One way to joy ...
is to protest
I’m back. I apologize for the unannounced break last week. I was sick with bronchitis and the day I was supposed to write this letter, all I could manage was going to the big multi-choir concert on Sunday. Most days I didn't leave the house, or even do any of my daily chores. Let alone write. But I'm on the mend! Not coughing as much, sleeping through the night, even getting out of the house to shop, review a play, and attend a concert.
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On Saturday, my long-time friend and I went to the local protest in East Portland. We knew downtown Portland would be more crowded and maybe impossible for my friend to navigate with her walker. Also, I knew I didn't have the energy to do any kind of a march. But I got to be part of the millions out protesting and resisting the fascists.
Our Representative Maxine Dexter came and spoke at our rally in East Portland. It was good to see her in person, as she is one of the people I call on a regular basis (along with our two senators). We are lucky in Oregon to be represented in Congress by people who truly represent the way we feel about the horrors that are happening daily.
Surprisingly (or maybe I should be surprised?) the New York Times did not feature the enormous and peaceful protests that happened in every state, every territory, and in many other countries around the world. I suppose if there had been violence they might have deigned to publish some photos. Disgusting.
Facebook is FILLED with pictures of protests, of course. The homemade signs were amazing. They ranged from the mild (like my own) to the obscene. Some were funny, many were filled with rage, every one of them from the heart.
I'll be out with my sign on Thursday evenings at 7. I hope this particular protest catches on everywhere. I know it's happening in New York City.
I had a wonderful blurb about my upcoming show from Linda Ferguson at Oregon ArtsWatch. I am hoping to sell out all three performances of A Window into Tennessee. Michael J. Teufel does such a beautiful job of bringing my words (and Tennessee Williams) to life. If you're in the Portland area, I hope you'll come. Tickets are cheap. Free if you have a pass.
If you were part of the protests, I'd love to hear about your personal experience of it. Also, if you’re coming to my show, be sure to say hi. I’ll be at each performance.
Thank you for getting out there, Sandra! You were carrying that sign for me, too--and for all of us who can't get out. Congratulations on your upcoming show!
Fantastic Sandra! Love the pics, especially about the cardboard! Your ‘local’ demo was a great example of localism at its best. I love the fact that your friend with the walker got to demonstrate too. We should try that here in Beeston when Nottingham is having a rally some of us would like to support by organising a local offshoot. You are a great role model ❤️🐰 Robert.