AFSC
With the August congressional recess upon us, elected officials have been back in their districts. This is a great time to engage your members of Congress in person to let them know what matters to you.
In July, AFSC’s Protect, Resist and Rebuild webinar offered tips and tools on how to do that. We shared concrete skills like “bird-dogging.” We also got updates on how communities showed up for our July 4th Declaration of Resistance actions across the country.
Barbara Gunn-Lartey, AFSC St. Louis Peacebuilding Program Director, moderated the webinar. Below are some of her comments and remarks from the chat:
We have a question we’d like you to consider that will frame this discussion tonight. Let me warn you – you’re in for a treat. This panel, this experience tonight that has been curated for us, and it’s something that’s galactical. I’m excited about it.
If you were in a store, on the train, walking down the street, if you were to see your elected official, someone you voted for, supported or door-knocked for, what question would you consider asking that person that might inspire them to immediately act?
In full disclosure, I’m from St. Louis, and I’m struggling with that question.
From the chat:
Norm says, “Do you want to be reelected?” Mic drop! Oh, yes!
Murial asks, “Did you get our petition with 10,000 signatures?”
Faith asks, “How can I help you reach a goal we hold in common?”
Y’all are poppin’ tonight!
Olivia writes, “My daughter is about to enter her senior year of high school, and I worry, how can we pay for college? What will you do to help reduce student debt?”
Joan asks, “What are you doing for the immigrants in our community? We need them and we love them.”
John asks, “if this country is on fire, what can you do to make a difference? How can we put out this fire? Especially when it’s started by arson.”
Mary asks, “Why don’t you care about the health of Lake Michigan and the neighbors surrounding the new data center?”
Lauralee asks, “Are you doing the work you will be proud of in 10 years?” Oooh! Thank you for that.
Nina asks, “How do you want your grandchildren to remember you?” What I appreciate about that is the personalization. Everyone’s not compassionate and fullhearted. But how do you want your grandchildren to remember you?
Another asks, “Are you concerned about what’s going on in [you name the detention center]? Are you concerned? Are you not concerned?”
Norm asks, “Do you want your grandchildren to face extinction?” OK, Norm, I’m feeling like I want to give you the mic to lead this experience tonight.
Other questions included: “How do you rationalize the cost of war when we cannot feed our poor?” “What value do you hold dear while serving your constituents?”
These are all exceptional questions that should get the attention of someone who cares.
Laura Boyce, AFSC Associate General Secretary for US Programs, takes part in the Declaration of Resistance march in Philadelphia on July 4. AFSC
Declaration of Resistance events on July 4
We want to acknowledge the Declaration of Resistance that was held on July 4. Here’s the pledge – it’s not too late to sign!
Imagine a truly sweltering day. Not just warm. It was hot as Hades. And look at the number of people who showed up in Philly and across the country to declare that we stand together. We stand in unity to resist authoritarianism.
Imagine, it was interfaith, intergenerational, diverse – it was all those things. This was envisioned by AFSC.
One of the things that strikes me about this as we’re in community tonight – as AFSC was the visionary for this experience, it worked in partnership with communities and others throughout the country. AFSC didn’t say, “Look at us, we did this.”
It said, “Look at us, we collectively can do this – and did!” As the kids say today.
Just look, from the cradle on up, we stood and declared that we will stand against authoritarianism. The issues ran from voting rights to detention centers, all things equity, to center peace.
Youth from New Jersey join the AFSC-led Declaration of Resistance march in Philly on July 4. Daneil Lakemacher
For me, photos like these are very moving. We often think we need some flashy billboard. No, take a marker, sheet and board. Look at this! Standing together.
That’s what this moment was. This is how we chose to honor 250 years. We declare: There will not be more tyranny. Tonight, bird-dogging will equip us not with a theory of what could happen, but with tools that have been proven time and time again to resist authoritarianism.
[Barbara introduced AFSC staff Rick Wilson and Lida Shepard, along with AFSC alum Olivia Zink who presented on bird-dogging. Please click here to watch the full webinar.]
Concluding thoughts
We hope you’ll leave not only with a new organizing tool in bird-dogging, but also the confidence to use it.
I appreciate the bird-dog roleplay so we can get some practice. Bird-dogging reminds us that democracy is not a spectator sport. You can be as young as nine. It requires ordinary people to ask intentional and thoughtful questions, to stay engaged and hold those in power accountable. We know that bird-dogging is one way we strengthen democracy.
Please be in touch if you have a local group that would want to learn more about bird-dogging.
And also sign the Declaration of Resistance. This is another form of standing against authoritarianism. Also please consider supporting the work of AFSC. It takes seconds – click on it and it will be done. The numbers of pledge signers are impressive since this has gone live. All kinds of people are saying yes, we stand against authoritarianism.
Protect Resist and Build will exhale for the month of August. Enjoy the brief pause.
We’ll be back on Tuesday, September 15 with another opportunity to connect, learn and grow as we prepare for this election season. Register here.
As I mentioned, bird-dogging is a strategy for movements. Joy in music is another way to sustain us. So with that, thank you for being here! Let’s vibe as we rock out! [Cue the music!]