practicingdemocracy1

GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON: Chicago, IL · John Lewis Actions Our rights are under attack. Our democracy is under siege. We’ve been here before, and we know what to do. On July 17, we honor the anniversary of the passing of civil rights hero John Lewis, not wit...

I'm attending John Lewis Actions's event, “GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON: Chicago, IL” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-a...

June 14, 2025 No Kings March in Chicago. “God Forbid A Girl Wants Justice and Liberty for All”

Undocumented immigrants paid an effective federal income tax rate of 5.27% in 2022.

That means they paid a higher effective tax rate than 5 of the richest Americans…and a higher effective tax rate than 55 mega corporations.

So let me ask you: who are the real freeloaders?

Side one of my sign for No Kings march tomorrow in Chicago. So excited!!

Side two of my sign for the No Kings rally in Chicago tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

No Kings Rally and March · Indivisible Chicago In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. Join Indivisible Chicago and our partner organizations for a rally and march in downtown Chicago as we come together to say NO KINGS! This national d...

I just signed up for the June 14th rally in Chicago! No Kings!

mobilize.us/s/y2mxHD

Jen and Pablo Torre take off the gloves! A disappeared goalie, legendary coaches & more "The Trump Administration has put America into the role of a dictatorship, enabling other dictatorships"

SPEAKING OUT: Do you know about Jerce Reyes Barrios? A youth soccer coach who Trump agents disappeared in March because he has sports tattoos. You can help him by hearing this story & sharing. A great interview, even for people who don’t follow sports, like me.

open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Undaunted Democrats Channel the Power of Faith, Welcoming All to Join

A friend told me that the unrelenting bad news is depressing. I shared this Contrarian article as a remedy & reminded her that the goal of the authoritarians is to break our spirit. Tune in to news sources that fight authoritarians with both the truth & the heart.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Sign made for International Workers' Day on May 1, 2025. Text reads: Immigrants take care of our children & elderly, build and maintain our homes, put food on our tables, pay taxes. Thank you." Border text: Have constitutional rights due process"

This is the second side of my sign for tomorrow. I'm ready for International Workers Day!

In Chicago, program starts at 10 a.m. in Union Park. 4 mile march to Butler Field begins around noon with 2 pm arrival. Rally wraps up by 4 pm. Woo-Hoo!!

Sign made for May 1 rally and marches. Text reads: "celebrating collective bargaining" and "federal workers equal Americans' well-being"

I'm getting ready for International Workers' Day march and rally tomorrow. First side of sign. Now to do the other side.

You're Invited! The 100 Days Conference A virtual event on April 29 at 12pm ET

I'm now watching The Contrarian's 100 Days Conference. Goes until 2 p.m. central time. Also on YouTube www.youtube.com/@ContrarianN...

open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Investing in America's youngest citizens is an investment in America's future. Prompted by Indivisible Chicago Daily Action 4/28, I signed the NHSA petition to save Head Start & sent messages to my elected representatives in Congress to vote NO on cuts to early learning.

nhsa.org/advocacy/act...

Letters: We weep for the loss of Pope Francis Pope Francis began his papacy with simplicity, dedicating his life and position to serve the impoverished.

I've got the back of state Democratic lawmakers in my 4/23 letter to the editor. I suggest GOP lawmakers who claim IL is too liberal read the conservative-leaning Chicago Tribune rather than defend Trump's ill-informed policies. "Reading for lawmakers" w/links

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/23/l...

No vouchers (again!) in Illinois Voucher programs have been spreading around the country, taking away funds needed for public schools. [Illustration credit: Corinne Creswell] Last fall, pro-public school advocates successfully push...

Making sure our federal tax dollars fund PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I just sent ltrs to my elected representatives in Congress to vote "NO" on initiatives to divert taxpayer money to pay for private school for wealthy families and home & online schooling.

Good info here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/no-v...

BREAKING: Major Legal Wins Norm and Jen went live to discuss the flood of legal wins today

Need good news? Jen Rubin & Norm Eisen of The Contrarian lift my spirits. They are gleeful about Trump’s losses in the courts—almost 100 & counting. They bring the news—direct & personal—to subscribers. $7 a month also contributes to the lawsuits against Trump. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Invictus Theatre Company

Invictus Theatre Company recently produced a Shakespeare play about the tragedies that follow in the wake of tyrants. And the joy. We look forward to the rest of its season to bring light to our humanity during these distressing times. Excellent theater.

www.invictustheatreco.com#2025-season-...

Letters: We weep for the loss of Pope Francis Pope Francis began his papacy with simplicity, dedicating his life and position to serve the impoverished.

In a letter to the editor today 4/24, I observe, "The GOP is far too busy defending Trump from well-informed perspectives, such as those published by the Tribune." I suggest lawmakers read the conservative-leaning Tribune & include several links to articles.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/23/l...

Thank you! I will be sure to walk to my library today to check out what's going on.

At the 33rd Ward's Neighbor Night (4/22), I learned about the inspiring work of the Latino Union of Chicago. It fights for social and economic justice for domestic workers and day laborers. Thank you to the Latino Union and @ward33chicago.bsky.social. I'm happy to know more about my community.

The US needed a Peace Corps in the ’60s — it still needs one today The Peace Corps experience is now more relevant to the United States than ever.

With so much that we value now under attack, "...we are all the Peace Corps now." What a contrast between President John F. Kennedy and the tyrannical man who currently occupies the White House.

thehill.com/opinion/whit...

I'm happy people showed up to protest the Trump regime in Chicago. Next time, I will check that @indivisiblechicago.bsky.social supports @50501chicago.bsky.social event. The crowd was led to chant "from the river to the sea” and told “they” hate it. I was shocked & felt poorly used.

Daley Plaza in Chicago on April 19, 2025

A 'ballot selfie' could get you more than likes in Illinois Criminalizing "ballot selfies" in Illinois doesn't make sense. "They aren’t a threat to democracy — they’re a celebration of it," writes one young voter. Also the importance of creatives meeting up, t...

I am reassured by letters to the editor that correct the record and call out MAGA nonsense, so I wrote one to the Chicago Sun-Times: "Don’t let Trump administration get the last word."

I'm pleased it was published. "Joy in resistance"😊

(no paywall)
chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-t...

Today on 4/19, the Editorial Board of the conservative Chicago Tribune wrote, albeit indirectly, that President Trump "lacks credibility in his own role." Assuming that's more than an insult for the insulter extraordinaire, I look forward to seeing where @chicagotribune.com takes this. Thank you!

Sign for April 19, 2025 protests. It reads, "Republicans, End the constitutional crisis now" and includes "be patriots" in small letters throughout.

About the Trump regime’s contemptuous response to the courts, Joyce Vance & team write: “…we believe we are firmly in a constitutional crisis.” Thank you for the inspiration. I’m ready for today’s protests. April 19th reminds us that history is on our side.

Good reminder for me to make a donation to the ACLU beyond the modest $25 membership. Just took care of that!

Mary, I didn't know about this website. I visited and saw some events I'm interested in. I usually check out Indivisible Chicago Alliance. I'll check out Mobilize.us, too. Thank you for informing me.

Friday, April 18 - Protect Our Care IL Phonebank / Oppose HHS Cuts / Civil Servants Speak Out — Indivisible Chicago Alliance

I took action today by using a script provided by Indivisible to contact my elected representatives in Congress to vocally oppose cuts to HHS & demand Secretary Kennedy attend congressional hearings. I included two links to related articles in The Contrarian.

indivisiblechicago.com/daily-action...

Love the poster! I’ll be there—Daley Plaza at noon in Chicago.

In contrast, the Chicago Tribune reported it this way:
“US, El Salvador officials stay united.”
@chicagotribune.com, you must do better.