Most of you know that I have a Meetup group for women close to my own age. We are a menopausal bundle of joy, and the group’s only goal is to have fun and to be active. There are many other groups all over the world, Meetup.com offers something for anybody.
Hiking and biking, cooking and eating, writing and reading and not even the little ones get left out; people meet for playdates with kids, other’s meet to walk the dog. Not all is just for fun, there are health groups for chronic pain and groups that grief together.
Today I received an email from Meetup, and the content floored me at first:
Meetup has always served as an organizing platform for a wide range of political views, welcoming everyone from the Howard Deaniacs to the Tea Party. Meetup will always welcome people with different beliefs.
But after the recent executive order aimed to block people on the
basis of nationality and religion, a line was crossed. At a time when core democratic ideals feel under attack, we feel a duty to spark more civic participation.Last week, we created 1,000+ #Resist Meetup Groups to act as local hubs for actions on behalf of democracy, equality, human rights, social justice, and sustainability. Already 50,000+ people have joined.
These #Resist Meetups are open to anyone who want to create a bright future that’s rich with opportunity and freedom for all.
Meetup exists to connect people so they create opportunity and make the world they want. We hope members take these Meetups forward to be powerful together. (Source: Public Meetup emails 2/13/2017)
I was born nosey and couldn’t help and had to look it up. Would there be one in my neck of the woods? Sure enough, there were five groups close by and members were signing up by the minutes -47…48 more just joined during the last 15 minutes while I was typing this post.
Times have changed indeed.
Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought that anything like this could ever happen in my lifetime. “Resistance” that’s something out of the history book, way back then in a faraway land.
It would never happen here or in Europe. I would have bet by butt, and I would be buttless now.
The Meetup guidelines for the resist groups are simple:
– Be Peaceful
– Be Safe
– Be Kind
– Be Respectful
– Be Real
Join others who care about what’s happening to democracy, equality, human rights, social justice, sustainability, and other important topics. It’s ok if you’ve never been to a protest, march, or town hall — start here. You really can make a difference.
I can’t make up my mind if I want to cry, because there is a need for groups like this, or if I want to lean back with a big grin on my face.
The message especially the young people are sending is loud and clear: “Don’t fuck with us.”
Well, I don’t cry that easy!
It is sad that there is still a need for things like this but at the same time it’s great to see how many people are fighting back against all of this
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I am very proud of each and everyone who is protesting on the streets. I am glad the world can see that now all of us are backward-thinkers.
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I had no idea about any of this. I didn’t know about Meetup groups at all. I am torn between joining straight away and a cynical thought about whether this is a place where governments can collect the names of people who might be ‘troublemakers’. My father (who had reason to know) taught me never to sign anything, or join a public demonstration of any sort! It is only in the last few years that I have found the courage to break out of this, because it is sometimes necessary – especially now.
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I signed up with my first name and email only. Many do that, last name or an address is not required. I fear social media as well -so I understand where you are coming from.
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That sounds clever and you have a non-giveaway blog name and a symbol not a photo. I should be bracer, my daughters are.
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You and I were both raised in Europe. We were raised by people who have lived through WWII. People had been arrested in the middle of the night when the Gestapo knocked at their door. I understand the fear of public demonstrations very well.
I am a very private person and I don’t participate on any social media pages. I never understood the need to share everything with the world -and then I started blogging lol.
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braver not bracer!
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I also can’t decide whether to smile or cry, but I’m going to smile. I think this movement is going to transcend Trump. Perhaps he started a revolution!
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Social media got him elected, now it’s biting him and works against him. The announcement of protests spreads like a wildfire. Interesting how it can work both ways.
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This post inspired me to look for groups in my area on meetup.com. Wowzer! Although I haven’t yet found an #resist group, I found SO MANY others!! … and to think I was lamenting about how I had no one to play with 🙂 I should have learned a little something from my good friend, Bridget 😉
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Good Morning my Friend. I am so glad you looked. I am in a photography group (boy do I suck) and joined an Italian language group. I will test the hiking group and the opera lovers.
I am tickled pink that you looked it up. You made my day!
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I spent about an hour down that rabbit hole! There are just SO MANY groups!! I did register for one group for women over 55 in my area. I’m looking forward to hearing back from them.
I like your idea of a photography group. I think I might need to go back down the rabbit hole again!
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We have a group called “find hidden treasures in our town.” It’s a walking group and they visit forgotten places and buildings. I bet the rest of my butt that there is on in your area too.
So many doors 🙂
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That sounds like my kind of group!! I’ve now joined 2 groups, but I haven’t seen one like that … another trip down the rabbit hole!!
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I’m gonna find one in my area. Together we can change the world💪🏻 Power to the people
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It’s stunning isn’t it?
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The very, very best.
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hard to believe we are living in these times- history repeating itself? I surely hope not…
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I think social media might bite Trump in his behind.
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