To Come Together and Build Support in these Dark Times |
Hello friends.
A National Shutdown has been planned in protest against the violent and provocative activities of ICE and DHS, and in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors and the people of Minneapolis.
New Moon has chosen to participate, which means that we are canceling all regular and paid activities at the studio on Friday 1/30 and instead will be holding a day of community building, supportive, and activist activities.
This event was sparked by the murder of Alex Pretti on Saturday, so as you can imagine, we haven’t had a lot of time to organize and activities throughout the day will be added to our schedule over the next day or so.
Here is what we have planned so far:
All-day FREE Open Studio, 10am-6pm
We appreciate that for many of us physical activity and movement is critical for our mental and emotional regulation and well-being, so while activities are taking place downstairs, the upstairs space will be open and available for anyone who needs to get in the air for a few minutes.
Protest Sign Making with Jill Marissa, 10:30am-12pm
There is a peace march through Greenwood on Saturday 1/31, as well as other demonstrations throughout the city, both one-off and recurring. Make yourself a sign and let your message be heard! Please bring your own posterboard. We’ll have some craft supplies, but maybe not enough for everyone if we see a lot of folks turn up. So feel free to bring markers, paint, glitter, etc.
Whistle Kit Construction with Leah P, 1-2pm
We’ve got whistles! We’ll be printing out info on signaling patterns, knowing your rights, and resources and then putting it all into little kits. Stop by, help us out, and leave with a whistle kit! (Kits will be available to anyone; not just those who help us construct them)
T-shirt and Lanyard making with Jessica, 2-3:30pm
Once you’ve got your whistle kit, come make yourself a lanyard to hang your whistle on! Or make yourself a t-shirt to wear at your next march! We’ll have crafting supplies and some t-shirts, but to ensure you have a shirt that fits and that you like, please bring a t-shirt.
Performance Art Salon with Amy Funbuttons, 6-8pm
Art is what binds us and art can be both inspiration and solace in troubled times. Please share your art of any kind – it can be aerial but doesn’t need to be. Share a poem, play a song, dance for or with us. It will serve us all to be reminded of our joys, our passions, and our shared humanity.
Going on all day:
• Phone call station. We’ll have numbers printed out of our legislators as well as talking points for each level of government. Have a seat and make a few calls between activities. Our elected officials can only meet our concerns if they know what they are.
• Resource table. Handouts of actions you can take, phone numbers you can call, organizations you can help or that can help you, etc. Sit and read for a few minutes or take a handout with you for later.
• Coffee and snacks throughout the day. Food is nourishment, ritual, and comfort. Sit with your friends and chat over snacks.
• Hang out and conversation space. Talk. Share what you’re feeling, what you’re doing, and how you’re coping. By coming together we motivate and inspire one another.
Thank you for reading this far! But we’re not done yet-
We can use your help!
We’d love to fill the space with meaningful activity on this day. Is there something you’d like to see or lead? Please let us know! Email jenryan.newmoon@gmail.com
Can you help with snacks? We’ll have food set out all day, bring something to share any time.
This is a day for everyone – your friends and family are welcome. The more people share thoughts and actions, the stronger we all are.
Lastly, here are some online resources with information about actions/events, support, civil rights, and what we can do. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but are just a few organizations doing some work in this area.:
Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
Washington Neighborhood Defense
Thank you all for reading this whole text-heavy email. I hope we’ll see a whole bunch of you on Friday!
-jen
