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Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

Wins for Democracy

• A federal judge dismisses another DOJ lawsuit seeking voter data, this time in Massachusetts
  A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking Massachusetts voter-roll data, marking another setback for the administration’s broader push to obtain state voter information. The ruling was praised as a win for voter privacy and election integrity. AP

• Tennessee eases up on its unique child support rule for restoring voting rights after a felony
  Tennessee enacted a new law that removes major financial barriers to restoring voting rights for people with felony convictions. The change could help roughly 184,000 Tennesseans and is one of the state’s biggest voting-rights expansions in decades. AP

• Democratic-backed Chris Taylor wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race, growing liberal majority
  Chris Taylor won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, expanding its liberal majority and strengthening a court that is likely to shape future rulings on abortion, maps, and union rights. It is another major state-level legal and rights story with long-term consequences. AP

Reproductive Freedoms Protected

• US judge pauses Louisiana’s challenge to FDA abortion drug rule
  A federal judge declined for now to block the FDA rule that allows mifepristone to be mailed, leaving current abortion-pill access in place while the agency completes its review. That makes this an important short-term abortion-rights win. Reuters

Human and Civil Rights Protected

• Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they aren’t considering race in admissions
  A federal judge halted the administration’s attempt to force public universities in 17 states to turn over admissions data aimed at proving they are not considering race. The ruling was framed as a check on a rushed policy that raised privacy and burden concerns. AP

• Judge rules that HUD effort to change criteria for homeless funding is unlawful
  A federal judge ruled that changes to HUD’s homelessness funding criteria were unlawful, blocking a politically driven shift that advocates said would harm housing providers and vulnerable communities. It stands out as a human-rights and housing-justice win. AP

Labor Wins

• Striking JBS workers to return to Colorado plant on promise of talks
  Workers at JBS’s Greeley, Colorado plant agreed to return to work after the company committed to resume contract talks, ending a three-week strike. The walkout involved about 3,800 workers pushing for better wages and conditions. Reuters

• FedEx reaches tentative wage deal with pilots after years of talks
  FedEx and the union representing more than 5,000 pilots reached a tentative wage agreement after long-running negotiations. The proposed deal includes a major pay boost and retroactive compensation, making it a notable labor win. Reuters

People Power Rising

Why the Grassroots Resistance Can’t Wait

💥Your Power in Action: What You Can Do Today

• Tell Congress: Make the Ultra-Rich Pay Their Fair Share

• Impeach Trump for Threatening War Crimes in Iran

• Tell Congress: No Troops on the Ground in Iran

• Tell Treasury: Keep Trump Off Our Money

• Healthcare not Warfare!

• No War on Cuba!

• Tell Congress: Permanent Ceasefire Now

• Tell your state representatives: Ban Assault Weapons In Every State

• Block Trump’s AI-powered warrantless surveillance of Americans!

• Tell Congress: Make the Ultra-Rich Pay Their Fair Share

• Impeach Trump for Threatening War Crimes in Iran

• Tell Congress: No Troops on the Ground in Iran

• Tell Treasury: Keep Trump Off Our Money

  

• Join an upcoming event:

  • Movement Call: National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention (Tuesday, April 14, 8pm-9pm EDT)

  • Eyes on ICE: Train-the-Trainer - Immigrants’ Rights

  (Monday April 20th, 8pm-9pm EDT)

  • May Day Strong

    • On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping. Find an event near you.

The movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people starts here.

Together, we can defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy, hold leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

People Power United is independent, people-powered news and grassroot movement actions dedicated to defending our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy. This is our moment to rise, resist, and reclaim our democracy. Millions of Americans and people who call America home are already rising up in the streets, at the ballot box, and in their communities.

People Power United champions freedom over fascism, progress over fear, and power to the people. We believe change is possible, and we do the work to make it happen. Join us to build people power.

Laurie Woodward Garcia
(paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
Leader, People Power United

People Power United | In this community, we speak out, show up, and build power against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry.

Explore our coverage across the movement:
Resist Project 2025 | ICEbreaker News | Protect Democracy | Supreme Court Accountability | Reproductive Freedom for All | Protect Our Planet | Freedom Over Fascism | Power to the People News

Join the Resistance

Independent, people-powered news and grassroot movement actions to champion our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.

Subscribe for free to get daily accountability news and action, or go paid to support this independent news source.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

In lieu of our Good News from the Resistance summaries this week, we are sharing something even bigger: proof that people power is alive all across this country.

On March 28, more than 8 million people joined No Kings protests at more than 3,300 events nationwide, which organizers described as the largest single day of protest in U.S. history. That is not just a headline. That is hope in motion. It is millions of people refusing to give in to fear, refusing to accept cruelty as normal, and refusing to stay silent while politicians put war and power ahead of people’s lives.

The message rising from those streets was clear. Americans are tired of a government that can always find money for war, but never enough to keep families healthy, housed, and secure. One protester told the Guardian, “We need healthcare, we need jobs.” That demand feels even more urgent as Axios reports that House Republicans are considering further cuts to federal health spending to help finance a budget bill that could include as much as $200 billion for the Iran war and immigration enforcement. Senator Elizabeth Warren put it plainly: “Republicans in Congress want to cut Americans’ health care to pay for more war in Iran. Let that sink in.”

But here is the good news from the resistance: the people see the truth, and they are rising together. Millions are making clear that healthcare for all is cheaper than war, wiser than war, and more humane than war. Care keeps people alive, treated, working, and secure. War drives up prices, strips away stability, and leaves ordinary people with the bill. So when millions take to the streets to demand a different future, that is not just protest. That is a reminder that our values are still alive, our voices are still powerful, and the movement for a country that invests in people instead of destruction is growing stronger every day.

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

Why the Grassroots Resistance Can’t Wait

💥Your Power in Action: What You Can Do Today

• Take action: Tell Congress: No Troops on the Ground in Iran

• Take Action: Tell Republicans: End the Shutdown by Reforming ICE and CBP

• Take Action: Stop the Republican Attack on Voting Rights

• Take Action: Tell Lawmakers to support: MEDICARE FOR ALL

The movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people starts here.

Together, we can defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy, hold leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

This is our moment to rise, resist, and reclaim our democracy. Millions of Americans and people who call America home are already rising up in the streets, at the ballot box, and in their communities. Join us.

People Power United champions freedom over fascism, progress over fear, and power to the people. We believe change is possible, and we do the work to make it happen. Join us to build people power.

Laurie Woodward Garcia
(paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
Leader, People Power United

People Power United | In this community, we speak out, show up, and build power against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry.

Join the Resistance

Independent, people-powered news and action to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy. Subscribe for free for daily accountability news and urgent actions. Go paid to help fund this independent news source.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

• Women-led singing collectives are filling churches and town squares coast to coast, reviving the protest music tradition at “ICE Out Sing-Ins” from New York City to Asheville, North Carolina — 19th News

• More than 2000 No Kings Day rallies are planned across the country for March 28, building on October’s historic turnout of 300,000 in New York City alone — NorthJersey.com

• Nationwide anti-war marches on March 7 drew crowds in cities across the country opposing U.S. military escalation — The Guardian

🕊️Movement Wins for Human and Civil Rights

• 🎮 Reporters Without Borders Opens a U.S. Wing in Minecraft — Because Truth Finds a Way

  On World Day Against Cyber Censorship, Reporters Without Borders unveiled a new American wing of the Uncensored Library — a virtual library inside the world’s most popular video game where censored journalism from around the globe can be read freely. The U.S. wing documents FCC intimidation of broadcasters, restricted press access, and removed government data, joining rooms dedicated to Russia, Iran, Egypt, and Belarus. Because governments can’t ban Minecraft without banning Minecraft, over 25 million players worldwide now have a backdoor to suppressed truth. Library Journal

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

☀️ Net Zero Is Cheaper Than the Oil Shock — And the Numbers Prove It

• As the war in Iran drives global oil prices to their highest levels in years, the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee released a landmark analysis finding that achieving net zero by 2050 will cost just £4 billion per year — equivalent to the energy-cost impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and far cheaper than continued fossil fuel dependence. Scientists and analysts say this moment is a powerful reminder: the volatility of oil markets is itself the argument for clean energy. Renewable investment is now the most affordable path forward — and countries doubling down on it are proving it every week. Positive News

⚖️ State Resistance to Federal Overreach

• 💰 Washington State Passes Historic Millionaires Tax — Free Meals for Every K-12 Student

  Washington State made history this week by passing a 9.9% tax on income over $1 million — the first income tax in the state’s nearly century-long history — expected to raise more than $3.5 billion per year. The revenue will fund free breakfast and lunch for all 1.1 million K-12 students, expand the Working Families Tax Credit to 460,000 more households, and cut taxes for 65% of small businesses. Governor Bob Ferguson, who has pledged to sign the bill, called the vote historic. Less than half of one percent of Washingtonians will pay the tax, while millions will benefit. Politico

💵 Federal Dollars and Equity for All

💵 Federal Dollars and Equity for All

• The Washington millionaires tax also delivers direct tax relief to working families: the Working Families Tax Credit expansion will send meaningful rebates to hundreds of thousands of households, the B&O surcharge will be eliminated for small businesses, and the state will remove sales tax on essential personal hygiene products. This is what taxing the wealthy to invest in everyone looks like in practice — and Washington just showed it’s possible even in a state with no history of income taxation.

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

• 🤖 OpenAI Researcher Resigns on Principle Over Pentagon AI Deal — Drawing a Line on Autonomous Weapons

  A senior member of OpenAI’s robotics team publicly resigned on principle after the company announced a partnership with the Pentagon, citing insufficient guardrails against domestic surveillance and lethal autonomous weapons. Caitlin Kalinowski stated clearly: “Surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got.” Her resignation — and the public debate it sparked — represents tech workers using their power to force accountability conversations that executives and governments would prefer to avoid. NPR

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

Why the Grassroots Resistance Can’t Wait

💥Your Power in Action: What You Can Do Today

• 🐊 Take action: Shut down Trump’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention camp

• 💰 Take action: Tell Congress to end the cash-for-deportation scheme

• 🛡️ Take action: Tell Social Security to stop sharing data with ICE

• ⚖️ Take action: Demand accountability for the fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting

• 📣 Take action: Tell Congress to investigate ICE retaliation against protests

• 👑 Bonus action: Sign up for the next national No Kings Day of Action

The movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people starts here.

Together, we can champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests) Leader, People Power United

People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!

Join the Resistance

This is our moment to rise, resist, and reclaim our democracy. Millions of Americans are already refusing to back down — in the streets, at the ballot box, and in their communities.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Two years ago, a spark was lit. A grassroots movement on Substack — no billionaires, no PACs, no corporate backing — began growing from the ground up, one conversation, one door knock, and one letter to Congress at a time. Today, People Power United on Substack is over 300,000 members strong, stretching across all 50 states, and we are just getting started.

This week, we are pausing to do something we don’t do nearly enough: celebrate how far we have come. We are resharing one of our most powerful posts — The Unstoppable Power of People United for Change — as both a reminder and a rallying cry. If you are feeling the weight of these times, this is your pep talk. This video was captured as Trump was ready to enter the White House the second time. This is proof that what we do together matters.

Watch it. Share it. Feel it. Then keep going.

🔥 What Happened: From a Handful of Door-Knockers to over 300,000 Strong

It started simply — volunteers showing up to help elect Hillary Clinton. When she lost and fear threatened to swallow us whole, we made a choice. We didn’t go home. We showed up anyway — for immigrant rights, for reproductive freedom, for LGBTQIA+ dignity, for workers, for the climate, for everyone whose voice was being drowned out by money and power.

That decision to keep showing up, speaking out, and building power is everything. It is why People Power United exists today.

Over the past two years on Substack alone, we have published over 1,600 newsletters, launched several additional newsletters — each with thousands of their own subscribers — and been consistently ranked in the top 100 for U.S. politics on Substack. Every month, our members take hundreds of thousands of actions: signing petitions, calling representatives, writing letters, attending events, and showing up for each other.

With zero fundraising email blasts.

Zero outside funding.

Zero PAC money.

Just people. Just us.

Our two-year anniversary is not just a milestone. It is a testament to what democracy looks like when the people lead it.

💡 Why It Matters: Because Fear Without Action Is Just Fear

We are resharing the video because its message has never been more urgent.

Do you remember what it felt like when the first Trump administration took power? The pit in your stomach. The helplessness. Watching the rise of MAGA embolden racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, ableism, transphobia, and every form of bigotry imaginable. Those days were dark.

But here is what the video reminds us: those days didn’t break us. They built us.

We learned that fear loses its grip the moment you take action. We learned that the other side has billionaires and corporations — but they cannot stop a movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. They cannot stop people who have tasted freedom and know it is worth advocating for. We are living proof of that truth, and the video is a visual reminder of exactly that.

👉 Watch the video now and remember: this is what we built together.

🌍 Who Benefits: Every Person Who Believes in a Democracy That Works for All of Us

The majority of People Power United subscribers are free subscribers — because we have always believed that democracy, civil rights, human rights, and social justice should never be paywalled. That is not a business decision. It is a moral one.

Our paid subscribers make that possible. Their generosity keeps every post, every call to action, every piece of good news from the resistance accessible to our low- and fixed-income members. If you are a paid subscriber reading this: thank you. You are the engine that keeps this movement free and open to everyone.

And who benefits from everything we do? The Dreamer whose status is being defended. The worker whose rights are being protected. The voter whose access to the ballot is being fought for. The LGBTQIA+ young person who needs to know someone is standing up for them. The immigrant family who deserves to live without fear. The woman who deserves bodily autonomy. Every single person who has ever been told their voice doesn’t count.

This movement exists for them. This movement exists because of you.

🔍 The Broader Pattern: People Power Is the Antidote to Billionaire Power

There is a pattern we are watching unfold in America right now — the consolidation of power in the hands of the ultra-wealthy, the erosion of democratic norms, and the use of fear, division, and disinformation to keep ordinary people feeling small and powerless.

But here is the counter-pattern — and it is just as real: every time people organize, they win things. Every civil rights milestone in American history came from people who refused to stay home. Every expansion of freedom was won by someone who kept showing up even when it was lonely, even when it was hard, even when it seemed impossible.

People Power United is part of that tradition. Growing to over 300,000 members with no budget and no corporate backing doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people are hungry for a movement that is honest, that is values-driven, and that trusts them to lead. Our north star has always been — and always will be — power to the people. Every voice heard. Every person able to vote and thrive. And an unyielding stand against every form of bigotry and hate.

That is not just an anniversary message. That is our permanent mission.

🔭 What Comes Next: We Are Not Done — Not Even Close

Trump and his complicit cronies cause chaos every single day in America. The challenges ahead are not small. But here is what is different now compared to ten years ago when Trump first appeared in politics: you are not the same person you were then.

You know how to find reliable news sources and empower others. You know that every time anxiety rises in your chest, there is an action waiting for you on the other side of it — a petition, a phone call, a letter, a conversation, a knock on a door.

You know that movements are not built in moments of comfort.

They are built in moments exactly like this one.

We are growing this movement. We are championing progress. We are building a community where everyone can thrive — not with fear, but with hope, action, and the unstoppable power of people united for change.

And we are inviting you to be part of what comes next. Share this post. Bring someone new into the circle. Because the more of us there are, the more powerful we become — and nothing, not billionaires, not authoritarian politics, not fear itself — can stop that.

💥Your Power in Action: What You Can Do Today

• 📋 Sign the petition: Tell Congress: Stop Trump’s Illegal War in Iran

• 📋 Sign the petition: Champion what’s right Oppose attempts to dox abortion patients or expose their medical records to hostile third parties.

• Make your voice heard Register to vote, vote in every election, and help your community do the same. Reproductive freedom is won and lost at the ballot box.

• Drive the change Sign up for the next national No Kings Day of Action and show up in solidarity with everyone whose rights are under attack.

• 📺 Watch the video on our two year anniversary on Substack and let it remind you of your own journey.

• 🔁 Share this post on your social media with the message: “Two years and over 300,000 strong. Nothing can hold us back. 💥 #PeoplePowerUnited”

• ✉️ Send a letter to your representatives this week on any issue that matters to you via People Power United.

• 📣 Invite a friend, family member, or coworker to join People Power United — because democracy grows when we grow together.

• 💳 Become a paid subscriber to keep this movement free and accessible to all. Your support makes the difference.

💬 People Power United’s Guiding Principle: Hatred must not be tolerated. Ever. Power to the people — making sure every voice is heard, every person can vote and thrive, and standing firmly against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and every form of bigotry.

Rise Together: Build People Power

Join us to build People Power! Together, we can champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia

(paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)

Leader, People Power United

Representing America’s largest grassroots organization with over 300,000+ members, driven entirely by the energy and commitment of everyday people. We are proudly 100% independent, powered by people — not special interests.

People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!

❤️ Show some love by upgrading your subscription or gifting it to someone who values freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. A People Power United subscription is the perfect way to spread the love!

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

My apologies for the mistake in the first call-to-action link. Here is the corrected version.

• Click here to Stop Trump’s Mega Detention Warehouses

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Stop Trump’s Mega Detention Warehouses

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office

• Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders

• Click here to join People Power United

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Join Us on Social Media

If you appreciate the hard work we do to generate regular updates on topics like Freedom Over Fascism, Stop & Resist Project 2025, Protect Democracy, Supreme Court Accountability, Protect Our Planet, Immigration Reform, and Progressive Issues, please tip us with a follow 📌, hearts ❤️, comments🗣️, and shares 📢 on your favorite social media platform.

• BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, Linkedin

Thank you for your support. Every action counts, and together we’re turning small steps into real momentum.

Thanks for taking action!

💥 Why You Matter

Every share, every heart, every comment, every call to action, every vote, every subscription strengthens our ability to advocate for progress—and to move forward.

When you’re here, you’re not just staying informed.
You’re defending progress and power to the people.
You’re standing up for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people!

“We must stand united to protect freedom over fascism… There is no power like that of the people.” — Laurie Woodward García, People Power United

Power grows when people participate and hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people. And together, we are proving—day after day—that the future belongs to those who refuse to stay silent. People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber or gifting to someone you know.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Stop Trump’s Mega Detention Warehouses

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office

• Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders

• Click here to join People Power United

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Join Us on Social Media

If you appreciate the hard work we do to generate regular updates on topics like Freedom Over Fascism, Stop & Resist Project 2025, Protect Democracy, Supreme Court Accountability, Protect Our Planet, Immigration Reform, and Progressive Issues, please tip us with a follow 📌, hearts ❤️, comments🗣️, and shares 📢 on your favorite social media platform.

• BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, Linkedin

Thank you for your support. Every action counts, and together we’re turning small steps into real momentum.

Thanks for taking action!

💥 Why You Matter

Every share, every heart, every comment, every call to action, every vote, every subscription strengthens our ability to advocate for progress—and to move forward.

When you’re here, you’re not just staying informed.
You’re defending progress and power to the people.
You’re standing up for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people!

“We must stand united to protect freedom over fascism… There is no power like that of the people.” — Laurie Woodward García, People Power United

Power grows when people participate and hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people. And together, we are proving—day after day—that the future belongs to those who refuse to stay silent. People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber or gifting to someone you know.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Friends, this has been a tough week and a tough year—and we are only into the first month of 2026. Now, ICE and Homeland Security are stretching their hands out to the Senate to get millions more to fund what many see as a hate machine. I fear that once they secure a full budget, we will see the kinds of escalations now happening in Minnesota spread nationally: children taken from their families and detained by ICE, a woman killed by federal agents after dropping her child off at school, and a community member filming federal abuses wrestled to the ground, pepper-sprayed, beaten by multiple officers, and fatally shot during an immigration enforcement operation.

People who have lived and worked in our communities for 5, 10, even 40 years, and who have committed no crimes, are being subjected to inhumane and degrading conditions: detained in harsh conditions, sometimes facing death or being placed in freezing holding cells, and in some cases beaten or pepper-sprayed until they agree to deportation—only to be sent to countries they have no connection to.

Yet despite these painful times, I still believe in our humanity and our brotherly and sisterly love for one another. I think that we, the people, will rise and overcome the hatred and bigotry we are seeing from MAGA, President Trump, and complicit Republicans in Congress. In that spirit, I went back and forth about sharing our weekly Good News and progress from the resistance, and ultimately decided we needed to see hope and love in action. It will be that hope and love that power us through these tough times and strengthen our connection to one another. Let us be clear—no one can impose their hatred and bigotry on us.

These are dangerous times, but history shows that when we act together with courage and persistence, people power wins. Hope lives in action—and together, we can build a future rooted in dignity, justice, and opportunity for all.

- Laurie

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• 🚨Click here to Tell Congress: Investigate ICE Retaliation Against Protests

• 🚨 Click here to Tell Congress: It’s Time to Defund ICE

• Click here to Tell Congress: We need immigration reform now

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office

• Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders

• Click here to join People Power United

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Join Us on Social Media

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Thank you for your support. Every action counts, and together we’re turning small steps into real momentum.

Thanks for taking action!

🚨 NO MORE BLANK CHECKS FOR ICE

Freedom over fascism means drawing a clear moral line now. No more blank checks for an agency that kidnaps our neighbors, harms people in detention, and terrorizes communities without accountability.

Behind closed doors, Senate leaders from both parties are pushing to increase DHS funding with little oversight. The proposed FY2026 bill would reward lawlessness and abuse instead of stopping it.

Now is the moment to act. Please do the calls to action below—call, write, and show up and speak out every day until the vote.

🚨Click here to Tell Congress: Investigate ICE Retaliation Against Protests

🚨 Click here to Tell Congress: It’s Time to Defund ICE

📞 Call (202) 224-3121 today—and every day until the vote. Ask to speak with your Senators and use the script below to demand a NO vote.

📩 Act today: Send a message to your Senators and do it every day until the vote. Suggested talking points below.

Letter / Phone Script

Hello, my name is [NAME], and I’m a constituent from [CITY/ZIP].

I’m reaching out to urge you to reject any Fiscal Year 2026 bill that increases ICE funding—not one more penny for Trump’s deportation force.

Congress must end mass detention and racialized dragnet operations that target people based on race, language, or accent. I’m also asking you to end Border Patrol deployment in our cities and stop its ever-expanding role as a personal secret police force that terrorizes communities.

ICE must no longer be allowed to operate slush funds. Congress should cut off ICE’s ability to move money around for detention centers and military-style weapons, and instead impose real, enforceable limits on agency power.

Finally, I urge you to support independent investigations into every death and abuse in custody, ban private detention profiteering, and require full transparency for every taxpayer dollar spent.

Please vote NO on any bill that expands ICE or CBP funding without these protections. I expect you to stand with our communities, the rule of law, and human dignity.

Thank you.

💥 Why You Matter

Every share, every heart, every comment, every call to action, every vote, every subscription strengthens our ability to advocate for progress—and to move forward.

When you’re here, you’re not just staying informed.
You’re defending progress and power to the people.
You’re standing up for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people!

“We must stand united to protect freedom over fascism… There is no power like that of the people.” — Laurie Woodward García, People Power United

Power grows when people participate. And together, we are proving—day after day—that the future belongs to those who refuse to stay silent. People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber or gifting to someone you know.

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Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Friends, Happy New Year! If you’re a regular here, you know we share a weekly roundup of good news from the resistance. Today, we’re highlighting some of the wins from 2025. While there was no shortage of tough news, there’s also plenty to celebrate as we head into 2026.

While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ People Power Stands Up for Freedom of Speech and Jimmy Kimmel

• People Power stood up for free speech when millions rallied behind Jimmy Kimmel, sparking a boycott that led more than 3 million people to cancel Disney subscriptions in protest of political pressure and corporate capitulation. The backlash reflected widespread outrage over attempts by Brandon Carr and President Donald Trump to interfere with free expression and silence critics of the administration—proving that when people push back together, accountability follows. — New York Times

⚖️ Over 600 Lawsuits Filed to Hold the Trump Administration Accountable

• More than 600 lawsuits have been filed to challenge actions by the Trump administration and allied Republicans that legal scholars say ignored or violated federal law, constitutional limits, and long-standing regulations. These cases—brought to defend the rule of law and democracy—span efforts to target law firms and civil society, undermine FOIA and record-keeping, weaken independent agencies, dismantle federal programs, erode voting rights and press freedom, centralize executive power, and upend protections across immigration, labor, health, the environment, and federal governance—underscoring a broad push for accountability and constitutional checks. — Wikipedia

👑 Millions Mobilize in “No Kings” Protests and Rallies Against Authoritarianism

• The nationwide “No Kings” protests and rallies—2025’s largest mass mobilization—demonstrated the power of people rising together to reject authoritarianism and defend democracy. Nearly 12 million people showed up in May and October at thousands of peaceful events across all 50 states and beyond, empowering communities to speak out against authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration and affirm freedom over fascism through collective action. — Wikipedia Wikipedia

🏛️ Courts and Public Pressure Force Trump Administration to Abandon National Guard Deployment

• After sustained public pressure and legal challenges, federal courts—including the Supreme Court—blocked President Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard, ruling there was no rebellion and no legal basis for the move. The decisions upheld the rule of law, reaffirmed limits on executive power, protected state and local authority over the Guard, and ultimately forced Trump to abandon the deployment plans. — New York Times

🗳️ Judge orders special elections for Mississippi Supreme Court after Voting Rights Act violation

• A federal judge held Mississippi accountable to the rule of law, ruling that its judicial election system unlawfully diluted Black voters’ power and ordering special elections to restore fair representation. The decision affirms that liberty and justice for all means all, marking a critical step toward equal voting rights. — The Seattle Times

⚖️🕊️ Kilmar Armando Ábrego García was returned from El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison and later ordered released from immigration detention after a judge ruled his detention unlawful.

• A federal judge ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Armando Ábrego García, holding the Trump administration accountable for detaining him without a lawful basis after his wrongful deportation earlier in 2025. The ruling was a clear due process victory, reaffirming the rule of law and the limits on government power. — Reuters

🌊 Zohran Mamdani and Mikie Sherrill win major 2025 elections

• Driven by people power, voters delivered major wins in key 2025 races, electing Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor and Mikie Sherrill as New Jersey governor in a clear rebuke of the Trump and Republicans Project 2025 agenda. These victories—energized by young, progressive, and engaged communities—show how the power to the people can reshape elections and build momentum nationwide. — Reuters PBS

🔍 Epstein files begin to be released under transparency law

• After sustained public pressure and demands for accountability, the Department of Justice began releasing portions of the Jeffrey Epstein investigative files under the new Epstein Files Transparency Act. Courts and lawmakers compelled disclosure, and while progress has been slow and incomplete, the releases—continuing into late 2025—show how people-powered accountability can force action, even amid resistance and delay. — The Washington Post

🏛️ Supreme Court rejects call to overturn decade old same-sex marriage decision

• The Supreme Court reaffirmed marriage equality by rejecting an effort to overturn its landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. By turning away Kim Davis’s appeal challenging Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court upheld the rule of law and marked a clear step forward for civil rights and dignity for our LGBTQIA+ community. — PBS

⚖️ Criminal charges against Letitia James and James Comey were dismissed by a federal judge

• The criminal cases against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey after finding the interim U.S. attorney who brought the charges was unlawfully appointed, calling the prosecutions legally void. The rulings were widely seen as a rebuke of the Justice Department’s efforts to pursue political opponents under the Trump administration. The Justice Department says it will appeal the decision even as grand juries twice refused to reinstate charges against James. — Reuters

⚡ For the first time, clean power generation exceeded fossil fuels on the U.S. grid in March 2025

• In March 2025, renewable energy sources—solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear—generated more electricity than fossil fuels on the U.S. grid for an entire month, marking a major step forward for clean air and water. The milestone also showed real progress toward breaking America’s long-standing dependence on big oil and gas and accelerating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. —ReutersCanary Media (Also noteworthy: Britain becomes the largest major economy to end new fossil fuel exploration -Greenpeace UK)

Thanks for being here and supporting our efforts to bring good news from the Resistance!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office

• Click here to Investigate Trump’s Christmas Day Bombing of Nigeria

• Click here to Tell Congress: Visit ICE Detention Centers NOW

• Click here to Demand Congress Reject “Trump-Kennedy Center” Rename

• Click here to Ban Guns on College Campuses Nationwide

• Click here to Expand Social Security: Raise the Cap on Social Security Taxes

• Click here to Tell Congress: Stop Fossil Fuel Giveaways—Fund Our Future

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Subscribe now

If you appreciate the hard work we do to generate regular updates on topics like Freedom Over Fascism, Stop & Resist Project 2025, Protect Democracy, Supreme Court Accountability, Protect Our Planet, Immigration Reform, and Progressive Issues, please tip us with Hearts ❤️, comments🗣️, shares 📢, and follow 📌.

Following, sharing, and amplifying People Power United—and other champions for progress—helps grow the people power we need to protect our rights, freedoms, rule of law, and democracy.

Every action matters.
❤️ Like to boost visibility
🗣️ Comment to spark conversation
📢 Share to expand our reach
📌 Follow to stay connected and ready to act

• YouTube

• BlueSky

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Threads

• Linkedin

Thank you for your support. Every action counts, and together we’re turning small steps into real momentum.

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

🙏 Bishop of Providence Leads Public Rosary for Migrants at Wyatt Detention Center

• What does peaceful protest look like in an age of mass detention? The Bishop of Providence led a public rosary outside the Wyatt Detention Center, calling attention to the humanity of detained migrants. Faith leaders and advocates joined to pray and demand compassion over punishment. The action highlights the growing role of moral witness in immigration debates. — GoLocalProv

🚓 Brandeis professor, Unitarian minister among four arrested outside Burlington ICE facility

• Police in Burlington arrested four people Tuesday after they refused to move from the entrance of an ICE facility while attempting to deliver care packages to detainees, according to police and witnesses. Those arrested—ages 58 to 75—were charged with trespassing and disturbing the peace; they included a climate justice minister and a university center director. Supporters said the group was trying to personally deliver food, hats, and bedrolls in response to reports that people inside the facility are often denied basic necessities like bedding, water, and feminine products.— The Boston Globe

🕊️Rule of Law: Human and Civil Rights Wins

🆓Judge extends prohibition on Kilmar Abrego García’s re-detainment

• A federal judge kept in place a temporary order barring the Trump administration from re-detaining Kilmar Abrego García while she considers how to rule, citing concerns he could again be illegally deported. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said she does not trust the administration’s assurances and fears officials could try to take him into custody “in the middle of the night.” She also sharply criticized a Justice Department lawyer for repeated misrepresentations made by the U.S. government. — The Washington Post

🌎People Power in Action: Holding ICE Accountable

✝️ Florida bishops urge Trump to halt immigration enforcement for Christmas holidays

• What happens when faith leaders confront state power? “Florida’s Catholic bishops are calling on US President Donald Trump to halt immigration enforcement activities until after the Christmas holidays.. .‘Such a pause would show a decent regard for the humanity of these families. Now is not the time to be callous toward the suffering caused by immigration enforcement,” the bishops wrote.’ ” The movement reflects growing tension between faith-based advocacy and hardline enforcement policies. It also shows how religion is being mobilized in defense of human dignity. — The Jerusalem Post

⚖️ Congressional Resistance to Executive Branch Abuse

🎭 Lawmaker Sues to Remove Trump’s Name From the Kennedy Center

• A new lawsuit challenges Donald Trump’s effort to add his name to the Kennedy Center, arguing the move violates established governance rules. “Representative Joyce Beatty, Democrat of Ohio, argues that only Congress is authorized to rename the D.C. performing arts institution.” Critics say the action reflects a pattern of politicizing cultural spaces. The case raises broader questions about power, legacy, and public institutions. — The New York Times Democracy Defenders Action

⚕️ Healthcare for All

🧑🏽‍⚕️ Nation’s Pediatricians Go to Court Over Unlawful Health Funding Cuts

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the nation’s leading organization of primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists with 67,000 members, is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The AAP is doing so after HHS abruptly cut nearly $12 million in federal public health funding in retaliation because AAP has spoken out against the administration’s actions that have threatened children’s health. “The Department of Health and Human Services is using federal funding as a political weapon to punish protected speech, trying to silence one of the nation’s most trusted voices for children’s well-being by cutting off critical public-health funding in retaliation for speaking the truth,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The Constitution does not allow the government to punish organizations for defending science, medicine, and children’s lives. This unlawful retaliation puts kids at risk, undermines public health, and threatens free speech itself—and we are going to court to stop them.” — Democracy Forward

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office

• Click here to Demand Congress Reject “Trump-Kennedy Center” Rename

• Click here to Tell Your Governor: Reject the Federal School Voucher Program

• Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders

• Click here to Tell Apple & Google CEOs: End your contracts with ICE NOW.

• Click here to follow us on YouTube

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Will you stand with People Power United on social media?

If you appreciate the hard work we do to generate regular updates on topics like Freedom Over Fascism, Stop & Resist Project 2025, Protect Democracy, Supreme Court Accountability, Protect Our Planet, Immigration Reform, and Progressive Issues, please tip us with Hearts ❤️, comments🗣️, shares 📢, and follow 📌.

Following, sharing, and amplifying People Power United—and other champions for progress—helps grow the people power we need to protect our rights, freedoms, rule of law, and democracy.

Every action matters.
❤️ Like to boost visibility
🗣️ Comment to spark conversation
📢 Share to expand our reach
📌 Follow to stay connected and ready to act

• YouTube

• BlueSky

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Threads

• Linkedin

Thank you for your support. Every action counts, and together we’re turning small steps into real momentum.

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

🫖 Boston rebels against Trump immigration policies with an ‘ICE Tea Party’

• What happens when protest meets symbolism in the middle of a deportation fight? In Boston, immigrant-rights advocates staged a creatively named “ICE Tea Party” to protest deportation flights and demand more humane immigration policies. Organizers used visual symbolism and public gathering to draw attention to enforcement practices they say are unjust and harmful. Speakers emphasized that local communities have power and a responsibility to push back against federal actions that tear families apart. — The Boston Globe

🕯️ A nightly tradition brings light and hope to children at Michigan hospital

• Every night, something quiet but deeply powerful happens outside a Michigan children’s hospital. Families, staff, and supporters gather with candles and lights to show young patients inside that they are not forgotten or alone. The nightly ritual has become a source of comfort for children facing serious illness and a moment of reflection for caregivers and loved ones. What began as a simple gesture has grown into a lasting symbol of collective compassion and resilience. — The Seattle Times

🕊️People Over Power: Human and Civil Rights Wins

🌱 For the first time, Catholic sisters return land to a Tribal nation

• Reparations are often discussed in theory—but in this case, they took tangible form. Catholic sisters returned land to a Native tribal nation, acknowledging the role religious institutions played in Indigenous displacement. The transfer followed years of dialogue, reflection, and moral reckoning. Tribal leaders described the return as a meaningful step toward healing, cultural restoration, and self-determination. “This return represents more than the restoration of land — it is the restoration of balance, dignity, and our sacred connection to the places our ancestors once walked.” — The 19th News

🌎People Power in Action: Holding ICE Accountable

🛑 Kansas tribe ends nearly $30 million deal with ICE

• What does it look like when a community chooses values over profit? A Kansas tribal nation terminated a nearly $30 million contract with ICE to come up with preliminary designs for immigrant detention centers. Tribal leaders cited concerns about sovereignty, moral responsibility, and the harm caused to immigrant families. Advocates say the decision highlights the power of local and tribal governments to reject participation in deportation systems. — The Seattle Times

⚔️ Military lawyer swiftly fired after defying Trump deportation push

• What happens when following the law puts your career at risk? A military lawyer was abruptly fired after refusing to comply with directives tied to Trump’s intensified deportation efforts. “A U.S. Army Reserve lawyer detailed as a federal immigration judge has been fired barely a month into the job after granting asylum at a high rate out of step with the Trump administration’s mass deportation goals .…the Trump administration has fired almost 100 judges viewed as too liberal and over the summer eased rules allowing any attorney, regardless of their legal background, to apply to become what recent recruitment ads refer to as a “Deportation Judge.” The dismissal raised concerns about political interference in legal processes and retaliation against ethical resistance. Experts warn the move could weaken the rule of law. — Military Times

⚖️ State-Led Resistance to Federal Abuse

⚖️ Judge orders Trump to end California National Guard troop deployment in Los Angeles

• A federal judge ordered Trump to halt the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, ruling the move exceeded legal authority. The decision emphasized constitutional limits on executive power and the need for coordination with state officials. California leaders argued the deployment created unnecessary fear and escalated tensions. The ruling stands as a significant check on militarized responses to local governance. — NBC News

✈️ Massachusetts Governor Healey demands Trump halt ICE flights from Hanscom

• Deportation flights are back—and so is community opposition. ICE resumed charter flights from Hanscom Field in Massachusetts, prompting protests from activists and concern from local lawmakers. Critics argue the flights lack transparency, disrupt families, and proceed without meaningful local consent. Governor Healey in a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security wrote “Flying these residents out of state and away from their support systems and legal counsel — often within hours of arrest — is intentionally cruel and purposely obstructs the due process and legal representation they are owed.“ The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and community accountability. — The Boston Globe

💵 Federal Dollars and Equity for All

🪶 A Tribe Gains Federal Recognition, After a Fight Handed Down Over Generations

• After generations of advocacy, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina achieved long-sought federal recognition. The designation affirms the tribe’s sovereign status and opens access to federal healthcare, education funding, and economic resources. Tribal leaders called the decision overdue validation of their identity, resilience, and history. The recognition is expected to strengthen cultural preservation and self-determination for future generations. — The New York Times

👷Movement Wins That Lift Working Families

🛡️ Court Blocks Trump-Vance Administration From Firing Federal Workers in Violation of Federal Law

• A federal court blocked the administration’s attempt to fire federal workers in ways that violated civil-service protections. The ruling prevents mass terminations that would have stripped employees of job security without legal justification. Labor advocates hailed the decision as a crucial defense of worker rights and statutory safeguards. The case reinforces that executive power must operate within the bounds of federal law. — Democracy Forward

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office

• Click here to Demand Congress Reject “Trump-Kennedy Center” Rename

• Click here to Tell Your Governor: Reject the Federal School Voucher Program

• Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders

• Click here to Tell Apple & Google CEOs: End your contracts with ICE NOW.

• Click here to follow us on YouTube

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

If you appreciate the hard work we do to generate regular updates on topics like Freedom Over Fascism, Stop & Resist Project 2025, Protect Democracy, Supreme Court Accountability, Protect Our Planet, Immigration Reform, and Progressive Issues, please tip us with Hearts ❤️, comments🗣️, shares 📢, and follow 📌.

Will you stand with People Power United on social media?

Following, sharing, and amplifying People Power United—and other champions for progress—helps grow the people power we need to protect our rights, freedoms, rule of law, and democracy.

Every action matters.
❤️ Like to boost visibility
🗣️ Comment to spark conversation
📢 Share to expand our reach
📌 Follow to stay connected and ready to act

• YouTube

• BlueSky

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Threads

• Linkedin

Thank you for your support. Every action counts, and together we’re turning small steps into real momentum.

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly delivers stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we’re rising—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy and demand justice.

This is where we celebrate progress: victories in the courts, wins for workers, breakthroughs in climate action, and moments when people everywhere stand up for freedom and fairness.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

✊ Protest Highlights

🪧 Protesters call for feds to stop arresting immigrants at green card appointments

• Around 40 demonstrators gathered in Salt Lake City outside a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office to protest the federal arrest of immigrants during routine green card interviews. Participants chanted that seeking safety should not be treated as a crime and held signs opposing deportations that they say separate families and push people into the shadows. Support from honking drivers and waves from inside the building underscored community solidarity against the recent enforcement actions. — Utah News Dispatch

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

🔥 Climate activists win historic class action lawsuit against victoria police for excessive pepper spray use

• Climate protesters in Melbourne achieved a significant legal victory when a court approved their class action suit against Victoria Police for using excessive capsicum spray during a 2019 environmental demonstration. The case centered on a protester who was twice sprayed and claimed unlawful use of force, highlighting concerns over police tactics against peaceful demonstrators. Advocates say the outcome could influence law enforcement conduct and encourage other activists to pursue similar accountability claims. — EnviroLink Network

💵 State Dollars and Equity for All

👩‍⚖️ Utah repeals ban on collective bargaining for teachers, firefighters and police unions

• Utah’s governor and legislature reversed an earlier ban that had stripped collective bargaining rights from public employee unions representing teachers, firefighters, police and others. The repeal came after sustained opposition from labor groups and thousands of union members who rallied against what many saw as one of the strictest anti-union laws in the country. Reinstating collective bargaining rights is seen as a win for public workers and reflects the power of organized pushback against restrictive labor policies. — The Independent

🕊️Movement Wins for Human and Civil Rights

⚖️ Hennepin County Sets Stage for Racial Justice Reform with New Reparative Justice Task Force

• Hennepin County officials advanced plans to create a Reparative Justice Research Task Force aimed at examining historical racial injustices and outlining actionable remedies for disparities in areas like housing, education, and public services. The initiative, supported unanimously by county leadership, seeks to collaborate with academics and community stakeholders to translate research into policy reform. The task force is expected to serve as a model for other local governments pursuing equity and accountability. — Hoodline

🎓 Equitable Education Opportunities

⚖️ SF Judge to Feds: Stop Stalling on Student Debt Relief

• A federal judge in San Francisco sharply rebuked the U.S. Department of Education for delaying decisions on thousands of borrower-defense student loan claims, ordering the agency to meet court-set deadlines or clear certain debts entirely. The judge refused to grant an open-ended extension, emphasizing that borrowers have already waited too long for relief. This ruling pressures the department to act more quickly on backlog cases and could lead to significant loan discharges for affected borrowers. — Hoodline

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

⚖️ Hospital employee wins verdict after he was fired over ‘biased’ investigation

• A Jackson County jury determined that a longtime Children’s Mercy Hospital employee was wrongfully terminated following a Human Rights investigation that a defense argued was biased and racially motivated. The plaintiff was fired the same day the investigation concluded, without an opportunity to present exculpatory evidence. After a five-day trial, the jury awarded more than $1.26 million in back pay, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. This verdict highlights how perceived discriminatory practices in workplace investigations can be successfully challenged in court. — Missouri Lawyers Media

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Stop Trump from Deploying Troops in U.S. Cities

• Click here to Tell the EPA: Restore Solar for All Funding Now

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Stop Trump from Undermining Social Security

• Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stocks

Will You Share Your Story?

In every generation, some people refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice. At People Power United, we know the most incredible stories of courage don’t come from halls of power but from the people. That’s why we’re launching “Freedom Over Fascism: Voices of the People.” We want your story. Tell us why you stand against kings in America and believe healthcare is a human right—not a privilege for the powerful. Whether in your own words or, even better, on video, share why you believe democracy must serve everyone who calls America home. Together, we’ll uplift these stories to remind lawmakers that they represent the people—not the wealthy, not the well-connected, but all of us who refuse to be silent in the face of injustice. Because when we raise our voices, we prove that the people’s power is greater than those in power.

Share your story

✨ Together we can inspire change!

People Power United is a grassroots group of over 300,000+ members in all 50 states-powered by people like YOU. We champion progress and power to the people.

We believe in change because we make change happen.

Here’s what makes us special:
💡 Grassroots energy: No fundraising, no constant emails asking for donations.
📢 Impact through action: We believe in the possibility of change and do the work to make it happen. We don’t just complain, we make change happen!

Together we can drive progress!

In this community, we will never stay silent in the face of hate or bigotry. We will show up, speak out, and build power against racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and every form of discrimination that seeks to divide and harm our community.

We believe:

• Everyone deserves dignity —with access to housing, healthcare, and education.

• Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive — regardless of age, race, sex, sexual preference, pronouns, religion, or employment status.

• Everyone deserves safety—clean air and water, and communities free from gun violence.

The power is in your hands. Let’s champion freedom over fascism—because our future depends on it.

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

People Power United is a group of community members that champions freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people.

People Power United is community-powered, heart-driven, and people-led. We are powered by people. Not billionaires. Not PACs. Not special interests. Just us. You make that possible. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

• ‘Dairyland, not data land’: Wisconsinites continue to protest data center projects — WPR

• ‘No ICE, no fear’: Dozens protest in New Orleans ahead of Louisiana immigration sweep — WWNO

• Durham High School students demonstrate in opposition to federal immigration policies in North Carolina — WUNC News

🕊️Movement Wins for Human and Civil Rights

• Alvin Brown and Robert Primus — two Black, Senate-confirmed independent agency board members who were unlawfully fired — have amended their lawsuits to add race discrimination claims against the Trump-Vance administration. Their filings come amid mounting evidence that the administration has disproportionately removed Black leaders from independent agencies, rapidly transforming previously diverse boards into overwhelmingly White ones. — Democracy Forward

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

🌊 Underwater Forests Return to Life off the Coast of California, and That Might be Good News for the Entire Planet

• Kelp forests along California’s coast — once devastated by warming waters, sea-urchin booms, and other stressors — are now showing signs of robust recovery thanks to restoration efforts. These kelp beds are reestablishing themselves as rich ecosystems that draw carbon from the water and air, support marine biodiversity, and help stabilize the coastal environment. Scientists and Indigenous collaborators believe this comeback offers hope not just locally, but for global climate resilience. The revival underscores how restoring natural habitats can yield widespread environmental benefits. — Smithsonian Magazine

⚖️ State Resistance to Federal Overreach

• A bipartisan group of 36 state attorneys general urged Congress to reject a federal ban on state AI regulations, warning that AI poses major risks such as scams, deepfakes, and harmful interactions, especially for vulnerable people. States have already passed targeted laws and argue local action is critical. They ask Congress to avoid blocking state protections and instead work with them on regulations that safeguard the public while allowing innovation. — National Association of Attorneys General

💵 Federal Dollars and Equity for All

• A coalition of local governments and nonprofits has gone to court to block the Trump-Vance administration’s newest assault on effective homelessness policy. The administration is imposing unlawful, punitive restrictions designed to strip funding from strategies that actually work and push vulnerable families closer to losing their homes. If allowed to stand, these changes could destabilize hundreds of thousands of people right as winter sets in. — Democracy Forward

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

• Democracy Forward and its co-counsel won a critical victory, securing a temporary restraining order that halts the Trump–Vance administration from illegally firing scores of federal workers. The ruling blocks the administration from defying the very law that ended the recent government shutdown, stopping mass terminations before they could take effect. — Democracy Forward

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Tell the Senate: Save Our Health Care

• Click here to Restore Roe v. Wade Protections Now

• Click here to Tell Congress: Invest In Climate Resilience and Clean Energy

• Click here to Stop Congress from banning AI regulation nationwide

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

🦃Happy Thanksgiving week! Despite the chaos coming out of the Trump administration and the most corrupt, least productive Republican-led Congress in modern history, we still have so much to celebrate. That’s why, instead of our usual once-a-week Good News and Progress from the Resistance, we’re sharing good news and meaningful actions all week long. Even in tough times, our movement is strong, our wins are real, and our collective power is something to be grateful for.

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

We ain’t buying it: Why we boycott Target

• A grassroots coalition is urging consumers to avoid buying from Amazon, Target, and Home Depot over Thanksgiving weekend in protest of policies and actions linked to the Trump administration and its corporate supporters. — AFT

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

📣 COP30: Environmental activists stage mass protest in Belem

• Hundreds of activists, including Indigenous peoples, youth organizers and rural workers, marched through the streets of Belém during the COP30 climate summit to demand urgency and justice in climate action. Symbolic acts such as mourning for fossil fuels, drums, and vibrant banners underscored the energy and solidarity behind grassroots pressure on world leaders. The demonstration highlighted growing discontent with slow institutional diplomacy and the demand for substantive commitments to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems. — DW News

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

🚻 Transgender Federal Worker Sues Trump-Vance Administration Over Federal Bathroom Ban

• A civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard filed a class-action lawsuit challenging a policy that required transgender and intersex federal workers to use restrooms based on “biological sex,” rather than gender identity. The complaint argues the policy is discriminatory under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and bypasses required federal procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit aims to restore dignity and legal protections to transgender federal employees and hold government agencies accountable for enforcing exclusionary rules. — Democracy Forward

📜 Movement Wins for the Rule of Law and Democracy

📂 Democracy Forward Launches Investigation into Potential Government Payments to Former Trump Officials Michael Flynn and Stefan Passantino

• A series of FOIA requests were filed by Democracy Forward seeking records from the Justice and Treasury Departments about possible government-funded payments and communications involving Michael Flynn and Stefan Passantino amid reports of settlement talks. The inquiry aims to uncover whether taxpayer funds were used improperly to benefit former senior aides and to hold government accountable through transparency. This move exemplifies watchdog groups using legal tools to challenge elite impunity and assert that public money should serve the people, not insiders. — Democracy Forward

🕊️Movement Wins for Human Rights

🚨 Legal Advocates Urge California Prosecutors to Launch Criminal Investigations into Unlawful Immigration Actions Against U.S. Citizens in California

• Advocacy groups have called on California prosecutors to open criminal investigations into federal immigration agents accused of violating California laws when targeting U.S. citizens, arguing that immunity cannot shield officers acting outside legal bounds. The letter highlights that the federal government’s refusal to act demands local accountability for harm done to citizens by immigration enforcement operations. It underscores a growing push for state-level oversight of federal immigration tactics and advances the narrative of people-powered justice. — Free Speech For People

People Power Rising

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Tell Congress: Investigate ICE’s “Mass Surveillance Network”

• Click here to sign our petition to Congress: Protect the Oath: Reject Presidential Intimidation Now.

• Click here to Tell the Six Democrats Trump Threatened: We Have Your Back

• Click here to tell Speaker Johnson: Denounce Trump’s Death Threats Against Dems

• Click here to donate to Know-Your-Rights billboards for Occupied Cities

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Tell NBC: Stand With Seth Meyers — Don’t Let Trump Kill Free Speech

• Click here to Reverse SNAP Cuts

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

🦃Happy Thanksgiving week! Despite the chaos coming out of the Trump administration and the most corrupt, least productive Republican-led Congress in modern history, we still have so much to celebrate. That’s why, instead of our usual once-a-week Good News and Progress from the Resistance, we’re sharing good news and meaningful actions all week long. Even in tough times, our movement is strong, our wins are real, and our collective power is something to be grateful for.

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

No Kings Alliance joins ‘We Ain’t Buying it’ economic boycott of major stores

• A grassroots coalition is urging consumers to avoid buying from Amazon, Target, and Home Depot over Thanksgiving weekend in protest of policies and actions linked to the Trump administration and its corporate supporters. — WSBT

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

🏠 New York Lacked an Affordable Housing Portal. So These Teenagers Made One.

• A recently launched online tool seeks to connect renters with rent-stabilized and low-cost housing options, allowing users to search listings more easily and flag suspected scams or illegal rent hikes. While supporters say the site increases transparency and helps tenants navigate a tight market, housing advocates caution that it doesn’t address root problems like limited supply, gentrification, and inadequate rental protections. Many believe real relief will require broader policy changes to expand affordable housing stock and strengthen tenant rights. — The New York Times

🌱 Comptroller Lander recommends pension boards drop BlackRock, Fidelity and PanAgora due to inadequate decarbonization plans

• The New York City Comptroller urged public pension boards to divest from major asset managers — including BlackRock, Fidelity, and PanAgora — citing their failure to present credible plans for transitioning away from fossil fuels. The recommendation argues these firms’ weak environmental commitments pose long-term financial and ethical risks as the world confronts climate change. It underscores a growing push for investment strategies that align with sustainability and social-responsibility criteria. — New York City Comptroller press release

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

✊ Victory: Three oil fields in the North Sea declared illegal

• The Norwegian appeals court ruled that three offshore oil-and-gas development permits were invalid because the state did not sufficiently evaluate their climate and environmental impacts, particularly Scope 3 emissions. Environmental groups hailed the decision as a landmark win for climate accountability and strengthened legal precedent for fossil-fuel scrutiny. The ruling forces the government to re-assess current activities and consider stopping new development without compliance, signalling a shift in how courts treat climate obligations. — Greenpeace International

📜 Movement Wins for the Rule of Law and Democracy

⚖️ Penalties in Trump-Clinton lawsuit: what you need to know

• A federal court ruled against former President Trump in a high-stakes lawsuit filed by Hillary Clinton’s campaign, imposing significant financial penalties for a frivolous suit and election-related claims deemed baseless. The decision sends a strong signal about accountability for spreading misinformation and threatens to set a precedent deterring future political lawsuits based on false allegations. Legal scholars say the ruling could reshape how courts treat politically charged defamation cases going forward. — The Hill

🕊️Movement Wins for Human Rights

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Tell Congress: Investigate ICE’s “Mass Surveillance Network”

• Click here to sign our petition to Congress: Protect the Oath: Reject Presidential Intimidation Now.

• Click here to Tell the Six Democrats Trump Threatened: We Have Your Back

• Click here to tell Speaker Johnson: Denounce Trump’s Death Threats Against Dems

• Click here to donate to Know-Your-Rights billboards for Occupied Cities

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Tell NBC: Stand With Seth Meyers — Don’t Let Trump Kill Free Speech

• Click here to Reverse SNAP Cuts

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

🦃Happy Thanksgiving week! Despite the chaos coming out of the Trump administration and the most corrupt, least productive Republican-led Congress in modern history, we still have so much to celebrate. That’s why, instead of our usual once-a-week Good News and Progress from the Resistance, we’re sharing good news and meaningful actions all week long. Even in tough times, our movement is strong, our wins are real, and our collective power is something to be grateful for.

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

📢 Protestors gather in DC for ‘Remove the Regime’ rally, calling for Trump’s impeachment

• Protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., for the “Remove the Regime” rally, calling for President Trump’s impeachment and removal. — MSNOW

🏠 Victory Against Eviction! 200 Year-Old Horto Community Wins Battle to Stay After 40 Years of Resistance

• A 200-year-old favela community in Rio de Janeiro secured a historic agreement that ends decades of forced-eviction threats and guarantees residents the right to remain, following a 40-year struggle. The agreement, signed with governmental and institutional actors, formalizes the community’s permanence and clarifies land tenure, especially for Black, low-income families in an area facing intense development pressure. While the deal marks a milestone for housing justice and community power, residents remain vigilant about gentrification risks and preserving their autonomy moving forward. — RioOnWatch

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

🌱 Massachusetts Climate Activists Win The First Round, But The Game’s Not Over

• Climate activists in Massachusetts halted a bill passed by the House Energy Committee that would have weakened the state’s 2030 clean-energy goals and cut funding for efficiency programs. Dozens of environmental organizations mobilized to delay the legislation, showing strong grassroots power and pushing back industry-friendly rollback efforts. Although the bill has not yet died, the activist intervention marks a significant step in defending the state’s climate commitments. — Green Energy Consumers Blog

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

🎓 Student debt relief granted to nearly 400 teachers working in New Mexico classrooms

• Working in high-need subject areas, nearly 400 licensed teachers in New Mexico will receive up to $6,000 per year in student-loan repayment in exchange for a two-year commitment to underserved schools. The program focuses on STEM, bilingual education, early childhood, special education and schools serving low-income students, supported by a $4.92 million appropriation for FY 2026. This initiative strengthens teacher retention, reduces financial barriers in education, and advances equity in school staffing. — KOB 4 Eyewitness News

📜 Movement Wins for the Rule of Law and Democracy

🛡️ Tennessee Court Blocks Unlawful National Guard Deployment in Memphis

• A court in Tennessee ruled the gubernatorial decision to deploy the state National Guard to Memphis—initiated after a federal request—was unlawful because it bypassed legislative approval and lacked a formal emergency or request from local authorities. The decision halts the deployment and affirms that even executive leaders must respect state militia laws and civilian oversight. It sends a clear message that militarized policing of American cities without proper legal basis will be challenged. — National Immigration Law Center

🕊️Movement Wins for Human Rights

🏛️Wilmington City Council passes resolution against city collaboration with ICE

• The City Council of Wilmington, Delaware passed a unanimous resolution calling on the city administration to prohibit contracts with companies that collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), signaling a zero-tolerance stance toward local collaboration with federal deportation and immigration-enforcement operations. The resolution builds on prior state-level guidance and aligns local policy with immigrant-rights values, aiming to ensure public funds do not support enforcement that violates due process or human-rights principles. This local ordinance reflects growing municipal resistance to federal immigration-enforcement alliances and emphasizes community protection over punitive compliance. — Delaware Online

People Power Rising

A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to sign our petition to Congress: Protect the Oath: Reject Presidential Intimidation Now.

• Click here to tell Speaker Johnson: Denounce Trump’s Death Threats Against Dems

• Click here to Tell the Six Democrats Trump Threatened: We Have Your Back

• Click here to donate to Know-Your-Rights billboards for Occupied Cities

• Click here to Stop Trump From Helping Wall Street Prey On Retirement Funds

• Click here to Stop Trump’s F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia

• Click here to Demand Spotify drop ICE ads and stop helping the Trump administration’s hate-fueled recruitment now!

• Click here to Tell NBC: Stand With Seth Meyers — Don’t Let Trump Kill Free Speech

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

🦃Happy Thanksgiving week! Despite the chaos coming out of the Trump administration and the most corrupt, least productive Republican-led Congress in modern history, we still have so much to celebrate. That’s why, instead of our usual once-a-week Good News and Progress from the Resistance, we’re sharing good news and meaningful actions all week long. Even in tough times, our movement is strong, our wins are real, and our collective power is something to be grateful for.

Before we dive into the good news this week, I want to start with our Calls to Action. A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to tell Speaker Johnson: Denounce Trump’s Death Threats Against Dems

• Click here to Investigate Torture of Trump Detainees in El Salvador

• Click here to Support Workers, Raise Wages & Protect Unions

• Click here to Reverse SNAP Cuts

• Click here to Stop Trump From Helping Wall Street Prey On Retirement Funds

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Tell Lawmakers to support: MEDICARE FOR ALL

• Click here to Tell Congress: Sign the discharge petition to force a vote on affordable healthcare

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Subscribe now

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

No Kings Alliance is joining We Ain’t Buying It

• The No Kings Alliance is joining We Ain’t Buying It to hold Amazon, Target, and Home Depot accountable for fueling this administration’s attacks on working families. Organizers are asking people to not spend at Amazon, Target, or Home Depot from Nov. 27–Dec. 1. Shop small and local instead. Donate what you save to food justice groups or mutual aid networks.

📜 Movement Wins for the Rule of Law and Democracy

🔍 Judge tosses Comey, James cases after finding prosecutor unlawfully appointed

• A federal judge dismissed the criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James after ruling that the interim U.S. attorney who brought the indictments, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed and lacked legal authority to pursue the cases. Halligan, a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump with no prosecutorial experience, had been installed in part after the previous prosecutor had resisted pursuing the targets. — NPR

🏛️ EXPERTS Act Would Restore and Modernize the Federal Regulatory System, Which Has Been Corrupted by Trump, Courts, and Corporate Lobbyists

• Legislators introduced the EXPERTS Act, backed by a coalition of accountability groups, to overhaul federal rule-making by enhancing transparency, public input, and oversight of corporate influence. The bill seeks to repair a regulatory system weakened by decades of deregulatory roll-backs, court decisions favoring business and agency capture, and diminished public protections. If passed, it would reinvest authority in regulatory agencies to serve the public interest, not just corporate agendas—shifting power toward the people and away from entrenched elites. — Coalition for Sensible Safeguards

🕊️Movement Wins for Human Rights

🥪 For Seattle families facing SNAP loss, new grassroots effort brings relief in Ballard

• Facing the expiration of federal SNAP benefits, community organizers in Seattle’s Ballard area launched an emergency support initiative—donors and volunteers set up a “take-what-you-need” pantry at the farmers market to serve families suddenly at risk of food loss. The rapid response model highlights how local networks fill urgent gaps in the social safety net and keep vulnerable households afloat when policy fails them. The launch signals a broader awakening of community-based action to protect food access and dignity. — KING 5

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

✊ Trump blocked from gutting Voice of America collective bargaining rights

• A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration’s effort to cancel collective bargaining agreements for employees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media and Voice of America, finding the move unlawfully targeted workers’ union representation rights. The executive order that attempted to classify the agency as having a “primary national security function” was ruled invalid, reinforcing protections for federal workers’ rights to organize. This decision marks a major labor victory and boosts morale for public-sector unions defending their collective bargaining power. — Courthouse News Service

🐕 After dog attack, former postal worker wins fight for greater protections, consequences

• The New York Court of Appeals granted a former postal worker relief after a dog attack, overturning New York’s “one-bite rule” and establishing broader liability for dog owners whose animals harm delivery workers. The decision requires proof of negligence rather than prior bites, increasing accountability and protection for service employees. It sets a new legal precedent that may extend to other workplace safety and animal liability cases. — CNYCentral

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance.

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Hey there! I know this week has felt like a deluge of bad news — from the dismantling of the Education Department, to the White House visit from the Saudi prince accused of ordering a journalist’s murder, to the President of the United States instigating death threats against political foes to the biggest gut punch of all: millions of people still bracing for outrageous healthcare cost hikes. And don’t even get me started on the grocery store sticker shock.

But you know me — when others zig, I zag. That’s why I’m dropping our Good News and Progress from the Resistance Digest early. Why? Because now more than ever, we need to keep championing freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. We’re better equipped to do that by tuning out the firehose of hatred and bigotry pouring out of the Trump administration and focusing instead on our movement wins and the ways we can uplift our communities. Also, I wanted to give you a heads-up — all next week we’ll be sharing good news! Thanksgiving is a time to recognize our blessings, and we have plenty to be grateful for despite the ugliness coming out of the White House and Congress.

Before we dive into the good news this week, I want to start with our Calls to Action. A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Tell Lawmakers to support: MEDICARE FOR ALL

• Click here to Tell Congress: Sign the discharge petition to force a vote on affordable healthcare

• Click here to Tell Starbucks CEO: I won’t cross the picket line!

• Click here to Tell the EPA: Restore Solar for All Funding Now

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

🗣️ Protesters rally in San Antonio after federal raid detains over 140 migrants

• A crowd gathered in San Antonio to protest a multi-agency federal raid in which more than 140 migrants were detained, denouncing what they called heavy-handed tactics and a climate of intimidation in immigrant communities. Demonstrators shared personal stories of families disrupted by enforcement, highlighted long-standing fears across administrations, and issued a unified demand for collective action and “people power.” The event underlines that local resistance is alive and responding in real time to authoritarian enforcement operations that target vulnerable populations. — San Antonio Express-News

🗣️ Protesters take to the streets in North Carolina as immigration crackdown in state expands

• Large crowds marched through Raleigh and Durham to oppose expanding federal immigration enforcement, following more than 130 arrests in Charlotte over the weekend. Demonstrators, carrying signs reading “No ICE in our state,” voiced fear and resistance as agents arrived without local coordination, and child-care centers and Latino-owned businesses temporarily shut down in response. The rapid escalation of an authoritarian enforcement operation triggered calls for community solidarity in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. — The Independent

🕊️Movement Wins for Human Rights

✝️ U.S. Catholic bishops call for end to “dehumanizing rhetoric” on immigrants

• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a rare special pastoral message criticizing the prevailing tone and policies toward immigrants, specifically opposing indiscriminate mass deportations and calling for recognition of immigrants’ dignity and contributions. The statement signals a unified moral stand from the Church against rhetoric deemed dehumanizing and urges a shift toward inclusive, rights-based immigration reform. The move underscores the potential of faith-based advocacy in mobilizing resistance to harsh authoritarian enforcement practices. — Axios

🌡️ Bipartisan group of senators calls for release of funding for low-income heating ‘immediately’

• A federal program designed to assist low-income households with home heating bills is facing delays and uncertainty as winter approaches, with fears mounting that shutdowns and staffing cuts will prevent timely aid distribution. “A bipartisan group of senators called on the Trump administration to “immediately” release funds aimed at helping low-income Americans heat and cool their homes.” States are confronting the possibility of utility shut-offs and heating emergencies for vulnerable residents due to stalled funding flows. Advocates warn that without swift federal action, thousands of households may be left without safe heating during the coldest months. — The Hill

🍽️ Utah woman’s grassroots Thanksgiving effort aims to feed 300 families this weekend

• A nonprofit in Utah is partnering with local communities to provide Thanksgiving dinners to at least 300 families, mobilizing donations and volunteers to meet the growing demand from those facing food insecurity this holiday season. “What began years ago as one Utah woman posting online to help a neighbor has grown into a full Thanksgiving operation feeding hundreds of families across the Salt Lake Valley.” Organizers emphasize that food assistance is about more than a meal—it’s a bridge to community support, resilience, and dignity for families under strain. This effort shows how grassroots initiative steps in when systemic need grows, driven by local solidarity and volunteer action. — KSL NewsRadio

📘 Brooks School team publishes new guide to strengthen grassroots advocacy in New York

• A research team at the Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell developed a 175-page guide to support community leaders and emerging advocates navigating state-level policy advocacy in New York. The guide provides practical tools, case examples and transparent frameworks to empower grassroots organizers working towards systemic change. It represents a commitment to strengthening advocacy from the ground up rather than top-down policy alone. — Cornell University

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Hey there! Before we dive into the good news this week, I want to start with our Calls to Action. A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Tell Congress: Release the Epstein Files Now

• Click here to Stop Skyrocketing Costs and Chaos — Pass Medicare for All

• Click here to Tell Starbucks CEO: I won’t cross the picket line!

• Click here to Tell the EPA: Restore Solar for All Funding Now

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

🛍️ ‘We Ain’t Buying It’: Grassroots Groups Mobilize to Boycott Target, Home Depot, and Amazon

• A coalition of grassroots organizations launched a nationwide boycott campaign targeting major retail corporations during Thanksgiving week, accusing them of collaborating with or enabling the current administration’s anti-democratic and discriminatory policies. The campaign urges consumers to redirect their dollars to small, local, historically-marginalized businesses and withdraw support from companies seen as complicit in undermining civic rights and worker protections. It marks a direct use of consumer power as a tool of resistance and a call for economic accountability in the service of democracy. — Cardinal Pine

🌊 A flotilla kicks off the People’s Summit for activists at UN climate talks

• A large group of Indigenous leaders, climate activists and organizers gathered by canoe on Guajará Bay to launch the “People’s Summit” alongside the COP30 climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil. The sea-borne procession symbolized community power and solidarity as negotiators gathered at the official talks. Participants emphasized the importance of centering historically marginalized peoples in climate decision-making and combining spiritual, cultural and policy approaches to resilience. — Associated Press

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

🌍 Climate Protesters Demand to Be Heard as They March on COP30 with Costumes and Drums

• Tens of thousands of activists—including Indigenous leaders, youth organizers and rural workers—marched through the Brazilian city hosting the global climate summit to demand urgent climate justice, bold commitments on fossil fuel phase-out, and respect for land and ecosystem rights. The march featured symbolic actions like a “funeral for fossil fuels,” drumlines, and mass participation despite high heat and humidity, highlighting public resolve in contrast to slow official negotiations. It demonstrated that movement power and community voice are rising at the heart of international climate diplomacy. — Associated Press

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

📣 Norfolk Southern reaches collective bargaining deal with railroad union

• A major freight operator and its union for railroad workers reached a five-year deal covering about 970 employees, delivering an 18.8 % compounded wage increase, earlier paid vacation, better health benefits and work-rule enhancements. This deal finalizes ratification with 12 of the company’s 13 unions and puts the organization well on its way to full contract closure. It signals strong labor leverage in a vital industry and a capacity for meaningful gains despite corporate pressures. — WDBJ7

📜 Movement Wins for the Rule of Law and Democracy

🧑‍🏫 US states, nonprofits sue over Trump rule limiting student loan forgiveness

• A coalition of 21 states has sued the U.S. Dept. of Education over a new rule excluding employers they deem to have a “substantial illegal purpose” from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The states argue this places a politically-linked loyalty test on public-service employment and threatens to cut off loan relief for teachers, nurses, and social-workers. Critics warn the vague “illegal” threshold could disproportionately impact organizations serving immigrants and transgender youth. — Reuters

🕊️Movement Wins for Human Rights

🙏 In honor of a patron saint, Catholic groups pray, protest outside Miami immigration court

• A large inter-faith gathering surrounded the Miami-Dade immigration court where clergy and volunteers recited the names of detained immigrants and called for “Cabrini Pledge” sign-ups to support them. The vigil asserted that community solidarity, not just legal fights, plays a critical role in resisting punitive immigration enforcement. Attendees urged local residents to volunteer with immigration nonprofits and accompany detainees during hearings. — Miami Herald

📣 Immigration crackdown inspires uniquely Chicago pushback that’s now a model for other cities

• Residents of Chicago have organized decentralized, grassroots resistance to a sweeping federal immigration enforcement initiative, employing tactics such as neighborhood patrols, whistle alerts, vendor buy-outs, and rapid response networks. Activists distribute bright orange whistles and mobilize school escorts and bystander filming to disrupt both immigration agents and the atmosphere of fear in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. The approach has drawn national attention as a replicable model for other cities confronting aggressive federal enforcement. — Associated Press

🍽️ SNAP benefits restored as the federal government reopens

• With the end of the U.S. federal government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is once again fully funded and states are instructed to resume full benefit payments this month. Many households that depended on food aid and were caught in the funding disruption are now seeing relief, though timing varies by state. The reinstatement signals a critical short-term victory for families facing food insecurity and community advocates who pushed for immediate action. — CBS News

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Hey there! Before we dive into the good news this week, I want to start with our Calls to Action. A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Tell Trump: Release Emergency Funds to Feed Families Now

• Click here: Governors must stand up to Trump and demand SNAP funding for November.

• Click here to Pass the Remove the Stain Act to advance justice, healing, and reconciliation for those slaughtered at Wounded Knee.

• Click here to Keep Medical Debt Off Credit Reports

• Click here to Tell Starbucks CEO: I won’t cross the picket line!

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly by People Power United shares stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people pushing back against fascism and building a better future. While authoritarians try to divide and silence us, we rise—community by community, action by action—to defend democracy, demand justice, and celebrate progress. From victories in the courts and wins for workers to breakthroughs in climate action and moments of solidarity, this movement reminds the world that power in America belongs to the people, not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarians.

Because resistance isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the American people—those rising together to reject tyranny and defend our democracy.

✊ Rallies & Protests Highlights

🎓 Students and faculty at over 100 US universities protest against Trump’s attacks

• Students across the country mobilized in backlash to the Trump administration’s education policies, voicing concerns about funding cuts, ideological shifts and the future of public schooling. — The Guardian

📣 Hundreds of protesters rebuke Trump’s agenda a year after his election

• In a large, cross-sectional demonstration, activists marked one year since Trump’s return to office by calling out policies on climate, labor, immigration and governance—making clear the grassroots resistance remains active. — The GW Hatchet

🚨Children’s rights activists protested out the new Shein store

• Advocacy groups rallied at the opening of a national retailer’s new store to spotlight concerns around labor conditions, supply-chain transparency and the rights of young workers in fast-fashion industries. — The Islander News

🌎 Movement Wins for the Planet

🌎 Over 100 US leaders to attend Cop30 climate summit as Trump stays away

• Dozens of US state and local leaders will be at talks in Brazil despite President Trump’s refusal to send representatives. — The Guardian

👷 Movement Wins for Workers

👷Worker Wins: A Better Future for Our Families

• A report from the AFL-CIO highlights how organized workers are making major gains—fighting for higher wages, stronger protections and a voice in the economic future of their families amid a turbulent economy. — AFL-CIO

📜 Movement Wins for the Rule of Law and Democracy

🗳️ VICTORY: Groups Successfully Strike Down Provision of Anti-Voter Executive Order

• A coalition of civil-rights and voting-rights organizations successfully challenged a federal executive-order clause designed to suppress voter access, marking a major win for democracy advocates. — Campaign Legal Center

✅ Bridgeport advocates cheer ICE protection resolution

• In Connecticut, advocacy coalitions celebrated the passage of a municipal resolution protecting immigrants from deportation by ICE, marking a local win in the broader fight for sanctuary cities and immigrant rights. — CT Mirror

👩‍⚖️ Judge Permanently Blocks National Guard Deployments to Portland for ICE Protests

• With her temporary block expiring, Judge Karin Immergut said the Trump administration had failed to prove that protesters were hampering President Trump’s policies. — NY Times

🥪 Jury acquits D.C. ‘sandwich guy’ charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent

• Sean Dunn faced a single misdemeanor after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors. — NBC News

People Power Rising

Thanks for joining us for Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance. See you next week!

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

Friends,

I wanted to let you know I’ve been out the past few days mourning the loss of a loved one. It’s been hard—especially because it was unexpected. I had planned to be out all week, but I couldn’t stay silent after the incredible excitement of yesterday’s elections.

Make no mistake—what happened yesterday was the power of the people rising up and reclaiming our democracy from greedy, corrupt leaders who refuse to tackle our rising electricity, food, housing, and insurance costs—or to work across party lines for the good of the people they were elected to serve. What happened across America was a reckoning—a reminder that when we stand together, we can stop the march of tyranny and build a nation rooted in justice, equality, and compassion for all.

Normally, I share Good News and Progress from the Resistance over the weekend. But today, we celebrate progress in real time—because resistance isn’t just about fighting back, it’s about moving forward. Together, we are writing the story of progress, one act of people power at a time.

And this victory belongs to all of us—everyone who worries about feeding their family, finding a decent home, building a better life, and protecting their dignity from the greedy and corrupt who seek to take it away. This moment validates what we believe every day at People Power United: when we show up, speak out, and build power together, we can ensure everyone in our community has the resources to thrive and live with dignity.

Special Edition: Good News and Progress from the Resistance

Georgia Fights for Affordable Energy

Georgia voters ousted two Republican utility commissioners, replacing them with Democrats promising fair rates and transparency.

“This win is for every volunteer who knocked on doors, made calls, donated, shared our message, and every voter who believed that accountable leadership and affordable energy are worth fighting for.” — Alicia Johnson race winner, Times Free Press

Virginia Makes History

• First woman elected governor of Virginia: Abigail Spanberger won with over 57% of the vote, declaring in her victory speech:

“We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos.” — Washington Post

• First Muslim and Indian-origin lieutenant governor: Ghazala Hashmi won with 55% of the vote, saying:

“This was possible because of the depth and breadth of the opportunities made available in this country and in this commonwealth.” — Firstpost

New York Elects First Muslim Mayor

Zohran Mamdani became New York City’s first Muslim mayor, winning with more than 50% of the vote.

“This will be an age where New Yorkers expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve, rather than a list of excuses for what we are too timid to attempt.” — New York Theater

Detroit Elects Its First Woman Mayor

Mary Sheffield made history as Detroit’s first woman elected mayor, winning with over 77% of the vote. Her victory, like Spanberger’s, sends “a message to the whole world”—that voters are choosing progress over partisanship. — The Guardian

California Defends Democracy

Californians overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50 with 63% of the vote, striking back at Republican redistricting games. In his remarks, Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of voter intimidation and declared:

“In the U.S., there are no crowns, no thrones, no kings...the passage of Proposition 50 was a win for the U.S., not just the Democratic Party.” — C-SPAN

Maine Rejects Voter Suppression

Mainers stood up to Republican efforts to impose harsh voter ID and ballot restrictions—Question 1 failed with over 63% voting no.

“It’s a great result tonight, but it’s really a great result for the people of Maine who have demonstrated their confidence in the security and safety of our elections.” — David Farmer — Maine Public

Colorado Votes to Feed Every Child

Colorado voters approved Proposition LL/MM with 64% of the vote, ensuring funding for free school meals over refunds to taxpayers.

“I was one of those children that needed free and reduced lunch, and I hated it... The most important job as an adult is to take care of the society that’s coming up behind me.” — Jacqueline Beltran community member, Colorado Public Radio

People Power Rising

✨ These victories are proof that when we organize, we win. When we vote, we lead. And when we believe in one another, we make history. Together, we are the resistance—and the renewal.

Today’s Calls to Action

• Click here to Tell the EPA: Restore Solar for All Funding Now

• Click here to Tell Congress: Investigate Trump’s Revenge Committee

• Click here to Tell the Supreme Court to Enforce the New Ethics Code

• Click here: Congress Must Pass a War Powers Resolution to Prevent War with Venezuela!

• Click here: Governors must stand up to Trump and demand SNAP funding for November

• Support our work by upgrading your subscription or gifting to someone

Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United

What We’ve Built Together at People Power United

✅ Thousands of bold actions taken daily to protect our rights and freedoms
✅ A growing community of over hundreds of thousands of members across all 50 states
✅ Ranked in the Top 100 on Substack for both “On the Rise” and “Bestseller” in U.S. Politics

💥The largest grassroots movement in America with zero outside funding—powered entirely by the people. Led by everyday Americans who are visible, vocal, and unafraid.

🌟 Power belongs to us—not billionaires or corrupt politicians. Become a monthly People Power United subscriber and power the movement for freedom over fascism, progress, and power to the people. Subscribe for free to stay informed — or go paid to help build grassroots change and fuel people-powered resistance.

Subscribe now