We’re gonna jump right in this week because there’s news you need to know ….
RAISE OUR VOICE - Tomorrow night (3/26), 7:00 pm at First Austin (901 Trinity Street)! Bring your friends and neighbors! Eventbrite slapped a little fire emoji on our event page that says “Few Tickets Left” … and y’all, this church holds more than 1,000 people. This is our biggest event ever, by a country mile — and we think it’s going to be a memorable and soul-stirring experience for all in attendance. Don’t miss it!
NO KINGS This Saturday - BIG CHANGE: it’s at AUDITORIUM SHORES, not the Capitol (starts at 1 pm). Here’s the event link to register & receive updates. We’ll gather at City Hall at noon — let’s meet at the micro-park directly across Cesar Chavez (uhhh, can we call it 1st Street?) to march to the rally. Wear your FORWRD t-shirt if you’ve got one! (FYI, we’ll be selling them tomorrow night at Raise Our Voice ….)
If you’re looking for us, we’ll be the ones in the purple t-shirts 👚 And we’ll have a big purple banner. Let’s hope we’re swimming in a sea of people! Let’s turn out!
FYI: FORWRD-ATX will have a table at Auditorium Shores along with 80 or so other local organizations. Stop by — we’ll have giveaways!NEXT FORWRD MEETING - Since you’ve already got your calendar app open, go ahead and save the date for our next meeting on Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30 at the Cherrywood Center. You’ll be glad you did — our FORWRD-TO-WIN group is ready to ramp up some campaign activity, and we’ll be diving in and brainstorming creative ways to support candidates (that aren’t phone-banking or door-knocking).
This week Dems flipped two seats in the Florida legislature, including the district where Donald Trump votes (by mail). Trump’s approval rating keeps hitting new lows. His endorsement can’t even guarantee a primary win anymore. And Iran keeps trolling him on social media.
It sure seems to us like the GOP is COOKED in this year’s midterms. What have they delivered for the American people, except higher prices and longer lines at the airport? Why are they looking the other way as obvious corruption happens right out in the open? They’ve been genuflecting to their king instead of listening to their constituents.
Now the momentum is shifting. That’s why it’s so essential for us to keep our foot on the gas! We’ll see you out there this week ✌🏽
Welcome To The Purple Underground
FORWRD-BLDR founder Gia Medeiros came to Austin for our meeting in February, and she left with a new idea for engagement and organizing: a zine.
You’ve probably seen zines around town. They’re simple and cheap. They’re handmade. They’ve got a little bit of a Steampunk vibe.
So! Gia wondered — could we create a zine that helped people start organizing in their communities, wherever they are? And could the zine itself be the activity that brings people together, via “folding parties”?
We collaborated on the words, Gia’s talented child created some original artwork, and The Purple Underground was born.
You can pick one up at our NO KINGS table this weekend — or download and create your own.
Our fondest wish is that these go with you on vacation this summer, to be left in remote places, blown like a dandelion across the country. Who knows? Maybe it will be the first in a series ….
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For Wednesday, March 25th NO KINGS ❌ 👑
💜= FORWRD member recommended
In Person Events
💜💜 Every Monday 5:00-5:30 PM Weekly Protest at the Menchaca Library Join FORWRD members in holding up signs at the Menchaca Library every Monday. Bring your own sign or borrow one of ours!
💜🎶💜THURSDAY, MARCH 26th 7:00-8:30 PM Raise Our Voice Community Sing Do NOT miss it! FORWRD, Craig Hella Johnson, and First Austin invite you to a night of joyful solidarity and singing together. What a magical way to be together ahead of the No Kings 3 Rally. Invite your friends! Sign up to volunteer (we need you!)! Donate to help produce this FREE community event!
💜💜💜Saturday, March 28th 1:00-4:00 PM No Kings 3 Rally Silence is not an option when our families are under attack. From Iran to Venezuela to our own streets, the costs of this administration's cruelty fall on real people. That's why we need you. We're not watching history happen—we’re making it. Join us, and help make it the largest protest day in American history. Stay tuned for details about FORWRD’s participation.
Bannering Events:
Our good friends at Rosedale Huddle now have THREE weekly bannering events! These powerful events make the resistance visible to thousands of Austin commuters - and they are A BLAST! Grab a friend and join one!
TUESDAYS 8:00-9:30 AM West Side Banners Over Austin with the Rosedale Huddle. At the Far West bridge over MoPac
WEDNESDAYS 8:00-9:30 AM South Austin Bannering At the pedestrian bridge at Loop 360 and South MoPac - great location!
FRIDAYS 8:00-9:30 AM East Side Banners At the 12th St bridge over IH-35
© Mattie Lubchansky
