Sewing Circle: Protests 3/29, 4/5, 4/17, Bystander Training
I’m learning about a lot of protests via We the People Dissent, a newsletter with listings of protests nationwide. Last week over 500 were listed; this week, even before counting any of the April 5th actions, the list is at 437 protests scheduled. There’s something happening, it seems, and it’s not just a few places here and there.
Tomorrow and Sunday, for example, there are over 200 Tesla Takedowns planned.
There’s an Indivisible Stand Up for Democracy! protest on Waltham Common at 11am Saturday.
And Sunday is the Trans Day of Visibility.
The number of April 5th protests continues to increase:
Boston: 11am, Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common
Waltham: 11am, corner of Main & Moody Streets
Arlington: 10am, Robbins Town Hall (730 Mass Ave)
But that’s far from all. In Massachusetts alone, there are protests planned in Bedford, Billerica, Salem, Holliston, Hudson, Haverhill, Marshfield, Attleboro, Worcester, Hyannis, Greenfield, Pittsfield, and more. Literally hundreds are planned nationwide. There are listings on Mobilize Indivisible for all of these with more details.
There’s a Day of Action for Higher Education planned for April 17th, though I don’t yet see an event in Massachusetts. I’d be very surprised if one doesn’t develop, so I’ll keep you posted.
Finally, Right to Be is offering free online bystander trainings for learning how to stand up in the moment and confront harassment. Their programs target gender-based harassment, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-immigrant harassment, homophobia and transphobia, and teach bystander intervention methods that are supportive, safe, and effective. I’m going to be taking one of them in early April and I encourage you to do the same.
Many voices coming together make a thrilling chorus that can’t be ignored. Take your actions, take care of yourself, speak out, and remember: You are Not Alone.