Options for action the week of July 14

On July 3, 2025, Republicans ignored countless calls from their constituents, choosing instead to pass a massive and deadly budget bill (learn more here). While it cannot be a surprise when they have a stranglehold on our government, it still hurts to bear witness to this unprecedented expansion of police state powers combined with policies that will result in more people having to go without food and healthcare.

But if our goal to defend democracy and human rights was easy to achieve, we wouldn’t have to use the word persist quite so often. We aren’t giving up, and we hope you won’t, either.

A few options for action this week:

1. Make Good Trouble this Thursday, July 17 at 6 pm in Lenoir

Named in honor of late Congressman John Lewis, Good Trouble Lives On is the next national call to action by Indivisible and other national groups. Indivisible High Country is sponsoring a Honk and Wave protest 6-8 pm on Thursday, July 17 at the intersection of US 321 and NC 18 in Lenoir, NC. Indivisible High Country aims to bring people together across our region. Coordinated with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, this event will include 10 marshals and 2 medics. Find out more, including tips for parking, at https://www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/809233/

2. Call our Senators to vote NO on H.R. 4 Rescissions package 

As explained by 5calls.org, the Trump administration’s rescission package, H.R. 4, has passed in the House and only needs 50 votes in the Senate to pass. This is to codify DOGE cuts, clawing back money that was already allocated by Congress and counted on by these agencies, including

• $1.1 billion from public broadcasting

• $1.25 billion clean technology fund

• $900 million global health programs

• $200 million in foreign aid such as USAID

• And billions more in foreign aid for disasters, peacekeeping, refugees, and economic development.

Call to urge our Senators to vote NO on H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025.

Senator Tillis (202) 224-6342 

Senator Budd (202) 224-3154

3. While you are calling our Senators, demand they vote NO on Emil Bove’s appointment for the federal bench!

4. Continue to monitor the Watauga County Board of Commissioners 

The Watauga County Commission will hold its only July meeting this week on Tuesday, July 15 at 5:30 pm in the Watauga County Administration Building at 814 West King Street, near a parking garage that has free parking in the evenings. We need to continue to monitor this current slate of commissioners that only holds power because gerrymandering by State Senator Hise took control away from the majority of voters in this county… and because we still don’t understand why they voted to eliminate funding for the Hospitality House at a time of increasing food scarcity, rising housing costs, and cuts to healthcare.

NOTES

*Organizers of the No Kings protests are hosting a series of three evening Zoom trainings called One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism, starting Wednesday. Find out more at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/803953/   

*Indivisible High Country will hold a Meet & Greet Summer Social including a potluck meal, music, & conga line dancing on Saturday, July 19 at 5 pm at High Country United Church of Christ. RSVP by July 16 to indivisible.watauga@gmail.com

*A new group called Indivisible BNC (Boone NC) has been formed by Peter Nesbitt, former member/founder of the regional group, to organize local-based pop-up activism in and around Boone. They offer the option for informal protests in and around Boone for Good Trouble Lives On https://www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/810896/