Dr. Cohn Dazzles Us with Knowledge at Second Speakers Series a Success
A big thank you to Dr. Marjorie Cohn who shared her legal and political expertise with us at our Second Speakers Series and General Membership Meeting. Dr. Cohn spoke with Women Will supporters and members about the travel ban and withdrawal from the Paris Accords. She described the legal foundations of an impeachable offense and outlined how this administration has not followed the law in a variety of ways. Dr. Cohn graciously took questions from the audience and offered thoughtful and context-specific responses to questions that increased our knowledge.
Thank you also to Women Will members Sarita Ordonez, Co-Chair of Legal Affairs and Maya Landsberg, Chair of Youth Advocacy, who presented an engaging and powerful introduction their work at Women Will. Gratitude is also due Ana Anderson, Co-Chair of Meetings and Membership, who assured the evening went off smoothly and with tasty appetizers and drinks. A special thank you goes to Andrea Esajian, Kristi Blackburn, and Cindy Phillips for your help with the space.
Please mark your calendars and save the date for our 3rd Speakers Series & General Membership Meeting on July 18th!
Join Women Will to Phonebank for Jon Ossoff
Our second phone banking action to flip the House in 2008 will be on June 17th from 10 AM – 1 PM. Join us to make calls to Georgia voters to support Jon Ossoff on June 21st when they go to the polls for a special election.
What: Phone Banking Action to flip the 6th District in Georgia to a Democrat, Jon Ossoff.
When: Saturday, June 17th from 10 AM- 1 PM.
Where: San Diego County Democratic Party 8340 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste. 105, San Diego, California 92111
RSVP/QUESTIONS: [email protected] (You have to send an email asking to phonebank so they can register you and determine how much training you need. Brand new callers are welcome!)
WW Point of contact: Tricia Gallagher-Geurtsen [email protected]
Resist with Quist Calling Party Re-cap
Thanks to Women Will members and supporters, last night we called a dozens of voters in Montana, encouraging them to consider voting for Rob Quist, a political outsider and democrat who has a chance of turning Montana blue on May 25th. We got to work quickly learning how to use the hub-dailer and remembering to not hang up the phone. The system is pretty cool and connects you to the next voter automatically. Women Will supporters are welcome to call using the script and hub-dailer tool up until Election Day. Watch the instructional video and get started!
And if you want to do more, connect with Swing Left and start your own calling party to flip a House swing district in the next election!
March for Science
Women Will members marched for science in downtown San Diego with their children. The peaceful march was well-attended and cerebral. The many signs created by "proud nerds," scientists, and engineers to name just a few emphasized the rigorous nature of scientific research and power of science to make our lives better. Often seen were "Science saves lives." and "Science is real." There is a tight connection between scientific research and the health and welfare of women and children. Without rigorous science and policies that support and fund it, women and the most vulnerable groups will suffer the most. Women Will supports science!
Read moreFighting Trumpcare: A How To Guide
May 5, 2017
Yesterday the U.S. House passed Trumpcare. If it passes the U.S. Senate and is signed by President Trump, it will become law. We know that many of you and your family members have preexisting conditions that the current proposed legislation would allow states to make your heath insurance rates too costly to buy. We must resist and push our Senators to vote no! Here's a guide from the Indivisible Guide to resisting Trumpcare. First and foremost, call your Senators and leave a message today saying that you oppose Trumpcare and you want your Senators to convince their Republican colleagues to vote no! AND please call friends and family in other states and ask them to call. Our lives literally depend on it.
Senator Feinstein (202) 224-3841
Senator Harris (202) 224-3553
Read more about how you can resist at the Indivisible Guide.
#womenwillbecauseprogresscantwait #womenwill
General Membership & Speaker Series Kickoff A Success
Dr. Sierra Washington speaking at the General Membership Meeting April 25th, 2017
Dr. Dawn Hagan, Co-Chair of Political Action and Strategy speaking on becoming an activist
Many of you attended our first general membership meeting last evening. We were moved by your attendance and so happy to see all of you!
We heard your feedback about wanting to learn more about “how” to get involved. We also heard your numerous comments about how Dr. Washington and our steering committee inspired you and fed your desire to be more involved. In keeping our commitment to you, below you will find various ways in which you can get involved straight away.
Spread the word, invite your friends and family to become a general member of Women Will by signing up on our website: https://womenwill. nationbuilder.com/
QUICK ACTION – At Home
Petitions are an important part of being heard by our elected representatives. Below are two resources where you can make great impact.
1. ACLU Pledge to Persist: https://action.aclu.org/secure/sign-aclu-pledge-persist
2. Moveon.org: https://front.moveon.org/
WOMEN WILL ACTION – Get Moving
March!
If you have not marched yet, it's time to feel the energy of like-minded people as you move en masse for a cause you are passionate about! Politicians are watching news coverage of marches and they want to know if large numbers of voters represent an issue. This will change our politicians' positions, votes, and actions!
What: May 1st International Worker's Day March
When: Monday, May 1, 2017 3:00-8:00 PM
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1829931653943518/
WW Point of contact: Elif Tinney (Meet at 2nd Ave & G Street- in front of Ralphs between 2:45 and 3pm)
EDUCATE: RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Many of us are new to political action, so we have to keep learning as we work for progress! An invaluable inspiration for the Women Will steering committee was The Indivisible Guide written by congressional staffers.
We encourage you to read through it as we did.
Here's a key idea from the Indivisible Guide:
It’s all about reelection, reelection, reelection To influence your own Member of Congress (MoC), you have to understand one thing: every House member runs for office every two years and every Senator runs for election every six years. Functionally speaking, MoCs are always either running for office or getting ready for their next election — a fact that shapes everything they do. To be clear, this does not mean that your MoC is cynical and unprincipled. The vast majority of people in Congress believe in their ideals and care deeply about representing their constituents and having a positive impact. But they also know that if they want to make change, they need to stay in office.This constant reelection pressure means that MoCs are enormously sensitive to their image in the district or state, and they will work very hard to avoid signs of public dissent or disapproval. What every MoC wants — regardless of party — is for his or her constituents to agree with the following narrative:“My MoC cares about me, shares my values, and is working hard for me.”
— What every MoC wants their constituents to think
JOIN WOMEN WILL
Please let us know if you would like to get involved with Women Will. You can start the process by sending an email to the committee or co-chair listed below and let them know how you can help.
General: Trish trish@ cuttingedgeeducation.com
Legal Affairs Co-Chair: Deanna [email protected]
Youth Advocacy Committee Chair: Maya [email protected]
Immigrant & Minority Rights Committee Chair: Elif [email protected]
Political Action and Strategy Co-chair: Dawn [email protected]
Meetings & Membership Co-chair: Ana [email protected]
Publicity Committee Chair: Jen jenniferglickmangamez@ yahoo.com
Fundraising Committee Chair: Mira [email protected]
Women Will because progress can't wait!
Respectfully,
Trish
Chair of Women Will
Dr. Sierra Washington to Speak at General Meeting Tuesday April 24th
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sierra Washington who will be speaking at our General Membership Meeting and Mixer tomorrow Tuesday, April 25th, 2017 at Voce Del Mare in Bird Rock (5721 La Jolla Blvd).
Sierra Washington, MD, is a board-certified OBGYN who provides labor and delivery care at UC San Diego Health. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Reproductive Medicine, where she instructs OB/GYN residents in the areas of contraception and abortion. She also teaches and supervises residents in the inpatient setting. Dr. Washington serves as medical director and chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, which provides medical services for 18 locations in the region, including San Diego County, Riverside County and Imperial Valley County.
Dr. Washington completed her residency UCSF, where she served as chief resident. She earned her doctoral degree from Harvard Medical School and holds a Master of Science in Public Health from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG).
The mixer begins at 6:30 with cash bar and happy hour menu. The program begins at 7 PM.
General Meeting Tuesday April 25th 6:30 PM
Dear Women Will Members and Supporters,
We would like to invite you to a General Membership meeting this Tuesday April 25th at 6:30 PM at Voce Del Mare in Bird Rock (5721 La Jolla Blvd.). There will be a cash bar and happy hour menu available. At 7 PM we will have a speaker and the steering committee will tell you more about what we have been up to and ways to get involved from simple and easy on your phone to joining committees in their political action initiatives. Bring your friends, learn more, get involved, connect, and enjoy!
We look forward to seeing you!
Laura Beiser, Secretary
Sarita Ordonez, Chair, Legal Affairs Committee
Maya Landsberg, Chair, Youth Advocacy Committee
Elif Tinney, Chair, Immigrant & Minority Rights Committee
Dawn Hagan & Stephanie Mauro Baran, Co-Chairs, Political Action and Strategy Committee
Phifer Crute, Chair, Meetings and Membership
Jen Gamez, Chair, Publicity Committee
Mira Costello, Chair, Fundraising Committee
Tricia Gallagher-Geurtsen, Chair
Women Will at Feinstein's Town Hall April 20 2017
Thank you, Dawn Hagan, Women Will Political Action and Strategy Committee Co-Chair and daughter Zoey Hagan for representing us in Senator Feinstein's Town Hall in Los Angeles today! Dawn and Zoe are pictured with Mr. Ryan Williams, Senator Feinstein's San Diego District Office's Field Representative.
Cases Filed Against the Trump Administration
Thanks to Deanna Niño, Attorney at Law, of our Legal Affairs Committee, we have a memorandum on significant cases filed against the Trump administration. The cases are promising and divided into categories: Executive Orders, Financial Conflicts of Interest, Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities, Climate, and Civil Rights Lawsuits. Please read these brief case summaries to educate yourself on current legal resistance to the Trump agenda.
DRAFT MEMORANDUM
TO: Women Will
FROM: Deanna Niño
DATE: April 7, 2017
RE: Summary of Significant Cases Filed Against the Trump Administration Categorized By Topic __________________________________________________________________
The cases filed against the Trump Administration fall into several categories as detailed below. This memorandum focuses on the most significant cases in each category.
Executive Order (Travel Ban & Refugees):
See the attached extensive list of cases filed against the Trump Administration listed by Circuit as obtained by LawFare. These “Travel Ban” cases are being filed based on alleged violations of the 1st Amendment (Establishment Clause - religious equality), 5th Amendment (due process) and 14th Amendment (equal protection under the law) and denials of asylum and discriminatory visa processing. The following cases detailed below are the most notable to date.
1. Darweesh v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of NY, January 28, 2017)1 - Second Circuit
-This case was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”), National Immigration Law Center (“NILC”) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) on behalf of two Iraqi refugees who were detained at the JFK airport after the First Executive Order2 was issued by the Trump Administration and were threatened deportation despite having valid U.S. visas. Both plaintiffs had ties to the U.S. government and were fearful (along with their families) of remaining in Iraq.
-This lawsuit alleges violations of their 5th Amendment procedural and substantive due process rights as well as U.S. immigration statutes.
-The State of New York joined the above suit. The New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called the executive order “unconstitutional, unlawful, and fundamentally un-American.”
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1 This was the first case filed challenging the First Executive Order.
2 The First Executive Order 13769 entitled the “Protecting Of The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States” issued on January 27, 2017 (“First Order”) excluded refugees from Syria indefinitely due to the nation’s ongoing civil war and Nationals from seven predominantly Muslim Countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen) from traveling to the U.S. for 90 days.
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-Judge Donnelly issued an injunction on January 28, 2017 halting the deportation of any detainees. This ruling was very broad and applied nationally. However, this injunction did not apply to all lawful permanent residents or VISA holders who were oversees while the First Order was signed.
2. Aziz v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, January 28, 2017) - Fourth Circuit
-Class action suit filed on behalf of two Yemeni brothers who arrived at Dulles airport with green cards (planning to join their father in MI) but were detained and placed on return flights to Eastern Africa. This suit includes 60 lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who were detained and suffered similar situations at Dulles airport and were denied access to counsel.
-Alleged violations of the 5th Amendment equal protection and due process rights, the 1st Amendment Establishment Clause, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
-The State of Virginia intervened in this lawsuit stating its universities were being harmed by the First Order.
-Judge Brinkema issued an injunction limited to the affected parties (pointing to the nationwide temporary restraining order from WA v. Trump).
3. Sarsour v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, January 30, 2017) - Fourth Circuit
- Large class action lawsuit which was filed by the Committee of American-Islamic Relations (“CAIR”) on behalf of more than 20 plaintiffs (many plaintiffs of whom are public figures, one plaintiff who is a pregnant wife who was barred from entering the US, and another plaintiff who is a critical care physician that works in an underserviced area in the U.S. which would cause great harm to that area if he is not permitted to stay in the U.S.)
- The complaint alleges the purpose of the First Order is to “initiate the mass expulsion of immigrant and nonimmigrant Muslims lawfully residing in the United States by denying them the ability to renew their lawful status or receive immigration benefits afforded to them under the Immigration and Nationality Act.” In addition, the lawsuit states that the First Order applies only to Muslims.
-The lawsuit alleges violations of the 1st Amendment (Establishment Clause and right to freedom of religion), 5th Amendment (equal protection rights), and the Administrative Procedure Act.
-This lawsuit is still ongoing and no order has been entered to date.
4. International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, February 7, 2017) - Fourth Circuit
-The ACLU and National Immigration Law Center (“NILC”) on behalf of the International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) filed a lawsuit against the
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Trump Administration stating the First Order and the Revised Order3 violates 1st Amendment and the 5th Amendment.
-Judge Chuang issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on a portion of the Revised Order which blocks the travel ban from six predominately Muslim countries. Judges in Hawaii and Maryland used the language in the Trump Campaign to demonstrate the intent and unlawful purpose of the Muslim Travel Ban. Judge Chuang noted that “the history of public statements continues to provide a convincing case that the purpose of the Second Executive Order remains the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban.”
Appeals.
-The Trump Administration has appealed the ruling to the 4th Circuit of
5. Washington v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington) - Ninth Circuit
-Washington was the first state to sue over the First Order alleging violations of Equal Protection under the Constitution and the 1st Amendment Establishment Clause and the right to Due Process. Judge Robart issued a broad injunction halting the First Order nationwide.
-The States of Oregon and Minnesota joined the case.
-The following states filed Briefs in support of the WA initial lawsuit: CA, CT, DE, IL, IO, ME, MD, NM, PA, RI, VT and VA.
-Numerous businesses (i.e., Expedia and Amazon) filed Declarations of Support outlining harm to each company in this case.
-The State of Washington intends to ask the Judge to rule that the temporary restraining order against the First Order applies to the Revised Order.
6. State of Hawaii v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, February 3, 2017 and Amended March 6, 2017) - Ninth Circuit
-Hawaii was the first state to file a lawsuit against the Revised Order.
-Hawaii argues that the Revised Order will harm the Muslim population, tourism and the economy of Hawaii, the educational institutions and foreign students of Hawaii and is incompatible with the freedom of religion protections of the federal and state Constitutions.
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3 On March 6, 2017, President Trump rescinded the January 27, 2017 Executive Order and replaced it with a narrower one, Executive Order 13780 (the “Revised Order”). This Revised Order was the same as the First Order except it removed: (1) the preference for refugees who are religious minorities; (2) gave exemptions for green-card holders, legal permanent residents and people with valid visas already issued; and (3) Iraq from the list of countries whose Nationals could not travel to the U.S. Basically, the Revised Order is harder to challenge in a court of law since it is drafted more narrowly than the First Order, however it still arguably has the same meaning and intent, i.e., a “Muslim Ban.” Several Judges are noting the Trump Campaign statements in their rulings (i.e., the Maryland and Hawaii courts)
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-This case includes an individual plaintiff (Ismail Elshikh) along with the State of Hawaii which many legal scholars believe is important because some question a state’s standing to challenge the ban.
-This lawsuit alleges violations of the 1st Amendment Establishment Clause, 5th Amendment equal protection and due process rights, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
-Judge Watson issued a temporary injunction and blocked the Revised Order stating it likely violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution by disfavoring Muslims. His ruling was broader in that it blocked both the travel ban and the refugee portion of the Order. Judge Watson found legal precedent from the Supreme Court for using Trump’s statements about Muslims during the Presidential Campaign to question the constitutionality of the Revised Order.
-The Trump Administration will likely appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court.
Financial Conflicts of Interest (Emoluments Clause):
Citizens for the Responsibility and Ethics In Washington v. Trump (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York) - Second Circuit
- This case alleges conflicts of interest and violations of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution which prohibits a President from receiving payments from foreign governments. The main focus of the case is the convoluted and entangled business dealings of the Trump Entities with various foreign governments and nations.
Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities:
The following cities have sued the Trump Administration over the directive to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities: Santa Clara, San Francisco, City of Seattle, City of Chesea, City of Lawrence and the City of Richmond, CA.4
On April 3, 2017, the California Senate passed the Sanctuary State Bill5 which bars law enforcement from using their resources to help federal immigration enforcement.
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4 Santa Clara v. Trump, San Francisco v. Trump, City of Seattle v. Trump, City of Chelsea & City of Lawrence v. Trump and theCity of Richmond v. Trump.
5 Senate Bill 54, which unofficially has been called a "Sanctuary State Bill,” bars state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources to help with immigration enforcement.
* Massachusetts, Oregon, New York and Washington stated theywill follow Hawaii in challenging President Trump's Revised Order, stating it is an unconstitutional ban on Muslims.
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Climate Lawsuits:
Kelsey Cascade Rose Juliana v. United States (U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon) - 9th Circuit
- This lawsuit was filed by 21 plaintiff children (ranging from the ages of 9 - 20 years old currently) and James Hansen, an acclaimed NASA climate scientist whose granddaughter is among the 21 young plaintiffs.
-The lawsuit argues that the federal government violated the Constitutional rights of the 21 children to a healthy climate system.
-If won, the suit requires “an enforceable national remedial plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions and draw down excess atmospheric CO2 so as to stabilize the climate system and protect the vital resources on which Plaintiffs now and will depend.”
-The case was filed during the Obama Administration, but has been inherited by the Trump Administration.
-Judge Aiken denied the Motions to Dismiss by the government and fossil fuel industries and is allowing the case to go forward stating “this lawsuit is not about proving that climate change is happening or that human activity is driving it. For purposes of this motion, those facts are undisputed.” She also stated, “Federal courts too often have been cautious and overly deferential in the arena of environmental law and the world has suffered for it.”
-Similar suits have been brought and have prevailed in the Netherlands, Austria, Pakistan and South Africa requiring governments to cut carbon emissions.
*New York State Announced in a Press Release dated April 3, 2017 that is plans to sue the Trump Administration for violating federal laws by delaying energy efficiency standards for several common consumer and commercial products.6
Nwanguma, et. al, v. Trump, et. al., U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Louisville Division - 6th Circuit
-This lawsuit was filed by three protestors who attended the March 1, 2016 Louisville, KY Trump rally and were attacked at such rally. The plaintiffs allege assault and battery against the three Trump supporters and incitement to riot, negligence, gross negligence and recklessness against the Trump Campaign.
-Judge Hale ruled that speech which incites violence is not protected speech under the 1st Amendment. He also noted that there was lots of evidence that the plaintiffs’ injuries were a “direct and proximate result of Trump’s words.” Judge Hale further stated, “[i]t is plausible that Trump’s direction to ‘get ‘em out of here’ advocated the use of force” and that “[i]t was an order, an instruction, a command.” In addition, Judge Hale stated that Trump’s words were “particularly reckless.”
-As such, the Judge ruled it was plausible that Trump incited violence and that the case may more forward against him, his campaign and three of his supporters. Judge Hale rejected the notion that Trump’s words were free speech and that Trump did not request his supporters to use force.
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6 Such as ceiling fans, portable air conditioners, walk in coolers and freezers, commercial boilers and more.
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