Over the weekend, more than 300 protesters from a coalition of activist groups gathered on Independence Plaza for Defending Democracy: Readings from the Mueller Report. This event made a statement that we the citizens are going to put up a fight to save our Democracy from the corruption that occupies the White House. You can view the entire event here:
This was no flash-in-the-pan screaming-into-the-wind-aimlessly type of event. There were three sitting Members of Congress and two members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature among the readers of key passages from the Mueller Report, calling attention to the high crimes and misdemeanors emanating from the White House.
The speakers were cheered on by a simmering crowd of over 300 protesters giving up their beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon to register their discontent. Besides being led by Indivisible Philly, the protesters were joined by Indivisible chapters from Upper Darby, Delco, Narberth, Lower Marion and Northwest Philly and supported by Move On and Turn PA Blue among others.
Obviously, the location was selected with great care, in front of the place where both our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were debated and signed, Independence Hall. The National Constitution Center lay off to the north in the background, where thousands of students, seniors and everyone in between go to learn the history and progress that is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. And just around the corner is housed the Liberty Bell, that symbol of freedom that hung above the authors of those great documents in the Hall as they were deliberating and compromising to establish our nation.
The event was led off by a passionate group of protesters who are channeling their energy into protest music in the great folk tradition, Philly Voices Rising. Check out this video of their revamp of the Freedom Singer’s “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around”. Sorry I can’t embed it.
If you’ve got a voice and want to lend it, they could use more. If you live elsewhere and are musically inclined, it could be a great way of both raising your voice and releasing your anxiety. Step up and make it happen there too.
Most of all, the time for sitting on the sidelines is over. It’s time to engage with your Member of Congress and demand accountability. The Mueller Report could not be more clear. As one speaker noted, we need to exercise our power as *citizens* in order to make this democracy work. Whatever your way of participating, speak up, sing loudly, write a blog and tweet, but take to the street too. We are Indivisible…. if we take this moment to join together. Will you speak out?