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twovests wrote (edited )

Hey, thank you for posting this. I haven't called congress before but I'm going to do this now.

done!

This was my first time doing this. A lot of things caught me offguard and this took me 1.5 hours in total, but if you are a functional human being and comfortable reading a script, it would probably be closer to 5 minuntes.

Things that might catch you off guard:

  • Scripts: The site provides you with a script right as it calls you. This caught me off guard and messed me up, as I tried to adapt my script live. I usually write my own script and take three or four rehearsals before I can make calls. I have copied the provided scripts below.
  • You might reach someone: I did not expect to get reach someone so quickly.
  • They might request your contact information: I'm proud to put my name down when begging to stop war crimes, but I didn't expect them to ask for this information.
  • Senators and Representatives: I'm a smart person, but I accidentally got these mixed up when trying to adapt to the script and I think I lost legitimacy in the eyes of the office for it.
  • Adapted script: I used the numbers on the Wikipedia outline of the war (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_the_2023_Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war), and I compared the number of displaced Palestinians in proportion to that of my district.
  • iPhones are difficult to call with: If you're used to landlines or Android phones, and are not familiar with the iPhone dialer, be warned. I absolutely fucked this up, and I'm someone who regularly uses the mainstream desktop and mobile OSes.
    • iPhones can and will allow other audio to take over your call at any time. I have no mental model for understanding it. Close any other app you have open, and do not interact with Airpods if you are using them (since they can invoke Apple Music).
    • I don't understand how phone calls are supposed to work on this phone. The numberpad in the phone app is not the same as the numberpad in the phone call you receive.
    • EDIT: Turns out this is true on Androids too. There is nothing to obviously indicate that you have two different numpads. I am going insane

Scripts copied below:

Script 1 – For House offices My name is {Your Name}. I am a constituent of {Representative's Name}. I am calling you regarding the unfolding crisis in Gaza. It is absolutely urgent that the Representative join H.Res 786 calling for a Ceasefire Now and for humanitarian assistance to be let into Gaza. I also ask that they oppose sending any more weapons to the Israeli military as it carries out mass atrocities against Palestinans in Gaza. The only way forward is addressing the root causes of violence: Israeli military occupation and apartheid, and ending U.S. complicity in this oppression.

Script 2 – For Senate offices

My name is {Your Name}. I am a constituent of {Senator's Name}. I am calling you regarding the unfolding crisis in Gaza. It is absolutely urgent that the Senator call for a ceasefire, call for humanitarian assistance to be let into Gaza, and to oppose sending any more weapons to the Israeli military as it carries out mass atrocities against Palestinans in Gaza. The only way forward is addressing the root causes of violence: Israeli military occupation and apartheid, and ending U.S. complicity in this oppression.

Script 3 – For House offices sponsoring Ceasefire Now Resolution

My name is {Your Name}. I am a constituent of {Representative's Name}. I am calling you regarding the unfolding crisis in Gaza. I want to thank Representative {Name} for standing up for humanity and calling for a ceasefire. The Representative's courage in calling for peace and de-escalation will save lives.

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