Taking action… even when you’re scared

By Tina Tyler

In our February newsletter, Ellen Menshew, Clallam County Democrats Chairperson, writes, “Now more than ever, we are all being called to action … history reminds us that real change begins when people choose to speak up and act.” 
 
For many of us who historically have not been politically active, choosing to “speak up and act” may seem a daunting task. Yet there is so much outrageousness being perpetrated by the Trump Administration, there is bound to be a moment for each person that triggers a desire to act, and causes them to think, ‘but what can I do?’

Why should you do anything? Because the time for remaining neutral is past. Only overwhelming pushback in a variety of ways will help turn the tide. If people sit it out, they are helping the opposition. 
Nationally, various media outlets are reporting that massive pushback is starting to have an effect; through protests consisting of one person holding a sign along a lonely roadside, or thousands thronging the streets of major cities; through active phone call and letter writing campaigns; and through overflow attendance at local town halls.

The pullback of ICE agents from Minnesota didn’t happen because people kept quiet. The pushback not only in Minnesota but across the nation was incredible. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis, and students across the United States staged walkouts to demand the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens. County and State elections in normally red areas are turning blue. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are seeing a difference.

Your contribution, in any form, will help unite people and push back against the Trump Administration. Every. Single. Person. Counts.

So, what can YOU do? Let’s start with four fairly simple ways you might get started:

ATTEND A PROTEST: In a previous article, I described how I felt when I attended my first protest almost a year ago. Shy, nervous, awkward, and feeling uninformed, I arrived with my sign – and was so RELIEVED to see others on the sidewalk with a variety of statements on their signs. Since then, I have attended a number of protests and there are always new people who say they “couldn’t take it anymore” and came out to protest. They all say the same thing: “I feel so much better knowing there are other people as upset as I am.” Indivisible Port Angeles and Indivisible Sequim both hold frequent events. When you attend one, you may be surprised to find yourself standing next to your neighbor!

WRITE A POSTCARD: Last year, I tried writing a bunch of postcards to voters in Georgia, urging them to vote in an upcoming election. I have arthritic fingers and decided I needed to find a less painful way than writing post cards – but maybe you’d rather do that than stand out in the weather with a sign. There are websites that can help teach you how to write a political postcard.

MAKE A CALL: Tiny Republican margins in both chambers give Democrats and Independents enormous power – if they stick together. Make sure your Democratic and Independent members of Congress know you’re counting on them to do so. If you want to do something from home, you can use the 5Calls method. Go online to https://5calls.org/, and find an issue that resonates with you. The app gives you the phone numbers you need to call for each issue and even provides a script to help you make that call. Another option is to call the Capitol switchboard operator at (202) 224-3121 and ask for the Senator or Representative you want to call. Prepare a script in advance. 

ATTEND A MEETING OF CLALLAM COUNTY DEMOCRATS (CCD): Check the calendar on the CCD website for opportunities to attend an event to learn more about the issues and maybe find a group where you feel you can contribute. CCD is a volunteer-run organization with lots of opportunities to get involved. 

Once you start your own resistance campaign, you might be surprised to learn how much change comes about from frightened people compelled to do whatever they can.

In Clallam County, we don’t have ICE in our streets, or detention centers … yet.  We have some people who have lost their government jobs, or government offices have closed, or an agency no longer exists, but not in large enough numbers to grossly affect Clallam County … yet. We are still able to protest in front of the Courthouse or in Sequim without fear … so far. We still are able to vote without worrying that County elections will be filled with accusations of fraud … so far. The immediate, in-your-face urgency seems far away.

We should not wait for a local crisis before getting involved. Complacency is our enemy.

Remember: Every. Single. Person. Counts.

​In the months ahead, we will be posting more ways you can participate and contribute.  Stay tuned….