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Ask Your Financial & State Government Institutions to Move Their Money

California BH Members: How to call your CA Assembly Representative

Background: SB 20 was introduced on Dec 5 to the CA State Assembly by Ash Kalra (D- San Jose). It would require California's two public employee pension funds (for public employees and for teachers) to divest all their holdings in companies involved in the Dakota Access pipeline. CalPERS has confirmed that the fund owns about 1.1 million shares of Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the pipeline.

Step 1:

Step 2: Make the Call

Estimated time = 3-5 minutes

Tips for calling:

  • You will most likely talk with one of your representative’s staffers

  • Make sure to say you are from their city and state congressional district (so that they know that you are a voter)

  • Keep it short and polite-- remember to thank the staffer for their time and service!

 

Opening up the call:

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"Hello, I am your constituent from [INSERT CITY] and I am calling to ask [CONGRESSPERSON’S NAME] to support Assembly Bill 20, which requires two California public employee pension funds to divest from the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline.”

 

Possible talking points:

 

  • The Army Corps decision to not grant a permit does not end the Dakota Access Pipeline-- it merely delays it. Pulling financing from the pipeline is an important step to reducing the likelihood of the project continuing.

  • The California employee public pension funds  have confirmed that they own at least 1.1 million shares of Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the pipeline.

  • I do not want my taxpayer money, via the public employee pension funds, to be invested in a project that violates the human rights of indigenous peoples and jeopardizes the drinking water of 17 million U.S. citizens.

  • California has the opportunity to be a leader in divesting its public funds from DAPL and set an example for other states considering taking these measures.

  • Why else does the DAPL issue matter to you personally? Share why this is important to you with the staff member.

 

What you want to see happen:

  • I support Assembly Bill 20, which was introduced in December, and would require California's two public employee pension funds to divest all their holdings in companies involved in the Dakota Access pipeline.

 

Close out:

  • Thank you for your attention to this important issue of stopping the Dakota Access Pipeline, and thank you for your service to the residents of [YOUR CITY].

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And you're done! Take 1 min to tell us how it went on the Blue Heart January Actions FB page. 

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Seattle BH Members: Check out the work that 350.org Seattle is doing to #DefundDAPL

BH Members everywhere: Simple steps build visible pressure on DAPL-funder banks

1. Choose a bank and contact person

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2. Tweet at them:

    "Why are you supporting this inherently dangerous and unjust oil pipeline that threatens air and water      
     quality in many states?"

    "Why are you funding a project that violates sacred lands of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe?"

    "Why are you supporting the human rights violations and violent repression of indigenous people?”

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3. Sign this petition to tell the banks financing DAPL to pull out their money. 

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And you're done! Take 1 min to tell us how it went on the Blue Heart January Actions FB page. 

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