15May, 2025
    ROD 1st Official Meet & Greet (In-Person)

    Happening today!

    Every 3rd Thursday | 6:00–7:30 PM
    📍 Caribou Coffee, 3220 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
    🌐 https://locations.cariboucoffee.com/ia/des-moines/3220-ingersoll-ave

    Come meet the movement that’s working to Rescue Our Democracy right here in Iowa! Whether you’re curious, passionate, or ready to get involved, our monthly in-person Meet & Greet is your chance to connect with like-minded neighbors, learn more about what we do, and see where you might fit in.

    ☕ Enjoy conversation, clarity, and community in a relaxed, welcoming setting at Caribou Coffee on Ingersoll.
    📋 We’ll have info about open roles, upcoming events, and how you can help shape real change.

    No pressure. No pretense. Just people-powered democracy, one cup at a time.

    Hosted by Head Guerilla Judy T.
    Questions? Visit RescueOurDemocracy.com

    Come meet the Head Guerilla and more in-person!

    Head Guerilla hard at work
    13May, 2025
    Site Update and more!
    Head Guerilla hard at work
    Head Guerilla hard at work

    Hey there! Head Guerilla here.

    If you frequent our site, you’ve likely noticed a flurry of updates lately. We’ve been hard at work making things cleaner, clearer, and more accessible for everyone who visits RescueOurDemocracy.com.

    A Cleaner Site Structure

    To start, we streamlined and reorganized our site menu. Now, everything directly related to Rescue Our Democracy is neatly housed under the About ROD section. Whether you’re looking for our mission, team roles, or organizational updates, you’ll find it all in one place.

    As a result, it’s easier than ever to locate essential information without getting lost in the shuffle.

    New Writing Sections on the Site

    Additionally, we’ve launched three distinct writing categories that invite a variety of voices into our shared mission:

    • Editorials: These come straight from me—the Head Guerilla.
    • Eye Witness: These are personal, first-hand accounts from folks who have protested, rallied, or stood up in ways worth remembering.
    • Opinions: Our sharp-tongued content guerilla, Shade B., just released his first piece in this section. It’s a must-read.

    If you’re eager to contribute, we’d love to feature your writing. Please send 2–3 samples so we can get a feel for your voice and alignment with our goals.

    Building the Site’s Backbone

    Behind the scenes, I’ve also been laying down infrastructure. Over the past few days, I created a skeletal structure of future pages the site may need later on. That way, if our schedule gets hectic, the foundation is already in place.

    Consequently, we’re better equipped to respond quickly and efficiently when new demands arise.

    Staff Progress and Site Growth

    Meanwhile, our internal team continues to grow. We’ve recently welcomed our Databack Guerilla, and an official announcement will follow as soon as she lets us know how she’d like to be introduced. Furthermore, I’ll be interviewing a candidate tomorrow for the Echoback Guerilla role, who would manage our social media.

    Highest Priority: Treasurer Needed

    Right now, our most urgent staffing need is a Treasurer, also known as the Greenbacks Guerilla. If you—or someone you trust—has experience with bookkeeping or nonprofit finance, please reach out. Not only is this role vital, but it is also key to keeping our momentum strong and sustainable.

    Thanks again for visiting our site and checking in. We appreciate every set of eyes, every shared post, and every voice raised alongside ours.

    In solidarity,
    Your Head Guerilla
    RescueOurDemocracy.com

    10May, 2025
    Honorary Guerilla…

    🛡️ Introducing Our Honorary Guardian Guerilla: Mayor Ras Baraka 🛡️

    When courage meets conviction, it deserves recognition. We’re proud to honor Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, U.S. Representatives Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver with the title of Honorary Guardian Guerilla for their unwavering stand against injustice.

    On May 9, 2025, Mayor Baraka was arrested outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark. He was accompanying U.S. Representatives Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver during an unannounced oversight visit. Despite remaining on public property and complying with orders to leave, Baraka was detained by federal agents—a move many view as politically motivated. The Daily Beast

    Baraka‘s commitment to transparency and justice didn’t stop there. Earlier attempts to inspect the facility were met with resistance, as GEO Group employees denied access, citing the need for ICE approval—a claim Baraka contested and is supported by law. He emphasized the city’s right to ensure safety and code compliance, stating, “We are trying to get in, and we are going to get in today.” New Jersey Globe

    In a bold move, Baraka, Menendez, Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver followed a vehicle into the facility, seeking dialogue with GEO Group staff. Despite their efforts, access was denied, highlighting the opaque operations of such detention centers. New Jersey Globe

    Mayor Baraka, U.S. Representatives Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver actions exemplify the spirit of a true Guardian Guerilla—fearless, principled, and relentless in the pursuit of justice. Their dedication has not only inspired us but has also garnered admiration from advocates nationwide.

    We salute Mayor Baraka, Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver for their bravery and stand in solidarity with their missions to uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals.

    He has since been released.

    We are honored by all of you.

    Thank you.

    Rescue Our Democracy

    9May, 2025
    🎬 Cue the Retro Soundtrack…

    There’s something in the works this summer—
    and it’s bringing more spirit, more sunscreen, and way more storm.

    No full details just yet.
    Just know this:
    It’s bold. It’s beautiful. It’s being built right now.

    Want to be part of the next scene?
    Keep your eyes peeled. The credits are just starting to roll.

    Want to be part of working together to build this?

    #TheStormBuilds
    #ComingSummer2025

    7May, 2025
    Guerilla Help Wanted

    🚨 Join the Troop – We’re Hiring Guerrillas! 🦍
    Rescue Our Democracy is growing, and we need fierce, focused, and fired-up folks ready to get in the fight.

    These are UNPAID Volunteer positions

    Are you passionate about justice, democracy, and grassroots power? Do you thrive in movement spaces and want to be part of something bold, fresh, and unapologetically people-centered?
    Then come swing into action with us.

    We’re currently filling the following key roles in our troop. References will be checked—because this work matters.

    🟢 Greenbacks Guerilla (Treasurer)

    Our money master. Keeps the books clean, the budget transparent, and ensures our funds follow all Indivisible.org compliance guidelines. This position is essential to unlock the resources we’re already qualified for.

    🌿 Western Lowland Guerilla (Recruitment Director)

    The face of the front line. Outgoing, persuasive, organized, and deeply passionate about people. Helps grow our movement by finding and connecting new members who care about democracy.

    📣 Echoback Guerilla (Social Media Lead)

    Our digital voice. Manages social media like a mission—crafts posts, replies with purpose, and keeps the community informed and energized across platforms.

    🤝 Grauer’s Gorilla (Outreach & Coalition Builder)

    The longest reach in the troop. Builds bridges, forges alliances, and keeps us connected with like-minded groups, partners, and community efforts.

    📚 Databack Guerilla (Research & Policy Lead) FILLED 05.09.2025

    Our knowledge vault. Tracks legislation, researches key issues, and keeps the troop armed with facts and data. A strategic thinker who helps us move smart.

    🍌 Banana Bank Guerilla (Fundraising Director)

    The heart of our hustle. Plans fundraising campaigns, manages donor outreach, and keeps our cause fueled and ready to roll.

    🥾 Ground Force Guerilla (Field Organizer)

    Boots on the ground. Leads direct action—canvassing, phone banking, rallying the troops. If you’re built for the street fight to save democracy, this is for you.

    💬 Sound like you—or someone you know?
    We want folks who are dependable, enthusiastic, and ready to build something real. You’ll be supported with materials, training, and an uplifting community that believes in the power of collective action.

    📝 How to Apply:
    Check out our Job Posting page here, indicate what position you are applying for, tell us a little about your background, and references we can contact. Let us know what makes you a perfect fit for this historic moment.

    Because we’re not just organizing—we’re making noise, building power, and rewriting the story.

    #RescueOurDemocracy

    6May, 2025
    Indivisible.org

    Rescue Our Democracy Is Now an Official Indivisible.org Group!

    We are excited to announce that Rescue Our Democracy (ROD) has officially become a recognized group within Indivisible.org!

    This milestone marks a turning point for our grassroots movement. Partnering with Indivisible.org means we now have access to essential infrastructure and long-term support. In addition, we gain a shared bank account operated through Indivisible’s trusted financial system. This not only strengthens our accountability but also ensures transparency as we grow.

    One of the biggest reliefs? Indivisible.org will handle all tax-related responsibilities on behalf of ROD. For those of us organizing on limited incomes or navigating complex systems like disability benefits, this kind of support removes barriers that would otherwise prevent participation. With this partnership, we can stay focused on organizing, collaborating, and empowering communities—without worrying about administrative red tape.

    Funding will be available to help support the community events and outreach efforts we believe in. We’ll remain completely autonomous in our goals and mission, while receiving the backing of a national movement that truly understands the importance of grassroots resistance.

    From the beginning, ROD was born out of a desire to push forward—to build something local, authentic, and deeply connected to real people. Becoming part of Indivisible.org means that our work now ties into a larger national effort to protect democracy from the ground up.

    We’re proud to continue on this path, knowing we are not alone. We’re supported by a network of passionate, justice-driven advocates who share our values. With gratitude and determination, we move forward—stronger, louder, and more unified than ever.

    Let the work continue. This storm is just getting started.

    —
    The Rescue Our Democracy Team

    5May, 2025
    Site move, complete!

    Our apologies for any confusion there!

    I had to do some rearranging on the back-end of my web hosting service. Focusing on this site and one other I run for a friend’s clothing business. Took down my web hosting company site.

    In the process, my back up got all weird.

    So I have had to do the site and all edits over…Then the theme itself was not working.

    Checked other themes out for a moment and then finally resorted to using a back-up from before the rearranging and upload it, then do the edits there.

    Everything’s good to go!

    My apologies for confusion as I was trying to get this working correctly again!

    5May, 2025
    Thank you!

    Thank you.

    Today wasn’t about numbers—it was about connection. And in that, it was a complete success.

    Eight brave souls stayed, and each brought something powerful: their stories, their convictions, and their willingness to be seen and heard. We had honest conversations about why we’re here, what we’re fighting for, and how we move forward—together.

    One attendee told me they felt truly heard for the first time. That moment alone made it all worth it.

    This movement isn’t about shouting over each other. Instead, it’s about listening, lifting one another up, and forming something stronger—with intention and unity.

    Because of today, I now know: I am not a lone raindrop. We are forming the storm.

    To everyone who came: thank you. You helped launch something different—something deeply human. And for those who couldn’t make it, there will be more opportunities to engage, build, and grow.

    We each have our own assignments in the fight to instigate real change within our government. Thank you for believing in this new, action-based, connection-driven movement.

    I look forward to seeing many of you at our first meeting next Sunday.

    You honor me. You honor your nation. You honor your state. Most of all, you honor the people you are fighting for.

    For this, we offer our undying gratitude.

    Keep watching. Keep connecting. Keep showing up.

    1May, 2025
    Privacy Policy!

    DO NOT SUBMIT, JOIN A NEWSLETTER, COMMENT, JOIN AS A CONTRIBUTOR, OR DONATE MONIES ON A SITE THAT HAS NO PRIVACY POLICY POSTED PUBLICLY.

    You have no idea what they are doing with that information.

    Some folks took issue with our very basic privacy practices—like logging IPs when someone leaves a comment. That’s normal. That’s standard. That’s how you stop bots, trolls, and spam.

    We were denied the ability to coordinate efforts and work together over this.

    And here’s the kicker: We were criticized for having a privacy policy at all. Meanwhile, many groups don’t even have one. That’s not okay.

    Rescue Our Democracy is doing this the right way. We are transparent, we are accountable, and we won’t compromise our standards just to fit in.

    You’re stealing my information!

    No I am not.

    So before you make yourself look as though you are completely lacking knowledge…as the national group and local groups have…

    Yes, I do need to have a privacy policy on my website — and I do. Even though I’m based in Iowa, privacy rules apply if I collect any personal information from any visitor, not just Iowans. That includes things like:

    • Names
    • Email addresses
    • IP addresses
    • Comment content
    • Contributor sign-ups or logins

    Federal and international laws apply if someone from outside Iowa visits the site. For example:

    • CalOPPA (California law) requires a privacy policy for any site that collects info from California residents.
    • Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) requires a privacy policy for any site that collects info from Colorado residents.
    • GDPR (European law) protects users in the EU and UK — and applies even to U.S. websites if they get international traffic.
      • Yes, I have that far of a reach
    • Other countries like Canada and Australia have similar laws.
      • Here too

    Iowa itself doesn’t currently have a comprehensive state privacy law like California, but that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook. Because my site collects data like newsletter sign-ups, comments and contributor posts, I still have a legal and ethical responsibility to be transparent. That’s why I’ve posted a privacy policy that explains:

    • What info is collected
    • Why it’s collected
    • How it’s used
    • What rights users have
    • How long it’s stored
    • Where to contact us

    As for removing content: I don’t have to take down comments or posts just because they’re on the site — as long as they don’t contain private, identifying information that someone didn’t agree to share publicly.

    But if someone posts personal data (like their real name, phone number, or address) and later asks me to remove it — or if they didn’t consent to it being posted (not possible if they did it themselves – they consented and I am not in the habit of posting people’s gossip) — I would absolutely take it down. That’s both the respectful thing to do and the legally smart one. With only exceptions being for harassing and defaming comments, those are left up as proof of people’s true colors and for reference for any legal questions later.

    It’s called being transparent.

    By the way, when you hit the submit button, you ARE consenting.

    I want my site to be a safe, transparent space, and I take user privacy seriously — even in Iowa.

    I know what I need to about websites. I have done this for 27 years.

    Educate before you falsely accuse, again…as seems to be the habit of this particular group of folks.

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