We Are The Calvary

Hello Resisters, 

I trust many of you have been hard at work defending democracy since the last email, and for that we thank you!  I worry every week the sense of urgency will fade, and we will tire of fighting.  But then, another week of WTF, and we are back to square one.  As has been made all too clear, the only way out of this mess is through sustained political action by millions of outraged citizens. We are the cavalry, and as Illinois' amazing Governor JB Pritzker just demanded: “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once...Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now.”

Best sign to encourage protesters: Why Protest?  Because it’s easier than hiding a family in your attic.  

World Stage:

We just had to add this category for this week.  Oh Canada, you were elbows out.  Canada’s liberals celebrated election victory.  Mark Carney beat Poilievre, who not only lost his bid for prime minister but was voted out of the Parliament seat he held for 20 years. (happy dance!) 

In Australia, the incumbent Anthony Albanese and his center-left government won reelection to a second consecutive term in office in a landslide victory (another happy dance).  The looming presence of Trump was cited as a major factor for thwarting Dutton’s loss, with many people drawing parallels between him and Felon 47.  

National:

Save the date: June 14. A Saturday.  Flag Day.  Trump’s Birthday, the day he plans a big military parade.  More to follow on this action with times and locations of protests.    

Friday, June 6^th, 50501 is calling for protests at State Capitols, Town Halls and City Halls.  The theme of the protest is to Support and Defend the Constitution.

We are beginning to see more activism on the part of our Congressional Democrats. Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13) has introduced articles of impeachment against Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, citing a sweeping abuse of power, flagrant violations of the Constitution, and acts of tyranny that undermine American democracy and threaten the rule of law. I believe he is the first, although the great Texas Rep. Al Green has also pledged to do the same. We will follow this carefully in the event that public pressure is warranted. So far the spineless GOP members of the House seem very unlikely to support impeachment but you never know, hell could freeze over.  Meanwhile the SAVE act will be coming before the Senate; the good news is that it will need 60 votes to pass. The bad news is that if it does pass, it will effectively disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of mostly women voters.

Here is more information about how horrible it is: https://www.nonprofitvote.org/reject-save-act/. Phone calls to Senators can't hurt, if you have the energy! And finally, the dreaded budget discussions are getting underway. Before long we will need to make noise in support of Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP as GOP hard-liners try to wreck these programs in order to fund tax cuts for the ultra-rich. Supposedly there is a deadline of Memorial Day but that seems unrealistic. No action steps yet, but we will keep a close eye on the GOP in Congress as things heat up. 

STATE:  

https://swingbluealliance.org/calendar/. This link lists all the upcoming actions and demonstrations all across the state.   For any of you who are on the fence about the effectiveness of demonstrations, be aware that they serve many functions. Perhaps the most important is to keep the cavalry engaged, growing, alert, and informed. Many participants are first-timers who have never been "political." We need them! Others are long-time activists who are already running on fumes and it's only been 100 days -- we can refuel at events like this. And the world needs to see and register the extent of our power and our rage and our commitment to our Constitution! 

On a more upbeat note, I just heard from our Postcards to Voters friends who are getting ready for some critical upcoming November elections in Pennsylvania (a critical state Supreme Ct. seat), New Jersey (governor is up for election) and Virginia (Abigail Spanberger for Governor).

Here is the sign up: https://secure.everyaction.com/En7wX4nReEK5r63DQT_AHQ2?emci=02622163-9323-f011-8b3d-6045bded8cca&emdi=8625c5e8-0a25-f011-8b3d-6045bded8cca&ceid=34269553.  Note that the postcards are free, you have to order a min. of 100, you have to specify the state, and you have to pay for the postage (which is apparently going up). We are also watching two House races, Arizona in late September and Texas in November. These are fairly safe Democratic seats but we may have an opportunity to participate as the dates draw closer. At the moment Vote Forward is not running any letter-writing campaigns.

I'm sure there are other things getting your blood boiling; check out Chop Wood Carry Water for some additional to-do's: https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/chop-wood-carry-water-428-905 

And some of you have been doggedly calling your reps through https://5calls.org/ -- keep at it!!

I'm attaching Senate phone number again  with attached zip codes so you have them close at hand; at some point I'll update my curated House list with zip codes as well.  See you out in the spring weather -- enjoy the aromas and sunshine! -- and keep the faith!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L2oqhAg_gwM8bTmCyd_40R4lnjlIcL2g0uihRTwu7qc/edit?usp=sharing

LOCAL:  

Support these candidates in local elections.  Reach out if you want a lawn sign.  Betsy Stewart, School Committee in Mattapoisett.  Kristen Jimenez, RMS School Committee.  Nate Reece, Rochester Parks Commission.  

Postcard writing party/brunch May 18, 11:30.  For more info on this event, email michaelkovacevich@gmail.com.  Postcards will go out to Rochester voters who generally vote blue, but don’t always show up at the polls.  

My two cents, or three cents:  

There are various issues that could be discussed, but one significant concern is the safety of judges. Justice Ketanji Brown addressed this topic at an event for judges, jurists, and lawyers. She voiced concerns about the ongoing threats against judges across the country. Judge Esther Salas, whose son Daniel was tragically killed by an individual who targeted their home a few years ago, has highlighted the recent tactic of sending pizzas to the residences of judges or their children. This act is seen as an attempt to intimidate judges, with perpetrators using the name of Judge Salas’s deceased son.  

The judges are the last fine line that remain between this administration and our constitution.  I say this because the republicans in congress have abdicated that responsibility.  Our support for the rule of law is especially important.  

Another issue is the merging of data from various federal agencies. This pool of government data becomes especially powerful when combined with private sector data, such as comprehensive mobile-phone geolocation data. These entities could infer information about individuals perceived as government critics or dissidents. For example, combining FBI data with student visas led to thousands of students having their visas revoked, although this decision was later overturned by the courts and the administration backed down.

Advanced data mining tools that analyze previously standalone and restricted databases provide the government with significant informational capabilities. Currently, US law restricts intelligence agencies from collecting and developing intelligence on US citizens; however, data mining offers a workaround this law.    Perhaps some of us will get sent to Alcatraz, which is being reopened by Trump after being shuttered for 60 years.

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Target slashed CEO Brian Cornell’s pay by 45%!  Who said boycotting was a waste of time. 

Shoutout to Greyhound, they said: No Warrant, No Boarding. They refuse to allow warrantless immigration enforcement checks on its buses and in non-public areas of its terminals.  Send your thanks to: 

Greyhound Lines, Inc. 

PO Box 660362

Dallas, TX 75266

Until Next Week,

Rochester Dems PAC.