Message from Senator Durbin

March 7, 2012

Dear Mr. Stafford:

Thank you for contacting me about funding to protect and restore ecosystems along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. I appreciate hearing from you and share your interest in restoring our coastal wetlands.

Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana introduced the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2011 (S. 1400). The Act would establish a trust fund to support the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, in their efforts to restore areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Funds for the trust fund would come from the penalties paid by the parties responsible for the oil spill. S. 1400 was voted favorably by the Environment and Public Works Committee and it awaits further Senate consideration.

Additionally, various bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives to address coastal restoration, including the Gulf Coast Restoration Act (H.R. 56), the Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act of 2011 (H.R. 480), the Gulf Coast Economic and Tourism Restoration Act (H.R. 1333), and a bill that implements the recommendations of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling (H.R. 501).

On October 5, 2010, President Obama issued an Executive Order establishing the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. Members from various federal agencies and representatives from Gulf states comprise the Taskforce, which is charged with developing a Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration strategy. The Task Force has hosted a series of public meetings and online discussions as the White House's Restore the Gulf initiative coordinates restoration efforts across the various agencies.

The Gulf Coast is home to 10 National Parks, 36 National Wildlife Refuges, and approximately 15.6 million acres of wetlands. These areas are vital to the Gulf states. In addition to supporting commercial fishing operations, these areas help minimize flooding, limit shoreline erosion, and provide a habitat for numerous species of plants and wildlife. Unfortunately, disasters like Hurricane Katrina and, more recently, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have caused serious damage to these areas. The effects of these disasters on the ecosystems of the Gulf Coast will be felt for years to come.

I will keep your support for the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2011 in mind should it be brought to the Senate floor for a vote.

Thank you again for your message. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

RJD/bkm

Snowe dropout opens door to progressive candidate

Dear MoveOn member,

Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe announced this week that she is abruptly abandoning her reelection bid.¹

This is huge! It significantly improves Democrats' chances of holding on to the Senate this fall. Even better, it's a tremendous opportunity to send a progressive champion to the Senate—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. 2012 can truly can be the year of the strong progressive woman with Chellie joining Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Baldwin to run for the Senate.

Why should we be excited about Chellie? Quite simply, she kicks butt like few people in Washington do. Since being elected to Congress with MoveOn members' support, she has organized other members of Congress to fight for a health care public option and to defend the Clean Air Act.² Before that she was the director of Common Cause, a leading group working to get big money out of politics.³ 

A number of candidates may run, but Chellie would be by far the best: think Elizabeth Warren or Paul Wellstone. She's leaning yes but has only a few days to decide.

We need to demonstrate right now that Chellie is the clear progressive choice for Maine and that MoveOn members will have her back. The best way to do that is to pledge to give Chellie whatever you can afford to support her campaign, so we can make her the instant front-runner in the race. 

We've set an ambitious goal of gathering $200,000 in pledges for Chellie Pingree in 48 hours. You don't have to enter your credit card info. Just click on an amount below to pledge:

Pledge $25

Pledge $50

Pledge $100

Pledge $250

Pledge another amount

Here's how it will work: You tell us how much you'd give. Then we let Chellie, the press, and all of the other candidates who are considering running know how much MoveOn members have pledged to give to her campaign.

All of the potential challengers, including leading Republicans, are carefully watching how much support Chellie is getting from progressives like you. And if we all rally to her side right now, they may decide not to run.

In just the past couple days, Maine MoveOn members have helped build great momentum for Chellie's candidacy. Chellie told The Huffington Post:

"We've gotten so many emails, calls, people offering to volunteer. I think MoveOn delivered 2,000 petitions to our office in Maine saying, 'Please run.' Clearly there's already a ton of focus on this race and the role it could play in determining who controls the balance of power in the Senate. And I'm really excited about it."⁴

No matter what happens, it won't be an easy election, but it's one Chellie can win, if MoveOn members rally to her side. We have to show Chellie that she'll have the resources she needs to win the race. This is our chance to elect a champion to the Senate to join Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Baldwin. This can be the year of the progressive women, but only with your support.

Will you let us know how much you'd pledge to Chellie's campaign right now, and ask all your friends to do the same?

http://pol.moveon.org/chelliepledge/survey.html?id=36504-21598997-ccz8Bmx&t=10

Thanks for all you do.

–Julia, Adam, Steven, Elena, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Olympia Snowe Won't Seek Re-election," The New York Times, February 28, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271793&id=36504-21598997-ccz8Bmx&t=11

2. "Harkin: Public option backers eyeing second reconciliation bill," The Hill, March 24, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271794&id=36504-21598997-ccz8Bmx&t=12

"Suggesting Amendments To Waxman-Markey Bill, 49 Lawmakers Call For A Stronger Green Economy," ThinkProgress.org, June 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271812&id=36504-21598997-ccz8Bmx&t=13

3. "Chellie Pingree," Wikipedia, accessed February 28, 2012 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chellie_Pingree

4. "Chellie Pingree: 'I'm Not Likely To Say No' To Senate Bid," The Huffington Post, February 29, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271947&id=36504-21598997-ccz8Bmx&t=14

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CALL IN FOR ILLINOIS JUVENILE JUSTICE. Today only.

We need your support for IL Sen Bills 3636 and 3637. PLEASE CALL RIGHT NOW.

• These two bills improve the processes for "expungement" of juvenile records, which are supposed to be confidential, but sometimes get out and always create barriers to college admission, student loans, military service, licensing for certain professions and even housing. SB3636 simplifies the petitioning process) and SB3637 would clear the backlog of juvenile records through automatic expungement in some circumstances. These bills help fulfill the premise of the juvenile justice system - that youth who have gotten in trouble with the law can still have a second chance to go to school, get a job, serve in the military, etc., But we need to improve the expungement of juvenile records to make those second chances realistic. Both bills are up in the Senate Criminal Law Committee tomorrow (sponsored by Kwame Raoul). The full list of committee members is below with a script. Thanks for your help in getting out the word! SCRIPT; Hello, my name is ______ and I am with _____. I am calling about SB 3636 and SB 3637 that will be coming before the Criminal Law Committee this week. I would like the Senator to support this bill to ensure Illinois youth can clear their arrest records, and not face barriers to go to college or get a job. This bill is important for the future of our youth, and our state. Thank you so much. Have a great day." > Our goal is that each committee member receive at least 15 phone calls about the bill before the hearing. Please help us to meet this goal. SEN MIKE NOLAND: 217-782-7746 847-214-8864 SEN KWAME RAOUL 217-782-5338 773-363-1996 SEN WILLIAM HAINE 217-782-5247 618-465-4764 SEN DAN KOTOWSKI 217-782-3875 847-656-5414 SEN JOHN MULROE 217-782-1035 773-763-3810 SEN JOHN MILNER 217-782-8192 630-762-6255 SEN TIM BIVINS 217-782-0180 815-284-0045 SEN KIRK DILLARD 217-782-8148 630-969-0990 SEN TOM JOHNSON 217-782-8022 630-682-8100 THANKS! IF you have any questions today; call Executive Director Amy Rohrer at 630-699-5071

Meet the new Human Rights Campaign President

Meet Chad Griffin HRC's Next President Dear Democratic Party of, When I decided to begin the next chapter of my career, I could not have imagined a better successor as president of the Human Rights Campaign. Just a few minutes ago, HRC's board of directors appointed Chad Griffin, a brilliant visionary and strategist, as the organization's next president. While you know him as the mastermind behind the federal lawsuit to overturn California's Proposition 8, Chad's spent his career taking on the toughest fights against entrenched, well-financed interests. He's passionate about our equality and more importantly, has a proven track record of consistently delivering results. Already, the fight to overturn Prop. 8 has prevailed in two federal court rooms. Chad Griffin has the leadership qualities critical to propel our movement for equality forward and I am so proud that he will succeed me this June leading HRC. A native of Arkansas and a veteran of the Clinton White House, Chad was inspired by young people in taking on this new endeavor. He told the board this morning, "All over this country in big cities and small towns, there are families and young people who long to be accepted for who they are, and who want be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else. Today's generation of young people, and each generation hereafter, must grow up with the full and equal protection of our laws, and finally be free to participate in the American dream. As HRC president, I'll approach our work with a great sense of urgency because there are real life consequences to inaction." With your support, HRC has won historic victories over the past several years. In addition to passing marriage equality in New York, the District of Columbia, Washington and Maryland, repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, and convincing the Obama administration to stop defending DOMA, HRC also spearheaded successful efforts to pass hate-crimes protections, secure equal hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners, and much more. But following our recent string of advances, anti-LGBT leaders are trying to dismantle what we have built, brick by brick. That's what makes Chad's leadership – and HRC's work in Congress and in communities across the country – and your voice – even more crucial. I think of HRC as a family. Over my seven years as president of this great organization, you've been there to help us make tremendous progress for our community. I know that you'll continue to be there as Chad fights to propel our movement forward. He is uniquely qualified to lead HRC into the future. Sincerely, Joe Solmonese President Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

© 2012 The Human Rights Campaign. All rights reserved. Human Rights Campaign | http://www.hrc.org/ 1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278 Phone: 202-628-4160 TTY: 202-216-1572 Fax: 202-347-5323

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The most powerful man in housing needs to be fired

Dear Dupage, We've got some major developments in our campaign to get President Obama to fire Ed DeMarco, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. DeMarco is the biggest obstacle standing in the way of badly needed relief for 11 million homeowners who are underwater -- meaning they owe more than their homes are worth. The good news is, he's getting called out in big ways. On Wednesday, progressive leaders in Congress called on DeMarco to help underwater homeowners by cutting the principal on their loans.1 The same day, the business-friendly editors at Bloomberg News sharply challenged DeMarco's judgment on the issue of principal reduction.2 And on Tuesday, California Attorney General Kamala Harris asked DeMarco to halt foreclosures altogether until he seriously looks at solutions for homeowners, including principal reductions.3 We're glad to see more pressure on DeMarco. But we've got an even better idea for DeMarco: find a new job. And it's up to President Obama to make sure he does. Sign the petition and ask President Obama to fire Ed DeMarco and appoint a new director. DeMarco is a right-wing ideologue still hanging around from the Bush administration. Tasked with overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, he single-handedly controls an agency that's responsible for over half of the mortgages in the country. He essentially controls the U.S. housing market, and yet few have ever heard of him. He's got deep connections to the very banking industry that crashed the economy and defrauded millions of homeowners, and he's now holding those very same homeowners hostage to his radical right-wing ideas and his loyalties to Wall Street. Instead of helping homeowners and the economy by working to prevent foreclosures, DeMarco seems to think his sole mission is to stop Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- who taxpayers bailed out after mismanagement -- from giving homeowners any sort of fair shake. He even deceived lawmakers by suggesting it would cost $100 billion to write down mortgage principals, while his own agency's estimates show that it could actually save more than $28 billion.4 And by blocking relief, he's driving the housing market even lower, hurting the U.S. economy as a whole. Make no mistake -- Ed DeMarco is the number one obstacle to rescuing 11 million struggling homeowners and stabilizing the U.S. housing market. And it's squarely in President Obama's hands to do something about it. The president should fire Ed DeMarco and make a recess appointment to replace him with someone who will do the job right and look out for the interests of taxpayers and homeowners. Tell President Obama to get rid of DeMarco and get on with justice for America's homeowners. Thanks for helping to rebuild the dream, Ian Kim 1. Co-Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Call for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders 2. Bloomberg News: Housing Chief Should See the Upside of Forgiving Debts 3. NY Times: Pressure Grows on Fannie and Freddie to Cut Principal on Loans 4. Cummings and Tierney Demand Answers from FHFA

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Host a rally to save Naperville homes this Thursday

President Obama has the power to save the homes of millions of Americans. Can you help deliver the "Save Our Homes" petitions in Naperville on Thursday, March 15?  Click here to host!

Dear MoveOn member,

President Obama could help twelve million homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage.¹

But the president needs to hear directly from us.

Here's the story: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac hold 60% of mortgages—but the agency that oversees them is run by Bush appointee Ed DeMarco who refuses to allow underwater homeowners to adjust their mortgages to reflect the true value of their home.²

Homeowners are struggling to make ends meet. And helping them not only means saving their homes, it will also stabilize the market and help get the economy back on track for everyone.

President Obama has the power to replace DeMarco and make sure Fannie and Freddie provide relief to the millions of Americans struggling with mortgage debt.

That's why on Thursday, March 15—the same day the Senate banking committee meets in D.C. to discuss the fate of homeowners—we're organizing big rallies at Obama for America campaign offices around the country. We'll tell the president: We're sinking in underwater mortgages—throw the 99% a lifeline to keep us in our homes. In communities without OFA offices, we'll rally in front of Wall Street bank branches and homes threatened by foreclosure to let the public and the media know that the 99% is standing up to save our homes.

Will you host a Save Our Homes rally on Thursday, March 15?

Yes, I can organize an event!

In late January, MoveOn members organized events at OFA offices calling on President Obama to order a real investigation into Wall Street banks. Just days later, the president did just that! We know that when Obama voters and volunteers get together, the president listens.³

Now, we need him to step up to help struggling homeowners. We'll support him in taking bold steps—from demanding that Fannie and Freddie readjust mortgages, to replacing anyone who continues holding back the housing recovery.

Can you host a rally in Naperville to ask the president to save our homes?

Click here to host!

Hosting an event is powerful and easy. Once you sign up, you'll get the petitions from MoveOn members and all the materials you'll need for a successful event. 

Thanks for all you do.

–Elena, Laura, Sarah, Amy, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Co-Chairs Grijalva, Ellison Call for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders," Congressional Progressive Caucus, February 29, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271863&id=36467-21598997-AWpF5fx&t=4

2. "Edward DeMarco: The Ideologue Who's Holding Homeowners—and the Economy—Hostage," The Huffington Post, February 14, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271260&id=&t=4&id=36467-21598997-AWpF5fx&t=5

3. "People Power vs Banker Power: Score One for the People," Nation of Change, January 25, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=271862&id=36467-21598997-AWpF5fx&t=6

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Democratic Party of DuPage County on March 2, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Share your support of marriage equality

Dear Democratic Party of, History is being made today. With Governor Martin O'Malley's signature, marriage equality is about to become law in Maryland. Maryland will be the eighth state, plus the District of Columbia, to enact such a groundbreaking law. This triumph comes in one of the greatest strings of victories for LGBT rights we've ever seen. In just three weeks, following a major court victory against Proposition 8, you've helped us pass marriage equality bills in Washington, New Jersey, and now Maryland. And despite New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's heartbreaking veto, the legislature's pro-equality vote marked a powerful moment in this years-long battle. These victories are exhilarating, but they are not accidents. All three of these legislative gains are the result of years of working together to elect fair-minded candidates and placing organizers on the ground to build support for these bills. It's all possible because of the unwavering activism of over a million HRC members and supporters like you. Let's celebrate our victories and get ready for the fights ahead. Put a point on the marriage equality map you've helped draw – and join thousands around the country in congratulating Maryland on this remarkable moment: In the coming months, right-wing groups will try to derail marriage equality at the ballot box. The National Organization for Marriage is already collecting signatures in Washington and Maryland to try to undo these victories – just as they did with Proposition 8 – and they're tapping super-rich, anonymous donors every day for more cash. We're organizing in these states to stop them. And another thing is becoming clear: Something is changing in America. Just eight years ago, two women would be denied a marriage license by every city clerk in America. Today, marriage equality has been enacted in eight states – and that number keeps growing. It's all thanks to you. Let's show the cynics, the radicals, and the right wing how big our community is and the passion driving this movement. Send a message of support by posting your comment on the map now. Knowing how hard we've worked together makes these victories so much sweeter. And knowing who we're fighting for – loving couples around the country, their kids, their communities – makes it that much more important. Thank you for all that you have done, and will do, to continue winning the civil rights battle of our generation. Sincerely, Joe Solmonese President This link is specific to you, so send your message before you forward to your friends. Having trouble clicking on the links above? Simply copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar to reach the action page: http://hrc.org/marriagemap

© 2012 The Human Rights Campaign. All rights reserved. Human Rights Campaign | http://www.hrc.org/ 1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278 Phone: 202-628-4160 TTY: 202-216-1572 Fax: 202-347-5323

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A Chilling Gay Rights Video, Why Mitt Will Lose, And Obama's Clear Message To Romney

Hello! Here are the three hottest progressive videos and graphics that we found on the web today, March 01, 2012. The Gay Rights Video That Will Send Chills Down Your Spine Why Mitt Romney Will Lose Against Obama In One 3 Minute Clip President Obama Has A Clear Message For Mitt Romney

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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Sandra Fluke Gets A Call From The President; watch the video

Hope you've had a nice weekend! Check out this great video clip of Sandra Fluke, the young woman who was the subject of Rush Limbaugh's tasteless and appalling commentary.  A Heroic Young Woman Gets A Call From The President

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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Can you host a MoveOn 99% training session in April?

This April, 100,000 people will gather at nonviolent direct action trainings nationwide as part of the 99% Spring. Hundreds of trainings are already planned, and anyone can host an event, but so far there isn't one planned in Naperville. Can you host a 99% Spring action training during the week of April 9-15? Host a Training

Dear MoveOn member,

Last year, massive nonviolent direct action transformed America—from the protests for workers' rights in Madison that took over the state capitol for nearly a month, to the 1,000 people who performed civil disobedience at the White House to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, to Occupy Wall Street, we changed the political debate.

But still, millions of jobs have been destroyed, millions of homes foreclosed on, and an unconscionable number of children live in poverty. We have to do more to fix America, and we all know it. That's why people from across the 99% movement are preparing to take action this spring in bigger numbers than ever before to fight for change.

To prepare for the 99% Spring, groups from every corner of our movement are joining forces to do something that's never been tried before. During the week of April 9-15, across America, we will bring 100,000 people together for an unprecedented national movement-wide training on what happened to our economy, on the history of peaceful direct action, and how—following in the footsteps of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—we can take direct action this spring to challenge corporate power, end tax giveaways to the 1%, fight the influence of money in politics, and more.

But so far no one in Naperville has stepped up to coordinate a training. Can you sign up to host a local 99% Spring action training?

Yes! I'm interested in hosting a training during the week of April 9-15.

Anyone can host a training—you can host just a handful of people in your living room or you can find a local community center, place of worship, campus, or public space and put together a larger event. We'll follow up with all the details and provide the support and guidance you'll need to coordinate an event and we'll help you connect and collaborate with other local 99% Spring volunteers and groups.

The heroes who took action for the 99% last year from Madison to Occupy Wall Street have now joined our shared American history of everyday people standing up to demand justice, freedom, and dignity. From the seamstress in Alabama who launched a bus boycott to the women in New York who dreamed they could one day speak with an equal voice to the mother who spoke up in Love Canal to stop the poisoning of her community, the power of nonviolent direct action has been essential in the great movements for social change in our country and around the world.

Right now our country needs a whole lot more of that spirit, because we need change on that scale again. The 99% Spring is our chance to step into the great tradition of creating lasting systemic change through nonviolent direct action—but it will only work if a huge number of us prepare ourselves and join in. 

Can you step up and help bring the 99% Spring to Naperville this April?

Yes, I'm interested in hosting a training.

Thanks for all you do.

–Lenore, Robin, Elena, Ryan, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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Why DOE-Funded Floating Turbines May Change Future of Offshore Wind | | CleanTechnicaCleanTechnica

http://cleantechnica.com/2011/12/10/why-doe-funded-floating-turbines-may-change-future-of-offshore-wind/

DOE Launches 6-Year, $180mm Offshore Wind Initiative - CleanTechnicaCleanTechnica

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/03/02/doe-launches-6-year-180mm-offshore-wind-development-initiative/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Three Days To Save Our Free Media

From: "Jamie Choi - Avaaz.org" <avaaz@avaaz.org>
Date: Mar 1, 2012 2:55 PM
Subject: 4 days to save our free media

Dear friends across the United States,

The Federal Communications Commission wants to lift a 35-year-old ban that would allow media moguls like Rupert Murdoch to gobble-up local, independent media from New York to Sacramento. We can beat this if we can inundate the FCC with thousands of public comments. Say no to media monopoly by sending your official comment to the FCC now:

In 4 days, the Federal Communications Commission could begin to lift a 35-year-old ban preventing corporate thugs like Rupert Murdoch from creating media monopolies. But if we can flood their public consultation now we could throw our drowning independent media the life buoy it needs.

The ban stops any company from owning a major daily newspaper and a television station in the same market. If lifted, the new rule would pave the way for media moguls to gobble-up local, independent media from New York to Sacramento. This plan was put together secretly but we can stop it -- the courts want the FCC to address public concerns via a comment period ending March 5th.

Let's inundate the FCC with thousands of public comments to say nobody should be allowed to monopolize our print and broadcast media. Sign now to stop this sneak-attack on free media:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_media_barons//?vl

We take pride in America’s diversity, yet 6 giant corporations control more than half of what we watch and read everyday -- down from 50 companies four decades ago. The perils of media consolidation are already on clear display. Local newsrooms are closing, investigative journalism is collapsing and diverse viewpoints are shrinking from our airwaves.

Lifting the ban on TV-newspaper dual ownership would give media empires like GE and News Corp the final greenlight to toast their competition from coast to coast. This is not the first time they’ve tried - the FCC tried to pass nearly identical rules in 2007, which was thwarted only after massive public outcry got the courts to rule against it. But this time they’re in it to win it, and free media advocates tell us that public opposition is the only way to break the deal.

The FCC was created to protect the public voice, not drown it. We have just 4 days to be heard. Let’s shower the FCC with thousands of public comments -- they’re required by law to respond to every single one of them -- and shine the people power needed to kill this poisonous rule:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_media_barons//?vl

Any thriving democracy gives its citizens the fundamental right to choose between truly diverse sources of media. Last year, Avaazers in the UK helped stop Murdoch's consolidation through a huge public outcry. Let’s unite here in this key election year and protect our democracy from Murdoch and other media barons once and for all.

With hope and determination,

Jamie, Brant, Emma, Ricken, Paul, Michael and the rest of the Avaaz team


SOURCES

Editorial: The FCC recycles a bad idea to allow media consolidation (Seattle Times) :
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2017083232_edit27mergers.html

FCC Seeks to ease media ownership rule (New York Times):
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/23/business/media/fcc-seeks-to-ease-media-ownership-rule.html?_r=2

FCC proposes relaxing newspaper-TV ownership rules (Los Angeles Times) :
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/12/fcc-newspaper-tv-ownership.html

FCC plan points to consolidation (Newsmax):
http://www.newsmax.com/Markets/FCC-Ownership-Rules-consolidation/2011/12/23/id/422023

Support the Avaaz Community!
We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

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Avaaz.org is a 13-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).

Chicago coal plants to close early

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the two coal-fired plants in Chicago will close down sooner than expected. This is an important win for Illinois progressive. Read about it here.