The Trump regime’s attempts to consolidate power hit several snags this week. We witnessed repeated attempts to weaponize government, mixed with a now-familiar absence of discipline or decorum.
First, he was roundly criticized for his remarks at Charlie Kirk’s funeral. Then there was all that DOJ drama, which didn’t inspire confidence in his leadership (or in the James Comey indictment, or any of the politically-motivated indictments to come).
He spouted nonsense about Tylenol and was defeated by an escalator at the UN (his speech was a disgrace, too). And he came out on the losing side of the battle with Jimmy Kimmel.
Only quick thinking could get them out of this jam
Trump’s coalition is cracking. He’s making up wars and claiming he’s ended them. Job growth is down and inflation is up, leading to a “climbing wall of worry” about the specter of stagflation. And grocery prices aren’t getting any lower.
Unsurprisingly, his approval rating is showing the effects of these words and (in)actions. Every day, more Americans realize that Trump’s politics of blame and shame aren’t improving their lives. Now’s the time that a large nationwide protest can truly make a difference, changing the narrative and shifting the momentum even further.
We can make Trump’s unpopularity the lead story by turning out in full force for the NO KINGS protest on Saturday, October 18th. We hope you’ll join us there! Read on for more about our plans ….
Meeting Wed, 10/15: Bring Your Friends! 👯
Please mark your calendars and tell your friends about our next meeting on Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30 pm at the Cherrywood Center!
Forward this to your friends ….
We’ll get an update from our FORWRD TO WIN committee and brainstorm creative ways to show up for candidates. (We’ve been inspired by events like Zohran Mamdani’s incredible scavenger hunt, and the campaign of Kat Abughazaleh. What can we learn from these examples, and what else could we do?)
Then … we’ll turn things over to the incredible Erica Nix, who is already hard at work building a plan for a SUPER COOL flash mob for the NO KINGS protest on Saturday the 18th.
When we tell y’all that Erica is the Real Deal, we MEAN IT
If you’d like a taste of Erica’s work, check out her reel in honor of Richard Simmons’ birthday. And then tell ALLLLLLL your friends because it’s gonna be fun!
If you can’t make it on the 15th, we’ve got you covered: we’ll be sending out a video with all the steps so you & yours can practice in your living room.
Do you want to be a part of this? Of course you do! Even if you’re not a dancer … we’ll need folks to pass out stickers and take photos & video. Let’s do it together!
RECAP:
Practice on Wednesday, October 15th @ 6:30
Performance(!) on Saturday, October 18th, time/location TBD
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For Friday, September 26th: Stay connected with people who care!
💜= FORWRD member recommended
Local Austin events (in person):
Saturday, September 27th 2-4 PM Democracy Dialogues with Mimi Marziani The Democracy Study Group welcomes Mimi Marziani: Mimi Marziani has more than 15 years of experience in constitutional law and civil rights advocacy and is a nationally recognized expert in voting rights and Texas politics.
Sunday, September 28th 1-3 PM Read For Democracy: HandsOff Central TX Book Club READ FOR DEMOCRACY is our anti-fascist book club! We read a new book every month, then take coordinated action to defend democracy ✊In September we’re reading: The Trouble with Reality: A Rumination on Moral Panic in Our Time by Brooke Gladstone AKA how we got here in the first place! This is a very short book so you should be able to catch up in time for the livestream & your local book club meet-up.
Tuesday, September 30th 8-9:30 AM West Side Banners over Austin 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 Far West and MoPac
💜Wednesday, October 1st 6-8 PM Political Speed Dating Have you ever wanted to ask your representative a question directly? Or get first hand information directly from your Representative? Now is your chance! Hosted by: James Talarico, Andy Brown, and Kirk Watson and featuring Greg Casar, Sarah Eckhardt, Gina Hinojosa, Celia Israel, Vanessa Fuentes, and Zo Qadri!
💜Wednesday, October 1st 5:30-7 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!
Friday, October 3rd 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.
Virtual Events:
Monday, September 29th 6-7:30 PM Creating Mutual Aid/Community Response Teams (Part 2) Learn practical strategies for communities to support one another outside of traditional power structures and develop grassroots support networks that provide essential resources and support. We will provide information on accessing Indivisible resources to do this critical work
Tuesday, September 30th 6:30-8:30 PM ANTI-Ice Virtual Training Governor Abbott has recently approved a program that turns our Travis County local deputies into ICE Agents. This is not what community safety and protection looks like. Join us in partnership with Austin Sanctuary Network September 16th at 6:30pm for a virtual training to learn how this program targets our neighbors, and how you can pressure local leaders to protect our community.
Thursday, October 2nd 2-3 PM What’s the Plan with Indivisible Join Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week, as we carve out an hour to discuss what’s happening and – more importantly – what’s the plan.
A tormented nation waits in vain
