To the Athens community:
It’s been tough to absorb all that’s happened in the first month of Trump and Musk’s administration. It is certainly true that it is stupid easy to tear something down compared to building something up. But a resistance is growing, grassroots orgs are creating places/events/actions, and we all can participate in some way.
What can individuals do? Here’s a few ideas:
Easiest action is calling your elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, let them know as often as you have time for a phone call or an email, that you are not okay with (insert atrocity of the day). There is an app, 5 Calls, that makes it super easy to participate. Or Google your reps’ contacts, add them to your phone and call whenever you feel upset. Literally, call a lot. Most have interns who answer the phone, state why you’re calling and tell them what action you’d like your elected official to take. These calls are counted and general gist is related to the elected official you called. Emails work the same way.
Pay attention to and fully participate in any economic boycotts. Most of the time this is EASY to do. Plan ahead so you aren’t caught without what you need but this is an impactful way to resist. Almost everyone across the United States can do this and as we do more and more of them, it will send a strong message. Participate, even if it’s not affective the first or second or third time. It will take numbers growing but we have collective power in where we spend our money.
Create an email like this and send it to your friends and family members. Let them know you are concerned that we are losing our democratic form of government, our economic security and our position in the world order. If your family includes MAGA, maybe especially if, let them know you are alarmed. Unless everyone who would like to maintain the way of life we are used to stays informed and takes action we can’t defeat this attack. We are not living through normal times.
If you can donate to the ACLU. Illegal actions are occurring daily and to keep the form of government we have known our whole lives we need to legally fight many battles.
Stay informed but don’t fall into doom scrolling or death watching. Reading the news is a calmer way to absorb it. Pick a credible source and subscribe to a daily digest of what is happening. My favorites are Heather Cox Richardson, Robert B. Hubbell and What The Fuck Just Happened Today (silly name but a great digest with links and citations).
Act when you can. Do something that brings you joy each day. Recharge but don’t drop out. Everyone needs everyone to do what they can.
If you haven’t heard, there will be a economic blackout on Feb. 28, 2025, nationwide. This means don’t buy anything unless it’s from a small business. No gas. No fast food. Definitely NOTHING from places like Target, Walmart or Amazon.
This is a great first action, participate, because the opposite is a horrible future,
Ann Moneypenny
Athens, Ohio
