Made for You and Me 🇺🇸

We Wrote the Playbook on Resisting Tyranny

Today is a day to celebrate.

YEAH, we know. They’re marching in lockstep toward their secret-but-obvious goals to turn our government into a police force, give billions to billionaires, gut safety net programs that provide food and health care to millions, force hospitals to close, especially in rural and low-income communities, and increase the deficit by trillions.

But 249 years ago today, our nation published the playbook on patriotic resistance. Standing up against tyranny is our heritage … and our future (🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾).

So let’s remember that today, we deserve to feel proud and patriotic. We love this nation enough to expect the best of it.

Our Birthday Wish for the Nation

Governor Abbott’s special session will eventually include redistricting, with the goal to spread their deep red voters as thinly as possible. Our birthday wish for the nation is that this plan backfires on them spectacularly, endangering their currently safe seats and diluting their influence moving forward. 🎁 

Making Good Trouble This Month

We’ll have some opportunities in the coming weeks to express our feelings about our government’s recent actions.

The next Cornyn/Cruz protest rally (held every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month in front of the federal courthouse) will be Wednesday the 9th at 11 am. Wouldn’t it be cool if THOUSANDS of people showed up next week?

Our next chance to fill the streets nationally will come on July 17, the fifth anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis. Good Trouble Lives On will be a national day of nonviolent action — we will keep you updated on plans for a local protest.

Neighborhood Meet-Ups — Here’s What’s Next

Would you like to meet more of your simpatico neighbors?
Are you looking for the fun of a book club without the reading?
Do you want to keep focusing on saving the country — even though it’s summer?

Next week, we’ll be announcing plans for local FORWRD meet-ups in three neighborhoods: Hyde Park, Travis Heights/Bouldin Creek, and Windsor Park.

These meet-ups will provide opportunities to connect with our neighbors and invite our friends to join us. We’ll share ideas and listen to each other. You know, like these guys … except maybe with coffee:

*Don’t see your neighborhood on this list? It could be a sign that YOU are the chosen one … please volunteer and we’ll support you every step of the way! This is not a hosting obligation; we’re envisioning meet-ups in local parks, libraries, coffee shops — whatever makes sense for you. Let’s keep building together!

🗓️ Calendar Highlights

For July 4th 🇺🇲

Items marked with a 💜are from FORWRD members.

Local Austin events (in person):

• 💜Friday, July 4th 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.

• 💜Saturday, July 5th 5-8 PM Freedom Fest Concert🇺🇲Headlined by MOBLEY, with Tameca Jones and Robert A Kraft - be at the TX State Capitol for songs of freedom and joy from some of Austin’s favorite musicians. The dream of American freedom belongs to all of us, and we will not stop until all of us are free.

• 💜Tuesday, July 8th 8-9:30 AM Far West Banner Drop - with the Rosedale Huddle. (See Friday, July 4th description.) Location: Far West and MoPac

• 💜Wednesday, July 9th 10-12 Postcard Writing with Log Cabin Scribes - Join friends from the Rosedale Huddle to write postcards for various causes. See website for details

• 💜Wednesday, July 9th 11-12  Cornyn/Cruz Protest Rally Join the Rosedale Huddle and the Blue Action Dems every 2nd & 4th Wednesday for a Cornyn/Cruz Protest Rally at Republic Square, in front of US Federal Building on 5th Street between Nueces & Guadalupe Streets. Bring signs, loud voices, and recruit others to join you!

• Saturday, July 12th 10:30-12:30 Tesla Regret RESET - Debadging Event Come join us in ethical un-branding and let your conscientious car choice reflect your values once again! Tell your friends and come for the party to celebrate FREEDOM from association even if you don't drive a Muskmobile. Help spread the word!

• 💜SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 17th 6-9 PM Good Trouble Lives On: The next national day of protests!

• 💜Save the Date: Saturday, July 19th 4 PM Central Texas Handmaids Unity Picnic Please join us to get to know one another without the chaos of a rally or protest. United we stand, and together we will make a brighter future.

Check the full calendar for a variety of online webinars happening, too!