At last night’s PPJ meeting, we began talking about the Trump era and how we respond collectively, that is, from community.  We began with a go-round in which everyone shared what was foremost in their minds and hearts as they confront the specter of the Trump presidency.  Several members expressed their concerns about racism, xenophobia, and hate stoked by this election. As we finished going around the circle, Dave Pasch urged us on to action, insisting we cannot accomplish anything as lone individuals looking at our television screens.  Instead we need to work together with others, and this group is our place to start.

With that segue, we were ready to brainstorm ideas for mobilizing.  Here is our (tentative and partial) list for future consideration:

• Women’s march on Washington – Jan. 21
  • See this Washington Post article.  It states “Women and men across the country plan to participate in a “Women’s March on Washington” in the nation’s capital the day after the inauguration as a rebuke to President-elect Donald Trump’s incendiary remarks about women and minorities during his presidential campaign.”
  • See the  Public Facebook page for the event to read the organizers’ Official Statement (or scroll down to the addendum at the end of this post.)  Search Facebook for the Ohio page for this event to learn about transportation.
    
• Fremont:  Martin Luther King Day Breakfast and March, Jan. 16.  The Fremont chapter of the NAACP is sponsoring this event and will provide details at a later date.   We are considering marching behind our group’s banner to show solidarity.
• Run for state and local office or recruit others.  Many incumbents ran unopposed this time.
• Political Party involvement – Local political parties should be truly communities that foster relationships and stand ready to advocate and serve local residents, not just at election time but always.  For those who are interested, local Democratic party meetings are the 4th Thursday, 6:30 pm, at the Board of Elections.
• Getting money out of elections.  Members still want to work with the national and state movement, Move to Amend.  Dave J. will be reporting back about the latest state wide actions we can join.  Current advice is to visit our state legislators.  We’ll be looking for folks to form a delegation and for a delegation leader.
• Abolishing the Electoral College.  Amy will be reporting back about how we can get involved.
• Supreme Court nominees.  When the time comes, many of our members would like to advocate with our senators.  We will need to learn more about becoming effective advocates.  Our website has a page about Legislative Advocacy with advice and contact info.
• Personal response to hate talk or hate acts we witness.  Here’s some good advice:

Our next meeting will be Dec. 21, beginning with a 6:30 pm potluck, at First UCC, 1500 Tiffin Rd., Fremont.  We will continue to flesh out these ideas and determine if there are other causes or mobilizations to bring to the group’s attention.  Please pass the word.  We welcome new members!

Addendum:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT, National Organizers Women’s March on Washington

On January 21, 2017 we will unite in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on Washington. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families — recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.

The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us–women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all. HEAR OUR VOICE.