A Virtual Day of Action
The modern-day equivalent of demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies is the virtual day of action. Once the designated day is set, typically just before policymakers make a key decision, activists fan out across the country exhorting their supporters to take action on the day to show that they are watching and willing to take action in support of their position.
December 4, 2018 was just such a day of action in support of keeping nonprofits nonpartisan and in opposition to anti-Johnson Amendment language attached to a House spending bill that must get resolved to avoid a government shutdown. The key question for Members of Congress is whether to retain a controversial, House-passed rider or keep the language out of the final bill, as the Senate did in its version of the legislation. For those who respect and benefit from nonprofit nonpartisanship – meaning just about everyone – the correct answer is to stick with the Senate rider-free version.
In multiple ways, nonprofits and their supporters raised their virtual voices in unison on December 4. Here is a small sampling that demonstrates the power of the virtual day of action:
The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty tweeted this message and image: “Take action! Tell your Senators to keep #JohnsonAmendment intact in any funding bill. It keeps nonprofits & houses of worship independent, allowing them to speak out about political matters without being pressured to endorse/oppose political candidates.”
The Bright Lines Project shared: “The #JohnsonAmendment gives houses of worship & charities the ability to speak to political and social issues, but without the pressure to endorse or oppose political candidates. No sneaky budget-deal should block enforcement of this law!”
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network urged its members to engage in the day of action, tweeting: “Take action TODAY and tell your federal elected officials to protect the #JohnsonAmendment! In the next few days, Congress will be wrapping up legislation that could include language that would make it difficult for the IRS to enforce the Johnson Amendment.”
The Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations sent direct appeals to the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, including this one: “.@SenBobCasey Partisanship has NO place in charitable organizations - whether churches, charities, or foundations. Oppose all efforts to include a controversial #JohnsonAmendment rider in any legislation being voted on this month.“
Walter Weeks, former Mayor of Coats, NC wrote this to his Senators and Representative: “As a conservative heavily involved in nonprofits I ask you to protect them from partisan politics. Partisan groups must not be allowed to pose as charities. Oppose all efforts to include a #JohnsonAmendment rider in upcoming votes.
