Taking Action Together: A List of Actions
Thank you for being here, and for wanting to use your voice to make positive change. Here is a list of possible actions you could take. Please note these are not exhaustive, complete, finished, perfect or necessarily to everyone's preference/beliefs/affiliations. They are a list I pulled together fairly quickly (and thank you to those who contributed), and are very much a work in progress. Any suggestions for additions, improvements, corrections or offers of assistance to collate all these going forwards are welcome!
As you work through these actions I invite you to keep in mind your WHY for doing this. What is it that you love that you are wanting to protect/save/speak for? Each time you find your energy waning, bring your focus back to your why. Also, notice any areas of resistance, and ask yourself gently, "what am I worried about here?" Be brave and compassionate in hearing the answer! And, please, take care of yourself. You don't have to complete all of these actions in one sitting. Stepping up in this way can feel both empowering and tiring. If you are already doing a lot of work in this area, maybe give these actions a miss for now. Look after yourself.
One final point before we get on to the actions themselves, and this was a point I made in the call but want to reiterate here. We are not the saviours. This work has been carried out tirelessly by - and at great cost to - BIPOC communities for centuries, by LGBTQ communities for decades, and many other incredible folk along the way. Many of us (speaking especially as and for privileged white women here) are late to the show. We're here and it's better late than never, but let's not kid ourselves that we are the heroes here. We are just catching up, and it's only just beginning.
Thank you for being here. Together we are stronger!
Letter to MP/PM
Suggested email. Please personalise and adjust depending on whether it is for the PM or your MP. You may wish to include other factors that are important to you (your WHY), or leave these for a separate, future email. Volume of emails on particular subject are important. Personalisation is better for getting a response, but the most important thing is that you send something!
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Date] Dear {Sir Keir Starmer}, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the United Kingdom's trade relations with the United States, particularly in light of the current political climate and its implications for women's rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Urgent Need for Change As you are aware, recent developments in the United States have raised alarm among advocates for gender equality and social justice. Policies that undermine women's rights and DEI initiatives threaten to roll back decades of progress. I believe that the UK has a unique opportunity to take a stand on these critical issues by reevaluating our trade ties with the US and aligning more closely with our allies in Canada and Europe. Ceasing Trade with the USA I urge you to consider advocating for a significant shift in our trade approach. By ceasing trade with the US, we can send a strong message that the UK will not tolerate regressive policies that harm women and marginalized communities. In doing so, we can join forces with Canada, Greenland, and European nations, which are committed to promoting gender equality and inclusive policies. Building Alliances Aligning with Canada and Europe offers multiple benefits: Shared Values: Canada has been a leader in promoting women's rights and DEI. Strengthening our trade relations with Canada can enhance our collective efforts to advocate for progressive policies. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with European nations that prioritize gender equality can amplify our voices on the international stage, creating a united front against policies that threaten social justice. Leveraging Economic Power: By coordinating trade policies with these allies, we can exert economic pressure on the US to reconsider its stance on critical issues affecting women and marginalized groups. Supporting Ukraine and Greenland Furthermore, our commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and democracy aligns with our values of justice and human rights. By fostering closer ties with Ukraine and Greenland, we can enhance our international standing as a leader in promoting democratic principles and human rights, which are essential for a just society. Conclusion I believe that the time has come for the UK to take a bold stance on these pressing issues. By reevaluating our trade relationship with the United States and aligning ourselves with Canada, Europe, Greenland, and Ukraine, we can advocate for meaningful change in policies that affect women and marginalized communities. I urge you to consider this approach seriously and take action that reflects our commitment to equality, justice, and human rights. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your response and hope to see progressive change in the UK’s foreign policy. Yours sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information] [Your Political Affiliation, if applicable] |
Shorter version for submission to the No.10 contact form online
Dear Sir Keir Starmer, I am writing to urge a re-evaluation of the UK's trade relationship with the United States, particularly due to the concerning rollback of women’s, LGBTQI and BIPOC rights and DEI policies there, as well as the general spread and promotion of far right fascism and the repression of free speech and unbiased reporting. I believe the UK should cease trade with the US and strengthen alliances with Canada, Greenland, and European nations that prioritize gender equality and social justice. This shift could send a strong message against oppressive policies and encourage the US to adopt more progressive stances. Aligning with Canada and Europe not only reflects shared values but also allows us to exert economic pressure on the US to reconsider its current policies. Furthermore, supporting Ukraine aligns with our commitment to democracy and human rights. I urge you to consider this important issue and look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, [NAME] |
Email templates for emailing MPs regarding developments in Gaza/Palestine:
https://www.humantiproject.org/email-templates/
Check whether your MP has added signature to this motion for parliament:
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/63231
If not, email them to ask to add their signature: https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/westbankMPaction
Email to your financial adviser.
Please amend/personalise as appropriate.
Hi [Name]
I hope you are well.
I am getting increasingly concerned about events in America and I am aware that one of the most powerful actions I - and my family - can take is to ensure my money is not supporting organisations or people who are contributing to the destruction of the planet and its people.
I am therefore keen to understand where my pension [and other investments] are currently invested.
In particular I am keen to explore disinvesting from any funds involved in the following:
Weapons
Fossil Fuels
Tesla
Starlink
X (Twitter)
Amazon
Companies known to be profiting from or enabling the genocide in Palestine/Congo/Sudan
Slavery
I'd also be keen to understand what your/[name of wealth management company's] approach is to the current situation globally, and how you/they are advising clients with regards not only to the financial performance of their investments but also to the ethics and impacts of their investments.
Thanks so much for your help, I look forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards
[Name]
Petitions - linked to Trump/Far Right/Climate/DEI/Gaza/… (To be added to!)
Urge King Charles to Withdraw State Visit Invitation to Donald Trump Say no to a trade deal with Trump | https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no-2nd-state-visit-for-donald-trump https://act.globaljustice.org.uk/node/4305 |
Tell Keir Starmer to stop arming Israel | https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-keir-starmer-to-stop-arming-israel?source=email& |
Tax their billions | https://350.org/tax-their-billions/ https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-oxfam/tax-the-super-rich/ |
Demand Climate ambition | https://350.org/ndcs-climate-ambition/ |
Demand release of Palestinian Student Activist | |
Tell the Government to stop the anti-migrant rhetoric. | https://act.hopenothate.org.uk/page/122362/petition/1 https://act.goodlawproject.org/a/fight-back-against-the-far-right |
Declaration To Defend Research Against Government Censorship |
Contribute to research:
Have you or your organisation (or anyone you know) been impacted by DEI cuts? Please feed into this impact survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFCCb4TpFAF0Z9_p69XIbPrCwNQIMr2jvvmQDen3bX_YMcfg/viewform
Boycott - organisations linked to America/genocide/fossil fuels/slavery/billionaires wreaking destruction….
(To be added to - please do your own research and make your own decisions. Please note many American companies are standing by e.g. their DEI programs…AND may still be complicit in other areas…Choose what you want your money to support! Women make 75% of the world’s purchasing decisions and control an estimated $38.1 TRILLION of worldwide spending. Where we spend our money matters. If in doubt, support local!
General boycott information: https://www.bdsmovement.net/
Some well known American firms you could consider boycotting in protest to recent events: https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/lifestyle/consumer/which-us-brands-can-i-avoid-in-protest-390654/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJGaPRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHX56PX82gX8RbksZkxJyXTiu_wGtJrzK0am2XUWA6fgo41_xVjjxrSQylg_aem_OZ6_cEpFci32W5bvoQjcPg
Other organisations to consider boycotting:
Tesla |
Amazon |
X (Twitter) |
Starlink |
Meta?! |
ExxonMobil |
Chevron |
McDonald's |
Coca Cola |
Pepsi |
Starbucks |
KFC |
Burger King |
Subway |
Barclays |
Follow - for inspiration, advice, truthful reporting,
(To be added to!)
News. Important as many media outlets in America are owned by the people in power and are largely controlling the narrative that many Americans are hearing/absorbing/believing.
Resistance/campaigning
Racism, decolonialisation
Alternatives
MPs seeming to be fighting the good fight!
Other (TBC…!)
I’ve currently just shared the main link I have for these people/organisations. Over time I (or someone who can offer to help) can expand these links to find/follow them in all the places they are active.
Read (also to be added to - suggestions very welcome!):
Hannah Roberts on DEI cuts/impacts: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/203-silenced-sidelined-our-watch-hannah-roberts-ph-d--iebce/?trackingId=cEHEUto85%2F14%2F2XuXbqekA%3D%3D
Monk Debunks. Useful truth and myth debunking from Emma Monks, focusing on several topical subjects. Latest article here: https://open.substack.com/pub/monkdebunks/p/russia-ukraine-war-key-facts-and?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Robert Reich on how non US folk can support: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/how-our-global-friends-can-help
The Good Ally by Nova Reid
White Women: Everything you need to know about your own racism and how to do better by Regina Jackson and Saira Roo.
The Work that Reconnects, Joanna Macy
Alternatives (to boycotted brands)
Donate
“Be Love”
Other suggestions
Related topics
Climate change/soil regeneration/farming/nature
Disability cuts