The Hits Keep Coming

If you could go back in time and describe JUST THIS WEEK to your past self, you wouldn’t believe that in a few short days, the leader of the most powerful country on Earth has:

• Accepted a plane from the nation of Qatar that will be transferred to his presidential library at the end of his term. The cost to us? An estimated $1 billion to modify the plane before it can be used.

• Hosted a dinner with the 220 largest holders of his private crypto coin, using the presidential seal in an open bribery scheme and refusing to release the list of attendees.

• Tried to tell Harvard University they could no longer admit international students.

• Used photos of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support his false claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa.

• “Unquestionably” violated a court order by deporting people to South Sudan without due process.

In a functioning system, there would be a bipartisan outcry and a move to impeach and remove this lawless and increasingly dangerous man from office. Instead, his enablers in Congress passed a devastating budget proposal that strips away safety-net coverage and food assistance for people living in extreme poverty and deregulates gun silencers.

WHEW. If you’re feeling exhausted by it all, our own DeDe Church has some advice:

We’re Making This Up Together

If you’ve read Blueprint for a Revolution, you know that creativity and local action are two incredibly powerful tools against authoritarians. (This page provides a quick rundown of some of the campaigns and actions described in the book, if you’d like the Reader’s Digest version.)

Our Arts & Culture group is hard at work cooking up more ideas like the brilliant McCaul missing door hangers (more on those below!). Our FORWRD to Win group is chugging away on a plan for us to provide meaningful support to strategically chosen candidates in next year’s elections.

But we know we can still do more. What does that look like? We want to hear from you!
If you haven’t yet, please fill out our Spring survey. Your response will help chart FORWRD-ATX’s course! Let’s write the story of our success together ….

You Did That!

Do you remember those great McCaul door hangers our Arts & Culture group created?

FORWRD-ATX members sprung into action to distribute them across District 10. Flyers went to Westlake Hills, Steiner Ranch, Shepherd Mountain, Westminster Glen, Long Canyon, Pflugerville, Columbus, and Smithville — a span of more than 100 miles. A few even made it to selected members of the media.

Nice work, y’all! And stay tuned for the next project from our Arts & Culture team!

Have You Heard About Our Next Meeting?

Come flock with us!**

Please make plans to join us on Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30-8:30 PM at The Griffin School (5001 Evans Avenue, Austin 78751) for an evening of connection, learning, and motivation.

We’ll hear from George Schorn (she/her) about proven de-escalation techniques for preventing and interrupting highly charged environments in multiple scenarios. We’ll practice adrenaline management skills and communication strategies to help us stay calm and assertive to navigate conflicts with greater confidence and composure. 

Coming face to face with people we disagree with can feel deeply uncomfortable, whether it’s in one to one conversations with friends and family or in a larger environment of attending a rally. We hope this de-escalation training will benefit all of us.

We’ll also have plenty of time to mingle, learn more about our existing and upcoming projects, and get ready for the June 14th No Kings Rally with a sign-making station. 

Please RSVP to let us know you are coming so we can set up our space accordingly! (Feel free to bring a friend and forward this to other folks who might be interested — the more, the merrier!)

If you would like to help with set up or clean up, or bring a snack or drink to share, please sign up here. We’re looking forward to another great meeting!

🗓️ Calendar Highlights

Friday, May 23 Calendar Updates

• 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]

• Friday, May 23rd 5-7 PM (in person) No Kings in Texas - Capitol Read In We will have 2 hours to read together + a sign-up form if you want to join our new anti-fascist book club READ FOR DEMOCRACY. This is a nonviolent reading solidarity action. Please bring your copy of On Tyranny (or we can provide you a digital copy of the section we will be reading).

• Saturday, May 24th 9-11 AM (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 - note the new earlier time! The #TeslaTakedowns are working!

• Saturday, May 24th 12-6 PM (in person) Know Your Rights Town Hall - Dan Webber (Executive Director of Student Nonviolent Action Union and veteran of Texas law enforcement and the Marine Corps) will be leading a day of education and empowerment featuring award-winning immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law and representatives from Austin Lawyers Guild.

• Saturday, May 24th 3PM (in person) Greg Casar Town Hall focused on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security RSVP for location details!

• Sunday, May 25th 12-3 PM (in person) - Hands Off Higher Education First amendment rights, student visas, and access to high education is under attack by the anti-education MAGA regime. Come out, stand up, fight back!

• Tuesday, May 27th 12-1 PM (webinar) - Grassroots Relational Organizing -  an interactive training session where you’ll learn the essentials of relational organizing—a proven strategy for building powerful, people-centered movements.This session is perfect for new and experienced organizers alike, and it’s a great opportunity to connect with others passionate about transforming Texas from the ground up.

• Wednesday, May 28th 11-12:30 (in person) Rally for Democracy - We are not sitting by under a corrupt, destructive administration... we are taking action. We are standing for the rule of law, the constitution, and fight to bring power back to the people. Bring signs, loud voices, and recruit others to join you!

• Thursday, May 29th 7-9 PM (webinar) Rise for Freedom: Digital Hygiene for Activists

• Friday, May 30th 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 FORWRD-ATX in person convening 

• SAVE THE DATE Saturday, June 14th 5 PM (in person) No Kings Mass Protest