DIVE & FV@W Head to Atlanta: GOTV and Election Night Celebration
by Natalia Soler, OASIS Program Coordinator
This past week in Atlanta I had the opportunity to dive deep into grassroots organizing, connect with incredible people, and witness the power of community coming together for a common cause. On Monday, Nov. 4, I had the privilege of participating in Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts with Barred Business, a local organization that was mobilizing the community. We talked to folks in the community and kept encouraging them to exercise their right to vote.
The following day, our focus shifted to preparing for our Election Night Watch Party. We spent the day organizing the room, setting up tech, and ensuring that everything was ready for the big night. It was a great opportunity to bond with my coworkers as we worked toward a shared goal. There is something powerful about coming together with others who care deeply about the same issues — it builds a sense of unity and purpose.
When the night of the watch party arrived, people from all walks of life — many from partner organizations — came to support, and the room buzzed with excitement. We even hosted an incredible live stream, giving everyone a chance to stay connected no matter where they were. It felt like a celebration of democracy, a chance to witness the power of collective action, and a reminder of how important it is to stay engaged.
The experience of sharing space with so many like-minded, powerful people was truly beautiful. It was a reminder that, no matter the outcome, the work we are doing together is building something much larger than any one of us. It was a week of connection, purpose, and hope — and I am grateful to have been part of it.
As the election results came out, I found myself overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. As an immigrant without protective status, navigating the legal system while fighting to live in a country that does not want me here, I worry. As a queer activist, my heart aches, especially for my trans siblings who face relentless discrimination and the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy. I worry as a survivor of SA, and I worry as a woman fighting for reproductive freedom and basic respect.
We are witnessing the continuation of a genocide, compounded by widespread complacency, a lack of education, and a deep absence of compassion for our communities.
I worry for Mother Earth, knowing that environmental disasters will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable among us. The thought of the trauma our children will inherit fills me with dread. Yet, despite these fears, I refuse to be paralyzed. Instead, these concerns fuel me. They ignite a fire in my soul that pushes me to wipe away my tears and keep fighting for our liberation.
This is the reminder that our struggle is ongoing — breaking free from a system that was never built for us requires constant resistance. So, I encourage others to look inward, to identify what they truly value, and to nurture themselves with love and care. The power of self-love, combined with the collective strength of organizing and kindness, can move mountains. When our most marginalized communities are liberated, we all are liberated.
