📢 Why I stood up to 200 priests

🗽 The movement for who we are and what we represent is happening now

Recently, a memory popped up on my Facebook feed, taking me back to the day I stood up to over 200 Catholic priests. It was a moment that shaped me, and one I feel compelled to share, especially now.

In 2018 and 2019, as an activist living in Florida, I witnessed firsthand the cruelty of policies under the Trump administration and DeSantis in Florida. Families were being ripped apart, with children detained at Homestead Air Force Base. At ICE Miramar, immigrants were forced to endure hours in the punishing Florida heat, denied food, water, and bathrooms, only to be turned away and told to return another day. At Krome Detention Center, elderly and sick immigrants—many who had lived here for decades—were detained and deported to countries they barely knew.

What struck me most during that time was the silence from my own Catholic Church. While faith leaders from other communities—Rabbis, Imams, preachers—showed up to advocate for refugees and asylum seekers, the Catholic Church, with over 100 parishes in the Archdiocese of Miami, was glaringly absent. How could a church rooted in the teachings of Christ, himself a refugee, remain so quiet?

During Holy Week, I decided to take action. Over 200 priests gather at the cathedral during this time, making it an ideal opportunity to catch their attention. Though I was nervous—this was my faith, my community—I stood alone with a sign that read, “Jesus was a refugee. ICE Miramar is harming refugees.” As the priests passed by, some gave me a thumbs-up; others averted their eyes.

I felt scared, but also resolute.

Speaking out was my way of holding a mirror to my faith and asking it to live up to its values.

Now, as the shadow of a second Trump presidency looms, I reflect on that day and know this: remaining silent is not an option.

We must raise our voices and challenge America and its leaders to reflect on and uphold our shared values of liberty and justice for all.

Fascist regimes thrive on silence, fear, and complacency. They rely on people being too scared or too disillusioned to speak out, allowing oppressive systems to take root and dismantle rights, freedoms, and democracy piece by piece. Silence isn’t neutral—it’s complicity.

We’ve already seen what happens when authoritarian tendencies go unchecked. Children separated from their parents. Immigrants treated as less than human. The rule of law eroded in favor of personal vendettas and power grabs. Under a second Trump presidency, I fear the threats to our communities and our families will only grow, as will the assault on democracy itself. History has shown us time and again that silence in the face of oppression only emboldens it.

This is not the time to shrink back or hope someone else will step forward. Every voice, every act of courage matters. Whether it’s attending a protest, signing a petition, having hard conversations, or simply showing up, we must all do something. Because if we don’t, who will?

As dark as these times feel, there is hope in collective action. Together, we can stand against fascism, protect our rights and freedoms, and uphold the values of democracy. But it starts with courage—the courage to speak up, even when it’s hard. I hope you will join me, now, more than ever, we must rise to the moment. Let’s stand together and fight for a future we can all be proud of. Silence is not an option.

Change begins at the end of your comfort zone. - Roy T. Bennett

We cannot wait for someone else to save us. The stakes are too high. If we do nothing, we risk losing everything—our freedoms, our rights, and our ability to determine the future of this nation.

But together, we can fight back. Together, we can:

• Organize our communities.

• Educate ourselves and others.

• Mobilize to hold leaders accountable and demand change.

This is how we protect our families, our communities, and our democracy. We will not let fear win. We will not be ruled by hate or division.

Now is the time to act. Join us to build a movement that ensures everyday Americans—not the wealthy elite—shape the future of our nation. Together, we can safeguard freedom, justice, and equality for future generations.

The power is in your hands. Let’s fight for freedom over fascism—because our future depends on it.

What You Can Do

• Click here to take the Freedom Over Fascism pledge

• Click here to take a grassroots survey to help our movement building efforts.

• Click here to follow us on social media.

• Click here to signup for our next event: Building People Power in Remembrance of the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection. Details: 📅 Date: January 6th 🕒 Time: 8 PM Eastern 📍 Location: Via Zoom. RSVP today and bring your voice to the movement!

• Click here to join the social media team.

• BONUS: Click here to Tell Congressional Republicans: No One Voted for Elon Musk

Thanks for taking action!

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✨ Together we can inspire change!

People Power United champions progress and power to the people.

We believe in change because we make change happen.

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.

We believe:

• Everyone deserves dignity —with access to housing, healthcare, and education.

• Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive — regardless of age, race, sex, sexual preference, preferred pronouns, religion, or employment status.

• Everyone deserves safety—clean air and water, and communities free from gun violence.

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)

Laurie joining other activists and organizations to drop thousands of petitions off to Congress to advocate for reforms to the Supreme Court

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.

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