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WINCHESTER The day after President Donald Trump was elected, Winchester residents Jennifer Eden and Rachael Schoellen started Shenandoah Progressives.

According to the groups Facebook page, The purpose of this group is to promote progressive political action and social justice in the greater Shenandoah Valley area.

About 35 members attended the groups second meeting at the Hideaway Cafe on Friday night.

Blindly following a president is not American, Eden, 35, said. Standing up for the founding principles of this country is American. If we feel those principles are being squashed, its our obligation as patriots to stand up against it.

The group does differ from those similar in the area. Eden said instead of resisting the Trump presidency, she wants to see the group focus on progressive movements beyond the years of this administration. She also pointed out there is no mention of Trump in their mission statement.

While his election was the catalyst for starting the group, I had issues with the last administration and the administration before that, she said.

With President Obama, Eden was unhappy that he didnt undo the Patriot Act, which she said was a threat to civil liberties, and she didnt like the drone campaign.

Through Shenandoah Progressives, Eden wants to reach out to other groups in the fight for equality including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Winchester chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

We want to push forward with progressive ideals and equality for everyone, Eden said. I want a safe, open space where all voices can be heard.

In attendance at Fridays meeting was Pam Kennedy, a Frederick County Democrat in her mid-60s, who is exploring her avenues to promote positive social change. Although President Trump has been in office for three weeks, Kennedy said it feels like three years.

I am appalled, horrified and aghast at what is happening to our country, she said. There is nothing he has done in a positive way. It has all been destructive. Thats why Im here tonight.

Winchester resident Matthew Chonko, 28, was thinking about joining a progressive group in the area when he saw information about the meeting for Shenandoah Progressives in The Winchester Star.

I think there is a resistance of civic engagement on the left and the right, he said. Its important to be part of it. I support progressive values and the progressive idea.

Chonko is a language arts teacher in Berkeley County, W.Va.

I saw this as a good opportunity to get involved, he said. To be with like-minded people and have a positive impact in the community.

Eden presented members with a variety of committees they could join to promote the groups mission in the area. Members had the option to join committees focusing on local community outreach, equality and human rights, health care, the environment, education and legal reform.

We feel attacked from all sides, Eden said. In a committee we can focus on one issue, or two.

The committees will function as an autonomous group. Meetings of the Shenandoah Progressives will take place every six to eight weeks and will be announced within the Facebook group.

The first Shenandoah Progressives meeting was held in November, but Eden said they decided to pump the breaks until after the inauguration. After President Trump was sworn in the group grew in size and now has 545 members on Facebook. Members include residents of Washington, D.C., and Harrisonburg.

The group was also instrumental in organizing the Winchester Womens March on Jan. 21, which drew 1,300 people downtown.

The Shenandoah Progressives is holding a postcard party at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hideaway Cafe. They will send postcards to members of Congress, senators and the White House. The issues addressed will depend on the person writing the postcard. Scripts and a list of issues will be available for those who dont know what to write.

Shenandoah Progressives is not affiliated with a larger group.

We are our own thing, Eden said. We can shape this group however we want. We have a lot of flexibility of what we can do and how we can grow.

Read more here:
Shenandoah Progressives meet, talk of their mission to fight for equality - The Winchester Star