Dear John,

The Rural Defenders Union launches this summer, and we hope you will help us spread the word.

We are looking for 25-30 brave rural and small town organizers who are facing down authoritarian threats. These Rural Defenders will receive top-notch training, coaching, $2000 to support their organizing, and a community of support across the country. If you’re interested, or if you know someone who would be, please get your applications in by July 15th at bit.ly/RuralDefendersUnion. 

In small-town and rural communities across the United States, many of us have experienced the last 30 years as a painful struggle and decline. Family farms have been decimated, factories and rural schools shut down, and both capital and young people have fled town. So many of our neighbors have fallen into resignation, despair, and substance use, unable to envision a future for themselves and their hometowns. 

Others have been enticed by authoritarian forces, choosing to blame democracy itself and scapegoating immigrants, people of color, unsheltered people, and LGBTQ people for what has happened to their communities. This dangerous and false explanation for the state of small-town America has spread more and more rapidly as our communities have become increasingly isolated. We’ve lost local newspapers, basic civic infrastructure, and third spaces where people come together across their differences toward achieving shared goals. Incidents of political violence, attacks on free speech, and the criminalization of vulnerable people are on the rise. 

But from the Mine Wars to Selma to Standing Rock, we know that real change is possible when it is led by the people who are most targeted, in the places where our opponents are most powerful. That's who we are looking for.

We are inviting you to apply to the Rural Defenders Union -- a program by and for small town organizers that includes:

  * Six 2-hour on-line trainings with topics including: 2025 Scenario Planning; Strategies for Responding to Political Violence; How to Build Small Town "Bomb Shelters"; and more

  * Access to one-on-one coaching and office hours provided by other experienced rural organizers

  * An award of $500 to support your work

  * A community of other "defenders" to lean on, and learn from

This program has come together thanks to a diverse crew of rural, red state organizers (and allies), including: RuralOrganizing.Org, Future Currents, Taproot Earth, Kentucky People's Union, Showing Up for Racial Justice, and Kate Hess-Pace, with support from organizers representing Groundwork Fund, Bold Alliance, United Today, Stronger Tomorrow, Rainbow House, Western States Center, Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, 22nd Century Initiative, Horizons Project, Kentucky Civic Engagement Table, Southern Crossroads, Training for Change, Pen America, People's Action, WV Can't Wait, Choose Democracy, Rural Democracy Initiative, and many more. 

Spots are limited, and we really hope you will apply. Your application will help us learn more about the threats you’re facing and help us make the case for more programs like this. Even if you aren’t selected for this first program, we will stay in touch about other ways we can work together.

We especially want to hear from people and communities who are directly under threat -- Black leaders, immigrants, people in religious minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, people who use drugs, people with criminal records, indigenous and tribal communities, people in isolated communities, and members of unions or worker centers. (Established organizations and paid organizers are welcome to apply, but we especially want to hear from folks who are doing this work without a salary.)

Like any union, the Rural Defenders Union is a two-way street. We want people who want to be a part of something bigger than their own fight. The threats and challenges our communities face aren't going away anytime soon. Participants will discuss how to keep supporting each other, and other rural leaders, in the months and years to come.

WV Can't Wait is proud to support this project. If you are interested, please apply by July 15 at bit.ly/RuralDefendersUnion. If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Smith ([email protected]). 

Thanks for considering this opportunity. 

Sincerely,

Stephen Smith

WV Can't Wait