August 16, 2019

Until We Are All Free, We Are None of Us Free

August 16, 2019

Welcome to our 201st edition of My Civic Workout. This summer has brought persistent political protests in Hong Kong and Moscow, with activists putting their physical safety on the line to protest undemocratic governments. In the case of Hong Kong, more than 250,000 protesters took to the streets to oppose a proposed extradition law that some fear would put political dissidents on the island under the jurisdiction of Chinese courts. In Moscow, tens of thousands of residents are protesting the banning of opposition candidates from upcoming municipal elections. As we fight for the future of our own country, how can we support and learn from these activists?

Sick and Tired of Thoughts and Prayers

August 8, 2019

Kristina Jeffers

“Do some-thing! Do some-thing! Do some-thing!” This was the chant of Dayton residents during Sunday’s vigil as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine rose to address the mass shooting that killed 9 and injured at least 27. The Dayton shooting followed on the heels of mass shootings at an El Paso Walmart that killed 22 and injured at least 24 and at a Garlic Festival in Gilroy, CA, that killed 3 and injured at least 12.

Things weren’t always this way, and they don’t always have to be this way. Fortunately, some of the calls for action are getting through: Gov. DeWine, who is a Republican, has just rolled out a 17-point plan that includes gun regulation measures.

Moving Impeachment Forward

August 1, 2019

Kristina Jeffers

Since Robert Mueller’s testimony last week, the number of Democratic members of Congress who are openly pushing for impeachment proceedings against the president has surged. This week we’re going to reverse the usual order of exercises in order to best understand and act on the growing calls for Trump’s impeachment.