Recommendations for Collective Action

re: federal funding cuts, federal attack on civil rights

Dear Community,

 I am reaching out to both share support and invite community action in response to the ongoing and escalating federal attacks on healthcare funding, healthcare jobs, education, scientific research, and civil rights. This includes massive proposed cuts to medicaid, medicare, and CHIP, the firing of federal workers, including music therapists, and the dismantling of protections for human and civil rights. For me personally, it can be a lot to find the energy and motivation to take action when I’m holding space for increased anxiety, trauma, and despair with clients, students, supervisees, and colleagues, while also feeling that way myself, wondering if I’ll still have work, and trying to be present for my family and community. It can be overwhelming when so much is happening very quickly, and for an extended time. Still, I don’t see any other choice than to rise up. I recognize that for many, these attacks have been felt for lifetimes and generations. Please know that no matter what efforts are being made to erase you because you are trans, Black, Brown, disabled, neurodivergent, mad, queer, an immigrant, a refugee or hold another identity under increased attacks, that you are a valued part of this community and I see you with all my heart. While we are a small member organization that runs almost entirely on volunteer work, I believe that collectively we have the power to take action and make an impact. Please check out the text below for suggestions on how to take action. If you have already been engaged in this work, thank you! If you are just starting this advocacy journey, welcome!

Wishing you peace, justice, and solidarity, 

Audrey Hausig, MAR-AMTA President

This list is not comprehensive. It is a starting point. 

1. Work in community, try to connect to hope (even when you feel powerless), follow the lead of people directly affected by these attacks.
   1. If you would like MAR to host a zoom for exchange of support and ideas please email president@maramta.org to share your interest and preferred meeting times. 
   2. Remember that rest can be an important part of resistance when balanced with taking action. Audre Lorde said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”. (Here is a disability justice context: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGOwSNuOAiB/ ) 
2. Call federal senators and congresspeople to express your concerns.
   1. Here is a resource on how to do that from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fact-sheet-how-to-call-your-elected-officials.pdf 
   2. The 5 calls app is another tool to use. https://5calls.org/ 
   3. The following links can facilitate contacting your congresspersons in the Senate and House:
      1. https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
      2. https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm 
3. Act locally to demand protections on civil rights and local funding
   1. Call city councilmembers, mayor, town supervisors, etc
   2. Attend city council meetings, town board meetings, etc
   3. Make music outside (or inside while considering risk) these meetings
4. Attend rallies and marches that align with demands to maintain federal and local funding for healthcare, health jobs, and civil rights.
   1. Bring instruments to support the chanting or start a resistance band/choir. Here’s an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2zkLLvZArw 
   2. Provide childcare so parents can attend
5. Write letters to the editor of your local paper
6. Engage in mutual aid by connecting to existing mutual aid networks or co-creating them where there is a gap.
   1. Do fundraising for mutual aid or local support and advocacy  groups
      1. Organize or play in a benefit concert
      2. Put out original music and donate proceeds of sales
7. Boycott: do not financially support businesses that do not align with your values whenever possible and larger entities to divest from companies that cause great harm.
   1. Buy local and from small businesses
8. Share accurate information to support people affected by ongoing deportations: resource https://www.vamosjuntos.org/resources