Steps Local Residents Can Take to Blunt Damage Caused By Administration
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
In light of the executive orders issued on Day One of the current administration, which Putnam County helped to put in power, I’d like to suggest the following actions to those who feel safe doing so and who are concerned about the harm being caused to their neighbors, family and friends as a result.
- Write your school districts to express your concern about police entering schools to round up and target immigrant families, and express your opposition to any efforts to potentially eradicate DEI and other programs that keep Black, brown and LGBTQ+ students safe.
- Call your representatives at all levels to demand they speak out on these issues rather than ignoring them as distractions; human rights abuses and the demoralization/“othering” of groups of marginalized people is exactly the way fascism takes hold, and thus these issues should be front and center and at the top of everyone’s list.
- Express your opposition to any local police departments and sheriff’s department targeting or terrorizing working immigrants – our neighbors and friends – particularly those who are unhoused and must use services like shelters and warming centers.
- Contact your churches and demand they declare themselves sanctuaries that will defy and stand up to the inhumane and unconstitutional order for police to enter schools and churches.
- Find and attend community events where right-minded people will be strategizing ways to resist. E-mail putnamnypride@gmail.com for more info. Hate mail will be blocked.
- Join a local political committee or consider running for local office. Demand local party leadership be vocal on important issues and stop ignoring them as irrelevant to local politics. They are inextricable.
- Volunteer for organizations working for change. E-mail for more info.
It’s a dark time. We expected this administration would target trans and Black and Brown people, but it is even holding up cop-assaulting criminals as heroes. There’s no bottom in sight for them and, as always, we can only truly rely on grassroots and community-based efforts to keep us safe. Attend the Black History event on Feb. 15. Join Putnam Pride for local Queer nights. E-mail for details. You’re not alone.
Eileen McDermott (she/her)
Putnam Pride
Brewster
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