Your Personal Invitation to Start the #NotNormal RESIST Movement to Stand Against the Trump Agenda

[Chuck Lynd]

Hello Friends and Colleagues.  I know some of you are not used to attending demonstrations, and some of you are working or otherwise committed on Monday.  My request is that you consider the #NotNormal situation we find ourselves in - democracy hanging on by a shoestring, Steve Bannon advising Trump on the AltRight movement, cabinet nominees that are so obviously troubling that it is almost impossible not to look away in the same way that we gawk at horrible traffic accidents. We need a new economy, a new food system, a new health care system, a renewable energy grid, a public banking option, more transit options, green buildings, and the list goes on. The current system is in serious environmental overreach - it's devastating the ecosystems that support human civilization and indeed all life forms, causing climate change that is happening far more rapidly that scientists predicted even a decade ago. 

Sorry for the doom and gloom that you already understand, but I am appealing to you to think how you/we can best make a difference in this critical first year of the Trump administration. One way is to step up our game - write letters to the editor, contact our members of Congress, state legislatures, etc. We have not been effective in attracting large numbers of people to demonstrations, but without LARGE numbers those in power feel no need to make the changes we know are necessary. Think how we of the "liberal, progressive class" have watched the large demonstrations recently by fast food workers trying to get a living wage, the Black Lives Matter movement challenging the criminal "justice" systems, or the brave immigrants and undocumented workers who have turned out by the thousands to support a sane path to citizenship and avoid the constant threat of deportation and disruption of their families. Or the protests in other countries against austerity budgets, the courage of youth during the Arab Spring, the Via Campesina movement for food sovereignty.

Isn't it time for "us" to put some skin in the game?  Risk some of our white privilege (most of us reading this) and begin to act with conviction - backbone? - for our liberal, progressive principles and values?  We know the environmental risks, the insane level of income inequality, the consequences to future generations if we don't act now on their behalf.

See the call to demonstrate below, but there will be many more opportunities - next week - Jan 15, there will be a demonstration to protect social security and health care - and the Columbus women (and men) demonstrating on the same day (Jan 15) planning to go to DC for a massive demonstration against the Trump agenda on January 21.  A big demonstration is planned at the end of April by 350.org. Our local Central Ohio Climate Action Coalition is considering a demonstration around Earth Day. So the bottom line is I asking all of us, myself included, to stretch our comfort zones this year and make a conscious, mindful effort to STAND AGAINST the very clear and very scary agenda of the Trump Team. Let's build a movement, a real one that connects the dots and makes it clear what we want, not just what we are against. A great example is the People's Agenda advocated and detailed here: https://popularresistance.org/peoplesagenda/

People are waking up all over the world - the neoliberal consensus is being challenged on every continent. The global financial consumer capitalism backed up by the military, the intelligence and surveillance systems, the SWAT teams, etc. is failing and new systems are emerging to replace them.  We don't have all the answers but we do know in our gut and in our hearts that we are at a critical period in human history that is calling us to move history in a new direction. The abstractions of politics, policies, and institutional systems are suddenly becoming very personal. It really is up to us. 

We must, as someone said, find our "rebel heart." 

If you read this far, thank you! :)  

All the best to you and yours for the coming year. 

Chuck

p.s. pardon duplication, and redundancy for those who are on board. If you never want to hear a diatribe from me again, just reply and tell me. Expletives are ok. :)

MONDAY, JANUARY 9 10 AM - 12 NOON Trinity Episcopal Chuch, 125 E.  Broad St Cbus RALLY TO PROTEST TRUMP'S CLIMATE DENIER CABINET NOMINEES Event to Call on Senator Portman to vote against Trump’s fossil fuel industry appointees;  recognize and address justice and economic issues in Ohio Concerned citizens in Columbus join a nationwide day of action to urge Senator Portman to refuse to confirm President-elect Trump’s Climate Denier Cabinet. The Rally will feature speakers who are addressing climate change in Ohio. We urge Senator Portman to stand against climate denial and hate, and stand with science and our communities.After the Rally we will march to Senator Portman’s office, 37. W. Broad St, Suite 300, at 11:30 am. A small group of leaders will meet with Senator Portman’s staff. The protest will conclude at 12  pm. Sponsored by the Central Ohio Climate Action Coalition, with members from Simply Living, Sierra Club, Citizens Climate Lobby, Ohio Sustainable Business Council, Ohio Interfaith Power and Light, Columbus Community Bill of Rights, Yes We Can Columbus, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), and more! Details HERE.

Can't come to the Rally? Call Senator Portman's Office.  Like us onFacebook and SHARE our event page with friends and your own network.

--
Chuck Lynd
Simply Living Board Member
Support Ohio Local Economies Coalition
Think Columbus First Campaign

Ohio Sustainable Business Council (OSBC)

614-354-6172 (cell)
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