Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance
Each week, Resist & Rising Together Weekly brings together stories of courage, creativity, and collective power from people using the courts, organizing their workplaces, protecting their communities, and building institutions that defend rights and expand opportunity.
This week brought fresh reminders that progress does not depend on one institution or one moment. Courts checked government power, immigrant-rights advocates won new protections, communities defended treasured public lands, reproductive healthcare access expanded, and workers used collective action to secure stronger protections.
🗽 Wins for Freedom Over Fascism
A federal judge blocked the government from using anti-terrorism money to force changes to election rules. A federal court ruled September 28 that the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA could not condition public-safety grants on states and local governments adopting federal election requirements. The ruling means communities can continue receiving anti-terrorism funding without being compelled to alter their election procedures. Brennan Center for Justice
Federal judge temporarily protects nearly $56 million in housing-counseling grants. On October 1, a judge blocked the Department of Housing and Urban Development from immediately canceling grants supporting homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, and rental counseling while a legal challenge proceeds. The order keeps the funding available for now while the court considers claims that the cancellations violated federal law and constitutional protections. NC Newsline
🫶 Wins for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Federal court strikes down ICE’s courthouse-arrest policy nationwide. A federal judge ruled October 1 against a policy that permitted civil immigration arrests in and around immigration courthouses. The ruling restores restrictions on courthouse enforcement, with limited exceptions, so people can attend immigration proceedings without the same threat of being arrested simply for appearing in court. NYCLU
A second federal judge blocks the administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee. On October 1, a federal judge ruled that the administration had not followed required rulemaking procedures when imposing the dramatically increased fee on new H-1B visas. The decision follows an earlier ruling against the policy and prevents the fee from taking effect while the legal dispute continues. Democracy Forward
🌎 Wins for Protecting Our Planet
Justice Samuel Alito steps aside from major Supreme Court climate case. On September 28, Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, a closely watched case over whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue state-law claims against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil for alleged climate-related harms. Alito gave no public explanation for stepping aside. He does not own stock in either company involved in the case, but financial disclosures show holdings in other oil companies, and advocacy groups had urged his recusal. The case could affect dozens of similar lawsuits brought by state and local governments seeking to hold fossil-fuel companies accountable for alleged climate deception and resulting costs. NY Times
Judge temporarily halts border-wall construction in the Big Bend region. A federal judge ordered a pause on construction and ground disturbance connected to border infrastructure in and around Texas’ Big Bend region after residents and environmental advocates challenged federal waivers of environmental and historic-preservation laws. The court found the challengers were likely to succeed on at least one claim and faced irreparable harm without an injunction. The Guardian
💗 Wins for Reproductive Freedom for All
California expands reproductive healthcare access through a new package of laws. Nine measures signed September 27 expand reproductive and maternal healthcare, including medication-abortion access at community colleges when funding is available, broader scopes of practice for qualified healthcare professionals, and additional support for perinatal and postpartum care. Governor of California
California strengthens protections for reproductive healthcare patients and providers. Additional legislation signed into law strengthens safeguards for sensitive health information and protections against certain out-of-state efforts targeting reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare that is legal in California. The measures take effect January 1, 2027. California DOJ
✊ Wins for Labor Rights
Unions secure a settlement reversing mass-firing orders for federal workers. Labor unions announced September 28 that they had reached a settlement resolving litigation over reduction-in-force notices issued during the 2025 government shutdown. Earlier court orders had blocked the firings and required reinstatement where employees had already been separated. The settlement withdraws the challenged firing orders. SEIU
More than 1,000 apartment-building workers reach a tentative agreement after preparing to strike. Workers represented by 32BJ SEIU in New York’s mid-Hudson Valley reached a proposed four-year contract providing a $4 hourly wage increase, continued employer-funded healthcare and pensions, and preservation of overtime protections. The agreement still requires worker ratification. Times Union
Power belongs to people who use the tools available to them: organizing, litigation, public participation, collective bargaining, and persistent community advocacy.
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Progress rarely arrives all at once. This week, it looked like courts placing limits on government power, immigrants gaining stronger protections in court, communities defending public lands, patients gaining greater access to reproductive healthcare, and workers using collective power to protect their jobs and improve their livelihoods.
These victories came through lawsuits, organizing, legislation, community advocacy, and workers standing together. Different people used different tools, but the lesson running through every story is the same: progress happens when people refuse to surrender their voice or their power.
Laurie Woodward Garcia
(paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
Leader, People Power United
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Thank you! I'm so tired of the fight. It's everyday survival, surviving attitudes, outright aggression. You have tons of courage. I am thankful for you!