Mercy💙

I'm ecstatic to see more and more people running for office in rural NY! The latest candidate is Cassie Robbins-Forbus who made her official announcement today at an event held in her parent's store across the street from the house where she grew up.

#elections #NY #bluedot

Transparent artwork of a weeping Statue of Liberty overlaid with a poem entitled "Liberty Weeps" The poem reads Oh Mother of Exiles, standing on our sea-washed gate, you came to us with such hope From a nation who helped see to our independence, on the anniversary of that fight Honoring our quest for liberty, celebrating the hope we incited for the teeming masses, and rejoicing in the liberation of those we'd held in bondage Like any mother she worried, but she hoped, and kept the torch aloft. Through a failed reconstruction, a bowl of dust, wars, and riots Liberty waited with bated breath and tears in her eyes Now, some of her children speak her name like a battle cry. “Liberty!” they shriek, while wielding weapons of war and building camps to concentrate their neighbors “Liberty!” they claim, as empty stomachs growl, people sleep in the streets, medication goes unfilled, children cry for their mother, capital rules, and the storied pomp grows bloated and brazen as they traffick our most vulnerable Oh, Mother of Exiles, standing on your sea-washed gate as blood is in the air and vicious passions are alight. I now ask what you think as you see how your children have grown? Liberty weeps…

The people cry out, and liberty weeps...
Poem by Mercy V., Art by Red

#writingcommunity #art #protest

Thank you to
@veteransforpeace.bsky.social
for this sign in Evans Mills, NY near Fort Drum.

#military

Liberty Weeps Oh Mother of Exiles, standing on our sea-washed gate, you came to us with such hope

When my sister sent me this artwork to use on a button for an upcoming demonstration, I had the final piece of inspiration to bring together a poem I had been working on.

Liberty Weeps

substack.com/@walkwithmer...

#writingcommunity #resist #art

Volunteer — Ellman for Congress

In New York, petition season is right around the corner. The first day to pass petitions is this Tuesday. We are hoping not just to get the 1250 signatures we need to get on the ballot, but to get way more to show our strong grassroots support. Sign up here! - www.ellmanforcongress.com/volunteer

I Refuse A poem

A poem written a little over a year ago; the first half in September after a traumatic event in my life and the second half the day after the election as I watched friends, particularly transgender friends, spiral in fear.

I Refuse
open.substack.com/pub/mercyvly...

R/evolution No longer can we merely murmur words of liberation, in hushed tones at tables with no strange ears about.

R/evolution
open.substack.com/pub/mercyvly...

July 17th is a nationwide day of action in honor of John Lewis. Let's commemorate his life by gathering for some good trouble. Be sure to look for an event near you! If you are in the area near Fort Drum, come join us in Public Square from 5-7pm!

#goodtrouble

Pics from the #ElbowsUp rally for Canada on Wellesly Island today! We had a great turnout with lots of support from passing vehicles.

The woman who travels with her Statue of Liberty costume is an absolute legend!

A video of some of my favorite signs from Saturday's No Kings Day protest in Watertown, NY!

#nokings #altnationalparks

Maricela was finally released on Saturday, after almost three days away from her family, including her nursing infant. We're thrilled you are home Maricela, the mothers in our group ached for you. Eve... TikTok video by Lake Effect Progress NNY

Images from the rally for Maricela (who has since been released!) held on Saturday.

#immigration #socialjustice #humanrights #freedelmy

www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8MYPV9J/

Today in in Central New York!

I am absolutely disgusted the ongoing detainment of a nursing mother who has been in this country for 20 years, since she herself was a child!

Are we great yet, America?

The mother of these girls has been in detention since January and today is her hearing. Supporters from around my small upstate town came together yesterday to show love to the family and bring this mother home where she belongs.

#FreeDelmy

‘We want them back’: Three students, seven people total in custody after ICE raid in Sackets Harbor, school district reacts SACKETS HARBOR, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Sackets Harbor, a village of just over 1,300 people, is shaken by an ICE raid. Customs and Border Protection told NewsChannel 9 that seven people were arreste…

Our students deserve to feel safe and protected.

I am shocked and appalled by this action and my office is in touch with the local community in Sackets Harbor.

Show up and support the children taken from our community!

#50501

And loving America means fighting to make it better.

Local trumpers are planning a counter protest and intend to instigate violence. I have been so disgusted by what these members of my local community have been willing to say about and wish upon children.

This is happening in the town practically next door to me, where the "border czar" Tom Homan also resides. I've seen an outpouring of love for the family that has been detained, but I've also seen a horrifying amount of hatred leveled against the family and local supporters. 1/2

So who who won this round of Ransom Notes? We can't decide! 🤣

A tortoise patterned cat has decided to improve their humans video-gaming by laying on top of not only her human, but on top of the Nintendo switch her human had propped up on her lap. The image shows the cat continuing to lay on her human and the Nintendo Switch, while the human can be seen gesturing toward the cat while making the face known to fellow cat owners as "thanks a lot cat, what the frack?"

Here we have a wonderful example of a cat's idea of being helpful.

Two cats are cuddling on a human lap. A large grey cat is tolerating the aggressive grooming perpetrated by the smaller, tortoise shell patterned cat laying next to him.

Monday morning bath!

I am so tired of waiting, aren’t you, For the world to become good and beautiful and kind? Let’s take a knife and cut the world in two- And see what worms are eating At the rind. Langston Hughes

This is the exact reason I want to tear my hair out when I see someone complain about aid for Ukraine.

The best thing we can do is deny the trolls their reactions!

15k likes and I only had to block two people. love it here 🤗

Poetry

I feel like we are about to see ALL the worms here in the US. 😢

A chimera cat with a half orange and half brown toned tiger face and markings perches on an entertainment center, staring imperiously over her realm encompassed within the living room.

The queen oversees her realm.

#cats