“HANDS OFF!” OUR DEMOCRACY
Contributed by Virginia Leech
Patriotic Americans have rallied for democracy on the La Grange Square every Sunday for a month prior to the Saturday, April 5 rally when more than 100 of them linked up with the “Hands Off!” rallies from coast to coast and European cities, too. In Austin it was reported that crowds were shoulder to shoulder at the State Capitol!
The poster signs carried by the La Grange rally goers at the La Grange Square on that day reflected what the more than 1,200 rallies nationwide touted - “Hands Off!” the courts, Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, federal agencies overseeing science, education, cybersecurity, and the environment. Much car honking happened in agreement as passersby saw the signs from their cars.
The crowd lined both sides of Travis Street and activated three bull horns that boomed out chants sparking answers from others across the street. During this time American flags were passed out to each person at the rally.
Overheard conversations at the rally reflected waves of pushback that President Trump is receiving for his treatment of our allies as enemies and for his embrace of dictators as friends. Others talked about the uncertainty of the price of goods, most of which reflect the trade conflicts that began with President Trump’s assessing record tariffs. There was also concern expressed over the deep losses in the stock market reflected in retirement savings accounts.
The La Grange rally attracted people from around the county and beyond, as well as some teachers rom Dallas who had planned to shop at the Antique Fair in Round Top. Instead, they came to the La Grange rally because they felt their voices being heard was more important than shopping.
Before leaving the Square, the crowd gathered at the courthouse to recite the principles of our democratic country as written below:
People who had been feeling frightened and alone said rallies made them feel less alone and more confident along with a sense of commonality.
Rallies resume at 3pm, April 27, the Sunday after Easter at the SW corner of the La Grange Square.
Stay tuned for plans for May by checking the FCDP Mobilize link: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/773881/
A Short Tribute to a Tall Champion
Contributed by Karen Derr
On March 31st, US Senator Cory Booker delivered a remarkable 25-hour and 5-minute speech. The Senator intended to draw attention to what he refers to as the “not normal” state of affairs in our country.
In doing so, Senator Booker surpassed the filibuster record previously held by Senator Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 to obstruct civil rights legislation. Beyond setting a new record, Senator Booker highlighted the critical issues facing our country and emphasized the unnecessary hardships many Americans are experiencing. Moreover, he called on everyone to stand up, speak out and engage in “necessary good trouble” for the good of our nation.
Senator Booker’s courageous efforts and public invocation of the late Congressman John Lewis’s encouragement of “good trouble” undoubtedly inspired record participation in rallies and protests in Fayette County and across America on Saturday, April 5th.
SAY YOU WILL….VOLUNTEER
Contributed by Laura Logan
Well friends, it’s quite the world we wake up to every morning, isn’t it? Every single day seems to bring more scary news about the state of our democracy and our world. What are we to do?
The beloved poet Mary Oliver asks in the final verse of ‘The Summer Day’ “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” This line has been a motivation for me for many years. (For several years it was taped to the bathroom mirror.) I haven’t been young or wild in quite a long time, but I still have life and I still have a choice what to do with it. We all do.
So this is what I have decided- I am going to resist, and one way I am going to do so is by being the best version of myself I can be. The temptation to get down into the filthy pit is strong, but as Aldous Huxley said “Rolling in the muck isn’t the best way of getting clean.” When I was a child my great Aunt Rachael said it to me this way “We must be ever vigilant to not become the thing we despise.” So that’s the goal.
I am, of course, going to try to be kind. And I am going to try to keep my rage and my sharp tongue in check lest I do more harm than good. But I will resist. I will use my voice not only to call (and call out) lawmakers but to speak truth to power to others who need to hear it. I will use it to comfort friends and those in need of comfort as well.
In order to fight despair I am focusing on gratitude for the wealth of good in my life even in the midst of the mayhem. As pastor and activist John Pavlovitz recently wrote in Substack, “The intentional focus on gratitude is a subversive form of activism that undermines the chaos and meanness of this world.” I also intend to place a high emphasis on supporting my community
through volunteering. Volunteering is not only a win/win for everyone involved, it is a tangible way to express my gratitude through good work. It’s good for my community and it’s even better for me. Sounds crazy, but when I spend a couple of hours at the animal shelter cleaning cat crates and sweeping and mopping floors I leave with a sense of peace and a brighter outlook. I highly recommend everyone engage in some form of volunteerism either formally through a nonprofit or informally by making it your mission to do something at least weekly to assist or support someone you know is in need of help.
So this, along with staying as informed as I can tolerate and taking care of myself and those I love, is my survival plan. What’s yours? Love to hear your ideas!
RESIST TRUMPISM WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER
Contributed by Annette Holdeman
David Brooks is a New York Time Opinion columnist who writes about politics, culture, and social sciences. He is also a frequent contributing writer for The Atlantic, various other outlets, and an author with a centrist conservative political lean. I think of him as a learned source of common sense amidst the current chaos caused by our unfortunate predicament, to put it mildly and politely. Here is an excerpt from his April 7th, Atlantic article, “I Should Have Seen This Coming”. These are wise words that should hopefully propel you to resist Trumpism by lending a hand and building trust here at home.
“In the long term, Trumpism is doomed. Power without prudence and humility invariably fails. Nations, like people change not when times are good but in response to pain. At a moment when Trumpism seems to be devouring everything, the temptation is to believe that this time is different. But history doesn’t stop moving. Even now as I travel around the country, I see the forces of repair gathering in neighborhoods and communities. If you’re part of an organization that builds trust across class, you’re fighting Trumpism. If you’re a Democrat jettisoning insular faculty-lounge progressivism in favor of a Whig-like working-class abundance agenda, you’re fighting Trumpism. If you are standing up for a moral code of tolerance and pluralism that can hold America together, you’re fighting Trumpism.”
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
Don’t forget that you can continue to make your voices heard! Check out the link for the 5 Calls.org website and learn about why making calls works! Scroll down to the bottom of the first page of the website and click on “See All 52 Issues” which gives you a handy list sorted by specific issue.
UR the RESISTANCE!
Get Involved. Meet Fellow Democrats.
Make a Difference!
Want to help elect Democrats and have fun doing it? Become a Precinct Chair in Fayette County!
You’ll connect with like-minded neighbors, help get out the vote, and be part of a local team working for real change.
It doesn’t take much time — and you’ll make great friends along the way.
Join us! Let’s build something together.
We currently have 7 open Precinct Chairs. If you or someone you know who might be interested, please let me know.
Open Precinct Chairs:
101N La Grange
110 Warda
204 Fayetteville
315 Cistern
316 Flatonia
422 Ammannsville
425 Schulenburg
Contact Mary Wolf, Fayette County Democratic Party Chair at 979-484-7925 and leave a message and we will call you back.
4/17, Thursday, 11:30am - Democratic Neighbors Luncheon - La Marina Mexican Restaurant, 1502 St Hwy 71, La Grange
4/15, Tuesday, 8am-4:30, Texas Democratic Women - Blue Ribbon Lobby Day at the State Capitol. A group from our sister organization, CODA will be attending, FYI.
4/19, Saturday, “Hands Off”! Rally in Brenham, here is the link for info:
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/775159/ This will be the closest rally to La Grange, so why not help them add to their numbers! Let’s sign-up and go!
4/27, Sunday, 3-4pm, Americans for Democracy rally, SW Corner of La Grange Square. Just show up, we have signs or make your own. Join our group of patriotic Americans.
Sign Up on Mobilize: https://mobilize.us/s/Fx8M2o or just show up!
April 20th, Martial Law, and the Trump Insurrection Act Rumors: What You Need to Know
Reprinted with thanks to our friends at CODA (Coalition of Democratic Allies)
In recent weeks, the internet has been filled with speculation. From Reddit threads to news panels, one question stands out: Is President Trump planning to declare martial law on April 20, 2025?
Let's take a moment to step back from the chaos and examine the facts..
Where Did This All Start?
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to assess whether the Insurrection Act should be invoked. A report on this assessment is due on April 20th, a date that has since raised public concern.
Alongside this, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, citing threats from cartels, criminal gangs, and national security vulnerabilities. While these actions are not unprecedented on their own, their combination has led to serious speculation about the possibility of broader domestic military action.
What Is the Insurrection Act?
The Insurrection Act of 1807 grants the president the authority to deploy military forces domestically in specific situations, such as suppressing rebellion, enforcing federal law, or responding to civil unrest when local authorities are unable to maintain order.
While invoking this act is not the same as declaring martial law, it can create circumstances where military power may overshadow civil governance, particularly if checks and balances are weakened or ignored.
What’s the Current Situation?
To clarify:
- There has been no declaration of martial law.
- No confirmed plan to invoke the Insurrection Act has been publicly released.
- April 20th is a deadline for the report, not a scheduled action date.
We should stay aware that our freedoms could be affected. In today’s tense political climate, speculation can feel like fact. While the future is uncertain, staying informed and mindful helps us move forward with care — not fear — and always with peace in our actions.
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing contributors — we’re so grateful for your time and effort on this and past newsletters!
FCDP email: fayettetxdemocrats@gmail.com / 979-484-7925