The Patriarchy Put a Gag Order on My Vocal Cords & Other Biz

Croaky McVoiceless

I've been home for quite some time with an oppressive cold, which appeared to be getting better. On Saturday, I was at like 95% of Full Range Fairchild, so I thought it was a good idea to take my new bangs out on the town. I was dying to get out of the house and do something, and dressing up sounded like the most fun ever. This was actually a very bad idea. Now I have been completely without a voice for 2 days, and I can't even laugh aloud. I think the booze and the patriarchy stole my voice! Do you have any idea how much I like to talk? And laugh? Man oh man. Or should I say "woman oh woman?" That's still restrictive. Jeez. The politics of language are always sneaking up and biting me in the ass. Anyway, my housemate Nate asked me how I would know when my voice is back if I'm on a strict no talk plan, and I said I would use the following test phrase: "The patriarchy will not silence me!" Heh heh.

The NJ4

Anyway, for our next meeting -- 10/30 at 7:30 -- we will (among other points of conversation) be writing letters of support to the remaining members of the New Jersey Four who are still in prison. From what I can tell, Renata Hill and Patreese Johnson remain in prison, though Renata has been granted a new trial scheduled for Nov. 20, which is in large part due to grassroots activism among LGBTQ and feminist organizations and "clubs" around the country. Renata is still, however, being held awaiting her trial. Patreese is facing an 11 year sentence. This case is an incredibly painful demonstration of institutionalized racism, sexism, and homophobia. If you would like know more, please read up here:

From the SF Bay View

Justice 4 the NJ 4

freenj4

We will write letters of support to Patreese and Renata, and I can supply more craft supplies than you can shake a stick at (I feel like I've been using that expression a lot lately, and I bet it has some fucked up origin - but it's so effective!). I mean, you can write a plain old letter if you want, but that's not the way I send mail. Ahem. If you have a postage stamp or two, bring em! I'll make the post office delivery.

The Portland Feminist Action League (PFAL)

So, we have ironed out a few details regarding the counter-protest, which we can also share with people at next meeting. We gave a name to this specific project (PFAL), which is bigger than the scope of ol' fashioned F Club.

Sign making party: 11/1, 3pm, Outside In

Counter-Protest/Show of Support for Planned Parenthood: 11/9, exact time TBA, but morning

• Michelle is working on the blurb of info, which we should all be sending to friends, colleagues, organizations we know, etc. She will get it to us via the yahoo group.
  
• Candise is thinking about starting a google group (like the yahoo group) specifically for PFAL, so interested peeps can sign up for further info
  
• Erin (uh, me) is making fliers for the counter-protest/sign making party, as well as handbills for how to keep the protest peaceful for the actual day -- when they are done I will email/post them, so everyone can print them and distribute them far and wide throughout the land
  
• Someone, can't remember who, is getting whistles and kazoos (!!!) to hand out at the protest. The idea is that if someone with an opposing opinion is getting hostile or trying to engage one of us in confrontational communication, that person could whistle or kazoo (!!!) and people will gather around said person with their backs to the hostile party. Peaceful resistance, what's up.
• Someone is contacting the media
• We talked about coming in costume and/or wearing armbands so we can easily know who is with who, and to be cool and have fun
• We also talked about how this could be an on-going effort that could evolve into a block party or a resource fair, or sunday morning queer dance jam
• We could sell baked goods at the protest and give the proceeds to PP. We could also screen print more shit and sell it.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A RESOURCE FOR FREE OR CHEAP PRINTING?

That's all I've got. I can't talk, but I sure can type!