What do we do NOW? And what do we do NEXT?
No Kings, the big stupid bill, the 4th of July, Good Trouble actions on the 17th. There’s A LOT going on. Our heads are spinning but we are determined.
Deep breath.
Let’s start with the easy one: Good Trouble on July 17th. Yes! We are planning events! Join your NJ 11th for Change friends at Ginty Field in Morris Township from 6 - 7:30pm for a Good Trouble Lives On event featuring speakers, music, and good trouble. Bring your signs (or maybe you will score one of those cool new NJ 11th fans at the event!) https://mobilize.us/s/oBs4PR.
We are also making Good Trouble plans for those unable to attend an in-person event. More info to come this week!
Do we need to talk about the bill? Let’s just say last week was too much. We get it. Yet, our community has power. It's important to remember that, even on days when it's difficult to be at all optimistic.
And in the middle of another gutting news cycle, we had the Fourth of July. Please take a moment to read this reflection on the meaning of Independence Day from our friend Leslie Bockol:
Many of us grew up thinking of the Fourth of July as a holiday that was festive, fun, triumphant — without ambiguity or ambivalence. But now, the Fourth of July has a new, more embattled, more compromised meaning. Its ideals, something not accomplished and handed to us, but something we have to fight for. Its promises, something we aren't guaranteed, even if we fight — but that we're guaranteed to lose if we don't fight.
The closing lines of our national anthem — we all know them. "O, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave / o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" In past generations, the question those lines seemed to ask was "is the flag still waving?" Now, the question is different. Now, the question is, "the land that the flag waves over: is it still the land of the free? Is it still the home of the brave?"
If we want to be free, we're going to have to be brave. We are so grateful for all of you in this beloved community of ours who are committed to being brave, and fighting to make this country live up to the ideals it has long espoused but not yet achieved.
(Speaking of being free… NJ 11th for Change runs on volunteer power, but everything else we need costs money: event supplies, our website and newsletter platform, and more. Please, take a moment to make a donation here!)
Now that we have had a moment to reflect on No KIngs from last month, all we can say is WOW. NJ 11th for Change turned out EN MASSE! It was a real delight meeting up with so many old friends at Rodney’s office and then marching through the streets of Morristown with you!
The event at town hall was intense. The rain didn’t stop us from showing up and speaking out.
We were thrilled to be able to announce NJ 11th for Change’s endorsement of Mikie Sherrill as our next governor to her in person!
Take a moment to watch Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Tom Malinowski from our No Kings event in Morristown. We cannot watch Tom Malinowski lead the crowd in the oath of citizenship without welling up. Bet you can’t either.
Mikie Sherrill: Mikie Sherrill at Morristown No Kings rally, June 14, 2025
Tom Malinowski: Tom Malinowski at the Morristown NJ No Kings rally, June 14, 2025
Full NO KINGS rally video: No Kings Day Rally
Good Trouble events are popping up all over for July 17th and you know we will be there too. Sign up and join us in Morris Township, and keep an eye out for a full list of other opportunities to cause some trouble.
Events!
More Events and Opportunities! Get more information at the links in their titles and register there if an RSVP is needed!
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
One Million Rising: Strategic Non-cooperation to fight authoritarianism “The Moment and Your Mission”
The first of three virtual sessions, sponsored by Indivisible
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Good Trouble Lives On
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Join us in Morris Township, celebrating John Lewis’s legacy on the anniversary of his passing, in nonviolent protest against voter suppression and for human rights!
Working Families Party Nationwide Welcome Gathering
A virtual event from Working Families Party
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays…Sundays, into the Future…
Montclair Protest: Standing Up to Trump & Musk!
Sundays at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street in Montclair
Come from any/all surrounding communities. Come this Sunday, next Sunday, any Sunday, every Sunday for a peaceful protest of this outrageous regime.
The Visibility Brigade is active in our area!
Active citizens working to raise awareness by putting messages “line of sight” for folks on major roadways. Join at the link above. Multiple sites and times available.
