Where’s it at?
The third of the nationwide nonviolent protests called by the 50501 group is next Tuesday, March 4. Their website is https://www.fiftyfifty.one/.
The site includes a page to help you locate the march location in your state, but it is hinky (keeps saying “no event”), so keep futzing with it — or just Google “50501 protest [city name] march 4.”
A lot of the protests are in state capitals at the state capitol building. But many more are in cities that aren’t capitals of their state — from NYC, SF, Chicago and Cincy to Bend (OR), Tampa (FL) and Greenville (SC).
How do you let people know?
Here’s the invite our Hoosier church group just posted. Feel free to adapt:
March4Liberty on March 4
The next nationwide “Day of Action” nonviolent protest against the ongoing destruction of democracy will take place this coming Tuesday, March 4. The closest site is Indianapolis, where protesters will gather at the Statehouse from 12 to 3 p.m. You don’t have to stay the whole time.
These have been weekday events so far. That's so we can also call out our state legislators, most of whom [in Indiana anyhow] seem just fine with the anti-democracy agenda.
The webpage of the umbrella planning group, 50501, is https://www.fiftyfifty.one/. It’s got helpful information on topics including “Know Your Rights,” “Marching 101,” and “Digital Safety.” Bring your own signs (but there are usually extras). This is a peaceful protest—no violence tolerated.
The Indiana Statehouse is located at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, at the corner of Capitol and Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis. There are several parking garages nearby. You can also take the shuttle to the airport and then the no. 8 city bus downtown, which can let you off close to the statehouse.
Join us in the fight to uphold the Constitution and defend government agencies that work for us against disease, poverty, ignorance and injustice. March forth on March Fourth!
Here is a site with a bunch of posters about the march from many towns (at least one in Spanish), if you need inspiration: www.reddit.com/…
What’s the point?
Some commenters on these marches have been concerned that protesters think, wow, they need only participate in a protest and then US democracy will be all better. I doubt any Kossacks are that naive, but here’s my dream: that you’ll return energized from the march to write letters to the editor, call your congressfolk, support Democratic candidates (or be one), attend town halls (or hold one), and/or all the other steps we discuss here to fight the coup.
The last march I went to — February 17, or “No Kings Day” (also “Not My President’s Day”) — the organizers combined general protest with a specific action. After two hours of speeches and marching, they invited the protesters to enter the Indianapolis Statehouse peacefully, pass through the weapons check, and sit at a committee meeting where the Assembly was considering a toxic education bill, letting the size of their group send a message. I’m sure such a dual-use protest could happen in many other places.
If not this time, the next — this is going to be a long haul. The date of next nationwide 50501 protest is April 19, the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord. (Yes, battle metaphor, but it’s still nonviolent!)
Pass it on!
