Options for the week of August 18

First, the good news--

*Over 325 people took part in today’s Moral Monday event held in Boone. Faith leaders and those directly affected by the “Big Brutal Bill” spoke about the deadly impact of the massive budget cuts that Foxx enthusiastically supported. Standing before a casket to be carried by marchers, one speaker stated, “Virginia Foxx must see the coffins that her vote will fill.” The crowd then marched to Foxx’s office, which remained locked when the clergy knocked at her door. Indeed, there was no response to multiple efforts to reach out to her, even when hundreds of her constituents sang and prayed for her outside.

*Today marks 105 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing American women the right to vote.

*This past Saturday, 88 people turned up for a pop-up rally in front of Earthfare for a quickly-scheduled national day of action to Fight the Trump Takeover, opposing the attempt by Texas to destroy our democracy by arranging for even more extreme gerrymandering.

This week: Tell Congress to stand down the federal escalation and respect DC

This call to action comes from the No Kings coalition in response to the deployment of National Guard to our capital city. You can send a message and find out more about the Free DC project at this link: https://freedcproject.org/allies

Or call our representatives directly, telling them to end the federal escalation and respect the rights of the residents of DC.

Senator Tillis (202) 224-6342

Senator Budd (202) 224-3154

Representative Foxx (202) 225-2071

Upcoming opportunities to monitor our local government

The Watauga County Board of Elections will meet Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 5:00pm in the County Courthouse located at 842 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607. This meeting is open to the public. These meetings can be attended by zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83359464484?pwd=ErcydyFwBDay9TvKAVowTLHcbhHQ3Q.1 Meeting ID: 833 5946 4484 Passcode: 646692

The Gerrymandered Watauga County Commission also meets Tuesday, August 19 at 5:30 pm in the Administration Building on W. King St.

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One More Option: We know that countering human trafficking and child abuse requires meaningful and sustained investments in housing, education (including birth-pre-k), universal healthcare, USAID, judicial reform, worker protections, refugee services, and immigration court reforms, not to mention protecting a truly free and fair press. BUT there is one call you can make just because you feel cranky and want to annoy them: Call Representative Foxx and Senator Budd to demand the release of the Epstein files. Senator Budd (202) 224-3154 and Representative Foxx (202) 225-2071