Hi, all, and happy Friday!
We got through another week! Congratulations!
I’ve been partnering with the folks at Visibility Brigade to amplify pictures of their overpass campaigns on Instagram. People love them! The above are some of the Hegseth-themed overpass displays from across the country I just posted. Terrific, right?
Remember, Visibility Brigade chapters are doing more than just getting together for a little fun—they are offering what Heather Cox Richardson and others call social proof—”a psychological and social phenomenon wherein people copy the actions of others in choosing how to behave in a given situation.” There really couldn’t be a more powerful, or important thing to do. When people see these banners it reminds them that they’re not alone. That it’s a good thing to speak out. That others are doing just that!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: courage begets courage. Outspokenness begets outspokenness. Defiance begets defiance. So if you’re looking for a way to make a difference between protests please consider joining a VB chapter, or starting one where you live! Their website has all the information you need to do either.
Can’t join a group? Then become a one-person visibility brigade by posting a sign in your yard, or your car, or on a nearby public wall. Do a chalk drawing saying “We love immigrants! in your driveway” Print flyers and put them on local lamp posts! There are as many ways to do social proof as there are people on this list. Get creative, then send me pictures and I’ll share!
OK, all. We’re focussing on Hegseth again today, as well as a new Social Security bill introduced by Representatives Larson and Horsford and Senator Warren that would give recipients an extra $200 a month for the next year to help deal with the outrageous cost of living.
We’ll also write to the new architect of Trump’s ballroom (thanks to reader Kathy for suggesting it!) and do a bit of messaging around Trump’s affordability crisis.
After that please go enjoy your weekend. You work so hard. You’re so valuable. So brave. So beautiful! I hope you get some time to put your feet up.
But for now let’s get to work!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, Senator Warren just introduced the bicameral Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act to provide a $200/month emergency increase to Social Security checks until July 2026. Medicare Part B premiums are rising by nearly 10% next year, yet Social Security recipients have received only a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, amounting to just $56 per month. It’s not enough. Please ask the Senator to stand with senior citizens and co-sponsor this bill.
Also, Pete Hegseth needs to be impeached. Has the Senator called for this yet? He’s a disgrace. His incompetence is a serious threat to America’s national security and to our active duty troops. And we demand the release of the full boat strike video to the public. Americans deserve to see what happened. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
Reps. Larson and Horsford just introduced the bicameral Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act to provide a $200/month emergency increase to Social Security checks until July 2026. Medicare Part B premiums are rising by nearly 10% next year, yet Social Security recipients have received only a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, amounting to just $56 per month. It’s not enough. Please ask the Congressmember to stand with senior citizens and co-sponsor this bill.
Also, Pete Hegseth needs to be impeached. Has the Congressmember called for this yet? He’s a disgrace. His incompetence is a serious threat to America’s national security and to our active duty troops. And we demand the release of the full boat strike video to the public. Americans deserve to see what happened. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Donald Trump and his ballroom architect have parted ways, and Trump has hired a new firm, Shalom Baranes Associates, to do the project.
Their email address is inquiries@sbaranes.com
I wrote:
To Whom It May Concern at Shalom Baranes Associates;
I’m writing because I understand that your firm will now be designing Trump’s ballroom. I have a few questions.
First: how do you justify working for a president who will go down in history as the most lawless, corrupt, and depraved this country has seen? A man who calls human beings “garbage,” who’s been held culpable for rape, who’s likely a pedophile—and definitely covered for one—who’s mercilessly tearing families apart, who has literally starved children to get his way? You do realize your ballroom will be roundly despised and, with any luck at all, razed the moment he’s gone, right? Even if it does remain standing, it will do so for the same reasons former concentration camps do—as a reminder of what pure evil can do and how diligently we must guard against it.
Second: you do know you’ll never get paid, don’t you?
Third: are you OK with ruining the reputation of your firm permanently? Your name will forever be tied to a Nazi administration’s. I, for one, will never forget, and wouldn’t give you my business if you were the last architect on earth. The next generation will be more unforgiving still. The next one, even more so.
What a terrible decision you’ve made. Reconsider, please. Otherwise say goodbye to your good name—and your bottom line. Patriotic Americans have very long memories.
But obviously write what you want!
Get Smart! 📚
Unions and labor leaders have been at the forefront of the resistance: defending the right to unionize, protecting immigrant workers, and advocating for the students, patients, and communities they serve.
Join We Build Progress and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) fortheir briefing “Resist and Reimagine: Lessons from the Labor Movement onFighting Authoritarianism on Wednesday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Their speakers will uplift the bold and innovative campaigns that unions across the country are leading to build power and grow solidarity when our movement needs them most.
Speakers will include:
Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
Jon Schleuss, President, NewsGuild-CWA
Curtis Hierro, National Political Field Director, CWA
We can all learn from the bravery and creativity of the working peopleresisting authoritarianism. Don’t miss this critical conversation!
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
From DemCast:
We’re pushing a full-force digital blast on the #TrumpAffordabilityCrisis and we need every single one of you in the mix.
Trump keeps lying about prices while families choose between groceries, rent, meds, and gas. We’re cutting through the noise together — loud, coordinated, undeniable.
Use our toolkit, grab your posts, and flood every platform you’ve got.
These toolkits are super easy to use and work on multiple platforms. Please help get the word out about Trump’s horrible economy!
Get Smart on SNAP work requirements
KFF just posted this article about the insane and messed up new work requirement rules for SNAP and how they’ll affect vulnerable populations— including kids who’ve aged out of the foster system, veterans, and unhoused people. It’s good, albeit upsetting, information to have.
This is all a result of Trump’s sadistic OBBBA. Awful stuff.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PSFWDS 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 am urging you to demand the full, unedited video of the September 2 strike in the Caribbean and to open immediate hearings into the legality of this operation and the broader campaign of lethal force the Trump Administration is conducting without proper authorization.
Members of Congress who viewed the September 2 footage described a deeply disturbing scene. Rep. Jim Himes said he saw two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, clinging to a destroyed vessel—killed by the United States. He called it one of the most troubling things he has ever seen.
[The rest of the letter is here.]
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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