MON, 7/14: Hyde Park Meetup
Come join your fellow FORWRD members at First Light Books (4300 Speedway) at 6 pm Monday, July 14 for our first-ever FORWRD Neighborhood Meet-Up!
Our friends Jamie, Kristen and Laura will be hosting (thanks, J, K, & L!). Here’s what they said:
“We would love for any fellow Hyde Parkers to join along with any interested neighbors. Or please share with anyone you know in Hyde Park, including UT students! It's very open to where the group wants to take it — just wanting to have community and possibly action.”
It’s a great spot. Come join us! 📸: Casey Dunn
They’ve also started a Hyde Park Meet-Up group on Signal; here’s the link if you’d like to join. (You can also always email us at [email protected] if you have questions or issues.) We hope to see you on Monday evening!
But What If I Don’t Live In Hyde Park?
We’re still finalizing the details for Windsor Park and Travis Heights, so please stay tuned. And if you’ve considered stepping up to host one for your neighborhood, we hope these words from our one-page document about these meet-ups might tip the scales:
In a time when disconnection and despair are tools of oppression, we believe gathering in person is an act of resistance. It reminds us that we are not alone, that we are powerful, and that democracy begins right where we live.
At our core, FORWRD is about building community, and these meet-ups are a natural extension of who we are and how we organize.
We’re in this for the long haul — which entails building and maintaining street-level connections. We’re ready to support you in that effort, wherever you are. Let’s go!
(The Westlake-Eanes Dems and Indivisible Austin are also hosting in-person events this week … see the calendar below for full details.)
More FORWRD Fun in the Works
Here’s one cool thing about organizing around our existing relationships: when someone you know owns a bar, you’re always ready to have a party.
We’re excited to tell you more next week about our Fall Happy Hour Series, in collaboration with our friends at The Little Darlin’. Meetings are great, but sometimes a cocktail is in order ….
What We’re All About, Digest Version
Here’s something we’ve struggled with from Day One: how to explain FORWRD-ATX. It’s so much easier to say what we’re NOT (a traditional nonprofit, Indivisible, etc.).
So here’s a quick description of who we are and why we exist — y’know, something you could share with a friend who might co-host a meet-up with you (hint hint) ….
FORWRD-ATX is a collective of 700+ local citizens (mainly women) who are organizing to build community, connect people to resources, and mobilize action in the face of an unprecedented threat to our democracy.
United by a set of shared beliefs and interconnected relationships, we exist to empower ourselves and others to participate in shaping the community, the state, and the country we want for our children. We know that relationships drive transformation and our work sources from a belief that women view, embody, and share power in ways that are essential to our future.
Redistricting In the Off Season
Hey, look at that: it took less than a week for Abbott to succumb to Trump’s pressure to add redistricting to the agenda for the special session.
It took a true magician to predict this outcome.
This means they’ll make some of their seats less safe, banking on our state’s history of low voter turnout to maintain power. Here’s another bold prediction: they’ll hold funding to address the recent floods hostage to redistricting, only helping Texans in crisis after they’ve tilted the playing field even further in their own favor.
Like JERKS. Can we say that? Only jerks would do that.
The details remain to be seen, but this is significant — a true all-hands-on-deck moment for the nation, right in our own backyard. Start eating your Wheaties, ladies, because the fight’s coming to us.
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For July 11th
Items marked with a 💜are from FORWRD members.
Local Austin events (in person):
💜Saturday, July 12th 10:30AM-12:30PM Tesla Regret RESET: DeBadge Your Tesla Party At this community reset celebration we’ll be offering free, skillful, clean, badge removals—no judgment, no fuss, just good clean De-Muskification. Whether you come because you're tired of explaining your purchase or because you want to keep your car but ditch the cult of personality, this is your space. 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.
💜Saturday, July 12th 3-5 PM Know Your Rights: Declaration of Independence Teach In Professor Bryan Register will deliver a Teach In and civil rights lawyers will be present to answer questions and share information on the topic of “Know Your Rights”.
💜Sunday, July 13th 5-8 PM For the Heart of Texas: A Benefit for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund gather with the rest of Austin in song and community at the Long Center 💖 For the Heart of Texas: A Benefit for Kerr County Flood Relief Fund is bringing together 15+ artists, relief resources, food trucks, and more to gather donations for our neighbors affected by the recent floods, with all proceeds going directly to Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
💜Monday, July 14th 6-8 PM FORWRD Hyde Park Neighborhood Meetup Are you in the Hyde park neighborhood? Grab a friend and connect with other FORWRD members at First Light Books (4300 Speedway)! Questions? Email us at [email protected]!
💜Tuesday, July 15th 5:00-6:30 PM Westlake/Eanes Dems Town Hall Join us to learn about the most recent legislative session, meet your neighbors and hear from some special guests who will help us break it down. Joan Baez said it best - "Action is the antidote to despair!"
Wednesday, July 16th 5:30-7:30 PM Indivisible Austin Casual Hang Join members of Indivisible Austin at The Brewtorium to get to know each other and connect!
💜Thursday, July 17th 5:00-6:30 PM Good Trouble Lives On: National Day of Action
💜Friday, July 18th 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.
Check the full calendar for a variety of online webinars happening, too!
“Biblical reasons”
