At last, a bipartisan push has begun in Congress to help Syrian refugees in desperate need—and seizing the opportunity now may be our only chance for the next two years.

Here’s the situation: Millions of families have fled terrorism and their government’s bombs, only to face the impossible choice between trying to survive the winter in tents in refugee camps, or making the often lethal trip to Europe. At present, the United States only plans to welcome 10,000 Syrian refugees next year. By comparison, the U.S. welcomed a half-million refugees from Cuba and three quarters of a million from Vietnam.

Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) have proposed emergency funding to help resettle tens of thousands more refugees in the U.S. and give a lifeline to refugees in camps.¹ If we want to help more Syrian families, we need to make sure Congress knows the public cares about this, and we need to do it now.

Can you call your senators to tell them you support emergency funding to support Syrian refugees now?

You can say: “The U.S. should do more to help Syrian refugees. Please co-sponsor Senate Bill 2145, the Middle East Refugee Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.”

You can reach your senators via the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1.FSNY_2&cp_id=2431&id=&t=1

Congressional offices say that they’re getting slammed with anti-refugee phone calls, many of them laced with ugly stereotypes and even outright hatred. Extremists like Donald Trump paint refugees as terrorists, when in fact refugees are seeking refuge from terrorism—and go through intensive security vetting.

This is a moral moment. If we don’t speak up, we leave the debate to those calling for America to turn our backs on the people facing this crisis.

In early September, the photo of a young child who drowned trying to seek safety served the world with a heartbreaking wake-up call. The MoveOn community leaped into action. Together, we raised $250,000 to support refugees. Along with friends from UNHRC—The UN Refugee Agency, Welcoming America, and the Refugee Council USA, we’ve sent “America Welcomes” photo messages from across the country to show that we welcome refugees from Syria and elsewhere.

Now, we have to ensure that this message reverberates in Washington. Even as we work to end the tragic conflict that has sent so many families from their homes, we also have to extend a hand to those who need help now. By doing so, we reject the politics of fear that have caused so much pain at home and around the world—and move closer to building the kind of open-hearted country we aspire to become.

The post Tell Congress: More Funding for Syrian Refugees appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org Civic Action, had the following statement reacting to the news, declaring it a “major, people-powered victory for diplomacy over war”:

“This afternoon, diplomacy won as war hawks in the U.S. Senate failed to advance legislation aiming to undermine President Obama’s historic diplomatic agreement to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

“This is a major, people-powered victory for diplomacy over war. This victory would have been nowhere near as resounding—and may not have come at all—had it not been for the massive, nationwide mobilization of hundreds of thousands of grassroots progressives making their voices heard. And of course it would not have happened without the leadership of President Obama and his administration, who grassroots progressives worked so hard to elect in 2008 and 2012, as well as the leadership of Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, and Nancy Pelosi.

“Today’s paradigm-shifting victory is a clear sign that our nation is finally learning the lessons of the Iraq War—that we must always pursue diplomacy first, and must never recklessly plunge the American people into the dangerous and costly path of a war of choice.

“MoveOn members will mobilize to thank the senators and representatives who have sided with diplomacy in this fight, and to hold accountable those who tried to put us on a path to war.”

BACKGROUND ON THE MASSIVE PRO-DIPLOMACY MOBILIZATION IN RECENT WEEKS:

This summer, hundreds of thousands of MoveOn members mobilized across the country to ensure that the critical deal with Iran wouldn’t be sabotaged by Congress, with thousands of members turning out in person at events throughout August recess—showing up at town halls, contacting their representatives, and holding hundreds of demonstrations.

For an overview of the game-changing organizing done by MoveOn members and other anti-war groups during this fight, check out this 2-page PDF or watch this 2-minute video.

The post Huge Win for Diplomacy Thanks to Massive Grassroots Mobilization appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“Today, President Obama has set far too low a goal for Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States. While we appreciate his move in the direction of welcoming more Syrian refugees, he must go much further.

“On Saturday, MoveOn members will launch AmericaWelcomes, a national campaign to press the Obama administration to welcome 100,000 Syrians into the US by the end of 2015, noting that the resettlement of Syrian refugees should not come at the expense of the resettlement of refugees from around the globe.

“The Syrian refugee crisis is among the most dire in the modern era. As a nation of immigrants and refugees, America can—and must—do much better than welcoming a mere 10,000 people. Germany, a quarter of the size of the U.S., expects to at least temporarily take in more than 800,000 people.

“This is a moment for America to join our global allies by acting with open-hearted courage and generosity.”

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More about MoveOn members’ work to support Syrian refugees:

> MoveOn members have already responded to the Syrian refugee crisis by donating more than $200,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

> More than 33,000 people have signed a MoveOn.org petition launched one day ago—started by Fatima Kuyateh, a MoveOn member and 10th-grade student in New York—urging the U.S. government to accept more refugees from Syria and elsewhere. See the petition at www.moveon.org/SupportSyrianRefugees.

> United to End Genocide President Tom Andrews discusses his MoveOn petition to President Obama to support Syrian refugees on CNN: https://youtu.be/Rfc3ERvtyNo

[Photo: Flickr/World Bank]

The post MoveOn urges Obama administration to increase the number of Syrian refugees to at least 100,000 by end of 2015 appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“As a leading voice for students and young people across the country, I support this strong and diplomatic agreement that will prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and avoid another unnecessary and unjustified war in the Middle East.

“Young Americans know far too well the consequences of such wars. More than 40 percent of active duty members of our military are 25 or younger, and nearly two-thirds are under 31. Young people and their families are disproportionately impacted by foreign policy decisions.

“Put simply: Upholding this historic deal is in the best interest of every student and young person. From my peers enrolling this fall in ROTC programs across the country to young military families, the Millennial generation must speak up and urge our elected officials to stand for diplomacy over war.”

The post United States Student Association President Endorses Iran Deal appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“CASA and I strongly support this historic and very significant agreement with Iran that seeks diplomacy rather than war.

“Latino communities, like the rest of this country, will not benefit from a needless war. We have many pressing needs as a nation, and we should be investing in our communities at home rather than diverting funds for unnecessary war-making overseas. And our service members and their families will be stretched even thinner if they are deployed for a destructive, costly, avoidable war.

“This nuclear agreement is supported by high-level national security experts, U.S. ambassadors, top-ranking military officials, and the majority of people of this nation. We are glad to fight for this country when necessary—and we also commit to supporting diplomacy when it is possible, as it is now.

“We support the agreement with Iran and encourage our elected leaders to do so also.”

The post CASA’s Gustavo Torres Endorses Iran Deal appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“The National Organization for Women (NOW) supports this diplomatic agreement with Iran, which prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons and which aptly addresses a pressing national security issue through diplomacy rather than resorting to war.

“This agreement is in all women’s interest. We do not need another needless war. Women have so many issues facing us that we need Congress to address and fund adequately. A potential war with Iran would put our work on hold — or even move us backward.

“This is a solid and verifiable deal that has the support from high-ranking members of our nation’s national security and military communities. We support the agreement and call on Members of Congress to join us.”

The post National Organization for Women President Terry O’Neill Endorses Iran Deal appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

MoveOn.org Civic Action has hired nine full-time “No War With Iran” Regional Field Organizers as part of a major, grassroots campaign to urge Democratic members of Congress to support the historic nuclear agreement with Iran. For two months, the organizers will recruit, train, and mobilize thousands of members in key states and districts in support of peace and diplomacy.

“I truly believe that keeping the Iran deal intact is crucial because for the previous decades, our policy of non-engagement with Iran has produced very little,” said Mark Cardenas, a field organizer and veteran who will be working with MoveOn members in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Hawaii. “In the past year, our engagement with Cuba and Iran has been a refreshing change and I look forward to doing my part to help make the world safer.”

The organizers are coming off a training in Chicago and preparing for a National Day of Action on Wednesday, Aug. 26, in which nearly 200 in-district events have been planned by members of MoveOn and other allied progressive groups.

The “No War With Iran” Regional Field Organizers are:

• Javi Alarcon (MD, NC, South FL)
• DeMiktric “Mike” Biggs (Northern FL, VA, GA, LA, MS, TN)
• Ama Birch (NY, NJ)
• Mark Cardenas (Southern CA, AZ, NV, TX, HI)
• Gabriel Erbs (OR, CO, Northern CA)
• Cait De Mott Grady (MI, IN, OH, MN, Western PA)
• Sean Keady (CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, Eastern PA)
• Matt Keating (Northern CA, WA)
• Jocelyn Sida (IL, WI, IA, NE)

MoveOn members have committed to defend this historic nuclear agreement and prevent war hawks from dragging the U.S. into another war of choice in the Middle East. Activists have showed up at dozens of August recess events to urge undecided Democrats to support the deal, and a recent donor strike has resulted in more than 100,000 members of MoveOn.org Political Action pledging to withhold over $30 million in donations from Democrats (and party committees supporting them) if they successfully undermine this historic deal.

“Nuclear weapons were my first political issue; every August throughout my childhood, my parents brought me to the Pentagon and White House to commemorate the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to call for an end to nuclear weapons,” said Cait De Mott Grady, a field organizer who will be working with MoveOn members in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, and Western Pennsylvania. “Grappling with the threat of nuclear weapons as a child was no easy task, but the experience politicized me and instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility to work for peace and justice. I support the Iran deal because it represents a verifiable and concrete step on the road to a nuclear-free world. I’m excited to join the MoveOn team because I believe we cannot afford to let AIPAC and war-mongering politicians derail this historic agreement.”

Here’s a photo of the “No War With Iran” Regional Field Organizers during a training in Chicago:

​

The post MoveOn Hires 9 Regional Field Organizers in Major Grassroots Push to Support Iran Deal appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

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Major names—from Ben & Jerry to Democratic donor Lawrence Hess—join the strike.

More than 100,000 MoveOn members nationwide have pledged to withhold more than $30 million in donations to Democratic candidates who succeed in sabotaging diplomacy with Iran, as well as from any party committee, such as the DSCC, that supports such candidates.

As of Thursday at noon Eastern, 110,446 MoveOn members had collectively pledged to withhold $30,363,996 in donations. MoveOn is waging the donor strike in response to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is potentially the future Democratic Senate leader, and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announcing they would side with congressional Republicans and try to put the United States on the path to war with Iran.

“This donor strike sends a loud, clear message to any Democrat who risks American lives and chooses war over diplomacy: You will be held accountable and pay a political price if you undermine this deal,” said Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action. “While it’s not surprising that Sens. Schumer and Menendez won’t support the deal, it’s unacceptable that any Democrat would side with war hawks and put us on the path to another costly, deadly war in the Middle East.”

The donor strike includes commitments from some major Democratic donors, including real estate investor Lawrence Hess, who has committed to withholding $200,000 in donations if Democrats successfully block the agreement.

“We strike now for a decade of peace,” Hess said. “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for Iran’s nuclear activities is based on inspection and verification. As President Reagan said about the Russians, ‘Trust but verify.’ ”

Earlier this week, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, joined the donor strike and pledged to withhold donations to Democrats who successfully undermine the historic deal and put us on the path to war.

“MoveOn members collectively contribute boatloads of money to Democrats each year—mostly in modest chunks like $5, $25, or $50. But it adds up to millions,” Cohen and Greenfield wrote in an email to MoveOn members. “That’s why a petition pledging not to contribute a dime to any Democrats who put us on a path to war—or party committees that support them (like the DSCC)—will send a powerful message.”

MoveOn members have committed to defend this historic nuclear agreement and prevent war hawks from dragging the U.S. into another war of choice in the Middle East. Activists have showed up at dozens of August recess events to urge undecided Democrats to support the deal. A national day of action on Wednesday, Aug. 26 will include more than 150 in-district events, planned with allies.

The post UPDATE: More Than 185,000 Join Democratic Party Donor Strike, Pledging to Withhold $43 Million to Democrats Who Scuttle Diplomacy with Iran appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“Senator Menendez has chosen to try to put us on the path to another war in the Middle East by signaling his opposition to the diplomatic agreement that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This is no surprise, but it is a very bad decision for New Jersey and our country, and MoveOn members will work to hold accountable Sen. Menendez and any of his colleagues who choose war over peace.

“Senator Menendez may be adept at playing a war hawk, but he is a sorry excuse for a Democratic Senator. His pro-war position puts him far from the mainstream of the Democratic Party. The 135,000 MoveOn members in New Jersey will hold him accountable.

“Already, MoveOn members have committed to withholding more than $11 million in campaign contributions from any Democrat who succeeds in undermining the president’s diplomacy with Iran and party committees that support them. And Americans across the country are showing up at town halls, calling and writing their senators and representatives, and holding events to ensure we don’t enter another costly war-of-choice in the Middle East.”

Find a directory of local events, including at August recess town halls, at www.60daystostopawar.com.

The post MoveOn statement on Sen. Menendez speech on Iran agreement appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“The diplomatic negotiations between the United States and five world powers have yielded a strong, verifiable deal with Iran. MoveOn members are going to fight like hell to defend it and to stop opponents from dragging the U.S. into yet another costly, deadly war of choice.

“Today is a historic foreign policy success for the Obama administration, demonstrating the efficacy of skilled, principled diplomacy in resolving international disputes.

“We call on every member of Congress to support this agreement. Persuading senators and representatives to do so will be MoveOn members’ top priority over the next 60 days.”

# # #

The post MoveOn responds to historic agreement with Iran appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“Across the country and around the world, MoveOn members and peace-loving peoples are grateful to the 150 Democrats in the House of Representatives who declared their support for our nation’s diplomatic negotiations with five other world powers and Iran over the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

“Once finalized, this deal can ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and could stand as the most significant foreign policy achievement of the Obama presidency—if not the last several decades. Our country cannot and will not yield to politicians who would sabotage diplomacy for their own political gain.

“We thank Reps. Schakowsky, Doggett, and Price for their leadership in the House. When Democrats stand united against unnecessary wars, MoveOn members stand with them. We will continue to mobilize in support of this framework, holding any elected officials who attempt to sabotage diplomacy accountable for the rest of their political careers.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/05/07/the-odds-of-an-iran-nuclear-deal-just-got-higher/

Over the past two years, MoveOn members have made more than 26,000 phone calls to Senate offices and collected more than 200,000 petition signatures urging members of Congress to support diplomacy. Members were particularly active in calling key House Democrats in support of the Schakowsky, Doggett, and Price letter. MoveOn has also run TV ads, organized office visits, and organized grassroots events in order to avoid an unnecessary war with Iran.

Last month, MoveOn members broadcast a clear message at our nation’s Capitol that most Americans support letting diplomacy work: http://gtty.im/1bPA9VD

The post MoveOn to House Dems on Iran: Thank You for Supporting Diplomacy appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Sources:

1. “Iran Agrees to Framework of Nuclear Deal,” The New York Times, April 2, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=303823&id=&t=1

2. “Iran Reaches Framework Agreement With World Powers On Nuclear Program,” NPR, April 2, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=303824&id=&t=2

The post TAKE ACTION: Defend Diplomacy with Iran! appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“Today’s historic announcement of a strong framework between Iran and six world powers to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is a breakthrough achievement and testament to years of tough, courageous, and principled negotiations.

“This is perhaps the most significant foreign policy accomplishment of the Obama presidency, and offers the promise of a peaceful path with Iran, rather than a rush into an unnecessary war. We applaud President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and Secretary Moniz for this diplomatic achievement. For years, MoveOn members across the country have stood beside President Obama, fought for diplomacy, and urged their representatives in Congress not to undermine these negotiations.

“Yet Republican war hawks—and too many Democrats who are siding with them—are continuing their crusade against the president and trying to sabotage this deal.

“Let me put this simply: The alternative to diplomacy with Iran is war. Any member of Congress who sabotages diplomacy is putting American lives at risk. MoveOn members across the country are mobilizing immediately in support of this framework, and we will hold any elected officials who sabotage diplomacy accountable for the rest of their political careers.”

Over the past two years, MoveOn members have made more than 19,000 phone calls to Senate offices and collected more than 200,000 petition signatures urging members of Congress to support diplomacy. MoveOn has also run TV ads, organized office visits, and organized grassroots events in order to avoid an unnecessary war with Iran.

Earlier this week, MoveOn members broadcast a clear message at our nation’s Capitol: most Americans support letting diplomacy work. See an image of the projection below, and more on MoveOn’s Twitter feed.

The post MoveOn on Historic Iran Milestone: Time for House and Senate to Support the President; Anything Else Risks War appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“I’m honestly shocked by this letter. It’s no secret that Republicans in Congress have made repeated attempts to sabotage diplomacy with Iran. But their highly inappropriate letter to the leadership of Iran is a condescending and inflammatory political stunt that takes their actions to the next level. Let’s be clear—the end-game of these Republican actions could put our nation on the path to another costly, unnecessary war in the Middle East. Shame on them.

“An historic diplomatic solution to limit Iran’s nuclear program, sought by the United States and five other world powers, may be reached shortly and would stand as the result of tough and principled negotiations.

“Yet, instead of working with Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration to ensure the strongest possible deal, in the last weeks, Republicans in Congress have expanded their sabotage efforts, including the provocative invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an attempt to fast-track diplomacy-killing legislation. And now, 47 Republican senators are literally telling a foreign government not to trust the United States President.

“MoveOn members call for an end to this Republican partisan brinksmanship once and for all, and we call on Democrats in Congress to stand strong for diplomacy and to reject this letter as nothing but reckless, embarrassing, and dangerous.”

In recent months, MoveOn members have made thousands of calls and generated tens of thousands of signatures calling for a diplomatic resolve with Iran.

The post MoveOn: Shame On Congressional Republicans for Outrageous Iran Stunt; Democrats Should Stand Strong For Diplomacy appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

The TPP is the largest—and worst—trade deal you’ve never heard of, having been devised in secret by representatives of some of the world’s largest corporations.

It’s so big and has the potential to do so much damage, it’s been likened to “NAFTA on steroids.”

Will you help spread the word about fast track and the TPP by watching and sharing the video right now?

The post TPP = NAFTA on steroids appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

MoveOn.org Civic Action joined with CREDO Action to issue the following joint statement in response: “Members of Congress must avoid any new sanctions or other measures that could undermine negotiations and put our nation on a path to another war.”

Negotiators are tasked with securing a major win, seeking to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons and locking in comprehensive and lasting safeguards. If successful, their efforts will put the U.S. on a solid path to better relations with Iran and its people.

“The agreement being negotiated has the potential to stand as a powerful example of an important U.S. foreign policy milestone, demonstrating the power of tough, principled diplomacy in lieu of a rush to use military force. It’s worth the additional time it will take to get these complex issues right,” notes Anna Galland, MoveOn.org Civic Action Executive Director.

Yet a small group of Democrats are poised to join reckless hawks like John McCain and pass legislation that could sabotage President Obama’s diplomatic efforts.

So we’re putting those Democrats on notice: They will be held accountable if they stand with Senator John McCain and attempt to derail the significant and hard-won progress made to-date.

The post Deal with Iran in sight: Progressives applaud negotiators for taking the time they need to get it right appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

That’s why, over the last few days, MoveOn members have submitted and ranked thousands of questions that must be asked, debated, and answered by Congress before the United States even considers committing to another open-ended war in the Middle East.  Today, as Congress considers appropriating funds to arm and train Syrian rebels and high-ranking officials head to the Hill for hearings, MoveOn has joined with more than two dozen allied organizations to say “America Must Know” the answers to these tough questions.

As part of this national day of action, we’re running a full-page ad in the DC insider paper Politico (pictured below), and sharing top MoveOn member questions with members of Congress, the media, and the White House.

MoveOn is also asking our members to call Congress, so they hear from us directly. Congress must be held accountable for what comes next in Iraq and Syria, so our nation doesn’t make the same mistakes we’ve made in the past.

The post ‘Tell Us How This Ends,’ reads MoveOn’s full-page POLITICO ad on proposed ISIS strategy appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Few if any decisions a country makes are as consequential as the decision to go to war. Such a decision must not be taken lightly, or made in haste.

We remember well the lives lost and damage done by the ill-gotten, ill-informed rush to war in Iraq in 2003. Many of the same people who drove us to war then are the ones rattling sabers now.

While we appreciate President Obama’s commitment to avoid sending troops into combat, his proposed approach poses significant risks, including escalation and unintended consequences, such as boosting violent extremism and terrorist recruitment. There is the risk of a quagmire. The White House says this new war could last for three years — or longer.

Because of the broad, extended, and open-ended nature of this proposed expansion of U.S. military force in the Middle East, before moving forward Congress and the American public must play a role, ask the tough questions, and consider a comprehensive list of sound alternatives.

Bottom line: Congress and the American people must have a full, vigorous, and open debate before the U.S. embarks upon another war in the Middle East.

The post Possible Military Action in Iraq and Syria: What questions must be answered before America goes to war? appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

The recent developments in Iraq are the tragic and predictable consequences of George W. Bush’s reckless decision to invade in 2003, which destabilized the region and helped set the stage for Iraq’s troubles today.

The American people are sick and tired of more than a decade of war in the Middle East. President Obama should reject the use of military force in Iraq, including air strikes. We must not be dragged back into yet another war.

Additionally, Congress must act now to revoke the 12-year old Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq, preventing any president from taking new military action without first getting explicit authorization from Congress.

The post MoveOn Statement Opposing Military Action in Iraq appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.