The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights via Protect the Results
Subject line: Prepping for Presidential Debate

Hi All,

As you know, tomorrow is the first presidential debate. The debate will cover, among other issues, “the integrity of the election.” We can anticipate that Trump and GOP pundits will use this as another opportunity to spread mis- and disinformation about voting and the election for political gain. 

To help your organization prepare, we’re resharing some best practices for responding to mis- and disinfo online. 

Do:
•    Flag disinfo: If you encounter a piece of disinfo, flag it for removal from the social network or submit to the Election Protection tip line for further evaluation.
•    Push value-based voting messaging via your organization’s channels.
    o    Vote-by-mail is safe and secure.
    o    Whichever way you decide to vote, make a voting plan TODAY.
    o    Your voice matters in our democracy.
•    Inoculate: The EP rapid response team will be monitoring for disinfo during the debate and draft messaging, as needed, to share with the working group to make it as easy as possible for you to inoculate against and debunk disinfo.
•    Engage reporters: Mainstream media is one of the major ways disinfo spreads. If you see articles that inadvertently share disinfo in ways that could amplify it and lead to voter suppression, we encourage you to flag it for the EP tipline and/or reach out to the reporter to share concerns and best practices for reporting on disinfo.

Don't:
•    Amplify: Social media algorithms feed on engagement, whether negative or positive. Even reacting with an angry emoji on a Facebook post boosts it and creates the possibility for more people to see the piece of disinfo. Only comment on disinfo that is a high-level threat to debunk false information.
•    Cross-pollinate: If you see a post with disinfo on Facebook, avoid posting on Twitter about it, even to remark that it is incorrect. That only helps the disinfo spread and makes it more likely that it will become viral on other platforms.

If you have any questions or want further guidance on how best to address disinfo related to voting and the election, email voterdisinfo@spitfirestrategies.com.
Project Veritas
Sept. 29, 2020 email
Subject: PRESSURE NEEDED: Project Veritas mention in tonight's debate

Dear Friend,

By now you must have seen the viral videos that Project Veritas has launched on social media.
(CAUGHT ON TAPE: $200 cash exchanged for 2020 general election ballot)

Major newspaper and TV outlets have also started to cover this bombshell Ballot Harvesting Fraud story.
Here is what The New York Post’s Miranda Devine wrote in her column on Sunday night:
“Project Veritas’ investigation in Minneapolis will pour gasoline on the fire, only 48 hours before Trump debates Joe Biden in the first presidential debate Tuesday, addressing topics includingelection security.” 
Devine is right.

This story is a bombshell and it must be discussed in tonight’s debate.

What we need is for you to keep tweeting #CashForBallots and pressure Fox News’ Chris Wallace to ask about the videos in tonight’s debate.

These videos are damning, and the country deserves to see them.

We also need some serious investigations to take place. DEMAND that the Justice Department and Attorney General Bill Barr look into this rampant Voter Fraud.

 Here are the Twitter handles:
Fox News
@FoxNews

U.S. Justice Department
@TheJusticeDept

Tonight is going to be huge.

Let’s make sure that the truth reaches as many people as possible.

I am counting on you,

James

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
September 29, 2020

MEDIA ALERT: Charter Schools Fact Sheet for Tonight's 2020 Presidential Debate

Washington D.C. – Tonight President Trump and former Vice President Biden will face off in the first 2020 presidential debate. The National Alliance wants to equip you with the facts to make sure charter schools are talked about and reported on accurately.

Please reach out to me at shaelyn@publiccharters.org if you are interested in speaking with Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, following tonight’s debate.

MYTH #1) “CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.”
FACT: ALL CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AS DEFINED BY FEDERAL AND STATE LAW.
Charter schools must meet the same academic standards that all public schools are required to meet. All charter schools are tuition free and open to all students. Charter schools are publicly funded by local, state, and federal tax dollars based on enrollment, like other public schools; and held accountable for meeting state and federal standards, in addition to the standards in their charter.

MYTH #2) “CHARTER SCHOOLS CHERRY-PICK THE BEST STUDENTS FROM DISTRICT-RUN SCHOOLS.”
FACT: CHARTER SCHOOLS SERVE ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF ZIP CODE.
Nearly 60% of charter school students qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program. And 70% of charter school students are students of color. Charter schools do not have any kind of admissions process—no essays, interviews, or auditions. If there are more students that want to attend a charter school than seats available, a randomized lottery will be held.

MYTH #3) “CHARTER SCHOOLS GET MORE MONEY THAN DISTRICT-RUN SCHOOLS.”
FACT: ON AVERAGE, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE ONLY FUNDED 74 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR COMPARED TO THEIR DISTRICT-RUN COUNTERPARTS.
In the most recent year of available data, the average charter school received approximately $4,400 less per student than district schools do. Between 2006-07 and 2016-17, charter school funding increased by $225 per pupil while per pupil funding in district schools increased by $1,139. In many states, charter schools receive no public funding for facilities, and have to pay to rent or buy a school building out of pocket.

MYTH #4) “CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE.”
FACT: CHARTER SCHOOLS INTRODUCE AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF ACCOUNTABILITY INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION.
If a charter school is not improving student achievement, it can be shutdown. This is in direct contrast to district-run schools, where failing schools often undergo school improvement and turnaround measures for years. Charter schools must operate within all state and federal laws and are also responsible for adhering to the promises laid out in their charter agreement. They must abide by health, safety, and civil rights laws, as well as business regulations and public body rules. The charter school’s authorizer is responsible for enforcing these rules above and beyond the laws that all public schools must follow.

Best of luck reporting on tonight’s debate. We are excited to continue to be a resource for you in this election season.

Best, 
Shaelyn
Every Child Matters

Friend of Children,

Tonight’s the night that Donald Trump and Joe Biden will get on stage for the first general election debate of 2020. I reached out last week to let you know about our #WeCareDebate twitter chat that we’re hosting before the debate starts. I hope you can be online with us (@VotingForKids) starting at 8pm ET so that we can raise up kids issues to let voters know why it’s so important to Vote For Kids!

See you soon,

Jill Applegate
National Program Director
Every Child Matters

---

Dear Friend of Children,

Donald Trump and Joe Biden face off in Cleveland next Tuesday for the first presidential general election debate of 2020. We need to make sure issues affecting children get the attention they deserve on that stage!

To do that, Every Child Matters, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Groundwork Ohio, the Ohio AEYC, Family Values at Work and ZERO TO THREE will host a pre-debate Twitter chat about why those candidates must address the needs of children and those who care for them. Following the chat, we’ll live-tweet the debate. 

You can join the conversation with the hashtag #WeCareDebate!

Kids are central to any nation’s happiness and success. Investing in them helps our families, communities, economy, and democracy. Participating in the presidential debates allows us to lift up the issues while engaging with voters so that we can all Vote For Kids. 

Will you join us next Tuesday night for our pre-debate Twitter chat?

Pre-Debate #WeCareDebate Twitter Chat with:

@VotingForKids @ZEROTOTHREE @NAEYC @GroundworkOhio

@OhioAEYC_ECE @SCActionNetwork @FmlyValuesWork

September 29, 2020

8-9pm ET

Toolkit with Promotional Materials and Chat Questions

There are 41 days left until the election. Let’s make every one count!

Sincerely,

Jill Applegate
National Program Director
Every Child Matters

Evergreen Action
September 23, 2020

Evergreen Action Statement Condemning the Exclusion of Climate from Presidential Debate Topics

Evergreen Action Campaign Director Jamal Raad released the following statement after it was announced that the climate crisis will not be one of the top topics for the Fox News moderated presidential debate on September 29.

“With fires raging across the West, and communities in the Eeast still recovering from a record hurricane season, it is inexcusable to not prioritize the climate crisis during the presidential debates. It’s deeply concerning that climate change is not listed as one of the issue areas for the first 2020 presidential debate on Fox News.

“We are at a critical moment where more Americans than ever are experiencing the effects of the climate crisis on their health and livelihoods. And Americans are demanding answers from their elected leaders on climate policy.  Ignoring climate in a major 2020 presidential debate, as happened in 2016 would be a huge disservice to the needs of the public.

“Chris Wallace failed to ask a climate question when he moderated a presidential debate four years ago. He should not make the same mistake again.

“During the Trump presidency, Wallace has been one of the few voices at Fox News who has asked pointed questions on climate change, including pressing EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on the health impacts of dismantling the Clean Power Plan.

“There is still time for Wallace to right the ship. The climate crisis connects to many of the 6 topic areas being offered: the economy, the Supreme Court, and racial inequalityjustice are all climate issues as well. We recommend he take that to heart, and ask questions that reflect the intersection of climate and any of these issues.”

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