The Fight for Our Future: Rational Ground Meets with Congressional Leaders to Share Pandemic Stories
Our grassroots effort kicked into high gear to ensure the protection of American freedoms gathers momentum in Washington, D.C.
On March 29th, a diverse group of concerned citizens gathered in Washington, D.C. for a "fly-in" event, to share their personal pandemic stories with congressional representatives, senators, and their staffers. The event aimed to make a lasting impact on legislators as they develop policies and plan hearing topics for the year.
40+ people showed up in D.C. - many of them on their own dime - to meet with the leaders of our country and make sure the terrible pandemic policies NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! We met in person with more than two-dozen congressional offices.
Participants of the recent "fly-in" event in Washington, D.C. took to social media to share their excitement and experiences as they met with lawmakers and their staff. The presence of influential figures like Jay Bhattacharya and the dedication of organizers like Jenny Hart made the event a powerful testament to the importance of grassroots activism.
Photos and updates from the event showed a vibrant and engaged group, emphasizing that our nation's capital is not entirely broken. By taking the time to show up, knock on doors, and share their stories, participants discovered that many lawmakers are willing to listen. The event demonstrated the potential for positive change when citizens take an active role in shaping the policies that affect their lives.
As the national emergency declared by President Biden is set to end on May 11, 2023, the focus now shifts to preventing the reoccurrence of the disastrous effects of the pandemic. Many individuals and families have faced hardships such as prolonged school closures, loss of jobs, forced closures of small businesses, and censorship by traditional and social media outlets.
The event kicked off with a mini pep rally led by Rational Ground founder Justin Hart outside the Capitol building. Attendees, organized into small groups of 5-10, then embarked on a day of meetings with lawmakers and their staff. They were armed with printed materials containing real Covid data and facts, aiming to leave a lasting impression on the offices they visited.
Among the VIP attendees were Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University and author of the Great Barrington Declaration, and Clifton Duncan, a classically-trained actor with a growing presence on social and alternative media. Both were excited to lend their voices to this important mission.
After the event, feedback from the visited offices was overwhelmingly positive. Joseph, one of the attendees, shared his experiences with several congressional representatives and their staff. He emphasized the harm done to children and the healthcare system, stressing the need to end remaining mandates in schools, universities, and hospitals. Joe’s conversations were met with varying levels of engagement and support, highlighting the importance of continued advocacy.
Stephanie, another participant at the event, shared her experience meeting with her scheduled offices. Although some encounters were less receptive than others, she noted one potentially promising area of bipartisan cooperation: tracking how ESSR funds were spent by schools. This common ground could serve as a starting point for further conversations and collaboration between lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. It's crucial to continue exploring these opportunities for cooperation in order to address the ongoing concerns arising from the pandemic and its impact on our society.
Our friends at Restore Childhood brought an entire brood of kids with them and a great show of force. We couldn’t have done it without them!
Here are some of the quotes shared on their Substack post.
“I was in 6th and 7th grade and being online all the time, I was unable to focus. To be frozen in place and not know what to do for two or three weeks is unacceptable. If you think school is an essential right, then you are depriving children of an essential right.” - S, age 15
“Remote school was boring and I had a lot of missing assignments because I didn’t know how to work a computer. I missed out on my big school play in 5th grade.” - V, age 12
“It was really tough because when I needed to do my work, I was trying but I didn’t really want to. I looked at my house and there were so many toys to play with. When you are at school, you see toys but you are focused on your work and you are with your friends at a table. At home you want to go outside and play.” C, age 8
“When I spoke to my friends, they had their shield blockers on so they couldn’t hear me. Sometimes I saw [them] wearing shields outside.” K, age 6
In a follow-up email, event organizer Jenny expressed her gratitude to all participants for their time and dedication, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of their efforts. She and Justin have managed to organize and execute the event while balancing their responsibilities as parents, demonstrating their commitment to making a real difference in the country's future.
The fight to ensure that American freedoms are never trampled again is gaining momentum. These events serve as a powerful reminder that every voice matters, and that grassroots efforts can make a difference in shaping policy and public opinion.
As we move forward into a post-pandemic world, it's crucial for citizens to continue advocating for the protection of their rights and the well-being of future generations. The conversation has only just begun, and it's up to each individual to ensure that their voice is heard.
Stay tuned for more! MAKE A DONATION TODAY AND LET’S KEEP IT GOING
We were honored to go to Capitol Hill with you and your children. Lots of work to do- thrilled to do it together!
I'm up to my ears in a family crisis, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU, everyone, for fighting for us. I wish I could do more. Unfortunately, life situation does not allow right now.