Monday, April 13 - Oppose Nationwide Book Ban / No to O'Neill for NSF / Save our SNAP Phonebank 4/17
Community Action: Oppose Nationwide Book Ban Bill H.R. 7661
House Republicans have proposed H.R. 7661, a bill that effectively creates a nationwide book ban by blocking funding for schools providing "sexually oriented material" to minors. While ostensibly targeting lewd content, the bill’s language includes "gender dysphoria or transgenderism," disproportionately threatening stories featuring LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color.
Exceptions for "classic" works are limited to specific lists, including those from organizations with a "Biblical worldview." This legislation isn't about child safety; it grants politicians broad authority to discriminate and censor marginalized voices. Access to diverse literature is a fundamental human right essential to democracy.
👉 Urge your representatives to oppose H.R. 7661 and protect our right to read and share diverse stories without government interference. Find your representative
Script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from Chicago. I'm calling to demand Rep. [NAME] oppose H.R. 7661, a bill that opens the door for nationwide book banning. This bill does not protect anyone, but instead discriminates against already marginalized communities to stoke fear and division in our country. There is no place for this kind of censorship in a democratic society.
[OPTIONAL]: Instead, I urge Rep. [NAME] to support H.R. 6440, the Right to Read Act, to fund education and increase student literacy across America.
Action via 5calls.org
Community Action: No to O'Neill for NSF
Jim O’Neill is unqualified to lead the National Science Foundation, one of the nation’s most important science agencies, and his record raises serious concerns about political interference, misinformation, and conflicts of interest. He is not a scientist nor does he have any relevant expertise.
He helped carry out RFK Jr.’s damaging overhaul of HHS and promoted dangerous misinformation about vaccines as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And his ties to Silicon Valley raise real questions about whether he would protect the public interest. NSF must remain independent, evidence-based, and guided by scientific expertise.
👉 Please tell your senators to oppose Jim O’Neill’s confirmation.
Action via Stand up for Science
Community Action: Save our SNAP - Virtual Phone Bank 4/17
Congress slashed $200 billion from SNAP, threatening the 2 million families in Illinois who rely on it, as well as food banks and pantries, grocery stores, farmers, and schools.
👉 Join the Save Our SNAP Virtual Phone Bank on Friday, April 17
at 11am to learn about these threats, proposed legislation that can protect families cut off from SNAP in Illinois, and how to contact your legislators to urge them to support these policies.
Action via Citizen Action Illinois
While some of these Daily Actions come from our own work as Indivisible Chicago Alliance, others are from our many partners working to advance the progressive agenda. We invite you to join us in supporting their work. Postings from community partners do not imply Indivisible Chicago Alliance endorsement of specific policies and positions.
📬 Want Daily Actions in your inbox Monday-Friday? Sign up here.
👀 See additional events and resources from Indivisible Chicago