Yes I was arrested
We are living in troubling times that require good people to speak out and take action.
I am a firm believer that bad things happen when good people do nothing.
Many people believe that no one person can effect change. I disagree. All of our small actions can and do affect change. I believe that my job as a mom is to feed, clothe, shelter, educate, and love my child. But I also have a job as an American mom, and that is to fight for my child’s future and all children’s.
Yes I was arrested. It happened a few years ago when I went to DC as an ally to support dreamers seeking DACA. Here is a link to view from my facebook page. I have since been arrested over a dozen times in the past few years for civil disobedience for reproductive justice, immigration reform, democracy, and more. I have no record on my file because it was civil disobedience and I paid my civil fines. I believe that civil disobedience as well as our other actions like letter writing, petitions, making calls, knocking doors, writing letters and postcards to voters, registering voters, and more are all tools that we have to push for progress.
I mention this period in my life because it was terrifying. I hear a lot of folks say they have no time for action, or they don’t think they can have an impact, but the reality is most folks are afraid. I will submit that I had no idea when I left suburbia what would happen, but I knew then and now that failure is not an option. We are living in troubled times that require good people to speak out and take action. You don't need to get arrested like me, but there are plenty of ways to speak out and get involved. No matter what we do our actions will never be as terrifying as what some folks in our community experience.
It will never be as terrifying as the people living in our community being targeted and criminalized because they are black and brown or speak a different language or practice a different religion.
It will never be as terrifying as folks dying because they have no access to affordable healthcare or housing.
It will never be as terrifying as watching innocent lives slaughtered by weapons of war.
It will never be as terrifying as someone being targeted for their identity, pronouns, or who they choose to love.
It will never be as terrifying as the fear of living everyday in limbo, afraid to share who you are and where your heritage comes from.
It will never be as terrifying as folks struggling to make their bills and take care of their families, while they watch more tax breaks go to billionaires and special interest groups.
As long as there is a breath in my body and I have the ability to stand up and fight these travesties, I will be there with my fists in the air. Hopefully there will be no more arrests, but if there is, so be it.
Will you join me to keep pushing back against fascism, racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, anti-semitism, homophobia, misogyny, ageism, ableism, and bigotry?
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Everyone deserves to vote and thrive,
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
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