Freedom Walks for Justice in Woodstock Calls for Latino Vote Participation

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in McHenry County will hold a Freedom Walks for Justice rally and march on Woodstock Square on Saturday, November 2 beginning at 1 pm.  LULAC members, friends, and supporters will walk as a group for one mile on the sidewalks around the Square with one message:  “We walk, Mobilize, and Vote.”

The program will begin with a rally around the Gazebo on the Square at 1 pm featuring Latino voices for political empowerment and civic participation at a time when Brown communities are under stress and attack.  Voter registration and political involvement will be stressed.

Maggie Rivera of LULAC.

Maggie Rivera of LULAC and longtime McHenry County Latino leader who will be the on-stage host of the program noted that, “November 2 is also the second day of the traditional Day of the Dead celebration, one of our most important and festive cultural celebrations.  We will use the occasion to remind ourselves and the wider population that despite attacks on our communities and on immigrants, we are not dead and will make our growing power be felt in upcoming elections.”

The local event is just many marches across the U.S. that began in Washington, D.C. on October 3 and will conclude in the same city on November 3.  Altogether there were 15 major marches in cities with large immigrant and Latino populations including six in Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charlottesville, Virginia with scores of local marches like the one in Woodstock.

Freedom Walks for Justice pays “homage to the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights Movement and mobilizes diverse communities around the country facing the same threat—hate and injustice.  The most powerful tool we have to combat systematic discrimination is the ballot box and that is why Freedom Walks mobilizes and registers voters, encouraging our communities to have a voice,” said Sindy Benavides, national CEO of LULAC.

LULAC is the oldest and largest nation organization for Latino citizens.

The Social Justice Team of the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry is a partner in the local effort.

For more information call Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or visit the Facebook Event.

Rapid Response—Woodstock No One is Above the Law Action is One of Scores Nationwide

Community activists and organizations including McHenry County National Organization for Women (NOW) and the McHenry County Democratic Women’s Club have responded to a nation-wide call for rapid response actions to call for the immediate release of the full, unedited Mueller Report despite the delay and obstruction of Attorney General William Barr. They have called for a No One is Above the Law rally and march on the Square in Woodstock, Thursday, April 4

The Cheeto-in-Charge has falsely claimed that the report exonerates the Trump campaign of collusion with Russia in meddling in the 2016 election and declared the Resident innocent of numerous instances of obstruction of justice.

Nationally actions have been endorsed by Move On, Indivisible, Democracy for America, #March for Truth, People for the American Way, Pantsuit Nation, Progressive Democrats of America, Public Citizen, and the Women’s March among other organizations representing a wide spectrum of Democrats, progressives, resistance, and issue advocacy.

The call states:

Congressional leaders have set a deadline: Trump-appointed Attorney General Bill Barr must make the Mueller report public by Tuesday, April 2 or the report will be subpoenaed by Congress. Barr has offered an alternate timeline for a redacted version of the report—but we deserve the full report and Congressional leaders and the American people expect it now. If he doesn’t #ReleaseTheReport  by midnight on Tuesday plan to gather to demand Barr #MakeItPublic with the immediate and full release of the report. Be prepared with your signs and marching shoes. Dress for the weather-this is outdoors. This event is being organized by peaceful grassroots activist groups in McHenry County. Text ALERT to 668366 to receive up to the minute alerts about the protest.

A major rally will be held in Chicago at 5 pm Thursday at the Federal Plaza and several other actions have been scheduled for the suburbs and metropolitan area including Crystal Lake at 5pm across from The Pointe near Target, meet on the sidewalk. To find an event near you visit.

For more information on the Woodstock rally visit the Facebook event.

Rally for the 99% of McHenry County

A Rally by the 99% of McHenry County in support of the Occupy Movement has been called by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock for Tuesday, November 15 from 5 to 6:30 PM in front of the church at Dean and South Streets.

“The movement spawned by Occupy Wall Street is continuing into its second month undeterred by either harsh weather or police attacks on the spreading movement around the country.  In the spirit of a faith tradition rooted in social justice and committed to honoring the interconnectedness of humanity, we are offering our support,” said Patrick Murfin, coordinator of the event for the Committee.

“Unitarian Universalist Association President Peter Morales has urged us to live up to these values and across the country U.U. members, congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and the Standing on the Side of Love movement have been active in the movement.”

The event is open to all members of the 99% who support the movement.

The Rally will also collect supplies urgently needed by Occupy Chicago as it moves into the winter months.  It will be the second collection made by the committee. 

Participants are asked to bring the following items to the rally, but not to drop them off at the church at other times:    

Winter Gear:

• thermal underwear for men and women 
• winter boots 
• winter coats 
• rain ponchos 
• blankets 
• socks, wool is best 
•  hats 
• gloves 
• scarves 
• thermal containers to hold hot water or coffee 
• Sturdy rolling hand trucks with large wheels to handle snow 

Food and drink: 

• non-perishables--canned soups, vegetables, and fruit 
• instant coffee 
• bottled water 
• vitamin water 
• Sandwich meat  (packaged)
• whole grain cookies 
• trail mix bars 

Toiletries: 

• deodorant/antiperspirant
• tissue
• toothpaste and toothbrushes (new)
• baby wipes (to substitute for showers)
• soap
• small bottles of shampoo 

 Items collected will be brought to the Occupy Chicago in the city.

For further information e-mail Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net or call 815 814-5645.