments,<a style=\"font-size: 14px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2017\/12\/21\/government-reveals-final-obamacare-enrollment-numbers-for-2017.html\"> almost 9 million<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Americans signed up during the shortened enrollment period, defying all expectations. Good job getting the word out, everyone! See our call to action (C2A)<\/span><a style=\"font-size: 14px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/curb-aca-sabotage-spread-the-word-about-open-enrollment-nov-1-dec-15\/1512970315455480\/\"> here<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The November-December elections answered with a BOOM(!) all that 2017 hand-wringing about disarray among Democrats, Bannon\u2019s mythical powers to choose leaders, and whether the Women\u2019s March would create lasting momentum. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winners included 33 out of 55 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/peaceisloud.us6.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=6270c05c515a81ad526eb34b3&amp;id=9c66f4cbce&amp;e=01780db9b8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EMILY\u2019s List candidates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 13 out of 14 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/peaceisloud.us6.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=6270c05c515a81ad526eb34b3&amp;id=43116b25db&amp;e=01780db9b8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sister District candidates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> , and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/emerge.ngpvanhost.com\/content\/2017-emerge-america-general-election-winners\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">152 Emerge graduates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/emerge.ngpvanhost.com\/content\/2017-emerge-america-general-election-winners\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9 in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Across the country, the newly elected include not just strong progressives and so many women, but a heart-warming number of immigrants, people of color, and LBGTQ people. See our \u201cNation on Notice\u201d special elections edition of the Victories and Good News list.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2017\/11\/07\/us\/maine-medicaid-healthcare.html?mtrref=www.google.com\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">made national headlines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the first state to expand Medicaid by referendum, a rebuke to Governor LePage, who had vetoed similar legislation five times. LePage is doing everything he can to put up obstacles to the implementation of the voters\u2019 will, but he<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2017\/11\/28\/opinion\/contributors\/lepage-cant-veto-medicaid-expansion-this-time\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lacks the authority<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to override a referendum, so the voters will prevail. See<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/medicaid-expansion-vote-yes-on-question-2-on-tuesday\/1512807572138421\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on this.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eleven cities and counties will be<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2017\/11\/immigrants-fighting-off-deportation-just-got-a-huge-boost-in-these-11-cities-and-counties\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offering free legal counsel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to those facing deportation, as part of the Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Cities Network, a program in conjunction with the Vera Institute of Justice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sierra Club lists<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/clean-energy-won-2017-2520127461.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50 ways<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which clean energy gained momentum in 2017. Yes, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gavin Clarkson, a DJT appointee to a position overseeing loan administration in the Department of Interior\u2019s Bureau of Indian Affairs that did not require Senate confirmation, has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.propublica.org\/article\/trump-appointee-resigns-after-propublica-report?utm_campaign=sprout&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_content=1510700316\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resigned following coverage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.propublica.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ProPublica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a loan he previously obtained under a program he now administers. Even internal government reports had flagged the loan as not issued properly, and the borrowers later defaulted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A DC jury rejected the attempt by Jeff Sessions\u2019 Justice Department to criminalize dissent by returning <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/local\/public-safety\/the-first-of-six-people-on-trial-in-violent-inauguration-day-protests-is-found-not-guilty\/2017\/12\/21\/6c97fd84-ded9-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html?utm_term=.d66f07865e8c\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cnot guilty\u201d verdicts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on all counts for the first 6 defendants charged with destruction and violence done by other protesters at the Inauguration Day protests last year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet another federal judge barred the Department of Justice from withholding funding to a city due to its sanctuary status,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/justice-department\/philadelphia-scores-legal-victory-sanctuary-city-funding-fight-n821101?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this time in Philadelphia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026 And then a judge in San Francisco<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/wireStory\/judge-permanently-blocks-trump-sanctuary-cities-order-51288934\"> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">permanently<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> blocked<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DJT from denying funding to these cities, saying that the administration could not put additional restrictions on money Congress allocated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The head of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships for the Department of Homeland Security<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2017\/11\/16\/politics\/kfile-jamie-johnson-resigns\/index.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resigned within hours of a CNN report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on hostile comments he had made about the black and Muslim communities. Once again, go free press!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Attorney General Janet Mills<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wagmtv.com\/content\/news\/Attorney-General-Janet-Mills-joins-13-states-calling-on-Congress-to-reject-deep-and-damaging-EPA-cuts-465774433.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">joined a lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> against the federal government over its failure to meet deadlines established in the Clean Air Act and and joined a coalition urging Congress to reject cuts in EPA funding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arizona Republicans who passed a law banning Mexican-American studies in Tucson\u2019s majority-Latino schools lost a 7-year legal battle when a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/entry\/arizona-cant-ban-mexican-american-studies-anymore-judge-says_us_5a442f28e4b025f99e199496\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federal judge ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the law served no pedagogical purpose and was unconstitutional.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eighteen states are<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.epi.org\/publication\/18-states-will-increase-their-minimum-wages-on-january-1-benefitting-4-5-million-workers\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increasing their minimum wage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on January 1.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the efforts of Maine\u2019s Secretary of State, Matt Dunlap, a federal judge<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2017\/12\/23\/federal-judge-orders-voter-fraud-commission-to-provide-dunlap-with-documents\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">issued an injunction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> directing DJT\u2019s bogus \u201cvoter fraud\u201d commission to hand over documents and correspondence that had been kept hidden from Dunlap and other Democratic commission members. Dunlap also has a lawsuit underway related to the commission\u2019s activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senators, mostly Democrats, have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/story\/2017\/12\/22\/trump-nominees-democrats-block-314775\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blocked dozens<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of unqualified DJT nominations from proceeding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of a case argued by the ACLU on behalf of two protesters who had been pepper-sprayed, a U.S. district judge<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/morning-mix\/wp\/2017\/11\/17\/federal-judge-rebukes-st-louis-police-for-tactics-used-on-protesters-after-ex-officers-acquittal\/?hpid=hp_hp-morning-mix_mm-police%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.8aa6e07eb764\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strongly rebuked<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the St. Louis Police Department for the tactics it used against protesters following the Sept. 15th acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley. She said the police are not allowed to declare an \u201cunlawful assembly\u201d if there is no threat of imminent violence, and they may not punish people for exercising their constitutional rights of assembly and free speech.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Federal Election Commission announced that it is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2017\/11\/17\/564848087\/federal-agency-drafts-new-rules-for-transparency-in-political-social-media-ads?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=bc9a967dc4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_11_22&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-bc9a967dc4-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">writing new rules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to require disclosure of who is paying for the political ads that appear on social media.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Virginia, a state panel approved a pipeline through pristine lands, but unexpectedly<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/local\/virginia-politics\/virginia-agency-takes-unexpected-step-that-could-delay-gas-pipeline-project\/2017\/12\/12\/53895450-deb6-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html?tid=magnet&amp;utm_term=.4d1075a37418\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">delayed its operation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pending the results of some environmental studies. Surprised opponents of the pipeline are considering this a partial victory.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-feminist Penny Young Nance<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/story\/2017\/11\/13\/nance-ambassadorship-activist-withdraws-244852?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=e7d06650f8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_11_16&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-e7d06650f8-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrew<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from consideration for nomination to be Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women\u2019s Issues after press coverage on her views and the ensuing public pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the absence of US leadership at the national level, foreign leaders are reaching out to our states and major cities to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/national-security\/frustrated-foreign-leaders-bypass-washington-in-search-of-blue-state-allies\/2017\/11\/17\/3ad10e80-cbab-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_nationstate703pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.378a63628d2f\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">collaborate on issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as environment, trade, and human rights, and are finding eager partners. States and cities are expanding their staffs to include people dedicated to international efforts, and those staffs include former foreign service professionals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A district judge in Winona County, Minnesota<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.startribune.com\/judge-s-ruling-on-winona-county-frac-sand-ban-stirs-interest\/459974433\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the county was operating within its authority when county leaders banned frac sand mining last year, dismissing the claims of the mining company that challenged the ban.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Poverty Law Center<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/news\/2017\/12\/19\/splc-reaches-agreement-mississippi-reinstate-over-100000-driver%E2%80%99s-licenses-suspended-non\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">secured an agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the state of Mississippi to reinstate licenses of over 100,000 drivers whose licenses were suspended when they could not pay a traffic ticket, and to stop suspending licenses for failure to pay fines. Low-income people will no longer face a choice between paying a fine and paying for food, and they can get to work without risking further fines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Navajo Nation Council<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/02d6ca03473441ce9e19516d7ccbfe2b?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=e7d06650f8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_11_16&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-e7d06650f8-142004897\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">voted down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> proposed legislation to create an aerial tram and hotel inside the Grand Canyon \u2013 even though the Nation would have gained 8% of any money tourists would have spent there and badly needs both the money and the jobs it would have created.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">President Emmanuel Macron<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/news-by-subject\/energy-environment\/364228-macron-to-award-us-climate-scientists-with-make-our-planet\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that France will award about $70 million to 50 U.S. scientists to conduct their climate-related research in France for the duration of DJT\u2019s presidency. Through a program called \u201cMake the Planet Great Again,\u201d the grant will cover costs of relocation to France as well as their work-related expenses. At least their work will continue.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greenpeace and Thai Union, the parent company of Chicken of the Sea tuna and the world\u2019s largest tuna company, reached an<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sustainablebrands.com\/news_and_views\/supply_chain\/sustainable_brands\/new_thai_union_greenpeace_partnership_could_be_game-c\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which Thai Union committed to more sustainable fishing practices and the protection of workers\u2019 rights.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A second federal judge<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/local\/public-safety\/a-second-judge-blocks-trump-administrations-proposed-transgender-military-ban\/2017\/11\/21\/d91f65e4-cee1-11e7-81bc-c55a220c8cbe_story.html?utm_term=.afcdf424e0da\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled against DJT\u2019s ban<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on trans people serving in the military, and went farther than the first judge did by also ruling that the administration can\u2019t deny coverage for sex change surgeries for trans service members.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/supreme-court-rejects-2-gun-rights-appeals\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declined to hear<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> two cases related to gun regulation, thereby letting stand the Maryland court rulings allowing bans on a range of semiautomatic weapons and large-capacity magazines, including those used in the recent mass shootings in Las Vegas and the Texas church.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German pilots<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/europe\/german-pilots-refuse-deport-asylum-seekers-lufthansa-angela-merkel-migrants-a8092276.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">grounded over 200 flights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2017, refusing to participate in the deportation of asylum seekers back to countries where they would be in danger.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though DJT decided not to send a delegation to this year\u2019s UN climate summit, leaders from US state and local governments, the private sector, and academia traveled to Bonn, Germany to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wearestillin.com\/news\/unprecedented-coalition-american-leaders-demonstrates-united-states-still-paris-agreement\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">represent the United States<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The coalition<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wearestillin.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We Are Still In<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> set up a pavilion larger than any previously sponsored by the US government and actively participated in the summit on our behalf.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concerned citizens and environmental groups<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/victory-crude-oil-transportation-2511622791.html?utm_campaign=RebelMouse&amp;socialux=facebook&amp;share_id=2961258&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=EcoWatch&amp;utm_source=facebook\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stopped a plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to transport crude oil by rail through California\u2019s San Joaquin Valley.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Three dangerous and unqualified DJT nominations to lifetime appointments on the federal bench <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2017\/12\/18\/us\/politics\/matthew-petersen-judge-nominee-withdraws-trump.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">collapsed<\/a> under increasing scrutiny from senators and growing concern from the public. And groups such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afj.org\/about-afj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alliance for Justice<\/a> are working to build pressure and awareness about judicial nominees. Watch our weekly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/\">Calls to Action <\/a>in the new year!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 class=\"_1gtv\"><strong>Aug. 12-Nov. 4<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fthetwo-way%2F2017%2F10%2F30%2F560847850%2Ffederal-judge-blocks-trumps-ban-on-transgender-service-members&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> blocked DJT\u2019s ban<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on transgender service members.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/support-our-troops-denounce-trumps-military-transgender-ban\/1436088029810376\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> wasn\u2019t directed at judges, but we are pleased.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/kill-the-billagain-oppose-graham-cassidy-trumpcare-60\/1478349082250937\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TrumpCare 6.0<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F09%2F26%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fmcconnell-obamacare-repeal-graham-cassidy-trump.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> defeated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (Stay vigilant, though, because the GOP<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indivisible.org%2Fresources%2Ftax-budget%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tax scam<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> includes provisions that would gut health care.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People joined together to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fvideo%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2F100000005378769%2Fthousands-protest-against-white-supremacy.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rally against the white supremacists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (and have far outnumbered them) and for racial justice at the White House and in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftime.com%2F4907681%2Fboston-free-speech-rally-protests-charlottesville%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Boston<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (attended by many Suit Up Maine members) and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmainepublic.org%2Fpost%2Fhundreds-take-streets-portland-protest-racism%23stream%2F0&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Portland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (ME) and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.centralmaine.com%2F2017%2F10%2F01%2Fmaine-march-for-racial-justice-draws-crowd-of-300%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Waterville<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u00a0as well as<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.khou.com%2Fnews%2Fthousands-attend-rally-against-white-supremacy-in-dallas-%2F465694262&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dallas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sandiegouniontribune.com%2Fnews%2Fpublic-safety%2Fsd-me-rally-against-hate-20170827-story.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> San Diego<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fresnobee.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Farticle169564482.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fresno<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcbayarea.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2FRally-Against-White-Supremacy-UC-Berkeley-447718153.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Berkeley<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftntribune.com%2Fcommunity%2Flocal%2Fknoxville%2Fhundreds-rally-knoxville%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Knoxville<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fnews%2Fbest-states%2Fpennsylvania%2Farticles%2F2017-08-16%2Fthousands-rally-against-white-supremacy-rebuke-bigotry&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Philadelphia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fpicture-gallery%2Fnews%2F2017%2F08%2F31%2Fstudents-rally-against-white-supremacy-hate-at-miami-university%2F105164434%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ohio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fabc27.com%2F2017%2F08%2F20%2Fharrisburg-rallies-against-white-supremacy%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Harrisburg<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagotribune.com%2Fnews%2Fct-anti-white-supremacy-loop-rally-photos-20170827-photogallery.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Chicago<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tucsonnewsnow.com%2Fstory%2F36126637%2Fhundreds-participate-in-march-against-white-supremacy-racism-in-tucson&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tucson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 for starters. See our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/say-no-to-racism-attend-a-vigil-or-rally-to-stand-against-bigotry\/1447767248642454\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congress is putting<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fpolicy%2Ftechnology%2F358503-members-of-congress-press-sinclair-on-must-run-conservative-content&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sinclair on the hot seat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about its proposed merger with Tribune and its \u201cmust-run\u201d propaganda segments in local media markets. After a hearing on Hill, Sinclair has until Nov. 10 to respond to a series of questions. Want more info? See<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/sinclair-propaganda-fight-back-against-far-right-control-of-local-tv-stations\/1435662526519593\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oct. 30, 2017 (henceforth to be called Mueller Monday?), special prosecutor Robert Mueller issued a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lawfareblog.com%2Frobert-muellers-show-strength-quick-and-dirty-analysis&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> powerful opening salvo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Russia investigation by charging Paul Manafort, Richard Gates, and George Papadopolous (whose charges are reduced due to a plea deal). See our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/trump-vs-mueller-updated-support-muellers-investigation-and-prepare-to-protest\/1429165660502613\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> C2A about Mueller<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Susan Collins has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2017-10-30%2Fkey-gop-senator-susan-collins-lays-out-her-demands-for-tax-bill&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> expressed reservations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about certain tax cuts to the wealthy. Since the tax scam definitely includes them, let\u2019s be sure to remind her that she said that. Here is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/trump-tax-scam-tell-collins-and-poliquin-that-its-all-trick-no-treat\/1512947235457788\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine\u2019s Attorney General Janet Mills has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pressherald.com%2F2017%2F09%2F13%2Fag-mills-calls-ending-daca-a-threat-to-justice-itself%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> joined a lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to block the termination of DACA. Do your part to help the Dreamers by taking the actions in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/protect-dreamers-without-hurting-others-demand-passage-of-a-clean-dream-act\/1499471183472060\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria of the Air Force Academy reminded us all what real leaders sound like after racist messages were found in the Air Force prep school. Watch his inspiring speech (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmU0RfhvYN8s&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) if you haven\u2019t yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2016, the third full year of most expansions under the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of Americans without health insurance<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbpp.org%2Fblog%2Fshare-and-number-of-people-without-health-insurance-fall-to-historic-low&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fell to a historic low<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city of Las Vegas is now<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fentry%2Fthe-city-of-las-vegas-is-now-powered-entirely-by-renewable-energy_us_58594291e4b0b3ddfd8ea4e8%3Fncid%3Dhpinstreach00001&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> powered completely by renewables<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially solar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.splcenter.org%2Fnews%2F2017%2F10%2F12%2Ffederal-court-dismisses-suit-alabama-police-officer-fired-after-splc-exposed-ties-white&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dismissed a case<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Josh Doggrell, an Alabama police officer who had been exposed as a member of a white supremacist group in an investigation by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.splcenter.org%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Southern Poverty Law Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Doggrell alleged that he was fired in violation of his first amendment rights and his religious freedom, but the judge stated that he had been fired because he violated police department policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new law in Germany allowing same-sex marriage<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F01%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fgay-marriage-germany.html%3Fmodule%3DWatchingPortal%26region%3Dc-column-middle-span-region%26pgType%3DHomepage%26action%3Dclick%26mediaId%3Dthumb_square%26state%3Dstandard%26contentPlacement%3D6%26version%3Dinternal%26contentCollection%3Dwww.nytimes.com%26contentId%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252F2017%252F10%252F01%252Fworld%252Feurope%252Fgay-marriage-germany.html%26eventName%3DWatching-article-click&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> took effect<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September advertising revenue at Fox<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediamatters.org%2Fblog%2F2017%2F10%2F26%2Ffox-news-ad-revenue-nose-dives-declining-whopping-17-percent%2F218336&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dropped a whopping 17%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> compared to last year, led by losses sustained by Hannity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists are rejoicing at the news that<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F11%2Fsciences-top-foe-in-congress-is-retiring%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) will be retiring<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> next year. As chair of the House\u2019s Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Smith has been staunchly anti-science and has fought against many proposals to address climate change.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TransCanada<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrdc.org%2Fexperts%2Fjosh-axelrod%2Fcancelled-transcanada-pulls-energy-east-tar-sands-pipeline%3Futm_source%3Dfb%26utm_medium%3Dpost%26utm_content%3Dsocialmedia&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cancelled its plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the Energy East tar sands pipeline, which would have been the largest tar sands pipeline project in the world.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under fire and being sued, DJT\u2019s \u201cvoter fraud\u201d commission<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F11%2F03%2Ftrump-voter-fraud-election-commission-appears-have-gone-dark%2F827628001%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems to have stopped work<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F357330-gao-to-investigate-trumps-voter-fraud-commission&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> being investigated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the Government Accountability Office.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York University School of Law is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fpolitics%2Fnyu-law-launches-new-center-to-help-state-ags-fight-environmental-rollbacks%2F2017%2F08%2F16%2Fe4df8494-82ac-11e7-902a-2a9f2d808496_story.html%3Futm_term%3D.453b368d6e33&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> starting a new center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help attorneys general fight environmental protections rollbacks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ACLU<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aclu.org%2Fblog%2Fnational-security%2Ftorture%2Fafter-years-slammed-doors-torture-survivors-finally-end-impunity&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> secured a settlement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for torture survivors Suleiman Abdullah Salim, Mohamed Ahmed Ben Soud, and the estate of the late Gul Rahman (who died), who suffered at the hands of CIA-hired psychologists. This is a tremendous victory because it ends a streak of impunity for torture. Courts have been reluctant even to permit such cases to go forward due to \u201cnational security concerns.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saudi Arabia<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F09%2F26%2Fworld%2Fmiddleeast%2Fsaudi-arabia-women-drive.html%3Fhp%3Dundefined%26action%3Dclick%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26clickSource%3Dstory-heading%26module%3Dfirst-column-region%26region%3Dtop-news%26WT.nav%3Dtop-news%26mtrref%3Dwww.nytimes.com&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> overturned its ban<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on women driving.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a public backlash, Georgia is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myajc.com%2Fnews%2Fstate--regional-govt--politics%2Fgeorgia-will-change-policy-after-complaints-over-notice-sent-voters%2Fm69lPfj3BXQJgPHGnV5hON%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ending its practice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of mailing registered voters who moved within a county a notice that they must reconfirm their registration in 30 days or be kicked off the voter rolls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DJT recently<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F11%2F03%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-says-justice-dept-and-fbi-must-do-what-is-right-and-investigate-democrats.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lamented<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that he can\u2019t sic the Department of Justice on people he doesn\u2019t like. This means that, at least so far, the men and women working in federal law enforcement are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flawfareblog.com%2Fsaddest-thing-president-trump-acknowledges-constraint&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not bowing to his authoritarian impulses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and he is being constrained. Keep it up, federal workers!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Charlottesville, major philanthropic organizations have been<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.daytondailynews.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnew-third-organization-joins-charities-leaving-mar-lago%2FwkDmmjXUuwZAznTT2kqXAN%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cancelling their plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailykos.com%2Fstories%2F2017%2F8%2F19%2F1691612%2F-Seven-more-scheduled-gala-s-at-Mar-a-Lago-cancelled-Trump-takes-bigly-financial-hit&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> events<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Mar-a-Lago.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the 2017 legislative year, more than a dozen states<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbpp.org%2Fblog%2Fstates-strengthening-tax-systems-and-working-family-tax-credits&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> strengthened their revenue streams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by rejecting tax cuts or increasing taxes somewhere, thereby protecting their ability to fund education, environmental initiatives, and important social services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forty Catholic institutions on five continents marked the Oct. 4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcatholicclimatemovement.global%2Fdivest-and-reinvest%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> divesting of fossil fuels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judge denied the request of Greg Gianforte, the Montana congressman who assaulted a reporter covering a campaign event, to avoid being formally booked. So he was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fgreg-gianforte-booked-assault-charge-montana-body-slam-2017-8&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> photographed and fingerprinted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like any other person charged with assault.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World, a major sponsor of NASCAR, said that people who support what happened at Charlottesville should<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2017%2F08%2F16%2Fmarcus-lemonis-if-youre-ok-with-what-trump-said-dont-shop-at-my-business.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stop shopping at his company<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following press coverage by ProPublica, the New York Times, and the Baltimore Sun, Maryland\u2019s Attorney General is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.propublica.org%2Farticle%2Fmaryland-investigating-kushner-real-estate-practices&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> investigating the management practices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at a number of rental housing complexes owned by Jared Kushner. Way to go, free press!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coal executives are chafing at<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffinance.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Ftrump-rebuffs-coal-industry-ceo-claims-promise-broken-100647744--finance.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unmet promises from DJT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to issue an emergency order relieving them from environmental regulations. The Energy Department argued that it was unnecessary, and DJT actually agreed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democratic women are running for office in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F11%2F03%2Fpolitics%2Fwomen-candidates-ballot%2Findex.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> record numbers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new tidal power station between mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2Fpentland-firth-tidal-power-station-electricity-generation-energy-renewables-a7922141.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> broke world records<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for electricity generation. Engineers anticipate that the tidal power could provide about half of Scotland\u2019s electricity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After Charlottesville, at least<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fvenessawong%2Ftrump-disbands-two-major-business-councils%3Futm_term%3D.yt9wwGjV4%23.qmlxxXlqd&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> four presidential advisory councils ended<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> either because members resigned in protest or because DJT disbanded them before they did.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecowatch.com%2Fschneiderman-constitution-pipeline-2474497341.html%3Futm_campaign%3DRebelMouse%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_content%3DEcoWatch&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> won a major victory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when the state\u2019s Department of Environmental Conservation<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrdc.org%2Fexperts%2Fnew-york-state-blocks-valley-lateral-pipeline%3Futm_source%3Dfb%26utm_medium%3Dpost%26utm_content%3Dsocialmedia&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> denied a needed water quality certificate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to a pipeline project that would have run through upstate New York.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West Virginia<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wdtv.com%2Fcontent%2Fnews%2FWest-Virginia-withdraws-approval-of-Mountain-Valley-Pipeline-443361263.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> withdrew approval<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the 195-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fblogs%2Ffloor-action%2Fhouse%2F350353-house-votes-to-curb-asset-seizures&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> House voted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to prohibit civil asset forfeiture, the practice (ended by Obama but enthusiastically<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fpolitics%2Farchive%2F2017%2F07%2Fsessions-forfeiture-justice-department-civil%2F534168%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> restored by Jeff Sessions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) by which law enforcement can seize money or property from people accused but not convicted of a crime. The bill was sent to the Senate in September.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet another<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F09%2Ffederal-judge-blocks-sessions-move-to-punish-sanctuary-cities%2F&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> federal judge blocked<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a move by Jeff Sessions to punish sanctuary cities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The chocolate company<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fmars-climate-change-investment-global-warming-sustainability-plan-greenhouse-gas-2017-9&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mars has pledged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to spend $1 billion in the next few years to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and support sustainable farming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge in San Antonio<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F08%2F30%2Fus%2Fjudge-texas-sanctuary-cities.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> blocked Texas from enforcing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its S.B. 4 law and questioned its constitutionality. This is one of the toughest anti-immigration laws in the country. The ban is temporary while the case proceeds, but is considered a major blow. Big thanks to ACLU and other human rights groups for their work!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the help of an investment from the Dutch company Maas Capital, over the next five years the U.K.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenmatters.com%2Frenewables%2F2017%2F09%2F06%2FZ27PuCM%2Fthe-uk-will-install-solar-energy-in-800000-low-income-homes%3Futm_source%3Dkeywee%26utm_medium%3Dfacebook%26kwp_0%3D519328%26kwp_4%3D1863178%26kwp_1%3D788860&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will install solar panels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on 800,000 low-income homes for free.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By overwhelming margins,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F02%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-russia-sanctions-bill%2Findex.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Congress passed a law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in August imposing new sanctions against Russia, directed at its energy and defense sectors, and limiting DJT\u2019s ability to ease them without congressional approval. DJT was basically forced to sign the law, but then<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.msnbc.com%2Frachel-maddow-show%2Fcongress-seeks-answers-trump-drags-his-feet-russian-sanctions&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tried to not enforce it<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F10%2F26%2Fpolitics%2Frussia-sanctions-state-congress-trump%2Findex.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Congress pushed back<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and made him follow this law. They will be implemented in January.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DJT\u2019s approval ratings have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F11%2F03%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-polling%2Findex.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dropped notably<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 10 recent polls. He is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Ftrump-losing-rust-belt-and-deplorables-694835&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> losing support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> even in rural areas and rust-belt states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal appeals court ruled that the Federal Environmental Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecowatch.com%2Fsabal-trail-pipeline-2475814874.html%3Futm_campaign%3DRebelMouse%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_content%3DEcoWatch&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> failed to conduct an adequate study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of greenhouse gas emissions from the Sabal Trail Pipeline, which runs through Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and directed the commission to do a new review.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minnesota\u2019s Commerce Department<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mprnews.org%2Fstory%2F2017%2F09%2F11%2Fenbridge-should-end-line-3-oil-pipeline-minn-commerce&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dealt a setback<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the construction of an oil pipeline through northern Minnesota, saying it was not needed. Final decision by the state\u2019s Public Utilities Commission due in the spring.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prominent Republican Senators<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F08%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-corker.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Bob Corker<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (and see<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F11%2F03%2Fpolitics%2Fbob-corker-criticizes-trump-justice-department%2Findex.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, too),<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F24%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fjeff-flake-transcript-senate-speech.html%3Fmtrref%3Dwww.google.com&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Jeff Flake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F11%2F01%2Fpolitics%2Fjohn-mccain-trump-naval-academy%2Findex.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> John McCain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well as former Presidents<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-us-canada-41871958&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> George H.W. Bush<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fpolitics%2Fla-na-pol-trump-bush-speech-20171019-story.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> George W. Bush<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have recently sharply criticized DJT. Every time a Republican steps up, it makes it easier for others to follow, right? Baby steps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About nine months after the historic Women\u2019s March, organizers brought some 4000 people<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F28%2Fus%2Fwomen-convention-detroit-march.html&amp;h=ATNcxUjNk4hTWnlomahcXrOcU6rHsLO0JLTGr7uv1oaECDYLewErKy7KO4FQvlbaZjqTHfqVolWNMkiXYsgTqb0TiEdJadbeOClnck7J5aIsntnXModNlkvJ1G9NuUb5uuIXhLYDzw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> together in Chicago<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to continue the momentum and plot next moves.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>JULY 23-Aug. 12<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In November, people were predicting that the Affordable Care Act would be gone by the end of January. But<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2F2017%2F08%2F06%2Fthese-americans-beat-donald-trump-and-saved-obamacare-they-say-they-can-do-it-again.html&amp;h=ATOPKDApWsHfCUUAGxo8wPsbDBWuj03oV7g6P0SjKFmfel-FYfydDP-8HUXlgdtGat-edXczbzMISHpSJ4QgVYLvlzB8UAe8jIcARqRPyf-80MNCDsUYJACJWNhqFtBmVc5XY9-eCyQD\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many Mainers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who called, rallied, visited offices, and staged die-ins watched C-SPAN on the edge of their seats as Trumpcare 4.0 (or was it 5.0?) was defeated in a dramatic midnight vote in the Senate. Angus King and Susan Collins both helped to defeat it. Keep persisting, everyone! It works!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undaunted by intimidation and attempts to undermine it, special counsel Robert Mueller\u2019s investigation is proceeding. Recent developments known to the public concern the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F346039-mueller-subpoenas-for-manaforts-bank-records%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D8afabc9315-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_10%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-8afabc9315-142004897&amp;h=ATMVcKGr-eyo8zBPhs6Z-nuKNq1H0jAI0Y2-EwJ_RX6vtYuK2uhPa6DUoLXP9ieNTi5Sh5RZ_miN7FUPucMiqRTdSvaKX8omVYyAtnNgR02Z1dtD9Qt1O5_kakZr8vKNBcGCy-CpgW7R\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">investigation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F08%2Fdozens-of-retired-generals-and-admirals-just-slammed-trumps-military-trans-ban%2F&amp;h=ATMVxLI2KpXuqukVwj2JHCU2jkRk8MacCuHE04qK6T6aHu_4n348QJBJF8JszcaQreMJM9JvLc6R8hcY6xLAri1g2R0o_P_YLZ_BpsNDDJmTmwtaMF4DyZ9hh5oKa9fjvfn3TvRiFiYI\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fifty-six retired generals and admirals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> issued a statement condemning the occupant of the White House\u2019s ban on transgender service members.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eight senators are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finsideclimatenews.org%2Fnews%2F24072017%2Fsenators-call-investigation-zinke-interior-department-federal-scientists-reassigned%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial&amp;h=ATNGptdc6ALJ2R3boQKlcbnwzEbNDb2gV3usWFx9Pw_WBk4Xlr2jpGHLKOqiH4ic4AsD8itzqvkxp5y1KDWDGeQZjkVJgDm_16b7n-3tPcCf5BvFyJx6VBj8SfVxRLieIs1HZhXBZ8vP\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">requesting an investigation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the deputy inspector general of the Department of the Interior into the possible reassignment of around 50 scientists to non-science work after Mainer and whistle blower Joel Clements raised concern about his reassignment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scotland\u2019s Environmental Protection Agency and the conservation organization Scottish Natural Heritage will be<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F07%2Fscotland-is-blocking-the-expansion-of-donald-trumps-golf-empire%2F&amp;h=ATO5qaTD2YlodllyewjkluXCzXllxF52S5fJ6ySRN3zj9SfziVwEzQZN9Gp-_YWCn9w-pGBIuwlxEWDYaxHTQMK8GUy20VmXzq8z42BrfdHfvkxoDee2yhDmSZR-oUakBzSfHiG7ZDHa\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">objecting to the expansion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Trump\u2019s golf course in Aberdeen. The courses are among his most prized properties, and if successful, this effort would deal a serious blow to Trump and his expansion plans.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A judge in Massachusetts<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boston.com%2Fnews%2Flocal-news%2F2017%2F07%2F24%2F20-day-voter-cutoff-in-massachusetts-ruled-unconstitutional&amp;h=ATMvsS2duPey_-YwFk5gaexmrvEozTUUcLMpHOgAXx-nbp_vF0fzUm-MwiEq-0vQl8afkNqpiSeU3w3iZMYFw4g3pIda3YjPkj5PPg4tdFTaeyDJYNhytGOv5lKTG_NI6f7cfbxRxPP2511Y8yg2YQ1KcA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that a law requiring voter registration 20 days in advance of an election is unconstitutional.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simone Askew<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fentry%2Fsimone-askew-will-be-first-black-woman-to-serve-as-west-points-first-captain_us_5984a18fe4b041356ebf88da%3Fncid%3Dinblnkushpmg00000009&amp;h=ATP4eQdbQZSGO7BTGDFpRmNmPp3Mtl65sb02j3bXwj3xv_rZ4c1n3gQrY86Sg_0egkDGIcV8l2AkuNL2jn_7IYOQ9ZUJpwJmVbZdIspo8uCOa-znvu1a_WVvnl7fw_bKhNP0u4gqpXLe\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has been named First Captain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the cadets at West Point, the highest honor and leadership position at the institution. She will be the first black woman to hold it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court in Massachusetts ruled that court deputies are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slate.com%2Farticles%2Fnews_and_politics%2Fjurisprudence%2F2017%2F07%2Fhow_massachusetts_became_a_sanctuary_state.html&amp;h=ATM3fPjCqOk6ie_fgF4tUdBN21ecPOzPy5oIablDI8u9AMd5w8gLqmCjk3AS8_fUhl9rZa9kH9sDjX135lNEsz5SKAEn3A-1lJLcsZGqlNsg-5TleZK2S8hd7pR_XDDcD5jFtvIQYxfA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legally prohibited<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from complying with detainer orders from ICE. Detainers are requests from ICE that a state or local agency hold someone who is in their custody an additional two days to allow for their transport to a deportation center or the initiation of deportation proceedings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of its plan to eliminate tailpipe emissions by 2030, Los Angeles<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Flocal%2Flanow%2Fla-me-ln-metro-electric-buses-20170727-story.html%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D8afabc9315-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_10%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-8afabc9315-142004897&amp;h=ATN2Vre0ynql4wLN99OusBSH0JCnOZi6m7QA_a4shy8zbNxU4Tc7wgv1RllY_b_xJaoLYsYWPCgm-2qTaL2Z88SNbxcu9wEzFBAbF0VLbRRKqNE4PsAIWXMwMgcpm8eEbTpZwcGrsSyH\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced the purchase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 95 electric buses for its transportation system.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Minnesota Department of Education<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/feature\/nbc-out\/minnesota-department-education-approves-transgender-toolkit-n785246\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved the dissemination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a transgender toolkit for use in schools to reduce bullying and help create a supportive environment for all students.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In response to public comments, New Mexico\u2019s campaign finance regulators are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fnews%2Fbest-states%2Fnew-mexico%2Farticles%2F2017-07-25%2Fnew-mexico-adjusts-rules-for-dark-money-groups-in-politics&amp;h=ATNicOzHTriHxC8hk0AdUEI37BlsYdJmbG0DPT8YrNJntj3fZen-rZV_-X6cdbjKMn0yItizW8FjFReV9qobccZbF8qkT-5VCfOGfEt9h2IisbTT9Q90-yNzpbJ3zbIWHZD15HAVJI_t\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instituting rules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requiring more detailed financial disclosures from nonprofits seeking to influence elections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F07%2F31%2Fus%2Fsheriff-joe-arpaio-convicted-arizona.html%3Fhp%26action%3Dclick%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26clickSource%3Dstory-heading%26module%3Dsecond-column-region%26region%3Dtop-news%26WT.nav%3Dtop-news&amp;h=ATMHC2d6Nk1JVvSBUb47_gnki1X8H5x71sC97ysjw8rgYbFKQWcPcAF6A9Pu14iaBxYBouDQliuaGay3lE4DGvOvixrGrOKr5y7rgWAHgttezeUkFKZ2PjpZyuGaDP-kHs8b0pzNGany\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">convicted of criminal contempt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of court for defying a court order to stop rounding up immigrants and could face jail time. Arpaio, who had been a galvanizing force behind racist policies for years, was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/blog\/speak-freely\/how-people-maricopa-county-brought-down-americas-toughest-sheriff\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">finally brought down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by community organizers who persisted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over a dozen scientists<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F07%2Fdonald-trumps-war-on-scientists-has-had-one-big-side-effect%2F&amp;h=ATPd3FxyST3oS5anTfwPUIDq90JbDOsFUHFm_tafQTsi1XZb3bwRZTAglxHBhK3l5hpID5h96tSqYCXqAxJi4GdqfOa7FE9Pf3VVAeknJDI1ZqdYs0zIipvO8eMcEXfQNX8DSsasXvK1\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that they will be running for Congress. So far.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After North Carolina\u2019s General Assembly tried to delay the deadline for submitting new voting districts that did not use racial gerrymandering, an unimpressed three-judge panel<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsobserver.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Farticle164649067.html&amp;h=ATMkP5avriIlof8MtYdWC0D1TrUnh1aY9rKi0sfmoMaaUlLcJ29hTOG3HjNsk00S2DGh5QlahJ7l8qckNTDWq3-o6KYpYpVLaaw69XfVt9RUs4u8ZPqPIbR3NUN4TZdd2oZsQMKM2Iyb\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordered them<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to produce the new districts by September 1.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Miami will soon<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/news\/local\/community\/miami-dade\/south-miami\/article162307863.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">require all new residential buildings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to have solar panels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the fourteenth time since November, a Democratic candidate<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailykos.com%2Fstories%2F2017%2F8%2F8%2F1687790%2F-Democrats-just-won-YET-ANOTHER-election-that-should-have-been-a-cakewalk-for-the-GOP&amp;h=ATNZtrtzQVTdPwTtN8hluiM6yHey_E6mFrH1XD2YO9HpBVOT5kfp9BJx_FZzvA9BswcwmHDSfKH4GXpWjeU8BdtLYOLIeRcv9MGgN7nqD63DXLIF56j9UTvBmXlPtl7IYCUfBYRKzgeg\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won a special election<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/iowastartingline.com\/2017\/08\/08\/iowa-democrats-win-special-election-in-trump-22-district\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in rural Iowa in a district that went heavily for Trump. And in two races in Missouri, Democrats closed the gap by outperforming Clinton\u2019s numbers 17% and 19%, even though they didn\u2019t win. But gains like that, if they continue, would flip many districts in the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The federal appellate court in D.C.<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/344705-court-tells-epa-to-enforce-obama-methane-pollution-rule\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordered the EPA to enforce a rule<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aimed at lowering methane released from the production of oil and gas. Methane is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, and this rule was one of Obama\u2019s most important environmental achievements. Pruitt had announced a \u201cdelay\u201d in enforcement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental activists have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecowatch.com%2Ftrump-forest-2469170511.html%3Futm_campaign%3DRebelMouse%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_content%3DEcoWatch&amp;h=ATOFsYBlbqdb3VaR1hj6FEZZHH10-G6kzZ7Xe0yRNDir8JDBASQL_OnitdwEaevlxyjAW0uKTCwTkse2_GnrNdPG_vLwkIDEZmx3B9s1RReZ6CNksJsW1r3xn_j-ksDLU9HgSwzjh5Ro\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">started a global initiative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to plant a forest to offset the harm of the White House occupant\u2019s climate policy. The forest is not in a single location; people plant trees wherever they are and send in a record of it. So far, 75,000 trees have been pledged.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fifteen attorneys general, including Maine\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maine.gov%2Fag%2F&amp;h=ATPVxL5zl7O8A4vAmx6O2ZyJBcUwYhf4nbY75dqvb_ojKLm4dCRdUhOcpAQSNlGVGQgpyTm7DOIO2zPpS6hwL_JaZyeU8Fa2eF-laYKNqnjNpAp3iFYtNlUUbpNeqX-86d_WzbvKWSUA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Janet Mills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, announced that they would be<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fap-15-states-appeal-epa-delay-of-stricter-air-quality-standards-2017-8&amp;h=ATOF4Ptb2BXI4HnZctMsvi63OzwSDIM576bk3KiyKLgrRJZ4nsOY0wONoNPzj_GhdOTZKbB0khiojHyauM_ryKySh1GAH2ytDILiP9Vpe-R_JvI3LdPm1Xqiu_aKfzNGvafXlx5mPUM3\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suing the EPA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over Scott Pruitt\u2019s decision to \u201cdelay\u201d the implementation of regulations to limit ozone-depleting chemicals in the air. One day after this announcement,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Fm%2Fb29166a4-f574-356d-b8e4-5d0f1c31d383%2Fepa-chief-scott-pruitt.html%3F.tsrc%3Dfauxdal&amp;h=ATMw-M0ANdfVqP7tOLgyWeZmUyiAhVROG7MYg4cGGJTHrDcct7OkGywFUL2oZbghq7Y249k-eYMU0_OWDHGgv72EXNhEBrKiK6-mJ2KNLgpMDz6KdlS8o3N-wqlJ-LTXwayXWlvQ9PCL\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pruitt announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that he would end the delay.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PayPal and other funding platforms have angered hate groups in this country and abroad because they have been<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fblakemontgomery%2Fthe-alt-right-has-a-payment-processor-problem%3Futm_term%3D.cjoYmRqv9%23.bcmkqeEAa&amp;h=ATMxrDikkChyY-z-Cj3lW56WL4_0OeoxLsUXZZYEPQiZQBqNLQ4NoUR9J5GlVOym5mdpdyaYu-rSq1tlrkN_GaDvHHYpXe6_sLZSs271bco8IN52Ym1u4AXIAp2UuDz9hxUzNrB9vdBy\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing the accounts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of individuals and groups that promote hate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several power companies recently announced a collaborative plan to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fenergy-environment%2Fwp%2F2017%2F07%2F27%2Fthis-massive-new-wind-farm-is-proof-clean-energy-is-doing-fine-under-trump%2F%3Fnid%26utm_term%3D.451d1f642839&amp;h=ATN4zsZOuuCD5rFl19SIWFcnRxKm9fgT_1g5w4oC9byizVVKhDQXrQPXjzT6NJZvQfJgphdKcgFEfO5vXVHpvgdyZ2hu8xXkKChFRLbT8ZS3PzjRxcfJeEU8uEZnctdX8bIOZWju3B0g\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build the largest wind farm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the United States. With 800 turbines, it will be operational in 2020 and will provide power in Oklahoma and parts of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California\u2019s Labor Commissioner has directed state workers to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sacbee.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-government%2Fthe-state-worker%2Farticle165111922.html%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D8afabc9315-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_10%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-8afabc9315-142004897&amp;h=ATOH_VTGLUCv3WoACOoGh-sjY5BgWpHzsG6XvQq4nveMW1UiQVe3VV0flRtWG1QFRODbfq2ZLl00d7D1kXTv5jEoPgVNwdiQU87bR_sxI7YFKGKBTNEPFVqiWDIk-3bUyN7EMGO5tVvO\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bar ICE agents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from entering any state labor offices (where people go to make complaints about abuses by employers, for example).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emily\u2019s List is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Frubycramer%2Femilys-list-expands-after-16000-women-reach-out-about%3Futm_term%3D.aewv3zwkG%26utm_source%3DSmall%252BVictories%252BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D8afabc9315-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_10%26utm_medium%3Demail%23.ixyVL0DJ8&amp;h=ATPSXeXQ411KsLCQUfXhNtzWbgKiAIJwf8XSF7UUwJjxfbO4A_lXNqPmEhEbswsGun6KTc7N3_Pg-Jz9EaybENdqVRK-CmwEu4YavWZiy7G5ruoN7ombYdTYtLTRGFrYarvgmzQ38NiP\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expanding its facilities and staff<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to the 16,000 women who\u2019ve inquired about running for office in the past few months. In the previous two year period, the group had 920 inquiries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grey wolves in the western Great Lakes area will retain federal endangered species protection, after a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagotribune.com%2Fnews%2Fnationworld%2Fmidwest%2Fct-great-lakes-wolves-endangered-species-list-20170801-story.html%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D8afabc9315-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_10%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-8afabc9315-142004897&amp;h=ATPFrfMcizCp_k2-sptsJRIN0KPfbyzu0sO0CVCQIS_HlWJX442M_e8esIHPhvTIP5qExwLHxqiFCBcdl0xSw4cqhhYhkBwkejeaQSVBpQSZowJhZHjdx69A4CkvWiIWVx6Lvfx7SijU\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">court ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that they had been inappropriately dropped from that list.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York City will start offering<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F08%2Fnew-york-becomes-first-city-to-guarantee-lawyers-to-tenants-facing-eviction%2F&amp;h=ATO_757OcglUahieRzZ7aeydKOZcOVHktJedpYGZ_ADVz-s5alGJg4baNz_euT3U8q0bGjxCniNEuThttE1RbYqri3q4cE03-CIRg1Z1JDY0QRYrqeR1qe6HWku7MjHg3mK8jS2xEZfx\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free legal assistance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to low-income renters facing eviction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of August 13, Election Day 2017 is 86 days away.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>JULY 7-22, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Maine<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to all who have rallied, called, written letters to the editor, and visited offices, Trumpcare is on life support &#8212; although it is not dead yet. Angus King has been an early, consistent, and vocal advocate for keeping and strengthening health insurance availability. Susan Collins was one of the Republican senators who<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2017%2F07%2F18%2F537921805%2Fmcconnell-backup-plan-to-repeal-affordable-care-act-falters%3Fsc%3Dtw&amp;h=ATM1rRqkpvADUmaIRCIMAK5FcvGVKyBSSrJb6pzjoYyaEY_Laxaa_ncE8HmuGS6BemvNa_2zNi66YgSGJ8-BNPId333r3cUlktVTtyXeXC4_fjyU2JiL9JvchrWwSnMhH22ZYsP8vM2f\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced that she would vote No<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the motion to proceed. She has also stated that she has been \u201cbesieged\u201d by pleas from Mainers to protect their coverage, and that she wants to work with Democratic colleagues to improve the current system. Thank you to both senators. Senator Collins, stay firm!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constituents\u2019 phone calls, testimony, and messages left for Maine legislators helped to prevent proposed cuts in many programs (such as food assistance, Head Start, and programs to help immigrants and asylum seekers) and even strengthen some important anti-poverty programs. You can read about them<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mejp.org%2Fcontent%2F2017-proposed-budget-cuts-prevented&amp;h=ATPe6tLAXpd3OivMJdaVs3TXDCyfOrRyy1iTmuMbc9G3OqQrZusNkgB84U7nGw8TNIfyqu6fsKBwxy5VoxTL7uxLjtAtCQens3d9rANaRGSOsIM9g8z1N82bfdvU4-wrfoKT8x83IwqL\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 327, which would have granted a fetus the right to heirs and an estate and the right to sue,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aclumaine.org%2Fen%2Fpress-releases%2Fanti-abortion-fetal-personhood-bill-fails-legislature&amp;h=ATOAiUf9zpaKqhLchMMdmS3Z9TKESsngbJxgauqqtKd2LZjgMPXrFqIvPZ3SNCz9SSmYkDPrBsx8ysBI2pChjnRHTRtUUjHemi7wVxQwpIsmKHEx78iVDeS5aYokgtVwok5Clf1xDXHI\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">failed in the legislature<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across the country and the world<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brown University alums Yeshimabeit Milner and Lucas Mason-Brown have created<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimpact.vice.com%2Fen_us%2Farticle%2Fwj8n54%2Fscientists-and-activists-use-data-to-give-a-platform-to-people-of-color&amp;h=ATO2G9K_iL2ZEWFI8fdccZAJLspA9XsF9j7rPdjWOx4H08yyFYPNE3_o2D0_o9nZz08d6Rt_iaD_0VIAo8pRGQ_ohRo0i2n2pf8RfXrW0Yz0afTIvupU_c6FUUP8uTVGwFM8qLOVBLcq\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data for Black Lives<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (D4BL), an organization that \u201cbrings together activists, organizers, and mathematicians committed to the mission of using data science to create concrete and measurable change in the lives of black people.\u201d Their first conference will take place at MIT in October.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In March, for the first time ever, wind and solar provided<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.csmonitor.com%2FCommentary%2Fthe-monitors-view%2F2017%2F0626%2FRenewable-energy-at-a-tipping-point&amp;h=ATPVvWit7ETB2j6IkP0F5RrPFiN9A7cXwLfm9ckLyh-QRcAimJcjeHkYXtPbDLwG7NIPkzWfhTeul0KnsDaVA-llWDslEnbJGO0phZ_GSEvQmtQ5AgQ68MDlbKsT7LE0gYp3A0O-ms3v\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% of the energy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> consumed in the United States. Worldwide, over half of new power sources are renewable ones. See our call to action on options for switching to renewables, including options for renters and apartment-dwellers,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/renewable-energy-go-green-in-your-home-or-business\/1399530253466154\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Third Circuit Court of Appeals (Philadelphia)<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fpolitics%2Farchive%2F2017%2F07%2Fa-major-victory-for-the-right-to-record-police%2F533031%2F&amp;h=ATMhrPUVsrO5moqMzJNbBowUelQfixTX22seNeTJBEkullwZwKNqxT1LLNW5slC638Jv5j96OZVYtspy_Qiir45TubWhJEpU6uJzeH7JjC82gwX-5YrGGoeH1g89Gt9sF7EdlTGvae9J\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled that people have a right<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to videotape on-duty police officers in public, joining several other appellate courts that have made similar rulings across the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democrats<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kjrh.com%2Fnews%2Flocal-news%2Foklahoma-democrats-sweep-2-special-elections&amp;h=ATNAhycgVHm2BQLixm39CVJFpbjbAjRLcJOZcNf32zynAdYcOF9w1f7sAoGXTY2Qp-1pyT5ZsdUBWxN_4ZZy5MumMtrv0tQu6WMicKx2MywwFzFH5WkU9N12jAMWJn4Od9M6H1nqo0AY\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gained two seats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Oklahoma legislature in special elections in usually solidly Republican districts in a deep red state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On behalf of two Democratic donors and one DNC staff member,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funitedtoprotectdemocracy.org%2F&amp;h=ATMoZBoCTFnf5oY6Qomq1wCzGGel5EJF78z_TTHoPRxmtfWEr1bQOkyrVjzMPrXslRU0SPRKR452s0oBRMSe-00csz6yCXSnVtyeFB6zGiODP3SoUSY8Dlh4LSFWES2w1v5GMo7UPpQP\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United to Protect Democracy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F07%2F12%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-campaign-and-adviser-are-sued-over-leaked-emails.html&amp;h=ATMGj8gzsnTGL7_1RBz6PMNlKMZdd-2ErkVY39GU4k6gPPPCgsPH4y0qJSQtsjezlJCRqyfUCiOrYhlGbEDUbTSQmzApsxC8DR9lGUyRfxZqVf795Uu3F-CrSnZV1VT5nBaf58oaDP8Z\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">filed suit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia against the Trump campaign and Roger Stone for violation of the privacy laws when they conspired to release the plaintiffs\u2019 personal information that had been hacked during the campaign. You can read the court document<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.documentcloud.org%2Fdocuments%2F3893506-Invasion-of-Privacy-lawsuit-complaint-Trump.html&amp;h=ATMnC9MUnfBMkXeZ8OwOReumO7OQG10rCWwfcyqS-7ubIqmyTnvdleHhTzxGm6G-lzgplkoNM70e8zpJpg7H2syM4mubjV-jeIcjxvtSuoErrE1HPjs0W46_H1-k0MWHeI9_eeAOfmBS\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If the case moves forward, it will establish another fact-finding authority (this court) around the Trump-Russia entanglements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Houston Police Department announced that it will<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.propublica.org%2Farticle%2Fhouston-police-end-drug-tests-that-helped-produce-wrongful-convictions%3Futm_campaign%3Dsprout%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_content%3D1500073166&amp;h=ATMvByQ8kzH8MKETjMMtcAmkdSQP20dJV6q84fyRD17XsiIf84lc5izMCvs5gpRh4660-uqDSnwEFUUhQY3L3teXUuVuO5bq2i1Mw48fnnXpIUaKrGvAT6NVI1rOl_zLJELpZzltXzTp\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stop using a $2 chemical field test<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of dubious accuracy that has produced hundreds of wrongful convictions. After the New York Times and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.propublica.org%2F&amp;h=ATPS5ngyVeLiB0nl7C976DZnBiUxMq7X9yBWhvRFB_lua4a4Wqb9HOQzyGdo-Q9TINnRS-evWtlgoJcUMiKYYOtx-LcD3OPZl9ItYtlwa_K_7XiMSaLEJGZ8F1oh4FbKIMpptrqB5om0\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ProPublica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> did a story on this last July, the district attorney required that any positive field test be confirmed in a lab. Way to go, free press!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the administration\u2019s best efforts to convince the public otherwise, more Americans than ever<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.care2.com%2Fcauses%2Fready-for-good-news-americans-are-getting-smarter-about-climate-change.html&amp;h=ATMlUmiy8ADG7f1v7BzjsAUuZEnkcGpHDIURD3Vs6M-8YxEl1lMpkNlbEhZh4UD3h_-aa07EBqQRhFxfEV9LWr1c3KmEG984mQe_J8wamVhRrW-_9SIe9lUiu_0RAyGxL3-uRC1scFXp\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">believe that climate change is real<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and serious, and the numbers are trending up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The House<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fforeignpolicy.com%2F2017%2F07%2F14%2Fin-landmark-move-gop-congress-calls-climate-change-direct-threat-to-security%2F%3Futm_content%3Dbuffer23cbb%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dbuffer&amp;h=ATPeWxHVQsUeUor-NU443734AxY8_h6zZWuzZgMAFEQDN4sI2cHqE78tfBppj-vf0CwJ7CtGwnwoIeKCfEuWbawIb6SfhmmtRr8dv1OIgamc0ga1bSY4DGVUYbqYrqOTBHJt1R3AyXDEJgz5aZWWrm4vBg\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inserted an amendment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into the 2018 defense spending bill saying that climate change is a direct threat to national security and directing officials to identify facilities that will be most affected. This was partly due to the efforts of a new, bipartisan (24 from each party)<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miamiherald.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-government%2Fnational-politics%2Farticle161467618.html&amp;h=ATNzjiCcRV_24CyZ31zk9qhy_bYwwGhy5fp2y6R2q1v1I0vTt7FoAe8Tw1t_jJl5QY4OwZsU6qbXzacmuLUFlOritK0aggZ1kCHKeiwoBFWGJfCg1HZu_WM9xJzgxrhmnV6JulH2Rqo2\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate Solutions Caucus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which hopes to provide a counter to the conservative anti-climate change votes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rhode Island<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthinkprogress.org%2Frhode-island-climate-scientists-public-records-9bd4072ea232&amp;h=ATMVzmHVLT8gXb3JliIOJ1gIlepZrAufNc3-TqG2iIivgpO_JZgG5tbsKy4x3XYp2wD1M-EMVX6-L1dDX5EY3KF3AP3GdwPNer4lI8Y6FaGOD8aiZj_K2Q0H7IyZfw6laaXfAxeoNJTa\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">passed a law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that certain forms of academic work are not subject to public information requests. These include preliminary drafts, working papers, and notes. The law is to help protect researchers from intimidation by special interest groups and is expected to be especially valuable for scientists working on climate change.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vox.com%2F2017%2F7%2F17%2F15985094%2Fmar-a-lago-visitor-log-lawsuit&amp;h=ATOQQHNkrr1n5YS4PBGVvmzKA2Gi-k7xeXxiqgSCdoPkmF2jKttW326gdkxUc9zNxOhXqKGebwiGegzEgPItsWFFlHeWqxvtFLfSNcdqmm6Ehfck8rmYgJqSMt06pFzzSxBJsytxDjBp\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">judge has ordered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Trump to release the names of all visitors to Mar-a-Lago through March 8. This order came after the Secret Service failed to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request and, it was the result of a lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsibiity and Ethics in Washington (CREW), the National Security Archive, and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. We salute all these \u201chelpers.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public schools in Saudi Arabia will offer<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F07%2F11%2Fworld%2Fmiddleeast%2Fsaudi-arabia-girls-islam-physical-education.html%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D2f82b29e5d-Small_Victories_Issue_28%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-2f82b29e5d-142004897%26ct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529%26mc_cid%3D2f82b29e5d%26mc_eid%3D01780db9b8%26_r%3D0&amp;h=ATNmw3vFxoK5LGKtzBEtvz4_nUk5-QGX1Y2Na6c660CzFnmb6EHTSdaX1u-8ZLbrh-SZ62vdhHLbMFVdtYec_KVqBG1dyQvM5PkSiQuH53-PEzICxdqumqIjPF3tOLf75XiylY9HgYTz\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical education classes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for girls for the first time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joel Clement, a scientist raised in Falmouth, has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pressherald.com%2F2017%2F07%2F20%2Fscientist-from-maine-says-federal-job-reassignment-was-retaliation-for-climate-change-work%2F&amp;h=ATOqYHajkANaxkpgoIuS2YW54DdUxR73y1kejSz7eUfvrdDzKlD0Q_56012ZlkBftciSbHjL_OV3Pl_s4zgWmIdpsO1_atByYF2pItnwRk6Z570FhAbE-KHhqNKpDj7c5SBCOAiqb_Qk\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">filed a whistle blower complaint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the Office of Special Counsel after he was reassigned from his job a Director of a Department of the Interior office after he spoke out about the effects of climate change in Alaska. He is hoping that his example will inspire others in similar situations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technological improvements and cost decreases in batteries for household power storage have been so rapid that<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vox.com%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F2017%2F7%2F7%2F15927250%2Futilities-rooftop-solar-batteries&amp;h=ATNViiChJqC3NB6ApBrr9lNdaoCpvqFT0_0-e2Uxsc7UDd86ax2btE5athHoQNVlkpf6U8nntoZb5xsdz4FW7IKXruNWHYqAPhmov8eNb_9D64FKU9V2y2QDbh5CYEB29A0pNpEsUkXI\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experts predict<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that between 2020 and 2030, it will become financially feasible for large segments of the American public to move entirely off the grid and into renewables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Virginia,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Flocal%2Fku-klux-klan-rally-set-to-begin-amid-tension-in-charlottesville%2F2017%2F07%2F08%2Fc000a8ec-63fd-11e7-a4f7-af34fc1d9d39_story.html%3Fct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529%26mc_cid%3D2f82b29e5d%26mc_eid%3D01780db9b8%26utm_campaign%3D2f82b29e5d-Small_Victories_Issue_28%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_term%3D.81d1af39358c&amp;h=ATMGW8DO4q2mSQ2zVwMAq_KeC6rkQw0Mi11lZYG8nx-lxBoFBofBHkxX2bSNpBwSMwyKc6U0B0x-E325XqUzP8TI5JbWjDtTGGxPTmH5e2Ohug2r91nTWtEcSlpot_YFvpQy-qAK2hxA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over a thousand protesters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed up to protest a gathering of about 30 KKK members who objected to the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washington became the fifth state to pass a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiro7.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgov-inslee-to-sign-best-in-nation-paid-family-leave-program%2F550591529%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D2f82b29e5d-Small_Victories_Issue_28%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-2f82b29e5d-142004897%26ct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529%26mc_cid%3D2f82b29e5d%26mc_eid%3D01780db9b8&amp;h=ATOnz4rt30uGwEbU_8wTlsB6dI57bXRqFtGUj4tJxWnT0XlQoh07WGDK3eQvodm-G6AErPjg6CmPESVGjfP6T7odewCqxmh9v3UH1DHyEwGG99wWibl-bIFUP4LkRwmQGf5M9VnqY7mA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">law guaranteeing paid family leave<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It can be used for a new child, a severely ill family member, or personal illness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge in Utah<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fthetwo-way%2F2017%2F07%2F08%2F536186914%2Fjudge-overturns-utahs-ag-gag-ban-on-undercover-filming-at-farms%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D2f82b29e5d-Small_Victories_Issue_28%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-2f82b29e5d-142004897%26ct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529%26mc_cid%3D2f82b29e5d%26mc_eid%3D01780db9b8&amp;h=ATOksr9vSjB97TCt3QK6lffhfGI0l8pUyKj7hJGwo51sim3YgXpePW5DyYwtu4FqbzJaxnwSspiAIEMei-58NwFdUdxqQ_TEQT7c6busdMIKVyTZSYYM2K2U7oLQcdj7lyvMgk96ajq_\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled against that state\u2019s \u201cag-gag\u201d rule<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it possible for people to film at slaughterhouses and animal-raising facilities without fear of prosecution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hawaii became the first state to offer<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawaiinewsnow.com%2Fstory%2F35830157%2Fhawaii-becomes-first-in-the-nation-to-offer-money-to-family-caregivers-who-work-full-time%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D2f82b29e5d-Small_Victories_Issue_28%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-2f82b29e5d-142004897%26ct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529%26mc_cid%3D2f82b29e5d%26mc_eid%3D01780db9b8&amp;h=ATNfkZsQ3okgkklagmvQ1ok4C9LT33at4t0lkt7zArEo5IS8J8OaHfqNT83fkgQ_592VTdk0xKsKudtanPy4cwGHxg1umUg2OLi3P34IlzRODe2HZtDzJXf0-8U-E-QK6ZOEWG9Mvak7\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">financial assistance to caregivers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who are also working outside the home, to help them keep their jobs. This is being watched closely by people in other states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">France plans to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-europe-40518293%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3D4b8d68f8fa-Small_Victories_Issue_154_12_2017%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-4b8d68f8fa-142004897%26ct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529&amp;h=ATPMZgU9vlhzJtkM7A2ImolLt0tkkTbaDf3uSGv5427NDWf_p8Zfsb01NhOf5vNCqnIVIvSmcpAMjDnfKy9QWX_LEbQC0p4bWVRFqCP7L9FKdTo8mnzRMolp-s6RbJPS4_hNqP59UI8P\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ban the sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of gas and diesel vehicles by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FTechnology%2FwireStory%2Ffrance-stop-sales-gas-diesel-cars-2040-48478321&amp;h=ATOm0amhesjV_KRCueAVSGtYqIczZ3yLhg350X3Lf5JBcSAuPrq0jqu1QocGGV-vKKik8u7fznagGLRzGRasjvtcVy_lRj7YosLbNpexaovQY_wojvMoXrAl7e1fwof8lZzlJrJegiSK\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2040<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The United States Conference of Mayors has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F06%2F02%2Fmayors-pledge-take-lead-fighting-climate-change%2F102435920%2F&amp;h=ATMWxpoq0X2DXKya5LXkR8lnr3sliNHCMy6gvsj1Hl4TEFcjOj2-kwwoKZ2VuWj326aWmNKrSG1DyIXanrzWNS1MB9JBNkf8LYkSrRX62QsWrJRCdoeNKmhvkJve59h5CEePUPuC7fNK\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stepped up to fight climate change<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, joining several states and multiple businesses and universities, in the current absence of official national leadership.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to the efforts of the Black Student Task Force at the University of Oregon, a campus residence hall formerly named for a KKK leader will be<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bendbulletin.com%2Flocalstate%2F5443815-153%2Fgathering-celebrates-dorm-renaming-at-uo-that-replaces%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3Dcb0ac74d3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_NOT_A_NOVICE_ANY_LONGER%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-cb0ac74d3a-142004841&amp;h=ATPqL1lG9mh1oMVT7ycEkJvqzEv7Mly8JBRlXsKfFuDINyEOlVD-0e10_6YvDfKXuKQUBTp3GpNDsNkQskxZh1b_Lx4bdlVE55tFtmVaO18LDUGVn_Ed6-I3csF37PihDtkkEAsCf1Fl\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">renamed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to honor the first black graduate of the school\u2019s architecture program, now an elderly resident of Portland.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Seattle Storm, a women\u2019s basketball team, became the first pro sports team to support Planned Parenthood,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattletimes.com%2Fsports%2Fstorm%2Fseattle-storm-holds-pregame-rally-supporting-planned-parenthood-amid-mild-protest%2F%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3Dcb0ac74d3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_NOT_A_NOVICE_ANY_LONGER%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-cb0ac74d3a-142004841&amp;h=ATOCjVz31kzUpByETeG4hhJJIIa81D0mp0AisdlMaZ5GzEjaDlVMO4h-GE_bopQqN1c5E_pqoxco4BVeMbpHAJ7YKkexT9aThIjPphgVrNUzuyEAuo7yAeG3QNp3QMInywxISAhSa0sL\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">raising $42,000<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from ticket sales at a recent event.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rhode Island became the tenth state, along with the District of Columbia, to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ffeature%2Fnbc-out%2Frhode-island-passes-law-banning-youth-conversion-therapy-n784821&amp;h=ATNWOAcQZ0y0mINp3xqsAR70RK6Jf10iC1eWv9WM7fsEU_d-KxeB1tsPFGYlOTt_AVc8TA-KrIvHZbZTnEWfF1_7fbVJIXNGok7yn70BiTg8eV6kp__aNA1gCZUs75tICZaiugP7quiu\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ban<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gay \u201cconversion therapy\u201d for minors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The administration\u2019s bogus voter fraud commission has been hit with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fwonk%2Fwp%2F2017%2F07%2F18%2Ftrumps-voter-fraud-commission-is-now-facing-at-least-7-federal-lawsuits%2F%3Ftid%3Dsm_tw%26utm_campaign%3Dcb0ac74d3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_NOT_A_NOVICE_ANY_LONGER%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_term%3D.4d9e44161f32&amp;h=ATNxnQxP9mRgD0Xs71cq1865kTLajTtQpLwUeRP5UgBeuHj2_NDv-gYz7hXtiVafzUYtjYJt6t4q17fY595aaysfgahE6lue-CAiqF9iNUt2K_eloI-FrIAqPD3pzfDaMe0Gj3RsXX6-\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seven lawsuits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not including separate challenges in several states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.essence.com%2Fwomen-march-nra-protest%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3Dcb0ac74d3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_NOT_A_NOVICE_ANY_LONGER%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-cb0ac74d3a-142004841&amp;h=ATOWxESvNaE7XM-zfyLjA3X3yl6ZeAkJ4Oodu-xy0sKUfX6Ljkhp7q5vcEXCdMipSpeyiSGsAc0hlUS2OtshUr7mit3Ha21xEpVSr0NORDND8G60jDblMf6sOQUsJTbjfPu57xpb8Zaa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hundreds turned out<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in scorching heat to protest the NRA\u2019s refusal to defend black gun owners by marching eighteen miles from the NRA headquarters in Virginia to the Department of Justice in D.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fpolitics%2Fcourts_law%2Fsupreme-court-allows-trump-travel-ban-enforcement-but-says-it-must-allow-broader-exemptions-for-relatives%2F2017%2F07%2F19%2F6945e01e-6bf8-11e7-96ab-5f38140b38cc_story.html%3Futm_campaign%3Dcb0ac74d3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_NOT_A_NOVICE_ANY_LONGER%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_term%3D.184f244e7851&amp;h=ATOV_PPqoipsOTr6RMQYyMEx3fViGhkq6NPt2PkMsn1nOcBWYIxVTTzNU21zMvFbnpb-8zNdSfawCGQfNLNms2cViZ26osT-AsOl20FcmEZNJsDtJxzFhYn-eNjK-sV9lvIezT9yHqZd\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backed a lower court ruling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> expanding the list of relatives that count as \u201cclose relatives\u201d for the purposes of receiving visas to visit family in this country. Welcome back, grandparents!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bay Resistance members<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bayresistance\/videos\/294703864327809\/?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=cb0ac74d3a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_NOT_A_NOVICE_ANY_LONGER&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-cb0ac74d3a-142004841\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">showed up at the home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a CEO who had expressed interest in bidding for a contract on the border wall and convinced her to sign a pledge not to participate in building the wall.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australian researchers found that<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalgeographic.com%2Fpeople-and-culture%2Ffood%2Fthe-plate%2F2016%2F11%2Fseaweed-may-be-the-solution-for-burping-cows%2F&amp;h=ATPDrb1-AvF4TkkzIM_EwoeRI0I47HXmCXg1xYeBQPHNUyl3UbOoXxg2U9vXUU8YZomcNiau76HDi18Q5B-AThx_0j14nsFsDve0aop4Ae9TibdmildhYYIxWwMFhP3uU5Z0ie51y-WT\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adding a sprinkle of seaweed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to cows\u2019 diets reduced their methane production by 99%. Livestock animals produce about 14.5% of the climate-change-inducing methane gas, more than all car and plane traffic in the world. Cows produce about 65% of the methane generated by livestock.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ksenija Pavlovic, a former political science teaching fellow at Yale and founder of news site<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthepavlovictoday.com%2F&amp;h=ATP1ssdQT5jwqRLsHtdVVdBCGAHqjHgrgNiZyRfcNqPgbl3PZJPvfDcK_F2qlECASb7zIiMdMVu1ogXmOocGSx8F5C0cDLO0FgnPjvfVC0vlIrVVHb-AzZGHvT-qvji9hN5ANZ4-jCyq\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pavlovic Today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, became the first reporter to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fthe-fix%2Fwp%2F2017%2F07%2F19%2Fa-reporter-broke-white-house-rules-by-streaming-live-audio-of-an-off-camera-briefing%2F%3Futm_term%3D.f507fbe40289&amp;h=ATP-YC6SMcLoYxLwBfUteVRKyCWr7XchRXRWdbvt3X8v8bnsicslah5MmGk2DyxZC4ezy4J8-c9Q061fm_XgYivWkyilVTBAzeyf35OEPeDByr3YpCfnCopo3UQPc4eP6nEfF87reVkk\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">defy White House restrictions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by live-streaming the audio from a press briefing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A judge ordered the state of Kentucky to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F07%2F21%2Fus%2Fkentucky-taxpayers-gay-marriage.html%3Fmodule%3DWatchingPortal%26region%3Dc-column-middle-span-region%26pgType%3DHomepage%26action%3Dclick%26mediaId%3Dthumb_square%26state%3Dstandard%26contentPlacement%3D3%26version%3Dinternal%26contentCollection%3Dwww.nytimes.com%26contentId%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252F2017%252F07%252F21%252Fus%252Fkentucky-taxpayers-gay-marriage.html%26eventName%3DWatching-article-click&amp;h=ATM9fLk8-asL3UQ_r5R8OqqeUJ1mKURjL92H8t9H448RkUKy9uYTMmw3-bSpV83JI2z2BnKNq5Lwfejmhw-6BSTzk802HI_FEc6JQWVa0-CROy5RCcmZr4vIgRFypjNLKnKFdHS5UpHs\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pay $224,000 in legal fees<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to two gay couples who sued for a marriage license after county clerk Kim Davis refused to issue them one in 2015.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>JUNE 23-JULY 6, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Members of Suit Up Indivisible Action Network, several local Indivisible groups, Mainers for Accountable Leadership, health care associations, hospitals, and others have made it their summer project to help Susan Collins see the need for opposing the Senate health care repeal bill. And she has and has so far remained firm in her<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fsen-susan-collins-wants-senate-healthcare-bill-dramatically-changed%2Farticle%2F2627755&amp;h=ATPXnEpXZUE0XRhxs1Yg13NbFmELd8AW3qhwARk655D0l7kg_T7wtHJznOhGksH9ibWhC820bHVk8ZLZuCIJjpkQv-pX8T5lWtlBDivkCIw6ND1Zbri_Ezq6RZUUxpNACKRIJ1Ptg3FZ\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opposition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to it. Kudos to all. Stay firm, Senator Collins!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The status of the ranked choice voting approved by voters in November is a bit complicated. A bill (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flegislature.maine.gov%2FLawMakerWeb%2Fsummary.asp%3FID%3D280065709&amp;h=ATNM-5TNkWLmnJd4wT-MEEo50HuK84bU1Bi7zJRvysprrSS0WVp2P2UKDSNODvQUc3rsyvnsTvk6W_5o-2w5IdUomcbIpj9UZfMstMwL5gJRwHP7axeXBlqPt3vFNid70IfeFrygNrJZ\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1624<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to amend the law to remove the potential problems with the state Constitution indicated by the advisory opinion from the state Supreme Court failed, but so did a rival bill to repeal the law completely (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flegislature.maine.gov%2FLawMakerWeb%2Fsummary.asp%3FID%3D280065710&amp;h=ATOJeQPIzsGGDuoY6bxIkQV7JEprI1AuUHo9DCr70tSNNNGWQ3ijD_CexGQnb3bz4qI5MhcziB58Oy9u2rIFnXTau9PeiBVhePjowQ9KraW5k7vzKpM8JSPgR9x4JcfkUHK-A8_lRO7b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1425<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). So the entire law will now go into effect, with its potential pitfalls. In general, we think this is a win for the voters, since it will at least move ranked choice voting forward. Also, there is no constitutional barrier at all to some elections covered in the law.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmainelegislature.org%2FLawMakerWeb%2Fsummary.asp%3FID%3D280065801&amp;h=ATPPh5d6qD19TqLIScIB8MtdP2iY11b-2rfN7Twi_hrjsmI5jquCQ8NTC7iI1b9gJ_z2KYxoxDyUUT875J5hIbCtg2yeMcqGIY3NcNlnMIQwWkv8pdyNjmImLdicRWpltqV5Xw6MG8Crk9lj3jcKVSdWBw\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">law proposed by Governor Paul LePage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to require photo ID for voting was \u201cindefinitely postponed\u201d by the legislature.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Poverty Law Center has launched a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.splcenter.org%2Fnews%2F2017%2F03%2F07%2Fsplc-launches-pro-bono-project-ensure-detained-immigrants-have-access-counsel&amp;h=ATO1yq1LztmH4Ic1LeRYqfSgNr5qsE0se7XxsvHOmvJ0iJ4rmglOxcNoSKxr8wauSlY5NtQSEdzWVnGXgWUvMKh_hMaC1r83fx1Mb8YbpSp8mVB-pPMya98QXric6iyUBbx88iaQIgbP\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">major initiative<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to train and coordinate lawyers in the Southeast to do pro-bono work representing immigrants facing deportation. Immigrants often can not afford an attorney, but they are ten times more like to win their appeals with legal representation than without it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baton Rouge mayor<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elle.com%2Fculture%2Fnews%2Fa46168%2Fbaton-rouge-mayor-sharon-weston-broome-alton-sterling%2F&amp;h=ATN6MY_lwHhhYlGppjzONZbWz0XXjONXUwIAZS_qpvYHd3raczD1zFf-08UZ1a2vT7EcWuhrFJevO33UYLcbl6DGPGUDJHV3gIqo9PQWay1vWmQqwWzcUxiiD5EZnCeE8a8tFSUqW3qJ\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharon Weston Broome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the first African American woman to hold that office, is instituting implicit bias training for the police department.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The administration\u2019s proposal to cut the State Department budget is meeting fierce bipartisan<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F06%2F13%2Fworld%2Frex-tillerson-senate-state-department.html&amp;h=ATO8SkOZ_rClFWxq3ag6OFqYXMd5909arp6eMkmqX41YvywzR6DTo3YU2CZempnX-l1G8Cjwu2uc1JQAH0hEfupnWmW8U7t2HSZJJd23lj0_HLIzhWcl6IOW5YFhWpQx-rxNw6QVhTow\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opposition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Congress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fpolitics%2Fcourts_law%2Fsupreme-court-passes-on-california-concealed-weapon-law%2F2017%2F06%2F26%2Fa672a858-3c02-11e7-a058-ddbb23c75d82_story.html%3Futm_term%3D.d3654ab7c95c&amp;h=ATOtH7zcKFBEMopTU3ldGGv4Ua9Cqs5guyiZ3Z0XTfsBe9ER5GJcEvKYcUZiQi-sCtqVL9nlwB1Ro1qdnAMjDkCU-byiFHezTQDxKLNC6Lq3lBMfFcyUkt9eDTG7gAyvEzeMxaLdj9-F\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declined to review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a case in which the circuit court had ruled that California\u2019s law allowing local sheriffs to restrict concealed-weapons permits to those could demonstrate a clear need self defense outside the home does not violate the second amendment. So these restrictions on concealed-weapons permits will remain in place.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Democrats are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com%2Fstory%2F2017%2F06%2F29%2Fdemocrats-election-security-task-force-russian-hackers-240113&amp;h=ATP0EytsR8H8hzFGST2Pj0vqfC9iez8INsqBdbFOkBpXdNzVIJb7Zy2WRwUl22Xj5aUlMBzKNOU7jTp70pV4K0JONzakEygc5WPd3GqPbOCeQH3ALsli3AD6UNzvCqpAn3rZc_tb6zqX\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">creating a task force<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to study election security and especially how to lock Russia out of interfering in our elections in 2018. They plan to turn the study results into legislation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that the EPA acted improperly by delaying implementation of a regulation to limit methane gas release from oil and natural gas drilling, so<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-environment%2F340536-court-rejections-trumps-delay-of-epa-drilling-pollution-rule&amp;h=ATPCKb0dB_EKQXNr8mOinRTuQ4tXlgUg6kk3bCdnZwt5uaCalLhpUbE9hXOOLdb-2-ixT_PGmraY4Y7finBDa5tVticqLCvBDZyWXeuQFG85kuHt_DNBTi3aPu605F9aKGzQoz3LM5x4\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the rule takes effect immediately<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the EPA must enforce it. This is the court that normally hears challenges to an administration\u2019s implementation decisions. The present administration has tried to use this tactic of delaying a rule for other issues, too, many of them environmental. So this decision may suggest future victorious challenges to such attempts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Ohio, Governor John Kasich vetoed a budget measure that would have frozen Medicaid expansion in the state, and the legislature<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toledoblade.com%2FState%2F2017%2F07%2F06%2FOhio-House-GOP-veto.html&amp;h=ATPaDH4yZVOf4DZX-_enlJSjtq3eCxFfWDOI0eAp91x9Uwc_XP_n1tt8V4B6nvWPfd7xbnZvtofPwE9xImWIKgZw_JC2yRSGVpqDWlnvKJ3QxZibWwMEfX9GxP8hpGsEy8AXQG4D4a9S\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">failed to garner enough votes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for an override. Indivisible groups and others had pressured the legislature to drive down support for this measure. Good job, Ohio Indivisiblers!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that undocumented immigrant children detained by federal authorities<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F07%2F05%2Fus%2Fdetained-immigrant-children-are-entitled-to-hearings-court-rules.html%3Fhpw%26rref%3Dus%26action%3Dclick%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26module%3Dwell-region%26region%3Dbottom-well%26WT.nav%3Dbottom-well&amp;h=ATNhNZL2YqRsqV0O6dkN3Nr6jsZPMDdAqYSChv2IfTYzDUWJFBtoX841_M0QE9TklmcYs4wAcAkpnxmdosmQ2l7PRXRAENaF6kCjHlSIlVk8uu8ZAGlW6g2IqTgbX5mENYPOvzDap49I\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are entitled to a hearing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to determine whether they should remain in detention, in accord with a 1997 settlement that the Justice Department (unsuccessfully) argued had since been abrogated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At least 44 states, including many deep red ones, have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fblogs%2Fblog-briefing-room%2Fnews%2F340192-state-officials-refuse-to-turn-over-voter-roll-data-to-trump&amp;h=ATM1gnfv8TYXO5dpNLOFznAECijDzS3xLBtcNHS4u88zKW7zIU6pFd9uQP6Zz-k_J21-NeUReL3wDruUfaVqSxlaiImGBVHio7WpQuzvUiNs-x_SCeW45j8LQMqWmeh7qOe_6LVHC8Zh\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refused<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to hand over to the voter fraud commission either all voter data or data that is not publicly available.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five states and the District of Columbia<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-environment%2F340899-states-join-suit-over-epa-pesticide-decision&amp;h=ATO3lrHk9uyyyNBRbe27eXfepJ4emkjbx1evGslZuMaohNquuxagVjm1LynqWNqOj5QhBDQEgrbsBZ6oDoTdfhWZrmNPL5XOG2J4oO7tY0ucAWmbjfIztd7Z72YiUvfCp6e8glvDbDCg\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have joined a lawsuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> filed by several groups suing the EPA for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fthesalt%2F2017%2F03%2F29%2F521898976%2Fwill-the-epa-reject-a-pesticide-or-its-own-scientific-evidence&amp;h=ATNsfz7bF2Jnt2ytIDUOm29Fzf9BUKsW3iiefzkQ-fu963uuqCFw9pZ41L17VjtEeJJ-ACFpofXaCosgfDo_KW-jFpasnHF2TYTu75aCMAa0EcRLD2R36E4F7MQnls0VTmum53xGLX33\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">revoking the ban<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the pesticide<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fearthjustice.org%2Ffeatures%2Fwhat-you-need-to-know-about-chlorpyrifos&amp;h=ATMwZancyookZTbVAR09i39Bdubf_WcPZrw803qIjGo7pkx8A_3uKVMjoU0AzU8GCsZz-bYC-b0Y2zFBb6SMBtVURpE7aS9rWmqldXm68TRJiE9Ph-wSVdffNc4FUcn3DnV9WAB-B-Zw\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chlorpyrifos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is a hazard to human health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eighteen attorneys general are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagotribune.com%2Fnews%2Fnationworld%2Fct-betsy-devos-lawsuit-20170706-story.html&amp;h=ATOvpfZfb6qhpW6YT2b1go35HohBniZA_Ky9_2GHSBJeE2tLOfz9gnHz6EYV6Mk-HtNZYVNN2XvHVEedHTIPON-FrGfw8olk33o-9FZEohR2uhm96ckKET40NlX_Ex33-F-FQIpBmc0x\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suing Betsy DeVos for delaying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the implementing of protections for students against the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Fblog%2Fbrown-center-chalkboard%2F2016%2F06%2F23%2Fthe-for-profit-student-debt-dilemma%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_campaign%3Dgs&amp;h=ATO3yeNuzPknszcSflE-J9xBbO_TpQciQwDQgB8Qszmjwc18aLOBgTGo_cJE2nGtZXzM8jzhlf1pyz2ig0moJrph4lEzjnaK1vg-5m68cJR8RCHZcg6gpPLtIC2vmPsxDSTW9exkLjSo\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">abuses by for-profit colleges<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The award-winning nonprofit magazine<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2F&amp;h=ATO0q5zmu5xtTuZ1Tp_qJJixmznpmt0NopcIYNajR6D9JGhES-4n2zSGmBt06aUVVgpgLts1zbVxSYW3I5kOiZqE64vGAii35ILcgIWkPc78YcPQKMN8OyyraAL-Wedc7myEIqgxOsuP\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mother Jones<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> announced the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fmedia%2F2017%2F06%2Fmother-jones-announces-newsroom-expansion%2F&amp;h=ATPO0wNvi7VTOxOte6R6VxAz9bS_p_nRfdCFQJUudV5SVBtU05L_Lqro223MFk83vusV1uJZMtWzO6Ifxftxex2n6-c-tKQUS7itq2y9AI5eK9Pi7FfBgEXEsnK9hUInzouWriHomGN7\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expansion of its newsroom staff<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by seven.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.propublica.org%2F&amp;h=ATPfN10NlV1RdvEDWaoxEFvpJfd3SnLEjMDDs0aBRZaKEeOdlnwAfkZnZGyDjAf1Jx7Xxs6ghEa-DPnXwdqtp4Q8eOZ_tgxGEKfkbR4Phy1GakJRtXtfIqmKsUdecQP2fsmbddABH2qX\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ProPublica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, another award-winning investigative journalism organization, has also been rapidly hiring.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Texas, Republican House Speaker Joe Strauss<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newnownext.com%2Fjoe-straus-suicide-texas-bathroom-bill%2F07%2F2017%2F%3Fxrs%3Dsynd_facebook_Name%2Bof%2BBrand&amp;h=ATOrOMsSVdlYcaxIAjwCXyyJ59tuJqjWAUkMdTZ3bF8gvJVUOsZX-FDIy7z-Lrn1nf8ZWhp2C04Le0YZfaiz0JmpMfThJFke0g3aFvJdTuvbBQK3VKeJD2R1ecpAvcfAjQ6ttNu7kDK3\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refused to put a bathroom bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supported by the Senate and the governor before the House, expressing frustration that the Republican Party has become increasingly influenced by Christian ideologues and saying that he did not want the suicide of even one Texan on his hands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Florida, where unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman in 2012, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fnews%2Fus-news%2Fmichigan-state-dismisses-ex-football-players-accused-sexual-assault-n780336&amp;h=ATPiYCPM90eKMKofmRmKIcvUWkuH4i6ZshGQJuXZSCqkew3GtRMKgw0s8Iuv6Ps_oXJeU0fr01XoHcNkw_UfLJ6g1-d1V_0d-2DiCepkF8dwUyfkbmmyTmbaxXloFfTMQi5z7IvmOiJs\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">judge declared<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an NRA-backed revision of the 2005 \u201cstand your ground\u201d law unconstitutional. The revision, signed into law in June, would have required prosecutors to show \u201cclear and convincing evidence\u201d that a shooter was not acting in self-defense.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F07%2Fhere-are-the-4-lawsuits-that-could-force-trump-to-release-his-taxes%2F&amp;h=ATNH9amdoPyQ1cWxxP-CqohwLMfeaJrLhnSWhSYQZyNn8chAV9wHakU4h5UEMrcwA9Pk2LB_x_5eVRuMfH-90lhqlz9Oxe4_qscgrWerclAY16JDPrEXDWAF15h6dwfSXd_Uk4Ml0QBU\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">four lawsuits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> underway that could force the White House occupant to release his taxes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>JUNE 12-23, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First the good news related to our C2A (call to action) items and Maine efforts. Our C2A list is produced weekly, usually on Mondays. View it<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fdocument%2Fd%2F11XO5b85E_qWKYeMGVmx3XzK2vEGNRGABFjP7Z8Rakdw%2Fedit&amp;h=ATOoZ8xMgSojGAULAST5XTRSSfpIPm8Arn244Sja1KwDb5dyTNBv6bwSCmyfr59w85PdJKt44KIOiTMDrOW4DY61uutanyzmBfhbtYcfWmQZl4ZBtZBaUttJ0QJleGecsCHAAoGJF1XB\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1237, to require insurance companies in Maine to cover up to 12 months of birth control at once, became law without the governor\u2019s signature. See our C2A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/access-to-contraception-support-expanded-insurance-coverage-for-maine-women\/1328584800560700\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 366, which would have made law enforcement personnel responsible for enforcing Immigration Control and Enforcement policies, failed in both houses. See our C2A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/immigrants-rights-tell-reps-to-vote-no-on-ld-366\/1315371215215392\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Wednesday, June 21,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Findivisiblemdi.wordpress.com%2F&amp;h=ATPORLEFJKSYAjI2WuKFt0AYKWlODM4gpzYfRtRZyWVjeYckwcrJ7jZHBNCjwreqIJe8CE8ljNAbwxkQ0uSL5x-VPyT7qsf-uNaX0li8DkAg33x2GFPdwJ_nkR3aSzGSThXG5x6nat2T\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indivisible MDI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Indivisible Peninsula, Indivisible Waldo, Indivisible Central Maine, Suit Up Maine \u2013 An Indivisible Action Network, and other resistance groups and leaders coordinated visits and rallies at all five of Susan Collins\u2019s offices in Maine, earning a shout-out from the national Indivisible team and even coverage on the Rachel Maddow show.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AND AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bipartisan group of over 75 (and growing) former employees of the Environmental Protection Agency has formed the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4cleanair.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FDocuments%2FEPA_budget_analysis_EPN_press_statemt_3-22.pdf&amp;h=ATPOGiB0CRX6qYUvD_hIm_TxNLn8inE4pyFL8d80gpG9Di8_PgI0Sn7HV8qGpWU5WWs9qB3voytLdvhPRiGBexhh75PyDCHReh734zIlAOgJ4iCkc0xRTKSHY7S9Q8f9g7F0_3ktq5Dg\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental Protection Network<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help fight against the proposed cuts to the EPA. The scientists, lawyers, economists, and engineers held a press conference to announce their intent to serve as a resource to activists and journalists about how the cuts will impact the EPA\u2019s projects. They will help them to craft effective Freedom of Information Act requests and generally guide others to through the administrative workings of the EPA to bring to light what is happening there.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fworld%2Fnational-security%2Ffederal-appeals-court-upholds-freeze-on-trumps-travel-ban%2F2017%2F06%2F12%2F035893c4-4f91-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html%3Fhpid%3Dhp_hp-top-table-main_travelban-122pm%253Ahomepage%252Fstory%26utm_term%3D.6f9cdaab31f2&amp;h=ATMTh0rwgOhkrbcA7tzi-W8WzHMwt-srYGKbIlm-y_pXK9i0GQuP8lNrfm7lQzx5gdqysH75dNtXqde4nJMd8uYDSIiyPHdS4QXNu1REiZf-_81WufVJJvMDvsqZNVFLhiRvahoQU314\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">struck down Muslim Ban 2.0<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The court based its decision on a different argument than the Richmond court\u2019s decision, arguing that the president had exceeded the authority granted to him by Congress to make immigration policy because presidents still face statutory and constitutional boundaries in any immigration policies, and he had shown no national security threat would be addressed by this ban and no evidence that present vetting is inadequate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brennancenter.org%2Fanalysis%2Fautomatic-voter-registration&amp;h=ATMOQzGjdJlD_8smAkhHclnGIIG-fjYG96hHrlfIptVWrFLXSgZ7eYH1ZwMDpaRg1ZwrAsc0u12Ff9atS8ftWjt7rgzgll-dt0CovjJPvx0BBwKRr3TucNAk-ZEyPfLtF1cN7_8FJdGbQPD8Bri9BvfNQw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automatic voter registration laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are gaining ground around the country, with eight states and the District of Columbia now having passed them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fenvironment%2F2017%2F06%2Fflint-water-crisis-involuntary-manslaughter%2F&amp;h=ATP8wiNIhOPI2BIaAFo4XO0yNwriFNQYBsmt7OkW4gYausZjwa-xLPzY0M9LF_bJi60bVOkYO1x4C7Fj5OpXGM3rsQxtl-IrzTt0Woq7Xpq6VJJJItpEX5Dwm7axyhaCmDCgzWqp4uEBTjXJHjKXeCHhYg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five officials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Michigan will face<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlive.com%2Fnews%2Fflint%2Findex.ssf%2F2017%2F06%2Ffive_official_charged_with_man.html&amp;h=ATMzFhmIb0O63ZNP2d_BGgRv6wY-yAY9NgyTdNdEO4rVILbT3nNjNcjwncPURFQrf9lS_jKZ1pbQInlO1aLGX993r5hElh1UI3IVukdTZ1l2Zuim7xPpvi8AahA_y-vKq8FWiTYEc2jn\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">involuntary manslaughter charges<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> related to the Flint water crisis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fearthjustice.org%2Fnews%2Fpress%2F2017%2Fin-victory-for-standing-rock-sioux-tribe-court-finds-that-approval-of-dakota-access-pipeline-violated-the-law&amp;h=ATPnagiw5CJOWe8pOneuR7IL38bMon9hTQWljFgwBxkmGdtLpmz7Ay5pKU34sTiSjvsQSUyULuByhUw1HVeqBDi7MSlCblxudKwA7eX8USpvkLjGYTjdTIwKfxsyI25-RQDKrUQCHE_M\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federal judge ruled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that permits issued in the first days of the new administration, allowing the Dakota Access pipeline to cross the Missouri River just upstream from Standing Rock Reservation, violated the law by not adequately considering the environmental and community impact of the pipeline. The court is seeking additional information to determine whether the pipeline should be shut off.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A former Tennessee Valley Authority engineer and congressional candidate who was soliciting people to attack a Muslim community was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesfreepress.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fstory%2F2017%2Fjun%2F14%2Frobert-doggart-sentenced-20-years-prison%2F433360%2F&amp;h=ATNWVNHThJD7V9vUliH8to9Tgqabg6R2oU9Z56wG8-SHQP-yknWKS4UIClU7Ji8GMC19IthibF_0CQvPUw9a4tnfv9KN2TO-ZBlHm9pjBAPExzf2sS0qcMPpsCaVx1Z1JMgD5lqPB3yf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sentenced to 20 years<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in prison.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Angela Merkel is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fpoll-germans-want-merkel-to-remain-as-chancellor%2Fa-39175016&amp;h=ATNhTt5EfbuJ2FjhfOyW0pG8Frk-5Zc3v66dFVucSFtaERRY03EU36F2wp1azTShu1bwJfF6sQ87PQUsnIzEaTcXvYWS3OA9NKDLvFG4egWqCVE6cXyX-HfVKJFiqSZ5HkhsVM74-A1k\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rising in German polls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a pro-Europe and global engagement platform.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York\u2019s city council passed<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weact.org%2F2017%2F04%2Fejbills%2F&amp;h=ATPWwGTyPxj4KJpIvWSwiuWmwgJKik7lqKnoRetH85vdkYtVOhvJ_QW04bRGmzcy7lwahwLrkdI9Ety9L3Gpgeetgd2QYTjRL4Wsn7zlsyQQ0AV5H-Et-Yu4puMMfw_EJkZL-cFe5PLX\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two bills to address environmental justice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AARP<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fpolicy%2Fhealthcare%2F337485-aarp-targeting-six-more-gop-senators-with-new-seven-figure-ad-buy&amp;h=ATPMmbnkKxb1GrbdDqo7roD9dNgpbZOeBlRCBuzxxwSuxI--ntee-dUw2lJuBB3N8U6lD58jNSu7LGrJZAKQVdF5LfVvKipbjG05DlUmbCKqfKxndDwJk7W_jnmflx4BWMEfWdyzytpL\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has launched<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a 7-figure ad buy in the home states of 6 Republican senators to press them on the health care repeal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EPA\u2019s proposed budget cuts are facing<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollcall.com%2Fnews%2Fpolicy%2Fepa-budget-cuts-wont-fly-house-appropriators-tell-pruitt&amp;h=ATP6bQ_Pckr4gNOMjk2ynX4_7WeTZBGlqRbN6rm7SI6tCyOwwypWW18UvIurBzueiplJSrm8Pl7VQG5gG2kwOgi0O9TOY74baOJfDu3bF1PaP3p-fgiOYDfc3nhJM07jyxm6injLS42S\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">significant bipartisan opposition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Congress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In France, Marine LePen\u2019s extreme right National Front party is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F06%2F16%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fmarine-le-pen-france.html%3F_r%3D0&amp;h=ATON5x1pLPCS9lHovHcUkoBMYmmEeljYkDYIAGJiKQtbyXEs-f6Py5Q2jxuzyFjjqJ7OW9vjx7PpO66lMbclMABDEE0yb1e-_YAkfwlnDo4qdjVWecPLk-iYZaQV8iKq-ekPywBpGpB6\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">losing support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both in turnout at events and in recent elections for the legislature, where the party lost ground. This may signal a decline in the populist appeal in France and beyond.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vermont is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdigital.vpr.net%2Fpost%2Fgov-scott-signs-bill-establishing-racial-justice-oversight-board%3Futm_source%3DSmall%2BVictories%2BNewsletter%26utm_campaign%3De8e8df5a9f-Small_Victories_Issue_154_12_2017%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_636f315e88-e8e8df5a9f-142004897%26ct%3Dt%2528Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%2529%26mc_cid%3De8e8df5a9f%26mc_eid%3D01780db9b8%23stream%2F0&amp;h=ATPlWQAS8JLBp9dDEp2jA3MBMZ0o_VxmYCLGW5azq_uzAiyA1LlJklgMwsb8raQHVtHFBY12YyUIzNn8Y86vHA70sRMhWmCXPQ0Tn2gBkTVsmszyvEuzVZeeUvQPMzd0MsS3MXlxGt3y\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">creating a \u201cracial justice oversight board\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find and implement ways to reduce racial bias in policing and the justice system.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Election Commission data shows that<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F06%2Findivisible-women-resistance-trump%2F&amp;h=ATOlNYOST0kzCAMRYYg-CPuBPq53SiakYDITP59RRSFfAzxs6eIkAZTOhzrewxzCqKF1WUS7aa1Kh834SjAqV4UQf88LZb1gHqy-wNkxY2LG0X6AaZawKU-nZTUagxAWXrFKw4C4pc7H\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">525 new Democrats have filed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to run for elections in the 2018 midterms, up 73% from this point in the last midterm election cycle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fnew-york-governor-pardons-carlos-cardona-911-recovery-worker-facing-deportation%2F&amp;h=ATNkFTxeu-CHdDE7EwtcFwBYWozO5Rt-m8uxTV_i4XiNfTMnW0wVS-uWoMfFJAlNFeVeLMk6FFOh1vSauEAHbmdLELsUCW8nvPrJFee0Wh0OW3SO6g-PCitDeW5bP5XjJE0OLOMfGLm7\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">granted a pardon to Carlos Cardona<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a 1990 nonviolent drug conviction, his only legal trouble, that the federal government is using as its reason to deport him. Cardona worked for four months at Ground Zero and has suffered health problems from that. He is married to an American citizen and has a 19-year-old daughter. Since there is now no conviction on his record, Cuomo hopes this pardon helps Cardona\u2019s legal case for staying.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A judge in Detroit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aclu.org%2Fnews%2Ffederal-court-blocks-immediate-deportation-iraqi-nationals&amp;h=ATOdC_SDLJ2jXkfqpsPc9GzR4y2SnmEkX8VtLeWCju5wIaRxmrUo9m8dbmsU2AK5euEbvT0PRjkB9FyjbU7IXcqksM1Q6FTjNPheG1mA1J5Q7MKPHcr11Tf-tMK_L_Kf2zoSB1F5ldrn\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blocked the immediate deportation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of more than 100 Iraqi nationals, many of whom have been in the country for decades, who were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month. The judge agreed with the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aclu.org%2F&amp;h=ATMEKhfSo-TwVPgqkmisLFONV7-Wz2sH94Cr-l-lQ-iRsWyToC-PNt7en-YnTygpnI8c-oaVIqS-PhQOEhFDiYTaZNa01v-Vxmu7OZssG0lpgiw8gaE__aqPFh3yqU9z8dL84-0zItmh\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACLU<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s argument that they must have the chance to argue their case that returning to Iraq would endanger their lives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fregulation%2Fcourt-battles%2F338948-supreme-court-limits-governments-power-to-revoke-citizenship&amp;h=ATNBRpiVd8z6cStyvdQ3Y6cUCayJ12FdhwchvnJYRMSaZky7hjH4vEEYoMhS9SHsABD_mPYS3WS7nYQNY7JifQZImicfmZcUT-JZr2ADC-GR1ALtPkHnjqJzMb-n2XMXc4x76jOe1uRS\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ruled unanimously<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the federal government<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F06%2F22%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fsupreme-court-citizenship.html%3Fhp%26action%3Dclick%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26clickSource%3Dstory-heading%26module%3Dfirst-column-region%26region%3Dtop-news%26WT.nav%3Dtop-news&amp;h=ATN3MY9eTuI3MGlpcQFT7gnuW1wVpShXaPOMYaWU5fqOEOqMXYNswyVnA8dcfr-UyXMwVEdpPzs7tN_zsOho7qjVRh0UuveUUDmSxWVPBeoHr1x-pskaIQbgigSRPbcwguIn3rGyZqG_\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can not strip citizenship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from naturalized Americans due to minor omissions and false statements on their citizenship applications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citing alarm over administration plans to cut civil rights offices and activities across several federal agencies, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usccr.gov%2F&amp;h=ATM4Ggny7NCpVsicjYKdtoejhzlCtjsMGR9z7WRGTiCaISlZhua1PAzXWR6fDSRHJlRNPykACpO9mIh8YAC7fAA9CI8VcixHp4iFNHIr04unP_eY_RxGyFzRUVDGiLh5fZd-MBXTGTPT\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Commission on Civil Rights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> announced that it will be conducting a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Feducation%2Fwp%2F2017%2F06%2F16%2Fu-s-commission-on-civil-rights-to-investigate-civil-rights-enforcement-under-trump%2F%3Futm_term%3D.f286a52b28a7&amp;h=ATMwmhSkhVImu0YdAPtkgcSKkpaZ-x61KFuu01GVGhZGLg9VMoQtePfCE10o9CympVBfUeNmvY9xkReeC0LsEghgajGpcedM0qpNvAqvNlMR5RIempiUCZufu_KnT_IF3s0-ReFIZq7s\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-year investigation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into civil rights enforcement under Trump.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.environmentalvoter.org%2Fblog%2Fenvironmental-voter-project-gets-stunning-first-year-results%23.WUrTRgPyePQ.facebook&amp;h=ATPNEPVPpCPAcsAFjvVCQsDs_E8OnAkPmEPLEWbNKF7jUy82L6qczaB_NKY5IAjFf83DB36ocKkh0zp4wewfSJk_xnuCbbNB4rvftvgTpMYygVl5XiDR63OG3eaLEetJdT_sF9DI2yYr\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental Voter Project<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a nonpartisan nonprofit that identifies environmentalists who do not vote in order to urge them to the polls, tracked a 12.1% higher turnout rate among voters they had targeted, compared to a control group, after just one year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In all four of the recent special congressional elections,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.economist.com%2Fblogs%2Fgraphicdetail%2F2017%2F06%2Fdaily-chart-15&amp;h=ATN6AE1egDbldKFaP-UcpjsTx-5le3l2a8sLxjZbV3avcXD8InJebDzyunaLs5RWXQdY7ElimR68yG2ld5tCOYxr3JTRAIIgnu36GkMyF6xE-L-BwcO3YBwPa8Wwn8dxj_ikujKyovsx\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Democrats significantly outperformed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> their historic rates in these deep red districts, a trend that will flip many districts around the country if it continues. Races that would never have been competitive in the past now are.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>LATE MAY THROUGH JUNE 11, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, the good news on results related to our C2A (call to action) items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbangordailynews.com%2F2017%2F05%2F30%2Fpolitics%2Fmaine-wont-be-joining-states-that-want-a-constitutional-convention%2F&amp;h=ATOM_k9ShGOrMCcQB1mL4GkP0WWpgJhIvqlqBCnFHnSdWecSunWmgxRCoMLUgJiZbAz1TYZfKCBNLwe79JDjEDN0CtFghttMnHA63monAeUMcL7VfO9gc5geA1gmtUJ_tuAlZXs5mxcY\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will not be joining<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the ALEC-sponsored move for a constitutional convention. The Maine House voted 86-56 not to join the call for one (HP 987). See our C2A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/stop-alec-in-maine-vote-no-on-constitutional-convention\/1366591800093333\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The legislature overrode a LePage veto to support the highly popular bill (LD 56) that would extend the state\u2019s successful bottle deposit program to single-serving liquor bottles called nips, a major cause of litter in Maine. See our C2A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/nips-pollution-support-deposit-on-single-serving-liquor-bottles\/1363849773700869\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1370, which would have allowed loaded, concealed weapons on Maine\u2019s public university campuses, failed. Read our C2A on this<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/guns-on-maines-college-campuses-oppose-ld-1370\/1341110055974841\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1262, which would have stymied wind power development on Monhegan Island, has been defeated. See our C2A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/maines-renewable-energy-advocate-for-solar-wind-power\/1344242585661588\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1108, to restore public nursing staffing, passed both houses of the legislature. See our C2A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/public-nursing-in-maine-support-legislation-to-restore-staffing\/1321508127935034\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Victories and good news from around the country and the world<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illinois became the latest state to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fnews%2Fbest-states%2Fillinois%2Farticles%2F2017-05-29%2Fillinois-legislature-oks-automatic-voter-registration&amp;h=ATN6qX8y-3zCNS-2REAx8eGM34uCOODLOnjmkwQtWkph3-3uglyyXlu4u_nm0b2tOXw82AIj-8z5C2lACUx4T5sjYz52gEM7BNIyEKvru_X2pYBE6azD6SyAAsH79IWB5Ewy3L1m4QLL\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass a bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that will automatically register eligible voters when they visit a number of state offices, such as when they obtain a driver\u2019s license. The governor vetoed this the last time the legislature attempted it, but this time the bill has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnymag.com%2Fdaily%2Fintelligencer%2F2017%2F05%2Fin-illinois-another-boost-for-automatic-voter-registration.html&amp;h=ATNxhtiacmzdiZRKYrz8tkcVb-eoa6GHshQZYvSOFqzMlLHYO3TzG4uC6aNEIzro8_K-VyPeVAjZe0XOL9KI4voWmyFad7t7yBjnzY7JR5XxoW5Uk63YXmoZy0_NGvUGJBWvL6w2GrzV\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overwhelming bipartisan support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the legislature, strong enough to override a veto.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to language that Congress included in the omnibus spending bill in late April, the president is now constrained from exercising sweeping executive powers in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com%2Fstory%2F2017%2F05%2F01%2Ftrump-congress-budget-power-237849&amp;h=ATNM0_q6rNT9xSNKgg1w9QZhgKh-9tOszOrNeAOiwJ1ueg_m6RnloSl6l5gXxwZzAyE72p2qKnyNrHMZ1Af4lnSqoHxqQ0sRJUvG-N3FNgqLJPFAVKokbELdSLMFl4cWNFVCMb5lxlk0\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several important ways<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maryland became the first state to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffamiliesusa.org%2Fblog%2F2017%2F05%2Fprescription-drug-price-gouging-maryland-landmark-law-protects-consumers&amp;h=ATNea__hUjyLz0KtEh1rEq3ZYH-0areuffXDlQcJVA3X5rQ9bOfYaVe4FQw7fmnmH1Jycztx9WUGmxLN16zjGj-843Vq7T8uMyplwsYCq84wmdVKHlPwVqtNS5-wWwT0OKHQkXLFqCBq\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enact a law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to protect consumers from price hikes and price fixing by pharmaceutical companies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sixty-two percent of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fenvironment%2F2017%2F05%2Fexxons-investors-climate-change-reporting&amp;h=ATM-O_n3W9rtHAW5wuufU9Bp71Pl3tOPO_qiWqh4dTMPT2nxSnO9-l0_yNsgwwv9T9KuGstyxjw0hAGekRloEQQe3CCsLF--RdRZW5X-_ocyucTkZPe8E9ek5yLV4i9570wJZAcaXyov\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exxon shareholders<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2017\/may\/31\/exxonmobil-climate-change-cost-shareholders\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">voted against management<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to require Exxon to more clearly report how climate change impacts its business. The move was led by funds held by the Church of England, New York, California,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/energy-environment\/wp\/2017\/05\/31\/exxonmobil-is-trying-to-fend-off-a-shareholder-rebellion-over-climate-change\/?utm_term=.59b360637ac0\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indivisible leader Lauren Whitehead<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fiowastartingline.com%2F2017%2F05%2F31%2Findivisible-scores-first-win-in-iowa-with-city-council-victory%2F&amp;h=ATMiITq-HXTUphXUWa2Wxb4HeO_7F6vu7R2U3WgXLHZ0cmNsGopVZSTA99-Db03Ekcn9WatXrSwCr6YR78OT6N4jElrhRUbkVcAjQ1J1wq3S2NdiR2MgsKOouiqjwFuMoz-Tl84r9sc4\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won a seat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the city council in Solon, Iowa &#8212; a small, rural town that went for the Republican presidential candidate in 2016.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jerry Garcia\u2019s famous Wolf guitar was<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jambase.com%2Farticle%2Fjerry-garcia-wolf-guitar-scores-3-million-southern-poverty-law-center&amp;h=ATNLuyeKpayeez7kgoxCFHUi6Wbr1HTCgFaRIcPnPdqd-qzr-R2AV5M5ltw-3Dg9THepRvOdca9DUWcyL94Hj2WXfXsZSJvy117M3Kg-bkhSW9vVthZFRFNtWLCuculaiwJkxupagVie\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">auctioned off<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the Brooklyn Bowl in New York City, with the proceeds of $3.2 million going to support the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Poverty Law Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge in Montana<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fearthjustice.org%2Fnews%2Fpress%2F2017%2Fcourt-overturns-approvals-for-montanore-mine-in-northwest-montana&amp;h=ATMyuCXcO4zorlFdS34k1wc8fDEEXphbpshUdRUCbkdgjR6c_Le9BJuWfYaiOjSPrk0rbVPu-vmBfDHSrGCyeh2ZpNQ43LQSTPn9aeMZ37AfU5LPu5D7HUpvOPJZYfa72-IUZoUJyOFp\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overturned approvals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that federal agencies had granted for a massive industrial mining operation adjacent to Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, which contains some of the purest water in the United States, as well as the delicate habitat of bull trout and grizzly bears.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In California\u2019s Oakland Unified School District, a group of parents organized several years ago to get more<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecowatch.com%2Ffarm-to-school-oakland-2419072502.html%3Futm_source%3DEcoWatch%2BList%26utm_campaign%3De6a5cf9530-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_term%3D0_49c7d43dc9-e6a5cf9530-85399537&amp;h=ATNMMTQzpWOpdT5aAlVpuuC8vs_85masKJvYt33SydbVyWrDwXYFizJAUZ4HgL8ukSKQzj5YhLzSMoT8rVeUGxEYkfH1GbKjG56BDWj-H5aaJjQPf0vx0sz6f-R77zpavgGA4BbvHhmf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">locally grown produce into the school cafeterias<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A recent study found that in a two-year period, the district reduced its carbon footprint by 14%, its water use by 6%, and its food budget by 1%, in addition to serving healthier meals to about 48,000 kids in over 100 schools. And the kids like the food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funitedtoprotectdemocracy.org%2F&amp;h=ATMCh8fGl_25yVQWDRMNmjwUjVLEhH7qC96msOiF57ybRMN8Ca_tS9dI1Deim8wH5mAkHi0x3X9xqvOxbbXg_iNhjB5LK4WUj_xOeHpsVbyqBD_z3NpQhLxJOuxatCXf5UfgMrB_7OH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United to Protect Democracy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funitedtoprotectdemocracy.org%2Fwhat-exactly-did-trump-ask-the-nsa%2F&amp;h=ATM54f3ku-SHGZ0R902iE4NN34Vn89H6_9xplnKSUiwrq298B5g3pyAe9yoTR1PZ76GWftsR6zIeAx3Mjb0HHA61c0St93N2pMigx3hyHuDEiPIJMWgIr5TCQj3W5Evg6ViNvkTcpZ8_\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">filed suit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. to force the National Security Agency to release the contemporaneous memo that, according to the Washington Post, was written by Admiral Michael Rogers, Director of the NSA, to document the conversation in which Trump asked him to publicly deny that evidence of collusion with Russia exists. The group, which had already filed a Freedom of Information Act request in April for any National Security Agency documents related to efforts by Trump to interfere with the investigation, is also suing for the release of any other relevant documents and has submitted a Freedom of Information Act to the National Intelligence Agency for similar documents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the 6th day of Ramadan, about 100 Muslim activists<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Famericas%2Fjewish-people-form-protective-barrier-around-muslims-as-they-protest-trump-a7769086.html%3Fcmpid%3Dfacebook-post&amp;h=ATOXtzNJj1v9u3fgYwV7DjWDMcTEf299iCjzJc-LvR4acSLst1JznfImEQRRHyqWY6QtpUvLdwy2z6s7zVdOQaKNvUhJ2UskjjgKrnZnwT1bmFYFG05a1oWKYAIKXH-YTWjoAEoXAQUv\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gathered outside Trump Tower<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in New York to pray before breaking their fast as a way of protesting the real estate developer\u2019s anti-Muslim speech and policies. Jewish supporters formed a protective barrier around them as they prayed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F06%2F05%2Fpolitics%2Fsupreme-court-north-carolina-gerrymander-case%2F&amp;h=ATOXf--iHShgiunt73qI_YpXDwBrJQhjFa0xn7BWasbi1yz0HIUkt9jF6bE1UemZT3NZ9acmMNB4zGSagbHJeBua-ZXIZWkt5wOOoEM3UBWedI6owmt_L5X5V5DmxenWaDKh5Xm1EycX\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upheld a lower court ruling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from last August that 28 state legislative districts in North Carolina were racially gerrymandered and will need to be redrawn, although it struck down the lower court\u2019s order for special elections. (Yes, this is another ruling related to voting rights in North Carolina, not a duplicate from items on the last Victories and Good News list.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India, the world\u2019s second most populous country, has<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fenvironment%2Findia-solar-power-electricity-cancels-coal-fired-power-stations-record-low-a7751916.html&amp;h=ATNgxVXfia4TSjkPREJaEpoFyN908MMS1EyxDCu3utqha46bfSXRK05rXJmvN8LCCIFT3ovjSJXkA_wmYzERcjNghqSfqSqoC5ogfYi6ftfUgxk_vRg2gkgdjmAT6LvxAkjXbjvGV4M9\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cancelled plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to build giant coal plants and will be investing in solar instead. Because the cost of solar energy is now lower than that of coal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between March and May, Breitbart experienced a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fmedia%2F336607-breitbart-sees-huge-advertising-drop-in-may-report&amp;h=ATM4Kc0a1jkQ6bADOo8LSwkkbY9tAbFpzb_FvrFqOEP-4GFJ4--2PlooWdX2n6saSVTq1HvdHgLmjb42YPxW0NDy0UrNOJNfueThuZGUn6nNOxrbHc7g_uFHEfFPL6NRRgHTg4w1pVOZ\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90% drop<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in advertising due to the persistence of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/slpnggiants\/?utm_source=Small+Victories+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=afdb614d77-Small_Victories_Issue_154_12_2017&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_636f315e88-afdb614d77-142004897&amp;ct=t%28Small_Victories_Issue_113_16_2017%29&amp;mc_cid=afdb614d77&amp;mc_eid=01780db9b8\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleeping Giants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> resisters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Fairfield, Connecticut, Democrat Kevin Kiley<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffairfield.dailyvoice.com%2Fpolitics%2Fdemocrat-kevin-kiley-wins-special-election-for-fairfield-selectman%2F713112%2F&amp;h=ATNpfplLLcow_9GmDwfIHzL839I4tr-q9qqUZ3TCJ8psVuhfVrwlGCB8zSLKJGMatQiy2GT_cyUq_044Tmz88Zg8CJpHvQunBlvQp_gQU5Abcr5QAoUBKaPy9eGyf5C964kgIuh7GbJP\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won a special election<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a selectboard seat, flipping the selectboard. Local elections matter.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Republican-held legislature delivered Kansas governor Sam Brownback a major defeat by<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F06%2F07%2Fus%2Fsam-brownback-kansas-budget-override.html&amp;h=ATMA6q-p_dzSy1C237_mpYs75I8NsOklFV3BWH2zUss_X_d6IEc47xpPhb6sG1C9hOg3z73_K3DNlBAuvfMwMitvbkj1svpmWAAlpS66_pJ5tDO5hV5-sG7NjIjb3VXZH2OJT-GbW6gY\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overriding his veto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on their legislation to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherjones.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F06%2Fkansas-disastrous-experiment-in-trickle-down-economics-is-finally-over%2F&amp;h=ATNCcLUFAN5AKS4TKGLhIg1gQq6ekyhxoSw6l1Qt4jhgmSn5y8C_kfSdMc33PQdInUhrKuSynOUSfzNnFQwuKXKhwHO2qV_XSnjROu7hOk90Df0ZJJb3sZr1B5HnzcIfTso_i7hP0Qci\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">end some of his tax cuts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which have been disastrous for the state. For years, Republicans nationwide have been pointing to Kansas as an exemplary state for its tax cuts, so<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2017%2F06%2F07%2F531886684%2Fthe-kansas-tax-cut-experiment-comes-to-an-end-as-lawmakers-vote-to-raise-taxes%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook.com%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Dnpr%26utm_term%3Dnprnews%26utm_content%3D20170607&amp;h=ATNdI48lpIMeLPNZrM8zrBXiWVNom-8ILIWYbWxSY3Dim13maDiu8RoB2NbwO9--r8Tejrlr3XJLpDlVP7pk6_ncmYqwhZ7AWyz6NKPfDup9TdjYVAlIDOzmfAbcwa7aLoxuTbdJrhKU\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this development<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is being hailed as a blow to the tax cut mentality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the states with the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F06%2F06%2Fclimate%2Frenewable-energy-push-is-strongest-in-the-reddest-states.html%3Fhp%26action%3Dclick%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26clickSource%3Dstory-heading%26module%3Dfirst-column-region%26region%3Dtop-news%26WT.nav%3Dtop-news&amp;h=ATMAPnEQIC_EFXAiWl1GQn1CpiWNYRvGdAho6HCUsG3Ib46B-nLpTovOSzl9nrZ-bKzZs8GgoOxb27cGWX55XJtxwbcMetAldwUh-z0b4ZDf2PSy4HZBaGeQ3Xs88eAnXEyd6aNIpirS\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fastest growth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in renewable energy production are red states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faced with a lawsuit from the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrdc.org%2Fabout&amp;h=ATPYQueq6Z5MlGrFVOv6Gz0wUegFOvRx_7rob1phqhj7Pi_rMcsvx4rsXnsEtge8fO0RgSwHG6jJXsgWKi09td3U4hIYPDGx_RfZtpA2PdCB0qEaBEw3lmVLN_GsPd_Gc2P7_AGa-13I\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Resources Defense Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Environmental Protection Agency<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrdc.org%2Fmedia%2F2017%2F170609-1%26s_src%3DFBNews%26utm_source%3Dfb%26utm_medium%3Dpost%26utm_campaign%3Dmercury&amp;h=ATOoQ8zm6pV_4Hqcj5RP1uA4B17_N5mR9ZQDNka-V_zO_FHq9BO0E6u-3bU9UVM1g9vjqIafJjg6emRrdZY2QDSSKKZSj_4zg5H1iXjYpYo9bn0l_-vHl1KvZXbn3wdkQLcQPVpEnx27\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reinstated a regulation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protecting the public from mercury discarded by dental offices. The rule had been withdrawn on Jan. 20, 2017, as one of the first regulations targeted under the new administration, about a month after it was originally issued.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the leadership of Michael Bloomberg, a growing group of cities, states, universities, and businesses have pledged to honor the Paris Climate Accord and are<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F06%2F01%2Fclimate%2Famerican-cities-climate-standards.html%3Fhp%26action%3Dclick%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26clickSource%3Dstory-heading%26module%3Db-lede-package-region%26region%3Dtop-news%26WT.nav%3Dtop-news%26_r%3D1&amp;h=ATOBd6f4h2COgP6j3Um38wpK5aIb_aAYfrrnRCAh8KHrFdqnah_pXNuUvehE3-xcH9Tx6h58frPAOlf2GELIhezT6-nic6sVgLgkNf_5R3ZxGFW8E0ys_rL9aL1WgcHwK1CAHAhz7EAO\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seeking official signatory status<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the United Nations. Michael Bloomberg has also<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fenergy-environment%2Fwp%2F2017%2F06%2F03%2Fmichael-bloomberg-pledges-his-own-money-to-help-u-n-after-trump-pulls-out-of-paris-climate-deal%2F%3Futm_term%3D.3def0e1c6e2e&amp;h=ATMFWj2aAnlPGHoYpb9UTHUGpkd-0JNXEvmyzBSukXrsw1KJ1L9Aku5Jwd_URxXHHOOkZWG4HBxSbe7uNJcmETr2-R1AwCVuinHC2bMDQqpvuh_kFurR-Si4yRUy9T2BTs8ZcX74WngA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pledged $15 million<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help replace the lost contribution to these efforts that the United States was to make.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In about two dozen cities, protesters at anti-Muslim rallies called by ACT for America, which<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.splcenter.org%2F&amp;h=ATMHXGtF64v8VS2IHGgV59j6yuUYxi8oS7qG0HoTus1s1M0pHOKmqcyRwsvEaEkEAKl83XVUs51clFdLX3s82lIRP9SQmeG8rpy__fyPXmvh9KWq0jCOxt-_-Z0kFnWovDaA5tqVGsQh\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Poverty Law Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> considers a hate group, were vastly<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnational%2Freligion%2Frallies-against-islamic-law-draw-counter-protests-across-us%2F2017%2F06%2F11%2F96f902a8-4e74-11e7-987c-42ab5745db2e_story.html%3Futm_term%3D.cc67c47ec6c3&amp;h=ATMmnm3UywI5Ukr-SDY7PUZQYWYuWB2-MEMld788zeip6n6yL3YQFcLUvwEVjNlJ4brA6XEiJiZXfbqVcT65gE2rJMe40CBMgPCiw0quaOi3CgWmJ9qh4h7qXffg8SI1ZHfGGxwNPIkk\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outnumbered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by those who turned out to oppose them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>LATE APRIL THROUGH MAY 26, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: Suit Up Maine is going to make this a regularly produced feature, and future \u201cissues\u201d will include hyperlinks to all the sources. This list was well under way before the admin team realized that would be a good idea (oops), so we offer this one, for now, without the sourcing. But Google is your friend (provided we retain<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/suitupmaine\/posts\/1363793033706543\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">net neutrality &#8212; see our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on that) if you would like any additional info about these. With apologies for any persisters or successes inadvertently omitted, we hope this round-up cheers and fortifies you.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First the victories on items that were on Suit Up Maine\u2019s weekly C2A lists. (We expect this list to grow as Maine\u2019s legislature takes more votes in the coming weeks.)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both houses of the Maine legislature passed, by numbers the Natural Resources Council of Maine called \u201coverwhelming,\u201d LD 820, which mandates some important environmental protections against the destruction caused by mining in the state. Although it does not go as far as many would like, it does have the advantage of being more likely to overcome a veto by the governor than stronger proposals would have been.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The committee voted 12-0 \u201cought not to pass\u201d on LD 1505 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/suitupmaine\/posts\/1358079404277906\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This was a proposal by LePage to undermine the authority of cities to regulate the use of pesticides. Typically, such a vote is a death knell for a bill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both houses of the Maine legislature passed LD 1237 (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/suitupmaine\/posts\/1328584800560700\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), requiring insurance providers to cover up to 12 months of birth control at a time. It passed with a margin that should make it veto-proof.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to a united front from Congressional Democrats, who were joined by some concerned Republicans, and a whole lot of pressure from constituents (i.e. US), the stop-gap budget to keep the government running through September included not one of Trump\u2019s major priorities. The wall did not get any funding, and Congress preserved funds for scientific research, the EPA, some social services, and the arts and humanities that Trump had wanted to cut.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suit Up members also joined in the national pressure to appoint a special counsel (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/suitupmaine\/posts\/1353797251372788\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), and Maine Attorney General Janet Mills was one of 20+ state AGs who signed a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein requesting this, too. Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller, a well respected former FBI Director, as a special counsel to investigate potential connections between the Trump team and Russia. He has a broad mandate to pursue any possible criminal issues that may emerge in that investigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On other matters across the country and the world:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exxon Mobile lost an appeal to keep records held by auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers out of the hands of investigators working under New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Exxon is headquartered in Texas, which protects auditor-client communications in a way similar to attorney-client privilege. But the appeals court ruled that New York\u2019s law applies. The investigation by Schneiderman\u2019s office concerns potential financial fraud \u2013 whether Exxon deceived shareholders and the public about climate change risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Fourth Circuit Court upheld the lower court\u2019s block on Trump\u2019s second Muslim travel ban. This is significant not only because the Fourth Circuit is one of the more conservative appeals courts, but because of the strong language in the court decision.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox News broadcaster Sean Hannity is losing advertisers after pushing a shameless conspiracy theory about the killing of a former Democratic National Committee staffer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denver passed a surprisingly simple law that will help protect legal, documented immigrants from deportation. The federal policy holds that any non-citizen (including green card holders and people here on student or work visas) is subject to deportation if they are found guilty of a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 365 days or more, whether or not they actually get that sentence. Denver changed its maximum sentence for petty offenses (trespassing, etc.) to less than 365 days, so these people will now be off the federal government\u2019s radar screen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a Fourth Circuit Court\u2019s ruling against some of the nation\u2019s most horrific voter obstruction efforts. Republican legislators in North Carolina were seeking to reinstate voting laws that the appeals court had condemned as targeting black voters \u201cwith almost surgical precision.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a separate case, the Supreme Court not only struck down as unconstitutional the districting lines in two of that state\u2019s districts, but even included in the decision language that calls into question the standard Republican argument in these cases. Republicans argue that the motivation for the districting is partisan (to ensure more Republican seats), not to diminish the vote of black voters. The decision, written by Justice Kagan, says that when the two results are so linked together, the argument based on partisan goals is questionable. Legal experts are saying this opens the way for more successful challenges to these voter obstruction tactics in other districts, especially in the South.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">French voters rejected the far-right Marine LePen as prime minister, making this the third European country to say no to right-wing, anti-immigrant, fascist-leaning candidates in recent elections (joining Austria and the Netherlands).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Iranian voters, with very high turnout, not only soundly defeated a religious hard-liner, electing the more moderate President Hassan Rouhani, but also put the entire 21-member city council of Tehran in the hands of moderate reformers. And moderates and independents now oversee 18 of the country\u2019s 20 largest cities, which will diminish the influence of the hard-liners. Iranians also elected 415 women to city and village councils.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within 24 hours after the House passed its health care repeal bill, ActBlue, Swing Left, Daily Kos, and Crooked Media raised an astonishing $1,650,000 to support the elections of Democratic challengers in vulnerable Republican House districts. The money will be held in escrow until there is a nominee. (The money continued to come in after that initial 24 hours, but I can\u2019t find more recent totals than that.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprising many observers, the Senate voted to leave intact an Obama-era regulation of the release of methane gas from oil and gas wells on public land. Susan Collins was one of three Republicans who crossed party lines defeat efforts to gut this rule. (Angus King also voted against it.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sally Yates testified about the Flynn Affair before Congress and skillfully smacked down Ted Cruz by citing the law, becoming a twitter sensation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of a National Black Mamas Bail Out Day, Color of Change, Black Lives Matter, and other groups raised over a half million dollars to provide bail so that women in prison awaiting trial could be home for Mother\u2019s Day. They raised enough to provide bail for at least 50 women in 18 cities. These are women who would have awaited trial at home if they had had more money.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A federal judge ruled that Houston\u2019s cash bail system is against the Constitution because it disadvantages the poor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connecticut became the 8th state to ban conversion therapy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indivisible folks in Lincoln, Nebraska decided to target the city council as their local action focus, and they flipped the council in a sweep for the Democrats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There have been grand juries and subpoenas issued in the probe of the Trump team\u2019s election activities. So far the ones we know about relate to Carter Page, Paul Manafort, and Michael Flynn. In Flynn\u2019s case, when he took the 5th and refused to produce documents subpoenaed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, the committee issued a subpoena to his company instead. Companies can\u2019t take the 5th. Jared Kushner is now a focus of the investigation, as well.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of four companies contracted (following a court order) to replace more than 18,000 corroded lead pipes in Flint, Michigan is WT Stevens Construction, which is owned by black women.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TWO state house positions have flipped. In a special election held after a Republican representative took another position, Christine Pellegrino, an elementary school reading teacher and Bernie delegate to the Democratic convention last year, defeated a Republican rival in New York\u2019s District 9 for a seat in the New York Assembly. This deep red district went to Trump in 2016 (60-37). In New Hampshire, Democrat Edie DesMarais took a Republican seat in the State House, representing the 6th District. Trump won 51-44 last fall in that district. No Democrat has ever held this seat before.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the struggling steel town of Monessen, Pennsylvania, the Democratic mayor who became a news sensation by backing Trump during the campaign lost to Democratic challenger Matt Shorraw, a 26-year old high school band director. The local Democrats took the unusual step of supporting Shorraw\u2019s candidacy during the primary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Jackson, Mississippi, Chokwe Antar Lumumba defeated the incumbent mayor on a platform that emphasized investment in education and crime reduction through community engagement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even in the discouraging Montana special election, Rob Quist came within 6 points of winning in a district that Trump won by 20 points in November. In a large majority of special elections around the country since then, even where Democrats have not won, the margins have moved dramatically. This bodes well for future elections, since many districts were much closer than a 20-point spread and could flip easily with the gains in Democratic margins that have been happening.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the first time in 17 years, Fox News lagged in the ratings for one week, behind both MSNBC and CNN, in the 25-54 demographic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to polling from 538, the number of Americans who \u201cstrongly approve\u201d of Trump has fallen by almost a third from February, to 21% or 22%, and voters who \u201cstrongly disapprove\u201d now outnumber them by about 2 to 1.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On May 13, California set a new record, producing 67% of the state\u2019s power that day from renewables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State and local prosecutors are pushing back against Sessions\u2019s call for mandatory minimum sentences. Even though they are not bound by these sentencing guidelines because they are not federal prosecutors, they are signing statements against the advisability of such policies and raising public awareness about their likely impact. Among the signers are the Manhattan district attorney and the Los Angeles city attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Chicago, thousands of protesters showed up in support of fair wages and union rights during the annual shareholder meeting of McDonald\u2019s.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taiwan became the first Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the University of Notre Dame, which has a tradition of having the president as the commencment speaker the first year of a president\u2019s service, backlash from faculty and students caused them to break with this tradition and invite Mike Pence instead. Then students arranged for 500 rainbow flags to be flying from all over campus that weekend and staged a well-publicized, peaceful walk-out when Pence took the podium, stating that his views and actions were opposed to Catholic social teaching calling Christians to be on the side of the marginalized. In addition, the valedictorian\u2019s speech praised a woman\u2019s right to choose, decried the building of a border wall, and called for this generation to stand up to the scapegoating of Muslims.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grove City College, a small, conservative Christian school in western Pennsylvania, saw unprecedented backlash from students and faculty to Pence as a commencement speaker. Students said that as Christians, they could not support someone who sows such hatred, violence, and divisiveness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevada became the 19th state to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. We now have half the states needed to ratify an amendment, although Congress would also have to vote to do that. This is a long-haul process, but it is moving forward.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>April 15-21, 2017<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2017\/04\/20\/business\/media\/fears-of-revolt-by-consumers-felled-bill-oreilly.html?hp&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=second-column-region&amp;region=top-news&amp;WT.nav=top-news&amp;_r=0\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bill O\u2019Reilly lost his job<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. SUM partnered with Sleeping Giants on a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/bill-oreilly-ask-sponsors-to-pull-ads\/1314175828668264\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a Twitter campaign targeting the news show\u2019s advertisers to protest his long history of sexual harassment. Efforts like these were credited with the network\u2019s decision to fire the host of the most popular news program on cable. h\/t to everyone who participated, and to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/karin.leuthy\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karin Leuthy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for her work on the C2A.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ppaction.org\/site\/Advocacy;jsessionid=00000000.app20109a?pagename=homepage&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=21599&amp;autologin=true&amp;AddInterest=1587&amp;NONCE_TOKEN=A17E43150AB80B72D373740A7FC1634A\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Birth control bill receives a \u201cought to pass\u201d vote<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. SUM joined Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund on a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/access-to-contraception-support-expanded-insurance-coverage-for-maine-women\/1328584800560700\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C2A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to promote awareness of this bill and urge people to attend the public hearing held Wednesday. Thursday afternoon, the HHS committee voted 9-4 to send the bill to the House and Senate for a vote. h\/t to everyone who attended the hearing and wrote or called committee members, and to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sarahdavenport\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sarah Davenport<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for her work on the C2A.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2017\/04\/20\/politics\/hundreds-gather-at-state-house-to-protest-bill-punishing-sanctuary-cities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standing-room only crowd shows support for undocumented immigrants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/notes\/suit-up-maine\/protecting-immigrants-oppose-ld-366\/1315371215215392\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SUM<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> joined efforts by Maine Equal Justice Partners, Maine People\u2019s Alliance, and many other organizations to speak out against LD 366, a bill that would punish sanctuary cities and towns in Maine. The result: Standing-room only in the hearing and overflow rooms at the State House. h\/t to all of you who attended the hearing and to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/karin.leuthy\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karin Leuthy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for all her work on the C2A.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successful Tax Day Marches. Thousands of people across the state took part in tax day rallies last weekend to push for the release of Trump\u2019s tax returns. Bath,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbangordailynews.com%2F2017%2F04%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fprotesters-rally-in-bangor-to-demand-that-trump-release-his-tax-returns%2F&amp;h=ATMyHbYgevHzsrJ2OUJ3pprmkCBr83wGOSYggpVcg4obKUA0z2laWAkvCp_PnQphufktxmqk5xyzCPvmvFRHScq_Nd-2hHrVhrfI_7N_MHuBiDmgdpRs54HqWRHGY8DG9uH01Q5bNJh5\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bangor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/knox.villagesoup.com\/p\/midcoast-lens-tax-march-thomaston\/1643572\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomaston<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pressherald.com%2F2017%2F04%2F15%2Ftax-day-demonstrators-demand-that-trump-release-tax-returns%2F&amp;h=ATN-O6BmJ6qEU7QT504WJQWJFgC-4QqOsABNvMEU0k5Nk993yXdExByd7XkZTINoNyqCEBv6yrGNUEGHnI6YM25TzKbjb3cn4vDH4qvLStEGi6JSg9j-Af0zgZmDZ-WnO66mk1ppaqHA\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were among hundreds of cities and towns around the country that hosted a march. h\/t to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MarchForthBand\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">March Forth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/250148772077856\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Midcoast Maine Indivisible<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Indivisible Sagadahoc and all the other groups across the state that organized marches.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recess Town Halls. Mainers held town halls across the state during the Congressional recess. Sadly, Bruce Poliquin and Susan Collins chose not to attend. That didn\u2019t stop hundreds of residents in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DaUmhs0fx75g&amp;h=ATNHX8dmYkj3fk-WKi6qApPwl8ftbsugkxhoWyAB9jOiYUh6lnsoUeYygCd7OGhEiAY9UxPeptMLoT-npIapYNBe194ob8D-G4-9b9ZGTJnA7ooCTa6V9oPnjziA7zxQDzfLxaPJHRmN\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Farmington<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fknox.villagesoup.com%2Fp%2Fcrowd-packs-town-hall-meeting-but-sen-collins-is-a-no-show%2F1645231&amp;h=ATOPiBIjwHjIowWitutgve9d8kwOVGbw00494jlFLZCdHqL7Jps1H7t2uiTHIx6uA3sKY097Wfj606nENWg00WhrMs8yUcoL2v789VbE9rtCgr5ObYl9X9k1sZXASAR7D-lJt8A78-Kf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomaston<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and Mt. Vernon from gathering to share their concerns. h\/t to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/250148772077856\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Midcoast Maine Indivisible<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/themetroplex.mvcc\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indivisible Northwest Kennebec<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.umf.maine.edu%2Fsustainablecampus%2F&amp;h=ATM6VA8Izb-wF4ENqkA_XzLucc3W_XpcNdxAAyVvvpRsAXElPg_zPJb9A09CR3bTb1kh6t49w20ZmN7Yc-EVCHJvTY7yXpgA_LWch40AAW1j3p42zuDsXrbT9AwLNR5dySmTaS1UiFAr\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 class=\"_1gtv\"><\/h5>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; module_class=&#8221;site-footer&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.79&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;2px|0px|5px|0px&#8221; global_module=&#8221;845&#8243;][et_pb_row global_parent=&#8221;845&#8243; make_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;2600px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;22px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#9e9e9e&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_image global_parent=&#8221;845&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/suitup_new_new_FLAME_horiz-1.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; max_width=&#8221;45%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||15px|&#8221; \/][et_pb_text global_parent=&#8221;845&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; text_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; text_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.5em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Suit Up Maine is an all-volunteer grassroots group of Mainers who work to raise awareness of and advocate for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. We are\u00a0beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians, and we aren\u2019t engaged in fundraising. Suit Up Maine fosters collaboration among our state\u2019s progressive groups and organizations to collectively connect, educate, and motivate Mainers to rise in non-violent resistance to a regressive agenda.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow global_parent=&#8221;845&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>[et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;facebook&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/suitupmaine\/&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#3b5998&#8243; follow_button=&#8221;off&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221;]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;twitter&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/twitter.com\/SuitUpMaine&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#00aced&#8221; follow_button=&#8221;off&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221;]twitter[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;instagram&#8221; 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Good News Roundup from Suit Up Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Taking stock of our wins is a sweet tonic for the soul of the weary resister, and a reminder that every voice and every action is important in this fight. 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