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As we approach the mid-term elections, voter suppression vies with voter registration for our attention. Our special guest this month, Barbara Graves-Poller, will talk about coalition-building in an age of algorithm-driven fragmentation.
Barbara Graves-Poller is an attorney and voting rights advocate who has remained actively engaged in voter protection work since 2008 and helped litigate to protect early voting access here in Ulster County. She wears many hats in our community: Chair of Ulster County Democratic Committee, Corporation Counsel for the City of Kingston, member of the Ellenville Chapter of the NAACP, and mother to a New Paltz High School student.
About Solidarity Civics
At this time, the work of weaving together solidarity in our local community is more important than ever. It is hard to overstate the sense of a federal government in crisis, with crippling consequences and a profound impact on all levels of our country’s ability to provide a stable, safe, equitable ground on which we can all stand. We must face the reality of what’s happening and support each other to remain grounded, secure, and active.
In this monthly forum, we:
- Learn about, share, and process what is happening at the national level and how our local communities are impacted
- Have a chance to hear from each other, voicing our feelings and insights in a facilitated circle
- Engage and share opportunities to move towards Good Work and solidarity
“Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.”
– On TyraNny, Timothy Snyder
Why did we start these gatherings? We believe that it is more imperative than ever that we emerge from our individual attempts at staying grounded (as important as they are) and join forces. Our purpose is to hold space, for us to strengthen our understanding of what is happening and cultivate a collective sense of focus and action.
We are joining the chorus of voices calling for local, regional, and state-wide networks to rise up to fill the gaps, to resist a narrative of helplessness, and to promote instead a tangible alternative to the chaos. We want to support and encourage a community response – with deep democracy at its core – exercising our ability to work collaboratively together, to make decisions through a lens of wisdom and care, and move into action. We will not be obeying in advance.
Yes, Project 2025 is in full effect. The result is a bewildering sense of chaos. We know the damage being done is real and lasting. The suspension of funding, jobs, and programs across the federal government have put immigrant rights, abortion rights, LGBTQIA+ rights at risk and have started the project of rescinding commitments to social equity, racial justice, free speech, and environmental repair. Headed by an autocrat, a surveillance state that claims to be acting for efficiency’s sake is on the move.
What can we do? Let’s come together to process and respond to the real and lasting damage that is the result of this aggressive and regressive regime. Join us to build grassroots power and community-led mutual support to ensure we stand in resistance and in solidarity.
Resources
Take a look at the resources below to ground you in the specifics of the implications of Project 2025, if you want to. But there is no homework here. You can also just come, to stand in a circle with all of us, as we process this moment and replenish our selves and minds for the work ahead.
This event is free. We welcome donations to help provide discounts and scholarships for other Good Work Institute programs and events like these.