Resist & Rising Together Weekly: Good News and Progress from the Resistance
🗽 Wins for Freedom Over Fascism
Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s “loyalty question” for federal job applicants. A federal judge stopped the government from requiring applicants for nonpolitical civil-service jobs to explain how they would advance Trump’s policies and executive orders. This is a win for democracy because career public servants should be chosen for their qualifications and commitment to serving the public, not for demonstrating political loyalty to a president. (Bloomberg Law)
🫶 Wins for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Fourth Circuit rejects Trump administration’s no-bond ICE detention policy. A federal appeals court ruled that the administration cannot automatically detain longtime immigrants without giving them a chance to seek release on bond, marking the policy’s ninth appellate defeat. This is a major due-process win because people who have lived in the United States for years should not be locked away indefinitely without an individualized hearing before a judge. Politico
Judge orders government to bring deported Houston woman back to the United States. A federal judge ordered officials to return Marcela Linda Arias, a longtime Houston resident who was deported to Nicaragua even though a pending immigration motion should have paused her removal. This is a powerful due-process win because immigration authorities do not get to ignore legal protections and then make the consequences irreversible by putting someone on a plane. (Houston Chronicle)
🌎 Wins for Protecting Our Planet
Court rejects Trump administration order forcing Michigan coal plant to stay open. A federal appeals court ruled that the Energy Department overstepped its emergency authority when it prevented the planned retirement of Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant. This is a major win for clean energy, consumers, and the rule of law because the government cannot invent an emergency to keep aging, polluting coal plants operating. (Earthjustice)
💗 Wins for Reproductive Freedom for All
Appeals judges question attempt to restrict abortion-pill access nationwide. A Fifth Circuit panel sharply questioned Louisiana’s attempt to overturn federal rules allowing mifepristone to be prescribed through telehealth and dispensed by mail, including whether the state has standing to bring the case. There is no final ruling yet, but this is encouraging news because current access remains in place while another attempt to impose nationwide abortion restrictions is facing serious judicial skepticism. (Ms. Magazine)
✊ Wins for Labor Rights
Nearly 1,900 video-game workers win historic union contracts with protections against AI and layoffs. Workers across Blizzard Entertainment ratified the first contracts covering teams behind World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and other major games, securing wage improvements, job protections, remote-work provisions, grievance rights, and a requirement that management bargain over workplace use of artificial intelligence. This is a major labor win because workers are proving that even in rapidly changing technology industries, employees can organize and claim a voice over how AI, layoffs, and workplace policies affect their livelihoods. (PC Gamer)
💥 Your Power in Action: Take Action on Democracy, Accountability, War Powers, and Civil Liberties
Find actions, volunteer opportunities, and organizations working on democracy, government accountability, immigrant rights, labor rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and civil liberties.
♿ Take Action» Tell Congress: Disabled Veterans Are Not Budget Bargaining Chips
🧒 Take Action» Submit a public comment: Stop the Trump administration from dismantling Head Start
📬 Take Action» Demand the plan to block election ballots be rescinded
💚 Take Action» Become a citizen co-sponsor of the Green New Deal for Health
📍 Find a No Kings: Vote Early event near you
🙋 Host a No Kings: Vote Early event (Can’t find an event near you? Step up and bring one to your community.)
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What we do encourage is supporting worthy organizations and campaigns doing meaningful work for peace, economic justice, immigrant rights, labor rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and democracy.
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Why the Grassroots Resistance Can’t Wait
People Power United members believe change is possible because we have seen ordinary people rise, organize, and be a force for progress. Real change does not come from waiting politely, staying quiet, or hoping those in power suddenly grow a conscience. It comes when we the people speak out, show up, and demand action—because our communities and families cannot wait, and every moment we delay gives injustice more room to tighten its grip on our communities.
Thanks for taking action!
For years, we’ve used this GIF to say thank you for taking action and will continue to do so. Dolly reminded us what it looks like to lead with kindness, generosity, courage, and love. She used both her voice and her actions to make the world a little better for the people around her. May we honor that example by opening our hearts, showing up for one another, and choosing every day to leave this world better than we found it.
This week, courts checked abuses of power, immigrant families won important due-process protections, workers secured stronger contracts, and communities defended clean air and reproductive freedom. None of these wins happened by accident. They happened because people organized, challenged injustice, stood together, and kept going even when the odds were stacked against them.
Power belongs to the people who show up, speak out, stand together, and build the power to hold our leaders accountable to the people they serve.
Laurie Woodward Garcia
(paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
Leader, People Power United
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🗽 America at 250: Liberty, Justice, and Building Power to the People
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Done. Sent all the letters