NOTE – Starting last week, WeCAN now publishs late Friday and will list as “this week” eight days of events from Saturday, through the following Saturday.

This is a long e-mail and may get clipped by Gmail or your email provider. You can read the full text at https://wecantogether.net

At the end of this e-mail is some additional information about WeCAN finances , text messages, links to send us events and a link to sign up for e-mails. You can find a copy of this and older mailings as well as pictures, videos and other information at wecantogether.net.

Today – Saturday Sept 26

Over The River to Save Democracy

Saturday, Sept 26, at 9:15 am

Organizer: Granite State Victory (Franz Reichsman)

Location: 80 Flat Street, Brattleboro

Every Saturday at 9:15 a.m. and Sunday at 11:a5 a.m. from now through Election Day, we’ll be heading over to Keene to knock on doors in support of Chris Pappas’s campaign for the US Senate. This is a direct, hands-on way for Vermonters to counteract the billionaires’ attempts to buy the New Hampshire Senate seat.

Please contact me for more information, including setting up additional times for canvassing, if desired. Also, there will be lots of opportunities for phone banking, postcard writing, and other activities depending on your preferences.

Contact: Franz Reichsman, franzreichsman@gmail.com,  802-257-7217 (voice or text).

Website: https://chrispappas.org

Gaza Protest

Saturday, Sept 26 at 12 noon

Organizer: Bert Picard and Nancy Braus

Location: in front of Brattleboro post office

This has happened every Saturday since November 2023 – and will continue as long as people are being killed.

Contact Nancy: vermontactivist@proton.me

Sunday

Over The River to Save Democracy

Sunday, Sept 27, at 11:15 am 

Organizer: Granite State Victory (Franz Reichsman)

Location: 80 Flat Street, Brattleboro

Every Sunday at 11:a5 a.m and Saturday at 9:15 a.m. from now through Election Day, we’ll be heading over to Keene to knock on doors in support of Chris Pappas’s campaign for the US Senate. See the Saturday listing above for more information.

Contact: Franz Reichsman, franzreichsman@gmail.com,  802-257-7217 (voice or text).

Website: https://chrispappas.org

Good Trouble Street Choir Monthly Gathering

Sunday, Sept 27, at 3 pm

Organizer: Good Trouble Street Choir

Location: A different spot. Contact organizers to know.

We gather monthly now to sing together and become familiar with the protest and community-building songs that we sing. Use the contact link below to be put on the Good Trouble e-mail list or to find out about meetings.

Contact: GoodTroubleBratt@gmail.com

The Brattleboro Labor Film Festival will continue on Sundays through Oct. 4 and focus on a different theme each week.

On September 27 the festival will screen “Strength of the Storm,” which tells the story of the residents of Weston Mobile Home Park as they organize for their rights after losing their homes in Tropical Storm Irene. This film was an official selection at the Vermont international Film Festival, the Green Mountain Film Festival, and the White River Indie Film Festival.

The film will be followed by a panel sharing their own experience and reflecting on lessons they draw from the experience depicted in the film and implications for today.

The panel will feature Mary Durland and Nancy Brosz, who organized after Irene with their neighbors at Tri-Park Cooperative mobile home park, Amy Lester of the Vermont Workers’ Center, who has been involved in flood recovery organizing in her central Vermont community, as well as Mireille Bejjani of Slingshot and a Ilene Roizman of the Easthampton Tenants’ Union. The panel will be moderated by Ellen Schwartz, a local Vermont Workers’ Center member.

The Brattleboro Labor Film Festival is sponsored by Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA) and the Vermont AFL-CIO. Admission is by donation—no one turned away.

Contact: nancy.wolfe@gmail.com 

Website:  https://www.vsea.org/upcoming-event-listing/

Election Integrity Community Conversations

Sunday,  Sept 27, at 5:30 pm 

Organizer: Defend Our Vote project

Location: Congregational Church, Westminster West   

Concluding our efforts to promote both awareness of and preparedness for responding to those issues that have raised questions about this November’s midterm election, Defend Our Vote (DOV) will be facilitating a series of community conversations in the final weeks leading up to “the most consequential midterm election in the history of the United States”  (Timothy Snyder, American historian specializing in fascism).

DOV is an independent project of the Justice for All committee of Brattleboro Indivisible. Our purpose in organizing  these conversations is to provide citizens with the opportunity to express their concerns about the integrity of the election, as well as to discuss how they might respond should their Constitutional right to the franchise be violated and the legitimacy of the election compromised.

The schedule for  these Community Conversations is as follows:

• Sept 27, 5:30 p.m., Congregational Church, Westminster West

• Oct 1, 6:30 p.m., Putney Library

• Oct 8, 4 p.m., Rockingham Free Public Library, Bellows Falls

• Oct 14, 6:30 p.m., All Souls Church, West Brattleboro

• Oct 21, 6:30 p.m., Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro
  

Contact: Tim Stevenson, bereal@vermontel.net

Monday

No actions reported.

Tuesday

Photo by Kristopher Radder, Brattleboro Reformer

Tuesday Protest on The Common

Tuesday, Sept 29, at 10:30 am

Organizer: Vera Riley

Location: The Common and Wells Fountain, Brattleboro

On every Tuesday at 10:30 am for a half hour, there will be people to protest the illegal actions of the Trump administration.

We have changed part of the location. Please don’t stand and protest at the west end, Linden Street side, of The Common anymore — we’ve moved!  Join us on the east side of The Common on Route 5 as before or at Wells Fountain instead across from the Brooks Memorial Library.

Contact: Vera2847@gmail.com

Wednesday

Leaflet To Save Democracy & Protect Elections

Wednesday,  Sept 30, at 12:30 pm

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro

Location: Pliny Park, Brattleboro

Help save democracy and protect our elections by informing people how they can take action!

Patriots Protest Persistently (PPP) has a regular Friday Visibility Crew event on The Common (see Friday listing below), and we get lots of beeps, peace signs, and thumbs up.  Let’s translate that excitement into action!  Our PPP Action Crew will be holding our action-geared signs and reaching out to pedestrians to let them know how they can get involved.

As Robert Hubbell says, “We are not potted plants.  We have agency.”  Let’s get out there and motivate people to jump into this existential fight for our democracy!  Signs and handouts provided.  Just bring yourself and a willingness to engage with people.  OK to come for all or part of the hour.

Contact: redefts@proton.me

information session designed to help residents better understand their voting rights and the voting process in Vermont.

Know Your Voting Rights will feature local town clerks Therese Lounsbury of Wilmington, Andy McLean of West Dover, and Rachel Colford of Whitingham. They will share practical information about

• Registering to vote

• Casting a ballot

• Voting early

• Mail-in voting

• Absentee voting

• What voters can expect at the polls.

The session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from the people who administer elections in our communities. Whether you are a first-time voter, a longtime Vermonter, or want a refresher on how Vermont elections work, the program is intended to make voting information clear and accessible. Our town clerks are an excellent resource, and we hope this conversation will help everyone feel informed and confident about participating in our elections

The program is intended solely to provide information about voting and the election process. No political candidates or parties will be promoted.

Contact: DVVT.Indivisible@gmail.com 

Thursday

Vigil in Putney

Thursday, Oct 1, at 12 noon every Thursday

Organizer: Janet Langdon

The Green, Putney

Vigil for Sanity and Compassion in Putney on The Green – Bring signs. Every Thursday from 12-12:30 pm.

Contact: jliesl@myfairpoint.net

Election Integrity Community Conversations

Thursday,  Oct 1, at 6:30 pm 

Organizer: Defend Our Vote project

Location: Putney Library, 55 Main St., Putney, Vt   

Concluding our efforts to promote both awareness of and preparedness for responding to those issues that have raised questions about this November’s midterm election, Defend Our Vote (DOV) will be facilitating a series of community conversations in the final weeks leading up to “the most consequential midterm election in the history of the United States”  (Timothy Snyder, American historian specializing in fascism).

DOV is an independent project of the Justice for All committee of Brattleboro Indivisible. Our purpose in organizing  these conversations is to provide citizens with the opportunity to express their concerns about the integrity of the election, as well as to discuss how they might respond should their Constitutional right to the franchise be violated and the legitimacy of the election compromised.

The schedule for  these Community Conversations is as follows:

• Oct 1, 6:30 p.m., Putney Library

• Oct 8, 4 p.m., Rockingham Free Public Library, Bellows Falls

• Oct 14, 6:30 p.m., All Souls Church, West Brattleboro

• Oct 21, 6:30 p.m., Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro
  

Contact: Tim Stevenson, bereal@vermontel.net

Friday

Patriots Protest Persistently!

Friday, Oct 2, at 2:30 pm

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro 

Location: Brattleboro Common, East side along Rt. 5 

Want to send a positive message? Join us between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.  You can come for all or part of the hour.

We’ve hand-painted 33 signs in red, white, and blue with the theme “True Patriots,” e.g. True Patriots Defend Democracy, True Patriots Demand Accountability, True Patriots Value Immigrants, True Patriots Take Action, etc. We want to show people what we’re FOR.

If you’re looking for an interlude of positivity, and a sense of being part of something bigger, please join us! We’ll hold our signs, wave at cars, and generally plan on a positive vibe. The reception so far has been very encouraging.  If you’re not feeling “positive,” don’t worry:  consider coming and holding a sign for these positive values for a while; you’d be amazed at what being with other like-minded people can do for you.

Things you may want to bring: water, hat, chair, US flags, a friend!

Why do we do this?  “I feel better after an hour of getting all those honks, waves, thumbs up, and peace signs.  I feel like there’s hope for things to change.” – a PPP participant.

This event will not happen if it is raining at 2:30. You can check with the contact below for last-minute status confirmation.

Contact: redefts@proton.me 

Kurn Hattin Overpass Visibility Brigade

Friday,  Oct 2 at 3:30 pm 

Organizer: Indivisible Greater Falls and Grafton Supporters of Democracy 

Location: Kurn Hattin Rd/I- 91 overpass Wellington Hill Road East & Kurn Hattin Road Westminster, VT

Join our growing group of concerned citizens to stand out in resistance to this out of control regime.  Voice your opposition to the threats on our democracy, our communities and our environment! bring yourself, a friend, a sign, a banner, a flag flying high or upside down flag to signal our distress and support your community!

If you can’t stay for a full two hours, no problem.  Come join us for whatever time you can to encourage those passing by to join us in holding them accountable.

Action continues weekly, weather and roadside conditions permitting. We always think of safety first for our members and the drivers passing by to keep us in good standing with the whole community.

Contact for weather and other questions: samaher@vermontel.net 

This website may have updates, but there is no need to register.

I-91 Friday Overpass Protests

Fridays, Oct 2, from 4 pm

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro

Best location for many people:

• Brattleboro: Western Ave. I-91 Exit 2 bridge overpass
  This is the best location for a large group of protestors.  Do not park near the deli or block any neighboring driveways.
  

Other area locations for banners, flags and fewer people:

• Vernon: Tyler Hill Road I-91 bridge overpass

• Brattleboro: Black Mountain Rd. I-91 bridge overpass

  
  

These gatherings will happen every Friday, weather and conditions permitting.  Please check weather and overpass conditions beforehand.

Every fourth Friday of the month we  join over 30 standouts on I-91 overpasses from Hartford, CT, through Massachusetts and reaching far north into Vermont for the collective Overpasses for Democracy Standout!

If you want to be notified about possible changes, you can sign up here. But registration is not required to attend these gatherings.

Text of the original submission is available here.

Contact: jjmgreenbean@proton.me

Friday Overpass Protest Exit 4

Friday,  Oct 2, at 4:30 pm 

Organizer: Putney citizens 

Location: Banners for I-91 and signs 

Weekly protest against Trump administration crimes, abuses, attacks on civil liberties, and violations of the constitution. This will happen every Friday, except in extreme weather conditions.

Please do not arrive early or park in local business parking lots.

Contact: nwilliams550@gmail.com

Saturday

Over The River to Save Democracy

Saturday, Oct 3, at 9:15 am

Organizer: Granite State Victory (Franz Reichsman)

Location: 80 Flat Street, Brattleboro

Every Saturday at 9:15 a.m. and Sunday at 11:a5 a.m. from now through Election Day, we’ll be heading over to Keene to knock on doors in support of Chris Pappas’s campaign for the US Senate. This is a direct, hands-on way for Vermonters to counteract the billionaires’ attempts to buy the New Hampshire Senate seat. See the Saturday listing above for more information.

Contact: Franz Reichsman, franzreichsman@gmail.com,  802-257-7217 (voice or text).

Website: https://chrispappas.org

Brattleboro Indivisible monthly meeting

Saturday,  Oct 3 at 10 am

Organizer: Brattleboro Indivisible 

Location: Beloved Community Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro 

It will be ‘all hands on deck’ as we approach the midterm election. Please join us for project updates, upcoming events and activities, volunteer opportunities, and sharing community!

Get involved! Your skills and talents are just what we need for success in November! Please attend.

Note: We are not currently paying for the use of Beloved Church, and encourage everyone to bring a nonperishable food or personal care item for their Food Pantry, if you can.

Contact: healingwisdom@gmail.com 

Future Activity

We will help coordinate transportation for various days of the Shut Down ICE VT week of actions October 4 thru 9. The October action is detailed here: www.shutdownicevt.org

We will also facilitate local participation in a demonstration and direct action at ICE in Williston on Friday, November 6, organized by the ICE Out Vermont alliance, whose website is https://iceoutvt.org/

Williston hosts two major ICE offices that review surveillance and tips in order to abduct, jail and deport migrants, most of whom lack criminal records and are pursuing asylum claims.  For more information contact Leo Schiff at the address below.

Click here for some additional information received in email.

Contact: blindcommissioner@comcast.net 

Websites:  www.shutdownicevt.org and https://iceoutvt.org/

Peter Schumann’s use of paintings, puppets and theater productions to protest war from the Vietnam War in the streets of New York City in the 1960s to the current genocide in Gaza. Through Schumann’s evocative imagery, we see the brutality of the war machine and the complicity of the United States as seen through the eyes of this artist.

Following the screening, which runs 45 minutes, filmmaker Robbie Leppzer will be in conversation with Mohsen Mahdawi, Vermont-based Palestinian human rights advocate, about his life growing up in Palestine in the West Bank, his work as an advocate for human rights, and the current state of his legal battles to fight deportation by the Trump administration.

This screening is a benefit fundraiser both for Bread & Puppet Film Project and Mohsen Mahdawi’s legal campaign to fight deportation.

For more information about “An Artist Responds To War,” and to watch a trailer visit: www.AnArtistRespondsToWar.com

For more information about Mohsen Mahdawi visit: www.mohsen-mahdawi.com
 

Contact: robbie@turningtide.com 

Ticket Website: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/turningtidefilms/2301757 

the Rec Center — to bring our ballots to the drop box adjoining Town Hall. Cider and donuts, music and kids’ activities in the Square. Creative costumes encouraged!

Contact: indigreaterfallsvt@gmail.com 

Website:  https://www.nokings.org/

around The Common to encourage all passersby to vote early. Bring your kids, friends and pets. Dress up as your favorite superhero and win a prize for best costume. 

Music, kids activities, pet parade, hot apple cider and baked treats for all.
Vote Early messaging activities could include Chalk the Walks, Paint a Rock or your Face, Make a Sign, Decorate a Pumpkin and more!

Tabling to register to vote, check your registration and connect with local community groups.

No Kings: Vote Early events are nonpartisan and are designed to increase participation from all eligible voters.

The full text of this submission is available here.

Website: Use this link to get updates, but registration is NOT required.

Contact: cmscypinski@gmail.com and kmcdermet1@gmail.com 

Emma’s Revolution will return to All Souls Church with a concert to benefit the Movement Voter Project. Pat Humphries and Sandy O, the duo that makes up Emma’s Revolution, have performed for full houses at the church over the years. The California-based, activist singer/songwriting duo will return to All Souls Church for “Songs of Hope & Resistance,”  a benefit concert for Movement Voter Project.

On this nationwide No Kings Day of Action organizers want to “help voters make a plan, vote early where possible and connect with election protection efforts.” So come and get recharged, inspired and energized in community, justice and song.

“In the lead up to this year’s crucial Midterm Elections, our rights, norms and democracy are on the line,” the duo says, “and all of our voices are needed to create the country and the world we want to live in.”

The Movement Voter Project funds local organizing and movement-building to shift culture, win power, and shape policy. MVP describes itself as a “mutual fund” for political giving: “We raise money from donors, then channel it toward the most impactful organizations and power-building work around the country,” according to the organization.

Contact: george@carvill.net 

Website: https://emmasrevolution.com/tickets-oct-brattleboro-vt

Other Information

Signs available

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro

If you’d like to purchase a sign, contact Nancy Braus at vermontactivist@proton.me.

Another source for posters, signs and ideas

Jon Sachs, a Swing Blue Alliance member is pouring energy into a Trump Tragedies website that has a page devoted to free, downloadable 8.5 x 11 in. protest-themed posters.

These are protest messaging that can be posted on America’s streets and easily shared by a website link could help get much more protest messaging in the public eye. Eighteen posters are now available on the site. There’s also an online suggestion box for additional posters that people think should be added.

Local, State and National Organizations

Indivisible Brattleboro

Brattleboro Indivisible is a local chapter of the national organization – fighting for democracy, combating fascism, and fighting back in defense of our rights, our communities, and our values. We work through five action groups, enabling members to lead and contribute to activities that most interest and energize them.

Contact: indibrattleboro@gmail.com
Website: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/find-a-group/?keywords=05301

Indivisible Greater Falls

A local Indivisible group for pro-democracy activists in Rockingham, Westminster, Athens and nearby towns. We are working in the areas of migrant support/rapid response, elections, education & outreach, and protests/visibility.

We welcome anyone who wants to help build a strong local presence in a national strategic movement to build a real democracy that upholds progressive values of inclusion, respect and fairness. Our group collaborates with other Indivisible and allied groups in Vermont to extend our reach and effectiveness. If you want to find hope in these difficult times, join us!

Contact: indigreaterfallsvt@gmail.com

Website: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/find-a-group/?keywords=05101

Indivisible All-In For Action, Putney, Vt.

For folks in Vermont who live in rural areas or places where there are no active Indivisible groups and/or cannot attend in-person meetings. Virtual meeting once/month, with weekly emails/calls to action.

Contact: allinforactionVT@gmail.com

Website: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/find-a-group/?keywords=05346

Deerfield Valley Indivisible

We are a group of concerned citizens and community members of the Deerfield Valley in southern Vermont. We are committed to giving voice to those who are marginalized, at risk, worried, etc… and to provide peaceful avenues for expressing our concerns and making change in our community, state and country.

Contact: DVVT.indivisible@gmail.com

Website: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/find-a-group/?keywords=05342

Supporters of Democracy, Grafton, Vt.

Supporters of Democracy is an Indivisiible linked group that will work to protect the elections, work against the implementation of Project 2025, and support Democratic candidates for office.

Contact: supdems2025@gmail.com

Website: https://indivisible.org/get-involved/find-a-group/?keywords=05141

Lean Left Vermont

Join Lean left in the fight for free and fair elections! We do phone banks and other important work. If you have never done phone banking or don’t even like the idea, we invite you to come, watch, and listen as volunteers make calls. We guarantee you’ll be surprised.

Website:  www.leanleftvt.org

Contact:  leanleftcvt@gmail.com50501 Vermont

Please share your event Info with 50501 Vermont. 50501 VT maintains and Action/Event Calendar and also cross-promotes events. Send your event to Debbie@50501vt.com for inclusion in the 50501 Vermont online calendar, as well as for cross-promotion on social media.

Contact: info@50501vt.com

Websites: https://50501vermont.com/events/

https://50501vermont.com/

https://www.facebook.com/50501vtInformation

Southern Vermont Sister District Project

“Southern Vermont Sister District” is now “States Win Southern Vermont” and is continuing its creative fundraising efforts. Different name, same mission – working to elect top-priority state legislative candidates to advance progressive power and policy in states.

Learn more about States Win at https://stateswin.org/

And join our efforts at States Win Southern Vermont at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/states-win-southern-vermont/

Contact: svtsisterdistrict@gmail.com

NOFA-VT

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont,

https://www.nofavt.org/

50501

Contact: organizers@fiftyfifty.one

Website: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/

Windham County Branch of the NAACP

Contact: info@windhamnaacp.org

Website: https://windhamnaacp.org/

350VT

Contact: organizers@350vt.org

Website: https://www.350vermont.org/

Peace & Justice Center, Burlington

Contact: info@pjcvt.org

Website: https://www.pjcvt.org/

Mobilize

Website: https://www.mobilize.us

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