Stay Safe at Home, Get Your Boots Ready!
Sisters,
This coming Saturday, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Catholic Church, will broadcast a special event from the Vatican, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago at Rate Field. According to the Pew Research Center, the Catholic population is 54% White, 36% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2% Black. An additional 2% identify with another race. These data suggest that millions are likely to tune in to hear what Pope Leo XIV has to say about world affairs. The program is likely to secure major press coverage here in the United States, and even though I am not Catholic, I am eager to hear what he has to say about pursuing global peace and loving our fellow brothers and sisters.
A decidedly different tone will be broadcast from Washington, DC, beginning at 6:30 pm when President Trump will hold a parade ostensibly to honor the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary, which also happens to be his birthday. WE CAN is headquartered in the DC area, so we see the U.S. Army tanks and other heavy machinery arriving for the parade. Local leaders have already acknowledged that local roadways are not designed for this type of heavy equipment, and millions will be spent on repairs to the resulting damage. Large banners of the president will be erected along the parade route and throughout the city. Fencing is being erected to protect his supporters and, hopefully, counter protesters.
A series of unprecedented events have marked this presidency, so the parade should not be a surprise. But the irony of it is not lost on most of us. The estimated cost of the parade is north of $95 million, at a time when the U.S. is so strapped for cash our Congress can’t pass a budget to provide health care to seniors and low-income folks, feed the hungry–including children, retain a civil service workforce of the size and expertise needed for the complex needs of the U.S., and ensure that working families can afford the rising cost of childcare. Millions of Americans will find life even more challenging, but clearly, the health and well-being of most Americans is not a priority.
Thousands of counterprotests are planned for the entire day to demonstrate the large number of Americans who disagree with this administration’s policies and overall direction for the country. Many organizations have provided guidance about how to safely protest, but WE CAN implores all of you to stay home and avoid the conflict.
As the police and National Guard presence increases at protests in Los Angeles, it is growing more dangerous. Despite Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom stating that additional military support is not necessary, the U.S. military has been called into service by President Trump. Instead of joining the counterprotests, Sisters, let’s turn our attention to what happens next.
WE CAN take action and not put our safety at risk. The first thing you should do is get yourself protest-ready. Click the video below and get your boots on the ground! Spend June 14th line dancing, planning your Juneteenth menu/event, hanging out with your WE CAN Action Team sisters, resting somewhere with a good book and a glass of whatever makes you happy. Bottom line—stay out of harm’s way and celebrate your amazing self!
The second thing you need to do is get smart about what the administration is doing regarding the things that are important to you! Sometime before the end of this month, review the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Project 2025 Tracker. Here you can learn more about all the actions the administration has taken to implement its plans. We can’t effectively fight what we don’t understand.
Finally, decide TODAY to join in WE CAN efforts to educate our lawmakers about what WE WANT for our communities. In about 7 weeks, members of the U.S. Congress will be in their home districts for the August recess. This is a GREAT time to make your voice heard by the folks you elected to represent you in DC. Of course, you don’t have to wait until August, but if you’re afraid or don’t feel ready yet, WE CAN will help you get there!
Start by sharing your opinion about what issues WE CAN should focus on as we plan for the future. Click here to comment on a 2-minute survey.
I grow more resolved every day. Resolved to stand for my beliefs. Resolved to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. Resolved to be our ancestors’ wildest dreams and continue their work to make America live up to its founding documents.
Get your boots ready because we have work to do!
In solidarity,
Stephanie, WE CAN Founder