Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance
Friends, if you need a reminder that good things are still happening in this country, I’ve got some good news for you!
This week, communities across all 50 states came together for more than 3,000 planned No Kings: Vote Early events, showing the power of grassroots organizing and civic participation.
A federal judge protected journalists’ access to the White House, while another dismissed a lawsuit challenging New York City’s sanctuary protections. And in Ohio, school bus drivers showed what solidarity can accomplish, securing a new contract after nearly two weeks on strike.
Different communities. Different challenges. One powerful reminder: When people organize, stand together, and refuse to give up, progress is possible.
There is still so much worth believing in. And the people are still rising.
🗽 Wins for Freedom Over Fascism
More than 3,000 No Kings: Vote Early events bring communities together nationwide.
On October 17, communities across all 50 states participated in No Kings: Vote Early, a nationwide mobilization focused on voting rights and civic participation. Organizers planned more than 3,000 events, including community gatherings, marches, concerts, and activities encouraging eligible Americans to vote early ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Organizers and volunteers brought voter education and participation into neighborhoods, cities, and small towns. The New York Times
Why we're celebrating: Thousands of grassroots events demonstrated the reach of community organizing and helped make voting information and opportunities more visible. The mobilization brought people together around exercising their democratic rights.
Federal judge protects journalists’ access to the White House.
On October 14, a federal judge extended an injunction protecting journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico against exclusion from the White House press pool. The court found constitutional problems with restrictions based on the administration’s objections to their reporting. The injunction preserves access while the case continues, although the government plans to appeal. NPR
Why this matters: A free press must be able to question people in power without being punished for critical coverage. Protecting independent journalists helps protect the public’s right to know what its government is doing.
🫶 Wins for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit attacking New York City’s sanctuary protections.
On October 15, a federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging New York City’s sanctuary laws, which limit how city agencies participate in federal immigration enforcement. The court concluded that the federal government had not established a sufficient legal basis to invalidate those policies. The decision preserves the city’s existing protections, although it does not prevent federal immigration authorities from enforcing federal law independently. The Guardian
What this victory makes possible: Communities should not automatically be required to turn local public employees and resources into an extension of federal immigration enforcement. The ruling protects important limits on federal power and local decision-making.
✊ Wins for Labor Rights
Ohio school bus drivers win new contract after nearly two weeks on strike.
School bus drivers represented by OAPSE Local 184 reached a four-year agreement with First Student Transportation. The drivers serve Cincinnati’s Princeton School District and had raised concerns about wages, affordable healthcare, and retaining experienced staff. Their nearly two-week strike brought attention to working conditions for employees who transport thousands of children. AFSCME
People power delivers: The drivers stood together to demand better treatment and secured a negotiated agreement. Their organizing shows that workers providing essential community services have collective power to push employers toward better conditions.
There is still so much worth believing in.
More than 3,000 No Kings: Vote Early events were planned nationwide, bringing communities together around voting rights and civic participation. A federal judge protected journalists’ access to the White House, while another upheld New York City’s sanctuary protections. And in Ohio, school bus drivers demonstrated the power of solidarity by securing a new contract after nearly two weeks on strike.
Different victories, one powerful reminder: When people organize, stand together, and refuse to give up, progress happens. Share this good news with someone who needs a reminder that progress is still possible.
If this post informed you, moved you, or gave you something worth passing on, please tap ❤️, leave a comment, or share it with someone who should see it. Every interaction helps more people find this work and helps us build people power together.
Progress happens because people refuse to give up.
Friends, this week’s victories remind us that progress comes in many forms.
Sometimes it looks like thousands of communities coming together to defend voting rights and encourage civic participation. Sometimes it is a court protecting press freedom or upholding a city’s right to set its own policies. And sometimes it is school bus drivers standing together for nearly two weeks until they secure a better contract.
These victories did not happen by accident. They happened because people organized, challenged abuses of power, stood together, and refused to give up.
Not every victory is permanent. Not every challenge has ended. But every step forward matters, and every victory reminds us that people power can make a difference. Join us to advocate for freedom over fascism, progress over fear, and power to the people.
Laurie Woodward Garcia, (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests) Leader, People Power United
I really like the new look of the newsletter. Keep up the great work Lori. We are all fighting together.
Cheers to the judge who dismissed the DHS’ attack on New York City