Local Activist Voices
May 2025
Democracy Out Loud #435: We cannot be silent
I’m leaving tomorrow for Washington DC to take part in the Monday action with Rev. Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign (you can stream it at this link), and I hope to join the Tuesday climate action there on Tuesday (see toolkit to participate at home). Karen and Joe Beardon will lead our zoom on Tuesday June 3. Everyone is invited to join us every Tuesday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (“doors open” at 11 am; come early if you are new). If you don’t have the link, email Jewel at DemocracyOutLoud@gmail.com.
All indications are that we are headed into a very rough time, so we are all called to do what we can. Enough of us standing up for human decency in our own way according to our own capacity is immeasurably powerful. May we ground ourselves in all that is nourishing and gives us joy, and stay connected to the people who we love and trust. We can meet this moment and expand. Read more
Democracy Out Loud - 5/31/25
We must make noise in the Great Quieting
Today I want to talk about the “great quieting” that’s happening. Thank you, Mindy for the inspiration for this post. It was so evident as I was out of the country that many did not know that we were fighting. They don’t know because our mainstream media is not reporting what we are doing. They underreport how many attend our protests. I think it is most important to have MANY protests as they do not underreport the number of protests as much as they do how many attend each protest.
The great silencing is a vicious cycle. When something happens in normal times when only one outrageous thing happens a week or a month, we raise our voices to express our concerns. What is happening now, though, is that the regime is going after institutions. Many institutions are not actively obeying in advance, but they also are trying to draw attention to themselves. And this is how a bully is successful. They make threats against one, and it silences the rest. And when they are silent, they cannot easily band together. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/31/25
We are one unified voice, each taking staggered breaths
The beauty is that people are joining us every day and ready to take on the fight. Because our movement keeps growing, that allows others to take breaks. I see new people signing up for the mobilize links each day. It brings me so much joy when I see a name I do not recognize.
We all can feel indispensable and feel like we need to fight every single day. Trust me, I can feel that way as I am unable to do any real activism this week. We are not indispensable though given how many people are acting right now. Protests have been happening without me, which is so inspiring!! And this is a good thing for all of us to see. None of us needs to fight at all times without taking breaks. What is essential is that we all keep fighting to the best of our ability, knowing there are times when we cannot fight. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/30/25
How to fight feelings of hypernormalization
Today I want to talk about the parallel realities in which we are living. Thank you, Annie for sending me the article that inspired this post. I posted an article a few months ago about this. It can be so hard to live in a world where we see destruction of a democracy and still be expected to go about our daily lives doing normal things. Living in this kind of world has been called hypernormalization.
Hypernormalization is the dual process of living in a dysfunctional world and also a normal world at the same time. And we vacillate between watching unlawful illegal acts breaking down the three branches of government and then turning to think about what we’re going to make for dinner. This state can make us feel demoralized, anxious, and helpless.
What helps is to acknowledge that this is happening. Nobody is gaslighting you. The democracy really is being dismantled, and we can’t just scream about it all day long. We do need to still function in this world as we continue to fight what is happening. We need to keep our jobs. We need to keep raising our families or taking care of our parents. We need to continue being good friend and partners. If we don’t, our fight will not succeed. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/29/25
Let's invoke the 25th amendment
Today I want to talk about the 25th amendment, which says that Congress can remove a president is he (so far is always a he) is unfit for office. Last week the book was published about the cover-up of Joe Biden’s cognitive deficits. So much press about this book. But ironically, where is the press on the cognitive deficits we have been seeing among the not my president for years? Where are people’s voices on this? He still thought he was running against Joe Biden after Joe Biden said he was not running. His tweets on social media are incoherent rants. He still talks about Obama as somebody who should be brought up on charges of treason. He can’t really string two coherent thoughts together, so why aren’t people talking about his inability to sit as president. It’s because they’re all afraid of him. He’s an unpredictable and unreasonable person. He’s a mob boss who is silencing folks who say it like it is. Well some are not being quiet about it. Hubbell is talking about it. Reich is talking about it. And so is Jasmine Crockett. She recently talked about his Memorial Day rant and said it’s time for us to look at his cognitive ability. Thank you, Jasmine. We need more people to be saying this. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/28/25
Why we are lucky to have GOP Senators right now. (no, really)
We must ensure that Senate Republicans (like our two) don’t pass the House’s bill without major changes. Vulnerable senators are concerned about cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Others think the cuts should be even more ruthless, or are against increasing the deficit. Our calls let our Senators know where we stand.
We have a real shot at flipping four votes to stop reconciliation in the Senate outright, just like we did in 2017.
Even if a bill does squeak through the Senate, it’ll be significantly different from what the House just voted on. If that happens -- and if we keep relentless pressure on vulnerable Republicans -- the bill may never pass the House a second time.Getting it across the finish line in one chamber took a herculean effort. Passing it again, with two chambers involved and weeks of additional pressure, will be even harder.
Call our Republican senators; tell them to stop the cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other vital programs, and no increase to the deficit.
Thom Tillis: D.C. (202) 224-6342 Raleigh (919) 856-4630 Charlotte (704) 509-9087
Ted Budd: D.C. 202-224-3154 Raleigh 984-349-5061 Wilmington 910-218-7600 Read more
Durham Dems Action - 5/27/25
Health Care not Wealth Care
Great news! The narcissist cannot escape our criticism. Protesters gathered outside the not-my-president’s DC-area golf club last Thursday night, yelling “shame!” These folks were there for his corrupt meme coin party. Folks loudly booed many of the 220 “investors.”
Saturday, protestors let their voices be heard at the West Point graduation. The not-my-president was speaking (why in the world would they invite him given what Hegseth has already done to botch up our national security??). The protestors showed their support for the graduates while also holding up signs that focus on the real issues. “Defend Democracy,” “Beat Tyranny,” and “Beat Fascism.”
The not-my-president has no right to any respect. Protestors let it be known. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/27/25
Democracy Out Loud #434: Class war
It is difficult to take in the magnitude of the devastation that will happen if these budgets are passed. Federal cuts shift costs to the states, and our state budget continues a long trend of cutting public services for the sake of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. NC has cut public services by 1/3 since 1980 despite nearly 100% population growth. The current NC budget will bring corporate taxes to zero. Also, the federal budget contains a provision which automatically ends Medicaid expansion, which could kick 650,000 North Carolinians off their medical insurance.
Same thing with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which serves 40 million mostly women and children (1.4 million in NC); Congress wants to cut its funding by 30%, shifting costs to the states. The work requirement is bogus; it is just a sadistic way to kick people off the program. More than 3 million people will lose this assistance under the proposed federal bill. 80% of North Carolina’s SNAP households include someone who is working, and most of these households include children.
According to former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, After-Tax income under the GOP budget will cause people making less than $17,000 a year to LOSE $1000. People making between $17,000 and $51,000 a year will LOSE $700. People making over $4,300,000 a year will GAIN $389,000. Read more
Democracy Out Loud - 5/26/25
Strategies to combat a narcissistic leader
Today I want to write about how we defeat a narcissistic leader. Even though he has not been formally diagnosed, I think most of us who are psychologists can spot narcissistic personality disorder when we see it. And trust me, I see it! Who else would spend $45 million on a birthday parade for himself while at the same time talking about cutting costs and making the government more efficient. This juxtaposition of goals shows you the deep need he has for affirmation of his weak sense of self. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/26/25
Activism to inspire more activism
Here is some inspiration from Maren who texted me the other day. “FYI - I have been calling our senators pretty much every week (not every day like you!) and I have never called them before this year. I get a mix of staffers and voicemails. I usually call the Raleigh office lines. I appreciate the daily newsletter! I also have attended 2 protests so far this year and have never attended a protest before! I’m sure I am not the only activism newbie in this time.” Thank you Maren for stepping up for our democracy!!
I am seeing new names signing up for protests, phone banking, and marches. Love it when I both see members of our family who I know and members of our family who I have yet to meet. Our movement is growing, and it is fantastic!! Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/25/25
Strategies to topple a dictator
I forgot to mention the nationwide Defend and Recruit call I attended on Thursday night to take down Avelo Airlines. Avelo has already had 37 flights facilitating deportations. I learned that Avelo contracted with ICE under the Biden Administration. The difference is that under the Biden administration, people’s right to due process was honored. What Avelo is currently doing is immoral and dishonorable. The folks on the call gave us a shout out as they were thrilled to hear we already had 4 protests at RDU. So proactive! It was good to see Barbara on the call (she did double duty with me as she also was on the Down Home NC calls right before the call. Go Barbara!! Barbara also has signed up for many protests. She is on fire!!!). I was able to connect with Nikki from Siembra where we can talk about coordinating and possible next steps for disruption to take Avelo down or at a minimum make them rescind their contract. Thank you again Debbie for hosting the Nationwide Avelo Boycott on May 31 and to John for hosting our normal protest (isn’t it lovely to call a protest normal???) on Monday May 26 while I am out. We will win was the main message from the call! Yes we will! Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/24/25
Many drops of water make an ocean. We need a tsunami.
The budget passed by the House, now heading to the Senate, is the greatest upward transfer of wealth in American History. It cuts $500 billion from MEDICARE, $715 BILLION from MEDICAID, ripping healthcare away from millions. This budget also adds trillions to the national debt.
In the last post a poll asked if people thought calling our Senators makes a difference. 58% of respondents thought not or didn’t know.
THE ANSWER IS YES. CALLS MAKE A DIFFERENCE. RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY TO OUR GOP SENATORS, WHO HOLD THE KEY TO TEMPERING THIS CRUEL AND HORRIFIC BUDGET. Call and leave a message at night. Call during the day if you can. They count the calls, really. So call every day if you can. Many drops of water make an ocean and we need a tsunami. Also, silence is complicity. Read more
Durham Dems Action - 5/23/25
We must defend the courts
One of the things I loved about the phone banking with Down Home NC was that we were still encouraging folks to call Representative Murphy to say that they were disappointed that he voted for the House Bill that cut Medicaid (last week we were asking folks to call him to say not to cut Medicaid). This reminds me that I need to contact my Representative and thank her for voting against the bill. I must remember to thank her when she represents me well. And I’m thrilled to say that I got five people to make calls to Rep. Murphy. One caller said when I said Rep. Murphy was a physician and still voted to cut Medicaid, “He should know better.” Yes, he should as should all of the Republicans who voted for that big bad bill. I also was able to encourage three people to download 5Calls as I try to encourage them to do more when I can see they want to be engaged. And four of the five people had never contacted their elected official before. I love building activism muscles. It’s so thrilling!! Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/23/25
What happens to those who follow a Machiavellian Leader
I reached a human in Tillis‘s office again, which is the fourth time in about a week. I asked the staffer if they had more people working because it confused me that all of a sudden after four months of not reaching a human, I’m reaching a human more often. She said that she thinks that the calls have decreased. I just want to reiterate we cannot slow down. It may feel like “Oh I’ve been calling for four months. I’m going to stop calling.” We have to keep calling. We have to let them know that we are not ok. We’re still here. The sleeping giant can’t take a nap, no matter how tempting it is. I know it can feel tedious to call every day. Please continue to call as our democracy is being attacked every day. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/22/25
We must be the beacon of the Right
Bernie, one of the new folks asked if these protests are making a difference. I told her I thought they were for several reasons. First, as you all know, the main mission of Engaged Durhamites for Democracy is to grow this movement. Yes, we care about who is elected and that will be our focus in the future. What we are trying to do right now is to make sure we have elections in the future. And the more people who drive by and see us there Tuesday after Tuesday matters because they know we’re not OK, and we’re not going away. They also feel braver to join us, which is evidenced by the new people who are joining each week! Also, it is clear that this is a movement; this is not just a thing we’re doing a few times. So, are these protests making a difference? I answer resoundingly, Yes! They are because we are showing folks that we care, we are concerned, and we will continue to fight. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/21/25
Connecting the dots on the cruelty
Why would they cut FEMA who helps people who affected by natural disasters? Why are they cutting research on climate change? Why are they cutting CDC scientists who track disease? Why are they trying to cut SNAP, Medicaid, and Social Security? Yes, it’s definitely about the tax cuts for the rich, but that’s not all it is. Why are they cutting VA benefits?
I think much of this points to a different way of eliminating much of the population who they deem to be unworthy. That is the old, the poor, the disabled, and the children of the poor. They expect the states to pay for this, knowing full well they cannot. The regime denied aid to Western North Carolina. You would think that would have everyone up in arms as many people were affected by Hurricane Helene, not just the hippies in Asheville. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/20/25
Staying calm in the storm.
Are we tired of calling yet? I know I am. Some days it feels like I just can’t face it. Some days I do skip my calls, I forget or just need a break. Or, I call and leave a message, making sure to call DC where I am less likely to speak to a person.
Then, I remember this: Republicans passed this bill taking healthcare away from millions out of committee in the House, moving it forward. Heather Cox Richardson has a good write up, as usual. Also, “In The Bulwark today, Jonathan Cohn noted that Republicans are in a tearing hurry to push that Big, Beautiful Bill through Congress before most of us can get a handle on what’s in it.” That’s why we need to call as much as we can, to show them we are watching. Read more
Durham Dems Action - 5/19/25
Need to rouse the sleeping giant
Today, I want to talk about the only thing that will truly stop this regime. Our elected officials are not doing enough. Some Democrats are screaming from the rafters. Others are quiet. All but a few Republicans are complicit in the takeover of our country. Most Judges, including our US Supreme Court Justices, are upholding the Constitution, yet the regime is not listening. The not-my-president recently posted “THE SUPREME COURT WON’T ALLOW US TO GET CRIMINALS OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!” in response to the 7-2 ruling that the regime cannot enact the Alien Enemies Act to illegally deport people without due process. We will see what happens next as he does not want to listen to the judges. So the judges are attempting to do their job, yet the regime marches on. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/19/25
5/18 Meeting Notes & Updates
It was so great to have Senator Chitlik at our meeting today. She brings new ideas and fresh ideas as a first term senator, and has a belief that we can accomplish something. As a senator from a safe blue district, she can often speak up in ways others cannot. She is one of only two Democrats to introduce and pass an amendment on a bill! She introduced herself, and reminded us that she is the only state senator with a child in currently in childcare. Childcare is her number one priority, and she reminded us that there are 15 people waiting for every seat, and that folks are dropping out of the workforce because they cannot get childcare. It’s a huge issue that needs to be addressed. Read more
Bull City Indivisible - 5/18/25
Democracy Out Loud #433: Keep calm and carry on
This week in the maelstrom of overwhelming and worrisome news, two things above all demand our attention: 1) the unconstitutional terrorizing and deportation of undocumented people and 2) the state and federal budget proposals. Join us on Wednesday May 21 from 10 am to 12:45 pm at the General Assembly for an Immigrants Rights Day of Action sponsored by groups which have been advocating for the immigrant community for years. Sign up at this link. Call on Governor Stein to veto anti-immigrant legislation that was passed by the NC General Assembly. Use this tool to tell your own legislators to vote no on legislation still to be passed. And, get your organization to sign this letter to Governor Stein asking him to veto this legislation. Read more
Democracy Out Loud - 5/18/25
ED4D Brainstorming ideas to grow our movement: We need your help to sign up please!
ED4D is becoming a real force (I did not have any idea what I was doing when I started emailing my friends after the election. I could not be happier!). I love what Bruce emailed me after the meeting. He used to be in the military. He said, soldiers do not fight for the flag; they fight for each other. The connections we have made in ED4D, Democracy Out Loud! Durham Dems, and Bully City Indivisible has increased our conviction to fight for our democracy because we have each other by our side, and now we care about each other. Such an astute observation Bruce! Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/18/25
The four pillars of our US democracy cannot be broken
Another great protest at Tesla! We have been at it for 3 months! Wow! Thanks, Laura for putting this on Reddit! So great to meet new people. Fabian joined for the first time. Sadly, he lost his job and looked up what to do when you are feeling down about what is happening. The answer he found was “Attend a protest!” So he found us, and was part of the IMPEACH TRUMP human sign. Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/17/25
United States of American, not United Corporations of America
Good morning Engaged Durhamites for Democracy and Happy Friday!
Great news from Harvard again! They will spend their own money, $250 million, to help researches whose grants have been cut. University President Alan Garber said: “We understand the uncertainty that these times have brought and the burden our community faces … We are here to support you.” Yes Harvard good for you not backing down against the bully!! Read more
Engaged Durhamites for Democracy - 5/16/25
Sunday meeting reminder & special guest
Our next meeting is on May 18th, at 3 PM. Our Durham State Senator Sophia Chitlik will be coming to talk with us - it’s going to be fantastic. This will mark about 6 months since our first meeting — cheers to everyone who’s joined, whether it’s once, every two weeks, you’re still hoping to make it someday but following along, and everything in between. Read more
Bull City Indivisible - 5/16/25
Fair Maps and re-electing Justice Earls: a road map. Also the Project 2025 budget guts Medicaid, SNAP and so much more-our calls for this week
Your first assignment is to share these talking points widely, with friends, neighbors and on social media. You can also use this as your script for calls this week. On Monday, Republicans released a spending bill that would: Cut $715 billion from Medicaid. Take away health coverage from 8 million Americans. To pay for billionaire tax cuts that will cost $5 trillion. MAKE YOUR CALLS: Everyone on the Hill in both parties need to hear from us all week. Our anger, our sense of betrayal needs to become a very loud roar today and in the days to come until this terrible bill is defeated. Read more
Durham Dems Action - 5/15/25
Democracy Out Loud #432: Courage
Resisting the immoral (actually evil) budgets proposed by the White House, by Congressional Republicans, and by Republicans in North Carolina is one of the most important things we can do now. (See much more about the budget at the very end of this newsletter.) Check out “Why Should Another Child Go Hungry? The Moral Stakes of the Budget Debate” and Rev. Barber’s important short conversation with John Stewart about the book White Poverty at this link. This book is the subject of our book discussion on zoom in the beginning of June. Read more
Democracy Out Loud - 5/11/25