Call To Action:

Raise Your Voice from Home, from your Capitols, from wherever you can

I’ve always found the best way to burn off my angst and anxieties is through action, even if I’m initially exhausted by the prospect. It takes one small step to get started, dialing that number, getting on your coat and heading out the door, leading you to the next and the next, the same as in your manuscripts. See the below message from Writers for Democratic Action about some easy steps to take from the comfort of your home. Our elected officials need to hear us! And go to Indivisible for more info and action, including many protests happening across the country TODAY. I hope also to see folks at your state capitols for the 50501: 50 PROTESTS/50 STATES tomorrow at noon in your time zone. We can do this!

From Writers for Democratic Action:

Dear writers,

Right now, an oligarchy is taking shape in the United States. Elon Musk, a billionaire who has no political experience, is not eligible to hold executive public office, and who has not been vetted by the FBI has been granted access to federal payment systems and the social security database. President Trump may have been democratically elected, but Elon Musk was not. We must hold our elected officials accountable to protect democracy.

Use these phone numbers & call scripts to act now!

Say NO to government overreach, say NO to ignoring checks and balances, say NO to ignoring the will of the people, say NO to the American oligarchy! Our voices are stronger together.

Call now for democracy!

Financial Services Committee Republicans

Rep. French Hill, Chairman - (202) 225-2506
Sen. Mike Crapo, Chairman - (202) 224-6142

[Rep Hill/Sen Crapo] – My name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to express my great concern regarding Elon Musk’s access to various federal payment systems. Musk was not elected and DOGE is not a legal entity of the US government. I believe this represents a grave threat to our economy as Musk has promised to illegally stop lawful payments being made to fund critical services. I am further concerned with him accessing the personally identifiable information for all Americans as he has access to the social security database. As a ranking member of the Finance Committee, you have a lawful responsibility to oversee the Treasury. You are accountable for Musk’s actions. Do something – get Musk and his affiliates out of these systems and investigate whether or not they stole sensitive information.

Financial Services Committee Democrats

Rep. Maxine Waters, ranking - (202) 225-2201
Sen. Ron Wyden, ranking - (202) 224-5244

[Rep Water/Sen Wyden] – My name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to express my great concern regarding Elon Musk’s access to various federal payment systems. Musk was not elected and DOGE is not a legal entity of the US government. I believe this represents a grave threat to our economy as Musk has promised to illegally stop lawful payments being made to fund critical services. I am further concerned with him accessing the personally identifiable information for all Americans as he has access to the social security database. As a ranking member of the Finance Committee, you have a powerful platform to express your opposition. I thank you for what you have already done. Please know that all Americans that are paying attention are absolutely terrified about the implications of Musk’s coup. Please continue to be as public as possible with your opposition and use every opportunity to raise the alarm.

Secretary of the Treasury

Scott Bessent – (202) 622-2000 (general number)

Secretary Bessent, My name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to express my great concern regarding Elon Musk’s access to various federal payment systems. Musk was not elected and DOGE is not a legal entity of the US government. I believe this represents a grave threat to our economy as Musk has promised to illegally stop lawful payments being made to fund critical services. I am further concerned with him accessing the personally identifiable information for all Americans as he has access to the social security database. As Treasury Secretary YOU are accountable for these systems and for safeguarding this data. It is unacceptable for you to allow Musk to have any access to these critical systems. I am calling on you to get his access removed and to determine what data he may have stolen.

Your Congresspeople

Search tool: usa.gov/elected-officials

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am your constituent located at [STREET ADDRESS] I’m calling to express my great concern regarding Elon Musk’s access to various federal payment systems. Musk was not elected and DOGE is not a legal entity of the US government. I believe this represents a grave threat to our economy as Musk has promised to illegally stop lawful payments being made to fund critical services. I am further concerned with him accessing the personally identifiable information for all Americans as he has access to the social security database. As your constituent I want you to understand how alarmed I am about this situation – it is totally unacceptable. I appreciate what you are already doing to oppose this coup, and I can only urge you in the strongest possible terms to make your opposition as loud, angry, and public as possible.

Your voice is crucial in the fight for democracy. Please, CALL NOW!

Afterwards, fill out our Civic Action Toolkit survey to help guide more projects like these & the future of WDA.

With love,
The National Steering Committee

Paul Auster (1947-2024) / Sophie Auster / Peter Balakian / Jericho Brown / James Carroll / Cathy Caruth / Sarah Chayes / Robin Davidson / Rachel DeWoskin / Carolyn Forché / Todd Gitlin (1945-2022) / Dan Hunter / Siri Hustvedt / Mitchell Kaplan / Jacki Lyden / Jill McCorkle / Askold Melnyczuk / Jo-Ann Mort / Bella Rotker / Roberto Tejada / Katherine Towler / Natasha Trethewey / Doug Van Gundy