Hello All:
I had planned to do an Event Alert on the upcoming New York African Street Festival, which kicks off this week end and goes through July 4th; I was also going to brag on how wonderful and successful this year's JUNETEENTH PARADE was, and chastise those who let a little bit of rain stop them from coming out and being a part of history.
But NO!
I could not do that because so much has happened that we have to focus on immediately, if not sooner.
It appears that Subprime Court Justice Kennedy has suddenly decided it's time to retire. Now, he could be sincere, or he could be paid, or coerced, in order to make it possible for the predator in chief to appoint another injustice to take his place. Regardless of what his motivation is, it is up to us to make sure that there is a significant number of senators in office by the time the decision comes around to prevent that from happening. And, if Tuesday's Primaries are any indication, we are well on the way to making that happen, and effecting a 180 degree turn around in this fall from grace we find ourselves in at the hands of T-rump and the repuglycons.
There are several organizations out there that are in the mode of making sure we stay energized and involved - one of which is MoveOn. I am sharing a letter I received from them in reference to keeping the momentum on. We have to coalesce with all the organizations that are out there trying to make T-rumps tenure as ersatz president as short as possible, and simultaneously trying to make the change from Red (neck) to Blue.
If the atrocities we are witnessing under this cretin aren't enough to convince you, just remember it can only get worse; and will definitely do so if he has the judiciary in his pocket. If you think it's terrible now - just wait until tomorrow. And that's exactly what I'm asking you not to do - don't wait! Don't watch another comedy show; don't post another FB or Instagram or Twitter about this before you take definitive action to seal the deal -we have to support, we have to register ourselves and others to vote, we have to resist, take stands, and we have to send this pariah packing - along with his odd assortment of miscreants.
Kudos to all those who were victorious in Tuesday's Primary - we have to keep the momentum up and the pressure on. Regardless of where you are, or who you are, you must encourage and reach out to those in states and communities outside of our own to stand up, register, vote, resist.
While this letter was addressed to me, it's applicable to us all.
No one can save America but Americans.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria
Dear fellow MoveOn member,
History's darkest moments have often been marked by the creation of camps built to house "undesirables," and now, it's happening again—in our country, in our lifetime, and in full view of the world.
I believe that what this administration is doing at the border is a "crime against humanity," and it is on us to stop it. And I'm proud to stand with MoveOn, which is organizing a huge Day of Action—the biggest in its nearly 20-year history.
And now, MoveOn needs to pull that all off AND launch an emergency campaign to help save the Supreme Court from a full-on right-wing takeover in light of Justice Kennedy’s departure in the coming days and weeks.
For this weekend's event alone, MoveOn is going to need security, staging, signage, hundreds of volunteer marshals, Jumbotrons, top-level video technology, additional staff—and that's just in Washington, D.C. MoveOn is also pouring time, technology, and resources into promoting 600+ events across the country, recruiting tens of thousands of people to attend, training volunteers, and more. In total, Saturday's events are expected to cost $1.1 million.
I'm shattered by every image, audio clip, and horrific story coming from the camps—let's be honest, prisons—where immigrant children are being kept, and by the devastatingly callous response from the White House.
And the horrible fact is that, as you read this message, more than 2,000 families are still separated, Gloria. Yesterday we learned that contrary to Donald Trump's executive order, the administration will NOT be reuniting these children with their families until their parents drop their asylum cases and agree to be deported.1
That's right, this administration—from the party of family values—is now using children as hostages in an effort to punish their parents.
And they are laughing at us as we fight back. Earlier this week, during a speech at the White House, Jeff Sessions mocked activists like you and me and joked—to raucous applause—about separating parents from their children.2
I think we should show Mr. Sessions exactly who it is he's dealing with, don't you?
That's why this weekend, MoveOn members are gathering in cities across America to take part in more than 600 Families Belong Together events and march to demand that these families be reunited—immediately—and that children not be used as pawns in this administration's disgusting games.
And just so there's no confusion: Children and parents must not to be reunited, only to be then held in prison camps. Media attention has started to shift away from this critical issue, so continuing to shine a spotlight on this crisis is incredibly important, which is why I will continue to speak out, and why I hope that you will, too.
This is a frightening and devastating moment. But I'm still inspired. And I have hope. I'm inspired because I see hundreds of thousands of Americans taking action and proclaiming that families belong together.
I see footage of faith leaders, doctors, nurses, and folks who want to help heading to the border. I see business owners, cultural leaders, and civic organizations using their voices and platforms to resist and encourage others to do the same.
And I see communities across our country preparing to take to the streets in more than 600 cities this Saturday, June 30, to take part in Families Belong Together rallies, in what will be one of the largest days of action since the Women’s March in January, 2017.
I'm grateful to MoveOn members, because you—along with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and hundreds of other partners—are helping to create and support the 600+ events across the country, which will follow in the footsteps of the Women's March and March for Our Lives and support the flagship rally in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands will gather within earshot of the White House
I know that this is an enormous undertaking—but it is an essential one. It's what's required in this monumental moral, historic, and political moment—which is why I have a simple request for you:
Thanks for all you do.
–Alyssa Milano
Sources:
1. Tweet from Senator Dianne Feinstein, June 26, 2018
2. Tweet from Robert Maguire, June 26, 2018
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