Posted by: Caraline Feairheller on July 16, 2018
“Somebody’s hurting my brother
and it’s gone on far too long (Yes, it’s gone on far too long)
and we won’t be silent anymore
Posted by: Meta Mendel-Reyes, KFTC Chairperson on July 9, 2018
On a hot day last month, I stood in front of the state capitol building with hundreds of other Kentuckians, including many KFTC members.
Posted by: KFTC staff on July 8, 2018
Members of the Perry County KFTC Chapter of gathered Tuesday in Hazard in front of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers' office to protest the separation of families and stand in solidarity with immigrants being targeted by ICE and Customs and Border Protection.
The KFTC members met with Danielle Smoot of Rogers' staff to discuss the issue of separating families at the border. They asked for a meeting with Rogers when he is in Kentucky during a congressional recess.
There is a real fear that causes people from other countries to seek asylum in the U.S., Susan Hull of Perry County pointed out. "I lived in Nicaragua for three years. There are ‘the missing’ as they call them, the army comes in and then people are missing the next day. I know that it's true, but it's something that some of my friends here think is made up. There is a real fear."
Posted by: KFTC staff on July 5, 2018
In June, Harlan County KFTC member Stanley Sturgill spoke at a congressional forum about poverty hosted by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rep Elijah Cummings and coordinated with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Posted by: Kimmy Sandlin on July 2, 2018
On June 10, 2018 I had the privilege to march in the Northern Kentucky Pride Parade. I marched with the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Northern Kentucky chapter. I am currently interning with KFTC with Joe Gallenstein as my supervisor. My friend, Mari, had stayed over the night before so we could wake up early to prepare. We were both so excited to go to the parade and to support the LGBTQ+ community. We woke up early that morning to meet Joe at Roebling Point Books and Coffee where we started our day with a cup of coffee and donuts. I had been sick for the past week, and wasn’t sure I’d have the energy needed to participate. That doubt disappeared once we walked over to our spot in the parade and waited for the parade to start.
While waiting I could already feel how important it is for our communities to show support. I could feel all the love and acceptance as I spoke with others participating in the parade. We talked about issues that were close to our hearts, and how we plan to achieve our goals. Once the parade started, I was happy to see people from our communities showing their support and I enjoyed seeing how happy the children were to catch pieces of candy. Being a part of all the love was enlightening. Music played, people danced and sang. Despite being exhausted from my cold, my friend and I, danced and sang along as well. Being goofy and jumping around was so much fun and being a part of the parade has been a highlight of my summer. Although, we should not limit support for the LGBTQ+ community to just one month, I am very excited to have been a part of the Pride Parade this year and I can’t wait to do it all over again next year!
Posted by: KFTC staff on July 1, 2018
After spending six months learning about power, grassroots community organizing, KFTC, and the history of activism and organizing in Kentucky, KFTC’s pilot Organizing Academy cohort graduated in June.
“The Community Organizing Academy was so special because of the many unique life experiences brought together in one room,” Alexa Hatcher of Bowling Green reflected. “We worked to make genuine connections with each other the entire six months and those connections are deep and lasting. Everyone was a teacher and everyone was a student.”
Posted by: KFTC staff on June 27, 2018
From June 22 to June 24, at least 17 Kentuckians converged at Harris-Stowe University in St. Louis, Missouri to attend CommonBound 2018.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on June 15, 2018
The Northern Kentucky chapter of KFTC joined Northern Kentucky Justice and Peace Committee, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, Northern Kentucky Indivisible and Together We Will - Cincinnati for a rally on the Roebling Bridge on June 14 to protest the Trump administration's policy of separating families.
The event, which was scheduled to be a part of events taking place nationwide, gained more attention closer to the action locally based on news reports of a plan to build 'tent cities' to house children (both unaccompanied minors and those separated from their families by the Department of Homeland Security) and the conditions inside of other holding facilities. Those in attendance chanted slogans offering support for families directly and indirectly impacted by the new heinous policy.
Posted by: Mikaela Curry on June 7, 2018
AMERICA, OUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE
Mikaela Curry
Posted by: the Southern Kentucky Chapter on May 17, 2018
The Southern Kentucky chapter has been hard at work preparing for the May 22 primary elections and building the grassroots power we will need for November.