Indivisible Woodstock CAN Book Club Meeting

📍 New Location – Provided After RSVP closer to the event start time (Near Downtown Woodstock, GA)

📅 Monday at 6:00 PM📍

Why We’re No Longer Meeting at The Stout Brothers

Our book club previously met at The Stout Brothers Woodstock Beer & Coffee Market (240 Chambers St). After one quiet, respectful meeting with 11 attendees (only 8 RSVP’d), we received an email from their event coordinator making it clear that our group is not welcome there.

Their message stated that The Stout Brothers is “hesitant to allow events of a political nature—regardless of affiliation” and asked that “no other guests be involved in political conversation.” They claimed gatherings like ours “can unintentionally shift the tone of our space, potentially make other patrons feel uncomfortable, and disrupt the experience we aim to provide.”

Let’s be clear about what actually happened:

• We are a bipartisan group that supports progressive values, not political parties. If a candidate of any party supports those values, we’re happy to encourage engagement.

• We spoke with staff twice before the event and were given no indication that our presence was a problem.

• We were fully aware of the 10-person reservation policy, and with only 8 RSVPs, had no reason to reserve. A few extra guests showed up, as often happens with casual community events.

• We did not campaign, endorse candidates, or hand out “propaganda.” We distributed four printed discussion guides to some people who attended our book club—that’s it.

• We met quietly in the back of the space, to the point that we had difficulty hearing each other over the music.

• Everyone was respectful, low-key, and supported the business by buying drinks and tipping generously.

This was not about disruption. It was about content and selective enforcement.

What makes this even more troubling is that other groups—openly Democrat or Republican—have met at Stout regularly with larger numbers and more overt political discussion. We've shared the email with members of those groups, and none have reported receiving similar treatment.

So no—this wasn’t about neutrality or store policy. It was about our group and the values we stand for.

We will not be returning to The Stout Brothers. And we think our community deserves to know why.

We’re not sharing this to stir up drama or create division—quite the opposite. We believe everyone, regardless of political identity—Republican, Democrat, left, right, or otherwise—deserves the right to gather peacefully, have respectful conversations, and be treated equally when they follow the rules. People should be able to talk amongst themselves about politics in public if they choose to—especially in a casual, quiet setting like ours. That’s part of living in a free and open society.

The only reason someone would have taken issue with our group that night is if they were uncomfortable with who we are or what we stand for—not because of how we behaved. That’s not a policy issue. That’s discrimination.

📖 About the Indivisible Woodstock CAN Book Club

We’re a welcoming space for thoughtful conversations about books that explore activism, justice, history, and social change. Whether nonfiction, memoir, or fiction, we read to understand the world—and each other—better.

💬 How It Works:

• Haven’t finished the book? That’s okay.

• Don’t know what we’re reading next? Come help us choose.

• New to the group? You’re more than welcome—bring a friend!

We are now meeting at a private location near Downtown Woodstock. RSVP to receive the address.

Join us in a space where thoughtful, respectful dialogue is encouraged—not censored.