Dear Indivisibles,

History has its eyes on us and the 2018 election season is in full swing. You have a very important job to do, which is to get everyone you know -- your grandma, your neighbor, that barista you're friendly with -- out to the polls tomorrow. It's time to make voting a habit. Every election. Every time.

Stand Up!

Keep up with the most impactful stories and be ready to take action on developing stories.

National News

• Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign manager that was so critical to the campaign that he picked the current vice president, began his trial for numerous crimes mostly related to money laundering and bank fraud. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani called into Fox news to give the following defense "My client didn't do it, and even if he did it, it's not a crime."  Watch US senator Chris Coons (D Delaware) read the specific law that Giuliani claims does not exist. There have been five guilty pleas so far in the Mueller investigation, catch up at https://www.2016activemeasures.org
• A judge ruled that ICE must stop giving children psychiatric drugs without parental knowledge. It is unclear whether a qualified doctor is writing these prescriptions. One child is reported dead due to negligence at an ICE facility and another eight have been sexually assaulted while separated from their families. Trump's 'zero tolerance' policy does not workany better than any other zero tolerance policies.
• Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the supreme court appears to be moving forward despite his statements that the president should be above the law (a position many of you may recognize as a "king", not a president) and his possible involvement in torture scandals in the George W Bush white house. Senators report that they are hearing only mild opposition from constituent callers. Please call today! U.S. Senator Jerry Moran  U.S. Senator Pat Roberts

Kansas News

• Finney County, KS was the focus of a strange story this week. A malicious virus first infected some local government computers in late June. Officials there say that malware did not reach any election systems. But then Vice President Mike Pence suggested otherwise last week! This simply further highlights the need for us to keep our eyes on election officials in our own counties and to demand accountability up and down government. For the full story click here.

• Kansas City, KS residents will decide Tuesday whether they want to keep a ⅜ cent public safety tax or look to property tax increases to fund necessary revenue. This is a classic example of why voting is a true expression of public values on issues of concern to the well-being of the whole community. The sales tax has funded an additional 25 police officers as well as some new public safety equipment, but is set to expire in 2020 unless voters renew the tax for an additional ten years. If the tax isn’t renewed Aug. 7, the Unified Government would look at a property tax increase to make up for the lost revenue.

Fight Back!  

Take action on your own schedule! Use your phone and computer to make your voice heard.

Speak Out!

Tell your elected officials where you stand on key issues. Call, send an e-mail, write a letter, visit an office. Click on your federal representatives’ name for information.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts

U.S. Congressman Kevin Yoder

Click here for a map of Kansas' U.S. Congressional Districts.

Click here to look up your State of Kansas Elected Officials.

Take Action!

Join a phone bank, rally or protest, learn about an issue, sign a petition ... help build a better a better country.

This week:

Monday, August 6: Make a Plan to Vote! Questions about where, when and how? Click here!

Thursday, August 9:

Join KS/MO Dream alliance and allies for a discussion on immigration beyond reform on Aug. 9 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Rockhurst Community Center, 5401 Troost.  Learn how detention centers affect families, why immigration is a reproductive justice issue, and how you can help. Panelists include Diana Martinez, Pamela Merritt, Alex Martinez, and Ramon Valdez. Our moderator will be none other than Raymond Rico. Resistencia is on hand for a special performance.

Saturday, August 11:

Join the Blue Wave Unity Rally & Day of Action co-sponsored by the KS-3 Coordinated Campaign, JoCo MoveOn, SwingLeft and the JoCo Democratic Party to meet other volunteers ready to work into the general election by helping with phone banking or canvassing in targeted areas of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.

Future events:

August 19 - 29:  Save time for Women's Equality Week:

Check out all the great events planned for the week of Aug. 19 - 26 to mark the 98th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.  The celebration kicks off Sunday night, Aug. 19 at 5:30pm in the Blue Room in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news and event updates.

Indivisible KC