July 8, 2022
Dear Friends:
The Interfaith Peace Project continues its ongoing observance of the International Women’s Day, March 8, by sending out a reflection on the eighth of every month. We invite you share in this effort by sending any articles or information concerning the voice of women that you would like to share to:
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P
925-787-9279
STANDING FOR THE TRUTH
WANDREA “SHAYE” MOSS AND RUBY FREEMAN
ROLE MODELS
Continuing to Honor International Women’s
By Susan Batterton
On June 21, 2022, my life changed because of two heroes, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, two brave women who have become role models for me and many others.
Shaye Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, were election workers in Georgia during the 2020 election. They became national figures when the former president, Donald Trump, his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and their allies on conservative media accused them of pulling fake ballots from a suitcase and counting them for Joe Biden. The allegations were soon proven false by several Georgia election officials, but the false accusations spread rapidly across conservative media.
Things got so bad that Shaye and Ruby had to go into hiding for two months. At one point, the Trump followers pushed their way into Shaye’s grandmother’s house, looking for Shaye and Ruby to make a citizen’s arrest. Shaye states that she received messages “wishing death upon me.” One message said, “Be glad it’s 2020 and not 1920.”
I was overwhelmed with sadness as a white woman hearing their story. These two women were only doing their jobs as assigned election workers in Georgia. I can identify with them as a woman. However, I cannot even imagine being black in America and daily dealing with discrimination if not lynching.
Ruby stated, “There is nowhere I feel safe. Do you know how it feels to have the President of the United States target you? The President of the United States is supposed to represent every American, not to target one … but he targeted me.”
Shaye stated, “This has affected my life in a major way. In every way. All because of lies. All for me doing my job. The same thing I’ve been doing forever.” Shaye had been an election worker for ten years.
I am over 70 years old and have never seen anything like this in our politics. What happened to decency and decorum? Remember when men and women running for office stood up and told us their position on the issues at stake with honesty and respectability? They allowed the voters to choose who would represent them and, if they won, were civil to their opponent, and if they lost, conceded the loss and began to look forward to the next election, planning a different strategy to win. If we cannot find a way to trust one another, I fear our “United” States will no longer be United.
To Shaye and Ruby, I say “thank you” for standing up and testifying once again in front of the Nation at the January 6th Congressional Hearings. Your actions took great courage because it once again put you and your family in great jeopardy. This Nation owes you great gratitude. May all of us reach out to these two heroes in love and protect them in any way we can.
Notice
As things begin to return to a new normal, we at The Interfaith Peace Project are here for you in any way that you need us. The Antioch Center is now open to fully vaccinated people on Wednesdays, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. We are vigilant and will adjust to any and all recommendations from the state and county. We will continue our work through Zoom as we add in person programs. If you would like to schedule an in person or Zoom program or would like a phone appointment with any of us, give us a call. You may call or email Tom at:
Tom Bonacci
925-787- 9279
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