📢Power to the People Includes Free Speech — Part 1: The Right to Dissent Is Under Attack
🗽People Power United is a grassroots group of over 250,000+ members in all 50 states-powered by people like YOU. We champion progress and power to the people.
My fellow Americans and defenders of liberty —
Free speech is not a suggestion. It is not a luxury. It is a constitutional right — the very cornerstone of any democracy. And right now, in 2025, under the presidency of Donald Trump, that cornerstone is cracking.
Across the country, we're witnessing an alarming escalation of assaults on the First Amendment. Immigrants are being jailed or deported for their speech. Universities are under siege for allowing protests. Law firms are being punished for representing political opposition. And the press — the lifeblood of a free society — is being silenced by design.
Silencing Immigrants for Dissent
Under Trump’s 2025 regime, more than 300 international students have had their visas revoked simply for joining campus protests supporting Palestinian rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio even boasted, “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas.” No trials. No hearings. No due process.
In one case, Mahmoud Khalil — a Palestinian-American student and legal permanent resident — was arrested and threatened with deportation under a Cold War-era law long deemed unconstitutional. His crime? Participating in peaceful protest. This is not policy; it is punishment. It's a message to every immigrant in America: stay silent or be expelled.
Targeting Universities and Protesters
College campuses, long bastions of free thought, are now battlegrounds in Trump’s war on dissent. The administration has threatened to pull federal funding from universities like Columbia and Harvard unless they punish students and faculty for protesting. Schools are being forced to adopt definitions of antisemitism that dangerously conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli policy with hate speech — silencing critical voices.
This isn’t just academic interference. It’s authoritarianism, plain and simple. When the federal government uses funding as a weapon to force institutions into ideological compliance, we have lost the freedom to think.
Threatening the Legal System
Lawyers, too, are in Trump’s crosshairs. Major firms like Paul, Weiss, and Latham & Watkins were coerced into providing nearly $1 billion in legal services aligned with Trump’s interests — or risk being blocked by executive order. Some were even forced to eliminate their diversity programs as part of the deal.
When lawyers are punished for who they represent or for speaking out, the justice system becomes a tool of power — not a check on it.
The Crackdown on the Press
Trump’s White House banned the Associated Press from press briefings for refusing to use politically approved language. When a court struck that down, Trump changed the rules to eliminate the permanent press pool, sidelining respected outlets in favor of propaganda networks.
These aren’t random acts. They are coordinated efforts to control the narrative — to silence independent journalism, rewrite truth, and shield power from accountability.
Free Speech Is the Foundation of Freedom
As Justice Louis Brandeis once said, “The remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.”
And as George Washington warned, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
We are dangerously close to that ledge. But we can still pull back. We can still speak out, show up, and organize to build people power. Because when power fears the people, it silences them. But when the people rise, power is forced to listen.
This is just the beginning. In Part 2, we’ll explore what history teaches us about the fall of democracy when speech is suppressed — and what’s at stake if we don’t fight back.
Until then, speak louder. Show up stronger. And build People Power — because our rights depend on it.
Together, we can Resist and Champion Freedom Over Fascism
Every day, let’s set aside 20 minutes a day for our rights and freedoms. Let’s take 5+ quick, powerful actions — and reach out to 10 people, in person or online, to grow our movement and multiply our impact. Together, our daily actions build unstoppable momentum!
The time to act is now — before it is too late.
Click here to Free Mahmoud Khalil
Click here to Free Rumeysa Ozturk: No one who writes an op-ed should be arrested, detained, or deported for expressing their free speech point of view.
Click here Tell Congress: Demand the release of detained students and call ICE to testify
Click here to Hold Trump in Contempt
Click here to Tell Trump: Don’t Give Refugees a Death Sentence
Click here to Tell the Smithsonian: Stand strong against the Trump administration’s attempts to erase U.S. history
Click here to sign-up for our next event: Rapid Response for Our Freedoms
Are you alarmed by the far-right's relentless push to dismantle our democracy and undermine our future? The time to act is now—your voice and involvement are vital in this critical moment.
Together, we have the power to resist this dangerous agenda that seeks to replace our democracy with authoritarian rule. By organizing, mobilizing, and holding leaders accountable, we can protect the rights, freedoms, and values that define America.
Join us for "Rapid Response for Our Freedoms," a crucial event where we stand as one to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms we all hold dear.
Sunday, April 27th, 6:30 PM Eastern, 5:30 PM Central, 4:30 Mountain, 3:30 Pacific
This is our moment to rise up for an America that includes everyone when we say *"liberty and justice for all," * not just the wealthy and powerful.
Goals of the Event:
To mobilize and activate a network of people ready to take immediate, strategic action to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.
To educate and inform participants about current authoritarian threats, legal overreach, and coordinated attacks on our freedoms.
To share concrete tools, tactics, and next steps that individuals and groups can take in their communities to push back.
To build a connected movement rooted in collective power, solidarity, and a shared vision of justice and equality for all—not just the wealthy, powerful, or those with privilege.
What You'll Take Away:
A clear understanding of the threats we face—and the power we have to overcome them.
Action steps you can take immediately to protect our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.
Resources for organizing locally and nationally with other committed members of People Power United.
A renewed sense of purpose, community, and hope—knowing you're not alone in this fight.
The strength of people power is unstoppable—together, we can and will make a difference.
At People Power United, we believe in progress and the strength of collective action. Together, we can push back against extremism and build a brighter future. Join us in the fight for Freedom over Fascism and help amplify the power of people to shape our democracy!
Click here to register:
Together we can champion Progress and Power to the People
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can 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)
Leader, People Power United
Representing America's largest grassroots organization with over 250,000+ members, driven entirely by the energy and commitment of everyday people. We are proudly 100% independent, powered by people—not 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!
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