Monthly Legislative Update November 18, 2015

Agenda Welcome and Introductions VOCA Update Racial Justice and Civil Rights Update Discussion on Responding to Terrorist Attacks in Paris and Anti-Muslim Backlash Local Association Updates Announcements

VOCA Update Continue to make calls, send emails, tweet at your Members of Congress. YWCA Alert: http://cqrcengage.com/ywca/app/write-a-letter?3&engagementId=141991 Ask: o Fully fund VAWA and VOCA; one should not come at the cost of the other - we need both to keep our programs running. o VOCA funds should be used strictly for what they are outlined for - which is for victims of crime, not to make up for gaps in the federal budget o Release $2.7 billion from the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) - there is currently over $10 billion in the fund. Despite the $1.5 billion that was taken out as an offset, we must ensure that the agreed upon $2.7 billion for FY16 is released, as per the House passed Commerce Justice Science Appropriations (CJS) bill.

Racial Justice and Civil Rights Update White House Council on Women and Girls Community Policing Hearing and Legislation Immigration and Syrian Refugee Policy

White House Council on Women and Girls Hosted Summit Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color #YesSheCan Released progress report touts accomplishments and barriers impacting success in school, work and in the community $100 million, 5-year-funding initiative by Prosperity Together to improve economic prosperity for low-income women $18 million funding commitment by the Collaborative to Advance Equity through Research led by Wake Forest University

Community Policing Hearing and Legislation The War on Police: How the Federal Government Undermines State and Local Law Enforcement Witnesses underscored commitment to constitutional policing and prosecutions for misconduct Perceptions of 'Ferguson Effect' Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act (H.R. 2875) Support

Anti-Muslim Backlash in the U.S. as a response to Terrorism Sunday, November 15: Two passengers of Middle Eastern descent removed from a plane on their way to Boston. http://www.salon.com/2015/11/16/laura_ingraham_still_awful_profiles_muslims_in_hateful_live_tweet_of_d_c_plane_evacuation_which_turns_out_to_be_nothing/ Monday, November 16: An Uber driver of Ethiopian descent is attacked by a passenger after he makes slurs about Muslims. http://www.wbtv.com/story/30533454/uber-driver-claims-passenger-thought-he-was-muslim-attacked-him Monday, November 16: Texas mosque vandalized, being investigated as a hate crime. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/11/17/mosques-vandalized-terrorized-paris-terror-attacks/75915076/ Tuesday, November 17: A meeting to discuss a proposed mosque in Spotsylvania, VA is shut down due to participants in the audience using xenophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric, calling all Muslims terrorists. http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/spotsylvania/tension-escalates-at-meeting-on-proposed-mosque/article_03d0ad38-8d9f-11e5-8f8a-bbdb3370d8a4.html#user-comment-area Tuesday, November 17: Four passengers are removed from a Spirit Airlines flight to Chicago after another passenger reported ‘suspicious activity’. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-4-passengers-removed-from-chicagobound-plane-in-baltimore-20151117-story.html

Political Discourse & Rhetoric Backlash “How do you know? That's the first thing that comes to mind. Anyone who comes from a Middle Eastern country that has a significant population that supports actively or otherwise, al Qaeda, the Islamic State, or any other fundamental Muslim organization, there's no way to vet those people.” - Representative Mo Brooks (AL) Addressing Backlash “And when I hear folks say that, well, maybe we should just admit the Christians but not the Muslims, when I hear political leaders suggesting that there would be a religious test for which person who's fleeing from a war-torn country is admitted, when some of those folks themselves come from families who benefited from protection when they were fleeing political persecution, that's shameful. That's not American...” - President Barack Obama

Political Discourse & Rhetoric (continued) Backlash “We have to have more surveillance in the Muslim community...the reality is that’s where the terrorism is coming from. Doesn’t mean that all Muslims are evil, doesn’t mean all Muslims support terrorism, the overwhelming majority do not. But the reality is that’s where the threat is coming from.” - Representative Peter King (NY) Addressing Inclusivity “We cannot allow the exploitation of recent events in order to foment hate through rhetoric or institutionalize racism through public policy. We must stand together for a world that fosters peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D.

Political Discourse & Rhetoric (continued) "We have to protect Americans and not lose our soul as America in the process, right? The day America says, 'Close the gates, build the wall,' then I say take down the Statue of Liberty because you've gone to a different place," he said. "I won't let them win by conceding defeat of the American Dream." - NY Governor Anthony Cuomo "Instead of using the mourning in France to deny opportunity to thousands of innocent people, we should recall the most famous gift we received from the French -- the Statue of Liberty, with the famous inscription recognizing America as a place that welcomes "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. We should rally around the President's call for compassion for a suffering population that wants nothing more than a safe place to rebuild their lives from the rubble of war." - Delaware Governor Jack Markell

Discussion on Terrorism Response and Anti-Muslim Backlash What are you seeing and hearing in communities? What actions have you taken in your communities to address Islamophobia and Xenophobia? To what extent do you shelter or serve refugees? What impact would the proposed influx of refugees have on your programs? What resources do you need from YWCA USA to support your advocacy efforts?

Immigration and Syrian Refugee Policy 98 percent of refugees in U.S. are women and children (Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton D-DC) Vetting process: 18 months-24 months President Obama proposes plan to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next fiscal year (New York Times, 9/10/2015) States have no authority to impose moratorium on refugees (Hines v. Davidowitz) 2 pending bills on vetting Syrian refugees (H.R. 4038 and S. 247) Monitor

Discussion on Terrorism Response and Anti-Muslim Backlash 4 Ways to Engage: Issue or circulate YWCA press statement condemning terrorist attacks to address Islamophobia and Xenophobia Contact your members of Congress Contact State Office of Refugee Resettlement for resources: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/state-programs-annual-overview Mobilize your networks

Local Association Updates

Annoucements Next Advocacy Affinity Group Meeting: December 10 at 2:00pm

Public Policy and Advocacy Team Tralonne Shorter Senior Advocacy and Policy Associate Racial Justice and Civil Rights • Email: tshorter@ywca.org; 202-835-2358 • Portfolio Includes: Immigration Reform, Voting Rights, Racial Profiling, Affirmative Action and Hate Crimes. Also available for inquiries regarding, Stand Against Racism and the Racial Justice and Civil Rights Mission Impact Group. Holly Jones Director of Member Services • Email: hjones@ywca.org; 828-505-2335 • Leads local association advocacy capacity building and voter mobilization work. Catherine Beane  Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy Email: cbeane@ywca.org; 202-835-2354 Qudsia Raja  Advocacy and Policy Manager  Health & Safety Rights  Email: qraja@ywca.org; 202-835-2356  Portfolio Includes: Health & Safety issues – domestic and sexual violence (VAWA/VOCA); trafficking; gun violence; military sexual assault (MJIA). Also available for specific inquiries regarding Week Without Violence (WWV) and the Domestic Violence Mission Impact Group (DVMIG).          

Share with YWCA USA what you learn from your outreach advocacy@ywca.org

Bills we are tracking: http://cqrcengage.com/ywca/actioncenter

Upcoming YWCA USA Legislative Update Calls at 3:00 ET No call: December January 27, 2016   To Connect: Online meeting room: http://ywcagla.adobeconnect.com/biweeklycall/ Call in number: 1-800-689-9374 Passcode: 920868