(Editor’s Note: This is just a portion of our weekly member newsletter. For the full note, which includes upcoming events and meeting details, please subscribe!)
Dear Democracy Defenders,
If your inboxes are anything like ours, you’re being flooded with calls to action every day. Rallies to attend. Calls to make. Letters to write. Articles to read. Online trainings to watch. Zoom calls to join. Urgent donations to make.
Let’s state the obvious: you can’t do it all. It’s probably not even a good idea to try.
A couple of weeks ago, organizer Micah Sifry wrote an excellent Substack aptly titled “It’s OK if you don’t read this.” The upshot: there’s a real risk of being utterly exhausted by the number of actions we can take. Rather than feel empowered, we shut down and do nothing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, take a moment to think about what aspects of pro-democracy activism bring you energy and give you meaning.
Maybe you thrive on 1:1 conversations. Perhaps you’re driven by the power of the written word. Or it could be that rallies and demonstrations leave you energized and full of hope. Maybe you’re a fantastic project manager, graphic designer, or tech wizard and love applying your talents to a critical cause.
As Sifry notes, None of us can do everything, but we can all do something.
So find your thread and start pulling. That’s how fascism unravels.
In solidarity,
WDDP Leadership
P.S. If you’re looking for concrete, specific, and meaningful opportunities for collective action, be sure to attend one of our action-oriented September member meetings!
Register now for our September member meetings!
Join other democracy defenders at WDDP’s in-person meeting on Sunday, September 14 from 1:00-3:00 PM. Newcomers are welcome!
We’ll kick off our Signs of Solidarity initiative, share updates on Tabling for Democracy and other pro-democracy initiatives, and discuss concrete actions we can take together to resist authoritarianism.
Bring your ideas, your energy, and your hope! Together, we can shape a stronger, more democratic future across Dane County and around the country.
Can’t make the in-person meeting? Catch the highlights from our latest in‑person meeting on Wednesday, September 17 from 7:30–8:30 PM in a convenient, live Zoom session. It’s a quick way to stay connected and keep the momentum going.
Important note: location information will be e-mailed to registrants 1–2 days prior to the meeting.
Be Prepared: Hands Off Chicago Protests
Thanks to the Badger Collective and other area pro-democracy partners, Wisconsin is ready and prepared to respond if Donald Trump follows through with his threat to deploy the national guard and ICE agents in Chicago.
Wisconsin is going to send a clear message: stay out of our cities and off our streets.
We are currently on stand-by. Rallies will be held in Madison at the capitol on King Street and in Milwaukee at Cathedral Square.
If troops arrive before 3PM, the protests will start at 6PM the same day.
If troops arrive after 3PM, the protests will start at 6PM the next day.
For more information and updates, visit HandsOffChicago.us
Signs of Solidarity: Help us canvass local business
Signs of Solidarity is a national campaign encouraging businesses, construction sites and restaurants to post signs declaring that ICE is not welcome on the premises, and is prohibited from entering spaces designated as private or employees only.
WDDP and Indivisible Madison East are organizing to canvass area businesses—and we need your help. Indivisible has developed a terrific toolkit, and WDDP will provide the signs. As we all know, personal connections are key. We need you to help us approach local businesses. More information to come at our September 14 meeting!