The Usefulness of Protesting...
It's EARTH Month again...
Dear Fellow Democrat,
So of Course this administration is redoubling their assault on our environment. And yes, I know this newsletter is focused on LOCAL issues, candidates, and events, but considering we all share the same EARTH, it actually IS local. And again, while every day is Earth Day, this month gives us a bit more focus on the pressing issues that we face in protecting our home. Whether it's reducing the already strained workforce, removing the few remaining protections for wildlife, or gutting the EPA, this Republican government gives us reason to do all we can to remove them from power. We must put checks on their reckless privatization and plundering of any resource they fancy. While some of us see a world of awesome beauty and value the reciprocal relationship with it, others see only a golden goose that they can profit from. We can protest till the cows come home, but to WIN elections and change the trajectory of this train wreck, we have to DO THE WORK.
This is the issue that keeps me motivated, but there are so many more. This morning I woke to news that our largest local school district is planning enormous cutbacks to their budget. Why? Because the Republican party, that has been in power for 30 years in this state, has repeatedly undermined public school funding and created a self-fulfilling prophecy of failing public schools. Then there's immigration and the ways they create outrage at immigrants looking for a better life and then detain and remove even the ones that are going through proper channels. Or the way Texas was so quick to turn over the full voter registration list to the Department of Justice. The list of reasons Texas can no longer afford to stay in Republican control is seemingly endless. WE MUST DO THE WORK TO ELECT DEMOCRATS.
This weekend we KEEP block walking. Only four weeks till the municipal elections. Electing RISD Board of Trustees District 3 - Nazlee Burney is a first step towards major Midterm wins! Please join us this Saturday morning at Selda Bakery at 11:00. Knocking on doors and making phone calls is crucial to informing voters and engaging them. This is a perfect training to go forward the day after the May 2nd election and get to work on our excellent state and federal candidates that will be on the ballot in November. It will take all of us doing all the things - well beyond protesting - from now through the end of the year to turn this ship around.
On Sunday, April 12th, all women are invited to join our Kindred Table meeting. We'll meet from 2-4 pm and Kim Verriere will offer powerful sacred feminine themes as a way to carry us forward in these times. You will be sure to leave with a new connection, new insight, and a lifted spirit! Please register for details.
Our next Happy Hour will be April 16th and it will be powerful. We are going to be honored with a personal visit from Senator Sarah Eckhardt who is running for State Comptroller! We will also hear from City Councilwoman Jennifer Justice who will talk with us about some of the Charter Amendments that will be on the ballot on May 2nd. And we are excited about hearing from SENATOR Taylor Rehmet's campaign manager, Jake Davis, about what it took to flip that district by 31 points in January. Jake is managing our own Senate Candidate, Keenen Colbert, and we'll hear from him as well! We'll be back at Northside Drafthouse & Eatery. Register for details and JOIN US!!
As usual, we continue to show up weekly, ROARing on the bridge and with our signs! We are now EIGHT months into our weekly protests, and they continue to be a fun and effective way to inspire others and to lift our spirits in community. You can join the ROAR Bridge Brigade on Thursday evenings from 4-6 and Saturday mornings from 9-10 on the Collins Blvd Bridge over I-75 (park at Cafe Max on the east side and walk up!). They are always happy to have more hands to hold the banners and flags and wave at the honking cars on Central! We also meet every Saturday morning from 10-11 on the southeast corner of Campbell & 75 to let our community know that there is a resistance in Richardson! Join Us!
On April 25th, Vecinos Unidos is having a New Volunteer Orientation to introduce us to volunteer opportunities and provide guidance on how we can be effective participants in this important work. Vecinos has come to speak with RAD at our Happy Hour to introduce their program before and they'll be back this month to invite attendees to this local training. The training is going to be Saturday, April 25th, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Arapaho United Methodist Church. You can register here to attend. With increased activity in our own area, we need folks to get trained and ready to work to support our immigrant neighbors.
Whether you participated in a No Kings 3 Protest or not, it's time to step it up. There are so many ways we can take it to the next level beyond the protest. The protests give us visibility and create energy in the growing community. They bring in more people who are emboldened by the movement. But the protests themselves are not going to save our Earth, our schools, our communities or any of the myriad other things we need to protect. THAT will require electing new representation, people who will stand up to this regime and leaders who will take our state and country in a new and better direction. THAT requires that we Get To Work.
~ See You Soon ~
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Once again, if you haven't done so yet, we invite you to join or renew your membership in Richardson Area Democrats. Your suggested donation of $10/month will help us continue to build this inclusive community! Thanks for all you do.
