The GOP tried to reverse their sinking fortunes last week in Dallas by breaking out all the old hits. (Communism! Godlessness!) Now they want to frame the midterms as a battle between “common sense” and “crazy.”
We think that’s a great idea! Hey, GOP — is it COMMON SENSE or CRAZY to offer every adult $5,000 if your party wins?
To accept a plane from Qatar as a gift?
To cancel child vaccines and food inspections?
“The other party is crazy!”
We could do this all day! Is it CRAZY to believe that everyone deserves access to the same medical leave that Sen. Mitch McConnell has enjoyed these past three months?
Or that comedians on TV shouldn’t be harassed by the FCC?
Let’s face it: the president and his party have squandered any credibility or trust they once had with voters. They’re not the party of common sense; they’re the party of whatever Trump wants, whether that’s an expensive new ballroom or a trade war with Canada.
Us, encouraging the GOP to keep talking about common sense
Now, signs are breaking out all over that the bill is finally coming due. The GOP wanted the story coming out of Texas to be party unity and voter motivation. Instead, it’s Bo French’s rank racism.
So in the next 49 days, let’s make the most of this golden opportunity. Let’s do everything we can to reach out to our fellow voters, turn out in record numbers, and vote out these bad-faith charlatans.
It’s just common sense.
THIS THURSDAY, 9/17: Party in San Antonio!
We’re heading to San Antonio on Thursday to celebrate our collaboration with the artist Cruz Ortiz — and you’re invited!
The artist will be doing live screen printing — if you can’t make it but would like a t-shirt or tote bag, FORWRD member Faye Holland is coordinating. She’s also handling carpooling to the party from Austin (thanks, Faye!) — just fill out this form and we’ll hook you up!
If you’ve got friends or family in San Antonio, please invite them along. We’ll be folding zines and celebrating community — let’s keep building energy and momentum for Katy Padilla Stout in TX-23 ….
Our Own Midterm Convention
We’re excited to welcome two very special guests to our next convening!
Jen Palmieri is a best-selling author, former White House Communications Director, and co-host of Long Play, a series about how Democrats can win in the South.
Caitlin Rourk is a US Army officer and Dell Technologies employee who’s running for office in TX-10 (aka, Mike McCaul’s district, where lots of us live). Her opponent is Elon Musk’s lawyer and all-around shady dude.
We’ll provide the snacks; if you’re up for helping set up, sell merch, or clean up, we’d love to have you! And FYI — we’ll be collecting diapers (all sizes), wipes, and feminine hygiene items for our immigrant neighbors in need.
Please join us and bring your friends! This is gonna be great!
UP NEXT: Eagle Pass
On Friday, October 2, our next KATY CONVOY will head down to Eagle Pass for Market Days.
This is one of the key locations in TX-23 — a few of us made a scouting trip last month and were sworn in as Volunteer Deputy Registrars in Maverick County. So we’re ready to roll!
The deadline to register for the next election is October 5 — so this is our last chance to sign up voters in a key battleground location in TX-23. Would you like to join this trip? We’d love to have you! Send us a message and we’ll share all the details.
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
(note: you can see the full FORWRD-TX calendar here.)
For Tuesday, September 15th 📣📣📣
Events with a 💜are shared from FORWRD members!
💜💜💜Thursday, September 17th 6:30-8:30 PM Art Party at Casa Pink in San Antonio THIS WILL BE AN EPIC EVENT! We hope you will make the trip down to San Antonio for this great party! We are launching Cruz Ortiz’s iconic poster supporting Katy Padilla Stout. Can’t make it, but still want to help? Reach out to [email protected]!
💜Saturday, September 19th 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Dems Day in the Park Join us for a community gathering to connect with your neighbors and support democracy in Texas! Meet and hear directly from Greg Casar (for US HD37), Montserrat Garibay (for TX HD49), Sarah Eckhardt (for TX Comptroller), Brigid Shea (for Travis Co. Commissioner), Allison Bush (for State BOE), Pooja Sethi (for TX HD47), & more! PLUS Pick up your campaign yard signs to show your support.
Tuesday, September 22nd 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Paws to the Polls Join our friends at the League of Women Voters for a Block Party! Get ready to cast your ballot for Pet Mayor of Austin! Come to our all-ages block party featuring games, food, and hands-on voting practice!
Wednesday, September 23rd 6:00-8:00 PM Election Protection Training Hands Off Central TX, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area, presents Election Protection Activation. We'll cover what's normal at the polls — and what is NOT. This will not be a certification event, but you'll get information on how to become certified and plug in the way that works
💜💜💜Sunday, September 27th 4:30-6:30 PM FORWRD Fall Convening Join us in welcoming special guests Jen Palmieri and TX10 Candidate Caitlin Rourk to our Fall Convening! We've got our sights set on the midterms and we are ready to roll up our sleeves for the final push. We're planning a great evening with incredible guests to help get you motivated these last few weeks before Early Voting starts! Wanna help? Use this form!
Recurring Events
MONDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
💜6-8 PM Phone Bank for Gina Hinojosa Join us for weekly Virtual Phone Banks, hosted by the Fair Shot PAC as we work to elect Gina Hinojosa for Governor AND competitive State House campaigns across Texas. It’s up to us to make sure that when Gina is elected, she has State Representatives who want to work with her to fight for working class Texans!
7-8 PM Austin Resistance Choir Hangout Need a happy way to start your week? Join the Austin Resistance Choir for a pop-in, no-experience-necessary hangout every Monday night at Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches.
TUESDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
8:00-9:30 AM Rush Hour Resistance Tuesdays with the Rosedale Huddle. These are super fun, peaceful, energetic! 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. (Fan favorite? “Stop Truth Decay!”) At Far West and MoPac
WEDNESDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
8:00-9:30 AM Banners Over South Austin with the Rosedale Huddle. Come help us fly Flags, Banner, and Signs like ICE OUT and HANDS OFF OUR LIBERTY on this bridge that no-one has noticed ... til NOW! Grab that coffee and meet us at 8AM for a workout waving and flagging to Lots of Honks and Waves from the many many commuters below.
8:00-9:00 AM ICE Out Rally N. Lamar & W. Rundberg Wednesdays 8:00am - 9:00am Bring signs in English and/or Spanish
💜6-8 PM Phone Bank for Gina Hinojosa Join us for weekly Virtual Phone Banks, hosted by the Fair Shot PAC as we work to elect Gina Hinojosa for Governor AND competitive State House campaigns across Texas. It’s up to us to make sure that when Gina is elected, she has State Representatives who want to work with her to fight for working class Texans!
THURSDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
8:15-9:15 AM Signs of Fascism - The Indivisible Rosedale Huddle meets every Thursday morning to hold up the 13 Signs of Fascism along with 2 additional signs. If you would like to join them, please plan to meet at the Randall's parking lot and walk over to the intersection of 2222/Balcones. Please wear all black!
6:00-7:30 PM Community Sing Join Singing Resistance Austin on Thursdays through the election - connect with community and learn songs together - no experience needed.
FRIDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
8:00-9:30 AM East Side Banners Over Austin NEW TIME! Join the Indivisible Rosedale Huddle at the 12th St bridge over IH-35 to wave signs and bring attention to current events.
4:00-5:00 PM Nonviolent Austin Vigil There will be music, banners, posters and engagement with the public. Every Friday we create a little piece of the world we are working to bring about. Join us and feel the love of Beloved Community.
SATURDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
12:00-1:00 PM Activist Office Hours ResistAustin's weekly drop-in session for activists. We coach everyday people to lead lawful, nonviolent civil resistance to authoritarians — open to newcomers and experienced organizers alike. Bring your questions, ideas, and projects. Pool party follows.
SUNDAYS in SEPTEMBER:
💜💜💜10:00-11:00 AM Save Big Bend Rally at 12th and I-35 Join our friends at Save Big Bend to hold signs and do some banner drops at the 12th St Bridge over I-35.
Large Group Voter Registration and Relational Organizing Opportunities:
There are nearly daily events happening with two Texas orgs for people who want to jump in and help get voters registered and connected before November:
Powered by People has TONS of Voter Activation events and VDR Trainings!
Texas Blue Action - Has Deep Canvassing, Relational Organizing, and Block Walks!
© Nick Anderson
