April 18 Blog: Taking Action tomorrow and As Much as Possible

Dear Friends:

As many of you may know, the 50501 movement has called for a National Day of Action, also known as a National Day of Community Action, not a National Day of Protest for tomorrow

Saturday, April 19, the 250th anniversary of the first shots of the Revolutionary War at Concord and Lexington Massachusetts. Tonight will be the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride. It feels these days as if we are all working to channel that anti-kings revolutionary spirit...and action.

If you haven’t read this, I recommend David Brooks latest column in the New York Times. If you don’t have access to the Times, here is a synopsis. It is out of character for Mr. Brooks who is very mild mannered and moderate to call for an uprising, but....here we are. That he feels the need to call for an uprising speaks volumes about how perilous a time we are in.

For tomorrow there will be many demonstrations happening around the country, but the primary focus for 50501 is speaking to the needs of your community. Organizers are hosting food drives, mutual aid and potlucks and more. You can read more at:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/anti-trump-protests-in-50-us-states-list-of-cities-hosting-rallies-on-saturday/articleshow/120410442.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

There are 3 major protests in D.C. that I think my readers should know about.

Justice First has organized a 10:30 am demonstration called “Hands OFF! Stop the Billionaire Agenda!” at Lafayette Square, 16th and H Street NW, DC, behind the White House. This protest will focus on rejecting the “billionaire agenda,” as well as show support for immigration, health care and LGBTQ+ rights.

A protest organized by No Tyrants is planned outside Vice President JD Vance’s house on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory (34th St NW and Massachusetts Ave NW), beginning at 12 noon.

The march, planned by Refuse Fascism gathering at 15th St. NW and Madison Ave. near the Washington Monument will walk to the White House at 1:00 p.m. The purpose is to demand

the return of Kilmar Abrego García, a man the government admits it wrongfully deported to a Salvadoran prison, according the database of events. For more information, see: https://events.pol-rev.com/events/a04e596a-ebeb-46eb-b7cd-d51b655f8870

And our friends at the regular Arlington Tesla Takedown on S. Glebe Road will be there at 2:00 pm tomorrow as well.

Looking ahead, there are future major events being planned by national groups. I listen in to the weekly Indivisible calls to keep up. Meanwhile, there are so many small ways to take action, even if it’s only stepping up your contributions to important institutions and groups. I appreciate hearing from my readers about what they are doing and suggestions they have for this blog.

I wish you all a good weekend. The Christian message of hope that is Easter is more needed now than ever.     

Yours in hope and action, 

Libby