What can you do to be part of changing this country for the better? Something. Are there ways to get involved near me?
Written by: Shareen Uploaded by: Ray
Everyone can do something. I have never been a protest person, but I’ve been doing it for almost a year now with my dogs. They carry old campaign signs made on sandwich boards, such as “Due Process,” “Rule of Law,” “No Kings,” and “Dogs Against fascism.” (It was Dogs Against DOGE for a long time.) And they get a lot of attention and pictures, which people spread around, which is the point. People pay attention, and it inspires them to do something. And the dogs love it.
Showing Up In-Person
The local Indivisible chapter pages are a good place to get local events including the two weekly protests on Wednesday and Friday that have been going on in Castro Valley for almost a year, the bigger national protests that are usually in Hayward kitty corner to the library on Saturdays, the weekly protests at the Hayward farmer’s market in front of city hall, and the weekly Saturday signs over the 580 freeway in Castro Valley. 50501, No Kings, and Mobilize are also good places to go to find protests and find out what you can do. Simply asking “Are there ways to get involved near me?” is a good sign.
Making Calls
5 Calls gives you everything you need to call members of Congress every day as much as you want. This is one of the most effective ways to impact them, per the congress members themselves and their staffers. Overwhelming the switchboards makes a difference. And I do not need to call my congress members because they are decent people. There is no reason why you can’t call anyone you want, because they are all supposed to work for the people.
Taking the First Step
Everyone has things they are good at. Social media is not my thing, but I’m sure many out there are great at it. What people can you engage? How? Are you part of Anonymous? Step up and get it out there. Be part of the numerous things going on right now to prepare for elections, make them happen, make them safer, ensure transparency, get good candidates in all seats, get issues out there, and educate people, get involved in local elections and candidates, especially for the “lesser” offices people often don’t pay attention to.
Ways to Get Involved Near Me
I keep getting texts asking if I will run for office, which I do not want to do. But I have been involved in really helping to make sure some local candidates got elected, doing work behind the scenes. These are the elections where the win may be only a percent or two, or just tens of points. And from being involved in these and seeing what a mess the right-wing candidates made when they got elected with their hate and lies, I know how important it is. Do what you can, as much as you can, in your own way. We all have our own focus and our own way of doing it, which is a good thing.