Author: Tracy Abell

Friday Haiku + notes: on Nazism

/ Tracy Abell / 9 Comments

new administration
billionaire’s Nazi salute
believe what you see

NOTES:
1) The above shows Elon Musk at Trump’s inaugural parade on January 20, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
2) The American Defamation League (ADL) which supposedly exists to combat antisemitism, responded to Musk’s Nazi salute with this [emphasis mine]:
“This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety,” the ADL wrote in a Monday post on Musk’s social platform X. “It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge.”
In case you’ve forgotten, last year the ADL decried the “antisemitism” of college students (many of them Jewish) who protested their tuition and taxes being used to fund the genocide in Palestine. Notably, the ADL url for their “Campus Crisis Daily” contains the words “no tolerance for antisemitism.”  Apparently, ADL can tolerate Nazi salutes from white supremacist billionaires, but draws the line at Jewish students speaking out against genocide.
3) It’s not only the ADL tripping over themselves to excuse a Nazi salute, a TV weather forecaster from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was fired after calling out Musk’s Nazi salute on social media.
4)  NBC News edited their footage to remove the Nazi salute while the Washington Post referred to Musk’s appearance as “exuberant.”
5) Religion Dispatches breaks down the media coverage in the U.S. and around the world: While Global Media Are Clear on Musk’s Nazi Salute US Media Engage in ‘Nazi-Washing’ 
6) This is a very good time to remember George Orwell’s book 1984:

For above graphic: h/t to @thelazycanuck.bsky.social

Take them at their words and actions. Believe what you see. Reject the gaslighting.

Martin Luther King, Jr. on Solidarity

/ Tracy Abell / 5 Comments

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition
was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

Martin Martin Luther King, Jr. in Montgomery Alabama, 1958.      //       Grey Villet / The LIFE Picture Collection

The above quote is from 1958, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story” and it speaks to our current moment. We cannot remain silent in the face of cruel and inhumane policies. We are all connected, people and planet.

Solidarity! ✊🏾

Sunday Confessional: fractured focus

/ Tracy Abell / 14 Comments

Tomorrow is the return of Agent Orange and his merry band of billionaires who are hell-bent on inflicting violence on the most vulnerable members of society while further consolidating the billionaires’ wealth and power. Tragically, there is no opposition party as the Democrats are too busy enabling horrific policies (see Laken Riley Act) which they believe will elevate their standing in voters’ eyes. But I digress.

The purpose of this post is to say upfront that I don’t anticipate posting much in the next couple months despite the hell that’s been promised by those odious mobsters and soulless ghouls. Why? Because Zippy and I are preparing to move out of state at the beginning of March. We’ve lived in this home for nearly 28 years which means we’ve accumulated lots of stuff. (Good time to revisit the genius of George Carlin!) I’ve been giving away things at a pretty good clip for months now and still lie awake in the middle of the night, seized with panic about getting everything sorted before the moving van arrives. Where did all that stuff come from?!

The good news is that downsizing is liberating. The other good news (on a purely personal level) is that sorting through decades of stuff means I literally don’t have time to wade into the ugliness of our reality right now. BUT, I’ve taken steps to help me get locked in to our new community once we’re settled in Washington (we’re looking at the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, so please holler if that’s near you!).

The incomparable Mariame Kaba organized online workshops at the end of 2024 to get people ready for what’s coming, and I was able to participate in three of them: “Where Do I Begin: Identifying Social Change Roles and Ecosystems,” “We’re All We’ve Got: Mutual Aid for Survival and Resistance,” and “Move the Needle: Activism for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers.” Each workshop included tons of resources I’d love to share (so please ask!) A big takeaway came from Shannon Downey who led the Move the Needle workshop: she recommends choosing ONE ISSUE and focusing on that for the rest of our lives. I’ll write more on that idea later and will add this image as a placeholder for now:

“It can be overwhelming to witness/experience/take in all the injustices of the moment. The good news is that they’re all connected, so if your little corner or work involves pulling at one of the threads, you’re helping to unravel the whole damn cloth.” ~ Ursula Wolfe-Rocca

This quote really puts that ONE ISSUE idea into context. I’m thinking/hoping the one issue approach will alleviate my Whack-a-Mole tendencies that lead to burnout.

Anyway, Shannon Downey wrote a beautiful book that I bought and look forward to reading when I have time. Let’s Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers. I’d love to read and discuss with other creative folks, so please let me know if you’d like to do that with me. We might be in different locations, but we’re still all connected in the struggle.

Okay, there are literally hundreds of books calling for my attention right now. And photos. And pillows….why oh why do we have so many pillows?! Thank you for reading and please know I appreciate you and your kind heart.

Ceasefire has arrived

/ Tracy Abell / 2 Comments

There is a ceasefire! It’s the very same deal that was on the table in May but that Biden allowed Netanyahu to torpedo as the U.S. continued to send billions of dollars of weaponry and political cover to Israel.

Jeremy Scahill of Drop Site News is on YouTube now discussing the situation with two Palestinian guests. I’m going to add to this post but want to share the Live link now.

Today, just minutes after receiving If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose by Refaat Alareer in the mail, I learned that a ceasefire was reached.

It’s horrific it took this long. It’s horrific that Refaat Alareer (and members of his family) were murdered by Israel before this day came, along with the thousands and thousands of other Palestinians (the majority of them children). It’s horrific that it took Trump’s upcoming inauguration to rein in Netanyahu.

Jeremy Scahill’s Drop Site News piece from yesterday, “The Trump Factor: Gaza Ceasefire Deal Appears Close” outlines how Biden refused to use his power to stop Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people.

The fact that Trump emerged as the decisive player in pushing a potential ceasefire forward is evidence that Biden never used the full powers available to a sitting U.S. president to seal the deal in the summer. While Trump has publicly repeated his threat that he will “unleash hell” on Hamas if the Israeli hostages are not freed, his pressure has not been solely focused on Hamas; Trump and his aides have made clear to Netanyahu that the president-elect expects Israel to comply with his demands, too.

In case you’re unable to join the Live discussion, here’s a video link to a discussion of the ceasefire deal from this morning.

I also want to link to Ryan Grim’s piece: Kamala Harris Paid the Price for Not Breaking With Biden on Gaza, New Poll Shows (subtitle: Twenty-nine percent of non-voters who supported Biden in 2020 said U.S. support for the genocide was the top reason they sat the 2024 election, according to a survey by YouGov).

I’ve been listening to the Live discussion as I write this (so my concentration is fractured in both directions), but one of the Palestinian guests talked about a “Trump gift bag to Netanyahu” which includes allowing Israel to unleash more violence against Palestinians after a momentary ceasefire. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be a shock. I’m trying to think about the upcoming release of thousands of Palestinians who have been in detention for years and years, held without charge, as they are starved, beaten, and raped. Their release alone is worth massive celebration.

I’ll stop here.

Rest in power, Refaat Alareer.
Free Palestine!
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

Edited to add additional info via an email from US Campaign for Palestinian rights:

Did you see the news? An official ceasefire deal has been reached, and the first of the three-phase plan is due to go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19. 

We want to be very clear: this is good news. We’ve advocated for a permanent ceasefire as the bare minimum demand from the very beginning. This news is an urgently needed relief for Palestinian people in Gaza fighting to survive each day of this horrific genocide, as we see live scenes of their joyful celebrations. 

At the same time, you may have noticed that midway through last year, we shifted our focus from a permanent ceasefire to our long-held North Star goal to end military funding to Israel from the U.S. war machine. 

This was very intentional. We know the genocide doesn’t end when the bombs stop dropping. The genocide ends when UNRWA can operate freely. When every destroyed hospital is rebuilt. When unfettered aid, food, water, and gasoline can enter Gaza. 

Even then, true Palestinian liberation—essential for the collective liberation of all oppressed peoples globally—only comes when Israel’s apartheid regime, supported by tens of billions in military funding from the U.S., comes to an end. 

I wish those changes were possible in the next few months and that I could share a roadmap with you for it, but that would be a lie.

So today, we keep fighting against another $8 billion in weapons to Israel.

And tomorrow—through power building, organizing, and investing in our infrastructure, we will continue the long-term work to force a U.S. arms embargo on Israel and end U.S. complicity in Israel’s apartheid regime once and for all.

Resources for those affected by Los Angeles wildfires

/ Tracy Abell / 10 Comments

My heart goes out to everyone in the Los Angeles area as they deal with multiple wildfires and horrifyingly high winds and dry conditions. I’m going to share resources below and want to first say: MASKS ARE NECESSARY to protect lungs against wildfire smoke! I’ve been ordering from BonaFide Masks for years. High quality and reasonable prices. 25% off orders through January + free ground shipping.

1.14.24 UPDATE: N95 MASKS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY LOCATIONS. Go HERE to find a library near you.

PLEASE AMPLIFY & SHARE THE FOLLOWING INFO:

Kelly Hayes shared the following (plus more info at link):

  • Mutual Aid LA Network is maintaining a spreadsheet of resources for people affected by the fires. The list is being updated continuously with new resources and calls for volunteers and donations. Please consider uplifting this resource on social media. (And if your faith in humanity needs a boost, be sure to have a look at the spreadsheet and appreciate all of the ways people in LA are supporting each other right now.) You can donate to MALAN here.

People vs Fossil Fuels shared the following resources:

This is a climate emergency! We must halt the development of fossil fuels and make a just transition to renewable energy. Our very existence is at stake.

Climate Movement Monday: good news

/ Tracy Abell / 6 Comments

Welcome back to another Movement Monday in which we discuss all things climate. I typically offer a quick action you can take on behalf of a frontline community experiencing the worst effects of the climate crisis, but today am content to share two pieces of good news.

On December 26, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act. From the press release from Senator Liz Krueger who sponsored the bill in the Senate, this legislation “…will use the polluter-pays model exemplified by existing federal and state superfund laws to collect $75 billion over twenty-five years for climate change adaptation from the parties most responsible for causing the climate crisis – big oil and gas companies.”

This is very good news because, as is stated in the press release, New York is the 10th largest economy in the world. The final paragraph reads:

The Climate Change Superfund Act isn’t just necessary—it’s popular. According to a poll from Data for Progress, a whopping 89% of New Yorkers support fossil fuel companies covering at least some of the cost for climate damages. Another poll found that 70% of New York voters support the Climate Change Superfund Act, including majorities across party lines. Nationally, 89% of Democratic voters support the Climate Superfund approach, and 53% of New York voters are more likely to vote for candidates who support passing a Climate Superfund bill. 

Go here to read the press release in its entirety.

The second piece of good news is that on December 18, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the 16 young people who in 2020 filed a lawsuit (Held v. Montana), charging the state with violating their constitutional rights by favoring fossil fuel development over the health and well-being of the citizenry. The Supreme Court decision upheld an earlier lower court decision, 6-1. It was the first state supreme court decision of this kind.

Supporters gather to greet plaintiffs as they arrive for the nation’s first youth climate change trial at Montana’s First Judicial District Court on June 12, 2023 in Helena, Montana
(William Campbell / Getty Images)

Per an EcoWatch article, Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah are set to hear similar cases (as are Pakistan, Uganda, Colombia, Australia and New Zealand).

Hatch Magazine also wrote about Montana’s Supreme Court decision, and I want to highlight this paragraph [emphasis mine]:

In its 6-1 majority ruling upholding the plaintiffs’ case, the court used sometimes strikingly affirmative language. Regarding whether Montana’s constitutional responsibility to guarantee its residents a “clean and healthful environment” includes the state including climate-related impacts in its decision making, the court was unequivocal, stating that the “plaintiffs showed at trial—without dispute—that climate change is harming Montana’s environmental life support system now and with increasing severity for the foreseeable future. The State and its agencies have previously acknowledged such current and future impacts to the Montana environment stemming from climate change, many of which can already be increasingly seen today.3 Plaintiffs showed that climate change does impact the clear, unpolluted air of the Bob Marshall wilderness; it does impact the availability of clear water and clear air in the Bull Mountains; and it does exacerbate the wildfire stench in Missoula, along with the rest of the State.”

We’ve seen how difficult it is to force climate action at the federal level**, so these wins on the state level are very encouraging. It’s possible to use our local might to push for meaningful action!

Thank you for reading this far. Solidarity! ✊🏾

**I’ve written before about Juliana v. United States, the constitutional lawsuit brought by young people, here and here. Go here for an updated  timeline from Our Children’s Trust, one of the legal teams representing the 21 young people in that case.

Sunday Confessional: dance drought

/ Tracy Abell / 13 Comments

The past year was incredibly difficult on a personal and global level and, unfortunately, it continues into this new year. I’ve unintentionally dropped many good habits–running, hoop dancing, posting here–as a result of the grief and sheer exhaustion of bearing witness to the suffering of so many. Today, however, I finally summoned the energy to do something I’ve dearly missed: hoop-dancing. For twenty minutes, I danced and spun in my hoop, singing along with the music. Emma was happy to see my dancing again and we howled together for several minutes, me grinning as her tail wagged and wagged.

A dancing Sandhill Crane at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. March 12, 2024

Today I reclaimed my joy. My intention is to dance again tomorrow . . . and to continue dancing in the days and months to come.  Dance as a revolutionary act!

UPDATE on Let’s make “If I Must Die” a Bestseller

/ Tracy Abell / 7 Comments

On December 6, I posted Let’s Turn Refaat Alareer’s “If I Must Die” into a Bestseller, amplifying the campaign from Ryan Grim at Drop Site News, and I’m thrilled with the traffic my post received along with many clicks on the Bookshop.org link to purchase the book. That original post also includes the following important info:

UPDATE 12.17.24: DO NOT order from Amazon as scammers took note of the situation and are selling non-authentic books. PLEASE order from bookshop.org at above link.

Tracy here again: I’m editing to add that you can also request your library system purchase the book. In my system, “Suggest a purchase” tab is located under SERVICES. 

Edited to add: all proceeds will go to Refaat’s remaining family.

Today’s update comes again from Ryan Grim at Drop Site News. Here’s what he wrote:

Refaat Alareer’s “If I Must Die” is officially a national bestseller

It didn’t happen the way we expected: The book has not yet made the New York Times bestseller list, but the other list the industry tracks is USA Today’s “Booklist.” And there, it settled in at #20 in its first week out.

The amount of attention a book gets during its launch has much to do with where it lands in our cultural landscape, which is the best part about all the energy around it the past few weeks. My hope is that Refaat’s book will be taught and read for years to come and is treated like the political and literary masterpiece it truly is.

The goal of hitting the Times list is still achievable, meanwhile, for two reasons. The Times list is opaque, but a publishing industry source told me that my initial understanding – that the paper counts orders as sales even if the book is out of stock – is probably not correct, and it’s more likely they count orders when they ship.

The book sold more than 20,000 copies but only 7,500 had been printed. That means that when the new printing arrives in January, at least 12,500 will be shipped, and in a typical January week, that number of sales is more than enough to make the bestseller list. So if you haven’t ordered one yet but still want to, your order will still count toward that effort.

I’ve heard from some people who’ve gotten notes from Amazon or other booksellers saying that the estimated ship date for the book is as late as March. That’s not true. The publisher has a very big print run going in January, so you’ll get your copy much sooner. If all of those books ship the same week, it should still make the NYT bestseller list. A huge thank you to everyone who bought a book, and I hope you’re glad that you did.

If you ordered a copy of Refaat Alareer’s beautiful book, thank you thank you thank you for putting it on the USA Today’s Booklist!!! And if you haven’t yet ordered a book for yourself, a friend, or requested your library system purchase copies, please do so (if you can) as it will still affect the New York Times bestseller ranking! PLEASE ORDER FROM BOOKSHOP.ORG TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED

It’s incredibly significant that a Palestinian who was targeted and murdered for using his voice on behalf of his people is still reaching the world with his voice that will never be silenced. This is what is meant by “don’t stop talking about Palestine.” Those in power are doing all they can to erase Palestinians from this world, but the people are standing with the oppressed and uplifting Refaat Alareer’s voice.

FREE PALESTINE!

Climate Movement Monday: in support of Native Village of Hooper Bay

/ Tracy Abell / 10 Comments

Welcome back to Movement Mondays in which we discuss all things climate and then typically take action on behalf of a frontline community facing immediate effects of the climate crisis. Today’s information and TAKE ACTION come from Earthjustice, the nonprofit environmental law organization representing Native Village of Hooper Bay in southwest Alaska.

The federal government is proposing a land swap and road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge despite the fact that, as the name says, it’s supposed to be a refuge. Per the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website, this refuge located between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska,  is [emphasis mine] “home to one of the world’s largest eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds. Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, including virtually the entire population of Pacific black brant, visit the lagoon to feed on eelgrass and rest during migration. From brown bears to Pacific salmon, more than 200 species call this refuge home.” Call me alarmist, but it seems really stupid to negatively interfere with the feeding ground and resting place for an entire species.

Aerial view of black brant in flight over Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.  Photo by Kristine Sowl/USFWS

What does all this have to do with Native Village of Hooper Bay?  The proposed road would cut through the refuge which provides, you know, refuge for migratory bird species that Native Village of Hooper Bay tribal members rely on for food and cultural practices.

“Any loss of these species in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta could have devastating impacts on communities already stressed by climate change, the salmon crisis, and by significant socio-economic and health challenges, including high rates of poverty and the highest suicide rates in the nation. Western science and Indigenous knowledge agree that preserving subsistence and traditional practices is key to combating these impacts in Alaska Native communities.”

A 45-day comment period is now open that allows the public to weigh in on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS). The federal government needs your input. PLEASE request the federal government withdraw the project OR at least choose the “no action alternative” which is the compromise proposed by Native Village of Hooper Bay and other tribes.

As always, a personalized message carries more weight. However, I realize this issue can seem complicated as you read about it (due, in part, to the use of “alternative” in its many permutations), so it’s completely fine to briefly express your support for the tribal people and the migratory birds, and then request that the federal government withdraw the project entirely OR choose the “no action alternative.” Your message doesn’t need to be long.  All the background information is included here where you also take action via your brief personalized message.

Thank you for reading this far. Thank you for speaking up on behalf of Native Village of Hooper Bay and other tribes in that frontline community, along with the 200 species that call the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge home. Solidarity! ✊🏾

Let’s Turn Refaat Alareer’s “If I Must Die” into a Bestseller

/ Tracy Abell / 19 Comments

One year ago today, Palestinian writer, poet, and educator Refaat Alareer was targeted and murdered by an Israeli airstrike. I wrote about him here. Today, I received a text message from Ryan Grim and Jeremy Scahill of independent Drop Site News regarding the posthumous publication of Refaat’s poetry and prose collection on December 10. Here is that message:

Today marks one year since Israel assassinated Palestinian Poet, Writer, and Educator Refaat Alareer in a targeted airstrike. On December 10th, Refaat’s book, “If I Must Die,” a collection of his poetry and prose compiled by his friend and former student, Yousef Ajamal, will be published by OR Books.

We’re asking all of our readers, if they can, to pre-order the book in an effort to drive it on to the best seller rankings. Not only is it a truly magnificent piece of writing, a book you’ll be glad to own and/or gift, seeing Refaat’s book at the top of the charts will be a small sign to Palestinians facing genocide that the world has not forgotten them – and it will send a message to his assassins that we haven’t forgotten them either. For our part, we will be buying 535 copies and hand-delivering them to each member of the House and Senate.

Pre-order Refaat’s book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/if-i-must-die-poetry-and-prose/21530923?ean=9781682196212

UPDATE 12.17.24: DO NOT order from Amazon as scammers took note of the situation and are selling non-authentic books. PLEASE order from bookshop.org at above link.

Tracy here again: I’m editing to add that you can also request your library system purchase the book. In my system, “Suggest a purchase” tab is located under SERVICES. In “additional information we might need,” you can include EAN/UPC 9781682196212 and “the book will be released on December 10, 2024.”

Edited to add: all proceeds will go to Refaat’s remaining family.

UPDATE: see my December 29 post for good news!!!

When I read that message, so many emotions came up. Grief over Refaat’s death, outrage that the genocide continues, and gratitude for this plan to show the besieged Palestinian people that we care. If you’re able, I hope you’ll consider helping this effort by pre-ordering the book. Just yesterday, I wrote about the orchestrated efforts to shut down pro-Palestinian speech and actions. Elevating “If I Must Die” to the bestseller list would be a huge middle finger to those desperately trying to normalize genocide, starvation, destruction, and land theft.

Drop Site also sent a lengthier, more detailed email about Refaat, the targeting of poets and intellectuals, and the ins and outs of the publishing industry’s bestseller “process.” The following is that email:

Today marks one year since Israel assassinated Palestinian writer, poet and educator Refaat Alareer with a targeted airstrike on the second floor apartment where he was taking refuge with extended family. The strike also killed his brother, his brother’s son, his sister and her three children.

Israel’s targeting of poets and intellectuals was not new, but his killing struck a chord around the world, as Refaat had committed his life to the study and practice of the English language, believing it to be a tool of liberation and empowerment. Through his work and his interviews, he gathered a global audience of admirers.

After he was killed, his poem “If I Must Die” became a worldwide viral sensation, a window into the soul of the man who’d been ripped from the world.

On December 10, Refaat will posthumously publish a book, “If I Must Die,” a collection of his poetry and prose, which also includes excerpts of important interviews he gave, compiled by his friend and student Yousef Aljamal.

As a small measure of justice, we want to turn Refaat’s book into what it desperately deserves to be: an international bestseller. We need your help and we have just five days to make it happen.

First, sign this pledge to buy the book this coming Tuesday. We’ll send you an email to remind you to do it that day. Enter your phone number if you want a text reminder too, but it’s not necessary. We won’t sell or share your contact info. The royalties from the book go to Refaat’s family. But more importantly, pre-order it now at bookshop.org or Amazon.

SIGN THE PLEDGE TODAY!

Here’s the background: The publishing industry cares most about the Amazon ranking and the New York Times best seller list. Depending on the day, a book can hit the top of the charts on Amazon with as few as 10,000 copies sold. But they cannot be bulk orders: Anything more than nine probably gets flagged as a bulk order. If you do want to make a bulk order, do it from an independent bookstore online, not from Amazon. (Amazon will certainly flag it as bulk.)

The NYT list is an opaque combination of in-person and online sales from Amazon, big retailers like Barnes and Noble, and indie stores.

Paid pre-orders count toward the rankings.

So here’s what to do: If you can only buy one book, pre-order it either from bookshop.org or Amazon, whichever is your preference. If you can buy three, buy one from each.

Initially, we had urged people to buy it on the date it comes out, and not pre-order, but so many people have pledged that OR Books, which is a small publisher, is now worried it will sell out on Tuesday. The way around that problem is to get your pre-order in now.

If you can throw a few hundred dollars at this effort, buy up to nine from each of those platforms and give them away. (That would cost you about $650.)

If you really want to do a bulk order of more than nine and maximize the chance it gets counted in the rankings, do it through an independent bookstore and not Amazon (which will flag it as a bulk order).

If you buy it from a bookstore in person on Tuesday, ask the manager if they report sales to the bestseller lists. Most stores do, but if they don’t report sales, then your purchase won’t get counted.

The poem “If I Must Die” is addressed to his daughter Shaymaa Refaat Alareer, and is a plea to her and all of us to keep hope for a better world alive. “If I must die/you must live/to tell my story/to tell my story/to sell my things/to buy a piece of cloth/and some strings/(make it white with a long tail)/so that a child, somewhere in Gaza/while looking heaven in the eye/awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—and bid no one farewell/not even to his flesh/not even to himself—sees the kite/my kite you made/flying up above/and thinks for a moment an angel is there/bringing back love.”

He then concludes:

If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale

In April, Israel struck and killed Shaymaa, her husband, and their two-month-old son. It is up to us to let Refaat’s life be a tale. We at Drop Site have nothing to do with his book, which is published by OR Books, but we want to help make it a bestseller. It is, on the one hand, a true masterwork, and a rich and poignant read you will return to again and again.

Yet we want you to purchase it for another reason, too: To let it fly to the top of the rankings like a kite. Seeing Refaat’s book flying there will be a small sign to Palestinians facing genocide that the world has not forgotten them – and it will send a message to his assassins that we haven’t forgotten them either. Nothing can bring back Refaat or his family but this is one small dose of justice we can dole out.

At Drop Site, we’ll be buying 535 copies and distributing them to each member of Congress after they’re sworn-in in January.

If you live in the Washington, DC area and can help be part of the hand-out effort, please email contact@dropsitenews.com with the subject line “I will help hand out Refaat’s book.” (The publisher is giving us a bulk discount, and our readers were tremendously generous to us on Giving Tuesday, so thank you for helping make this happen.)

Collectively, we have the capacity to do this. Let it be a tale.

Sign the pledge! Let it be a tale.

If you’ve read this far, thank you thank you thank you. Free Palestine!

Elk for a Free Palestine

/ Tracy Abell / 4 Comments

Popping in quickly to share this image Zippy captured from our deck yesterday.

Elk! While we’ve seen them in the open space several times over the years we’ve lived here, this was our first sighting from our home. A neighbor said she recently saw about 30 in the open space.

I also wanted to share links to articles from The Intercept that I read today, detailing the increasingly oppressive crackdown on those standing up for Palestinian rights.

The Intercept also wrote about the release of Amnesty International’s new 300-page report that adds the human rights organization to a growing chorus of legal scholars and activists describing Israel’s assault on Palestinians as genocide.

The United States is funding and enabling genocide as they increase police forces around the country and build Cop Cities to train police in how best to bash in our heads. We’re all we’ve got, and it’s imperative we hold onto our shared humanity.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! 

Wild gift

/ Tracy Abell / 13 Comments

I’ve been scarce around here, largely due to overwhelm on a global and personal level. Today got off to a good start and then quickly went south with the news that my son was in a (heightened) health crisis. A while later, I was on the phone with my spouse for the umpteenth time, updating him on our son’s condition, when I glanced out the window.

Such a gorgeous fox, possibly the same one who visited my neighbor in June? Either way, I was delighted by the sighting. I quickly grabbed the nearby camera and captured this one image through the deck railing before it jumped on the back fence and went to the other side. Foxes must have incredibly keen senses because this one immediately knew my camera and I were at the closed window.

A brief interaction, but that fox lifted my spirits immensely. For that, I’m grateful.

Take good care, everyone.

Twofer Tuesday: Clear Creek edition

/ Tracy Abell / 4 Comments

As mentioned, I celebrated yesterday’s birthday at Clear Creek. It was a good choice: lots of sunshine plus the peace of moving water. As we walked in search of a sunny place to picnic, we saw a man running behind his dog carrying a frisbee. I was disappointed that I didn’t have my camera ready to snap a pic. Well, a few minutes later, they ran past again and this time I was prepared. Such a happy doggie!

Then we found our spot in the sun.

After selecting flat-ish boulders near the water’s edge to sit on, Zippy and I ate lunch while watching leaves gently sway beneath the water’s surface and bubbles move along on top as they cast star-shaped shadows below. Despite people crossing on the nearby bridge, it felt like we had the creek to ourselves. Too soon, the sun dropped below the canyon cliff, and our sun-filled location was shady and cold. Time to head back home.

Though our outing was brief, it soothed my soul. I highly recommend sunshine and water for late November birthday celebrations.

My birthday wish

/ Tracy Abell / 12 Comments

Today is my birthday and while I’m not celebrating with a solo camping trip as I did two years ago, I am heading out to be near water. Zippy’s packing lunch for us now and then we’re going to Clear Creek to sit in the sun as we watch the moving water.

The Boyd Lake State Park shoreline where I ran on my birthday morning, November 25, 2022.

My birthday wish is for anyone reading this to commit an act of kindness, whether on behalf of a friend or family member, neighbor or stranger, or self. It’s hard days on the planet and a little kindness goes a long way. Shared humanity for the win, yo!

May this day bring you smiles, joy, sunshine, and human connection.

Coming in for a landing

/ Tracy Abell / 8 Comments

I’ve been losing myself in revisions of my middle grade novel–grateful for the distraction from this brutal reality–and am close to being finished.

Sandhill Crane at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. March 12, 2024

While I’m still a day or two away from being done, I believe in celebrating every step along the way. So, today I celebrate myself and this project as I prepare for the final landing. Yay!

Block the $20 billion weapons sale to Israel: urgent action needed

/ Tracy Abell / 11 Comments

I’m back again with a request for calls (or emails, if you’re phone-phobic)  to your Senators demanding* asking they support* co-sponsor tomorrow’s vote on the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval. This morning, over 100 protestors went to Capitol Hill (while a large crowd gathered in support outside) to demand Senators stop the $20 billion weapons sale to Israel. Dozens of protestors–faith leaders, plus climate, housing, Indigenous, Jewish, and Palestinian activists–are being arrested. For what? Demanding an end to the U.S. government using our taxes to fund and facilitate genocide. (As I write this, there are currently 7 Senators either co-sponsoring or on record in support of the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval: Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley, Tim Kaine, Brian Schatz, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen.)

Image from US Campaign for Palestinian Rights email

Those courageous people are putting their bodies on the line, so let’s amplify their message and call/email our Senators. (You can also call the Capitol Switchboard operator to be connected with the Senate offices at 202. 224. 3121). NOTE: I’ve summarized talking points farther down this post.

Here’s background info from the Adalah Justice Project:

On Wednesday, the Senate is expected to vote on a historic set of bills to block a $20 billion weapons package to Israel. Sen. Bernie Sanders, along with Sens. Merkley and Welch, introduced joint resolutions of disapproval (JRDs) to stop the $20 billion sale. 

This is the first time in U.S. history that the Senate will vote on blocking weapon sales to Israel. 

Over the last month, the Israeli military has launched “a genocide within a genocide” – a campaign of mass slaughter and ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza are being starved. Essential aid like food and medicine hasn’t entered the north in weeks, and the hospitals are under siege.

According to multiple U.S. laws, the U.S. cannot provide weapons to any country that violates internationally recognized human rights or to any country that “prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.”

Israel is clearly in violation of these laws.

Not sure what else to say when you contact your Senators to demand ask they support co-sponsor the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval? Here are a few suggestions:

  • A June poll shows the majority of citizens are opposed to sending weapons to Israel (61% of all citizens, including 77% of Democrats and nearly 40% of Republicans)
  • Sending weapons to Israel violates U.S. laws regarding the delivery of humanitarian assistance
  • Rather than the billions for genocide and destruction, we desperately need meaningful action to address the climate crisis which is greatly accelerated by this genocidal siege.

PLEASE take two minutes to contact your Senators (also via Capitol Switchboard 202. 224. 3121) to demand ask they support co-sponsor the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval tomorrow.

Thank you in advance for taking action. I’d love to hear how your calls went so please let me know in the comments. Also? Share this info with family and friends to increase our impact. Solidarity! ✊🏾 FREE PALESTINE!

*After posting, I realized I was deviating from the request I’d received and so changed the wording accordingly. Apologies!

URGENT: H.R. 9495 is back–action needed!

/ Tracy Abell / 12 Comments

Happy Monday to all who celebrate.

Last week we scored a win when H.R. 9495 was beaten back. Here’s a quick refresher on this legislation:

The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, which would empower the secretary of the Treasury to designate any nonprofit as a “terrorist supporting organization” and revoke its tax-exempt status, is set to go before the Committee on Rules on Monday for a hearing that could tee up the bill for a new floor vote. Note: quote from Noah Hurwitz’s article in The Intercept.

As Rep Lloyd Doggett points out today in this video on the House floor,  this legislation would allow the Trump administration to slap a “terrorist” label on any group it considers an enemy, and strip that organization of its tax-exempt status with NO DUE PROCESS. The immediate targets of this bill are pro-Palestinian orgs but as Doggett points out, it  would also be wielded against groups that harbor refugees, Planned Parenthood, hospitals providing abortions, environmental groups, and private universities that allow anti-Trump demonstrations. I will add that the legislation will most certainly also be weaponized against those fighting the 80 Cop Cities currently being proposed and built around the country. Note: when I wrote Climate Movement Monday: on crushing dissent back in May 2024, there were  “only” 69 Cop Cities. ALL of this is connected (as I wrote here). They are beefing up police forces and weaponizing cops in anticipation of the unrest that will increase under the weight of climate collapse and income inequality. Trump will drop the Democrats’ veneer of civility and unleash holy hell on anyone he deems a threat. H.R. 9495 gives him (and other presidents) incredible power.

The bill was defeated last week because the vote happened under a suspension of rules and required 2/3 to pass. The Republicans are bringing it to another vote on Thursday when it will only require a majority vote. Last week, 52 Democrats voted with the Republicans to give the executive office this authoritarian power to deem enemies “terrorist-supporting.” Here are those 52 Dems:

PLEASE read that list. If your Rep is on it, call them to demand they vote NO this week. If your Rep voted NO last week, call them to thank them and to ask that they vote NO again this week. If you’re not sure whether they voted NO (as a number of them didn’t cast a vote), check here to verify their vote, and then call them to demand a NO vote.

PLEASE also share this info with friends and family so that we can flood the phone lines in opposition to crushing dissent!

Thank you in advance for your engagement on this issue. We’ve got a hard road ahead of us and it’s vital we stand together. Solidarity! ✊🏾

Update on H.R. 9495 + busted concrete

/ Tracy Abell / 8 Comments

Good news, people! Here’s the update on last week’s post Defend Dissent: oppose H.R. 9495: 

Last night, the Republicans tried to ram the legislation through via suspension of the rules (which, if I’m understanding correctly, was related to them not having a quorum) and that required 2/3 of the vote. THEY FAILED! By 9 votes. That’s the good news. The bad news is that 52 Democrats voted YES on enabling the crushing of dissent. Shameful. Here’s the list of those Dems:

If your Rep voted YES, please call/email to shame them for that! Many of these Dems spent the election cycle wringing their hands over impending threats to democracy and then voted for fascism. If your Rep voted NO, please call/email to thank them for that vote! (Go here for full tally of votes.) Right after the vote, I called mine (Brittany Pettersen)–whom I’d emailed plus called three times on this issue in an attempt to get her on the record–and left a message thanking her for doing the right thing. She’s a horrible, AIPAC-devoted representative, but I give credit where it’s due. I was fully prepared for her to vote in favor of the legislation and believe she must’ve heard from many constituents on this.

In case you’re interested in more background on this legislation, here’s Rep Lloyd Doggett on the House floor last night pointing out the cynicism of attaching this harmful legislation to legitimate legislation that would provide tax relief to U.S. citizens who’d been held hostage in other countries. By the way, Doggett led the charge on defeating this bill and we owe him a huge debt.

This is a win, but this legislation will be back and we must rally to defeat it every time they bring it up. Solidarity!

And now for domestic news: we’re finally replacing our driveway and walkways that are the original concrete from when this house was built in 1965.

No lie, we had the ugliest, most pitted driveway in the neighborhood. We didn’t mind, except for the jolt of pain each time the snow shovel got caught in a crack. We’ve lived with it for many years and now will have joyful snow-shoveling experiences! Bonus? I don’t feel too guilty about adding more to the landfill since we got nearly 60 years of use out of the driveway and walkways.

Who knew concrete could bring such happiness?

Snowy palette

/ Tracy Abell / 7 Comments

Hallelujah! The snow has stopped falling. Our muscles are sore from all the shoveling over the past several days, and now I can rest in the beauty of this cotoneaster.

By the time I finished my shoveling shift yesterday I was exhausted, but couldn’t resist getting the camera and tromping around the front yard to take photos. The leaves and berries of the various shrubs were so vibrant against the snow, like a gorgeous collision of seasons. In fact, the burning bush was almost blindingly bright.

And now the melting begins . . .

Defend dissent: Oppose H.R. 9495

/ Tracy Abell / 13 Comments

Many are reeling right now at the prospect of four years of blatant authoritarianism. At the risk of rushing the grief process, I feel it’s imperative we don’t waste any opportunities to advocate for positive policy and opportunities to block negative policy while we can. This post is devoted to the latter, specifically H.R. 9495 — the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.”

Please use this letter template to send a quick, personalized message to your Member of Congress asking them to Protect the Right to Dissent and Oppose H.R. 9495. Note: Congress could be voting on H.R. 9495 as early as next week.

What is H.R. 9495? You can read the proposed legislation here. Pay special attention to SEC. 4. Termination of tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations. Basically, if this legislation passes, a President would have the power to label a non-profit organization or activist student group a “terrorist-supporting organization” and then strip it of its non-profit tax status.

What’s the immediate goal? To shut down the student movement for Palestinian human rights by targeting organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).  Right now it’s the student activists, but if it passes, this legislation could be weaponized by any President against any group. “Terrorist” is a handy-dandy label for those who rise up against our government’s policies. I’ve written about the tactics used to silence the courageous students speaking out for Palestinian rights, and hope you will speak out now on the students’ behalf.

The following comes from MPower Action.

The House previously passed a bill (H.R. 6408) that could give any president unprecedented power to target and shut down nonprofits and activist student groups.​ The legislation was intended to strip the tax-exempt status of organizations advocating for Palestinian human rights. The Senate refused to take it up after tens of thousands of our members sent letters to Congress urging opposition.

But now, House Members are attempting to pass a different bill (H.R. 9495) that includes the legislative language of H.R. 6408, which would be disastrous for all of our organizations working towards a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the occupation.

We can’t let that happen.

Urge your U.S. House Representative: Vote NO on H.R. 9495.

This bill would give future presidents new powers to target and shut down nonprofits and movement groups in the name of security — with virtually no oversight. 

Our communities have seen firsthand the kind of abuses that prosecutors and Presidential administrations can unleash against everyday people of conscience using similar tools. 

We can only imagine the effects that could be unleashed on our nonprofits advocating for Palestinian human rights if a future administration decides to use this expanded power to target us.  

Send a letter to Congress now. 

Thank you for everything you do.

In solidarity,
Yasmine and the team at MPower Action
——————–
It’s Tracy again. The letter template is short and I personalized mine with references to how the Democrats just campaigned on personal freedoms and saving democracy (because my rep is a Dem). Crushing dissent is absolutely anti-democratic.

Thank you for taking action. Solidarity! ✊🏾

We are not alone and we are not powerless

/ Tracy Abell / 6 Comments

My inbox is filled with messages from various organizations and organizers, reaching out to make sure people know they’re not alone and that there’s a path forward. I’ve collected much good stuff here and hope that when you have the energy and focus, you’ll read through it all. Or, maybe do as I am today, read in little spurts.

The piece I’ve seen shared the most online was written two days ago by Daniel Hunter, 10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won (title updated today), and is chock-full of wisdom and links, along with roles we all might play in defense of our shared humanity. If nothing else, I hope you check that one out. The subtitle alone contains an important reminder: The key to taking effective action in a Trump world is to avoid perpetuating the autocrat’s goals of fear, isolation, exhaustion and disorientation.

Final harvest of delicata squash that made a surprise appearance in Zippy’s garden. Photo 11.2.24

Jewish Voice for Peace wrote: The world feels impossible, unbearable. There is lots to say about why we are here, and even more to say about how we keep fighting. But in this moment, I want us to remember that we have one another. And with what we are up against, we will need each other more than ever. 

We come from generations of resistance, of defying the impossible cruelty of societies built on domination. The Right fuels itself on our isolation and rose to power on a politics of despair. The antidote, as always, is organizing. Our power lies in our commitment to one another and in our solidarity. We will not allow our communities to be turned against one another or scapegoated. We refuse to be divided.

Organizer Kelly Hayes wrote: We’re going to show up for each other, figure out what we need to learn, skill up, and fight for each other. Because we’re gonna have to. Let’s ground ourselves in our values and our refusal to abandon one another. Remember who you want to be, come what may, and move in the direction of your values. I wrote a book with Mariame Kaba (Let This Radicalize You) about the kind of work that’s ahead of us. It’s there for you if you need it. No matter what happens next, let’s get our learn on and think strategically about the work of collective survival. Isolation incubates fear. Together, we will foster courage and solidarity, and we will fight for each other. I am sending you all so much love right now. Let’s sidestep the kind of squabbling and finger-pointing that will only slow us down and talk about what we need to do and build together. We don’t have time for acrimony. If acknowledging that is a challenge for you, ask yourself what the whole world is worth and engage accordingly.

Kelly’s email included a link to her Movement Memos podcast To Transform Our Trauma, We Must Nurture Movements for Change (transcript included).

Earthjustice wrote Earthjustice is bigger and stronger than we were in January 2017, and we are ready to fight back. We took the threat of Trump’s Project 2025 plan at its word, and we crafted a blueprint of our own. We have over 200 lawyers poised to take Trump to court, and we are already executing our state-based strategy to ensure that he does not block progress in the last years we have left to meet our climate deadlines. Earthjustice won a staggering 85% of the cases we brought against the previous Trump administration. 

Earthjustice is raising money for its Rapid Response Legal Fund and now through December 31, donations will be matched $1 : $1.

I will close with words from Sarah Kendzior, written in 2016:

“Do not accept brutality and cruelty as normal even if it is sanctioned. Protect the vulnerable and encourage the afraid. If you are brave, stand up for others. If you cannot be brave — and it is often hard to be brave — be kind.”

A sunny smile + a cool offer

/ Tracy Abell / 2 Comments

I spotted this sign on my street yesterday and thought it might help soothe some frazzled election nerves.

Confession: that image actually kinda twists my brain as our household used to include a golden retriever we called Packy and then later, a keeshond by the name of Sunny! The sign is like a mashup of our two beloved dogs.

In addition to bringing a smile, I also want to let you know about an opportunity to express your animal love while at the same time helping the people of Gaza. Watercolor painter (and professional cat lady, sociologist (MA, PhD), adjunct lecturer at SUNY), Gyunghee Park, has an amazing offer in support of esims for Gaza:

Donate 10GB to Gaza and I’ll personally send you a 6x6inch portrait of your cat, dog, ferret, hamster, bunny, lizard, etc. for free! Just message me proof of purchase and your address. [Gyunghee can be reached at: Gyunghee.park AT outlook DOT com]

I’ve posted before about esims for Gaza, but here’s the explanation from Connecting Humanity (group of volunteers coordinating gazaesims.com):

Since October 2023
People in Gaza are cut off from the internet by Israeli bombing and blocking. Every photo you see from Gaza since then has come through an eSIM, a virtual SIM card, which connects people to the internet.
eSIMs can save lives and give Gazans a voice to show the genocide in Gaza. Connecting Humanity provide eSIMs to journalists, medical professionals, aid workers, families, people documenting the genocide and children and students who are all using eSIMs to stay connected with the world and each other.
Over 400,000 eSIMs have been donated through Connecting Humanity, without your generosity Gaza would be totally isolated. eSIMs are saving lives and showing the world the genocide.

They are in desperate need of more esims and currently only have the ability to provide them to medical staff, journalists, and students. With your help, they can again provide esims to civilians facing incredible hardship.

How do you do this?

  • Go to gazaesims.com to learn how to purchase and donate esims OR donate money HERE for the purchase and distribution of esims.
  • NOTE: I’ve had the easiest transactions with Nomad. Use discount code NOMADCNG

Just think how wonderful it will be to gaze upon a watercolor rendering of your beloved dog, cat, hamster, turtle, bunny (shh, don’t tell Sunny), or ChiaPet, knowing it was made possible by your generosity and sense of shared humanity. Bonus: The artist Gyunghee Park also accepts commissions at Gyunghee.park AT outlook DOT com so if you like her portrait of your doggie friend, you might also want to get one of your gecko. PLEASE share here if you take Gyunghee up on her offer!

Thank you for reading this far. Keep hydrated and remember to breathe. We’re all in this together. Solidarity!

Happy Halloween

/ Tracy Abell / 8 Comments

With all the scary things happening in the world right now, I welcome this over-the-top display in a neighborhood yard.

Image not great due to glare and the dirty windshield, but you still get the idea. This display makes me smile every time I see it. Also? I can’t help but wonder where these tall beings spend the rest of the year.

Perhaps in a dark and dank dungeon filled with the sounds of rattling chains and anguished moans?

Sunday Confessional: tired of making signs

/ Tracy Abell / 9 Comments

There’s a collection of signage in my home. Signs that family members and I carried at marches against G.W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq. The non-mobile Iraq death toll sign we created on a piece of countertop, the one chained around the honey locust tree in our front yard for years and years following the invasion and occupation. Signs urging my so-called representatives to go big on climate policy. Signs against fracking. Signs in support of a Green New Deal. Lest you think I’m incapable of throwing anything away, I no longer have my sign from the May 1987 march in San Francisco that shouted U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR or the signs protesting Bush Sr.’s bombing of Iraq in the early 90s. I do, however, have a bag filled with clean, blank cardboard just waiting to be made into other signs.

Why? After all, none of those things I marched in opposition to were stopped. None of those policies I marched in support of have been enacted. So why do I continue to make signs and take to the streets? Because it helps me feel less alone. Because chanting in unison with others helps release anger and frustration. Because silence feels like complicity.

Today I made another sign for my front yard: ARMS EMBARGO NOW. I’ve been meaning to do so for months and finally summoned the energy today.

The CEASEFIRE sign has been in the yard for over a year now. There are layers of packing tape holding the vinyl letters in place and today I added more to extend the sign’s life since the two major candidates share the same goal to not only continue the onslaught on Gaza, but to extend it to the surrounding region. When I made that sign a year ago, I had no idea this nightmare would continue as long as it has. Silly me. I’m old enough to remember Joe Biden’s four decades of war-mongering. The man has never not chosen violence and destruction. And Kamala Harris, booed yesterday at a rally in Michigan (a swing state) for her unwavering support for genocide, cares more about enabling Israel than winning the election.

We’ll see if the liberals who got mad about missing brunch after Clinton lost in 2016 will return to the streets this time around. No matter what happens on November 5, I know where I’ll be. Holding a handmade sign and shouting my outrage.