There’s a moment I keep returning to, one I can’t shake. It’s not because I’m stuck in the past, but because the wound is still healing. Honestly, truth deserves to be heard, and I refuse to let silence speak louder than what happened.

The Unexpected Sabotage

At first, when I launched Rescue Our Democracy, I knew challenges would come. But I never expected sabotage from those who claimed to be allies.

In early spring, a group called “Bitches That Get Stuff Done” defamed me. Unabashedly, they publicly accused me of lying, but the allegations were proven false. So what was their issue? Interestingly enough, they didn’t know how to check their voicemail on the Google Voice number they’d been advertising. Instead of owning their mistake, they attacked my credibility. Sharing screenshots of “putting me in my place” to sow discord for me to work with other groups. It was slander. Posting it on our site, made it libel.

With truth on my site, I continued building.

The Iowa 50501 Coalition

Unexpectedly, the fallout was swift, rippling through our local circles. That’s when the Iowa 50501 Coalition reached out. They said they wanted to “vet” me and explore working together. At the time, I thought they were offering support.

Looking back, I see it clearly: they weren’t vetting me. Instead, they were covering themselves. They were aware of the smear campaign and the potential legal or reputational implications of staying silent. So, they approached me—not as allies, but as self-preservers.

The Request for a Campaign

Next came the request for a website. Unbelievably, they had none – some internal kerfuffle, and I agreed to help because I believed in the power of coalition work. Just as I began working on preparing for their web presence, they added a new, urgent request—a full campaign for a cause that affects our elderly, our disabled, and low-income families.

But, it wasn’t just a campaign document. They wanted a full campaign. They asked for postcards, call scripts with rebuttals, documents, and presentations. I created and revised everything multiple times, ten versions in total. They kept shifting their direction. And all of this work? It was for a “random lady on FB” I never had the chance to speak with directly. Subsequently, I had found out that this woman isn’t even a part of Iowa 50501. Somehow, they managed to pimp out my work.

I thought I was building a partnership. But, I was used instead.

The Truth Unveiled

Eventually, the truth surfaced. The person requesting the campaign wasn’t even part of their group. She was just a random woman from Facebook. They’d misled me. They’d strung me along and wasted three crucial days I needed to prepare for our first protest.

Sadly, they knew about the protest. They knew what I was working on. And yet, they pulled me away from it.

The Rejection

Finally, on April 30, I paused the campaign to focus on Rescue Our Democracy. That same day within minutes, they rejected me. Rejection over my following laws regarding privacy, that they do not follow themselves, locally or nationally. On that same day, their website went live, echoing an important element from my own site, including our event calendar.

So actually, this wasn’t a coincidence. It was sabotage.

Why We Keep Building

But here’s the thing they didn’t expect: we’re still standing.

Rescue Our Democracy is about people, not performance. It’s about connection, not control. It’s about the long road to change—not the quick hit of media attention or mimicking others.

Building The Support We Need

The only consistent support we’ve received has come from Indivisible chapters. They didn’t posture. They showed up. They offered real resources. They helped.

Yes, I’ve written about this before. I might write about it again—not because I’m bitter, but because this pattern of abuse and erasure has to stop.

The Path Forward

Specifically, if you’ve ever been sidelined, talked down to, or used, this movement is for you.

Frankly, we’re not here for permission. We’re not here to play politics. We’re here to make change.

And next time, no one will hijack our time, our voice, or our mission.

Lastly, we are not stepping aside.
We are building something stronger than we ever imagined.

Judy T.

Head Guerilla