Summer brings a lot of different behaviors after the political session “wraps up” in Rhode Island but because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) a lot of things are changing.
It has taken a while to write you as so much has been going on but we remain focused on reproductive rights and LGBTQIA equity in our state.
And that is what we will bring you in our activism. We will remain specific in our actions fighting for equal access for all, as so much is being removed.
How?
We have had some great success in building coalitions and networks across this state and are strengthening them now more than ever. We are inviting businesses, religious leaders, and building a new Community Advisory Board, (interested in joining)?
We have new board members joining both of our the organizations, a new building about to be inhabited, a gallery program focused on building a catalyst culture to grow whomever wants to be an artivists, two new websites about to launch, and a network across the state of activists using their voices in their communities. It’s incredibly heartening.
As a grassroots movement, we are unified in our investment in bodily freedom — and have a plan of action ahead of us.
This last year we advocated and pushed for inclusive legislation as a part of multiple coalitions (Yay! the Freedom to Read Act was signed into law on July 3rd), all the while doing the work with you in your towns and cities. We took the time to build our Bodily Freedom Action League (join us still) while defending our past legislative successes, and will launch a new legislative plan for 2025 in the Fall.
We refuse to excuse JOY as a tool.
Join us in using our people power we have used before and harness our voices for a more democratic Rhode Island. Below are a few actions. Because we will use strategic action to create critical pressure points. Big or small, it is great to find involvement with art and action. Thank you for being in this with us. It is community that makes this work doable. And as we have seen, people power makes BIG changes in Rhode Island. Now, let’s get to work!
In Solidarity and Care,
Jocelyn Foye
Executive Director of The Womxn Project and TWP Education Fund
(we are only Rhode Island organizations)
– – – – – –
CALL TO ACTION
Say NO to this anti-democratic judicial nominee, former Senator Michael McCaffrey
✔ Phase 1: DONE! Community, you ROCKED!
The chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission stated we broke precedent for the amount of emails and oral testimony shared against this one candidate. Never has this kind of pressure been put on a candidate. Let’s keep it up.
> Our Summary video
> Steve Alhquist’s full coverage
⚠️ Phase 2: TODAY! The Judicial Nominating Commission will VOTE on their candidates for a range of judge roles in the state.
1. Attend the meeting, July 16th @5:30p
The Department of Administration Building, 1 Capitol Hill, Providence RI. Second floor, conference room A
No community comments allowed but wear your messages of inclusion on your person in the audience.
2. Email the Commission Chair and encourage her to do the right thing. Lead our future into one that considers candidates that stand for ALL the people, not just the wealthy few.
Email: [email protected]
Subject: ** Do the right thing, vote in a civil rights and fully democratic candidate for district judge
Body Copy:
Dear Chair Tadesse,
Thank you for leading the recent Judicial Nominating Commission Meeting on July 8th. I appreciated seeing so many people, especially from the public, participate and share their views.
It was clear from the comments that one candidate, Michael McCaffrey, has a record of trying to limit the civil rights of some Rhode Islanders, though he has not succeeded in passing such policies.
To ensure fairness and transparency, I ask that all candidates be directly asked if they personally and professionally support the rights of people to reproductive healthcare (including abortion) and the rights of the LGBTQIA community to marriage, healthcare, and bodily autonomy, equal to all other Rhode Islanders.
Thank you for supporting justice in Rhode Island.
Respectfully,
((your name, town, zip))
⚠️ Phase 3: Possibly coming if the commission passes this candidate out of committee, the Governor has to approve of the recommendation. Attention will be pointed to Governor McKee.
