Bethel Weekly Rally

Please join us for our 16th consecutive rally to Defend Democracy in beautiful downtown Bethel. While our overall theme is Defending Democracy, each week we pick a specific focus. On Saturday June 21st, 11am - noon,  back at PT Barnum Square, our focus is to bask in the success of our No Kings rally:
Whose Country? OUR Country!

We said “NO” to authoritarianism. 
We said “NO” to fascism. 
We said “NO” to a dictatorship. 

We are sharing the square this week with our town's Music in the Park event which will start on our square at 12:30pm.  Their event is weather permitting but we are rain or shine or unbearable humidity (good thing we have some lovely large trees for shade).  So come rally for a while, enjoy lunch in town and then some music in the park!

We'll rally with our signs and take a short march. We also like to end each week with a sing-a-long.

Never miss information about upcoming rallies by scanning the attached QR code to register for our rally newsletter. You can also provide feedback on what you'd like to see at future rallies. 

The rally is non-partisan. What this means is that like-minded people from diverse backgrounds are participating and are vital to our rallies. Defending Democracy crosses party lines: we have registered Republicans, Unaffiliated, Democrats, and non-voters, all coming together to fight for the rights of “We the People” to determine the type of society we want to live in.

A sign-making table will also be available, complete with all the necessary supplies, for young and old to make signs for the rally.

We also collect a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry each week. The food pantry greatly appreciates the donations each week!  Anything you want to contribute is welcome, but some special requests from the food pantry include:

sunscreen

bug spray

Neither can be bought with SNAP but are vital for folks working outdoors in the summer or for kids who will be attending outdoor camps while school is out. Smaller containers that would fit inside a lunchbox are ideal size!

 We are currently lowest on baking supplies, pudding, and jello. Pudding and jello can either be the box mix or predone cups. 

Spices, Coffee and Baking supplies are always needed.

Individually packaged items. If you bought a variety pack of something like granola bars or instant oatmeal and discovered there's a flavor you won't eat, please give us the individual packs out of box.

Empty egg cartons- Any style, so long as they're clean.

SMALL empty detergent bottles

Note: Rally is rain or shine.

We ask that attendees refrain from sign holding or chanting at the curb during our speaking portion of the rally. We have had issues with speakers being heard because of the increased honking. It also is a courtesy to the speakers who are often discussing serious and sensitive topics. We are sharing a small square so we need your help to make the rallies comfortable for everyone.

We have tried to arrange the rallies so there is a little something for everyone: chanting, marching, themes with speakers, live music, fun trinkets, sign making. We appreciate every one of you that attends and we are working hard to bring all of us together to voice our frustrations, build community and also hopefully learn a little something from experts or your fellow neighbors experiences.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. ❤️

We also ask that you park at one of the four public parking lots. The lots that are the closest to the rally location, the Municipal Center, are the lot behind the municipal center and the train station lot on Durant Ave.

Although all street parking is public, we ask that you please not park in the limited parking spots in front of our local businesses, but definitely enjoy our beautiful towns restaurants and shops after the rally! 
Thank you 😊