Weekly Rally/ Defending Democracy in Downtown Bethel
Defending Democracy Downtown Bethel.
Please join us for our 13th 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 May 31st at 11am -12:30pm our focus will be on Food Insecurity.
Food insecurity is when people don't have enough to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from. It's a big problem in the United States, where about 47 million people, including about 14 million children, experience food insecurity annually.
You can be food insecure if you worry about running out of food, are not able to afford balanced meals, or you eat less or skip meals.
People disproportionately impacted by food insecurity include children, many communities of color, households with low incomes, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, people in certain geographies (e.g., rural areas, cities, the South), people who are formerly incarcerated, and single-parent households and many elderly.
Food insecurity exists in every county and congressional district in the U.S.
Key strategies to address food insecurity include strengthening Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making free school meals available to all children, expanding access to affordable housing and healthcare, and reducing food waste.
This is the exact OPPOSITE of what the current administration is doing!!!
Our guest speaker will be Linda Hutchings, the Food Sourcing Manager for Community Food Rescue, a nonprofit organization in Danbury, CT, that works to eliminate hunger in the Greater Danbury area. She is also a key figure in the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut's efforts to combat food insecurity. Hutchings plays a crucial role in connecting food pantries with food sources, managing food drives, and developing new food banks. She has been instrumental in rescuing food from local stores and partnering with local companies to provide food to those in need.
Live music will be performed by Erik Rabaska.
Erik Rabasca is a musician, producer, singer/songwriter, founder of the band Light Warriors and the independent label Highest Frequency Records. He plays a fusion of styles as an acoustic soloist ranging from folk, roots and jazz to reggae, indie and even a touch of country. His songwriting has been compared to Bob Dylan and Marley, Paul Simon and more. He has toured the country, performed internationally, opened for Grammy-winners Jon Batiste and Mike Farris, reggae legends Mad Professor, Culture, Sugar Minott, among others, has collaborated with Mad Professor and released over a dozen albums and EPs in various projects (Light Warriors, Lions Gate, Ecstatica, Human Tribes Collective, Other Planes of There, cuebrane) over the last six years alone. He is currently playing in and around the Hudson Valley, NYC and CT. Light Warriors are Ambassadors as part of WhyHunger’s Artists Against Hunger Poverty program.
As part of the Connecticut Hope Collective, Erik wrote and recorded a song about food insecurity called, "Just Get To It". This track was written with the intention of serving some good in the world. 100% of sales will go toward the benefit of the local charity associated through the Pass The Guitar series of concerts. These events bring together 20+ songwriters to raise money for local CT organizations that support hunger and homelessness.
https://theconnecticuthopecollective.bandcamp.com/track/just-get-to-it
The Connecticut Hope Collective is a group of musicians and songwriters who collaborate to create music and events that support local organizations and communities in need. They aim to bring people together and raise awareness for issues like hunger and homelessness while promoting a sense of hope and community.
The rally is non-partisian. All are welcome.
There will be something for everyone. We'll have speakers, we'll rally with our signs, we'll take a short march and we'll have live music. We also like to end each week with a sing-a-long.
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. Since our theme this week is food insecurity, please be extra generous if you can and help us fill the bins at our local food pantry.
Anything you want to contribute is welcome, but some special requests from the food pantry include:
- Spices, Coffee and Baking supplies are always needed.
- Individually packaged items. so 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.
There are 2 small benches at the square and we will have a limited number of camping chairs. Please bring your own lawn or camping chair if you'd like.
Approximate Rally Schedule:
11:00 - 11:15 Assemble and rally at curb. (You are welcome to arrive prior to 11:00 for extra curb time.)
11:15 - 11:45 Speaker(s)
11:45 - Noon Rally at curb with chant leader
Noon - 12:20 March with chant leader
12:20 Closing Song
12:30. Disperse
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.
(Public Parking in available behind the Municipal Center)
We appreciate your understanding and activism. 😉✌️💙
Please join us for our 13th 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 May 31st at 11am -12:30pm our focus will be on Food Insecurity.
Food insecurity is when people don't have enough to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from. It's a big problem in the United States, where about 47 million people, including about 14 million children, experience food insecurity annually.
You can be food insecure if you worry about running out of food, are not able to afford balanced meals, or you eat less or skip meals.
People disproportionately impacted by food insecurity include children, many communities of color, households with low incomes, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, people in certain geographies (e.g., rural areas, cities, the South), people who are formerly incarcerated, and single-parent households and many elderly.
Food insecurity exists in every county and congressional district in the U.S.
Key strategies to address food insecurity include strengthening Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making free school meals available to all children, expanding access to affordable housing and healthcare, and reducing food waste.
This is the exact OPPOSITE of what the current administration is doing!!!
Our guest speaker will be Linda Hutchings, the Food Sourcing Manager for Community Food Rescue, a nonprofit organization in Danbury, CT, that works to eliminate hunger in the Greater Danbury area. She is also a key figure in the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut's efforts to combat food insecurity. Hutchings plays a crucial role in connecting food pantries with food sources, managing food drives, and developing new food banks. She has been instrumental in rescuing food from local stores and partnering with local companies to provide food to those in need.
Live music will be performed by Erik Rabaska.
Erik Rabasca is a musician, producer, singer/songwriter, founder of the band Light Warriors and the independent label Highest Frequency Records. He plays a fusion of styles as an acoustic soloist ranging from folk, roots and jazz to reggae, indie and even a touch of country. His songwriting has been compared to Bob Dylan and Marley, Paul Simon and more. He has toured the country, performed internationally, opened for Grammy-winners Jon Batiste and Mike Farris, reggae legends Mad Professor, Culture, Sugar Minott, among others, has collaborated with Mad Professor and released over a dozen albums and EPs in various projects (Light Warriors, Lions Gate, Ecstatica, Human Tribes Collective, Other Planes of There, cuebrane) over the last six years alone. He is currently playing in and around the Hudson Valley, NYC and CT. Light Warriors are Ambassadors as part of WhyHunger’s Artists Against Hunger Poverty program.
As part of the Connecticut Hope Collective, Erik wrote and recorded a song about food insecurity called, "Just Get To It". This track was written with the intention of serving some good in the world. 100% of sales will go toward the benefit of the local charity associated through the Pass The Guitar series of concerts. These events bring together 20+ songwriters to raise money for local CT organizations that support hunger and homelessness.
https://theconnecticuthopecollective.bandcamp.com/track/just-get-to-it
The Connecticut Hope Collective is a group of musicians and songwriters who collaborate to create music and events that support local organizations and communities in need. They aim to bring people together and raise awareness for issues like hunger and homelessness while promoting a sense of hope and community.
The rally is non-partisian. All are welcome.
There will be something for everyone. We'll have speakers, we'll rally with our signs, we'll take a short march and we'll have live music. We also like to end each week with a sing-a-long.
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. Since our theme this week is food insecurity, please be extra generous if you can and help us fill the bins at our local food pantry.
Anything you want to contribute is welcome, but some special requests from the food pantry include:
- Spices, Coffee and Baking supplies are always needed.
- Individually packaged items. so 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.
There are 2 small benches at the square and we will have a limited number of camping chairs. Please bring your own lawn or camping chair if you'd like.
Approximate Rally Schedule:
11:00 - 11:15 Assemble and rally at curb. (You are welcome to arrive prior to 11:00 for extra curb time.)
11:15 - 11:45 Speaker(s)
11:45 - Noon Rally at curb with chant leader
Noon - 12:20 March with chant leader
12:20 Closing Song
12:30. Disperse
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.
(Public Parking in available behind the Municipal Center)
We appreciate your understanding and activism. 😉✌️💙
Starts on
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM EDT
Ends on
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:30 PM EDT
P.T. Barnum Square Plaza
114 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT, 06801
United States
Get Directions via Google Maps
