Springville Action - 7/11/25 #27

How to dismantle a dictatorship?

Author

Springville Action
July 11, 2025

🦄 Inspiration

Monsters exist and they are working to destroy esteemed editorial cartoonist Adam Zyglis' career and threaten his life. Call the Buffalo News at (716) 842-1111 and tell them you support his work. Call WBEN at (716) 843-0600 and ask why they think using their federally granted airwaves to threaten a member of the media is a good way to run a business.

Our friends in EA are familiar with this…individual. Offered without additional comment other than that in the face of authoritarian control, remember what you're working for.

🧟‍♂️ Nightmare Fuel

Just open up any news page. Plenty of nightmare stuff out there. We don't need it in this space this issue.

To do ✅ 

📚 Something to read: once upon a time there was an independent weekly paper that had high-quality political commentary from the astute Buffalopundit blogger. His article from 2016 is relevant today. Start asking your Dem elected officials why on earth they give WBEN the time of day, let alone alone interviews. Send them this article. Don't feed the beast. And don't patronize their advertisers. Let them run on the power of hate, fear and lies.

And https://zenodo.org/records/15696097 : The Anti-Autocracy Handbook: A Scholars' Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding

🎉 Something to cheer: pockets of resistance, a reflection by Jess Piper.

🗳️ Something to do: From our friends at Stronger Together East Aurora - Call Gov. Hochul at 518-474-8390. Ask her to commit to not cooperating with federalizing the New York National Guard. Ask her to call them now, so he can’t later. 

A big 👏 to: NYS for standing up against the Big Ugly. Hochul unveils devastating impacts of BiG Ugly Bill. Every NY Republican Congress member voted for this. Print this story and share with people offline. Leave it in public spaces. We need to remember how we get where we're going.

A big 🖕to Niagara University's most fascist alum, Nick Langworthy. Nice to visit fair Springville this week and launder your reputation by chatting with retirees whose Social Security and Medicaid you threaten. Come back down when medical services at BCH and nursing are at JBR and Fid's are at risk.

Events

Springville Action currently meets in person every 4 to 6 weeks at a local venue. We typically share ideas, local events, and have a facilitated discussion around a chosen theme. If you do not currently receive these email invitations, but would like to be included, please respond to  [email protected].

🧶 Crafters/Fiber Artists - lots of opportunities to come together! Concord Library, first Sat. of the month, 1-3; Concord Mercantile, second Sat. of the month, 10-1; Art’s Cafe, Wednesdays, 5:30pm. You’ll see your people.

No Kings, July 17, 5-7pm, Niagara Square

WNY Democrats for Progress, 5-7pm, Wingnuts near the airport

[remainder of content repeats (mostly) from last email]

To Do ✅

😷 Medical checkups. Get a printout of your vaccination record and check with your doctor about recommended vaccines, including MMR, based on your age and other risk factors.

🐝 Citizen Scientists, Unite! Download the Inaturalist app on your phone; upload pictures of nature (animals, plants, trees) for identification and help out the environmental community.

📰 Letter to the Editor. Pick a topic, drill down to 1 key message and write your heart out. There are local people who will help zazz up your letter and get it ready for publication. Email [email protected].

📱 5 Calls - Download the app to your phone; enter your ZIP code; follow the prompts to call U.S. Senators and your local Congressional rep. EXTRA CREDIT - ask your local elected officials what the impact of general federal nonsense will have on local projects, and what they are doing to protect your community.

📮 Postcards - Explore the Postcards for Democrats web site and support Democratic candidates in swing states. Organize for Action is local, find them on Facebook.

😊 Meet a Neighbor: How well do you know your neighbors? Start small but make a point to find one new acquaintance in your area this week!

🗳️ Go to a government meeting. These are open to the public and people rarely attend. See your government at work and pay attention to the decisions they’re making.

At a loss for what to do?

Are you sick of hearing “there’s nothing I can do about everything that’s happening”? There’s plenty you can do - big or small, just try to do SOMETHING each day.

  • Public Displays of Connection

    • Guerilla Gardening and Yarn Bombs! There is a slightly subversive and very fun tactic of guerilla gardening and placing handmade knit pieces in public places. Be creative.

    • Plant a garden or support a local CSA

    • Plant a homemade lawn sign - it doesn’t have to be political - paint a one word message like “Hope", ”Love,” “Peace.”

    • Maintain little free libraries or start your own

  • Basic Needs

    • Donate blood

    • Learn first aid and basic medical skills

    • Participate in local Buy Nothing groups

    • Donate to Little Free Pantries or your local food pantry

    • Participate in a seed exchange, like the one at Hulbert Library in the Town of Concord

  • Organized Volunteering

  • Neighbor Support

    • Help people with phone calls and forms - like Social Security, health appointments and insurance paperwork

    • Give neighbors rides, assist with basic needs

    • Provide a meal to a struggling family or neighbor - see lasagnalove

    • Offer babysitting or respite care - especially during meetings

    • Teach a skill or coordinate a training - sewing, gardening, cooking, car repair, how to fix a toilet or bike.

Misc.

Content welcome: Initially this newsletter was going to be sent weekly. Now it's sending as soon as it feels like there is enough content to let it fly - probably 2x/week. Your contributions are welcome. Email [email protected].

This newsletter will always be free, but if you like what you're reading and can find it in your budget, kick a few bucks to support your local food pantry, an abortion fund, or an elected official who has demonstrated common sense and decency.

Past Newsletters