Today I left my neighborhood for the first time since Friday, March 13, to join a few of my friends from the Remove Trump collective and We Will Not Be Silent in making a little statement. Just kidding about the “little” part! This banner is 20′ by 30′ — so it was easy to hold it while observing the six-feet social-distancing rule.
Photo by George De Castro Day. Click to enlarge.
This here is real grass-roots action, unlike the astroturf, gun-waving “back to work” rallies that are secretly supported by what the Guardian describes as “street-fighting rightwing groups like the Proud Boys, conservative armed militia groups, religious fundamentalists, anti-vaccination groups and other elements of the radical right.” We were also responsible, with no more than seven participants — all wearing masks — at each of our stops around the city. We started at Wall Street. In the photo above, we are standing in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
It’s been hard to sit at home knowing that the epic fail of Trump’s COVID-19 response — the lies, misinformation, and self-dealing actions — are leading to so many unnecessary deaths from the novel coronavirus. There have been, as of April 24, over 55,000 COVID-19 deaths across the nation, with over 17,280 deaths in New York City alone.
Photo by George De Castro Day.
Among the dead are the essential workers who help all of us, including health care workers, grocery-store workers, delivery workers, and bus drivers.
Photo by George De Castro Day. Click to enlarge.
Feel free to share these photos by George De Castro Day, but let people know they don’t need a giant banner or a trip outside to be activists. If you’re in New York City, sign up for my Indivisible Activate NYC weekly newsletter. Some of the newsletter items — like calls to fake Democrat Governor Cuomo — apply to the rest of New York State as well. If you’re outside of New York City, the best thing you can do is call your senators and congressperson every day, and tell their staffers what your biggest concerns are. Constituent interaction is crucial to making change. If you’re phone-shy or can’t call during business hours, text the word RESIST to 50409, and use the free Resistbot service to email your elected officials. It’s available 24/7 and especially fun to use after a glass of wine. And it’s always wine o’clock now! How convenient.
Come back tomorrow for more photos from today’s banner drop, including pictures of my sometimes sex-ay, sometimes highlarious outfit.