How are you feeling these days?
Probably something of a mixed bag, right? On one hand, there are plenty of reasons to feel bad. The Trump regime and its many enablers remain an endless source of terrible ideas and awful news. (Plus, the Texas Legislature keeps advancing more atrocious bills.)
And yet. Trump’s poll numbers keep dropping. The DOJ keep getting their asses handed to them in court. And how about that election in Iowa this week?
Republicans keep getting booed and challenged when they appear in public, too. Seems problematic for a party claiming to hold a “mandate.”
Here at the official end of summer, we know one thing: we’re ALL IN on showing up, conceding nothing, and fighting on to next year’s midterms. We’ve lost enough by not playing. We need to stay on the field!
By the way … we are DONE with the hand-wringing Substack experts (TOO MANY TO LINK) telling us that the country’s already doomed.
“You think he’s building that ballroom just to move out of the White House?”
“He didn’t spend $700,000 to put his name on those ICE trucks just to give up power.”
“If you think there’s even going to be an election in 2028 you’re dreaming.”
You know what? Miss us with that cynicism masquerading as wisdom. Let’s fight back in the here and now while we still can, not in the what-if world of Substack posts.
We are building power by a) working together and b) encouraging each other to remain active participants in democracy. FORWRD members keep finding opportunities to show up and make a difference together. We’re not going to sit by and watch — we’re going to get up and FIGHT.
Cathy Crane posted something on Signal this week about how much joy she got out of walking around the Capitol to leave thank-you notes for the quorum-breaking Dems. “One of the most important things to have learned in life is that choosing joy in a world rife with reasons for despair is a countercultural act of courage and resistance,” she said.
Cathy & Wendy spread some cheer at the Capitol
We hope you’ll keep choosing joy — and action — with us. And invite your friends, too! We’re planning a busy fall … another in-person meeting, two more happy hours, and a whole lot more local action. Last one in is a rotten egg!
NEXT WEDNESDAY: Hyde Park Clothing Swap
Wednesday, September 3, 6 - 8 pm
Shipe Park (4400 Avenue G)
HOW COOL IS THIS?? A fun free mutual aid event planned by our AWESOME Hyde Park neighborhood group. Clean out your closet, grab a friend and come on out!
Here’s What’s In the Works
As a loose collective of 770+ people, we’ve got more than a few irons in the fire, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. Here’s the current rundown of what’s happening with FORWRD:
OUR NEXT MEETING - We’re closing in on a date and a location for a meeting in MID OCTOBER, probably Wednesday the 15th or Thursday the 16th at 6:30 pm. If you’ve never attended one of our meetings, they’re casual and fun — there’s a little learning, and lots of socializing and brainstorming. And we drink wine!
FORWRD TO WIN - Our committee of folks who have been vetting a candidate for us to “adopt” for next year’s midterms is ready to share their work after hours of research and interviews. At our next meeting, they’ll present their top picks, and we’ll all get to vote!
FUTURE FORWRD - If we want to build a better future, resistance isn’t enough. So this week, we’re launching Future FORWRD Fridays on our Instagram account. Every Friday, we’ll spotlight a way forward — building a collective vision, common ground on higher ground. We know there’s a way to cut through partisan narratives and do better for ourselves and our children. If you’ve got ideas or would like to contribute to this project, we’re all ears. Please like & share on Insta, too, to increase our reach! Together, we can design a future we can all believe in … follow us and we’ll figure it out together.
HAPPY HOURS - Can we squeeze one in in September? SURE WE CAN. We’ll be at Busty’s Bar on Cameron Road … we’ll let you know as soon as we’ve got a date!
RESISTANCE CHOIR - We’re in conversation with a potential “director” (aka, someone who has a piano and a spot for us to gather). Stay tuned!
Is this everything we’re doing? Not at all … there are impromptu and pop-up activities being orgainzed on Signal. Wendy’s keeping the calendar updated for all of us. We’ll keep going with neighborhood meet-ups and other ways to connect in person and make resistance visible — and we’ll pass along info about ICE resistance as plans unfold.
We’re also always OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS. Have you heard about a cool resistance project in Austin that could use, say, 770 volunteers?
(P.S. FORWRD-ATX member Clayton Maxwell’s got a piece in Slate this week, telling the untold story of Sen. Carol Alvarado’s filibuster-that-wasn’t. (She shared a link to the whole piece for non-subscribers, even. Thanks for telling this story, Clayton!)
JD Takes a Holiday
“Protesters raged against JD Vance’s English countryside vacation ... Residents joined forces with people who had driven for hours to take part in the ‘Dance Against Vance’ protest, organized by the Stop Trump Coalition. Another protest group, Everyone Hates Elon, raised over $6,000 to pay for a van featuring an image of the meme to drive around the Cotswolds during Vance’s visit.”
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For Friday, August 29th:
Items marked with a 💜are from FORWRD members
Local Austin events (in person):
💜Friday, August 29th 8-9:30 AM 12th Street Banner Drop with the Rosedale Huddle - Peaceful, energetic and FUN! We will be holding banners and signs over the interstate at peak traffic /visibility times - we wave flags, support our banners and thumbs up to the many honks and waves from cars and trucks below, At 12th St and I-35.
Saturday, August 30th 10 AM - 12 PM Stop the Cruelty: Put ICE on Ice Rally to build awareness of federal mistreatment of residents, with actionable items. The event will focus on the horrors being unleashed on Central Texas communities and families in the roundup of peaceful, law-abiding neighbors, and the solutions available to the rest of us.
💜Monday, September 1st 9-10 AM - FORWRD Meetup at the Capitol Join FORWRD members for a morning Picketing-Picnic at the Capitol this Labor Day. It’s a kid friendly event since school is out. Let’s bring blankets, food, books, bubbles, protest signs and good cheer! We’ll meet under the oak trees in front of south side of the Capitol. Look for FORWRD member MR with a big straw hat and a quilt.
💜Monday, September 1st 10 AM - 1 PM Labor Day March and Rally 10 AM march from City Hall to the TX Capitol, then a rally at the Capitol from 11 AM - 1 PM. We’ll have a few speakers, a lil music, and a BINGO game to help you meet elected officials and talk to unions!
💜Tuesday, September 2nd 8-9:30 AM Far West Banner Drop - with the Rosedale Huddle. Focusing on Redistricting this week! Peaceful, energetic and FUN! We will be holding banners and signs over the interstate at peak traffic /visibility times - we wave flags, support our banners and thumbs up to the many honks and waves from cars and trucks below. At Far West and MoPac
Wednesday, September 3rd 5:30-7:00 PM Westlake Eanes Dems Happy Hour Hey Westlake Neighbors! We are now hosting "1st Wednesday Happy Hours," where will gather to find camaraderie and sanity over a few cold drinks every first Wednesday. Because Holy Moly! Things are crazy right now. Hope you can join us!
💜Thursday, September 4th Freedom for Families: Learn about Immigration Enforcement in Austin The Immigrant Services Network of Austin (ISNA) invites you to join us for an evening of inspiration, art, music, advocacy, and action. RSVP here.
