20250715 STAND Newsletter – Honoring John Lewis
What’s new with STAND
We’re gathering on the 17th, THIS THURSDAY, to honor John Lewis: Read below for details.
Our next general meeting is slated for July 26th – This one’s important, y’all. More info to come, but please save the date (3pm-5:30)!
Dear Friends,
On Saturday, we did what we do best. We gathered on the sidewalks of Decatur, greeted our neighbors, and stood in protest of shortsighted governance that directly harms members of our community. With more than 50 people in attendance and some good music playing, we reminded everyone, including ourselves, that we can build real community around recognizing and working towards the dignity of all people. We can, and we will, and we’ll do it again on Thursday.
On Thursday from 6:30-7pm in Decatur Square, STAND will honor the life and work of John Lewis. On the 5th anniversary of his passing, we will gather in remembrance and honor the man who spent his life seeking justice and equity in our society. We will remember good trouble, but we will remember that that trouble was always in pursuit of a more peaceful and just society. We will commemorate that commitment by decorating his statue on the square and reminding the people of Decatur that his work, Our work, is not yet complete. Our in-house choral group, STAND In Song, will be there to sing some patriotic songs to remind us that civil rights and resistance to marginalization is not subversive, it’s patriotic. We will bring flowers and flags and pay tribute to his legacy. We hope that you’ll stop by and help us decorate, sing along, and help remind the people on the square of the legacy that Congressman Lewis left behind.
Through absolute coincidence (no, really!) the Decatur Democrats will be holding a vigil following our event at 7pm. They plan to honor Congressman Lewis by candlelight, with remarks from Rep. Omari Crawford and a singing of “We Can Overcome”. We have extended an invitation to their community to join our celebration, and I would encourage you to attend theirs. STAND is, and will remain, a non-partisan and values-focused group. However, the remembrance and celebration of a man that touched so many lives through dedicated work on behalf of human dignity is not a political act – it is a human one. I know that it’s short notice, but please consider joining us on Thursday for what I hope will become an annual tradition of honoring a great man and an even greater set of ideals.
Lastly, as we honor the work of those who came before us, we must focus on the work here and now not only nationally, but here, in Georgia. That’s what our next general meeting, coming up on July 26th, will be about. Finding ways to use STAND to build the community we want to live in. Save the date – this one’s important.
STANDing with you,
Matt
