Sending Out An SOS: Support, Organizing, Strategizing

A final email encouraging you to come to Guapo's Tenleytown tonight (2/6), 5:30 p.m.

Tonight (Thursday, Feb. 6), a group of concerned, overwhelmed, patriotic DC/MD/VA neighbors will gather at Guapo’s Tenleytown, 4515 Wisconsin Avenue NW, in the 2nd floor party room starting at 5:30 p.m. to talk about how we support our community and speak up effectively in these perilous times.

I like a sign that a friend spotted at a recent protest outside the Department of Treasury:

It’s so bad that even the introverts are here.

That’s to say, come tonight even if:

• you don’t normally come to these kind of gatherings

• you think it could be awkward or uncomfortable

• you don’t think you look like an activist

• you think you won’t know anyone

• you’re so upset and angry you don’t know what to say

• you are not sure where you fit on the political spectrum

• you think that the most effective protest will be lawsuits and in the courts
  

I do know a lot of you, so with the exception of that bullet point, I check every one of these boxes. For a while now, I’ve felt in the political wilderness in both local and national politics. Identity politics have divided us, and perhaps this is the moment for us to come together under the values that unite us as DC/DMV residents and those who truly believe in the promise of America.

When I chose Feb. 6 for a get together to introduce and further expose friends and neighbors to Seabury Resources for Aging and Seabury at Friendship Terrace months ago, I had no idea about “Fork in the Road” deadlines and illegal power grabs and assaults on our federal workforce. I’m the daughter of a retired fed, proud of the public service my father performed in his federal agency, and I want to say to any federal workers reading this: I support you. We support you. This is a difficult time, and part of what I hope to talk about tonight is ways we can show our support for our federal workforce neighbors.

A reminder of tonight’s agenda:

• We’ll talk about Seabury Resources for Aging, with a particular emphasis on its all-affordable community for seniors in Ward 3, Seabury at Friendship Terrace. We’ll hear from a resident of the community, CEO Dawn Quattlebaum, and from board members including me on care management services, senior dining sites and wellness centers, and an innovative food program at Friendship Terrace to make dining services free.

• We’ll eat chips, queso, taquitos, nachos and have some drinks. There will be a cash bar for those interested in margaritas and such.

• After a refreshing of drinks, we’ll talk about how we can support our neighbors, organize and be strategic at this time. Topics include how to visibly support our federal workforce, what resources would be helpful to you in speaking up, and how we advocate for D.C. residents, businesses, and taxpayers on Statehood and football stadium spending.

The rain is supposed to end early this afternoon. I look forward to seeing you, and email or call me with any questions, concerns, or thoughts.

Elissa.