Posted on September 19, 2019
Everyone needs to strike for the climate. And that includes CEOs.
Our planet is on the line, so we’re going on strike – yes, even me, the CEO.
That’s because the company I have the privilege to lead, CREDO, is a corporate leader in the Global Climate Strike – a massive, week-long, youth-led event to demand climate justice for everyone and end the age of fossil fuels. We’re joining Patagonia, Levi Strauss, Ben & Jerry’s, Lush Cosmetics and others, to enlist as many of our employees and customers in the strike as possible. I’ve urged every one of our employees to walk out and join one of the thousands of marches taking place globally on Friday, September 20.
Fighting climate change isn’t something just for idealists, it’s urgent and existential. That’s why we are willing to take a potential hit to our profits by shutting down for a day. This is the bare minimum that’s necessary to do our part to fight the climate crisis.
Scientists confirmed that climate change is worse than we ever thought, and we have a little over a decade to drastically transform our economy and reduce carbon emissions to ensure we leave the next generation – the millions of young people we will strike with this month – with a habitable Earth. And as a business leader, I know I have a moral obligation to do what’s best for our customers, our employees and for the mission of our company.
CREDO was founded more than 30 years ago to create progressive social change by donating a portion of our revenue to causes that will make a positive social impact – and fighting for climate justice has been a top priority for decades.
Of the $88 million we’ve donated to nonprofit causes since 1985, our customers have helped us give nearly $20 million to groups fighting for the environment and climate. And this month, to coincide with the Climate Strikes, we’re asking our members to vote to donate an additional $50,000 to five groups fighting for climate justice and the passage of a Green New Deal.
Our CREDO Action team has a long history of climate activism. They’ve empowered our millions of CREDO Action members to push the Democratic National Committee to hold an official climate debate, urge companies, universities and financial funds to divest from fossil fuels, and protect our public lands from fracking and oil pipelines. They are also recruiting CREDO activists to join strikes across the country.
Our business model ties us more closely than most to progressive values, but now is the time for all corporate leaders to take action on climate change on behalf of their businesses, their employees, their customers and the planet. I’m not talking about a “CEO Climate Dialogue” filled with some of the largest polluters in the world, or small commitments by some in the Fortune 500 to reduce their carbon footprints, either.
The young people across the world who are leading the Climate Strikes this September are in the streets demanding that the leaders like us in industry, government and media do everything we can to protect our planet for future generations.
As CEOs, it’s more than just a moral obligation to listen to millions of young people rising up for the future of our planet; it will also affect our bottom line.
A recent study found that Gen-Zers (those born between 1995 and 2002) will make up 40 percent of consumers by next year, and more than 50 percent of them “feel that knowing a brand is socially conscious influences purchase decisions.”
We’ve known for a long time that consumers choose brands that align with their values – it’s precisely why our customers choose our wireless or renewable energy services – so if companies want to succeed while also running a socially-responsible company, it’s in their best interests to not only do business sustainably, but to actively fight for climate justice.
Because all the revenue, customers and reputation in the world won’t make a difference if we don’t have a livable Earth on which to do business. So we’re going to keep fighting to protect our planet and end climate change.
And on Friday, we’re going on strike.
CREDO is a socially conscious corporation dedicated to powering progressive change through everyday acts of commerce through CREDO Mobile, CREDO Energy, and CREDO Long Distance. CREDO gives customers the opportunity to support causes they care about — like climate justice and women’s rights — by paying for the services they already use, including mobile service and home electricity supply.
Posted on September 18, 2019
Brett Kavanaugh must be impeached
Brett Kavanaugh is a liar and credibly accused sexual predator, yet misogynistic Senate Republicans put him on the Supreme Court anyway.
But Kavanaugh’s days on the court could be numbered, especially if enough of us speak out to force the House of Representatives, especially congressional Democrats, to take action to hold him accountable.
The New York Times recently reported an in-depth corroboration of Kavanaugh’s college assault of Deborah Ramirez, a classmate of Kavanaugh who came forward last year during Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings. The article highlights how Senate Republicans constrained the FBI’s investigation of her allegations in their attempt to railroad Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and ram through Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
We’re calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings immediately to hold Kavanaugh accountable. You can sign our petition calling for Kavanaugh’s impeachment here.
The text of our petition reads: “There is no room for an accused sexual predator and liar on the Supreme Court. Initiate impeachment proceedings to get Brett Kavanaugh off the federal bench.”
Kavanaugh was credibly accused of sexual assault and lying under oath in 2004 and 2006 and at least 30 times during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Not only is lying under oath unacceptable, but perjury is an impeachable offense.
In 2018, Democrats promised that if they took control of the House of Representatives, they would open an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct and perjury against Kavanaugh. It’s past time to make good on that promise.
We must hold each and every Democrat in the House of Representatives accountable and demand that they preserve the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. Click here to sign our petition demanding that the House of Representatives impeach Brett Kavanaugh.
Posted on September 18, 2019
On 9/20, CREDO is going on strike for the climate. Will you join us?
Here at CREDO, we’re going on strike. For the climate.
That’s right – I’ve asked all CREDO employees to walk out on Sept. 20 and join one of the thousands of Climate Strikes happening across the country and the world to demand climate justice for everyone and end the age of fossil fuels.
It’s the least we can do to lift up the voices of the millions of young people striking for our climate.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg urged the global community to act as if the house is on fire – because it is. We have only 11 years to prevent irreversible damage to our planet, so we must all act now before it’s too late. We are heeding Greta’s call, and we want your help to do even more.
Here are some ways you can join the movement with us:
- Vote now to help us distribute $50,000 to groups fighting for climate justice and the Green New Deal. In addition to the nearly $20 million that members like you have helped us donate to groups fighting for the environment and climate justice, we’re stepping up to donate even more this month to five great groups on the frontlines combating climate change.
- Sign the petition demanding that American banks divest from fossil fuels. U.S.-based banks JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi are the top fossil fuel investors in the world. Tell them to stop financing oil, gas and coal companies.
- Join and recruit your friends to attend a Climate Strike near you. There are thousands of marches across the country on Sept. 20. If you don’t see one close by, you can organize your own.
- Download a Climate Strike poster. Whether or not you can attend a march, download and print a poster to show your support for climate justice.
We hope to see you on the streets on Sept. 20 for climate action.
-Ray Morris
CEO, CREDO
Posted on September 17, 2019
Download your Climate Strike posters here
This September, people across the nation and the world will take to the streets to participate in the Global Climate Strikes, a massive, week-long, youth-led event to demand climate justice for everyone and end the age of fossil fuels.
Here at CREDO, we’ll be marching alongside young people across the country on Sept. 20 to demand climate action – and we hope you will join us!
We’ve created some great posters to download, print and take with you to the marches happening all across the country. And if you haven’t yet committed to attending, click here to RSVP or to organize a Climate Strike in your area.
Download “Strike for Climate Action”
Download “Our House is on Fire”
Download “Another _ Against Fossil Fuels”
Posted on September 12, 2019
CREDO Tip: How to participate in the Global Climate Strike
The climate crisis is worse than we ever thought, and we have a little over a decade to drastically transform our economy and reduce carbon emissions to ensure we leave the next generation with a habitable Earth.
That’s why here at CREDO, we are doing everything we can to slow the climate crisis, including participating in the Global Climate Strikes – a massive, week-long, youth-led event to demand climate justice for everyone and end the age of fossil fuels.
This Sept. 20, people all around the world – including the staff at CREDO offices across the country – will walk out of our workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers in the streets at thousands of marches and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels.
We urge you to join us for the Global Climate Strikes, too. Here are some ways you can get involved.
Here are 4 ways you can join the Global Climate Strike.
1. Join the Global Climate Strike.
In 2018, Greta Thunberg started a single-person strike on the steps of the Swedish Parliament House. That strike went viral.
Young people united in solidarity and led the way for climate justice by striking from school every Friday. The hashtags #FridaysforFuture and #ClimateStrike are now the rallying cries of millions. The message is simple: If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
On Sept. 20, three days before the U.N. Climate Summit in NYC, young people and adults will strike all across the United States and world to demand transformative action to address the climate crisis
To find a Climate Strike year you, visit the Global Climate Strike website.
2. Help CREDO decide how to allocate funds to groups fighting for climate justice.
Every month, CREDO gives to progressive causes – $1 million a year and more than $94 million to date.
This month, CREDO is donating an additional $50,000 to five groups fighting for climate justice and the Green New Deal. But we need your help!
Click here to cast your vote and help us distribute donations to five groups fighting the climate crisis.
3. Spread the word
Messages are only powerful if people hear them. Support the cause by helping to spread the word! Tell everyone – your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, teammates and adversaries – because as Greta said, “Everyone should mobilize for the 20th-27th of September because this is a global issue which actually affects everyone.”
There are plenty of free resources online that will help you spread the word at the Global Climate Strike and Strike with Us websites.
On social media, be sure to use the hashtags #StrikeWithUs and #ClimateStrike and check out CREDO’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for great content to share leading up to and during the Climate Strikes.
Our allies at 350.org also have additional resources to help you share your story about why you’re participating in the Climate Strikes. You can find those here.
4. Organize a group in your community.
This year the Global Climate Strikers have made organizing easier than ever by providing both workplace and community organization and action plans.
- For workplace organizing and action plans, click here.
- For community organizing and action plans, click here.
Use these action plans to activate your networks. Think of the organizations, clubs or faith groups you belong to. Maybe you’re in a dinner club or a book club? Talk about the climate strikes at your next meeting. Are you a teacher? Organize faculty and encourage your students to participate.
In the days leading up to Global Climate Strikes, organize a poster day. Creating your strike day materials together is a great way to activate your community.
If you don’t want to create your own poster, we have some great posters for you to download, print out and take with you to the marches.
We hope to see you on the streets on Sept. 20! To RSVP for a Climate Strike near you, please visit the Climate Strike website here.
Posted on September 9, 2019
Victory: Yosemite keeps historic names
Thanks in part to more than 143,000 CREDO members who signed our petition, the names of historic locations at Yosemite National Park will be restored to their well-known names, including the Wawona Hotel, Curry Village, the Ahwahnee Hotel and Badger Pass.
Jeremy Jacobs, a billionaire Trump donor and the chairman of the concessions company Delaware North that recently lost its $2 billion contract in Yosemite, sued the NPS for tens of millions of dollars to turn over naming rights of two iconic landmarks in the park, the Wawona and Ahwahnee Hotels. The NPS recently settled the lawsuit that restored the original names to these historic locations.
Thank you to CREDO members like you who stood up for these beloved American landmarks.
Posted on September 3, 2019
Our August grantees thank you for your support
Each month, CREDO members vote on how we distribute funding to three incredible nonprofits. Those small actions add up – with one click, you can help fund groups supporting progressive labor policies, making our government more inclusive and representative, and fighting to protect our environment. In August, over 61,000 CREDO members voted to distribute our monthly donation to Democracy for America, National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Rainforest Action Network.
These donations are made possible by CREDO customers and the revenue they generate by using our services. The distribution depends entirely on the votes of CREDO members like you. And for that, our August grant recipients thank you.
Democracy for America
$54,158
“Thank you CREDO members for being essential allies in our fight to build a country and a Democratic Party that’s unflinchingly committed to an inclusive populist political agenda up-and-down the ballot in all 50 states.” – Charles Chamberlain, Democracy for America
To learn more, visit www.democracyforamerica.com.
National Day Laborer Organizing Network
$35,416
“Thank you for standing with NDLON at a time when your support is very needed! CREDO members like you make an impact on the communities, programs and member organizations we serve.” – Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director, National Day Laborer Organizing Network
To learn more, visit www.ndlon.org.
Rainforest Action Network
$60,425
“Thank you for supporting Rainforest Action Network! CREDO members like you further RAN’s mission to protect people and the planet by addressing the root causes of climate change, deforestation and exploitation within extractive industries.” – Lindsey Allen, Executive Director, Rainforest Action Network
To learn more, visit www.RAN.org.
Now check out the three groups we are funding in September, and cast your vote to help distribute our donations.
CREDO members who use our products are the reason why we are able to make these donations each month. Learn more about CREDO Mobile, the carrier with a conscience.
Posted on September 3, 2019
Vote for Center for Constitutional Rights, Detention Watch Network and March for Our Lives this September
Every month, CREDO members vote to distribute our monthly donation to three incredible progressive causes – and every vote makes a difference. This September, you can support groups fighting for social justice, immigrant rights and gun control by voting to fund the Center for Constitutional Rights, Detention Watch Network and March for Our Lives.
Center for Constitutional Rights
The Center for Constitutional Rights works with communities under threat to fight for justice and liberation through litigation, advocacy and strategic communications. The organization fights for a world without oppression – where people use their power to achieve justice and guarantee the rights of all.
Funding from CREDO members will help the Center for Constitutional Rights deploy litigation and advocacy in support of social justice movements fighting structural racism, gender oppression, economic inequity and governmental abuses of power.
Detention Watch Network is a national coalition building power through collective advocacy, grassroots organizing and strategic communications to abolish immigration detention in the United States. DWN fights for a world without immigration detention where every individual lives freely.
Support from CREDO will increase DWN’s capacity to fight against the attempted mass expansion of detention through our #DefundHate and #CommunitiesnotCages campaigns and supporting our grassroots organizational members with small sub-grants.
March for Our Lives harnesses the power of young people to fight for life-saving gun safety measures. After organizing the largest single-day protest against gun violence in history, MFOL is continuing the fight for safe communities by mobilizing young people against the complacency and inaction that’s created America’s gun violence epidemic.
Support from CREDO members will significantly increase MFOL’s capacity to register and mobilize voters, help grow and support our local MFOL chapters nationwide and enable it to continue building the infrastructure of the organization.
Your vote this month will determine how we divide our monthly donation among these three progressive groups. Be sure to cast your vote to support one, two or all three by Sep. 30.
CREDO members who use our products and services everyday are the reason why we are able to make these donations each month. Learn more about CREDO Mobile and CREDO Energy and join our movement.
Posted on August 27, 2019
CREDO activists confront Nancy Pelosi: #WeCantWait to impeach Trump
Last week, I confronted Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco to demand that she use her power to impeach Donald Trump now.
Speaker Pelosi was receiving a lifetime achievement award at the San Francisco Democratic Party’s “Heart of the Resistance” dinner. While more than 100 activists from CREDO, By the People, CAIR, Courage Campaign, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Need to Impeach and other groups rallied outside of the event, I confronted Speaker Pelosi inside of it.
I told her: “Speaker Pelosi, I am undocumented. My community is being targeted by ICE and killed by white supremacists. Fight for my community, and impeach Trump now. We can’t wait.”
I confronted Speaker Pelosi to let her know that my people, who are being killed by Trump’s white supremacy, cannot wait any longer for her moral leadership on impeachment. I expected her and the other attendees to at least hear me out, but I literally screamed into a void of privilege, complacency and denial. Pelosi’s refusal to hear me speaks volumes about the limits of today’s Democratic Party, which congratulates itself on hating Trump but is unwilling to act to rein him in.
Our communities cannot afford to wait any longer. We need Speaker Pelosi to lead by publicly supporting impeachment and setting a date for a vote in the House of Representatives. And we’re not letting up until she meets our demands.
Outside the award ceremony, my colleague CREDO Action Campaign Director Nicole Regalado made an impassioned case that Speaker Pelosi will not leave a legacy of resistance, but a legacy of failure if she does not act now to impeach Trump.
Thanks to CREDO members who support our work, our protest received widespread media coverage, including NBC, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Examiner, Democracy Now!, Common Dreams and The Young Turks.
At CREDO, we know that fighting for progressive values and the world we all deserve means having the courage to hold Democrats accountable when they fall short. Thank you for sticking with us and having our backs. You can watch the entire livestream of the protest here.
Posted on August 26, 2019
AT&T and Breitbart: Making money from white supremacy together
AT&T has no problem turning a profit from white supremacy and hate speech.
New reporting reveals that AT&T’s digital advertising platform recently restored services to Breitbart, the white supremacist, misogynistic, fake news media outlet formerly run by Steve Bannon that helped fuel Donald Trump’s rise to power.
While Breitbart has lost thousands of advertisers and 90% of its ad revenue thanks to the incredible work of groups like Sleeping Giants and the activism of CREDO members and our progressive allies, AT&T sees an opportunity to partner with a racist, misogynistic, neo-Nazi hate site to make money.
Shortly after the 2016 election, AppNexus, one of the largest advertising exchanges serving digital publishers, took a principled stand and dropped Breitbart from its platform, citing Breitbart’s bigotry and racism. After AT&T’s acquisition of AppNexus, Breitbart urged AT&T to reinstate its hate speech outlet on the advertising platform, and after review, “AT&T concluded that Breitbart complied with its content guidelines.”
That @att’s Randall Stephenson fell for this is ridiculous. By reinstating Breitbart on @Xandr76, ATT’s ad network, they’ve assured their customers that they’re going to appear next to articles like these below. Advertisers, 4300 of them, have already said they don’t want that. pic.twitter.com/mUAziVyuk7
— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) August 21, 2019
This is yet another in a long line of examples of AT&T getting into bed with the extreme right-wing to cash in:
- AT&T made more than $1.8 million from Customs and Border Protection’s fascist deportation agenda.
- AT&T donated $2 million to Trump’s inauguration to curry favor.
- AT&T donated $2.7 million to 193 anti-LGBTQ politicians and nearly $200,000 to anti-abortion politicians.
- AT&T paid $600,000 to Trump’s convicted lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen to help end net neutrality protections.
- AT&T heavily lobbied Republicans for a massive corporate tax break then laid off its workers.
At CREDO, we will never align ourselves with right-wing hate. In fact, our members choose us because we are fighting every day for the progressive values they believe in. Each month, we donate to progressive groups, like Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and Detention Watch Network, and we fund an incredible team of activists organizing around issues like civil rights, climate justice and economic equality.
If you’d like to join the mobile company that shares your values, please visit CREDO Mobile to make the switch today.
