Grab Bag Post

Hey, gentle readers! I’ve got a big post coming up about sanctuary cities, but there’s so much going on this week that I thought I’d put together a “grab bag post” about Maryland and the new administration in the White House.

First: I’ve gotten some questions on swing districts. If you’d like to know about the closest swing district near you and how you can get involved in making it blue, check out this nifty website. It’s designed to get wonderful activists like you involved in taking back the house. As elections get closer, there will probably be some carpooling groups that I’ll share.

Stay Woke has designed an official resistance manual. It’s comprehensive and a good jumping off point for anyone who wants to learn more about standing up to fascists. It’s been endorsed by Deray McKesson.

Check out here. It’s got a list of all the legislation that the 115th Congress has introduced. Some of it looks fine--I’d love some Muhammad Ali coins myself. However, some bills, like H.R.586, which seeks to establish that life begins at the moment the sperm and egg collide in the woman’s uterus, are big red flags. Make a list of bills to keep an eye on.

The protesting crackdown is happening, and it is terrifying. While this isn’t in Maryland, it fits a larger pattern, and poses a threat to resistance movements across the country. Support social justice groups that are blocking this bill, call the ACLU and make sure they’re ready to take it on and watch your local legislature.  This ties directly into the next news item.

The Dakota Access Pipeline is back. Donald’s new administration wants to push it through. Since the building of the pipeline was stopped in early December, we’ve seen multiple oil spills from similar pipelines and it is highly likely that the pipeline builders are going to once again take aggressive tactics against the Standing Rock protesters. The bills mentioned above further suggest this. Here are some links you can use to support the resistance in South Dakota. Listen to the people there. Donate. Remember, online petitions have maybe 1% impact.

Finally, an answer to this week’s burning question--Is it okay to punch nazis?

Yes. Whenever possible.