As everyone who drove past George Washington Park on Saturday afternoon saw, Centralia’s “No Kings” rally was a peaceful celebration of democracy.
We at Rural Lewis County Indivisibles want to thank rally attendees for your creativity and commitment to nonviolence. Thanks, too, to the Centralia Police Department for their advice and support.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson owes Indivisible a big apology. After claiming that we were a terrorist group holding a “hate America” rally, how surprised he must have been to learn that in 2700-plus rallies around the country — over 7 million Americans — not one protester was arrested. From sea to shining sea, we were peaceful. I wonder, does Speaker Johnson have the grace to apologize?
I won’t hold my breath. Instead, let me tell you about Rural Lewis County Indivisibles’ next event: our “Release the Epstein Files” rally, Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. We’ll be on the sidewalks outside Centralia Safeway, 1129 Harrison Ave. in Centralia. Please join us to call for justice.
Here’s our position on the notorious files. If a politician is named in them, that politician should be investigated; if there’s sufficient evidence, prosecuted; if found guilty by a jury, jailed. We don’t care if they’re Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, whatever: pedophiles should go to jail. We hope readers agree.
Our concern is for the victims. Sadly, there’s little we can do for them beyond rallying to stiffen the spines of our representatives to look past partisan politics at last. We can urge them to open the way to punish the perpetrators, so that these women finally receive a smidgen of justice. Maybe, if enough people raise their voices, Speaker Johnson might finally swear in Adelita Grijalva, elected in a landslide by her Arizona district. She’s promised to be vote No. 218, the magic number to make Congress release the files.
One thing is certain: We can do something to support women victimized in our own community. In Lewis County, Hope Alliance helps survivors of domestic violence with their emergency shelter and rape crisis service. The Alliance coaches women through the process of filing protection orders and applying for compensation. Their support groups bolster survivors through the aftermath of abuse. And Hope Alliance offers community education and outreach.
Yet, like many nonprofits these days, dollars are drying up for the vital services Hope Alliance offers. Whether you can come to our rally Saturday or not, you can still help survivors of domestic violence. If you go to our Facebook page — look for “Rural Lewis County Indivisibles” — you’ll see our event notice with a QR code where you can donate directly to Hope Alliance.
We hope to see you Saturday — come rally with us, then pick up your groceries.
Susanne Weil
Onalaska
