Join Rise Up Western Massachusetts Indivisible, Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, and Indivisible Northampton – Swing Left Western Mass in our standouts reaching the hundreds of thousands of fair goers who descend on West Springfield every year for “The Big E”.
The first day of the fair is Friday, September 12, which is Military Appreciation Day. More than 10,000 Veterans, not including their family members, are expected to attend.
Join us to show our support for Veterans and the VA. We believe diversity is a strength in the military (women, POC, LGBTQ+). We also believe Veteran, military and spouse women’s healthcare and abortion access rights are under threat by this administration. We are angry about Project 2025’s plan to dismantle the VA, specifically cutting staff and outsourcing benefits and health care, and terminating DEI programs. We also support Veterans who are immigrants and will show our support to all immigrants, including veterans who have been deported without due process: the USA is founded on immigration-not the terror that ICE brings to our peaceful communities!
Our theme idea for this standout is to show our LOVE for veterans and our support for democracy. We invite participants to use the bright red or blue heart symbol on signs because they are easily seen and convey a positive tone! For example, signs with text such as: “SUPPORT VETERANS,” “DEFEND DEMOCRACY,” or with heart symbols that extend love for “IMMIGRANTS,” “FREEDOM,” “VA,” “VETERANS,” “FEDERAL WORKERS.”
No profanity on protest signs, please! We want to have a delicate balance of respect for veterans and the military, while showing our disgust with the Trump administration.
(Standouts on the weekend of September 20/21 will be from 10 – noon, on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, on the sidewalk in the vicinity of 218 Memorial Avenue by the Work ‘N Gear store and in the proximity of other stores like Savers, Bob’s Discount Furniture and Pet Supplies Plus. The theme is ‘What we Stand For’. For more information and to sign up, go to:https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/839495/)
https://indivisi.org/safety A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Let’s Make Some NOISE! on one of the biggest days of the year in Western Mass – Military Appreciation Day and Day 1 of The Big E! Together we can disrupt authoritarianism and strengthen & inspire those who support and protect democracy!
To submit an event to the calendar, email calendar@swingbluealliance.org