I’ve been sick about these children and their families for over a year and I decided I needed to take a different approach to doing something about it. I’ve donated money to organizations that help them. I’ve called my members of Congress regularly. I’ve shared the news on social media and with friends and family.
Even with all that I felt that I needed to do more. In that vein I’m going to write to news organizations and ask them to cover these stories on the front page every day and to ask them when they will call on the traitor in the White House to resign. I’m also going to start calling Rep. McCarthy and Sen. McConnell’s office to ask when enough will be enough for them to act. We can no longer pretend that they aren’t part of the solution and they deserve to be held accountable.
Additionally, I’m planning a trip to Texas to volunteer and will be attending local protests. I may even add a trip to D.C. to protest in person.
If you feel the need to do more, and want to do more, I’ve compiled a very short list of contact information and some links.
*****
I’ve already emailed Fred Hiatt of the Washington Post, (fredhiatt@washpost.com ), since his email address was available on their website. Here’s the body of the letter:
Hello, my name is ____________ and I'm writing to you because I can no longer stand by while our government commits atrocious acts of cruelty at our southern border. I've called my members of Congress for over a year, but because they are Democrats they are already as appalled as I am and are doing what they can to solve the problems. I've donated money to several organizations that help the refugees and asylum seekers, but that is no longer enough. I am planning to travel to Texas with a friend to volunteer for a few days to help one of the organizations. I am also considering a trip to Washington D.C. to protest and try and meet with republican members of Congress.
Finally, I am writing to people like you and asking YOU when will enough be enough for you to cover what is happening on a daily basis on your front page? When will you be calling for the president to follow the law and release the refugees? Surely his other actions alone are enough to call for his resignation; but combined with the human rights abuses at the border that should be enough for you to call for his resignation?
How will you and your editorial board respond in a couple of years when asked about how we caged children after separating them from family and then lost or killed too many of them? Surely you are upset by these actions as I am. Have you asked yourself what more you could do to stop this from happening? I have, and thus my letter to you, and other editors of print and television media.
I will also be encouraging my friends to do the same as I have with this letter.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
I think letters are more impactful if they aren’t a copy/paste, and instead unique. However, I’m sharing so you can see the framework I’ll be using to contact other people.
The New York Times — Dean Baquet, Editor @deanbaquet The New York Times Company, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018.
Boston Globe - Brian McGrory, Editor; mcrory@globe.com;
LA Times - Scott Kraft, Managing Editor; 2300 E. Imperial Highway, El Segundo, CA 90245
Seattle Times - Michele Matassa Flores, Executive Editor mflores@seattletimes.com.
Chicago Tribune - John P McCormick, Editorial Page Editor;
@McCormick150; 160 N. Stetson Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
I’ve included the street addresses if you want to kick it old school and send them an actual handwritten letter. If you are considering that you might want to use a postcard instead of a letter/envelope. I think it will be read quicker with a postcard versus a letter.
*****
In the mood for calling? Let’s not forget that in addition to Congress the president and Pence should be included in your phone calls. Consider writing your remarks down before calling so you’ll be prepared to get your main points across.
The White House — 1-202-456-1111
Pence - 1-844-872-4681
Sen. McConnell — 1-202-224-2541
Rep. McCarthy —1-202-225-2915
Don’t know the number for your members of Congress? Here’s the switchboard numbers for the House and the Senate:
Senate switchboard — 1-202-224-3121
House of Representative switchboard — 1-202-225-3121.
*****
The only nationwide protest I’m aware of is Lights for Liberty. They have their next event scheduled for the evening of July 12th. Check out their website to find out more about this organization and what they have planned.
*****
Some of the organizations that serve these communities:
*****
This is by no means to be an exhaustive list, so please feel free to share your additional suggestions in the comments.