VA Union Protest, Pink Slip Party
And Upcoming Events
Last night we had a Pink Slip Party at my house, writing letters to the occupants of the White House to let them know what we thought and telling them that they were fired. Everybody brought food and drinks, my friends made pink postcards addressed to the White House, and people donated money and stamps and postcards enough for a follow-up event.
These kinds of events are so healing. It is empowering to do democracy with friends. We are taking action together and building community. So much of the work of democracy can happen on our own, on the phone or the computer sending messages to our representatives. It’s easy to feel like it doesn’t matter. But I promise you, it does. And doing it together with friends amplifies the work, brings joy into the process, and empowers us and fuels us to do more.
Today we joined the American Federation of Government Employees union at the VA to protest the Big Baby’s goals of terminating 80,000 jobs. I am an Air Force Veteran and a Federal Employee, working as a Mental Health Nurse at the VA. My job is at risk right now. One of the most sensitive things I do in my work is working with suicidal veterans. Others have assured me that my job will be protected because of the sensitive nature of what we do. We are essential workers. I’m not so sure. That chainsaw demonstration seemed pretty clear that they weren’t concerned about how they cut government programs, just that they were going to be cut. I generally refrain from talking about my job, but since the Union, the League of Women Voters, and everybody and their mama has joined the rallying cry I’ve decided to be open about it.
As a registered nurse with a master’s in public health, I could work anywhere in the English or Spanish-speaking world. And I’ve always wanted to work in women’s health and with Sexual Assault Nursing. But I choose to work with veterans at the VA here in Fayetteville. The VA is the best health care system in the United States and I am beyond proud of the services and the care that we deliver there every day. And yes, these are my own opinions. I do not speak on behalf of the VA nor as a representative of the VA.
There is no way that cutting 83,000 jobs at the VA is going to improve the healthcare of veterans. Project 2025 seeks to dismantle the VA, privatize care, and create a VA that only provides health care to service-connected disabled veterans. At our VA, this administration has already terminated the Equal Employment Opportunity person, Christopher Ford, who is filing a wrongful termination lawsuit. Ford is an Air Force veteran and alleges his termination was politically motivated. I’m guessing because of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, he believes he was terminated as the EEO manager. EEO prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, or disability. This is under fire directly by our current federal government.
Upcoming Events:
Arkansas Renters United is in Little Rock 3/15 - 3/17 at this event if you are in the area. Registration has closed, but if you want to get involved with people who are working on renters’ rights then you can follow them on Facebook.
March 18 is the next Fayetteville City Council Meeting.
Weekly Protest at Offices of Sen. Cotton and Rep. Womack
Washington County Quorum Court Meeting is the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:
If you have tons of time and want to educate yourself about Washington County Quorum Court, their YouTube channel has captured it all, and while you have to sift through a lot of boring material, there is a wealth of nuggets in there.
Musk or US: Empty Chair Town Hall for Sens. Cotton and Boozman, and Rep. Womack
Drinks & Dialogue is coming up on April 2 with the League of Women Voters of Washington County. Ellen Weintraut will be speaking about immigration law, how to be an advocate, and what your rights are.
Just an additional shout-out to the League of Women Voters. This organization has been around since 1920, Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy. Our state League has just entered a Ballot Initiative to reclaim our direct democracy access that legislators have been actively attacking with their bills this session. You can read about it on Talk Business and Politics. Being involved with this organization has connected me with some of the most amazing people, educated me about so many issues, and provided a platform for me to channel my anger at the destruction of our freedoms into positive civic action. The League has lots of volunteer opportunities available, from Voter Registration (Training Happening on 3/22), to Observer Corps, to Membership Committee, to Event Planning. This is a great option for people looking for ongoing, meaningful, sustained community engagement. You can join the Washington County League or just get on their email list at the embedded link.
Let me know if you need help getting plugged in. There are so many ways to be active in the resistance and lift up our community at the same time. And the people who keep showing up and doing the day-to-day work for democracy inspire me to no end. This is Laura Villegas. She shows up at every rally, protest, postcard writing, or phone call event. I want to be like her when I grow up.
#KeepShowingUp