We’re Part of Something Bigger
We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Erica Chenoweth’s research that says that if 3.5% of a population mobilizes in a sustained and nonviolent way against an authoritarian government, they succeed … every single time.
These big crowds make a difference.
📸: Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman
To us, that sounds like a strategic — and achievable — goal.
In fact, we think networks like FORWRD are uniquely equipped to make an impact because we’re already organizing ourselves locally, leveraging our existing relationships and networks.
Think about it: We’re not renting mailing lists or sending spammy messages to strangers. We’re just talking with our friends about what matters to us.
Sigh.
So! Who’s ready to start building? Here are a couple of ways we intend to leverage our advantage to serve the larger goal of getting to 3.5%:
Invite our friends along!
Since FORWRD got started in February, we’ve haven’t tried to get bigger; it’s just been happening on its own. (As of this writing, there are more than 730 folks on our mailing list 💪🏽)
Now we’ll plan some specific opportunities to invite new folks into the FORWRD fold, like neighborhood meet-ups and creative local protests.
**Stay tuned for more info about local meet-ups … we’re still ironing out some details but they’re definitely happening ☕️Encourage second thoughts.
Trump ran for office on a promise to lower consumer prices, especially on groceries, and to keep the U.S. out of entanglements in the Middle East. In less than six months, he’s broken the second promise and all but ignored the first.
We’ve got plenty of ammunition to ask Trump voters some uncomfortable questions about what he’s doing — and how he’s behaving — in his second term.
He REALLY cared about groceries for a while there.
📸: Jeenah Moon, Reuters
Trump is, in fact, one of our very best weapons. His careless statements and whipsaw policies are challenging even his most die-hard supporters.
And to be successful, we don’t need (and shouldn’t expect) a wholesale collapse of MAGA. We just need to chip away at the edges. Ask the right questions. Instill doubt, with the eventual goal of eliciting defections.
These are things we can do every day until next year’s midterms.
Chipping Away: One (Analog) Idea
Submitting a letter to your local newspaper is a low-effort way to make the opposition in your community visible to your neighbors.
If you’re a subscriber to the Statesman, you can submit a letter to the editor. (The Chronicle also accepts letters to the editor, if you feel like preaching to the choir ….)
And if you live in places like Elgin or Burnet that still have functioning local papers, you have more influence than anyone in Central Austin. Please consider using it to show your neighbors that not everyone is riding with MAGA!
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve drafted a few that you can copy, edit, or use as inspiration. (We relied heavily on this document, which lays out specific ways to raise doubt and challenge fixed ideas.)
Let’s get some viewpoint diversity in our local media! Please let us know if you submit a letter!
FORWRD-To-Win Narrowing The List
Our FORWRD-TO-WIN committee is laying the groundwork for us to “adopt” a candidate (or two) to support for next year’s midterms.
The committee met earlier this month to review their list of candidates and present their research. They’re using a specific rubric to narrow the list — and thanks to our friend, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, they’ll have the opportunity to interview each finalist.
AT OUR SEPTEMBER CONVENING (date/location TBA), the committee will present their evidence and YOU will have the chance to vote for your favorite.
Let’s make history together! Thanks to everyone on the FTW committee for their hard work!
Did You See … ??
If you checked out the New York Times after the NO KINGS rally, you might have noticed a photo of one of our guild banners:
If we had asked ourselves beforehand, “What does a home run look like for this project?” the answer would UNDOUBTEDLY include “a photo in the New York Times.”
Excellent work, Arts & Culture team!
🗓️ Calendar Highlights
For June 27th
Items marked with a 💜 are from FORWRD members!
Local Austin events (in person):
💜Friday, June 27th 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, June 28th 9-11 AM From Vows to Victory: A Community Vow Renewal Ceremony Hosted by the first county clerk's office in Texas to issue a same-sex marriage license, this event is both a celebration and a call to unity. We welcome couples, families, and allies to join us in commemorating this historic milestone with a community vow renewal ceremony—where couples who were married June 26, 2015, will renew their vows to each other—plus a local vendor market, and more.
Saturday, June 28th 9-11 AM Elon’s Crappy Birthday 6/28 happens to be Elon Musk’s birthday! Naturally, we're protesting outside his store in South Austin in a critical moment for our democracy. Expect an opportunity to write a postcard to Elon and a special custom piñata! Bring a friend or two or come solo!
💜Tuesday, July 1st 8-9:30 AM (in person) Far West 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 Far West and MoPac
💜Saturday, July 5th 5-8 PM Freedom Fest: A Concert at the Capitol Blowout Independence Weekend Concert Celebrating American Democracy! Headlined by MOBLEY, with Tameca Jones and Robert A. Kraft. BYO drinks, snacks, chairs or blankets. Family-friendly, FUN event!
💜SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 17th 6-9 PM Good Trouble Lives On: The next national day of protests!
Online Events:
Tuesday, July 1st 12-1 PM Grassroots Relational Organizing You are the best messenger! Join Texas Blue Action Network to learn the essentials of relational organizing—a proven strategy for building powerful, people-centered movements.
JD turned on the charm at an Ohio GOP dinner this week 🙄
