More than a year into his second term, it’s becoming clear that Trump is running out of new moves.
He doesn’t have a secret plan to bring down prices or raise wages. No new health care plan in the works. All he has is more of what he’s already giving us: hostility, corruption, vengeance and incompetence. It’s just dead-eyed chuds and weasels, all the way down.
Meanwhile, the American people are eager for something different. Maybe that’s why we’re all watching the Olympics — because we need some heroes to root for. Some good news in the bleak midwinter. We want to believe in a country where good values and decency can still win.
We’re holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the midterms
And we like our odds. Trump and his regime have placed a very large bet on the hatred and racism of the American people. We believe, down deep, there are more neighbors than Nazis in these United States.
Here’s what we can do in the next few days:
Support the FORWRD community bake sale on Monday the 16th. All proceeds will go to support our immigrant neighbors who are affected by ICE activity in Austin.
Vote in the primaries. And encourage our friends to vote in the primaries! Early voting starts next Tuesday the 17th … can you reach out to three friends this weekend and encourage them to vote, too?
Sign up for an ongoing FORWRD project … sorry, last week’s newsletter included a bad signup link. If you’re ready to start organizing right where you are, give us a shout and let’s get to work! (If you need a refresher on our current active initiatives, check out last week's post.)
North Austin Community Bake Sale
Our Hyde Park neighbors are at it again! We see you, Hyde Park, using your WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOOD and GORGEOUS WEATHER as tactical advantages. Let’s help them raise big cash for our immigrant neighbors!
Early Voting Starts TUESDAY
Primary season is here, and we’re ready for it! Our goal this year is to lean into the concept of VOTE TRIPLING to increase primary participation.
Here’s how it works: you identify three people in your life who are probably not planning on voting in the primary, and encourage them to get out and vote. Unfortunately, if past is prologue, finding nonvoters will be a simple task. In 2024, only 14% of Texans cast a ballot during the primaries. ‼️
The March Matters logic model is pretty undeniable.
Everyone we know is wildly enthusiastic about voting this year. How many of our friends and colleagues can we pull off the bench with us? Early voting runs from Feb 17 to Feb 27, and the election will be Tuesday, March 3. Let’s GOOOOOOOO.
Please: Answer the Call ☎️
If you:
✅ attended our meeting earlier this month and
✅ put your name on a clipboard for a specific project,
then you got an email from us this week laying out a couple of next steps!
So! We know it’s just an email, sitting in an already-overfull in-box. It would be the easiest thing in the world for you to ignore that email.
(But please don’t ignore that email!)
We’ve been successful in getting projects done because busy people like you have decided that this work matters enough to take the next step. So whether you wanted to support our immigrant neighbors or get a neighborhood group started, we hope you’ll find the time and jump in with us!
We can promise you two things: first, your courage is contagious and will inspire people in your life. Second, you’ll FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE WORLD if you are actively engaged in some way to change it.
By the way … we think the nonpartisan “get out the vote for the primary” campaign is a perfect kickoff project for a group of neighbors looking to start organizing. It gives us a way to begin a conversation that’s not partisan, but rooted in shared community values. Just throwing that out there 🏈
Please let us know if you have questions … or if you couldn’t attend our meeting and want to dive in!
REMINDER: Sat 2/21: Bringing Down a Dictator, Molly & Ann
On Saturday, Feb. 21 at 4 pm, please join FORWRD-Hyde Park for a documentary double feature!
We’ll be screening the 56-minute “Bringing Down a Dictator,” about the nonviolent overthrow of Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic, as well as the 20-minute “Molly and Ann,” about the friendship between Ann Richards and Molly Ivins. Paul Stekler, who directed “Molly and Ann,” will be in attendance for a discussion after the film.
Big thanks to FORWRD member Kim Sevcik for organizing this event — and very special thanks to St. George’s Episcopal Church for hosting this series!
Space is limited — please RSVP.
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For Friday, February 13th: Activism is good for your heart 💗
💜= FORWRD member recommended
Local Austin events (in person):
💜💜💜Monday, February 16th Community Bake Sale Be sweet for your sweetie and come buy some delicious homemade baked goods! The Community Bake Sale runs 9 am until we are sold out! All money will go to the Austin Mutual Aid Immigrant Support Fund.
🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲Tuesday, February 17th through Friday, February 27th 7am-7pm Early Voting for the Primaries! Now is the time! Click here for Travis County polling locations. Click here for personalized voting information including a Sample Ballot!
💜Friday and Saturday February 20-21 - multiple times - VOLUNTEER for March Matters Help our friends at March Matters reach this important crowd at the FaithWorks Compassion and Justice Conference!
💜💜💜Saturday, February 21st 4:00-6:30 PM FORWRD-Hyde Park Documentary Watch Party Join FORWRD-Hyde Park for two very special documentary screenings and conversations! We will be watching the 20 minute short documentary “Molly and Ann” followed by the 56 minute documentary “Bringing Down a Dictator”. The director of “Molly and Ann:, Paul Stekler, will be joining us for the discussion. This documentary screening will be facilitated by FORWRD member, Kim Sevcik! **RSVP Here!
💜💜Mondays in February, 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!
💜💜Thursdays in February 5:00-6:00 PM Protest in Support of Those Being Terrorized by ICE A group of concerned citizens would like to continue to draw attention to the brutal tactics that ICE is using against our neighbors with a weekly protest. Bring a sign if you have one - or just join in. Plan to walk around the big intersection at 45th and Lamar during rush hour to keep this issue front and center in people's minds.
Online Events (from the comfort of your couch!)
Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (times vary): Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training with Powered by People The key to restoring democracy is getting voters to the polls! In Texas, you must first get certified as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR) in order to help register voters. Take this quick 1 hour training! Bring a friend!
Tuesdays 6-7 PM: How We Win in 2026: Relational Organizing Training Join Blue Action in an interactive training session where you’ll learn the essentials of relational organizing—a proven strategy for building powerful, people-centered movements. Great for new and experienced organizers alike!
© Jonathan Brown
