Yes. Something we'd wondered about at the last two protests here.
We asked one of our local organizers this (they are not open to much, unfortunately) and were told "that's not the focus".... um, okay.
So we're chatting here about organizing a rally, in accordance with Indivisible and 50501 et al groups and setting up voter registrations on site for May protests.
File under Lily Tomlin's "someone should do something"... we'll be someone for that effort going forward.
How to make it work! Join the organizers and get the suggestion in early. They are doing a LOT of work to make the events focused, safe!!! and effective. There's only so much any group can do without burning out, and a "suggestion that other people do work" can derail efforts.
Here's the thing: A booth on its own is a fantastic idea or it MAY compromise the protest permits and even the safety of protesters. Some states have attacked 3rd party organizations doing voter registration, so that's info you really need depending on where you are.) Not saying it's not a great idea but it may have been researched and argued into the ground by the organizers. Ideally that can be explained but it works best to choose your timing. (Up front, helping put it all together, is the BEST.)
If there's a reason that it doesn't work, you'll know, and still be free to participate in GOTV and registration activities ranging from postcard reminders to working on voter registration directly.
Kathy - I do appreciate your suggestions and your encouragement.
The reality in my town is that there are a few individuals in the community who 'don’t play well with others', bluntly, and have self-selected to be organizers of some events. Through various actions, they have driven others away, actually decreased participation, etc - but this is a pattern for the past decade+. Sad to report, they’ve made the last two events more about themselves than about the message.
That said, there are other (older, younger, but more savvy folks) organizing parallel events at this point that are aimed at unified actions and working as of this morning to do voter registration, provide passport information according to what works - here. I participate in a number of activities already. What I’ve learned, over the decades, is that not every volunteer actually really works well for and behalf of a group - this is an unfortunate addition to the list of examples.
From friends who do disaster work, victim’s assistance: ‘worry about those who self deploy and won’t take direction’…or just want to talk to the press instead of doing other things (you know, the boring stuff like making sure there are first aide stations, etc)
The above is WHY, last night, a group got together to talk about how to do several things as an actual community, functional group moving forward - we’re meeting later today to do further planning.
Kathy, I have to comment on your first suggestion to “join the organizers” - after April 5 and again yesterday afternoon, folks contacted the organizers and were basically told to “butt out” - they were in charge. They also did this in 2016 (patterns there)
So - um, okay. Got it - they’re in charge (more than one person mentioned Al Haig in discussing this) and failing to meet the challenge, if you will, on a number of levels.
So now, we’re off to work on our own AND in alignment with 50501, MoveOn, Indivisible, et al - and if they would like to align efforts and work in a unified way, they are welcome… but maybe other people will talk to the press? (it won’t be me, btw, not my desire or goal - ever) We do have some media savvy and media connected people who will be joining us because we want as many people as possible to come out, demonstrate peacefully and safely, get folks registered to vote, get them passport information.
Thank you. I 100% get how that can happen. I want to reiterate my support for registration and strategic action. (I may be a weenie because I’d like to stay around to keep doing ‘em… see how ridiculous my county can be, above.) It is so important to me not to catastrophize and discourage anyone. So thanks to Simon for his pushback. Knowledge and strategy and situational awareness are power! As they say @HeardIsland.gov on Bluesky, Flippers Up, dear friends!
Thank you, Sue. There are roughly 15+ of us working to organize now.
2-3 people (w extensive voter reg, GOTV experience) - am taking all suggestions offered here to hand off to these folks.
Of the 15+ a few are doing more communication work, outreach, publicity w media contacts for coverage.
Others are looking at more fun/entertainment elements - mentioned further down in this thread - to up the energy, keep things a bit fun for participants.
Yesterday’s rally in Iowa City, Iowa included a row of maybe 8 or so folding tables, each manned by different groups— the Johnson County Democrats, Stand Up For Science, a union organization or two, an immigrant rights group, etc. I don’t believe this occurred at the April 5th rally, so I think it shows that in just two weeks, good ideas percolated up and were implemented to make a great event on the 5th even better on the 19th!
I have been thinking about that as well. I was going to bring up a voter registration booth and an outreach booth as well at all mass gatherings townhalls, rallies, protests for people interested in running for office. Could provide educational materials and information needed to peak interest in starting campaigns. Having people there to discuss it would be a great start. We have so many uncontested seats in our state. These are really big missed opportunities with people engages and ready to go.
i will start recommending this in our daily to dos.....it is a good idea. There should be voter reg tables at all these events. Part of our mission here at Hopium is civic renewal and political reform and so, yes, of course, voter reg tables should be at all these protests and rallies. Needs to be something we all do, every day, learn about and promote.
David - great suggestions and our small (getting larger) group looking at, how to say, “improve” next rallies and protests and increase engagement has some folks who’ve been very involved w LWV, among other groups.
Please consider the dynamics of protest organization. We have four people doing all the permit, public safety, organizing, set up and connection with legal representation work. Some states are attacking 3rd party organizations doing voter registration! KNOW your environment. An innocent booth in the wrong place, possibly violating community ordinances can make targets of organizers and participants. Not a reason to not do outreach, but work UP FRONT with organizers - in my case, people who are at risk from this administration rather than just put them at risk by not knowing what excuses you are creating for legal attack or arrest.
Not saying it's bad to register folk to vote. Am saying it's important to do risk management so you don't take down your own protesters or organization.
Kathy, I have to push back on this a bit. So, yes, coordination is always paramount but having been doing this for many many years I am unaware that the process of registering people to vote is more regulated or challenging than formal public protest. Yes there are a handful of states that make it difficult but this warning seems wildly overamped to the reality on the ground; or that an innocent voter reg table could "take down" protests or organizations. You would need to provide proof here that this in fact a major concern outside of a handful of states.
While third part voter registration currently does not face major problems, we will have to work to make sure this remains the case. According to the Brennan Center, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act that passed the House of Representatives, would essentially eliminate third party voter registration. The bill would require anyone registering to vote, or even change their address, to take documentary proof of citizenship in person to an election official. This would eliminate most existing methods of voter registration. The SAVE Act bill in now in the Senate. While the Democrats should be able to kill it with the filibuster, currently this is by no means assured. We .should include opposing the SAVE Act to the issues we call our Senator about.
I appreciate your perspective. In our community we had folks bring out guns and are looking at a serious disinformation attack on our city council fueled by disinformation by John Eastman’s Claremont Institute. This is a town where hanging in effigy and lying to get the locals with guns to attend rallies (plus a hate crime at our local library that I had to get State DOJ involved in). We had an angry “counter rally’ target us (indeed, we were forced out of our location) and efforts to suppress our ballot curing so while I can see it’s perhaps overstated for many who are NOT US, I still ask that folk check their local voter suppression laws Democracy Docket tracks those well. In closing, I get why you push back, so let me join you in supporting registration actions while just suggesting … due diligence. Fair?
Voter registration is always a great idea and so is seizing the opportunity. The only thing we don't want to do is take away from the joy and dancing and free form engagement that is starting to happen at our protests/rallies now!
As someone pointed out here in comments, it's part of why people joined the MAGA rallies - they were entertainment and fun in addition to being politically engaging.
Instead of tables and lines, maybe online issuing of stickers or pins saying Vote to get their Hands Off! (with voter registration local phone number/email) or some such logo, that people can bring in handfuls to pass out?
I like the “Make your voice heard and vote” with the QR code. I’m going to wrte and suggest a sticker with ‘VOTE to keep their Hands Off!” with a QR code. Immediate voicing at the rally and a take-home QR info. Easy to hand out stickers that don’t need to be kept track of but can stay on your shirt till you get home! Thanks, Sue!
I have been involved with a great program sponsored primarily by Indivisible Evanston (IL). We go to DMVs in low income areas in Milwaukee and register voters. It is a perfect place to do this because people are having to wait and so have time on their hands. Of course it needs to be non-partisan and permitted by the facility. But this would be a great project for other Indivisible groups to take on.
Also, especially for young, first time voters, have them commit informally to showing up to vote. Our collective stock in personal honor is going to rise. It just needs to be given the chance.
For Catholics, baptized at birth, when they reach a certain age they prepare for the sacrament of confirmation. I think it's very much like bat / bar mitzvah in Judaism.
I believe there is power in a civic ritual once a person registers to vote. (More so now since we're no longer teaching civics.) Per the above, I recalled the phrase "Scout's Honor." -- an informal pledge. Something that helps bond them to our community.
Good question. Well, I am a Voter Registration Agent (VRA) and have been at a booth and walking around to register people at protests of the first trump admin. We VRAs check with one another before events to see who can help. You too, can be a VRA or something similar. In my state, it involves a training session and a few other details. It carries a legal responsibility and penalties if rules are not followed. Here is the process in NM, link to Secretary of State. https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/third-party-voter-registration-agents/
It's also, of course, the last day of Passover. Lamest Pharaoh ever. But we'll defeat him.
My uncle Melvin went ashore at Normandy the day after D-Day. His contribution might not sound too heroic either: He was a meteorologist. But an accurate weather forecast was crucial to the planning of the invasion. Any act can be heroic under the right circumstances. I think of Melvin a lot these days because that's what I want to be: the heroic weatherman, the guy who lights the lamp. In the words of André Trocmé, Righteous Among the Nations, "Look hard for ways to make little moves against destructiveness."
If you want to message me your email, I can send you something that I translated a few years ago that might interest you: about the weather forecasting for D-Day and how crucial this was.
This reminds me... My mom had a French friend (I got to meet her a couple times) who at the age of 16 was going to the beach at Normandy. Her father was able to get her away from the site in time. Many years later she was on a painting trip in Yemen where she was stranded for three weeks when the first Gulf War broke out. (My mom and she got stranded in the middle east at one point in the 50s.)
Such a wonderful memory of your uncle. And I loved seeing Andre Trocme’s name again. The pastor of a church in the
Protestant town of LeChambon in France, he told his parishioners that it was their duty to shelter the persecuted Jews. And they did. Among those who were saved was the family of Pierre Sauvage who became a filmmaker and immortalized the town and the minister in his film about Trocme and LeChambon. Many years ago, as part of a program in observance of the Holocaust, Sauvage brought his film to Indianapolis and told us that “courage is contagious.”
My parents came to the US from Germany in 1937 and 1939. I wish that everyone joing this effort could feel in their souls the gravity of the situation we are fighting. I think about it every day. Regardless of your personal history we have to dig in together and win this battle. As Simon notes that he is motivated by the future for his kids we too must do whatever it takes for whatever motivates each of us.
Even better than reading Heather Cox Richardson’s April 18 “Letter from an American” (her address at the Old North Church) is listening to her read it aloud on her podcast. Enjoy!
Thank you @SusanTroy! IMHO, Trump’s greatest sin is trying to make us forget our creativity as a people and our genius for reinventing ourselves as each new generation offers its own colorful contribution to the fun of being American.
Good morning. Self reporting on yesterday's activities. My wife and I attended a well organized and joyful rally on the small town commons in Montague, Mass; a short drive up the road from our home in Amherst. The rally took place between 11a and noon and I would estimate we had a crowd of between 200 and 300. A lot of signs, a lot of singing - the Expandable Brass Band provided musical accompaniment - and lot of good conversation between like minded citizens.
HCR’s Paul Revere’s 250th anniversary piece is a tour de force. Lighting the Paschal candle with new flame last night, day begins at sunset, showed the promise of victorious new life. Honor the symbolism carried through history while carrying the light of Truth. It’s good to be alive and in the fight, singing.
At the protest yesterday in Memphis on a large green space at a busy intersection. My guess was 400-500 of us, but I'm thinking closer to 500 at peak. Not bad considering they were out here last Saturday too. We were spread out along the road directly engaging with the traffic, which I saw was a great way to be effective when you weren’t a massive crowd. Nice touch with the flags - inverted American (as distress signal), normal American (what I brought), a couple LGBTQ, but the Ukrainian flags were a great visual addition I'd not thought of. Favorite sign (I should've gotten a picture) had a drawing of Trump and the caption, "Does this ass make my country look small?" The combo of flags and signs is visually effective. Most exciting to me was all the honking from people driving by and waving. It was almost nonstop and felt like a dialogue. Made me feel like people are really paying attention. Only two negative reactions: one jerk "rolling coal," and a young pasty face man, his cheeks aflame with anger, who yelled, "Get a job!" On a Saturday. Which was so hilarious it gave me energy to stand for a bit longer.
Wonderful. Our protest had people trained in de-escalation. Surprisingly few of the flying monkeys even showed up, and the ones that did were so quietly dealt with they didn't even make a splash. (We have a rather older population in a place where our George Floyd vigil - very much supported by local cops, oddly enough - attracted 4 guys with long guns who were sure we were "big city social justice warriors" as pushed by GOP websites.)
Didn’t know you we were at the same protest in Berkeley. Would love to have had a Simon-sighting and say hello. Yes, it was upbeat and fun and love the sign you captured.
When I was a baby Fed that was a tragedy that shaped my world. The photo of the firefighter carrying away a toddler from the blown up day care haunts me to this day. McVeigh had connections with TX evangelical cult groups - including WACO , according to a friend who escaped one of them.
Since the 60s I and my friends got death threats so often from militia types they became water cooler talk.
And my mom worked in an office in a building identified as a likely target for the Unabomber.
My point here... you may be right, but scoring fear points with things that are still objects of mourning to actual people still living may not be as effective a way to take down Trump as it may feel.
I was weeping when I read the Heather Cox Richardson piece…profoundly moving…also when I watched Rachel Maddow discuss same anniversary…even looking at the projections on the Old Church…I’m pretty labile these days, can cry at the drop of a hat…but my deep feelings are also very motivating, and I’m out there every time there’s a call for protests, and am busy currently trying to organize one in front of our local Social Security office. Hope that one will work out…there’s not a lot of room on the sidewalk, that is very close to a busy street, but it’s a great location traffic wise and I want to support the folks working hard at the office, too!!!
Happy Easter Simon
This is how I view Hope.
Hope Is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat by Caitlin Seida
Hope is not the thing with feathers
That comes home to roost
When you need it most.
Hope is an ugly thing
With teeth and claws and
Patchy fur that’s seen some shit.
It’s what thrives in the discards
And survives in the ugliest parts of our world,
Able to find a way to go on
When nothing else can even find a way in.
It’s the gritty, nasty little carrier of such
diseases as
optimism, persistence,
Perseverance and joy,
Transmissible as it drags its tail across
your path
and
bites you in the ass.
Hope is not some delicate, beautiful bird,
Emily.
It’s a lowly little sewer rat
That snorts pesticides like they were
Lines of coke and still
Shows up on time to work the next day
Looking no worse for wear.
I was wondering how many of these protest groups have a voter registration booth working on site. It seems like it would be a good opportunity.
Yes. Something we'd wondered about at the last two protests here.
We asked one of our local organizers this (they are not open to much, unfortunately) and were told "that's not the focus".... um, okay.
So we're chatting here about organizing a rally, in accordance with Indivisible and 50501 et al groups and setting up voter registrations on site for May protests.
File under Lily Tomlin's "someone should do something"... we'll be someone for that effort going forward.
How to make it work! Join the organizers and get the suggestion in early. They are doing a LOT of work to make the events focused, safe!!! and effective. There's only so much any group can do without burning out, and a "suggestion that other people do work" can derail efforts.
Here's the thing: A booth on its own is a fantastic idea or it MAY compromise the protest permits and even the safety of protesters. Some states have attacked 3rd party organizations doing voter registration, so that's info you really need depending on where you are.) Not saying it's not a great idea but it may have been researched and argued into the ground by the organizers. Ideally that can be explained but it works best to choose your timing. (Up front, helping put it all together, is the BEST.)
If there's a reason that it doesn't work, you'll know, and still be free to participate in GOTV and registration activities ranging from postcard reminders to working on voter registration directly.
Flippers up my loves!
Kathy - I do appreciate your suggestions and your encouragement.
The reality in my town is that there are a few individuals in the community who 'don’t play well with others', bluntly, and have self-selected to be organizers of some events. Through various actions, they have driven others away, actually decreased participation, etc - but this is a pattern for the past decade+. Sad to report, they’ve made the last two events more about themselves than about the message.
That said, there are other (older, younger, but more savvy folks) organizing parallel events at this point that are aimed at unified actions and working as of this morning to do voter registration, provide passport information according to what works - here. I participate in a number of activities already. What I’ve learned, over the decades, is that not every volunteer actually really works well for and behalf of a group - this is an unfortunate addition to the list of examples.
From friends who do disaster work, victim’s assistance: ‘worry about those who self deploy and won’t take direction’…or just want to talk to the press instead of doing other things (you know, the boring stuff like making sure there are first aide stations, etc)
The above is WHY, last night, a group got together to talk about how to do several things as an actual community, functional group moving forward - we’re meeting later today to do further planning.
Kathy, I have to comment on your first suggestion to “join the organizers” - after April 5 and again yesterday afternoon, folks contacted the organizers and were basically told to “butt out” - they were in charge. They also did this in 2016 (patterns there)
So - um, okay. Got it - they’re in charge (more than one person mentioned Al Haig in discussing this) and failing to meet the challenge, if you will, on a number of levels.
So now, we’re off to work on our own AND in alignment with 50501, MoveOn, Indivisible, et al - and if they would like to align efforts and work in a unified way, they are welcome… but maybe other people will talk to the press? (it won’t be me, btw, not my desire or goal - ever) We do have some media savvy and media connected people who will be joining us because we want as many people as possible to come out, demonstrate peacefully and safely, get folks registered to vote, get them passport information.
You know: group goals!
Thank you. I 100% get how that can happen. I want to reiterate my support for registration and strategic action. (I may be a weenie because I’d like to stay around to keep doing ‘em… see how ridiculous my county can be, above.) It is so important to me not to catastrophize and discourage anyone. So thanks to Simon for his pushback. Knowledge and strategy and situational awareness are power! As they say @HeardIsland.gov on Bluesky, Flippers Up, dear friends!
i think all you have to do is have big posters maybe even with a QR code for
VOTE.ORG. they can do it on their phones i believe. and maybe in announcements.
That is one of a few suggestions that came up last night, this morning and that we’ll be talking about later today.
The joys of a functional group whose members will put in the time and tap/network with others!
https://www.fieldteam6.org/ has cards you can hand out at events with a QR code for voterizer.org
Thank you, Sue. There are roughly 15+ of us working to organize now.
2-3 people (w extensive voter reg, GOTV experience) - am taking all suggestions offered here to hand off to these folks.
Of the 15+ a few are doing more communication work, outreach, publicity w media contacts for coverage.
Others are looking at more fun/entertainment elements - mentioned further down in this thread - to up the energy, keep things a bit fun for participants.
Yesterday’s rally in Iowa City, Iowa included a row of maybe 8 or so folding tables, each manned by different groups— the Johnson County Democrats, Stand Up For Science, a union organization or two, an immigrant rights group, etc. I don’t believe this occurred at the April 5th rally, so I think it shows that in just two weeks, good ideas percolated up and were implemented to make a great event on the 5th even better on the 19th!
Thanks, Marcia. Very encouraging to read this!
Excellent idea.
I have been thinking about that as well. I was going to bring up a voter registration booth and an outreach booth as well at all mass gatherings townhalls, rallies, protests for people interested in running for office. Could provide educational materials and information needed to peak interest in starting campaigns. Having people there to discuss it would be a great start. We have so many uncontested seats in our state. These are really big missed opportunities with people engages and ready to go.
Also maybe even having things like the forms for passports and people there to explain how to get them.
i will start recommending this in our daily to dos.....it is a good idea. There should be voter reg tables at all these events. Part of our mission here at Hopium is civic renewal and political reform and so, yes, of course, voter reg tables should be at all these protests and rallies. Needs to be something we all do, every day, learn about and promote.
Start here?
https://www.tools.vote.org/
https://www.lwv.org/ (My wife's organization)
https://www.rockthevote.org/get-involved/
https://www.nonprofitvote.org/national-voter-registration-day/
Which organization has the best track record for getting results?
David - great suggestions and our small (getting larger) group looking at, how to say, “improve” next rallies and protests and increase engagement has some folks who’ve been very involved w LWV, among other groups.
Don't forget Fair Fight and VoteRiders!
https://www.fairfight.com/
https://www.voteriders.org
And (not to toot my own horn, but) I compiled an entire library guide on voting. Feel free to share! https://guides.monmouth.edu/Voting
Thank you, Lisa
Please consider the dynamics of protest organization. We have four people doing all the permit, public safety, organizing, set up and connection with legal representation work. Some states are attacking 3rd party organizations doing voter registration! KNOW your environment. An innocent booth in the wrong place, possibly violating community ordinances can make targets of organizers and participants. Not a reason to not do outreach, but work UP FRONT with organizers - in my case, people who are at risk from this administration rather than just put them at risk by not knowing what excuses you are creating for legal attack or arrest.
Not saying it's bad to register folk to vote. Am saying it's important to do risk management so you don't take down your own protesters or organization.
Kathy, I have to push back on this a bit. So, yes, coordination is always paramount but having been doing this for many many years I am unaware that the process of registering people to vote is more regulated or challenging than formal public protest. Yes there are a handful of states that make it difficult but this warning seems wildly overamped to the reality on the ground; or that an innocent voter reg table could "take down" protests or organizations. You would need to provide proof here that this in fact a major concern outside of a handful of states.
Simon,
While third part voter registration currently does not face major problems, we will have to work to make sure this remains the case. According to the Brennan Center, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act that passed the House of Representatives, would essentially eliminate third party voter registration. The bill would require anyone registering to vote, or even change their address, to take documentary proof of citizenship in person to an election official. This would eliminate most existing methods of voter registration. The SAVE Act bill in now in the Senate. While the Democrats should be able to kill it with the filibuster, currently this is by no means assured. We .should include opposing the SAVE Act to the issues we call our Senator about.
This bill is not law.
I appreciate your perspective. In our community we had folks bring out guns and are looking at a serious disinformation attack on our city council fueled by disinformation by John Eastman’s Claremont Institute. This is a town where hanging in effigy and lying to get the locals with guns to attend rallies (plus a hate crime at our local library that I had to get State DOJ involved in). We had an angry “counter rally’ target us (indeed, we were forced out of our location) and efforts to suppress our ballot curing so while I can see it’s perhaps overstated for many who are NOT US, I still ask that folk check their local voter suppression laws Democracy Docket tracks those well. In closing, I get why you push back, so let me join you in supporting registration actions while just suggesting … due diligence. Fair?
Voter registration is always a great idea and so is seizing the opportunity. The only thing we don't want to do is take away from the joy and dancing and free form engagement that is starting to happen at our protests/rallies now!
As someone pointed out here in comments, it's part of why people joined the MAGA rallies - they were entertainment and fun in addition to being politically engaging.
Instead of tables and lines, maybe online issuing of stickers or pins saying Vote to get their Hands Off! (with voter registration local phone number/email) or some such logo, that people can bring in handfuls to pass out?
Stick them on, take them home, get the word out!
https://www.fieldteam6.org/ has cards you can buy to hand out with a QR code for voterizer.org
I like the “Make your voice heard and vote” with the QR code. I’m going to wrte and suggest a sticker with ‘VOTE to keep their Hands Off!” with a QR code. Immediate voicing at the rally and a take-home QR info. Easy to hand out stickers that don’t need to be kept track of but can stay on your shirt till you get home! Thanks, Sue!
I have been involved with a great program sponsored primarily by Indivisible Evanston (IL). We go to DMVs in low income areas in Milwaukee and register voters. It is a perfect place to do this because people are having to wait and so have time on their hands. Of course it needs to be non-partisan and permitted by the facility. But this would be a great project for other Indivisible groups to take on.
100% -- Bravo!
Great for producing petitions too!
Also, especially for young, first time voters, have them commit informally to showing up to vote. Our collective stock in personal honor is going to rise. It just needs to be given the chance.
For Catholics, baptized at birth, when they reach a certain age they prepare for the sacrament of confirmation. I think it's very much like bat / bar mitzvah in Judaism.
I believe there is power in a civic ritual once a person registers to vote. (More so now since we're no longer teaching civics.) Per the above, I recalled the phrase "Scout's Honor." -- an informal pledge. Something that helps bond them to our community.
thecivicscenter.org focuses on pre-registering high school students and newly graduated students. They have all kinds of toolkits to help.
That is an important group to get involved. Appreciate the www! Lots of protesters here in Sarasota are already voters...need new voters.
Registration is important, but so is turnout. We def need more work on both!
YES
YES
YES
Good question. Well, I am a Voter Registration Agent (VRA) and have been at a booth and walking around to register people at protests of the first trump admin. We VRAs check with one another before events to see who can help. You too, can be a VRA or something similar. In my state, it involves a training session and a few other details. It carries a legal responsibility and penalties if rules are not followed. Here is the process in NM, link to Secretary of State. https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/third-party-voter-registration-agents/
It's also, of course, the last day of Passover. Lamest Pharaoh ever. But we'll defeat him.
My uncle Melvin went ashore at Normandy the day after D-Day. His contribution might not sound too heroic either: He was a meteorologist. But an accurate weather forecast was crucial to the planning of the invasion. Any act can be heroic under the right circumstances. I think of Melvin a lot these days because that's what I want to be: the heroic weatherman, the guy who lights the lamp. In the words of André Trocmé, Righteous Among the Nations, "Look hard for ways to make little moves against destructiveness."
Beautiful remembrance and commemoration of your uncle (and a final chag sameach to you!).
Chag sameach!
Hi Stephen. Kudos to your uncle Melvin!
If you want to message me your email, I can send you something that I translated a few years ago that might interest you: about the weather forecasting for D-Day and how crucial this was.
This reminds me... My mom had a French friend (I got to meet her a couple times) who at the age of 16 was going to the beach at Normandy. Her father was able to get her away from the site in time. Many years later she was on a painting trip in Yemen where she was stranded for three weeks when the first Gulf War broke out. (My mom and she got stranded in the middle east at one point in the 50s.)
Such a wonderful memory of your uncle. And I loved seeing Andre Trocme’s name again. The pastor of a church in the
Protestant town of LeChambon in France, he told his parishioners that it was their duty to shelter the persecuted Jews. And they did. Among those who were saved was the family of Pierre Sauvage who became a filmmaker and immortalized the town and the minister in his film about Trocme and LeChambon. Many years ago, as part of a program in observance of the Holocaust, Sauvage brought his film to Indianapolis and told us that “courage is contagious.”
My parents came to the US from Germany in 1937 and 1939. I wish that everyone joing this effort could feel in their souls the gravity of the situation we are fighting. I think about it every day. Regardless of your personal history we have to dig in together and win this battle. As Simon notes that he is motivated by the future for his kids we too must do whatever it takes for whatever motivates each of us.
Even better than reading Heather Cox Richardson’s April 18 “Letter from an American” (her address at the Old North Church) is listening to her read it aloud on her podcast. Enjoy!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/letters-from-an-american/id1730358737?i=1000704140543
I choose hope, too. 🩵
Thank you @SusanTroy! IMHO, Trump’s greatest sin is trying to make us forget our creativity as a people and our genius for reinventing ourselves as each new generation offers its own colorful contribution to the fun of being American.
Good morning. Self reporting on yesterday's activities. My wife and I attended a well organized and joyful rally on the small town commons in Montague, Mass; a short drive up the road from our home in Amherst. The rally took place between 11a and noon and I would estimate we had a crowd of between 200 and 300. A lot of signs, a lot of singing - the Expandable Brass Band provided musical accompaniment - and lot of good conversation between like minded citizens.
HCR’s Paul Revere’s 250th anniversary piece is a tour de force. Lighting the Paschal candle with new flame last night, day begins at sunset, showed the promise of victorious new life. Honor the symbolism carried through history while carrying the light of Truth. It’s good to be alive and in the fight, singing.
Thank you Simon and we are very grateful to you and your expert leadership!
Rest today!
At the protest yesterday in Memphis on a large green space at a busy intersection. My guess was 400-500 of us, but I'm thinking closer to 500 at peak. Not bad considering they were out here last Saturday too. We were spread out along the road directly engaging with the traffic, which I saw was a great way to be effective when you weren’t a massive crowd. Nice touch with the flags - inverted American (as distress signal), normal American (what I brought), a couple LGBTQ, but the Ukrainian flags were a great visual addition I'd not thought of. Favorite sign (I should've gotten a picture) had a drawing of Trump and the caption, "Does this ass make my country look small?" The combo of flags and signs is visually effective. Most exciting to me was all the honking from people driving by and waving. It was almost nonstop and felt like a dialogue. Made me feel like people are really paying attention. Only two negative reactions: one jerk "rolling coal," and a young pasty face man, his cheeks aflame with anger, who yelled, "Get a job!" On a Saturday. Which was so hilarious it gave me energy to stand for a bit longer.
Hey, I was gonna add a pic but can't see how. Is there an easy way?
Hit reply to the email and it will get to me - S
Thanks!
Wonderful. Our protest had people trained in de-escalation. Surprisingly few of the flying monkeys even showed up, and the ones that did were so quietly dealt with they didn't even make a splash. (We have a rather older population in a place where our George Floyd vigil - very much supported by local cops, oddly enough - attracted 4 guys with long guns who were sure we were "big city social justice warriors" as pushed by GOP websites.)
Again, and always, thank you, Simon, for your words and wisdom. And thanks for your community;
especially the comments and the amazing poem in today's comments.
Didn’t know you we were at the same protest in Berkeley. Would love to have had a Simon-sighting and say hello. Yes, it was upbeat and fun and love the sign you captured.
The Murrah Federal Building was destroyed 04/19/1995 (many were killed). The perpetrator, by today's standards, would be a *centrist* *republican*.
When I was a baby Fed that was a tragedy that shaped my world. The photo of the firefighter carrying away a toddler from the blown up day care haunts me to this day. McVeigh had connections with TX evangelical cult groups - including WACO , according to a friend who escaped one of them.
Since the 60s I and my friends got death threats so often from militia types they became water cooler talk.
And my mom worked in an office in a building identified as a likely target for the Unabomber.
My point here... you may be right, but scoring fear points with things that are still objects of mourning to actual people still living may not be as effective a way to take down Trump as it may feel.
Be strong, be kind, be effective. Love to all
I was weeping when I read the Heather Cox Richardson piece…profoundly moving…also when I watched Rachel Maddow discuss same anniversary…even looking at the projections on the Old Church…I’m pretty labile these days, can cry at the drop of a hat…but my deep feelings are also very motivating, and I’m out there every time there’s a call for protests, and am busy currently trying to organize one in front of our local Social Security office. Hope that one will work out…there’s not a lot of room on the sidewalk, that is very close to a busy street, but it’s a great location traffic wise and I want to support the folks working hard at the office, too!!!