Senator Gary Peters was one of the Senators who had not committed to vote no on the SAVE Act but on Friday he stated he would vote no! He posted on his Senate Facebook page.
At the protest in Memphis. My guess was 400-500, but I'm thinking closer to 500 at peak. Not bad considering they were out here last Saturday too. Nice touch with the flags - inverted American (as distress signal), normal American (what I brought), a couple LGBTQ, but the Ukrainian flags were a great visual addition I'd not thought of. Favorite sign had a drawing of Trump and the caption, "Does this ass make my country look small?" The combo of flags and signs is effective. Most exciting to me was all the honking from people driving by and waving. It was almost nonstop. Made me feel like people are really paying attention. Only two negative reactions: one jerk "rolling coal," and a young pasty face man, his cheeks aflame with anger, who yelled, "Get a job!" On a Saturday. 🙂
On April 5, I attended a protest in Charlotte (pretty blue), but on Saturday I went with a friend to a protest in Monroe NC, the county seat of very red Union County. We met at the county couthouse which is on a square which traffic has to drive around.
We lined up on the sidewalks and pretty much covered the two busiest of the 4 sides. (likely a couple of hundred people). We had a few jerks drive by, but for the most part we got lots of honks, waves and thumbs up in support! (And I'm pretty sure some of the supporters drove around more than once!) It was actually more support than I had expected.
There were a wide range in age of participants -- although no one close to being 93, I don't think. But definitely teenagers to seniors and I saw one family with several young kids. The mood was very upbeat for such serious concerns, but I think a lot of people were just happy to be in community and to know that they were not alone.
Lots of creative signs too. One of my favorites was "Tiny hands, tiny feet, all he does is golf and cheat, and tweet!"
I also liked "If Trump wants a big parade in his honor, all he has to do is RESIGN!"
Another good one was TRUMP: KING OF THE FLYING MONKEYS OF OZ"
Good to hear, see, know. And more, please. I've been to several protests already & I stopped paying any attention to middle fingers from the most ignorant ppl on earth. I did tend to try to study what "the dumbest ppl on earth," look like as they drove by--like being mermerized by a trainwreck.
That kid's (I said young man so people wouldn't think he was 12) response was so hilarious we all laughed, and it gave me energy to stand awhile longer. I mean, that's the best he had? Yelling at people on a weekend to Get a job, you damn hippies, like it was the 60s or something. I mean, he had nothing, and was so upset about it all.
Steve, Trump supporters seem to have just one setting - enraged. And if your protest was like the one I went to, possibly the thing that enraged them the most is that the protesters looked like them - mostly white and likely NOT part of any counter culture. Certainly no gang tattoos!
Hopefully it will prick their arrogance that of course all the white people agree with them /s. And horror of horrors - some of their neighbors might actually be a ... Denocrat!
It was a mostly white crowd, though Memphis, excluding the suburbs is mostly black. And most of the protesters were older, above 40, some quite a bit older. And they were passionate. But yeah, I think it must befuddle and frustrate the MAGAs to see middle aged and older white folks, people who they might see at church, out there and angry as hell.
I happened to be driving through a very small city, about 17,000, in a very red county in AZ on Saturday. I came across a stalwart group of protesters, maybe 50-75 people. They were enthusiastic and most drivers were honking in support. Small protests send two messages: blue dots are not alone, and even red areas do not want a king! Let’s make May 1st, even bigger!
Hey friends! Here is an idea: Send a letter through the mail, to each of our SCOTUS justices simply demanding that they put their full force behind stopping the presidential overreach of the constitution. I have done this once. I'm going to do it again and again. ALSO make one simple phone call to Senator John THUNE in his role as senate majority leader. I am using tariffs as the issue because I know he is concerned about them; but it's really about constitutional overreach Here is what I am saying:
Hello Senator Thune, My name is…
I’m reaching out to you in your capacity as Senate Majority Leader. I’m calling to ask you to do everything you can to roll back Trump’s dangerous tariffs.
Trump has no legal or Constitutional authority to levy tariffs. These are present day taxation without representation, and a deeply unpopular abuse of power. Only congress can levy tariffs as per Article I section 8 of the constitution.
Please override and roll back these dangerous and destructive tariffs. Please sign on to Senator Tim Kaine’s resolution to remove them all.
Please remember your oath of office to the Constitution, which I believe is in grave danger at this time.
In Lebanon, NH on Saturday afternoon, I participated in a larger demonstration than my usual silent weekly Friday vigils with other die-hards in Hanover, NH in the middle of the Dartmouth campus where students, some fearful, walk by us with expressions of thankfulness. On Saturday, in nearby Lebanon, NH, there were great speakers, chants, singing- all in a light rain. The special local emphasis was two-fold: on freeing a young man who has lived here in the Upper Valley for a decade, a sweet young legal immigrant Mohsen Mahdawi, who was snatched by ICE as he entered the offices in Burlington, VT to complete his citizenship; we heard from his "adoptive" US mother and from his best friend attesting to the kindliness, stellar intentions and sincerity of this young man. Among a multitude of other disgraceful actions, there are so many, speakers protested what's going on with cuts to the VA in White River Junction, VT which so many in this area rely upon for medical care for both chronic and emergent conditions.
The long hand of evil reaches even into the most rural areas of VT and NH.
The rally in Albany NY was notable for a great crowd, terrific signs and especially the speakers. I think speakers are important. They were ordinary folks telling their personal stories. Each was about 3 minutes long. Occasionally there would be a short chant. A very effective way to keep the crowd riveted.
In NYC this past Saturday, the March I took part in, which began in front of the New York public library, was witnessed by hundreds if not thousands of out of town tourists who were cheering for us, giving us the thumbs up, and most importantly taking pictures and videos which I imagine they will be sharing with the folks back home.
I dropped off petitions in favor of Medicare for All to Republican congresswoman Young Kim’s office last Monday with National Nurses United. I read that she has pledged not to accept a CR with Medicare cuts! Our advocacy can persuade our representatives! Don't get discouraged! Community activism is powerful!
I invited 2 new middle aged friends to join me for the Portland Oregon 50501 Rally/Protest. It was a beautiful day and event! We gathered at Pioneer Square, after the leaders shared words of solidarity and support, we marched. A college student, who came alone, joined our small group. We had the fortune to march alongside the Rally street band! People were dancing as they marched. We yelled rally chants, led by a variety of individuals as their heart beckoned them to lead. The size of protest grew as we marched and returned to Pioneer Square. A sense of Community was in the air 🥰.
I just got off the phone with someone from the law firm Susman Godfrey (I called the Houston office) She was pleasantly surprised to hear from me and thrilled for the support. Our calls matter! I told her Chop Wood, Carry Water suggested I call!
I wasn’t a Madison’s protest because I was driving my granddaughter to the airport in Milwaukee. Freeway overpasses were lined with protesters and signs. Go Milwaukee!
I went to the 4/19 protest at a major intersection in Ambler PA. There was a consistent crowd of about 135 people; there was also a steady trickle of people arriving as others left, so I can't say what the total participation was.
Most of the cars passing through town honked in support. A few turned around and came back to honk again. At least one person I talked to found parking and got out to join us. (I stayed about half an hour; the protest was actually 3 hours, so there may have been more people earlier or later.)
It seems like the call for a general strike would be even stronger and less partisan if we could also convince George W Bush or Mike Pence to add their voices. Do you think that’s even a remote possibility?
I just wanted to report that after calling my representative and Senators about the messages Jessica suggested today, I decided to call the law firms and thank them. I just want to tell you that I got someone on the phone everywhere but in Boston at Wilmer Hale I just got messages with different menus and never got a person. But at the other four firms I a person immediately and in every case the person I talked to was very thankful that I called and one of them transferred me to the voicemail of a person in charge so I could leave a message for her as well. It was a very rewarding experience and I'm very glad I called. Thank you, Jessica. for suggesting it
I just finished making calls to ALL the law firms Jessica mentioned in her post. They were all uniformly appreciative of the support. Some said they had been fielding quite a few calls like mine. I would say it is well worth the effort (and the bonus is that there was ALWAYS a human being there answering the phones and taking the message from me)!
I also called my Congressional Rep and Senators offices with the requested messages about Pete Hegseth and the FDA elimination of routine food inspections. For the Senators, I had to leave voicemail messages, but for my Rep. (SYdney Kamlager-Dove, who is JUST GREAT by the way), I was able to talk to an aide who took the message and said Dove was in complete agreement with me.
Senator Gary Peters was one of the Senators who had not committed to vote no on the SAVE Act but on Friday he stated he would vote no! He posted on his Senate Facebook page.
Wow. That ANY Dem politician STILL thinks any Bill or Act is up for debate coming from this fascist regime is VERY troubling.
Rhetoric question here by why is it so f'g hard for any D to stand up to fascism?
Like I said, wow.
Especially for one that is retiring. Glad he finally confirmed he was voting against it.
Awesome!
At the protest in Memphis. My guess was 400-500, but I'm thinking closer to 500 at peak. Not bad considering they were out here last Saturday too. Nice touch with the flags - inverted American (as distress signal), normal American (what I brought), a couple LGBTQ, but the Ukrainian flags were a great visual addition I'd not thought of. Favorite sign had a drawing of Trump and the caption, "Does this ass make my country look small?" The combo of flags and signs is effective. Most exciting to me was all the honking from people driving by and waving. It was almost nonstop. Made me feel like people are really paying attention. Only two negative reactions: one jerk "rolling coal," and a young pasty face man, his cheeks aflame with anger, who yelled, "Get a job!" On a Saturday. 🙂
Love that!
On April 5, I attended a protest in Charlotte (pretty blue), but on Saturday I went with a friend to a protest in Monroe NC, the county seat of very red Union County. We met at the county couthouse which is on a square which traffic has to drive around.
We lined up on the sidewalks and pretty much covered the two busiest of the 4 sides. (likely a couple of hundred people). We had a few jerks drive by, but for the most part we got lots of honks, waves and thumbs up in support! (And I'm pretty sure some of the supporters drove around more than once!) It was actually more support than I had expected.
There were a wide range in age of participants -- although no one close to being 93, I don't think. But definitely teenagers to seniors and I saw one family with several young kids. The mood was very upbeat for such serious concerns, but I think a lot of people were just happy to be in community and to know that they were not alone.
Lots of creative signs too. One of my favorites was "Tiny hands, tiny feet, all he does is golf and cheat, and tweet!"
I also liked "If Trump wants a big parade in his honor, all he has to do is RESIGN!"
Another good one was TRUMP: KING OF THE FLYING MONKEYS OF OZ"
Good to hear, see, know. And more, please. I've been to several protests already & I stopped paying any attention to middle fingers from the most ignorant ppl on earth. I did tend to try to study what "the dumbest ppl on earth," look like as they drove by--like being mermerized by a trainwreck.
Braindead reichwing cult all look alike.
That kid's (I said young man so people wouldn't think he was 12) response was so hilarious we all laughed, and it gave me energy to stand awhile longer. I mean, that's the best he had? Yelling at people on a weekend to Get a job, you damn hippies, like it was the 60s or something. I mean, he had nothing, and was so upset about it all.
Steve, Trump supporters seem to have just one setting - enraged. And if your protest was like the one I went to, possibly the thing that enraged them the most is that the protesters looked like them - mostly white and likely NOT part of any counter culture. Certainly no gang tattoos!
Hopefully it will prick their arrogance that of course all the white people agree with them /s. And horror of horrors - some of their neighbors might actually be a ... Denocrat!
It was a mostly white crowd, though Memphis, excluding the suburbs is mostly black. And most of the protesters were older, above 40, some quite a bit older. And they were passionate. But yeah, I think it must befuddle and frustrate the MAGAs to see middle aged and older white folks, people who they might see at church, out there and angry as hell.
P.S. Ours had a really good feel too. It was a happy time.
I happened to be driving through a very small city, about 17,000, in a very red county in AZ on Saturday. I came across a stalwart group of protesters, maybe 50-75 people. They were enthusiastic and most drivers were honking in support. Small protests send two messages: blue dots are not alone, and even red areas do not want a king! Let’s make May 1st, even bigger!
Agree!
Hey friends! Here is an idea: Send a letter through the mail, to each of our SCOTUS justices simply demanding that they put their full force behind stopping the presidential overreach of the constitution. I have done this once. I'm going to do it again and again. ALSO make one simple phone call to Senator John THUNE in his role as senate majority leader. I am using tariffs as the issue because I know he is concerned about them; but it's really about constitutional overreach Here is what I am saying:
Hello Senator Thune, My name is…
I’m reaching out to you in your capacity as Senate Majority Leader. I’m calling to ask you to do everything you can to roll back Trump’s dangerous tariffs.
Trump has no legal or Constitutional authority to levy tariffs. These are present day taxation without representation, and a deeply unpopular abuse of power. Only congress can levy tariffs as per Article I section 8 of the constitution.
Please override and roll back these dangerous and destructive tariffs. Please sign on to Senator Tim Kaine’s resolution to remove them all.
Please remember your oath of office to the Constitution, which I believe is in grave danger at this time.
Thank you.
I am calling from (your zip code).
Done.
Done
Done! Thx 4 the suggestion & script!!
Done and posted on FB
(605) 225-8823
Thank you! I did this!
In Lebanon, NH on Saturday afternoon, I participated in a larger demonstration than my usual silent weekly Friday vigils with other die-hards in Hanover, NH in the middle of the Dartmouth campus where students, some fearful, walk by us with expressions of thankfulness. On Saturday, in nearby Lebanon, NH, there were great speakers, chants, singing- all in a light rain. The special local emphasis was two-fold: on freeing a young man who has lived here in the Upper Valley for a decade, a sweet young legal immigrant Mohsen Mahdawi, who was snatched by ICE as he entered the offices in Burlington, VT to complete his citizenship; we heard from his "adoptive" US mother and from his best friend attesting to the kindliness, stellar intentions and sincerity of this young man. Among a multitude of other disgraceful actions, there are so many, speakers protested what's going on with cuts to the VA in White River Junction, VT which so many in this area rely upon for medical care for both chronic and emergent conditions.
The long hand of evil reaches even into the most rural areas of VT and NH.
The rally in Albany NY was notable for a great crowd, terrific signs and especially the speakers. I think speakers are important. They were ordinary folks telling their personal stories. Each was about 3 minutes long. Occasionally there would be a short chant. A very effective way to keep the crowd riveted.
That’s great!
In NYC this past Saturday, the March I took part in, which began in front of the New York public library, was witnessed by hundreds if not thousands of out of town tourists who were cheering for us, giving us the thumbs up, and most importantly taking pictures and videos which I imagine they will be sharing with the folks back home.
Yes! We actually had a bunch of tour buses drive by us in BH and I had a similar satisfaction in knowing those people would bring pictures home.
My local news station just started airing protests ❤️❤️❤️ It is a local CBS station. Wbng
I dropped off petitions in favor of Medicare for All to Republican congresswoman Young Kim’s office last Monday with National Nurses United. I read that she has pledged not to accept a CR with Medicare cuts! Our advocacy can persuade our representatives! Don't get discouraged! Community activism is powerful!
Very important messages you have. We must stay with hope and action. TY. True patriots do this.
I invited 2 new middle aged friends to join me for the Portland Oregon 50501 Rally/Protest. It was a beautiful day and event! We gathered at Pioneer Square, after the leaders shared words of solidarity and support, we marched. A college student, who came alone, joined our small group. We had the fortune to march alongside the Rally street band! People were dancing as they marched. We yelled rally chants, led by a variety of individuals as their heart beckoned them to lead. The size of protest grew as we marched and returned to Pioneer Square. A sense of Community was in the air 🥰.
"I invited 2 new middle aged friends to join me ...."
That is how we get to critical mass - way to go!
I just got off the phone with someone from the law firm Susman Godfrey (I called the Houston office) She was pleasantly surprised to hear from me and thrilled for the support. Our calls matter! I told her Chop Wood, Carry Water suggested I call!
Thank you, Trena!
500 of us marched for democracy in Tucker, GA, a suburb of Atlanta! Fantastic support from cars passing by.
I wasn’t a Madison’s protest because I was driving my granddaughter to the airport in Milwaukee. Freeway overpasses were lined with protesters and signs. Go Milwaukee!
I went to the 4/19 protest at a major intersection in Ambler PA. There was a consistent crowd of about 135 people; there was also a steady trickle of people arriving as others left, so I can't say what the total participation was.
Most of the cars passing through town honked in support. A few turned around and came back to honk again. At least one person I talked to found parking and got out to join us. (I stayed about half an hour; the protest was actually 3 hours, so there may have been more people earlier or later.)
It seems like the call for a general strike would be even stronger and less partisan if we could also convince George W Bush or Mike Pence to add their voices. Do you think that’s even a remote possibility?
No, sadly. I don’t.
Geo W Bush, of illegal torture fame, of Abu Ghraib fame, of illegal war against a sovereign, innocent country fame...HE PAVED THE FASCIST ROAD.
Thank you for remembering, Andrea!
I just wanted to report that after calling my representative and Senators about the messages Jessica suggested today, I decided to call the law firms and thank them. I just want to tell you that I got someone on the phone everywhere but in Boston at Wilmer Hale I just got messages with different menus and never got a person. But at the other four firms I a person immediately and in every case the person I talked to was very thankful that I called and one of them transferred me to the voicemail of a person in charge so I could leave a message for her as well. It was a very rewarding experience and I'm very glad I called. Thank you, Jessica. for suggesting it
I just finished making calls to ALL the law firms Jessica mentioned in her post. They were all uniformly appreciative of the support. Some said they had been fielding quite a few calls like mine. I would say it is well worth the effort (and the bonus is that there was ALWAYS a human being there answering the phones and taking the message from me)!
I also called my Congressional Rep and Senators offices with the requested messages about Pete Hegseth and the FDA elimination of routine food inspections. For the Senators, I had to leave voicemail messages, but for my Rep. (SYdney Kamlager-Dove, who is JUST GREAT by the way), I was able to talk to an aide who took the message and said Dove was in complete agreement with me.
"I was able to talk to an aide who took the message and said Dove was in complete agreement with me."
Lucky you!