Foothills for Justice - WNC Indivisible Chapter

06/23/2026

🌟 Reminder: Join us THIS SATURDAY, June 27th, from 11 AM–1 PM at Spindale House for our ALL OF US rally!

We’ll have speakers, music, and community as we come together to celebrate the values that unite us. Since it’s Pride Month, you’re welcome to wear your Pride gear if you’d like, though it’s absolutely not required. Come as you are!

It’s going to be hot, so please plan accordingly. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, umbrella, cooling towel, portable fan, or anything else that helps you stay comfortable (canopies not allowed). We’ll have bottled water available, plus a cooler of ice water if you’d like to wet a towel or bandana (please bring your own) to help keep cool.

Your health and safety come first. There will be shade available, and if conditions become unsafe due to the heat, we’ll wrap up early. If you need to leave before the event ends, that’s perfectly okay too.

We hope you’ll join us as we stand together. ALL OF US! 🌈

06/18/2026

Summer has a sound.

Here in the South, sometimes that sound is cicadas. You probably know them… loud, relentless, impossible to ignore. Did you know that some species spend years beneath the soil, waiting for their season to emerge? I’m talking 13-17 YEARS! But when they do, they sing, and it’s LOUD. They take their rightful place in the trees, and they do not quiet themselves because their presence inconveniences someone else.

Pride and Juneteenth carry that same truth.

Both are celebrations of people who have endured being buried, silenced, legislated against, and told to make themselves smaller. Freedom deserves sound, and authenticity deserves space. Joy deserves to be amplified.

So this month of Pride and ahead of Juneteenth, sing and celebrate loudly. Take up space, especially if someone else wishes you wouldn’t.

Join us next Saturday, June 27th from 11-1 at Spindale House for a celebration of All of US.

06/11/2026

🌈 Pride is more than a month. It’s a reminder that every person deserves the freedom to live openly, authentically, and without fear.

This June, we stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ friends, family members, neighbors, and community members. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, your voice matters, your presence matters, and your support matters.

As we prepare for our June 27th protest, themed ALL OF US, we’re reminded that the promise of America has always been rooted in the idea that people deserve liberty, dignity, and equal treatment under the law. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, it’s worth reflecting on the many people throughout our history who have had to fight to make those promises a reality.

The modern Pride movement was born when people stood up and said they deserved the freedom to exist as themselves. Decades later, that work continues. Pride is both a celebration and a call to action… a reminder that freedom is only meaningful when it belongs to ALL OF US.

So if you’re planning to join us on June 27th, we invite you to come as you are. Bring your signs, your energy, and your hope!

And if you’d like to wear your Pride colors, rainbow gear, ally shirts, or anything that celebrates the beautiful diversity of our community, we are absolutely here for it. 🌈

We’ll have music, speakers, community, and the opportunity to stand together in support of a future where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and equality. 🫶

Because freedom belongs to ALL OF US.

Event link: https://actionnetwork.org/events/all-of-us-spindale?referrer=shannon-sims&source=direct_link

06/06/2026

This morning, I shared that Foothills for Justice is exploring the creation of a Community Care Fund… a resource designed to help community members facing unexpected hardships and emergency needs.

I wanted to share a little more about what inspired that idea.

Recently, a community member reached out to me looking for help for a friend who is facing a difficult recovery and will be unable to work for a period of time following surgery. As we searched for resources and assistance, it became clear just how few options exist when someone suddenly loses income and needs support right away.

That experience is what got me thinking about the Community Care Fund in the first place.

While I’m still working through the legal, logistical, and transparency considerations needed to build that program responsibly, the need that inspired it exists right NOW.

With permission from those involved, I’m sharing their GoFundMe below for anyone who would like to learn more about their situation or contribute to their recovery:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-cole-heal

They have also created an Amazon wishlist for pet supplies and other necessities. I’ll share that for those who may prefer to help in that way:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2XG5S01DIRWNU?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_81FNQK84NJMSSPDTFX0E&language=en-US

As always, there is absolutely no obligation to give. Many families are navigating challenges of their own, and I completely understand that. But if you’re in a position to help, whether through a donation, a purchase from the wishlist, or simply sharing their story, it would be greatly appreciated.

One of the things I’ve learned through Foothills for Justice is that our community cares deeply about its neighbors. Sometimes people just need a way to connect with the help that’s available. 🫶

Thank you for continuing to show up for one another!

I've known Cole since 2012, as a colleague first and a friend for most of the years since. In that time… Kelsey Crowe needs your support for Helping Cole Heal

06/06/2026

Foothills for Justice is exploring the creation of a Community Care Fund to help local community members facing emergency needs.

This idea grew out of a real request for help. A community member contacted me looking for resources for a friend facing hardship, and while I was able to point them toward some existing programs, it got me thinking about how many people fall through the cracks when they need immediate support.

That’s what inspired the idea for the Community Care Fund. The vision is simple: neighbors helping neighbors.

When unexpected hardships arise (food insecurity, transportation barriers, medication costs, utility shutoff notices, and other urgent situations) a small community-funded resource could help bridge the gap. While the fund would likely be limited in scope and dependent on available resources, even modest assistance can make a meaningful difference during a crisis.

Before launching anything officially, I want to make sure I’ve crossed every t and dotted every i from both a legal and transparency standpoint. I’m currently researching best practices, policies, and any applicable requirements so that this fund can operate responsibly and with complete accountability. The fund is not yet accepting donations, and no financial contributions are being requested at this time.

Some of the guardrails I’m considering include:

• Prioritizing Rutherford County residents (but consider helping outside the county on a case-by-case basis)

• Regular public reporting of fund balances and assistance provided (while keeping personal info of recipients private)

• Direct payment of expenses whenever possible rather than cash assistance

• Clear eligibility guidelines

• No compensation to Foothills for Justice or fund administrators

This is still in the planning stage, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. What community needs do you think a program like this could help address?

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

Justice for Cherrie Moore!

A Shelby case is drawing national attention — and bringing Ben Crump to North Carolina ⚖️
Here’s what to know. See link below ⬇️

📸 Mike Hensdill/THE STAR

06/03/2026

How is everyone feeling about energy costs as we head into summer?

06/02/2026

📣 Foothills for Justice Community Update

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

This month, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, family members, neighbors, and community members. Pride is about visibility, belonging, joy, and the ongoing work of ensuring that everyone can live openly and safely as their authentic selves. We are grateful for the many LGBTQ+ people who help make our communities stronger, and we remain committed to supporting equality, dignity, and human rights for all.

💜 Pride Rocks Update

After looking at registrations and hearing from many folks who already have summer travel plans, we’ve decided to cancel our Pride Rocks event for June. Unfortunately, we simply don’t have enough registrations to justify the cost of renting the space.

The good news? Pride isn’t limited to one month, and neither is community! We’ll keep this event on the back burner and revisit it later in the year when schedules settle down and more people can participate. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest. We’re looking forward to making it happen when the timing is better.

🍦 Meet Local Candidates This Sunday

The Rutherford County Democrats will be hosting an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 7. This is a great opportunity to meet local candidates, ask questions, learn about local issues, and connect with fellow community members in a relaxed setting.

Local elections matter, and opportunities to have direct conversations with candidates don’t come along every day. If you’re available, we encourage you to stop by and join the conversation.

🌟 A Big Day for Community on June 13

There are several great opportunities to get involved and support your community on Saturday, June 13:

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Celebration at Grey Hawk Bar & Gardens in Lake Lure
Join friends and neighbors in celebrating Pride Month and showing support for our LGBTQ+ community.

📚 Rutherford County Author Fair
Rutherford County Library | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Meet local authors, discover new books, and support the creative talent right here in Rutherford County.

✊🏿 Grahamtown Team Juneteenth Celebration
Come celebrate Juneteenth, honor Black history and culture, and support the important work being done by one of our community partners.

Whether you attend one event or all three, June 13 offers wonderful opportunities to connect, learn, celebrate, and support the people who make our community special.

✊ Next Foothills for Justice Protest: June 27

Mark your calendars for our next Foothills for Justice gathering:

📍 Spindale House
📅 Saturday, June 27
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

https://actionnetwork.org/events/all-of-us-spindale?referrer=shannon-sims&source=direct_link

We’re excited to welcome local school board candidate Kisha McDowell and Lori Downey with North Carolina Red Wine & Blue as guest speakers.

As always, expect a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere filled with community, encouragement, music, and action. Bring your signs, bring your friends, and come spend some time with people who care about building a stronger, more just community.

Whether you’re attending your first event or your fifteenth, we’re grateful you’re here. Every conversation, every act of kindness, every volunteer hour, and every voice raised for justice helps build the community we want to see.

Thank you for being part of Foothills for Justice.

Local voices. Collective power. 🫶

05/31/2026

All clear!

The Town of Forest City lifts the boil water advisory after required sampling and testing verified the water to be safe.

NC DEQ Asheville Regional Office was contacted about the boil water advisory. Town staff collected samples from the distribution system for the required testing.