Mark Your Calendars
Americans for Democracy Rallies
March 14th and 21st (Saturdays), 9 am - 10 am: Meet on the SW corner of the town square in La Grange, around the intersection of Main St and W Travis St. Parking available around the square and surrounding streets. If you would rather not protest and are out and about, drive by and give us a honk! Encouragement is energizing.
Democratic Luncheon
March 19th (Thursday), 11:30 am: The Fayette County Democrats Neighbors luncheon will be meeting in the bar area at La Marina and not the usual meeting space. Why? because, singing! In preparation for resistance singing at the March 28th No Kings Rally, we will be using this opportunity to learn a few songs. Please come have fun even if you are not musically inclined as this is all about joyful resistance. La Marina is at 1502 W State Hwy 71, La Grange, TX 78945. It’s going to be so much fun, even if we’re unlikely to win The Voice.
Democratic County Convention
March 21st (Saturday), check-in 10 am: Conventions will be happening all over Texas. You can meet other Democrats, pass resolutions, and consider becoming a delegate to the state convention in Corpus Christi (June 25-27). Our local event will be in La Grange at the Fayette Public Library, 855 S Jefferson, La Grange, TX 78945. Scan or click the QR code to register.
Catch the Blue Wave Fundraiser
March 26th (Thursday), 6 pm - 9 pm: The Coalition of Democratic Allies (CODA) will host speakers to inspire a Blue Wave for the 2026 midterms. Come enjoy inspiring words, music, dinner, and a silent auction at Roadhouse Paige. Proceeds support CODA’s activities, such as voter registration, meet and greet events for candidates, phone banking, and more. Get a peek at the venue here https://roadhousepaige.com. Purchase tickets or donate by clicking or scanning the QR code.
No Kings Part III Protest
March 28th (Saturday), 9 am - 11 am: Dethrone the de facto King of the United States of America. Unilaterally declaring war is just item #83 on the long list of injustices we are experiencing at the moment. Come to hang out with like-minded individuals around a common cause. Like the rallies, it will be on the town square in La Grange, around the corner of Main St and W Travis St. Wear a bit of yellow for unity if you can. If you can stick around for a Protest Sing-In after the No Kings Rally for about an hour, we will be gathering under the trees near the courthouse. It will be fun so come along and make your voices heard!
Calling All Volunteers
FCDP Relay for Life: There is still time to form a Fayette County Democratic Party (FCDP) Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society event. If you are interested in getting one started, email Becky at beckysnyder.tx@gmail.com. The Fayette County event is April 18th.
Good Listening/Viewing
Adam Conover with Reza Aslan (runtime 66 min): Why are we at war with Iran? This interview gives insight into some political history, why we're involved, and likely outcomes. The podcast is called Factually! which also has a YouTube channel. The link provided will take you to the YouTube video. Originally dropped 3-6-26. May contain some explicit language. https://youtu.be/ZMwNzTRqzjM?si=YZS3y9iGSTt5NdbE
From Our Writing Contributors
Hug of War
contributed by Patty Reid
The “President of Peace” has declared war on Iran! I believe this is a “war of choice,” one man’s decision. There appears to be no plan for what happens next. There is no information on how long it could last, no thoughts on how many lives have been lost, leaving grieving families.
Over 1,000 Iranians have been killed. Seven American soldiers have been killed, and around 140 wounded.
“War is Hell,” most folks would agree. Those who have been lost were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. These real human beings are gone forever. The reality of war is the loss of innocence and senseless destruction of generations. Wars are a tragic loop due to human conflict.
I close with this poem from Shel Silverstein, a poet who brings humor and common sense to life.
Hug O’ War
By Shel Silverstein
I will not play at tug O’ war.
I’d rather play at hug O’ war,
Where everyone hugs.
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug.
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins
Competitive Authoritarianism Has Arrived
contributed by Kirk Pate
The Felon Trump regime now in office has us in what’s known formally as competitive authoritarianism, a hybrid regime that is neither fully democratic nor fully authoritarian, where democratic processes exist but are consistently abused.
Formal democratic institutions (e.g., elections) exist but are heavily skewed in favor of incumbents. While opposition parties operate and compete, the playing field is uneven due to abuse of federal and state resources, media control, and harassment of opponents.
The narrative and organizing strategies state and local Democrats have used in the past to ensure votes can be cast and counted are no longer up to this task. Traditional litigation and issue advocacy, while vital, are insufficient to counter the all-out assault on our elections and our freedom to vote.
Defeating these MAGA Republican attacks requires collective action at a scale to match the severity of the threat. We need to inoculate against the racial scapegoating of Republican anti-voter forces and cultivate a committed, loud, and ongoing mass movement of people across all spectrums, activated to protect our freedom to vote and ensure the will of the people prevails. With the regime already installing their anti-voter agenda, it’s critical we start organizing and preparing direct actions now to demand Hands Off Our Vote. And, yes, begin in Texas.
No Wall ~ No-Al-Muro (No To The Wall)
contributed by Judy Balch
The Big Bend area is under attack! And no matter what you are hearing, it’s not over yet. I have a long history with the area since I grew up in West Texas, and my parents built a house in the area 50 years ago. All my family and friends have rafted the Rio Grande, hiked the trails in the National Park and the State Park, watched the spectacular sunsets, and viewed a dark sky filled with every star in the Milky Way.
So it is unthinkable that they are still planning a physical barrier in Big Bend National Park and/or Big Bend Ranch State Park. It would destroy the ecological balance and animal habitat, as well as tourism and the small businesses that support it there. But the saddest and most tragic is the loss of two of the most beautiful parks for all Americans and certainly all Texans.
There is NO reason to do that. Illegal immigration at that place on the river is very low. The landscape on both sides of the Rio Grande in the Big Bend area is more rugged and dangerous, leading to a much lower number of immigrants crossing there.
The map of the border wall online shows changes that are being erroneously interpreted as no wall planned. Right now, in that area, land is being purchased (or taken) for staging the construction and contracts for materials are being made. The wall is proceeding as planned. They are now setting their sights on Big Bend Ranch State Park to build the physical barrier. The State Park is not as well known, but it adjoins the National Park and would have the same consequences of damage to the area.
It is crucial that we keep protesting the building of the barrier, so call your elected officials using the 5 Calls app on your phones. Governor Abbott at 800-843-5789.
There is a statewide protest planned on April 4 at the Texas Capitol from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. I urge you to keep up with what is happening there at nobigbendwall.org and no-al-muro.com. Post and repost the facts about the destruction of our Texas treasures!