The more than 1,300 Hands Off events on April 5 that occurred in every state and around the world were awe-inspiring and inspirational. CNN reports that millions of people turned out in cities and rural areas, red communities and blue. We all stood shoulder-to-shoulder to send a message to Trump, Musk and the Republican Party. In one voice, we told the forces harming our communities – by firing government workers, cancelling vital programs, and discriminating against our neighbors – Hands Off! We won’t stand down while they destroy the nation we love.
People came home from those events feeling embraced by the vast community of allies, but now that invigorating day has passed many are left wondering what to do next to make a positive change and fight back against Trump and his pro-billionaire agenda.
Here in Bucks County we have a diverse community of activist groups. And we, the leaders of some of the groups involved in planning and supporting the regional Hands Off events, have a suggestion for folks who are looking to turn activism into action. We want you to consider volunteering with your municipal Democratic group.
Grassroots activist groups and municipal parties perform different activities. Both share a similar goal – supporting leaders who represent our values. We simply move in parallel lanes to achieve this.
Municipal political party organizations have three central activities: Registering voters, recruiting candidates, and supporting those candidates by getting the voters they registered to turn out at the polls. Local party organizations often perform other tasks such as food drives, fundraising, and civic outreach. We believe the Democratic Party is the most viable path to reform, and they deserve our support.
We in the grassroots advocacy world, such as Indivisible, have a different slate of activities to perform. We’re often more issue focused, preparing calls to action, and arranging for protests or rallies related to individual pieces of legislation and highlighting important topics and needs of specific communities. We also organize events where candidates and lawmakers can take center stage, giving them the opportunity to get press or make statements. We have a bit more freedom with our messaging, and we can be more experimental and even light-hearted in our activities. But we have nothing to work with if the municipal political organizations, which for us are the Democratic groups, aren’t healthy and thriving.
We all need more help: many hands make light work and in this second Trump administration we’re seeing a flood of people who want to get involved, something that brings joy to our hearts. We want to share the love with the community of Democratic Party organizations who provide the bedrock for the work that we do.
PHOTO ESSAY: ‘Hands Off’ Quakertown Rally Draws 1,000 Protesters
We’ve all seen or heard people griping in these first months of the second Trump presidency that “Dems aren’t doing enough” or “why aren’t they fighting harder?” or “I can’t believe they are not taking action.” The feelings of frustration that many of us hold are valid, though sometimes there’s a misunderstanding of what is within the realm of the possible in the current environment.
Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. The gripes and questions directed to an amorphous “they” of Democrats need to be replaced with “we.” If you want Democrats to take certain actions, then you need to get involved in your community Democratic Party organizations. And there is no better way to cultivate candidates who reflect and support your values than to be in the room where candidates are getting recruited, and that’s your local Democratic club.
This is hard but rewarding work. It may not be glamorous, but it’s always interesting. We hope you will consider putting your efforts toward helping the groups who register voters and find the candidates who will be the next generation of our leaders.
Because no one is saving us but us!
Indivisible Bucks County
Karen Rodriguez, Laura Rose, and Kierstyn Zolfo
https://www.facebook.com/indivisiblebuckscounty
We Stand Indivisible
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1141976605900128
Yardley Indivisible
Sharon and James Moon, Barbara Lesaint, Jen Bigioni, Kelly and Phil Shepherd, and Nancy Striniste
https://www.facebook.com/groups/yardleyindivisible
