I’ve attended protests, registered voters, worked the food bank with “Indivisible,” a nationwide group. Our Athens area organization disbanded. I don’t know what to do now… I would like to go to a big rally somewhere. I remember being at the “fight for our lives” march in Washington, DC. That felt really empowering.
Well Mark, I too attended a town hall recently in NYC. It was a rather quiet affair, with a congressman, a state senator, and a former policymaker from the Obama era. But once people were permitted to ask questions live, the place got a bit raucous. Congressman Nadler seemed to not understand the crowd's frustration with the Democrats. The optics are not good. He doesn't walk well, shuffles. I think people are crying out for people who know how to lead and are younger and more energetic. Like AOC and Bernie (who is young at heart.).
First, let me say that is a sweet way to talk about Bernie.
I'm a fan of AOC's policies (and Bernie's) though some or more realistic than others.
I have seen crowds show intensity -- that was when I attended a few meetings in NW Philly. A remember a concern (circa 2009ish) was the controversial Save-a-Lot had been built (instead of a better grocery chain) and people wanted name brand products. That wasn't the only issue raised... it does say something about Class and privilege, The Circle of Control...
I have not been to any town hall meetings but I have attended two 50501 protests with my husband. They are well organized and absolutely no violence is tolerated. We find that helpful for us to be heard.
It does feel good in a way that is hard to place... There is something about the face-to-face contact, just being in the presence of your Representatives, that feels meaningful.
I go to the weekly Tesla Takedown protests in Long Beach, where the youngest attendees appear to be in their 40s. The big march in Los Angeles a few weeks ago was mostly peopled by people aged 40+, with senior citizens making up the greater part of that number. We need young people to lead other young people into the movement. I fear many are checked out and too addicted to Tic Tok to really understand what's going on. Indivisible is doing voter registration at local colleges, but we really need more young people to participate in that as well. Who can wake them up? We had a band at a recent Tesla Takedown, and I noticed a few young people slowing down to see what was going on. I think music would help at these things.
Interesting observation. I'm a boomer and my husband and I attended a rally nearby to us in Massachusetts on Patriot's weekend. We both noticed that most of the attendees were boomers. I know Saturday's are filled-up with sporting events (soccer, baseball, etc) for parents of kids and so I assumed that only boomers had the time or were around. It was also the first weekend of school vacation, so it's possible that many younger parents might be away.
I'd be curious to know when the town hall was held. I have a few acquaintances who are able to attend rallies, protests, and town halls. They are only able to go because they only work part-time or primarily do theater/performing contracts. The union I'm part of has done several rallies recently. I was able to go because I sing with the president of the union and he was able to get our rehearsal schedule adjusted to accommodate the rally. Granted, I'm in NYC, but I don't have any friends here who are able to be involved as much as they want because they simply do not free time. I try to stay engaged online. I appreciate when events are livestreamed. With the people in my orbit, it's not about lack of interest as much as choosing between a smaller paycheck and being physically present for an event. It sucks. I'm hoping I can be more engaged this summer when two of my jobs are on hiatus. Side note, highly recommend following the Alt National Park Service fb group if you aren't already.
This town hall was in the evening so it definitely would have been feasible for people to attend after work (and dinner).
I have heard that these types of events after often during the day.
Grind culture is definitely a way to keep people so busy that they don't have time for this as discussed in Tricia Hersey's 'Rest is Resistance'.
And, yes, hard for those in the "rush hour of life" (often referred to as 30s and 40s) to find time. This gets talked about in terms of "established adulthood" (and related terminology) and the sandwich effect that many experience of getting hit from both sides by having responsibilities for aging parents as well as young children.
I'll have to check out the Alt National Park Service group :)
I’ve attended protests, registered voters, worked the food bank with “Indivisible,” a nationwide group. Our Athens area organization disbanded. I don’t know what to do now… I would like to go to a big rally somewhere. I remember being at the “fight for our lives” march in Washington, DC. That felt really empowering.
Well Mark, I too attended a town hall recently in NYC. It was a rather quiet affair, with a congressman, a state senator, and a former policymaker from the Obama era. But once people were permitted to ask questions live, the place got a bit raucous. Congressman Nadler seemed to not understand the crowd's frustration with the Democrats. The optics are not good. He doesn't walk well, shuffles. I think people are crying out for people who know how to lead and are younger and more energetic. Like AOC and Bernie (who is young at heart.).
First, let me say that is a sweet way to talk about Bernie.
I'm a fan of AOC's policies (and Bernie's) though some or more realistic than others.
I have seen crowds show intensity -- that was when I attended a few meetings in NW Philly. A remember a concern (circa 2009ish) was the controversial Save-a-Lot had been built (instead of a better grocery chain) and people wanted name brand products. That wasn't the only issue raised... it does say something about Class and privilege, The Circle of Control...
I have not been to any town hall meetings but I have attended two 50501 protests with my husband. They are well organized and absolutely no violence is tolerated. We find that helpful for us to be heard.
If I still lived in the States, I'd love to attend a town hall.
It does feel good in a way that is hard to place... There is something about the face-to-face contact, just being in the presence of your Representatives, that feels meaningful.
I go to the weekly Tesla Takedown protests in Long Beach, where the youngest attendees appear to be in their 40s. The big march in Los Angeles a few weeks ago was mostly peopled by people aged 40+, with senior citizens making up the greater part of that number. We need young people to lead other young people into the movement. I fear many are checked out and too addicted to Tic Tok to really understand what's going on. Indivisible is doing voter registration at local colleges, but we really need more young people to participate in that as well. Who can wake them up? We had a band at a recent Tesla Takedown, and I noticed a few young people slowing down to see what was going on. I think music would help at these things.
Interesting observation. I'm a boomer and my husband and I attended a rally nearby to us in Massachusetts on Patriot's weekend. We both noticed that most of the attendees were boomers. I know Saturday's are filled-up with sporting events (soccer, baseball, etc) for parents of kids and so I assumed that only boomers had the time or were around. It was also the first weekend of school vacation, so it's possible that many younger parents might be away.
I'd be curious to know when the town hall was held. I have a few acquaintances who are able to attend rallies, protests, and town halls. They are only able to go because they only work part-time or primarily do theater/performing contracts. The union I'm part of has done several rallies recently. I was able to go because I sing with the president of the union and he was able to get our rehearsal schedule adjusted to accommodate the rally. Granted, I'm in NYC, but I don't have any friends here who are able to be involved as much as they want because they simply do not free time. I try to stay engaged online. I appreciate when events are livestreamed. With the people in my orbit, it's not about lack of interest as much as choosing between a smaller paycheck and being physically present for an event. It sucks. I'm hoping I can be more engaged this summer when two of my jobs are on hiatus. Side note, highly recommend following the Alt National Park Service fb group if you aren't already.
This town hall was in the evening so it definitely would have been feasible for people to attend after work (and dinner).
I have heard that these types of events after often during the day.
Grind culture is definitely a way to keep people so busy that they don't have time for this as discussed in Tricia Hersey's 'Rest is Resistance'.
And, yes, hard for those in the "rush hour of life" (often referred to as 30s and 40s) to find time. This gets talked about in terms of "established adulthood" (and related terminology) and the sandwich effect that many experience of getting hit from both sides by having responsibilities for aging parents as well as young children.
I'll have to check out the Alt National Park Service group :)
I’ve noted the same thing. The young people just aren’t there. Even the protests are mostly older people.