By JESSICA ARENDS
On the icy cold evening of Tuesday, Feb. 18, about 60 people filed into the pews of the University Park Church of the Brethren, the atmosphere solemn and tense.
“I’m here with my mother who is from Poland,” a woman says.
“I studied abroad and saw the effects of totalitarianism,” another says.
“I’m not interested in living in a country with a king,” a woman states firmly.
“I can’t sleep through the night,” a man volunteers from the back of the room. Others nod, saying they are depressed, anxious.
“I don’t have enough Xanax to get me through this. That’s why I’m here.”
“I’ve seen what a lack of democracy can do,” offers a National Archives employee who asked to remain anonymous.
“I’m a lesbian in a biracial marriage.”
“I’m concerned for my trans son.”
A man stands up: “Enough of the group therapy! We need to take action!” Heads nod. The tension has bubbled up into visible frustration.
This is the first gathering of the Indivisible Route 1 Corridor Group, a collection of residents interested in creating a local chapter of Indivisible — a national organization founded in 2016 to elect progressive leaders and rebuild democracy, according to indivisible.org. This local group aims to “protect our vulnerable community members, use our voice to affect positive change and build a strong community of resisters,” as noted on its website. The group accepts, but is not limited to, residents in Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood, Cottage City, Colmar Manor, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, University Park, College Park, Berwyn Heights, Hollywood and Beltsville.
The meeting continued with people announcing advocacy events they were planning and how the group would communicate.
Hyattsville resident and retired historian Camy Clough was impressed by the turnout on a weeknight.
“This means there are more people who are interested. How do we make that circle bigger? If we all came out, our voice would be strong. We have power in numbers.”
Clough said she was motivated to attend the meeting by American social activist Jane Addams’ idea that people have to be actively engaged to sustain democracy.
“History can be a cautionary tale,” Clough said. “But it can also help us by showing how people of a certain time worked to resolve problems.”
Laura Usher, who has recently been organizing local advocacy events, also attended the meeting.
“I know there is a ton of talent and passion for protecting democracy and support in this community,” said Usher, who has lived in Hyattsville for 19 years.
In addition to organizing Hyattsvillians for rallies, holding a protest sign-making party, visiting senator offices, and forming a “We Are Here for Hyattsville” Slack group to communicate action items, Usher also helped to host a “Let’s Call Congress” call-in event at Maryland Meadworks where 35 people made 206 calls to representatives on various issues of concern.
Courtesy of Maryland Meadworks
“People seemed to be really energized when working in small groups to do some sort of action,” Usher said. “There’s a hunger for that right now in our community. It’s really exciting.”
She continued, “We need to keep that alive because people need to not let what is happening in our government take over their lives.”
John Crumpacker, who also participated in the call-in event, does not feel as optimistic. After stepping into Meadworks for a drink the evening of the call-in, he joined the event and was proud to see that his calls pushed the total number past the original goal of 150. But he said that making calls to his representatives didn’t change his attitude toward the current political environment.
“I felt helpless before calling. I still do. Is that wrong?” Crumpacker said. “The [representative’s] office must say, ‘Here’s a constituent who called, but who’s writing the biggest check?’ Does the call really matter? That’s why there’s this helplessness.”
Crumpacker, who identifies as a gay conservative, a former Reagan Republican and a socialist, is concerned about the economy. After receiving a $400 gas bill in February, he wrote a letter to his representative.
“We need to focus on what matters to all Americans,” Crumpacker said. “Like the cost of energy bills and taxes.”
When asked how she would respond to people who feel discouraged, Usher replied, “It is genuinely a very dire situation. But if we can keep hold of our power then we will survive this better, more joyfully and as a stronger community. I feel an immense responsibility to my son who is fully aware that our democracy is collapsing. I want to be able to say that I did everything that I could. Hopefully, it will be enough.”
Starting March 4, the Route 1 Corridor Indivisible Group will meet every other Tuesday, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hyattsville Mennonite Church, 4217 East-West Highway. More information can be found at groups.io/g/IndivisibleRt1Corridor. Hyattsville residents can request to join the “We are Here for Hyattsville” Slack group by emailing wearehere4hyattsville@gmail.com.
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Jessica Arends is the arts, culture and lifestyle columnist for the Life & Times.
