📢 Political Violence Is a Threat to Us All (Part 3)
🗽A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny. Throughout history, Americans have faced corruption, injustice, and authoritarian overreach. And every time, we fought back.
Friends, today we continue our deeper dive into how political violence endangers everyone.
In the first part of this series, we learned a core truth of democracy: no government can punish you without a fair trial.
Yet each day, we see friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and community members punished in the United States without trials.
Ask yourself:
Is President Trump—and Republicans in Congress—working across party lines to pass laws through debate and consensus?
Or are they trying to silence those who disagree with them through threats, intimidation, and punishment outside the rule of law?
The Beating Heart of Democracy
The First Amendment is the lifeblood of American democracy.
It protects five essential freedoms—speech, press, assembly, petition, and faith—that together form the foundation of a government by the people.
Without them, there is no democracy, only chaos, corruption, and tyranny.
Today, these freedoms are under direct assault by those who believe fear and violence—yes, threats and intimidation are acts of violence—can silence the majority.
The evidence of President Trump’s assault on our First Amendment is chilling:
Barring the Associated Press. Trump conditioned Associated Press access on obedience to his chosen words, declaring, "We are gonna keep them out until such time that they agree that it's the Gulf of America. We're very proud of this country, and we want it to be the Gulf of America." (Politico) This turned routine press access into a demand for loyalty and conformity.
Executive Order 14290 targeting NPR and PBS. Acting without congressional approval, Trump issued this order to defund outlets he claims lack "unbiased coverage." The order specifically targeted NPR and PBS, accusing them of failing to provide "fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage." (White House) By tying funding to editorial content, Trump punishes independent journalism and rewards those who echo his narrative.
Jimmy Kimmel and the FCC. After comedian Jimmy Kimmel criticized MAGA activists for politicizing the murder of Charlie Kirk, Trump's FCC chair, Brendan Carr, warned broadcasters, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way—these companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead." (CNN) Carr's threat turned a late-night monologue into a real-time test of allegiance for Trump, forcing broadcasting affiliates to choose between compliance and the risk of regulatory retaliation.
Defamation Suits as Weapons. Trump has also launched massive defamation lawsuits—such as a $15 billion claim against The New York Times—widely viewed as attempts to bully journalists into silence. (Reuters) These suits are less about winning in court than testing who will bow and who will resist, pushing journalists, media owners, and even elected officials to choose between principle and personal safety.
Defending Free Speech for All
Tonight's message is not only about Trump's attacks on the First Amendment.
I have said this before and will repeat it:
I may disagree with far-right voices, but I will defend their freedom of speech and right to assemble.
If they denounce violence, threats, and harassment, they deserve the same protections.
No one should fear speaking on a college campus, practicing their faith in a church, synagogue, or mosque, or simply going about their daily life.
Political violence has no home in a democracy that champions liberty and justice for all.
Our Response: Courage Over Fear
Political violence thrives when people stay home, keep their heads down, and surrender their voices. Democracies rarely fall in one dramatic coup—they wither through millions of quiet surrenders.
The answer is not to retreat but to get louder with organizing and fearless solidarity. When a journalist is threatened, share their reporting. When a clinic is attacked, escort patients. When public officials are harassed, pack the next meeting with overwhelming support.
The First Amendment does not belong to politicians or billionaires—it belongs to you and me.
Bottom Line:
Political violence is a direct attack on our freedoms and the very idea of democracy. Progress means progress—advancing justice and equality without harming those who disagree. By standing together, speaking out, and organizing for peaceful solutions, we can protect our rights, reject fear, and keep power where it belongs: with the people. Political violence seeks to privatize fear; our task is to socialize courage and prove that the people will always speak louder than intimidation.
Today’s Call to Action
Likes, hearts, comments, and shares are always appreciated!
Click here to Tell ABC: Resist Censorship. Don't Let Trump Silence Kimmel.
Click here to Unequivocally Denounce All Political Violence
Click here to Tell the Supreme Court Racial Profiling is Unconstitutional
Click here to Tell Congress to Pass the Billionaires Income Tax
Click here to Tell Trump: Stop Criminalizing Homelessness
Click here to Tell Congress: Unmask ICE Officers Now
On October 18th, we rise together. From coast to coast, millions will send one message loud and clear: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. This is more than a slogan—it’s a declaration of defiance and a promise to defend democracy. When Trump sends troops to silence dissent, threatens to erase our votes, or bargains away our lives for his billionaire donors, we will not be silent. We will not surrender our future. Power belongs to the people.
Find an event near you by clicking here. Don’t see your city? Check back soon—new events are added all the time. Or click here to sign up and host your own. And for anyone wondering, if your city isn’t listed yet, just keep checking or start your own event today!
A core principle of all No Kings events is nonviolent action. Participants are expected to de-escalate conflicts, act lawfully, and never bring weapons—legal or otherwise.
Thanks for taking action!
People Power United Updates
Our group is growing by leaps and bounds! Folks understand that with love in our hearts ❤️ and hard work, we will reclaim our nation from cruelty, chaos, and confusion. In case you missed it, this past week was busy:
In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been making updates to the website. My deepest apologies if you recently landed on a page with a broken link. We’re working hard to catch up with all the changes—thank you so much for your patience!
✨ Together we can inspire change!
People Power United is a grassroots group with 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!
In this community, we will never stay silent in the face of hate or bigotry. We stand up and speak out 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.
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, preferred 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.
FYI
Please note that when People Power United uses the word “fight” in writing, online, or in speech, we mean to advocate fiercely, never to incite or support violence. We do not condone violence in any form, nor do we promote breaking the law.
Our work is rooted in peaceful advocacy through exercising our constitutional rights: voting, free speech, peaceful assembly, rallies, protests, and acts of civil disobedience. We use these tools to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and our democracy. And together, we will win.
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), People Power United
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progress and power for the people.
People Power United is community-powered, heart-driven, and people-led. You make that possible.
🔥 Join us on the front lines:
➡️ Speak Out – Check out our latest calls to action
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💙💙💙
Courage and kindness are contagious. Everyone - Join your community with the next National peaceful protest on Saturday, Oct 18. Unite to Fight: CORRUPTION, INCOMPETENCE and DESTRUCTION. PERSIST: Rally, Protest, Resist to Remove the Regime. REWARDS: will be Renewal, Unity, Rebirth to Rebuild. This is an All Hands on Deck day (bring your kids, parents, etc.) We can do this. 🫶