Week 4: What does resisting look like to you?
First, welcome to all new subscribers! We are happy to have you with us!
Well, here we are in Week 6 of this administration and it has been a wild ride. With the lengthening of the days, and the weather warming up, I for one, am feeling like I need to DO something. How about you? Here are a few possibilities.
This Friday is the One-Day Economic Blackout that I referenced in last week’s newsletter. If you decide to participate, do your non-essential shopping on Thursday or Saturday, and try to avoid purchases on Friday, especially from Amazon, big box stores, fast food restaurants, and gas stations. Go to the library instead!
Remember the Women’s Marches in January 2021 and 2022? I attended both of them in Chicago, andI loved the sense of community and outrage. I have been surprised that there has not been the same surge of large protests, but it looks like that might be shifting, as protests are starting to get organized in response to specific offenses committed by this administration. The group that organized the Women's Marches is still around, and there are some in-person marches announced for March 8, as well as some virtual events that you can join from your dining room table. Check this site for updates as events get added or revised:
Women's March - Our Feminist Future - Women's March
The mission of Women’s March is to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change.
International Women's Day - Unite & Resist in Chicago, IL
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Women's March
Join Gemmes for Femmes for the Women’s March on International Women’s Day! 📅 March 8, 2025 📍 Chicago, IL This International Women’s Day, we’re hitting the streets with Women’s March to show our collective power. Women’s March is built, funded, and led by everyday women—just like us. No matter the administration, we choose solidarity, safety, and each other. Now more than ever, we must take action for a feminist future where all women, femmes, and gender-expansive people are safe, valued, and...
Speaking of virtual events, Indivisible’s Northwest Suburban chapter hosts virtual “Coffee and Conversation, Reaction to Trump 2.0” every weekday at 9:00 am.
Join “COFFEE & CONVERSATION”: Reacting to Trump 2.0 - Every Weekday M-F @9 AM CT Zoom! 5yrs running · Indivisible
### Join “COFFEE & CONVERSATION”: Reacting to Trump 2.0 - Every Weekday M-F @9 AM CT Zoom! 5yrs running Every Monday thru Friday 9am to 10am central …. It's Where we Talk about Stuff!!!! .. the Stuff that happened yesterday, today or anticipated later today .. It’s a Discussion not a Presentation - join us!! We are “ Reacting to Trump 2.0” - what are we /you/your group doing ..actions we can take..it’s a conversation between attendees.. Let us know you will be attending … RSVP here-> https...
They also host a Friday evening “Unhappy/Happy Hour Zoom” from 5:00 -6:00 pm. Both of these events are places to learn about what other folks are feeling, thinking about, and doing in these crazy times, and a place to find some inspiration. Maybe I’ll see you on Zoom!
Join “Unhappy/Happy Hour” Zoom: “Bracing For Trump 2.0” How are YOU Resisting? Fri, Feb 21st@5pm CT · Indivisible
### Join “Unhappy/Happy Hour” Zoom: “Bracing For Trump 2.0” How are YOU Resisting? Fri, Feb 21st @5pm CT _32 days in? Will it ever end .. Trump 2.0 “so much Sht on the wall.. What are you or your group doing?_ Indivisible has Released the 2025 Strategic Guide 2.0 This week ..What We / You are doing or your groups are doing .. along with some Local, National & International Stuff …. ZOOM- it’s a “CONVERSATION between Attendee’s not a presentation”. … ZOOM Friday 5 pm central time* ### Let...
Do neither of these appeal to you? Indivisible hosts and tracks a wide variety of events throughout the US. Check out what interests you. https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/
While I have stopped tuning into the Pod Save America guys and their podcasts (except Strict Scrutiny, which is three women law professors discussing the Supreme Court–highly recommend!), they do have a solid PAC called “Vote Save America.”
Homepage | Vote Save America
Vote Save America is the one-stop shop for everything you need to get informed, get involved, and get out the vote in the most important election of our lifetime.
Their current focus for those of us in Illinois is on the Wisconsin state general election on April 1. There is special concern about the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, and the Vote Save America website hosts in-person canvassing opportunities as well as phone banking events. If you want to help the Wisconsin Supreme Court keep its razor thin democratic margin, see if any of these events appeal to you:
Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · Vote Save America PAC on Mobilize
Find events, petitions, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers and more with Vote Save America PAC.
After April 1, you can expect events around other locations and issues to emerge and be posted here.
Is it the administration’s abandonment of Ukraine that has you outraged? The third anniversary of Russia’s invasion was just a few days ago (February 22) and there were lots of organized protests on that date. Nova Ukraine tracks protest events, and offers other ways to get involved, including financial support and hosting refugee families who have fled the war. This issue is not going away soon, so stay tuned and check this site if this cause speaks to you: https://novaukraine.org/get-involved/
Another single-issue organization that has done great work and always needs local volunteers is “Moms Demand Action,” which emerged following the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012. https://momsdemandaction.org/ .
Are you a fired federal employee? A veteran who is unsure about the status of your benefits? A Medicaid recipient? Frightened about access to reproductive health care? Me too. After ceding the fight over local elected offices (such as city council, school board, county tax boards, and lots more) to Republicans for 40 years, there have emerged several new organizations to encourage, train, and support progressive candidates for elected office. If you–or someone you know–are thinking about running for something, check out “Run For Something” https://runforsomething.net/ who are recruiting young progressive candidates for local office. A more established, women-focused organization with a similar mission is “Emily’s List” https://emilyslist.org/ .
And don’t forget to contact your own elected officials. As I mentioned earlier, I am Dick Durbin’s new penpal. I wrote him again this week to protest his vote for the new Secretary of the Army, Daniel Driscoll. He was one of 16 Democrat votes, and he has also voted for several other Trump nominees, and I do not think he is close to using all of the tools at his disposal to thwart–or at least to slow down--every nomination until the current lawlessness stops. Durbin is still behaving as if bipartisanship is more valuable than asserting Senate constitutional authority.
An easy way to keep in touch with your reps and senators and to track the issues you care about is “5 Calls” https://5calls.org/ . Check it out!!
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Enjoy warmer weather, and some outdoor time. Have a good week–and don’t shop on Friday!
-Marybeth O’Mara