For last Sunday’s standout, with only 3 days notice, we had 50+ people come out! It looks like Sunday works for people, so let’s do it again.
We’ve moved this up 30 minutes; it runs from 3:30 – 5:30pm.
People bring banners, signs, and flags, or they just bring themselves, and we wave to passing motorists. Many beep and wave back at us, which feels nice! We learn that we are not alone, and we show people that they are not alone. We help give them the courage to join us and take a stand.
Please come out whether or not you have a sign or banner or flag – more people is better!
Come when you can, and leave when you must. You needn’t be present for the entire 2-hour stand-out.
We may see a counter protester. If so, the best thing to do is just ignore them and spend our time and energy waving to motorists. Let’s keep things 100% non-confrontational in words and body language.
We welcome your energy and your ideas, and we’re looking forward to meeting everyone. Let’s have some fun, and make some good trouble!
The address “9 Mountain Park Rd, Holyoke” will get you there if you’re using Waze. (Mountain Park Road runs off Route 5, and is not accessible from I-91.) People have reported that some GPS systems bring you right under the bridge, but on I-91. That’s annoying!
Please park on the side of the road before the bridge. We can’t park on the bridge.
For sign and banner lettering, bigger is better, so it can be easily read from the roadway.
Mass DOT does not like things attached to the fence. They may visit, so be prepared to not have anything attached.
Never drape anything over the fence, even with ropes, as it is very dangerous if it accidentally falls on the highway.
Please take everything you brought away with you, and leave the site totally clean.
If rain is predicted, this event will be canceled, and you’ll receive an email notification.
We’ve found that roof rake sections make wonderful flagpoles and banner poles. If you have a roof rake (or 10’-15’ light metal poles or conduit) to contribute, we’ll be happy to take it off your hands!
Donations…we’ve purchased banners and grommets and flags and zip ties and bungee cords, and we’ll be getting more. We’ve purchased 20” x 30” letter boards for messaging we can change. All this costs $$$. We’ll have a bucket for donations, and if you could throw something in, that’d be great. And if not, that’s perfectly OK, too – your presence is what’s really important.
See where the money’s going!
https://tinyurl.com/IN-SLWMProtestTeamFinancials
We’d like to gather your ideas, and build an organizing team and a skill inventory. Please complete the Google survey here:
https://tinyurl.com/IN-SLWMform
photo: J. Leonard
To submit an event to the calendar, email calendar@swingbluealliance.org