Tag: Raging Grannies

President’s Day Protests

Dear Liza,

As you know, the United States’ newly installed president has spent his first three weeks in office dismantling the Federal government, rolling back human rights laws, and generally setting himself up to be a dictator.

With his appointment of billionaire racist Elon Musk as head of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), he is quickly firing the staff of any agency that might stop him.

Even more frightening, the Republicans in Congress are doing nothing to protect the government they were elected to.

This angers me… and hundreds of thousands of other Americans.

So on Monday, which was Presidents’ Day, about 2,000 people showed up at Portland City Hall to protest, chant, and eventually march through the streets. A peaceful but vocal crowd marched across the bridges and up the east side, carrying the message of resistance to tyranny.

It was good to be part of something bigger, of a flood of hope and passion for our democracy. Portland’s Raging Grannies were there, and Federal Workers, Union Members, and thousands of just plain folks.

This will not be our last protest, you can be sure. I’ll keep you posted.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Positive Charge

Dear Liza,

It has been a while since I’ve written. I felt like I was repeating myself, didn’t have anything good to say, and just needed to stop talking for a while.

Several things have helped me out of my rut. First, I ran into a group called The Portland Raging Grannies, and have joined them. This group of local women write songs and march at rallies to chant for justice. I think all our small voices taken together can help change the injustices currently washing over us, and give people hope.

Next, I found the Portland Food Project, which collects food from local folks and distributes it to food banks. I have thought I couldn’t help because I don’t drive, but the Food Project comes by twice a month to collect the food! This is a very convenient way to make sure our local folks are fed….Because fed people are happier people.

Then there is Positive Charge PDX. This group was founded by Sally and her daughter Jordan, and their sole mission is to amplify kindness in the world. This year they have collected over 1,700 Valentine cards which will be distributed to old folks homes and Meals on Wheels, so folks with no friends or family can still get a smile in Valentine’s Day. I met them at Tov Coffee when I was dropping off our donations.

I realized that since the election, I have felt a bit beaten down… like there was more ick than joy in the world. But meeting these positive, creative, power -of -the -people groups has given me new hope for our countries’ future.

And for my own, as well.

Love,

Grandma Judy