Ready to Get Onto the Field?

Maybe you’ve been with FORWRD-ATX since our first house meeting in February. Maybe you’ve just opted in over the past few weeks. Either way, we want to hear from you!

If you’re actively engaged in one of our projects, you’re probably feeling the value and potential of FORWRD-ATX. (Even if it’s just for your own mental health! Doing ANYTHING feels better than doing nothing ….)

But we’re now a group of more than 650 individuals. ‼️ So we think it’s time to find more projects and more opportunities for engagement, so we can get more players off the sidelines and onto the field.

Please take a few minutes and tell us what you think about a variety of potential ideas and projects FORWRD-ATX could pursue. We’ll use the results to decide where to put our time and energy next. Let’s do more great things together!

FORWRD-To-Win Project Update

We all know that next year’s midterm elections offer the very best opportunity to stop the Trump regime’s rampage through the federal government. Our FORWRD-to-Win steering committee, led by Clayton Maxwell, Hannah Temple, and Edie Rogat, has been hard at work looking at potential candidates for us to “adopt.”

The committee has compiled a list of candidates from districts that are flippable and districts that are vulnerable. Right now, they’re busy researching each candidate, using a template that was developed and generously shared by FORWRD member Elizabeth Bray of Electing Women Austin.

The committee will meet in mid-June to narrow the list down to a few finalists. Then we’ll all get to vote on which candidates we’ll throw our support behind. (We’ll probably do this in mid-August, once everyone’s back from summer travel.)

The goal is to select two campaigns: one Congressional seat and one Texas state legislative seat … or potentially the Texas Senate seat, once Ken Paxton knocks off John Cornyn in the primary. Can you imagine if Ted Cruz wound up as our “more moderate” Senator?! {shudders}

We’re very grateful to these committee members for their hard work! Thanks to them, we’ll know that we’re making a smart, strategic decision — no matter who we wind up supporting.

ATX City Council Needs to Hear from Us NOW

Here’s an update from FORWRD member Jamie Gardner:

Please take a moment to learn about the proposed 3-month extension of Austin’s license plate reader (ALPR) program here.

On June 5th, City Council will vote on whether to continue this surveillance initiative — a move that could seriously impact our community, especially our most vulnerable members. Federal authorities have shown a willingness to target minorities and dissenting voices, and programs like these make it easier. Extending this program could effectively mean we are opting into a broader system of mass surveillance without adequate public discussion or education.

Here’s what you can do:

• Find your district by using the city’s map tool here.

• Call your City Council representative and urge them to vote NO on the ALPR extension. We especially need to contact these council members: Vela, Harper-Madison, Alter, Fuentes, and Lane. They could be key to stopping this.

• Show up at the City Council vote on June 5th to make your voice heard.

Reminder: Next Meeting Wed, June 4

What can you expect at our next meeting? There will be some training opportunities, some breakout sessions, and more time to socialize and connect with each other. We’ll make posters for the June 14 NO KINGS rally at the Capitol and brainstorm more good trouble to cook up together!

Date:  Wednesday, June 4
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where:  5001 Evans Avenue, Austin, 78751 

We hope you can make it!

🗓️ Calendar Highlights

Too hot for you outside? There are lots of Zoom webinars to kick off your #ResistanceSummer!

Friday, May 16 Calendar Updates

• Friday, May 16th 8-9:30 AM (in person) 12th Street Banner Drop with the Rosedale Huddle - To join in the “Honking for Democracy” Friday banner drops, email [email protected].

• Friday, May 16th 7:30-11:00 PM (in person) MOVE TX Artists in Residence ArtWalk: MOVE Texas Artists in Residence have been working throughout the 89th Texas Legislative Session to harness the power of art, inspire action in their peers, disrupt harmful narratives, and make civic engagement more accessible for young Texans across the state.

• Saturday, May 17th 10 AM-12 PM (in person) There are TWO Tesla Takedowns happening in Austin - one at the NORTH (183 and McNeil) Tesla Gallery and one at the SOUTH (St. Elmo) Tesla Gallery.

• Saturday, May 17th 1-2 PM (webinar) Immigration: What Can We Do? - a webinar hosted by VECINA - **to RSVP and get the Zoom Link, please email FORWRD member Maria at [email protected].

• Thursday, May 22nd 2-3 PM (webinar) Indivisible’s Weekly Zoom webinar with Ezra and Leah of Indivisible

• Thursday, May 22nd 6-7 PM (webinar) Know Your Rights with ACLU: Interacting with Law Enforcement and Immigration Officials

• Thursday, May 22nd 8-9 PM (webinar) How to Become a Leader in the Resistance with #ResistTrump - planning meetings

• Friday, May 23rd 8-9:30 AM (in person) 12th Street Banner Drop with the Rosedale Huddle - To join in the “Honking for Democracy” Friday banner drops, email [email protected]

• SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, June 4th 6:30-9:30 PM (in person) FORWRD-ATX in person convening 🥳.

• SAVE THE DATE Saturday, June 14th 10-2 (in person) No Kings Mass Protest