I’ve been waiting years for this guy to show up. How on earth did we allow the right to co-opt patriotism? All that crap about lapel pins and pocket Constitutions was just a cynical performance for the home crowd, and we knew it. But the horror now unfolding has revealed, once and for all, that the Republican party has never believed in anything but power and money. Obviously Democrats love this country — that’s why we are freaking out right now. So, thank you Flag Guy for the corrective. I will bring one to the next event.
Today’s protest at the State House drew a very sizable crowd, particularly given that it was a freezing cold weekday. AP News reports that thousands have turned out across the country. It turns out, you were not alone.
Last week, activist/journalist Steve Ahlquist and several members of Indivisible Rhode Island went to Senator Whitehouse’s office seeking reassurances that he would be voting against the Kennedy nomination, and urging him to oppose the Trump agenda across the board more forcibly.
“There can be no solidarity with GOP/MAGA on this, especially with the material effect of P2025 and, as we have seen, the OMB funding freeze that is now headed to the courts,” wrote the group in a memo. “The rescission of the memo is not a rescission of the underlying action – it’s just recalling a memo.”
Lastly, the Indivisible Rhode Island members implored Senator Whitehouse to do what is possible to slow all Senate proceedings to a halt—deny unanimous consent, vote no on cloture, and force quorum calls (essentially a roll call to ensure 51% of the Senate is present to conduct business) at every opportunity.
Many are urging the Democrats to do exactly what the Republicans did after Obama’s election. I just called both Senator Whitehouse (who always has a human to talk to) and Senator Reed (who never has human answering the phone). Both Reed and Whitehouse have since issued statements saying they will oppose the Kennedy nomination. But why was there any doubt?!!
For info on future actions follow the 50501 movement. Meanwhile, Build the Resistance seems to be forming as the umbrella organizers. They indicate that they welcome all grassroots efforts into the tent.
Also, former state rep Aaron Regunberg has issued this announcement, calling our present situation a five-alarm fire, “which is why they need to hear from us. Here are the two most impactful ways to send a message”
This Thursday, February 6th, at 3pm, Indivisible Rhode Island is visiting Jack Reed’s Cranston office to tell him it’s time to step up. You can sign up here to join them.
If there’s no change in behavior after that, then this Saturday, February 8th, at 1pm, a number of RI groups are organizing a bigger demonstration at Jack Reed’s downtown Providence office (right off Kennedy Plaza) to make very clear that we are expecting leadership from our leaders, and that business as usual in this moment is simply not acceptable. You can sign up here to join us on Saturday.
****************************************
These gents from Canada were greeted with cheers and hugs and profuse apologies.
How do we build on this?