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Bethel Defends Democracy - Hope Isn’t Waiting To Win, It's How We Win
Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
Bethel Public Library, Bethel, Connecticut
About
Please join us for our 77th consecutive community rally to Defend Democracy in beautiful downtown Bethel. Our overall theme is Defending Democracy. On Saturday, August 22nd, 11am - 12:30pm (90 mins), we are excited to have our very own Jonathan Phillips speak about Hope: “Hope isn’t waiting to win, it’s how we win”. Hope isn’t pretending everything is okay. It’s believing that something better is possible and that we have the power to help build it. Jon will touch on why hope matters, how it spreads, and why showing our neighbors what we’re for may be one of the most powerful ways our movement can grow. (Tip: If viewing on facebook or mobilize, it is easier to read the full Bethel rally announcement with pictures here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HyP5gMYCZ91lNDoR0E9xRa7QFH8KMnX9IbUBspEE--c/edit?usp=drivesdk We all know Jonathan as our rallier who stands on the corner with the same inspiring sign all these weeks, “It’s Time to Stand Up to Hate with Hope”. Jon Phillips is a father and Bethel resident who regularly attends the Bethel rallies. He believes in creating a world he is proud to leave to his children, and in standing up for his neighbors and community. We are also excited to have Lenny Levine back to play some great music for us. Lenny attended Brooklyn College, graduating in 1962 with a BA in Speech and Theater. Immediately thereafter, he forgot about all of that and became a folk singer, then a folk-rock singer and songwriter, and finally a studio singer and composer of many successful jingles, including McDonald’s, Lipton Tea, and Jeep. He has composed songs and sung backup for Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Peggy Lee, Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, the Pointer Sisters, Carly Simon, and others. In addition, he performed for a number of years with the improvisational comedy group War Babies. His work has been widely published in literary magazines and journals. He received a Pushcart Prize nomination for short fiction. His mystery novels Diehard Fan and Death in the Jingle Jungle are available in print, Nook, and Kindle on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. His website is lennylevinewriter.com. ************************ See the full Bethel rally announcement with pictures here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HyP5gMYCZ91lNDoR0E9xRa7QFH8KMnX9IbUBspEE--c/edit?usp=drivesdk Please don’t attend the rally if you cannot refrain from engaging with agitators. ************ Never miss information about upcoming rallies by registering for our rally newsletter, bit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletter (case sensitive). You can also provide feedback on what you'd like to see at future rallies. Questions and feedback are also always welcome anytime at: [email removed] Visit our website BethelRallies.org to find videos and pictures from our past rallies. Note: Rally is rain, snow or shine. Please bring your own lawn or camping chair. Approximate Rally Schedule: (Rally will be on Greenwood Ave behind the Bethel Library on the sidewalk and up to 17 feet from the curb) 11:00 - 11:15. Sign holding 11:15 - 11:45 Program 11:45 - 12:30. Sign holding and chanting 12:30 Disperse Food Pantry Requests: We collect for Bethel’s food pantry each week. All non-perishable items are greatly appreciated, but the food pantry especially needs: Cereal, Canned & dried fruit, coffee, toilet paper, laundry detergent in SMALL bottles. The pantry is also ready to receive *Cardboard* egg cartons only. ***************** Upcoming events: Hands Across The Hudson: August 30th UPDATES: ***Please let me know if you plan to attend so we have enough buttons for everyone*** If anyone is interested in driving a carpool or being in a carpool, please contact Alyson Tabot at [email removed]. Some folks asked about the elevator at the bridge. The bridge is fully accessible. Whether the elevator is working or not will not matter. We will be meeting at the top of the bridge which has parking lots as well as golf carts for folks who need them. Info on parking and the elevator are in this document put together by Gypsy Gene. Thanks for doing this! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tJCllVCi5d_pnVV3SDdqx5adYfIDTVvDvr3MpyujhE4/edit?usp=drivesdk We will be meeting on the east side of the walkway: 61 Parker Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 The organizers plan for groups to gather at areas east and west of the bridge for singing and more. Then both sides will walk to the bridge and meet in the middle, thereby spanning the entire bridge. ************ Overview of Event A coalition of nine Indivisible groups in the Hudson Valley invites the public to Hands Across the Hudson to gather for democracy and join hands in support of our shared democratic values. The event will occur Sunday, August 30, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Walkway Over the Hudson between Highland and Poughkeepsie NY. Official hand hold across the walkway will take place at 2 p.m. Inspired by the Hands Across America event 25 years ago, attendees will join hands in…
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