📢 Our Path to Progress: Growing Support Through Trust, Not Tactics
🗽The movement for who we are and what we represent is happening now
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You're invited to our Zoom Holiday Party and Card Writing to Biden to publish the ERA
It’s tonight! Wednesday, December 18th at 6:30pm Eastern. You can grab the Zoom link here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpc-mtrDouGdNFrF9QPAsIj6ZcolGfBFyD
No supplies needed, instructions and talking points will be provided on the call. You are welcome to bring a single holiday card or left over postcard if you have one.
Freedom is more than just a principle; it's something we work toward daily. As members of People Power United, we come together to champion progress, foster meaningful dialogue, and build a stronger, more inclusive community. Today, I'd like us to talk about something that directly impacts our shared space: why name-calling, ad-hominem personal attacks, and spreading misinformation have no place here.
Some may believe that freedom of speech gives them the right to insult, bully, or spread falsehoods. But let's be clear: freedom of speech also comes with responsibility. It includes the right to protect our community and create an environment where everyone feels safe and respected. Recently, there's been an increase in name-calling, ad hominem attacks, and the spread of misinformation—both in our comments and at events. This behavior goes against everything we stand for and will not be tolerated.
Our community thrives on mutual respect and constructive dialogue. That's why we reserve the right to remove harmful content and, if necessary, ban individuals who cannot uphold these standards. This isn't about silencing anyone—it's about ensuring that our space remains where ideas can be shared thoughtfully, and progress can be made collectively. Let's hold ourselves and each other to a higher standard because that's how we build the kind of community—and world—we all want to be part of.
Name-calling and ad hominem attacks
Name-calling and personal attacks have no place in healthy conversations, especially when trying to make real progress on the issues that matter most. Mocking someone or resorting to insults might feel satisfying, but it doesn't solve anything. If anything, it turns people away—people we might otherwise convince to see things our way. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard and focus on what matters: the issues and the candidates that can make a difference, champion progress, and a community where everyone can thrive.
Think about it this way: if you believe the only way Democrats or Independents can win is by making fun of Republicans, then you're missing the point—and frankly, you're part of the problem. Imagine a social media post mocking someone's intelligence or looks. Sure, it might get a few laughs from like-minded folks, but what does it accomplish? It makes us look petty and shifts the conversation away from the critical issues affecting people's lives, like healthcare, affordable housing, or fair wages. We have better arguments than that, and we should stick to them.
Another example is memes that pick on politicians or others for their talk or appearance. They might seem harmless initially, but they create an atmosphere of ridicule and negativity that turns people off. Instead of drawing attention to why our policies are better, or our candidates deserve support, we're just adding fuel to the fire of division. Is that really what we want? I don't think so. We're better than that.
To win hearts and minds, we must lead with kindness and respect. Focus on what makes our ideas great, what makes our candidates inspiring, and how our vision for the future can help real people. Be the person who builds bridges, not walls. And in our communities, we have to set boundaries: no hate speech, bullying, or mocking posts. Those things should be removed because they don't help anyone. Let's do better together. Let's make our voices heard for the right reasons.
The Spreading of Misinformation
We do not permit outside links at our events or on our feeds. Here is my note to spammers: If you want to grow your supporters, focus on doing it the right way—by earning their trust and respect naturally. Genuine support comes from meaningful connections and integrity, not shortcuts or harmful tactics. If this behavior continues, we will have no choice but to take action, which may include a permanent ban. Let's keep this community a space where fairness and authenticity thrive.
Together we can champion Progress and Power to the People
People Power United members are committed to championing progress and power to the people. We don't just complain; we do the work to make change happen.
Friends, this is a plea for help with our People Power United efforts. With our membership growing, we're building momentum, but we need your help to reach even more people—every bit of assistance counts. Together, we can make a difference!
Click here to Tell Amazon: Come to the Table with Amazon Labor Union!
Click here to Break Trump's mass deportation machine! Tell Congress: Immigrants are our ‘Neighbors, Not Enemies’.
Click here to Investigate Trump's Shady Payment to RFK-Connected Law Firm
Click here to Tell Pres. Biden: Certify the Equal Rights Amendment
Click here to join us at an Upcoming Event
You're invited: Stop Project 2025
Are you concerned about the direction our country is headed and the far-right agenda threatening our future?
Now is the time to stand up and take action! We invite you to our one-hour training, "Stop Project 2025: Mobilize for Change," presented by People Power United. By joining this training, you'll learn about the real and urgent threat of Project 2025 and why it's essential to mobilize now to stop it. ✨ Join us:
Multiple times are available, click here to signup:
Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
In a democracy, the principle that "no one is above the law" is non-negotiable.
Allowing leaders to escape the consequences of their actions sends a dangerous message that power, not justice, prevails—ultimately destabilizing society and giving rise to authoritarianism.
History warns us that unchecked power leads to corruption, oppression, and the silencing of our voices, threatening the freedoms we cherish.
Now, more than ever, we need everyone to step up and stand together. Join us and be part of a movement that demands accountability and justice for all. More resources are coming, but today, please join our Not Above the Law Rapid Response Team and sign on to our Freedom Over Fascism pledge.
People Power United Updates
Our group is growing by leaps and bounds! Folks understand that with love in our hearts and hard work, we will reclaim our nation from cruelty, chaos, and confusion. We are having fun making impactful changes in our community! In case you missed it, this past week was busy:
People Power United joins coalition efforts to urge President Biden to publish the ERA immediately
People Power United joins coalition efforts to Oppose the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 115)
People Power United joins coalition efforts to pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act (If you are from Michigan, please call your state lawmakers and ask them to pass this bill)
We sent out several updates and news briefs on our newsletters:
Stay connected, get People Power United on the Substack app
Additional updates can be found here.
The People's March
We all march for different reasons, but we march for the same cause: to defend our rights and our future.
If you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours, that books belong in libraries, not on bonfires, that healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy; if you believe in the power of free speech and protest to sustain democracy; or if you want an economy that works for the people who power it—then this march is for you.
The People’s March is about one thing: our power.
It’s a bold demonstration of the resilience of resistance:
-We march to unite the people who’ve been the backbone of resistance for generations—and to welcome even more -We march to remind civil servants they answer to us -We march to inspire, energize, and drive change long after the day is done.
This is our moment to remind Americans everywhere — where the power truly lives: with the people.
Let’s make it count.
📢The People’s March
Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10am to 3pm EST. Washington DC + other locations coming. Click here to signup.
Join the People Power United Crew
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Join us to build People Power! Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people.