John Lewis, 1940-2020
“Good Trouble”
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America is a constant work in progress. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further – to speak out for what’s right, to challenge an unjust status quo, and to imagine a better world.
John Lewis – one of the original Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Member of Congress representing the people of Georgia for 33 years – not only assumed that responsibility, he made it his life’s work. He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.
Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country, what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility. Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim Crow South, he understood that he was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country, understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws, but to change hearts and minds as well.
In so many ways, John’s life was exceptional. But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do. He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what’s right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect. And it’s because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon in that long journey towards a more perfect union.Membership Meeting Monday, July 13
Join us for our monthly membership meeting via Zoom this Coming Monday, July 13 from 7:30-9PM. Congressman Bill Foster from IL-11 will be letting us know what is going on in Washington. There will be time for a Q & A.
Additionally, Lee Greenhouse from Vote at Home will discuss vote at home in IL. — you can already apply for your ballot! We will give you the latest information about vote at home legislation and rules with the passing of SB 1863.
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We look forward to meeting you or seeing you again!
Trivia Night Friday, June 26th!
A “Social But Distant” Fundraiser!
We can’t have any in-person galas, so this will be our attempt at a social fundraiser. Please join us tonght, Friday, June 26 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. for LTDO’s first-ever Trivia Night Fundraiser. The event will be hosted on Facebook Live by LTDO member Urzula Urzua.
You may enter for any donation amount. Winners will get lovely Coronavirus themed prizes! Masks!! Hand sanitizer!! Edible plants!! Toilet paper!!
The event will go live at 8:30 p.m., and there will be a new round of trivia about every 15 minutes. Feel free to join any game — answers are texted to the host, who will also serve as scorekeeper and referee. Expect some technical glitches — Urzula will have the final say on which answer popped up first.
Please donate / sign up here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ltdotrivianite20
All proceeds will go to support LTDO programs. We look forward to seeing you there!
Online Activist Training Starts June 16th
Do you have an issue that energizes you? Are you angry and want substantive change? Do you want to make your voice be heard regarding police violence against people of color? We have a once in a generation opportunity for real change or we could lose it if we don’t ORGANIZE NOW!
The first class will be June 16 at 7PM and we will organize from there. We want to help you develop your activism so that you constructively and safely get exactly what you want. We want your voice to be heard louder and go further. We will connect you with activists who care about what you do throughout the state. The class will go over
- Your rights as protesters
- How to plan various highly impactful methods of civil disobedience
- Social media and how to organize
- How to register voters and work in a campaign.
The final project will be a county wide event, organized and planned by the students, with the support of the organized activist community to make sure that their message is heard. Indivisible DuPage pictured above at the 2018 Women’s March has been on the forefront of political activism locally since it began in January 2017 to fight Trump’s agenda. We were angrily denounced by Jeannie Ives and the Illinois Tea Party because they believe that we are one of the most effective methods of change locally.
and you’ll be sent information for the first Zoom class.
Summer Candidate Training Class Begins June 20th
Indivisible DuPage and Team Illinois for Equity and Reform will provide applicable virtual training and digital materials for those interested in running for local elected offices in April 2021 and November 2022. The training will be for an hour and a half once a week from June 20- September 12 at a time convenient for those that are interested. We will meet online. This will be a free training but to reserve your spot. After you fill this in, a confirmation will be sent to you. If you have any questions please email diahewitt@mail.com or call Diane at 630-776-2324. Thank you for being interested.