People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber or gifting to someone you know that values liberty and justice for all-not just the wealthy or powerful.
Brief Announcement
When good people choose to speak up, we ignite the power to change our world.
This week, we're coming to you live every day at 9 am and 6 pm Eastern on our Substack Newsletter Channel, where fresh content awaits to fuel your passion for justice. On Sunday, catch our Rapid Response For Our Freedoms resources—a perfect opportunity to catch up and equip yourself with the tools for action. Then, on Monday, we share essential tips and strategies to make your voice heard at rallies and protests.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this dynamic movement. Your presence makes all the difference—let's rise together!
Today's live update (shown at 9 am and 6 pm Eastern) covered our Rapid Response For Our Freedoms resources we have been sharing this month with members. If you missed any of these events, this is a great place to get caught up. Heads up, the video is not horizontal because Substack only allows a vertical view. If you want to watch this in a horizontal layout, please consider viewing it here on YouTube. Here is a summary of what we covered:
Rapid Response for Our Freedoms
Hi there! It's Laurie Woodward Garcia with People Power United. I am sharing a message I received from one of our members. She wrote:
Hi Laurie,
I've been on Social Security disability for decades due to a chronic medical condition, so I depend on these benefits for my livelihood. Recently, I've seen claims from Trump and Musk alleging widespread fraud in the Social Security system, which does not exist. It seems to me they had years in Trump's first administration and the past four years to root it out, and well, there is no widespread fraud. It seems they're trying to set the stage for cutting benefits by blaming fraud. And they want to put the money into billionaires' pockets.
This is deeply concerning because, for millions, including myself, Social Security is the only source of income. I've contacted my senators several times, but their responses have been disappointing. One of them even sent a letter explaining that benefit cuts are necessary due to our national debt and deficit—citing Trump's campaign promises about resolving these issues.
I've also contacted others, and I'm at a loss. Do you have any suggestions on how to proceed? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
My response:
Thanks for reaching out and sharing your story. I am also concerned. We have to mobilize millions of people into taking action: we can each do one or two things a day — letters, petitions, phone calls, social media, office visits, protests, general strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience, letters to the editor, building our contact list, lobbying our leaders with office and zoom visits, going to town halls, and more to flex our people power. Unfortunately, we don't have the millions ready to mobilize. I am trying to pull in as many as possible as a grassroots organization and have grabbed a few hundred thousand people, but we need to scale up as soon as possible to millions.
Many of us can do one or two simple things a day for advocacy, but we need more people taking action.
The longer the power of the people stays on the sideline, the stronger Trump, Musk, and Putin grow.
About Us
🗽People Power United is a grassroots group of over 200,000+ members in all 50 states powered by people like YOU. We champion progress and power to the people.
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Current State of Affairs
Here is the current state of affairs with convicted felon President Trump.
In just the first few weeks of Trump's administration, he unleashed a wave of actions that hurt Americans, undermined our safety, and prioritized the wealthy over everyday people. This comprehensive list highlights how quickly damage can be done when those in power act without accountability.
Why is this happening? Because America has not lived up to the promise of our shared ideals and values.
Who is responsible for this? Everyone. This is our collective failure. But we can fix it if we agree. We can not wait for someone else to fix this; it's up to us.
They want to overwhelm us. Don't let that happen.
They want us to quit. They want us to give up. We are not going to do that.
Take breaks when you need to, but stay engaged—because our power grows when we refuse to back down and we show up, speak out, and build people power.
This isn't just a reflection of the past. It's a warning for the future. What can we expect over the next four or forty years if this much harm is done in just a few weeks?
Here is the current state of affairs with grassroots activism in this country.
Everyone can be an activist and show up, speak out, and build people power.
Grassroots activism is a powerful force that can shape the direction of a nation. Despite its dangerous agenda, the MAGA movement has demonstrated just how effective organized, relentless mobilization can be. Across the country, their activists have worked tirelessly in their communities, engaging voters and shifting political allegiances. The results are precise—county by county, even in traditionally blue states, MAGA influence is growing.
A recent Washington Post map visualized this shift with red arrows marking the movement from Democrats to Republicans. It wasn't surprising, but it was a stark reminder of the power of grassroots organizing. While I strongly oppose the Project 2025 agenda and MAGA's mission to dismantle our rights, freedoms, and democracy, their success underscores the urgent need for us to match their energy and commitment.
If we want to protect the future of this country, we must double down on our organizing efforts to build people power in every city and every state in our nation.
We must show up, speak out, and build power to replace these corrupt politicians.
My hope is you look at this map and realize you have the power to change what is happening.
Here is the current state of affairs with Democrats and progressives:
Americans think the Republican Party is more in sync with the mood of the country (NYT/Ipsos Poll)
Overall, voters view the Democratic Party more negatively than the Republican Party (Quinnipiac Poll)
All Senate Republicans and 15 Democrats voted for the Treasury Secretary, giving Elon Musk access to sensitive data.
Many people support progress on key issues, yet Republicans, some members of the DNC, and some Democrats in Congress are failing to address the needs of the majority of Americans.
Democrats are rebuilding and have elected new leaders, such as Ken Martin for Chair and Malcolm Kenyatta, Artie Blanco, Reyna Walters-Morgan, and David Hogg for Vice-Chair. It will take years to rebuild the party.
Progress and Power to the People isn't just a concept; it's a movement.
By taking action, holding leaders accountable, and advocating for dignity, respect, and opportunity for all, we can build an America that lives up to the values of liberty and justice for all, just the wealthy, powerful, or privileged.
We, the people, must show up, speak out, and build power
This is why we need to take action. Will you join us? Will you join us in fighting the good fight and committing to fighting the powers that be?
Here at People Power United, we see the Powers that be as 34-time convicted felon Donald Trump, MAGA Republicans, and Naughty Democrats who need to be held accountable for their actions.
If they betray the will of the people, we will call out their wickedness, expose their corruption, and do the work to replace them with leaders who fight for justice!
Here are some ways we can take action:
Firstly, we will disobey. "We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."
Here are a few tactics we can use to disobey:
Rallies and Protests are among the most powerful tools to challenge corruption and demand change. When we take to the streets, we send an undeniable message to the powers that be—convicted felon Donald Trump, his administration, Republicans in Congress, and their Democratic enablers—that we will not sit idly by while they strip away our rights and undermine our democracy.
A general strike is the ultimate display of people power—when workers, businesses, and entire industries unite to shut down the economy and force the hands of those in power. If politicians refuse to serve the people, we will remind them who truly holds the power. Imagine millions refusing to work, buy, or contribute to a system that rewards the wealthy and punishes the rest of us. That kind of action can bring about real change.
Boycotts hit the corrupt where it hurts the most—their wallets. By refusing to support companies and industries that fund anti-democratic politicians or exploit workers, we shift the balance of power back toward the people. History has shown that when we withhold our money, the powerful listen.
One of our members shared this resource, 198 Ways to Disobey, and I invite you to check it out.
It's time we take action and replace any leader who isn't focused on progress and giving power back to the people.
The second way we can take action is to build people's power.
Building Power is about building relationships and the ability to move people to action or inaction.
Building people's power inspires our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others in our community to take action that allows us to keep in contact with them. By growing our local, state, and national contacts, we can share resources and best practices and advocate for policies and leaders that ensure everyone in our community can thrive. When we build people power and unite, we can face challenges and create a society that reflects our shared values of liberty, justice, and dignity for all.
The list of tactics to show up, speak out, and build power is long and growing. Here are just a few key ways to speak out, show up, and build power:
Make an impact at a town hall meeting
Lobby your elected leaders
Organize to Build Power Through Direct Relationships
Build coalition contacts
Make an Impact at a Protest
Organize to Build Power Through Committees
Amplify Lawmakers, Influencers, and Organizations that Champion Progress and Power to the People Using Social Media
Click here to Protect your digital well-being
Lastly, I hear people complain about the message a lot of times. I would submit we here at People Power United have a pretty good message that most of America can agree on:
Everyone deserves dignity —with access to housing, healthcare, and education.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive — regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, preferred pronouns, religion, or employment status.
Everyone deserves safety—clean air and water and communities free from gun violence.
And here in this community, we will never stay silent in the face of hate or bigotry. We stand up and speak out against racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and every form of discrimination that seeks to divide and harm.
Throughout history, every generation has had to stand up to defend our democracy and the rights it guarantees. Today, we face an unprecedented threat—one that seeks to dismantle our freedoms and replace them with autocratic and oligarchic rule.
Our mission in fighting for progress and people power is to inspire and unite everyone who calls America home. We're working to create an America where everyone has the chance to thrive, and our leaders should reflect that vision. We'll organize, mobilize, and work to replace them if they don't.
Now is our moment to rise. We must make it clear: We will not allow this hostile takeover by Elon Musk or Putin. We will not accept this. We will fight relentlessly to protect and preserve our families, communities, freedoms, rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Click here to join your People Power State Team
Click here to join a Grassroots Lobbying Team
Click here to join the Social Media Team
Click here to join an Event
Click here to write Letters and Postcards to Voters
Together, we will show up, speak out, and build power for 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)
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progress and power for the people.
People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber or gifting to someone you know that values liberty and justice for all-not just the wealthy or powerful.
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