Indivisible?

In 2004, George W. Bush was reelected as  president, and many of us had a very bad feeling. Very bad. So, early in 2005, a group of local activists held the very first Coulee Progressives State of the Union at the Concordia. That year, our  theme was Don't Mourn, Organize!

Groups who focused on voting and civil rights, environmental protection, climate action (yes, way back then), social justice, anti-war, critical thinking, self-reliance, and more brought their flyers, posters, displays, petitions, and sign up sheets to connect with and reach out to allies in our community. We operated on trust, sharing and cooperation with food and funds magically appearing as needed. It was fun, energizing, and important.

Several more CP SOTU events were held through 2011, and then, for a few years, The Progresstival took up the gauntlet. But the last Progresstival was just before COVID hit in 2020 and it seemed to be running out of steam even then.

Now, it's 2024, and here we are again, except even deeper, with precious friends and systems to protect and a dangerous future to prepare for. The social environment is different than it was in 2004 - the online world is wider and we have more groups working on important issues - but the connections are still tenuous in many cases, and sometimes we cross-schedule or don't connect on parallel issues.

Is it time for a reset and connect? 

Indivisible started after the 2016 election of Donald Trump. Founded by Congressional staffers, it produced a guide that educates about, trains for, and promotes actions and behaviors to "resist the GOPs agenda, elect local champions, and fight for progressive policies."

There is not an active Indivisible group in La Crosse. Should there be? Should we all connect in early 2025 to plan out how we will support and protect each other and counter the coming political superstorm?

If this will not be just another bad four years, as some are warning, we need to get ready.

What do you think? Email couleeprogressive (singular) at hotmail.