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Matt C's avatar

Thanks for posting this as you start your week off. This always helps to re-energize me for the new week ahead. But please stay away for the rest of the week for some much needed down time.

Some good news of my own to post. After having a soft launch of our We Believe Visibility Brigade here in Northern UT last Sunday (display: Release the Epstein files), we had our first official protest on Friday displaying "Release the files not Ghislaine". An employee of the local newspaper saw the sign on their way into work and soon we had someone from the paper stop by to take photos and do an interview which ended up in the paper by Saturday morning.

One thing leads to another and this article and picture go viral with 10s of thousands of views and thousands of likes across multiple social media outlets. Here is The Tennessee Holler posting it on Blue Sky if you wish to check it out and further amplify https://bsky.app/profile/thetnholler.bsky.social/post/3lvhoea3dc22l. We have Social Media accounts but have never been posters so we are blown away by what has unfolded in the last 36 hours. We have to up our social media game for sure. Also, giving full credit where due, this is my wife's project and I'm her #1 volunteer.

If not familiar with the Visibility Brigade and are interested in starting one in your town, you should check them out https://www.visibilitybrigade.com/. They started out in New Jersey in 2020 leading up to elections. Has now grown to over 180 chapters in 36 states. The vast majority of these starting this year. They have strong leadership and are well organized, provide lots of guidance and help amplify all the chapter protests on their social media. Or, you can also just do your own thing.

Our next protest will be on tariffs. LFG!

Jess Craven's avatar

THIS IS AMAZING! The Tennessee Holler is 🔥🔥🔥

Pat Robinson's avatar

Thank you for sharing this!! I had not heard of the Visibility Brigade and it sounds like something we should all be supporting! I checked out the web page, and there were no big begs for donations...that's really nice. But there was a call to participate in Be Brave Day, August 15. I had not heard of this either and we need to some how get the word out. Maybe lots of folks already know about it and that would be great. I do not have much of a social media "presence" and no friends or family to tell about this, but I hope to mention it in comments I make in other substacks/youtube videos. Maybe if we all pressure CNN and MSNBC they will cover it. While I am pretty sure CBS, ABC and NBC will not cover it, it's still good to ask them/let them know so that they know that we know all the actions they refuse to cover (and why Independent Media is getting stronger by the day while they lose viewers). I'm even going to drop a note to the DNC in case there is a way they can be involved.

Jess Craven's avatar

I will amplify!

Matt C's avatar

Thanks Pat for helping to spread the word! As for the "Be Brave Day" protest, this is a Visibility Brigade specific protest day where they want all chapters out in force that day with messages helping to bolster the theme. I'm not sure if they are hoping other activist groups join in or not but the more that know about it the better. Thanks again!

Susan Travis's avatar

So terrific that sign in Ohio for JDivan Vance!!

Ann Pearson's avatar

As another bit of good news… When Republican representative Tom Tiffany in Wausau, Wisconsin turned sprinklers on to deter protesters, the Chippewa Valley indivisible group got wind of it. They showed up 60 people strong the following Friday and waited. When the sprinklers were again turned on, the indivisible members ripped off their outer clothing to reveal swimwear, flipped their protest signs around to say things like “no one can drown democracy“, cranked up the Beach Boys, and held a beach party protest! You can check out the videos here: https://chippewavalleyunited.com/

Jess Craven's avatar

YES! I talked about this on my podcast this week!

Cynthia L Greening's avatar

Thank you so much!! <3

It was an amazing event (I'm the one in the wetsuit with the beach ball) ... so appreciate you shining the light on Rep. Tiffany's disdain for his constituents! You are a source of inspiration for all of us!

Marian's avatar

Thank you for the good news. Enjoy your time off…you certainly deserve it!!

Melody Snow's avatar

So appreciate the good news, it’s hard to find, without you! Enjoy your vacay!

gerri caldarola's avatar

Is this conspiratorial thinking? Maybe the Georgia guy deliberately misspelled "Georgia" to generate just the attention he is getting... nah that would be too smart.

Sandra Bright's avatar

GREAT video!!! I love reading your newsletters and listening to your Substack. Thank you Jessica for all your hard work from this 83 year old who just started her activism again. Never thought I'd have to be doing this again. You deserve your time off. I love you.

Jess Craven's avatar

Welcome back! And thank you!

Linda's avatar
Aug 3Edited

This is important to know. There is a free app created for immigrants that alerts you to ICE where you are. It does not save or pass on your information. You don't need to sign-in or use a password. The app tells you if ICE is in the area, where, and when it leaves. It also gives similar information for police activity. I recommend this app if you or someone you know has to be kept informed of where ICE is. Testing it out, I was shocked to see that ICE is busy just one mile from my home right now! The app is called Coqui. I got it at the app store. This link will give you a better description of it.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMykIFrOr3P/?igsh=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA==

Jess Craven's avatar

Yes I’ve had this in the newsletter! Thank you!

Linda's avatar

Dang! I'm sorry, I guess I missed it there. I saw it on Instagram.

Fran's avatar

Jess - You're a treasure. I feel myself relaxing with your Sunday posts. I appreciate you all week, but I'm able to face grim reality better after your "good news" finds. Thank you for all you do.

Marina Rykoff's avatar

Thank you for this. I am so depressed and feeling very defeated. Where are the dems in all of this? Why aren't they fighting? My husband and I feel lucky that that we, at least, live in California, but our lives are now on hold as we have no idea what to expect. Fortunately, hubby has dual citizenship with Canada so that is an option that is always on the table.

Suzy Filbert's avatar

ICYMI. Democratic Texas legislators are leaving the state to deprive Republicans of a quorum so they can't vote on the latest gerrymandered map that Trump demanded. So, there's that!

Dems throwing a wrench into the GOP plan!!

Jess Craven's avatar

Yes! I heard!

Lynda Phoenix's avatar

Thank you! Thank you! It always helps to read good news. I'm glad Jane Goodall's project is getting funded. She does such good work. The good news gives us hope to carry on.

Jess Craven's avatar

Isn’t that wonderful?

Carol's avatar

Thank you! We all need the encouragement!

Barbara Grinell's avatar

That is very good. US government is corrupted.

Nancy Anderson's avatar

Thank You ❤️

Liz Wiener's avatar

Thank you!

Michelle G's avatar

Thank you Jessica! :D