| Dear Kent Street Friends, It was wonderful to see so many new and familiar faces at the No Kings event last week in Concord and to know that similar events were happening all over the state and across the nation. It’s clear that people are ready to carry the energy, inspiration, and resolve from these protests forward, turning it into meaningful, strategic action long after the microphones are turned off and the crowds have gone home. And that’s exactly what we’re asking you to do this week, and in the coming weeks. Just as you showed up for No Kings last weekend, we need you to show up again in Concord this Wednesday, April 8, and next Wednesday, April 15, to say no—no to the radical GOP Free State agenda. This Wednesday, April 8th, the NH Senate and House will be holding hearings on GOP bills that seek to ban books, flags, the free exchange of ideas, and the right to bodily autonomy. Kent Street Coalition will be joining partners including the NH ACLU, 603 Equality and Outright NH to urge a Ban on the Bans that threaten all of our rights and that especially target vulnerable Granite Staters, including and especially transgender youth. We will be holding a day of action that includes visibilities, in-person testimony, sign ins and a strong presence in committee rooms as the hearings take place. Many folks who will be most negatively impacted by these bills will be showing up to share their stories – some of these people may be you – it is essential that we be there to show our support. Sadly, Wednesday’s bills are just a small piece of a broader effort by the GOP majority to push through a Trump-inspired, radical Free State agenda that in no way aligns with the values of the vast majority of Granite Staters. To better understand what’s at stake—and how we can respond—please join us on Thursday, April 9, from 6:15 to 8:00 pm for our monthly Kent Street Coalition meeting. We’ll break down the real-world consequences of this agenda and talk about how we hold legislators accountable – now and at the ballot box in November. Then, next Wednesday, April 15, Kent Street Coalition will join Our Economy, Our Future and other partners at the State House to again say: Stop raising our property taxes and start solving problems. The GOP majority has proposed a constitutional amendment, CACR 12, that would prohibit any and all taxation of personal income in New Hampshire. This proposal does nothing to address the real challenges facing Granite State communities. As lawmakers hold a hearing on an amended version of CACR 12—seeking to permanently ban any personal income tax in the state constitution—it remains a misguided effort that fails to confront the financial realities we face, from rising property taxes to underfunded public schools. More details to come. This weekend I am lucky to be with the greatest reminder of why I do the work I do…a joyful two-year-old who lights up my life and who inspires me every day to keep fighting for a better future for all. I hope each of you can connect with whatever inspires you most. The work ahead is daunting…but when we know why we do it, we are able to keep going. Let’s keep going – together. With eyes on the prize, Louise |
Kent Street Coalition 
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