To kick off this brave new year, we’re collecting a list of local events and workshops of action, resistance and concern leading up to the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20th. As advocates for an economy that works for all, we encourage you to become involved and show up in the ways that matter most to you and your loved ones.
Friday, January 13
Nasty Women Exhibition
6pm – 9pm, Clayspace Co-op
119 Roberts St., Asheville’s River Arts District
This is a group exhibition that serves to demonstrate solidarity among artists who identify with being a Nasty Woman in the face of threats to roll back women’s rights, individual rights, and abortion rights. The show in Asheville will give 100% of the proceeds to Planned Parenthood.
Monday, January 16
Memoir as Manifesto: Reflections from the NC Black Panther Party
potluck at 5:30pm, program from 6:30pm – 8pm
Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville
Experience an evening with Hazel Mack, Founding member of the Winston- Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party. Hazel Mack, JD will reflect on her career as a civil rights attorney and the modern Black Power movement. The evening will be hosted by Marvin Chambers a founding member of A.S.C.O.R.E. (Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality) and an icon of the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina. DJ Profe$$ah G. will be spinning great tunes, there will be craft projects for children and lots more!
Friday, January 20
Forward Together Day Asheville
11am – 4pm, Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville
We are planning, with friends around the country, to gather in our respective capitals and larger metropolitan areas. Together we will take a stand on behalf of common decency. The event will be a “PRO” event. Pro- LGBTQ+, people of color, women, people with disabilities, people of all faiths/religions or none, our environment, our civil liberties, our humanity.
J20 Day of Resistance and General Strike
10am – midnight, Firestorm Books & Coffee
610 Haywood Rd., West Asheville
We are kicking off ongoing resistance and building our communities and networks for the struggles to come. Events all day starting with a gathering at Prichard Park, free community lunch, community-building workshops and ending with a potluck dinner and evening dance party.
Get Woke, Stay Woke
10am – noon, UU congregation of Asheville
23 Edwin Place, Asheville
This is a weekly safe space offered by the UU congregation of Asheville for people who are seeking to center the movement for Black Lives and seek support on the journey. All are welcome, regardless of where you are on your journey, as long as you are supportive of the movement for Black Lives.
Saturday, January 21
Women’s March on Asheville, Pack Square Park
11am – 1pm, Downtown Asheville
In solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington, community members will march peacefully to show our new administration that we stand with our families and friends for the protection of our rights, safety, and health. We recognize that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our democratic society. All who support the march’s goals are welcome to join this peaceful gathering!
Wednesday, January 25
Democracy for Sale, free screening from Working Films
7:00pm – 8:30pm Grail Moviehouse
45 S. French Broad St., Downtown Asheville
North Carolina, perhaps more than any other state in the Union, has been transformed by the new and growing tidal wave of political spending. Democracy for Sale travels with Zach Galifianakis back to his home state to investigate how North Carolina has become a bellwether for how the money of a few has come to dominate our democracy. Galifianakis investigates allegations that the current state government was put in power by moneyed interests and has thus carried out a program that only benefits its backers: cuts to education, healthcare spending and environmental protection; lowering of taxes for the wealthy and corporations; and the passage of laws designed to roll back access to the ballot.
Saturday, January 28
Sanctuary: A partnership between immigrant and faith communities
2pm – 4pm Grace Episcopal Church
871 Merrimon Ave.
Join us for a workshop and discussion of Sanctuarys’ role in the larger immigrants rights movement, its history and basis in sacred scriptures, and its objectives and goals.
Additional organizations, events of interest and local action:
1/3 Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Martin Luther King Jr. Week Keynote, UNCA
1/12 Benefit for Word on the Street, High Five Coffee
1/21 The Burden film & panel discussion, Grail Moviehouse
1/22 Asheville, We Love You, Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe
1/28 CoThinkk: Annual Membership Kickoff
Asheville Showing Up for Racial Justice
Please let us know if we’re missing anything!
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