What is 203 Action?

Dear New Canaan,

My husband and I moved to town 18 years ago this month and have been so grateful to raise our two children here. It seems every year around this time, a group of residents puts out inflammatory material about a community group I started in late 2016 called 203action. They don’t seem to know anything about us so let me clarify who we are and what we do. We are a group of active citizens from across Fairfield County who span age, gender, and political party, and who believe that democracy is not a spectator sport.

Our engagements include calls to action for both national and local candidates, such as phone banking, letter writing, and door knocking. We have had a robust speaker series which has included Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliates including Mike Handler, Oz Gabriel, Dr. William Petit, Bobby Valentine, and more.

If I’m accused of engaging more citizens in voting and serving their town/country, then I am guilty as charged.

Those attacking us on social media and via newsletters would be interested to know that more often than not, our members don’t agree on issues or candidates. The one thing we do agree on is that Donald Trump and his brand of fear-based, fact-free politics will result in the collapse of our democracy.

As we get into the final two weeks of yet another campaign season, my only hope is that we get more people to participate in democracy because as those of us born in countries who don’t have this form of government can tell you, it is truly a privilege to have a voice. So please, just vote on November 2nd as our town decides the future of its Board of Education.

If you have any questions about 203action, please email shivasarram@hotmail.com