So this is what life is going to be like for the next four years, huh?

There are reasons to keep going forward. There is hope.
It's hard to keep believing that. Today, every single time my phone buzzed, I flinched in terror, knowing there was another story about Donald. He reinstated the global gag rule for women seeking healthcare. He's trying to build the wall. He wants to declare martial law in Chicago. He's attacking sanctuary cities. He wants to build the Dakota Access Pipeline.
I'm terrified. I see fear everywhere too--on my Facebook feed, on my Twitter timeline, in the eyes of my loved ones, in the eyes of strangers on the street.
And Democrats in Congress are shaken. Only Senator Gilibrand voted against all of Donald's Cabinet picks. Senator Sanders (he's not a Democrat, but he's a progressive so I'm including him) praised Donald's executive action ending the TPP. Divisions between the left and moderate wing of the party are growing.
Resistance to Donald is crucial and it falls in the hands of us, the power behind the Democratic Party, to fight back, in every possible way. But you all knew that.
I've got some more websites for you, gentle readers. Please take care of yourself too. Have a cookie, pet a dog, let yourself cry--this isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.
Both of these websites offer information on resistance and getting in touch with your elected officials. Make sure to bookmark them.
Indivisible Guide
5 Calls

Resist.

A Rally to stop the Repeal

This Sunday, my family and I attended a rally for healthcare at Bowie State University.

Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen 

Democratic Whip and District 5 representative Steny Hoyer

Anthony Brown, representative for Maryland's 4th district (apologies for the horrible lighting.) 

It was an amazing event. Maryland’s elected congressmen, senators, county officials and citizens called for protection of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Being there felt like breaking out of the cycle of fear and isolation that has defined existence as an American with a conscience since November 8th. I took some notes on how to protect the ACA at the rally, and I’m going to share them with anyone who wasn’t able to make it.

First off, if you want to sign up for healthcare: marylandhealthconnection.gov can help you find good health insurance at an affordable price. They have financial help for people who might need it. Enrollment deadlines are soon, so make sure to have a look at it today if you need insurance.

Currently, the voting on repealing the ACA is split down party lines in a 48-51. If three senators cross party lines, then they can block the repeal. The rally workers handed out lists of people to lobby. If you know someone in these states, encourage them to contact their senator and tell them they will be held accountable at the ballot box if they take away 22 million people’s healthcare.

Marylanders can also call Governor Hogan and tell him to defend the ACA. Yes, Hogan is a Republican, but he’s also a supposed moderate, and other “moderates” have condemned the planned repeal. Ohio governor John Kasich is a great example.

Remember, it’s better to call or handwrite your officials.

http://governor.maryland.gov/contact-the-governors-office/

    There are going to be more rallies and protests as the year goes on. Keep in touch with your local officials--follow them on Twitter and Facebook and check in on what they're doing. A good page to follow is Together We Will--Maryland, which can keep you updated on what's going on in our state. Remember, we can fight back. And as long as we can, we must.

Inaguration Day

Well, it’s here.

Inauguration month.

Charles M. Blow has published a truly great article about what to do on the day that the winner of the electoral college gets sworn into office, which I’ve linked to here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/opinion/the-anti-inauguration.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

I thought I’d add some more detail to his ideas for people in the Maryland area who want to join the anti inauguration.

Places To Volunteer In Maryland

VolunteerMatch

http://www.volunteermatch.org/search?l=MD

This organization can get you in touch with different places around the state where you can help out. You can adjust, depending on what you’d like to do. You can pick up trash in the park, help young people with learning the alphabet, or serve food at a soup kitchen.

Maryland Food Bank

https://mdfoodbank.org/volunteer/

This food bank organization has several offices around Maryland. It’s necessary to fill out some forms and attend a brief orientation before you go, but it can connect you with several places where you can help others.

Donation Town

http://donationtown.org/maryland-donation-pickup/

This is a directory that will tell you places where you can donate clothing and furniture in Maryland.

Donations for Vets

http://www.clothingdonations.org/schedule-a-pick-up-by-state/donate-clothes-in-maryland/

This organization doesn't serve every county in Maryland, but it’s a great way to help veterans and you can both drop donations off and schedule a pickup

Purple Heart Pickup

http://www.purpleheartpickup.org/

This is another organization that helps veterans who were injured and earned a Purple Heart medal. They will pick up your donations.

Donating

LoyalOpp has made a list of organizations around the country that plan to take on Donald’s administration and I plan to expand it further in the upcoming weeks. If you have any ideas for places that could use donations, just suggest them in the comments section and I’ll add them to the masterlist.

Representatives:

If you’d like to spend the day contacting your representatives, remember that phone calls and handwritten letters are the best way to do it. I’ve compiled the contact info for our reps here, in case you want to spend Hell Day reaching out to the people who work for you.

Congress

• District 1: Andrew P. Harris
• https://harris.house.gov/contact-me
• District 2: Dutch Ruppersberger
• https://ruppersberger.house.gov/contact-dutch
• District 3: John Sarbanes
• https://sarbanes.house.gov/
• District 4: Anthony Brown
• https://anthonybrown.house.gov/contact
• District 5: Steny Hoyer
• https://hoyer.house.gov/contact-info/
• Hoyer is also the Democratic Whip--here’s how you contact him that way
• https://www.democraticwhip.gov/content/email-whip
• District 6: John Delaney
• https://delaney.house.gov/contact
• District 7: Elijah Cummings
• https://cummings.house.gov/contact
• District 8: Jamie Raskin
• https://raskin.house.gov/contact

Senate

• Chris Van Hollen
• Phone: 202-224-4654
• Email: info@vanhollen.org
• Office: 10605 Concord Street, Suite 202, Kensington, MD 20895 USA
• Ben Cardin
• https://www.cardin.senate.gov/contact/

Staying safe:

If you’re going to one of the many rallies and protests happening around the area, good on you. Here are some links on protest safety and preparation.

https://right-to-protest.org/protect-your-protest/

This is mostly a general overview of how to prepare for a protest, defend your rights, and stay safe.

http://www.paperrevolution.org/street-medic-guide/

This is a more detailed guide on how to provide medical aid to your fellow protesters and yourself, along with information on how to handle getting arrested

If you witness police violence or other forms of civil rights violations, here is a link to the Maryland chapter of the ACLU’s complaint line.

http://www.aclu-md.org/help

Resist. Don't give in to despair, and don't let this become normal.