📢 Yes, I stood up to 200 priests and here is why

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

People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

---

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.

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

---

If we aspire to the ideals that America is the land of liberty and justice for all, we must include EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL in our nation's laws.

Two-thirds of the states have approved the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), but the artificial deadline placed when it was initially passed by Congress in 1972 has prohibited it from being legally enacted. To eliminate the time limit, congressional Democrats have proposed a resolution (H.J.Res. 25 / S.J. Res 4) to remove this time limit barrier and add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

It's been 100 years since the Equal Rights Amendment was first drafted in 1923.

This amendment seeks to guarantee legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. The Amendment States: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

Moving forward, the Constitution should reflect the nation’s future, one in which the United States is a leader—not a follower—on the world stage and where it upholds its central tenet of equality for all, regardless of sex or gender.

According to a 2016 survey commissioned by the ERA Coalition, a whopping 94 percent of people in the United States would support an amendment enshrining gender equality into the Constitution.

While often portrayed as a world leader, the United States lags behind the 76 percent of countries around the world with constitutions that guarantee equal rights for women.

We are getting louder about advocating for the ERA and I hope you will join us to champion the respect and dignity for all by passing the Equal Rights Amendment.

Can you take a moment to support the ERA?

1. Click here to send a letter: Tell Congress: Now is the time to ratify the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment)

2. Click here to signup for Biden Publish the ERA: Digital Town Hall

Thanks for taking action!

---

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!

• Here are today’s calls-to-action (timed they take about 5 minutes)

  • Click here to sign the petition: Don't Let Trump Bypass Your Constitutional Duties

  • Click here to send a message to your Member of Congress and State lawmakers: Protect Democracy and Prevent Abuse of Recess Appointments

  • Click here to signup for our next training: Stop Project 2025: Mobilize for Change

  • Click here to signup for Why We Must Stop Recess Appointments

  • Click here to signup for Biden Publish the ERA: Digital Town Hall

  • Click here to upgrade your People Power United subscription or become a paid subscriber

  • Give us a ❤️ heart and leave a comment on this post and Share this post on your social media channels

---

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:

Sunday, December 1st at 7pm Eastern, 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:

• We joined a group effort to encourage the Senate to move forward with confirming Head of Office of Government Ethics (it worked!)

• We sent out several updates and news briefs on our newsletters:

  • Protect Our Planet

  • Defend and Protect Democracy

  • Reproductive Freedom for All

  • Supreme Court Accountability

  • Freedom Over Fascism

  • Resist Project 2025

• Stay connected, get People Power United on the Substack app

Additional updates can be found here.

---

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.

---