We the People Rally for Democracy in Springfield

 
Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible on Facebook

On Presidents Day people across the country turned out in all 50 states in support of democracy and against actions by the new Trump regime and "advisor" Elon Musk. Despite wind and bitter cold in Massachusetts, crowds gathered in Boston, Framingham, and Springfield (above). The nationwide action was initiated by the 50501 movement and other organizations. 

A new grassroots movement calling for a 24-hour, nationwide consumer "Economic Blackout" of large and online retailers on February 28 has also gained traction and a fair amount of media attention. Arising from a series of Instagram videos, the organizer has launched a new website (The Peoples Union), along with plans for a follow-up boycott of Amazon from March 7-14. 

Dan Carey, our new Clerk of Courts

Today's newsletter continues our series about those elected in November to represent and serve South Hadley. Dan Carey is well-known to residents as South Hadley's state representative, but beginning in January, he took on a new role serving as Hampshire County's Clerk of Courts. In this issue Dan describes his new position and duties.

• SHDTC Updates--Dan Carey, Hampshire County Clerk of Courts_Issue 67-021825

Welcome Mark Ames

This is the second in our series on those newly elected to represent South Hadley at the district and statewide levels. This newsletter is by Mark Ames, our new Register of Probate. Join us in welcoming Mark and thanking for providing this information about his new office and his work to serve our community.

• SHDTC Updates--Welcome Mark Ames_Issue 66-021225
  

Protest Art Strikes Back

 

Bright red posters with the face of Elon Musk and the words "I am stealing from you" began popping up on the streets of Washington, DC yesterday. The artwork credited to street artist "Absurdly Well' has started appearing on social media, too, and was featured by Rachel Maddow on her Friday night show. One person who shared the art on BlueSky has suggested making a whole oligarch series.

Tracking executive orders and litigation

Some resources for keeping track of executive orders and some of the resulting litigation, as well as the efforts of Elon Musk:

• National Archives--Federal Register:
  2025 Donald J. Trump Executive Orders
• Just Security--Litigation Tracker:
  Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
• Court Watch: 
  Lawsuits Related to Trump Admin Executive Orders
• ABC News:
  What to know about Elon Musk's government dismantling
• ProPublica:
  Elon Musk's Demolition Crew
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
  Recent federal budget proposals would shift significant costs to states and localities

A new voice in Boston

Our 2nd Hampshire legislative district has a new state representative. Read our latest SHDTC Updates newsletter to learn more about Rep.Homar Gómez of Easthampton.

• SHDTC Updates--Welcome Homar Gómez_Issue 65-020625

This Morning in Coup Country

"We don't have a fourth branch of government that's called Elon Musk."
      -- Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Yesterday, Sen. Raskin joined lawmakers in DC who sought to enter USAID headquarters to speak to employees. Denied entry, congressional Democrats spoke instead to the media. It's good to see Dems finally fighting back.

Some thoughts from Substack writers as we start yet another day of government deconstruction. Heather Cox Richardson, as always, pulls everything together in a coherent, understandable format with publicly available citations. Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny, lays out exactly how those in power are following a deliberate game plan to destroy our nation. 

Our independent media are important sources of information in these times, and it's important that we all try to do what we can to support the efforts of those voices through subscriptions and donations. And, keep writing and calling our elected officials to voice your concerns and to urge concerted action by leaders at every level, including the state.

• Substack--Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American: February 3, 2025
• Substack--Timothy Snyder, Thinking about... The Logic of Destruction: February 2, 2025
  
• Wired Magazine--The Young Inexperienced Engineers Aiding Elon Musk's Government Takeover: February 2, 2025
  
• GBH (PBS/NPR)--Trump and Musk move to dismantle USAID, igniting battle with Democratic lawmakers: February 4, 2025
• The Guardian, Opinion-The Guardian view on Donald Trump's power grab: a coup veiled by chaos: February 3, 2025

Jim is so done! (He's not alone.)

Our new SHDTC Update newsletter, the first in 2025, is by SHDTC member Jim Bosman:

• SHDTC Updates-I'm Done!_Issue 64-013125
  

Upcoming Events

Business Meetings
Our next meetings will be at 6:30pm on Thursday, February 20 and March 20, 2025 in the South Hadley Library Trustee's Conference Room. Our meetings are hybrid-online; participants may attend in-person at the Library or online via Zoom. In months when we meet, we typically do so on the third Thursday of the month. To obtain a meeting link, join our mailing list, or for other information about SHDTC, please email: southhadleydemocrats@gmail.com. 

First Friday Breakfast and Conversation
Plan to join us at a First Friday gathering! Our next get-togethers will be at 8:30am on Friday, February 7 and March 7, 2025 at Tailgate Picnic (www.tailgatepicnicdeli.com) in the Village Commons, 7 College Street, South Hadley. Conversation is casual, there is no set agenda, just a chance to talk about local, national and international affairs and join in community with others, Democrat or not, South Hadley resident or not. Participants buy their own coffee/snacks (cash preferred), and all are welcome.

Community Event Reminders

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 6:00pm
  South Hadley Public Library (in-person or via Zoom)
  Dry Brook Aquifer Study Follow-Up Presentation
  

Eisenhower's 1961 Warning

In focusing on the dangers of concentrated power and wealth in his farewell address, President Joe Biden echoed the prescient concerns of President Dwight Eisenhower sixty-four years ago in his own 1961 farewell speech.

In surrounding himself with billionaire donors and Silcon Valley capitalists at his inauguration, the incoming US President, Donald Trump, seemed to be extending an invitation to join in making money intersection of profit and government.

• Reuters-1/15/25: Biden takes aim at the 'tech industrial complex' echoing Eisenhower
  
• The Guardian-1/18/25: Tech bros have front row seats at Trump's inauguration, but what they want goes way beyond that
  
• US National Archives: Discussion of Eisenhower's "military-industrial complex" speech origins and significance (3:16)-www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg-jvHynP9Y   
• US National Archives: Eisenhower's 1961 Farewell address