We press play. Not pause.

Grassroots meetings and rallies are organizing around the country…community by community…like this one on the San Juan Islands today [2.19.17]. Washington State Senator Kevin Ranker spoke to citizens who want to know what to do now. Who are ready for action and remain hopeful in these days of ‘45’. We want to protect and encourage human rights, not party rights. We are hopeful, and want to take action.

So many people showed up at this meeting today that to comply with fire safety rules, chairs were set up on stage to get folks out of the aisles.

This talk was focused on now. What can we do now.

‘We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.’  -Angela Davis

The focus of the talk was to keep our country’s core values strong, and to always lead first with love, kindness, and respect.

And we must listen to those who are hurting the most. Yes, our rural citizens need jobs, and all people must be given the right to vote – – these are big issues. Sometimes these larger issues seem overwhelming and impossible when we are daily barraged with backward and hurtful mandates this administration continues to release. Senator Ranker believes the power lies with the states and the people within our states. “States matter.” We must sign up and lobby for what we believe, and most importantly, we get people to vote; even in the context of re-districting and gerrymandering, help people vote. Looking at specific numbers, ‘45’ did not win by a large margin in any demographic. However, many people chose not to vote this election for various reasons. This meeting today was not about why, but what. What can we do now.

Senator Rankor offers three suggestions:

1. One Term. We cannot allow eight years of hate. One term. One.
2. Educate. Educate ourselves and others on the issues.
3. Sign up.

Yes, our rural neighbors need jobs, and many voted for ‘45’ who felt he would get their jobs back in coal and manufacturing. These jobs have been dissipating since the ‘70’s and they’re not coming back – – technology has surpassed the need. Yet, there are industries that are growing, for example, the green industry. These families need opportunities for education. What can we do in our communities to help them? I encourage you to watch three brief reports offered from Frontline on PBS, released this week, that help explain the rural plight. Here are the links.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/betting-on-trump-jobs/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/betting-on-trump-coal/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/betting-on-trump-water/

Our collective hearts break thinking of the disappointment, the discouragement and despair when promises made during the campaign will not be kept – – when jobs do not return.

Choose the organizations to support that align with your beliefs and interests. And educate yourself and families. Go to https://www.indivisibleguide.com and learn how to organize action locally. Read books at your local libraries and book stores, like Paulo Freire’s, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, and Radicals, by Saul Alinsky. Sign up to make phone calls, right from your own homes, or local venues. Talk to people. Face-to-face. Listen. And write letters to Washington DC. Elected officials, according to Senator Rankin, read the hand-written ones.

Most importantly. We must stay strong. When we feel fatigued and overwhelmed, lean on each other in our groups for support and strength. And take time with each other, regardless of political perspective.

And you know what else we can do? Run for a political office, or local school board, or PTA. Lend our our voices, and always, always, our hearts.

I am inspired by this movement across our country. You care. I care. We care.

We can do this.

#persist

#resist

#love