📢 Power to the People Includes Free Speech — Part 2: History's Warning Signs
🗽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 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.
It Starts with Silence
In 1933, Adolf Hitler used emergency powers to end freedom of the press and outlaw criticism of the Nazi regime. Journalists were jailed. Publications shut down. The Nazi Propaganda Ministry controlled all information. Even jokes about the Führer became criminal offenses. With dissent crushed, the regime moved swiftly toward war and genocide — unchecked by public outcry.
That’s not ancient history. The same tactics are in play today.
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán consolidated control by allowing his oligarch allies to buy nearly every major news outlet — silencing critics and reshaping public opinion through propaganda.
In Russia, Vladimir Putin has criminalized “disinformation” and thrown opposition voices in prison.
In Turkey, thousands of journalists and academics have been jailed for speaking out.
Authoritarians work this way: they destroy the truth and punish those who speak it.
Trump is following that playbook.
From threatening press access and punishing universities to blocking law firms and deporting student protesters, the goal is the same: Consolidate power by crushing dissent. And the same rights he’s trampling now — free expression, protest, and press — are the very rights that protect all the rest.
When the People Can’t Speak, Corruption Thrives
Free speech is the oxygen of democracy. It exposes corruption, checks power, and ensures accountability.
When speech is stifled, those in power operate in the dark.
Whistleblowers disappear. Investigative journalism dries up. The justice system bends to fear.
Authoritarianism doesn’t always begin with tanks in the streets.
Sometimes, it starts with censorship, self-censorship, and fear.
The Founders Knew This
Thomas Jefferson warned:
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, which cannot be limited without being lost.”
John F. Kennedy said:
“A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.”
These were not partisan statements — they were universal truths.
Democracy depends not just on elections, but on the freedom to speak, question, organize, and challenge the powerful.
Why This Moment Matters
If we allow the Trump administration’s current attacks on free speech to go unchecked, we risk following the same dark path so many nations have walked before — where power becomes absolute and the people become powerless.
But it doesn’t have to end that way.
The American people have risen before:
During McCarthyism, we fought back against censorship and blacklists.
During the civil rights era, we marched and spoke truth to power.
During Nixon’s presidency, a free press exposed corruption at the highest level and forced accountability.
We are those people.
And our voices still matter.
Remember:
History is written by those in power — and those who refuse to accept injustice.
Let our voices be the drop that starts the ripple,
the ripple that builds the wave,
the wave that becomes a tsunami—
lifting every voice that fights for justice,
that demands progress,
that amplifies power to the people—
and drowns out the roar of fascism for good.
Join us tomorrow for Part 3, where we’ll explore how we reclaim that power through action, courage, and unity.
The path to reclaim our democracy runs straight through our right to speak.
Never be silent. Never let fear win.
Speak up. Stand tall. Build People Power.
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 look up your state and sign-up for a MAY DAY event near you. Keep checking back, it will be updated daily. If you do not see an event
and want to create one, click here.
Click here to Denounce Trump's Attacks on Planned Parenthood
Click here to Tell Congress You Support Planned Parenthood
Click here to Tell Governors to Oppose Trump's Executive Order Targeting State Climate Laws
Click here to Tell the House to pass the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act and defend federal workers’ rights
Click here to Tell the Senate to REJECT the anti-voter SAVE Act
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
If you are a Lawyer please consider joining the Law Day of Action happening on May 1.
Simple actions like this are impactful:
Join 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!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progress and power for the people.
When you become a paid subscriber to People Power United’s newsletter, you’re investing in real, grassroots change. You’re backing a fearless community that shows up, speaks out, and organizes for justice—not for clicks, not for profit, but for people. Your support helps power the daily actions, urgent campaigns, and bold strategies that challenge the status quo and put democracy back in the hands of the many—not the wealthy few. This isn’t just a newsletter—it’s your front-row seat to the fight for progress. And your subscription? That’s your stake in a future we build together.