Thursday, November 15, 2012

Please Show Your Support!!!!


I apologize for the short notice, but I wanted to let you all know that the Denise Fansua Domestic Violence Foundation (http://denisedv.orgis hosting a Capitol Rally for VAWA this Friday!

If you are interested/able to attend, please meet at the West Steps of the State Capitol Building on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11:30 AM. Lunch will be provided for all who attend.    

As you all know, we are getting dangerously close to Congress not finishing the Violence Against Women Act. This landmark legislation has been proven to be effective in providing needed support for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.  We need your help to let Congress know that they need to prioritize finishing the legislation now that the elections are over. This year's Senate version extends protections to the GLBT Community, Native American Community, Immigrants, and now prevents organizations that provide services from discriminating based on sexual orientation.


Sincerely,

Amy Miller, MSW
Public Policy Director
Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 900
Denver, CO 80203

Please forward widely!
November 14, 2012
679
Days
Since VAWA Expired
183
Days
Since Congress’ Last Action on VAWA
30
Days
Left to pass VAWA
before this Congress ends

Now that the election is over, we must make every effort to get our Representatives and Senators in Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)!  This is our final opportunity to push for VAWA before this Congress is done.  There is so much at stake and too much to lose – join us in telling Congress: Pass VAWA now!      

National Day of Action:
Today – Wednesday, November 14 – is the National Day of Action to pass VAWA.  Advocates all across the nation will be contacting their elected officials to tell them “Pass VAWA now!”

Please take a few minutes tomorrow to call your Senators and Representatives.
·         Use this number 888.269.5702 to connect to the Capitol switchboard.  Then ask to be connected to your U.S. Representative (www.house.gov) or Senator (www.senate.gov).  
·         Tell them:  “I am your constituent.  Now that the elections are over, I urge you to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)!  It has been 679 days since VAWA expired, and 183 days since Congress’s last action on VAWA.  Please, show women and victims that you care – pass VAWA now!” 

Email: Don’t have time to call? You can also email the short message above to your Members of Congress. 

Twitter:  Do you tweet?  Here are a few sample tweets that you can use! 
@[INSERT YOUR REP’S TWITTER HANDLE] #PassVAWA2012 because victims need safe and affordable housing #dv #VAWA

@[INSERT YOUR REP’S TWITTER HANDLE] #PassVAWA2012 because victims are still being killed by their partners. #dv #VAWA

@[INSERT YOUR REP’S TWIITER HANDLE] #PassVAWA2012 because our shelter serves victims in your community who depend on it!

Social Media
Be a part of a ground-breaking campaign to leverage the full power of social media in fighting for theReauthorization of VAWA! Join advocates across the nation in the #PassVAWA2012 Facebook Photo Campaign to tell Congress that it’s time to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act!  It’s easy – just snap photos of you, your friends, and your colleagues holding up signs saying why we need to Pass VAWA NOW! Submit your photos via email to advocacy@nnedv.org and lccref@gmail.com or tweetpic to #PassVAWA2012.

The Background
You have worked so hard over the past two years to urge Congress to reauthorize VAWA.  Election cycle politics derailed VAWA’s passage and now we have a final opportunity to get this done!  Congress needs to hear from you that this is still a priority and that they need to act in the “lame duck” session.  With the combination of additional pressure from you throughout November and the work of NNEDV and others at the national level, we believe that it is very likely that Congress will act on VAWA before the end of this session. 

Thanks you for all that you do!
The Policy Team
Monica McLaughlin
Senior Public Policy Specialist
National Network to End Domestic Violence
Main office: 202.543.5566