We are leaders, organizers, and elders within the Pagan community, and in these changing times, we would speak to American Pagans and Heathens of every tradition.

With the rapidly changing social and governmental policies, almost everyone is feeling uncertain, vulnerable, and sometimes fearful, as the bedrock of our way of life seems to be fracturing.  Our Pagan community, with its acceptance of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and lifestyles, is very vulnerable and needs to pull together and support each other, as well as supporting the Greater Communities that we are a part of.

We reject actions and policies that put fellow Americans at risk, or that threaten our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, our lives, liberties, or pursuit of happiness.  We exert our Will to protect the vulnerable, our families, our Communities, and our sacred Earth.  We cause our Will to take form through our energies and actions.

We urge all Pagans, and our allies, to exert their Will and follow through to make positive changes and stop negative actions.  Here are some ways we support:

•  STAY SAFE: Take care of yourself.  Knowing your limits (even while sometimes pushing them), for unless you care for yourself, you become a burden for others to bear.  Reach out and take care of your families and your sisters and brothers in the community.  Don’t be afraid to ask trusted others for help (including people you meet here!) for help if needed.

• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:  Review and remember your rights as outlined in the Constitution!  Also, the ACLU (https://www.aclu.org ) has card, articles, and trainings on your rights in various situations, such as if you are stopped by the police, ICE, or are protesting, if you are LGBTQI+, etc. Learn your rights before you need to know them!

• BE AN ALLY:  Continue to support other people who are vulnerable and under attack: women, people of color, Native Americans, Blacks, the LGBTQI+ community (especially trans people), federal public servants, educators, librarians, immigrants, minority religions.

• BE A SUPPORT:  If you see a need, fill it or help to mobilize others to fill it.  Some examples include collecting or growing food for food banks or the needy; offering child care or tutoring, helping with counseling or health care, transportation, safe houses, etc.

• SPEAK OUT:  If you are able, speak out against those action/policies/etc. that you feel are wrong or that harm innocent people or the environment.  Remember: Silence gives consent.  Use your voice loudly and repeatedly.  Speak or write to lawmakers, media, and everyone!  Use any channel you can think of> social media, editors, posters, videos, son, theater, etc.  Join protests and/ or legitimate activist groups if you can, and go to town halls.

• FIND ALLIES FOR US:  Strengthen you alliances with organizations and individuals of integrity and compassion: civil rights advocates, activists for minority justice, feminist women’s organizations, environmental groups, public schools and libraries, compassionate churches, and unions.  Connect with your local police (good reference here is Kerr Cuhulain’s “Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca”).  Reach out to your neighbors (even those whom you don’t think believe as you do): knowing your neighbors as people, and, hopefully, as friends or allies, makes it harder for them to turn on you, and gives protection as “one of our own”).  Reach out, stand with your allies, and ask for support as needed!

• STAND FIRM: Do not give in, and encourage others to stand firm.  If able, join or organize peaceful strikes, protests, demonstrations, and town halls.  Give not one iota of aid or comfort to those who would attack, persecute, or erase us or those under our protection.

PAGANS: We have survived the Inquisitions, the burnings, the papal bulls, the corrupt trials, and the plots of rulers.  We have faced ignorance, fear, and greed for power.  And we have survived.  We will survive now.  We have justice and we are in the right.  We have long experience and wisdom.  We have Magick.  We have the inspiration and guidance of the Goddess and the Old Gods.  And we have one another. 

WE STAND TOGETHER.

WE WILL SURVIVE.