Take Action
The multiple converging emergencies that threaten to overwhelm our world are not your fault or mine. But if we don’t take responsibility, who will?
Thankfully, more and more people around the world are waking from the trance of “business as usual” and finding ways to speak out and work for change. It turns out that regardless of success or failure, working together in a worthy cause is inspiring, invigorating, and deeply fulfilling. And there are literally millions of ways to plug in, from small groups to large organizations.
In this space I will offer a sampling of options for contributing your time and energy where it is needed most – or at least dipping your toe into the current of change. I concentrate my own efforts on three particular areas (listed below), but I contribute to many others by signing a petition, showing up at a rally, making a donation . . .
Every issue is vitally important, and for each, one or more citizen groups has formed to work for fairness and sanity. Pick the one that calls to you and give what you can. Time, money, energy, creativity – it all counts.
To learn more, read my essay “The Community of Hope” here.
To plunge right in without further ado, check out the suggestions on the right-hand side of this page. Below you’ll find links to my own particular issues of priority concern.
Photo: Lorraine Fontana
HOW YOU CAN HELP
To add your voice to the movement of resistance against a totalitarian U.S.A., read these empowering articles:
From New Republic: “Fighting Back: A Citizen’s Guide to Resistance“
From Yes! Magazine: “Activists Take Back the Climate“
“7 Ways to Rise Up Against Trumpism 2.0“
From Waging Peace: “Resistance Is Alive and Well in the United States“
JOIN THE INDIVISIBLE MOVEMENT: Indivisible is a national coalition of local Indivisible groups jump-started after the election of 2016. Their response to the right’s “divide-and-conquer” strategy is unity, showing up to support anyone under threat. Find your local group here, and download the “Indivisible Guide” to explore a wide range of tactics and tips for action. From their website: “Indivisible was founded in response to Trump’s election – but we know that Trump is a symptom of a sick democracy, not its cause. We face two fundamental problems: first, our democracy was rigged from the start in favor of the white and wealthy. Second, in the last few decades, an alliance of white nationalists and the ultra-rich have been actively working to further undermine democracy and cement their hold on power permanently. That’s how we ended up with Trump.”
TRACK THE ACTION IN THE COURTS: Public Citizen has unveiled a tracker listing and updating the lawsuits and other court filings they and their allies have launched to halt Trump’s agenda as it unfolds. Click here to follow the action.
And finally, here are just a few of the many petitions you can sign. But remember, signing petitions is never enough!
DEFEND SOCIAL SECURITY! Anyone familiar with the Trump M.O. should have known when he promised to preserve Social Security that Social Security benefits would be a target. Rep. John Larson (D-CT), ranking member of the House Social Security subcommittee, has introduced the “Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act,” banning the closure of SSA field offices for the rest of Trump’s term; the “Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act,” blocking DOGE access to our data and strengthening oversight; and a “Resolution of Inquiry” requiring Trump to disclose all DOGE activity involving SSA to Congress. Click here to send a letter drafted by Social Security Works, or your own customized version, asking your representatives in Congress to vote for all three.
PROTECT CLIMATE ACTIVISM! The Trump administration is accusing climate action groups funded by Joe Biden’s climate initiatives of “defrauding the government.” In a recent court filing, Citibank revealed that the FBI has requested it to freeze the bank accounts of these organizations. In response, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has launched an inquiry into potential misconduct by the FBI and other agencies weaponized by Trump on behalf of his climate-denial agenda. Read and sign a petition from Civic Shout here demanding that Congress (1) support Whitehouse’s inquiry, (2) investigate the use of federal agencies to intimidate climate activists, and (3) pass emergency legislation to prevent the criminalization of vital climate advocacy work.
END ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL. Bypassing the constitutional authority of Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unilaterally greenlighted the sale of $4 billion worth of weaponry to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs that have no purpose but to kill and maim. But Congress doesn’t have to accept a back-seat role. Amnesty International has drafted a letter to our elected lawmakers urging them to save innocent Palestinian lives by cutting off all military aid to Israel immediately. Click here to send your representatives Amnesty’s letter or a customized version of your own.
Take Action and Learn More
Our political, social, and environmental concerns are all connected at the root. I have concentrated my own efforts on the three areas listed below, Every issue is vitally important, and for each, one or more citizen groups has formed to work for fairness and sanity. Pick the one that calls to you and give what you can. Time, money, energy, creativity – it all counts.
Stephen Wing
Poet, activist and author Stephen Wing lives in Atlanta with his wife Dawn Aura and assorted pets. Read more about him here.