We are a grassroots neighborhood action group for Seattle's Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods, and part of the umbrella organization Communities Rising. Want to get involved? We post weekly and ongoing opportunities for action on this page. Join us!

If the huge No Kings protests last month were the shot, Tuesday's election was the chaser, with Democrats showing once more that they could turn out to deliver a powerful vote when Mr. Trump is in the White House.

Think back to how you felt a year ago when Trump was reelected. Now think about how you feel about last night's election. You volunteered. You went to protests. You didn't check out. You put in the work required for our democracy -- and it's paying off. Remember this.

Robert Reich, author of "Coming Up Short," on social media, Nov. 5

Helping our community

Report from the October meeting: About 25 or 30 members came out to talk about supporting food banks, displaying “signs of fascism” (or its antithesis, “signs of democracy”) and discussing an upcoming pro-voter concert at Town Hall.

SNAP funding is very much in flux right now, but even if things take a turn for the better, it’s always good to know how to help those in need. One of our co-leaders works in the food bank world, and talked about how giving money is more efficient than giving food you purchase yourself, because food banks can buy at wholesale prices and get the best deal. Food banks are especially appreciative of those who can make a monthly monetary donation, rather than a one-time contribution, because it helps them budget for the rest of the year.

There are a number of food banks in our immediate area, and we’ll be listing some of them in a future email. But if you want to get started right away, check out the Ballard Food Bank’s website. You can donate directly from that page, as well as sign up to volunteer. The food bank allows people to select free food in a grocery store-like setting, sends home weekend food for school kids, makes home deliveries and offers many other services. We’re lucky to have them in our community.

More ideas from the meeting

One of our members was inspired by Westerville Progressive Alliance's "Signs of Fascism," a terrific protest that took place a while back in Westerville, Ohio and has since been replicated in other communities. (Check out this video on Facebook.) Members held simple signs that listed actions which indicated a society is turning toward fascism. (An editorial board column in the New York Times Oct. 31 covered much of the same territory.) We also talked about reversing the message and dwelling on the positive with "Signs of Democracy." We passed around a signup sheet to see who's interested in doing this style of protest here. Stay tuned, it's a great idea.
Buy your tickets for "United We Sing," a Nov. 12 concert for truth, justice and and a better tomorrow, at Town Hall Seattle. It's presented by the Movement Voter Project. Rumor has it that Trillionaires for Trump will be in attendance, and the gossip is that at least two Phinneywood Rising members will be taking a turn in this fun, satirical protest!
We spent time talking about small, low-barrier actions we can all take at any time, and discussed the importance of making a plan to actually follow through and do them. A few ideas: Cancel your Spotify account (Spotify is airing ICE ads), participate in the economic boycott Nov. 25-Dec. 2 (buy things you need in advance, preferably from small, local merchants, then zip up your wallet and keep it closed until Dec. 3), call politicians on the other side of the aisle when they do something you actually support, carry a whistle to alert people when ICE is in the neighborhood, and adopt your nearest telephone pole, plastering it with feel-good messages and protest news as a low-barrier way to keep your community informed.

Do something big

Joining a mass protest can be a big commitment. Challenge yourself to participate once a month - or more often. See the Seattle Protests list for ongoing weekly protests.

Resist Dance - Billionaires must Fall, Nov. 15, 6 p.m to midnight at the Hazard Factory, 7800 7th Avenue, South Park, Seattle. The Troublemakers are your hosts, and they say: "It’s been a year. Let’s turn it into movement. RESIST DANCE is a community dance party for Troublemakers who need a release." Fancy dress, $20 tickets (you can pay less if you can't swing that amount), heavy hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. More information here
Stay tuned for the next big thing.

Do something smaller

A list of actions and small, local protests you can do any time.

Phinneywood Rising's bannering project happens every Tuesday in November, weather permitting. Join us at the Highway 99 north pedestrian overpass at Woodland Park from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Note LATEST time change due to the end of daylight saving time.) Here's a map of the exact location.
Thursdays: Defending Democracy rally at 73rd & Greenwood (Ken's Market), 4:30-5:30 p.m. An hour of noisemaking, sign and handwaving, and conversations on the sidewalk.
Participate in Din 4 Democracy 30, a new way to sound the alarm against rising authoritarianism and to sustain the resistance in between big protests. To participate, simply blow a horn or make noise for 30 seconds every Saturday beginning precisely at noon. (Use your cell phone to be precise about timing.) Consider getting a few neighbors in your block to participate and let's see what happens next!
Do a few of Seattle Indivisible's daily actions -- you can get them delivered by email, or just check the website daily for great ideas.

Use the app 5calls, which provides a script and phone numbers for a wide range of issues. If you don’t want to use their app, read their FAQ on how to make your call more effective.
If you want a casual way to support folks in need, consider donating to neighborhood Little Free Pantries - Give or take some food at the Presbyterian Church @ 70th & Phinney, or between 78th & 79th on Dayton (looks like a Little Free Library). We all know about the deadline looming for SNAP benefits. In addition, food banks are low right now, and the need is high. Please consider providing food for your neighbors.

Learn something new

The Seattle Human Rights Commission is sponsoring a free showing of the documentary film "Evicting The American Dream," Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at 415 Westlake Ave. N. It will be followed by a panel discussion with the director. More information here.
Mark your calendar for the next Communities Rising all-hands gathering Nov. 19. They'll show the film "The Invisible Doctrine: the Secret History of Neoliberalism" at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church from 6:30-8:30 p.m. A $5 to $10 donation is requested to cover film and church rental.
And after that event, Communities Rising's monthly gathering for December will be a potluck holiday dinner at the Phinney Neighborhood Center on 12/19 from 6-8 p.m.
Join a new book club centered on "Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution," which brings together dozens of seasoned artists and activists from around the world to distill their best practices into a toolbox for creative action. It is a kind of roadmap to help Americans defeat fascism. Communities Rising is organizing a group to read the book, then use the ideas it proposes to help make beautiful trouble in this fraught time. Sign up here.

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