Last week I bought a FitBit. After many years of a sedentary lifestyle and a lot of overeating, this year seems like the right time to take control. After all, right now, so much seems out of my control. Surely I can take charge of myself.
I read that it takes approximately 21 to 66 days to form a habit. The more difficult the activity or action, the longer it will take. To me that’s oddly reassuring. It means that no matter how difficult the task, with dogged determination and practice I … and you … can turn it into a habit.
Let’s turn activism into a habit! Last week we asked you to call the California Assembly Special Committee on the Office of Attorney General to encourage them to ask nominated AG Congressman Xavier Becerra if he would stand up against Federal intrusion into California’s strong and effective gun laws. Congratulations! They asked! In fact, it was the first question! The Congressman assured the Committee … and us … that he would fight on our behalf.
Now it’s time to reach out to the California State Senate Rules Committee who will be questioning the Congressman on Wednesday, September 18. We must insist that our Senators ask the Congressman if he will uphold and defend our public safety policies that have given us one of the lowest rates of gun deaths in our nation! These calls serve two important purposes. 1) They let Congressman Becerra know that our gun laws are critically important to us and 2) they let our elected officials know that as well!
Here are the names of the Rules Committee members. Please give them a call or send them an email.
Senator Kevin de Leon (Chair) Email or Telephone
Senator Toni Atkins
Senator Tom Berryhill
Senator Anthony Cannella
Senator Connie Leyva
Here are two more things you can do to make activism a habit!
Join us on Saturday, January 21, for the Los Angeles Women’s March as we all stand together — men too! — in solidarity for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families! The March will start at downtown’s Pershing Square and will march to Los Angeles City Hall and back. The event is from 9 am to 4 pm. The actual March starts at 10 am with anticipated completion at 11:30 am. Join up with us at 9 am by the Pershing Metro Station on 5th and Hill. We will be handing out t-shirts and signs to the first 100 WAGV marchers! For more information, email us.
Save the date: Sunday, May 7, 11 am – 2 pm Join us for our Annual Leadership Awards Brunch at the Taglyan Cultural Center in Hollywood when we honor dedicated community activists Sheila and Michael Goldberg; Stephanie Soechtig, Director/Writer/Producer of Under the Gun; and Geanie Zelig-Galinson, Concert Producer/Producer of Los Angeles’ Concert Across America.
And now I’m going to go unpackage my FitBit. It’s been sitting on my dining room table since Tuesday! Tiny steps.