You probably heard that bulldozers are moving into Big Bend National Park. This is an emergency that requires us to use every point of leverage we can think of to stop those machines as soon as possible.
We can’t wait for the State of Texas or our DC delegation. For months, Cruz, Cornyn, Abbott, and Paxton have done nothing, as local residents raised the alarm about heavy equipment deliveries and staging activity.
Remember, this is happening in TX-23, a district with no representation. Gov. Abbott never bothered to call a special election to replace Tony Gonzales after he resigned in disgrace.
TX-23 voters asking Greg Abbott about a special election
We’re working to fix that by supporting Katy Padilla Stout, who has been steadfast in her opposition to the wall: “I’ve said since day one that future generations should get to see Big Bend, not read about it in history books.”
We’re also trying a different angle: putting pressure on the corporations that benefit from Big Bend, starting with YETI, a billion-dollar company right here in our own backyard. As you know, YETI co-founder Ryan Seiders is one of the owners of a West Texas ranch that’s being used for construction activities.
YETI built a whole brand around the great outdoors. Do they really want to be affiliated with this destruction and exploitation?
Here’s how you can show up for Big Bend:
Show up on Saturday at our Pop-Up Protest. We’ll gather at City Hall and walk to YETI, where we’ll be delivering copies of this petition. (Cathy has been collecting signatures on our print version all week at Barton Springs … she got 120 yesterday!)
Add your name to this document urging Texas Parks & Wildlife Commissioners to oppose the wall. They’re aiming for 10,000 signatures by next week.
Show up in person or virtually at the TPWD annual meeting next Wednesday the 19th … here’s a document that tells you where & when to go.
We can’t wait for an election or a boycott or a hearing or a strongly-worded letter. We need to do everything, everywhere, all at once — because we risk losing this state and national treasure forever.
Hot Off the Presses!
If you’ve got kids heading off to college — or you know someone who does — we’ve got just the thing: a short & sweet zine that will help them vote by mail in this year’s midterms.
visit the Zine Warehouse for the full file
(Hats off to Christopher Nolan for giving us the idea for the theme!)
NOW: can you help fold zines for distribution? We have 1,000 to prep — and we’ll have more to come once those are done. We’ll send several hundred to Eagle Pass in two weeks, and we’re hoping to create “care packages” for our partners on the ground across TX-23, with zines, stickers, and other fun stuff.
So we hope you’ll join us at a folding party the evening of Tuesday, August 25!
If you can’t make it, you can still help … feel free to reach out if you can pick up copies to host your own folding party! (Or you can always print your own.)
You can hand them out at events, leave them at spots where folks gather (like brew pubs & coffee shops) — they’re cute little handmade nuggets of information & resistance!
TX-23 Meeting Thurs 8/20
Virtual Meeting
Thursday, August 20, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Please join us as we get the ball rolling on a biweekly virtual meeting for our sister networks in TX-23. We’re inviting party leaders, activists, retired politicos, eager beavers, interested bystanders — if they’re ready to work to elect Katy Padilla Stout to this critical seat, we want to connect with them!
Please pass the invitation on to your compadres and amigas in the 23rd!
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For Friday, August 14th 📣📣📣
Events with a 💜are shared from FORWRD members!
💜💜💜Saturday, August 15th 9:30 - 11:00 AM Pop Up Protest #2: Save Big Bend Join FORWRD members at City Hall at 9:30 AM to draw attention to the destruction already happening in Big Bend National Park. Sign our petition calling for corporate accountability from YETI. Then march across the Congress Bridge to the YETI flagship store to deliver our petition. Wear a hat and bring water and sunscreen!
💜💜💜Sunday, August 16th 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.
💜💜💜Wednesday August 19th 12:00-4:00 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Annual Public Hearing See the link in our newsletter for more details - we are looking for a huge show of support for Big Bend. Even if you can only come for part of the time, we hope to see you there!
Wednesday, August 19th 6:00-9:00 PM Austin Flock Walk Join the No ALPRs Coalition for a DeFlock Walk through North Austin as part of the national No ALPRs Week of Action. Together, we will learn how automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, collect and share information about our movements, discuss Austin's fight against mass surveillance, and use the DeFlock App to document cameras along our route. Participants will receive hands-on guidance for identifying and documenting ALPR cameras in their own neighborhoods.
💜💜💜Tuesday, August 25th 6:30-9:00 PM FORWRD Zine Folding Party Join FORWRD members for an evening of folding zines - snacks and drinks will be provided. We need your help to get our amazing zines out into the world!
Recurring Events
MONDAYS in AUGUST:
💜NEW! 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 AUGUST:
8:00-9:30 AM West Side Banners Over Austin 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 AUGUST:
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
💜NEW! 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 AUGUST:
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!
FRIDAYS in AUGUST:
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.
SUNDAYS in AUGUST:
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.
WEBINARS:
Wednesday, August 19th and Wednesday, August 26th 7:00-8:00 PM Hands Off Our Vote Webinar Indivisible is holding two trainings on election protection: the actions you and those around you can take to ensure every eligible voter can vote, every vote is counted, and the results are honored and the winners seated. Join us in a 2-part training series for guidance on how to activate the vote, become a trusted messenger, prepare for election defense scenarios, and get in formation for fall activations.
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!
© Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press
