This Week in Wizard Activism: Happy Birthday, HPA!

By Victoria Rosales

Graphic of our This Week in Wizard Activism logo! It features the words “This Week in Wizard Activism” and our logo on a blue background.

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope everyone is having an absolutely magical week. We’ve got quite a lot of information to share with you. I know times have been tough recently, so let’s highlight some good in this world.

A gif of Linus (from the Peanuts) walking through a pumpkin patch with a sign that says “Welcome Great Pumpkin.”

Resistance is Magic Update!

A graphic promoting our Pumpkin Spice Bundle. The bundle includes a limited edition Pumpkin Spice Granger/Lovegood 2020 shirt, Head Witch In Charge mug, Hagrid’s pumpkin patch, and HPA-branded organic nutmeg. Available at resistanceismagic.org!

We’re in the midst of our current fundraising campaign, Resistance is Magic! Here’s what’s going on:

• We’re over 40% to our goal of raising $30,000 with 18 days left!
• We also just released our Pumpkin Spice bundle and it is, *chefs kisses*, amazing. Celebrate the season with a limited edition Pumpkin Spice Granger/Lovegood 2020 shirt, Head Witch In Charge mug, Hagrid’s pumpkin patch, and HPA-branded organic nutmeg. No joke.
• Also, we hosted a live stream yesterday to celebrate our 13th anniversary! If you weren’t able to check it out live, go to the link here.

Reminder: this fundraiser will help us develop a new action hub that will make it easier (and more fun!) to make frequent and meaningful impact on everything from gender equity to racial justice. We strive to make activism more accessible, sustainable, and joyful for all. ❤

Staffer of the Week

An image of TK! He is looking at the camera and giving a thumbs up!

And now for our wonderful staffer of the week: TK LAWRENCE!! Here’s what TK’s anonymous niffler has to say, “TK is the reason I joined up with the HPA. And he’s one of the coolest people I know. He’s so dedicated to trying to make the world a better place, and I know he’s actually far more Slytherin than he lets on.”

Not sure about TK being more of a Slytherin, but he’s definitely cool! And we can all see how dedicated he is to making this world better. If you don’t know a lot about TK, you’re in luck! TK is a Ravenclaw living in Visalia, California. He’s the team lead for Wizard Activist School and a Chapter Liaison. He’s passionate about gender equity and education. The first social justice action he did was joining the HPA in 2013 and creating a chapter in Asheville!

Now for a few fun questions!

• How do you feel about pickles on pizza? — “I’ve never had it, but I’m willing to try.”
• If you were a potato, what kind would you be? — “Cheesy potatoes!”
• Fave HP book and why? (or favorite book of all time) — “Prisoner of Azkaban because Lupin is my favorite character.”
• Last show you binge watched? — “Voltron”
• Favorite class you’ve ever taken in school? — “Band for sure.”

Coming Out Day & Heartwarming News!

An HPA graphic that features an image of Harry sitting in his cupboard under the stairs with the text: “Nobody should be forced to live in the cupboard.”

This week we celebrated National Coming Out Day on October 11th. No one should be forced to live in a cupboard. Whether you’re out of the cupboard or still taking time, we ❤️ you.

In other heartwarming LGBTQ+ related news: Aman lost his hearing several months ago after contracting Meningitis B. He finally was able to get cochlear implants and what’s the first thing he hears? His partner proposing to him, of course. Happy tears all around.

Volunteer With Us!

A gif of Charlie Brown dancing in some leaves joyfully which Lucy looks confused. Join our volunteer staff and we promise you’ll be the joyful one, not the confused one.

Interested in volunteering or know someone who could be? Have a passion for Harry Potter and social justice? Why not join our amazing volunteer family! Whatever your strengths may be, we’re certain to have a place for you here at The HP Alliance. Check out our Volunteer page for more information and position openings!