In recent months, we have witnessed a growing amount of government overreach. We’ve seen college students abducted from their campuses and placed in immigrant detention without due process. We’ve also seen the federal government threatening to revoke an institution’s tax-exempt status simply for refusing to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

While some of these actions are unprecedented, they are also a reminder of past periods of political repression in the United States. It’s clear that we must fight back. Whether it’s organizers taking to the streets or philanthropists leveraging their resources to fund movements, the repression will not simply go away, but we have to do our part to fight back. 

In today’s Race + Power newsletter, we look at how racial justice leaders across the country are fighting back. First, we take a look at how foundations are responding at this moment to federal cuts. Next, writer María Constanza Costa’s piece examines the way Arab and Muslim advocates are fighting back against federal oppression. Then, Elizabeth Aguilera’s article offers insight into how immigrants are organizing and what allies can do to help. Finally, we revisit Liz Vinson’s article about the New York’s Immigrant Defense Project.

Thanks for reading,

Rebekah Barber
Staff Writer, NPQ