GREENFIELD — As part of a national movement to “protect the results” of the presidential election, members of several local organizations are preparing to “Standout for Democracy” as early as Wednesday on the Greenfield Common.
“We haven’t been in a position like this in my whole life,” said David Greenberg, a member of the coordinating committee for Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR), one of the groups sponsoring the standout. “I don’t remember having to do this for a presidential election. We’ve had contested elections, but they’ve always been peacefully resolved”
The standout, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. on a date that will be designated by the national Protect the Results organization, is an effort to ensure all votes cast for the Nov. 3 election are counted, voter suppression is prevented and that there is not a coup, according to a joint press statement from the local organizations sponsoring the event — FCCPR, Greenfield Racial Justice, CodePink and Traprock Center for Peace and Justice.
Recent talk, Greenberg said — particularly from the Trump Administration — aimed at discrediting the election process, has inspired a national effort to “defend democracy” and ensure a peaceful transition of power.
“If the president says, ‘I won; looks like we don’t have to count any more votes,’ that’s unacceptable,” he said, adding that a standout will also happen if President Donald Trump refuses to concede despite a clear victory of his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Community members interested in participating are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
“We’ll have general signs about protecting the results, counting every vote,” Greenberg said. “We’re really trying to get people who may not have been involved in political action.”
Greenberg said he and others are trying to share a “broad-based, non-partisan message … to protect the results of voting.”
“This is … new territory,” he said. “And I certainly hope everything gets resolved peacefully.”
Those interested in taking part are advised to RSVP for the standout and to sign up for notifications via mobilize.us/ptr/event/351015/. Information will also be available on FCCPR’s Facebook page: facebook.com/FCContinuingPoliticalRevolution.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne