Chop Wood, Carry Water 9/18

With love at the center.

Heather Booth, Freedom Summer volunteer and Fannie Lou Hamer, vice-chair of the Mississippi Freedom field organizer for SNCC in a photograph by Wallace Roberts. 1964

Hi, all, and happy Thursday.

Yesterday we saw a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s attacks on free speech. It will also, however, almost definitely mark a positive turning point for our movement. I can feel the energy shift, the crescendoing outrage, and the building determination. Trump is moving too fast, and overreaching too dramatically. He’s getting even nonpolitical people angry. With his escalated actions he is sowing the seeds of his own eventual downfall.

Is it an accident that polling this week shows him with the lowest approval ratings he’s had this term? Or that 1 in 4 Trump voters now regret their vote or are disappointed in his performance? Or that Trump’s support with Gen Z is cratering, fast approaching his lowest-ever approval rating among that group? Or that his approval is plummeting with Latino voters?

No. It’s not. Americans are turning on him—it’s a fact. And these articles were all published before Trump’s FCC pressured ABC into firing Jimmy Kimmel. I’m telling you, folks: one thing nearly all Americans agree on is that speech must not be censored. These attacks are going to backfire. They already are.

When friends reach out to you, then, as they have to me, and say something to the effect of “I can’t sit on the sidelines anymore. What can I do?” Tell them a few simple things:

1. Cancel your Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions TODAY. Yes, even if you were excited to watch a certain show. This is a sacrifice we can—and must—all make.

2. Join an Indivisible chapter right now. They are the movement leaders other leaders look to. They help coordinate our actions. You can also look to see if there’s a Visibility Brigade in your area. They’re great, too.

3. Commit to attending the October 18 No Kings protest at all costs. We need it to be gargantuan. Bring 5 friends. Bring ten.

These actions may seem small, but they will lead to more. And of course feel free to recommend this newsletter. It’s free to all—I put nothing behind a paywall and never will.

Finally, I want to tell you a bit of what I heard yesterday from Heather Booth, a friend and mentor who’s been a civil rights activist since she was 13 years old (she’s now 80). Heather came to a group I’m a member of to speak about her long history of fighting for justice. It was absolutely incredible—I wish it had been recorded. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

Among other things, Heather spoke of participating in the Freedom Summer when she was 18. She told us about registering Black workers in cotton fields, workers who had never been taught to read so signed their voter registration forms with an X. She spoke of the fear she and her friends felt when three of their number were killed by white supremacists, but how they determined that they were willing to “die for freedom” if they had to. She told us that they felt afraid every day. But they did the work anyway.

As for despair? It was part of the deal. “We didn’t feel much hope at all,” Heather said. “We didn’t know if anything we did would make any difference.”

You see? They took action despite the fear. Despite the very real threats to their safety. Despite the hopelessness. Despite the fact that what they were doing felt inconsequential compared to the need. Despite the fact that people were literally dying around them—the Black family Heather stayed with that summer lost four members to racist violence. It was a terrifying, awful time. Yet, led by courageous, brilliant Black leaders risking absolutely everything, they kept going.

A year later, the Voting Rights Act passed.

Heather went on to found The Janes, once again risking her freedom to help women access abortion care at a time when doing so could have gotten her imprisoned for murder. Since then she’s been a leading member of the fight for immigrant justice, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and more. In every fight she centers love as a guiding principle. She knows that it’s key to our success, and to personal wellbeing in the midst of a lifelong fight.

Friends, we stand on the shoulders of giants. Some of them still walk among us. They remind us every day that when you’re up against the forces of oppression, fear is just the price of doing business. It doesn’t mean we won’t succeed. It’s not how we feel, after all, but what we do that matters.

And, as Heather always says, when we take courageous action “with love at the center” we can and do win.

So let’s get to work one more time.

Practivist Pod

We interviewed the amazing folks at Visibility Brigade this week! Check it out! Listen here or watch below.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

First, I’m absolutely livid over ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. We all know this was done because the FCC pressured and threatened them, and because their affiliate Nexstar wants a merger approved. It’s disgusting, it’s corrupt, it’s government censorhsip, and it’s wrong. I want Congressional hearings into what went on with this dirty deal. And FCC Chair Carr needs to resign. Will the Senator call for that?

[to Dems:] I’m also calling about the upcoming government funding fight. We can’t have a repeat of the last government funding fight where Leader Schumer and some Senate Dems rolled over and voted through a partisan Republican spending bill. I’m counting on the Senator to hold strong and push Leader Schumer to fight for a spending bill that protects healthcare AND puts meaningful checks on Trump—especially in light of what happened yesterday. [Script by Indivisible]

[to Republicans:] I’m calling because I’m deeply concerned about the potential government shutdown and how it would hurt businesses, workers, and families like mine. It’s obvious Republicans are more focused on censoring free speech than on the real issues people need solved – like healthcare. If the government shuts down because Republicans won’t come to the table on a bipartisan basis, Donald Trump and Republicans will be to blame. Will the Senator publicly commit to preventing a government shutdown by working with Democrats on a bipartisan budget deal? [Script by Indivisible]

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I’m absolutely livid over ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. We all know this was done because the FCC pressured and threatened them, and because their affiliate Nexstar wants a merger approved. It’s disgusting, it’s corrupt, it’s government censorhsip, and it’s wrong. I want Congressional hearings into what went on with this dirty deal. And FCC Chair Carr needs to resign. Will the Congressmember call for that?

Extra Credit ✅

I found Disney CEO Bob Iger’s contact info—I think this may actually be his direct cell number. Feel free to text and/or email him.

Robert Iger 310-890-5241 email: Robert.A.Iger@disney.com

You can say something simple. Here’s what I wrote:

I’m writing to ask you to immediately reverse the suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel show. If the Trump adminsitration takes you to court it’s an absolute certainty that you’ll win. You have the chance to inspire a nation and save the Disney brand from forever being associated with dictatorship. I have cancelled my Disney+ and will never, ever resubscribe unless you reverse course on this decision. Forget going to Disneyland, too.

Sir, you have the power, the money, and the position to be brave. It is heroes whom history remembers. It is collaborators it condemns. Don’t forget it. Thanks.

You can also write to ABC. Click this link and then click "Submit Programming Feedback"(just under the search bar).

Here’s what I wrote:

I’m writing to ask you to immediately reverse the suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel show. You have the chance to inspire a nation and save the ABC brand from forever being associated with dictatorship. I will literally boycott EVERYTHING ABC and Disney for the rest of my life if you don't reverse course.

You have the power, the money, and the position to be brave. It is heroes whom history remembers. It is collaborators it condemns. Don’t forget it. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

The Progressive Caucus Center is out with a new toolkit that helps constituents connect with their elected officials, share their stories, and push for the policies they care about. it’s AMAZING!

When we come together and use our voices, we can win the policies our families need—clean air and water, good union jobs, great schools, healthcare for all, paid leave, affordable housing, and more. From stopping the repeal of the ACA to winning more funding for food stamps, our voices can and do make a difference.

Check out the guide here.

Give 💰!

Y’all, I need your help.

I was at an AMAZING event last night with Network Nova and Swing Blue Alliance—maybe some of you were there! We were raising money for four incredible female Virginia candidates who can absolutely win their races in rural areas and HELP people in those districts.

We came up about 6K short of our 40K goal, and I’m hopeful you all can help us close that gap. This is so important! It is a worthy, worthy cause and the money will be spent by fearless, incredible women running for office in Virginia! This will boost turnout at the top of the ticket, too!

Give here.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

Sign up for the No Kings mass kickoff call TONIGHT September 18 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. Jump online with Indivisible, their partners, and thousands of activists across the country to discuss the vision, urgency, and strategy behind the national day of action on October 18.

Organize! Organize! Organize!

Join Swing Blue Alliance and the fabulous Elizabeth Chur tonight (7p EDT) for Turn “I Don’t Vote” into the Start (not the End) of a Conversation (phonebanking and canvassing training). Chur is AMAZINGGGGG!

You will be so glad you attened. Register here.

Win Races! 🗳

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court is on the line. This November, a quiet retention vote could flip the court—and threaten abortion rights, voting access, and more.

Most voters don’t even know this election exists. That’s where you come in.

Join Red2Blue and One PA every Thursday from 6 - 8 pm EDT to make quick, impactful calls using the Scale to Win dialer.

📞 Sign up now to protect the court.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T Coleman Rogers] [Text SIGN PJHBYD to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)

I urge you to reject any federal budget deal that hands the Executive Branch a “blank check.” The Constitution is clear: under Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, no money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law. That means Congress—not the President—decides how taxpayer dollars are spent.

Recent events show why strict guardrails are essential. On August 29, 2025, the administration attempted to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid using a “pocket rescission.” The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly stated that pocket rescissions are illegal under the Impoundment Control Act, yet the maneuver was attempted anyway. Appropriated funds have also been withheld or delayed without approval, undermining the law and threatening Congress’s authority.

This is not a partisan issue. The balance of power depends on Congress defending its constitutional responsibility. I urge you to demand provisions that:

• Block unlawful rescissions or withholding of funds already approved by Congress,

• Require that any spending changes receive congressional approval and transparent reporting,

• Prevent unchecked executive overreach that erodes the separation of powers.

A budget without safeguards is a blank check. Please defend Congress’s constitutional role and reject any budget deal that undermines accountability and the rule of law.

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OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess