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Hi John,
ACLU People Power is the ACLU’s grassroots community of volunteers and organizers who are mobilizing and fighting to defend and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all. In May, we took bold action across the country: from protesting Congressional cuts to Medicaid and other vital public programs to calling on state and local leaders to use their power to protect their constituents from an aggressive federal agenda.
We’re proving every day: When people show up, change happens.
At the ACLU, we know that this is a movement – not a moment. That means we have to keep showing up – and that’s exactly what we will do, together.
Learn more about some of what we achieved last month:
ACLU IN THE STREETS: ACTION HIGHLIGHTS
MEDICAID | NATIONWIDE
When Congress tried to strip health coverage from millions of low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, 29 People Power volunteers showed up for a grueling 26-hour committee hearing – and stayed all night.
As part of the latest federal budget bill, the Congressional Budget Office reports that the proposed cuts to Medicaid could hurt over 8 million people who rely on these public programs .
Our volunteers were there to say: Not on our watch.
“We will be here for as long as it takes - all night or all week- to stop Congress from making massive cuts that would take health care away from millions of people, including those with disabilities.” - Amanda Rivera, ACLU activist, outside the Energy & Commerce Committee at 4 am.
And as the fight to protect Medicaid moves to the Senate, our volunteers will be there. We’re not backing down.
People Power Activists wear blue shirts that say ''Protect Medicaid'' while attending the Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing. [[link removed]]
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS | COLORADO
64 People Power volunteers joined the ACLU of Colorado and called 625 Coloradans – mobilizing crucial support for SB25-276, a major bill to strengthen constitutional rights protections for immigrant families. The result? It passed, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed it into law.
That’s the power of grassroots action, amplified.
FREEDOM TO BE | DC
Outside the U.S. Supreme Court, our activists transformed art into power with Freedom To Be [[link removed]] – an installation that serves as a powerful, living testament to trans resilience, community, and joy. The monument is also a bold act of resistance to transphobia, trans erasure, and anti-trans legislation that comes on the heels of pending decisions in the U.S. v. Skrmetti Supreme Court case.
One attendee called the day “remarkable” – and we couldn’t agree more.
Our volunteers collected 400+ petition signatures and signed up 90+ new People Power volunteers ready to join the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
“We had amazing volunteers at Freedom to Be and enjoyed celebrating the resiliency of trans folks.” - Bernice Lauredan, ACLU People Power Organizer
People Power Volunteers visit the Freedom To Be Monument in Washington D.C. [[link removed]]
SMART JUSTICE | MINNESOTA
In a historic win, Minneapolis became the third city in the U.S. to protect people impacted by the justice system from discrimination. After a year of coalition work and dedicated organizing during which ACLU People Power activists sent out over 946 texts, the Justice Equity Coalition – co-championed by ACLU of Minnesota – secured a city council vote that recognized justice-impacted status as a protected class.
This is what it looks like when local action leads to real, lasting policy change.
WHAT’S NEXT: SHOW UP AND FIGHT BACK
People Power activists stand outside of the Office of Personnel Management in Washington D.C. in solidarity with fired federal workers. [[link removed]]
This work doesn’t stop here – and neither do we.
If you’re feeling fired up, here’s how you can plug into action right now and in the weeks ahead:
DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS: JOIN OUR NO KINGS KYR TRAINING
Every month our ACLU activists gather on our action calls to hear how we’re mobilizing and how we’re winning. Make sure you RSVP to our May Action call now—you don’t want to miss it! Missed our April People Power Action call? No worries—catch the recording here [[link removed]] and hear how we're supporting affiliates, building people power, and mobilizing our communities for the fights ahead.
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RSVP HERE [[link removed]]
PREPARE YOUR COMMUNITY: JOIN A CALL ON ATTACKS ON THE RULE OF LAW
The Trump administration is attacking the courts, law firms, and our justice system. Join our friends at the Progressive State Leaders Committee and Democracy Forward for a national strategy call on how we can fight back. This event will feature state and national leaders including state Attorneys General Kathy Jennings (DE), Kwame Raoul (IL), and Matt Platkin (NJ), along with Skye Perryman (Democracy Forward) and ACLU’s own Cecillia Wang.
Note: this link will take you to a third-party website.
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RSVP HERE [[link removed]]
SAVE MEDICAID
The U.S. House just passed a budget that opens the door to massive cuts to Medicaid – threatening vital health care access for millions of low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. And the Senate is now taking up the bill. We must speak out. There’s no time to wait: Send a message to Congress and tell them to protect Medicaid at all costs.
CLICK HERE [[link removed]]
PROTECT FREE SPEECH
ICE has arrested students like Mahmoud Khalil in retaliation for exercising his protected First Amendment rights. The Trump administration is trying to silence dissent – and we won’t let them. We must draw a line in the sand: Tell Congress to defend our right to free speech and vote NO on any bill that would punish noncitizens for exercising their constitutional freedoms.
CLICK HERE [[link removed]]
VOLUNTEER
If you’re ready to get active and get involved, now is the time to sign up and volunteer. Join our community of activists organizing for immigrant rights, gender justice, and civil liberties nationwide. Whether you’re phone banking, textbanking, or showing up in person – we need you. Sign up today and join our activist community!
CLICK HERE [[link removed]]
People Power Activists stand outside of the Supreme Court holding signs that say ''Freedom to Be Ourselves'' and ''Protect Trans Youth.'' [[link removed]]
Let’s keep building, showing up, and winning together.
In solidarity,
– ACLU People Power
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