To the editor:

Day 100 of the current administration is upon us. With that formidable reality, I rise each day struggling to choose hope over despair. You may be feeling similarly—daunted by this David and Goliath moment—and not knowing how to counter the terrible policies instituted so far by this administration that have started to impact the citizens of Rhode Island. We are experiencing threats of cuts to Medicaid, reduction in SNAP and school lunch benefits, library and school book censorship, harsh immigration policies, unfair treatment of marginalized populations, and cuts to Veterans Affairs have already led to firings at local agencies in R.I. to name just a few agenda items. If you want to know how I’ve begun to cope with the onslaught of cruel policies, then read on.

I’ve turned to these local organizations for help: (1) Indivisible RI (indivisiblerhodeisland.org). I joined and rely on it for guidance on activism at local and state levels. (2) RI.gov website provides a comprehensive source of information about RI representatives, our state budget, legislation, voting guidelines and much more. And (3) ACLU of Rhode Island (https://www.riaclu.org) with its mission to help—through public education, litigation, and legislation—preserve and keep safe the civil liberties of RI citizens.

Here are several suggestions for becoming active at local and state levels: Attend your local Town Hall and School Board meetings; call and write to your representatives to voice concerns and urge them to vote in favor of democratic values; join local protest demonstrations to show solidarity and inspire others; volunteer in service to marginalized populations; and get to know your neighbors to build community support. For example, at the end of November 2024, I gathered together a dozen neighbors at my home. We shared concerns about the new administration, offered our personal stories, and brainstormed about ways to meaningfully engage in our democracy at a local level. We continue to meet monthly.

If you’d like to volunteer, then here are just a few organizations that could use your help: Dorcas International, Rhode Island Food Bank, Tap-In, Progreso Latino, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, and local church and synagogue food pantries.

The importance of community in these challenging times cannot be overstated. When you join with others to learn, share, organize, and mobilize peacefully to preserve our democracy, you will soon realize that action is the antidote to despair.

Roz Moulton,
Warren