​'Migration & Human Rights Can’t Wait’  Around the world climate change is driving mass migration; creating a human rights crisis as migrants face life-threatening hardships.

JOIN Jane Fonda, Elders Action Network, Elders Climate Action, Grannies Respond/Abuelas Responden – and, other elders, grandparents, and concerned citizens.

LEARN more about what we can all do; and urge our elected officials to adopt the Green New Deal.
​
If you would like to join me on December 6th, please RSVP to: LPISER@aol.com  
(We’ll find a common meeting space. Bring signs if you like.)

I was so impressed with Jane's courage that I joined her, and Ted Danson, in Washington on October 25th. Each week the rally has a different focus – and that week it was the oceans. We learned not only about the terrible damage that is being done to our oceans, but also how ocean repair could occur if we had the political will. I intend to join her again, and again. I am so grateful that she is leading the way and inspired by her courage, her assessment of what is happening, and her determination to be a part of the solution. Our house is on fire! We have an emergency and we have to get out into the streets with our neighbors and put out this fire!

it’s 3:23 in the morning
and I’m awake
because my great great grandchildren
won’t let me sleep
my great great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?
what did you do when the earth was unraveling?
surely you did something
when the seasons started failing?
as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?
did you fill the streets with protest
when democracy was stolen?
what did you do
once
you
knew?
–Drew Dellinger, Hieroglyphic Stairway

Then how do we find hope?
When I listen to the news, read the papers or my emails – I feel a sense of urgency. I hear that “our house is on fire;” the words of Greta Thunberg, a 16 year-old climate activist from Sweden. Is she being an alarmist? Or do her words provide an accurate metaphor?  

Joanna Macy talks about “active hope” – when we assess a situation and identify the outcomes we hope for, considering all the obstacles, the pain and the truth – and then we determine our actions.  We don’t wait until we are sure of success.
Are we willing to see the truth of climate change, corporate greed and the future that we are stealing from our children?

This is our opportunity – to recognize this URGENCY and to ACT for the sake of our children.

Here are the facts:

• According to NASA, 18 of the 19 warmest years have occurred since 2000. “The warming of the planet is unambiguous and irrefutable.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), representing the world’s leading climate scientists, warned in October 2018 that the world has little more than a decade to bring emissions under control and halve them, to avoid grave consequences, including the die-off of coral reefs and devastation of many species. 
• According to a UN Report, May, 2019, as many as one million plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction, posing a dire threat to ecosystems that people all over the world depend on for their survival.

What can we do?

1. WORK TOGETHER -- individually we are each important but not sufficient to the task,
2. GET ENGAGED – we need every one of us, and there is room for everyone’s passion, energy and talents,
3. BE INSPIRED by the courageous actions of others.  Although there are plenty of despairing new stories – choose to read YES! Magazine, Listen to Krista Tippet & find your inspiration.

Here are some of my hero/ines:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offering us a “A Message From the Future” with her vision of how we got from this moment of confusion to a thriving future – well worth the 7 ½ minutes.

The spirited older women of Austria known as the Omas (Grandmothers) Against the Right – who are fighting the right wing coalition and standing up for democracy, equal rights and tolerance. “We see what is happening and we won’t look away. We are the generation that promised the horrors of the last century would never be repeated. We are the generation that had a future. Now we are seeing the futures of our children and our grandchildren hanging in the balance. We are not going to let that happen.”

Our “youngers” who are the Sunrise Movement – They are ordinary young folks who are scared about what the climate crises means for the places and people that they love, and for their future.  They are strategically organizing to make climate change an urgent priority across our country, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executive on our politics and elect leaders who will stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people.  They welcome “elder allies” to their meetings and actions – and are so appreciative that we are standing with them. Find a “Hub” near you!

Finally – the Green New Deal -- a feasible and affordable plan to address the climate and social justice issues in the U.S.  It is not perfect but it will move us in the right direction! It will:

• end the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) in order to stop global warming,
• guarantee lower-cost, high-quality health coverage for all, and
• ensure decent jobs and living standards for all Americans.

Could this really be affordable?  YES! The U.S. spends 17% of its Gross Domestic Product on health care coverage, while other countries spend 10 – 12% with better health outcomes.  Learn more by reading this article.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Allow yourself to feel your own pain for our world and for our children.
• Speak with your friends, family, colleagues.  Ask them, “What do you think about the climate crises?”  What can we do together?”
• Get active and engaged!  Here are some good organizations to begin:
  • Elders Climate Action
  • Elders Action Network
  • Youth Climate Strike
  • Sunrise Movement

As Elders let's support, inspire and be engaged, discovering our TRUE POWER – TOGETHER.

Three days ago I learned about Grannies Respond/Abuelas Responden.  I read the website and tears welled up – which is not typical for me.  I thought, “Here is a group of elders who are putting their hearts and spirits into action.” 
 
“Over six days, beginning July 31, the caravan will journey more than 2,000 miles, onboarding other “grannies” along the way. They will host rallies in strategic political districts in cities along the way to protest the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy for immigrants and asylum seekers.

Beginning with a rally in New York City, Grannies Respond will make stops in Reading and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Montgomery, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Houston, Texas; before finally reaching a detainment facility in either McAllen or Brownsville, Texas.” So read the story in YES! Magazine.

I decided to join them.  I hate bus rides.  I sit up front so that I won’t get nauseous.  My back hurts after driving in the car for a couple of hours.  The bathrooms smells.  So, why am I doing this?

This year I have challenged myself to “live as though the truth was really true”

If I believe that what is happening on our southern border is wrong.  If I believe that my government is acting in my name.  If I believe that as an elder I have a responsibility to speak up for the welfare of the children, the future generation – how can I not join this journey?
I am appalled at what our government is doing -- using innocent children for political gain, and destroying families who are fleeing dangerous conditions in their home communities.  
 
I am thrilled that this journey is happening.  I want to stand with the other Grannies, and speak what I believe to be true -- to love the stranger, to care for those whose lives are threatened, to be compassionate, to welcome the “tired, the poor the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”  
 
I want to again believe in the principles of our nation – even as I understand that our history has never fully lived those values. I feel so ashamed of our president and our government, and the lack of integrity of our elected leaders.  I don’t want to give up or move away. 
 
I want to reclaim my country and our values.  Sometimes I lack the personal know how, courage or energy to figure out how to fix the issues and injustices that I see -- and I am grateful that there are others also doing this work, finding their voice, acting together.
 
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.  (Margaret Mead)
 
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Join the Caravan, and/or offer your support.  
Check out the Facebook page
Show up for their rallies:
            Tuesday, July 31st, New York City
            Tuesday, July 31st, Berks Detention Center, Reading, PA
            Wednesday, Aug 1st, Pittsburgh
            Thursday, Aug 2nd, Louisville, KY
            Friday, Aug 3rd, Montgomery, AL
            Saturday, Aug. 4th, New Orleans, LA
            Sunday, Aug 5th, Houston, TX
            Monday, Aug 6th, McAllen TX

“Old Farts” Group Protest Results in Arrest of 6 at ICE in Philadelphia”
 
As a group of elders we wanted to call attention to what was happening to the three thousand children that had been forcibly taken from their parents when they entered the United States from our southern border.  We were appalled that our government would harm children in this way.  Have you ever witnessed a children or a parent that have lost each other in a public place?  The child is crying, the parent is near hysteria with fear.  Imagine if they were not able to find each other.  Imagine if they were in a strange country, where everyone was speaking a different language.  Could you imagine the fear?  The terror?  

These families have survived the arduous journey to come to the United States – in most cases fleeing situations in their home country where their lives have been threatened, relatives have been killed, children or women taken as hostages or been raped.  These parents are not coming here for the “good life” – they are coming to the U.S. seeking asylum.
 
As a grandmother and mother of five children my heart went out to those parents and children.  I know that this treatment is inhumane, uncaring and unethical – because we don’t use children to further political agendas. These policies of putting families, with young children, into detention, and of separating families at the border must stop.
 
I was not alone in my concern.  Friends invited me to a meeting, where they were discussing how to bring attention to this issue.  There had been many protests at the local ICE -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement – office, and we wanted to keep up the pressure.  We decided to arrive early, stand in front of the door with a banner, and not allow anyone to enter or leave. 

We’re elders with years of experience, resources and networks! 
A lawyer friend advised us about what might happen.  His daughter, a journalist, helped get our press release to the media.  Another man, a disability rights attorney, informed his clients who decided to show up – and, added their powerful presence.  One woman, a professor, wrote our press release.  Two other women put together facts about immigration – which was read as part of our demonstration.  Another friend wrote chants and gathered songs, and another showed up with a guitar and portable microphone.  One woman is a rabbi and knows how to lead a service – so she was the natural emcee.  We had a retired physician’s assistant, fluent in Spanish, who gave an interview with Spanish language press.  Several of use wrote 3 minutes “speeches.”
 
We each agreed that we would elicit five other people to come down and join us – either to “risk arrest” or stand in support.  In the end 4 of us stood and 2 of us sat, in front of the ICE office door blocking the door for 2 ½ hours; about 70 others joined us on the streets, and many, many others honked their horns as they passed by.
 
What did we accomplish?

• We learned that we could easily organize and take a stand for something that was important to all of us.   
• We had good media coverage, and several of us were quoted on NPR, and the local TV stations each ran small segments. 
• People were inspired – maybe empowered.  Many people noticed that old folks were standing and speaking as elders.  It garnered attention.
• A local councilwoman attended and powerfully adding her voice to ours. 
• We got worldwide press coverage with “85 year old Rabbi Gets Arrested.”
• Young people loved us and noticed.  We were called “Old Farts” by one of our own.  I cringed –but then I paid attention.  “Old Farts” went viral.  Young folks were impressed, they want “to be like the Old Farts” when they are old.  They offered us bail money.  They/we were touched that we/they cared. 

 
I still believe that it is important to act like an elder.  To raise our moral voice and stand for the principles and values that we know are critical to a healthy society, speaking for the welfare of all – most especially the children.
 
But now I am willing to also be called an Old Fart -- and not take myself so seriously! I’ve learned that it can be an endearing term, an embrace of old age in a jocular kind of way -- so, although I want to stand as an elder I am now OK about being called an “Old Fart.”
 
What Can You Do?

• Check out the media coverage – what do you think?
• Get together with friends and consider if there is something you want to do together.  You don’t need to risk arrest.  You can speak up in City Council.  Attend a community meeting – identify yourself as an elder. 
• Join Conscious Elders Network – and become part of a national movement of elders.
• Read -- "Caravan of Grandmothers Heads to Mexican Border" in YES! Magazine
• Learn More at RAICES -- The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services

​Fifty years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called for a "new and unsettling force to spark change in our nation," I’m committed to reigniting the Poor People’s Campaign that he and so many others tried to build. We’re creating a fusion movement led by people who are coming together regardless of race, color, creed and sexual orientation to challenge the status quo.  We are joining forces to declare that being poor isn’t a sin, but systemic poverty is. And we are committed to highlighting the interlocking evils of poverty, racism, ecological devastation and the war economy, and showing how you can’t confront one without challenging the others.
 
Monday’s arrests were just the beginning. Over 40 days, we’ll take our demands to end systemic poverty and racism, the war economy and ecological devastation to my politicians in Harrisburg, and other state capitols.  We’ll attend teach-ins and knock on doors all across the state to mobilize people to join our campaign and to engage in another form of powerful direct action: casting a vote in the next election. We are working on the state level because that is where much legislation is passed, and where we, as citizens and neighbors, can build power together -- from the ground up.

I do this for my children, and for the future.  A country without strong moral values cannot continue to thrive. 
Do you witness integrity in our leadership? Do you believe it is OK to bail out corporations, while we turn away from those in need?  Should our young people be saddled with college debt?  Should our high school students be subjected to gun violence in their schools?    

We can do better!
These first 40 days are just the beginning of a sustained, multi-year effort to save our country’s soul. 
​When working with others to plan the original Poor People’s Campaign, Dr. King said that to get the attention of legislators, people should “sit down if necessary in the middle of the street and say, 'We are here; we are poor; we don't have any money; you have made us this way … and we've come to stay until you do something about it.” 
 
In 31 state capitols across the country, that is exactly what we are doing.  
Will you join us next week? 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Sign up at Poor People’s Campaign – and receive weekly updates about what is happening in your state/region.  www.PoorPeoplesCampaign.org
• ATTEND A RALLY in your state capitol. Be a supporter, learn more, witness what is happening
• INVITE YOUR FRIENDS to come and view one of the livestreamed events.  Be prepared with a few conversation starters.
• Download the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES of the Campaign and the AUDIT.  Start a conversation with friends about these documents.
• DONATE!  Money is needed for the Campaign, for buses, food, etc – and to help with bail money for those who are without funds.
• Help PUBLICIZE.  Share the Facebook page, spread the word to your lists/friends.  Explain why the campaign is important and how to sign up.

Like many concerned citizens, I was devastated by the election of President Trump. I feared for the fate of justice, compassion and equality in our society; and, unfortunately, my fears were realized in the very first days of the administration with the announcement of the Muslim Ban. I wanted to take action but it felt too hard to do it alone.   I decided I would reach out for compatriots. 

I posted on Facebook, and sent emails to friends and neighbors, announcing that I would be at my house writing postcards to elected officials on Fridays, from 2 to 3 p.m. I didn’t know how it would go, and certainly never thought about this as a long-term project. I was heartened that 4 or 5 or 8 women showed up every time during the first few months. Those early members invited others, and the group grew. Now, members take turns hosting in their homes, and we communicate through our Facebook group; we have become an ongoing venture.
 
What we do is quite simple. ​​​We share issues of greatest concern to us each week, and then write postcards to our elected officials, committee chairs or committee members. We have learned that postcard messages are a simple, attention-grabbing means of registering our support or opposition to stances and measures taken by officials.  Over tea and snacks we sit for an hour and write exhortative messages about subjects such as immigration, gun control, environmental protection, judicial appointments, and criminal justice. We also write to express admiration and appreciation for those who have taken courageous positions.

Over the past year, we have written over 2,000 postcards. We now have over 20 members of the #PersistentPostcarders, as we named ourselves -- in honor of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who was silenced when she spoke out against the confirmation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  Sen. McConnell defended cutting her speech off midstream, “…she was warned…nevertheless, she persisted.”
 
We recently celebrated our first anniversary—we had an open house at our neighborhood coffee shop, and offered guidance so that guests could write postcards on the spot about environmental issues, immigration, or gun control. We raised money for Turn PA Blue, that mobilizes support for Democratic candidates in “flippable” districts. We heard from Helen Tai, a candidate for State Representative in Bucks County. And, we expressed our gratitude for the gift of working together.
 
Events of the past year have frequently been frightening and discouraging. Nevertheless, WE persist. When we are together, #PersistentPostcarders learn more about the threats to our American values, and we do what we can to address them. We get to know our neighbors, many of whom like me are “beyond midlife.” And, as we do, we find that we are cheered by the fact of acting together. We are not alone.  
 
We are one tiny drop of water in a sea of organizing, activism and resistance.
 
Rabbi Dayle Friedman is a chaplain, and spiritual guide dedicated to bringing meaning, connection and solace to the second half of life. Her Philadelphia-based, national practice is Growing Older, www.growingolder.net. Her most recent book is Jewish Wisdom for Growing Older: Finding Your Grit and Grace Beyond Midlife (Jewish Lights, 2015).

For several years I have wanted to organize a local Elder-Activists group. I’ve been showing up at rallies and actions with my Elder Activists t-shirts and banner—but could not wrap my mind around how to organize a group until just this past month. And then, it was so easy! 
​
When I shared in a circle of friends that I wanted to start a group but wasn’t sure how to do so, my friend Julie replied, “Why don’t you bring a group of elders to our next POWER action?” 
POWER is Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild—a local faith-based, community-organizing network which has been very successful in responding to local issues. Julie is organizing a long term strategic campaign to force our local power company to create green jobs and place solar panels on the rooftops of working class homes—as opposed to building a corporate solar field. 

I wrote an email and sent it to about a dozen friends and fellow activists, inviting them to the POWER action and to an Elder-Activists meeting to talk about “elders standing together” at local actions. I immediately got six or eight positive responses. That was encouraging! 

I then sent the same email to a wider network of friends and a couple of relevant e-lists.  By the day of the meeting/action I had about a 15 folks coming to the action, and about 8 to the meeting. 
 
Two days before I asked a creative activist friend to help me make signs.  It took us about 2 hours at her kitchen table, with markers and poster board --  “Elders demand solar jobs for our future,” Elders want Big Change,” etc.  It was easy, we had fun – and I felt like I had collaborators in this work. 
 
The meeting went well with a group of 12 around several tables.  As we parked the car we gained two men who were arriving early and decided to join us.  We sat on the edge of the food court of the regional train station and attracted attention from another friend who joined us. 
 
We began with several rounds of questions. 
First, we identified ourselves by name and where we lived – a quick way to get everybody noticed in the circle. 
I then offered a bit of background on why I had organized this circle of elders and invited them to this action.
Then, I asked everybody to tell their story – “What attracted you to this gathering of elders, as activists; this vision of elders standing together; of speaking our moral voice in support of the welfare of all, the future for all children?”
 
It was a wonderful question for all to begin to hear each other’s voices.   My friend Susan, who had been at a previous elder action 2 years ago, shared a chant – which we all repeated several times.
“TELL ME what an Elder looks like.  THIS IS what an Elder looks like!”
 
Finally, I asked if there were specific issues or ideas for how to be engaged together.  Some good ideas emerged – coming together for the Women’s March on Jan. 20th, going to Washington DC together in support of the Rev. William Barber’s Poor People’s Campaign and supporting a local mass incarceration action.
 
We got everybody’s email address, took a group picture and some people shared business cards.  We were beginning to make connections.
 
After a short bathroom break we walked the two blocks to the action – two of us carrying the Elder-Activists banner, and the rest walking behind, holding our home made signs.  We used our chant as we arrived to the assembling crowd -- “TELL ME what an Elder looks like.  THIS IS what an Elder looks like!” – and were greeted with shouts and whoops! 
 
That was the organizing part but the result was impressive.  Several of the speakers referred to the elders in their talks, some referred to the moral responsibility to care for the future, for our children.  Many other elders walked over to us and wanted to know more.
 
We had accomplished our objectives –

• to bring elders together,
• to inspire ourselves and others, and
• to raise our moral voice in the public square.

And, we had fun!
 
If you are interested in beginning a local elder-activist group –
 send me an email and we can talk and share ideas..  I am happy to support others in this endeavor.