This week, Ezra’s introducing a new day of action to fight GOP attempts to rig
maps and steal the House majority. Then, we have more ways to fight Trump's
takeover and help spread contagious courage!

Hey folks,

Cowardice is easy to find. I’m on the hunt for courage.

We all see Trump shaking down media companies, universities, law firms,
and businesses -- and now moving to militarize and control DC (more on
that as the situation develops). When you’re dealing with a mob boss like
that, cowardice is the easy move. That short-term self-preservationist
thinking is why we have Paramount, Paul Weiss, Columbia University, and
others buckling under pressure.

So I’m looking for leaders who are doing the hard thing. I want to see and
celebrate courage not just because this makes me feel good, but because
quiet, unnoticed courage doesn’t spread or build. Sure, courage is
contagious, but the contagion could use a boost.

Last week, [ [link removed] ]I wrote about the courage of Texas House Democrats breaking
quorum and the need for blue states to fight back. This week, I’m happy to
celebrate some courage that’s catching on. 

Not only are the Texas Democrats still refusing to budge in the face of
threats from their state, the White House, and the FBI, but Dem leaders in
other states are backing them up:

* Illinois Governor JB Pritzker welcomed most of the Texas Dems to his
state and [ [link removed] ]ridiculed the empty threat of FBI arrest. “I welcome the
FBI coming to the state. I hope they take in the State Fair.”
* California Governor Gavin Newsom also welcomed some of the Texas Dems
to his state, and [ [link removed] ]described the moment as an “existential crisis to
democracy,” promising to respond in kind with his own mid-decade
redistricting.
* Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey hosted some Texas lawmakers,
[ [link removed] ]calling the Republican plot “a partisan, craven, political power
grab attempt by the President of the United States.”
* New York Governor Kathy Hochul hosted some of the Texas Dems, as well,
and [ [link removed] ]accused the Republicans of implementing a plan to “drag us
towards authoritarianism,” while also promising her own redistricting
response.

It’s so bad that the introverts are here, too. As much as I like to hear
fighting words from high-profile politicians, I want to turn your
attention to a different detail that struck me this week. It came from
Gene Wu, the little-known Texas House Dem leader who is helping lead the
charge.

Wu describes himself this way: “I am very, very much an introvert. I
prefer to not talk to people if at all possible.” [ [link removed] ]The Washington Post
reported that his “leg shook almost uncontrollably with nerves recently as
he spoke to reporters.” And yet, Wu is parlaying with governors, party
leaders, and national press throughout this crisis.

Courage does not mean you don’t have fear, and it doesn’t mean you are
comfortable leading. For the other introverts out there reading this from
the safety of your own home, I hope you understand this movement for
democracy needs you, too. As Trump threatens to [ [link removed] ]militarize our nation’s
capitol, we need all the introverts (and extroverts and omniverts) we can
get.

We aren’t all fearless and we aren’t all comfortable, but damnit, this
needs doing and we’re going to do it.

This week, that means celebrating and spreading the courage we’re seeing
around the country. The Texas Dems have called for a national day of
action this Saturday, August 16. [ [link removed] ]Indivisible is backing them up -- find
the map here and host or attend an event.

And Leah and I will be back for our weekly live discussion with [ [link removed] ]What’s
The Plan? this Thursday at 3pm ET to discuss what we can do moving
forward.

For more, read on to this week’s action items below.

In solidarity,
Ezra Levin
Co-Executive Director, Indivisible

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Your weekly to-dos

 1. [ [link removed] ]Find an event this Saturday, August 16, to protest Trump’s effort
to rig electoral maps and steal the 2026 election. Trump’s map
takeover is starting in Texas, but it won’t stop there. We’re fighting
back nationwide with a day of action this weekend. No event near you?
[ [link removed] ]Register your own protest here.
 2. [ [link removed] ]Blue State Indivisibles: Call on state Democrats to fight fire
with fire by readying new congressional maps. If red state Republicans
redraw their maps to rig the race for Congress, blue state Dems must
even the playing field by responding in kind. Use our tools to demand
that Democratic governors and legislators act now.
 3. [ [link removed] ]Sign up for the final One Million Rising session on August 13 to
plug into a new phase of national campaign work. You’ll learn to plan
and execute a non-cooperation campaign -- and how to coach others to
do the same. We’ll also share specific actions you can take to put
pressure on institutions enabling Trump.
 4. [ [link removed] ]Join Thursday’s What’s the Plan? call to ask Leah and Ezra your
questions on redistricting, One Million Rising, and more. Every
Thursday at 3pm ET, our co-founders jump online to break down key
campaigns and answer your questions directly! Be part of an
interactive chat about what’s next in our fight for democracy.

 5. DC Indivisibles: We won't allow Trump's takeover of DC to go
unanswered, and we're working with local partners to formulate a
response. Our partner [ [link removed] ]Free DC is encouraging folks to display DC
flags or "Free DC" signs and to step outside at 8pm every day to make
some noise -- cheer, shout, wave noisemakers, and do whatever you can
to be heard and show solidarity with your neighbors. More soon.


P.S. New threats from this administration come at a torrid pace, and
Indivisible needs to move just as fast. That often means responding to
emerging attacks like Trump’s map-rigging gambit before we can financially
plan for them. Your donations, particularly monthly gifts, make that
possible. If you’re able, please [ [link removed] ]start a monthly donation or [ [link removed] ]chip
in just one time to ensure we can always respond to new fascist takeover
attempts.

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Demand universities resist Trump

Last week, Brown University became the latest high-profile institution to
cut a backroom deal with the Trump administration -- caving to an
extortion scheme that forces discriminatory policies and surveillance
measures onto campus in exchange for restored funding.

It’s not just Brown. Columbia and Penn have already capitulated, and
behind closed doors, Harvard could be next. But resistance is growing.

We’re partnering with Crimson Courage to support an open letter urging
Harvard to stand firm and reject Trump’s demands. [ [link removed] ]Add your name to the
open letter telling Harvard they must resist -- democracy depends on it.

After you sign the open letter to Harvard, take action to demand courage from
your university -- whether you’re a student, faculty member, booster, or
alumnus. [ [link removed] ]Click here for instructions to contact your university’s
leadership and call for them to resist Trump demands.

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IndivisiWIN of the week

[ [link removed] ]Peekskill Herald Letters to Editor page -- Click to read reader letters
about Representative Mike Lawler

In a key New York congressional district, Indivisible groups are working
collectively to toxify the Big Bullshit Bill and hold their GOP
representative accountable for backing it.

Last week, leaders from CCoHOPE Indivisible and Indivisible YorktownNY
took over their local paper’s letters section with pieces condemning Rep.
Mike Lawler for voting to gut Medicaid and other programs his constituents
need. [ [link removed] ]Read the Indivisibles’ letters in the Peekskill Herald here!

If you’d like to start a letter to the editor campaign in your area, [ [link removed] ]click
here for guidance on writing LTEs that really get attention.

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Get an expert's guidance on building coalitions

Our Solidarity in Action speaker series is all about effective strategies
to support, uplift, and stand in solidarity with the communities most
endangered by authoritarianism. At our next session on August 18,
immigrant rights activist and author Cristina Jiménez will share her
strategies for building effective community support programs.

You’ll leave equipped with best practices for forming, managing, and
sustaining effective coalitions to amplify community support and advocacy
efforts.

[ [link removed] ]Digital flier for the Solidarity in Action session on building partnerships
and coalitions on August 18 at 7 PM ET -- Click to learn more and sign up

[ [link removed] ]Sign up for the Solidarity in Action event with United We Dream
co-founder Cristina Jiménez on Monday, August 18, at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.

Cristina’s book [ [link removed] ]Dreaming of Home is on Solidarity in Action’s recommended
reading list! Attendees do NOT need to read the book before joining this call,
but doing so may make the session even more powerful and informative.

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month.

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