Connect! Unite! Act! is a weekly series that seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups meet regularly to socialize, but also to get out the vote, support candidates, and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers that be. Visit us every week to see how you can get involved!
A is for August, and August is for activism! Every August has the potential to be a banner month for speaking our minds and making our voices heard. Some people are on vacation and have the time for meetings and marches they can’t do at other times of the year. Students are either just beginning school or aren’t in school yet, and that gives them hours to spare for justice work. The traditional August recess is the best time to organize local protests, while members of Congress are expected to be spending time in their district offices.
It is no coincidence that August is the anniversary of some of the most significant protest actions in American history. Have you made your Activism August plans? Here are some ideas to get you started!
MONDAY, AUGUST 2: National Moral Monday rally in Washington, D.C.
This weekend in Texas, The Poor People’s Campaign finished their latest March for Democracy. Thousands of people participated in a 27-mile march from Georgetown to Austin, gathering in shifts of 125 to comply with recommended COVID-19 restrictions. You can find footage of speeches along the way by Bishop William Barber, former congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and many other national and regional voting rights activists.
This Monday, August 2, the Poor People’s Campaign will host a National Moral Monday rally at Union Station in Washington. This nonviolent moral direct action will be led by poor people, low-wage workers, progressive faith leaders and other inclusive justice activists. In celebration of the 56th anniversary of President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, speakers will enthusiastically make the case for ending the filibuster in order to pass the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This and other proposed federal legislation puts more political power in the hands of the people, increases election security, and protects the right to vote. Right now is the time to stand up for our future as a democracy!
YouTube Video
The rally begins outside Union Station at 10:45 a.m. EDT, and will also be available via livestream. If you can attend Monday’s rally in person, sign up here. Event organizers can answer your questions and let you know if group travel options are available from your state.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6: USPS Board of Governors open session and public comments
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy caused massive disruption throughout the United States Postal Service during the 2020 election. Despite widespread frustration and anger about many of his actions in office, he is still Postmaster General because the USPS Board of Governors is the only entity with the authority to remove him from his position.
Louis DeJoy feels very secure in his job, for now
When President Joe Biden took office, Republicans held the majority of seats on the board, preventing DeJoy from being ousted. Since then, empty seats on the board have been filled by Biden to give Democrats the majority, but one Trump-appointed Democrat, Ron A. Bloom, the board’s chair, supports DeJoy and is not likely to vote to fire him.
On Friday, August 6, the USPS Board of Governors will have an open session at the Postal Service Headquarters in Washington, and members of the public are allowed to observe.
Immediately after the open session there will be a one-hour public comment period—a rare opportunity to express dissatisfaction with DeJoy directly to the people who have the power to fire him. The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. EDT at 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, on the 11th floor Benjamin Franklin Room. Use this form to request a three-minute speaking slot during the public comment period.
There is no easily accessible way to send comments to the USPS Board of Governors via email or fax, however, snail mail can be sent to Chairman Bloom or any other member of the Board using this address:
Mr. Ron A. Bloom Office of the Board of Governors United States Postal Service 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20260-1000
INDIVISIBLE is hosting many local actions during the August congressional recess
Indivisible is a grassroots political advocacy movement, with organizing presence in every single congressional district. No matter where you live, they can put you in touch with other activists in your area. During the August congressional recess, folks will be especially hard at work organizing local and regional demonstrations, town halls, and other visibility events all over the country. The long summer recess is a time when members of Congress are expected to spend time at their district offices, responding to constituent concerns. That makes August a perfect time to thank elected officials who are fighting the good fight, and confront elected officials who are on the wrong side of history.
Some events are already scheduled and can be found here. Right now there is doubt as to whether the recess will happen, or how long it will be, but once that has been decided, other Indivisible events will quickly follow and the list will fill up. In this critical year for the future of our country, members of Congress will be meeting with constituents and holding town halls, or they will be forced to explain to the press why they are not available and why they are hiding.
One voice can change a room. If there is no action planned near you, then YOU can plan an action. That could look like ou on a street corner with a handful of friends, or even all by yourself with one handmade sign; either might light a spark that encourages others in your community to step up and step out.
Remember, Greta Thunberg started out as one girl with a sign in 2018.
Remember how much coverage was given to the relatively small tea party events when they first started? Democrats can use the same tactics to draw attention to progressive issues such as voting rights, civil rights, climate change, and economic justice. Remember those big events in 2017 to save the Affordable Care Act? Members of Indivisible were the driving force behind a lot of those.
Indivisible has tools to help you plan a visibility event, spread the word, get local media coverage and make a real difference. If you are fired up and ready to go raise awareness for a specific justice issue, and no one else is drawing attention to it, maybe that is an opportunity for you to show—and learn—just what you can accomplish.
No matter what you do during Activism August, make sure to come to Daily Kos and write a story about it, so your experience can be applauded by this community and shared as an example of how we advance our political interests and goals.
Our Connect! Unite! Act! team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing, and executing social and action events. We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in. If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
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What are you working on in your local area to move our progressive agenda along? Sound off in the comments, and inspire others!