John,

On Saturday, I was proud to represent Color Of Change at the HandsOff! Rally and speak in front of over 100,000 people gathered in front of the Washington Monument to tell Donald Trump and Elon Musk to take their hands off our future, our livelihoods and our democracy.

Trump and Musk have shown that there is no ceiling to their craven reach for unchecked power. They’re willing to rob middle-class families to protect the interests of the wealthy and well-connected. They’re willing to steal the dignity of our elders by plundering Social Security. They’re willing to gut the jobs and livelihoods of government workers who keep our communities running.

Color Of Change is committed to fighting back against this Administration’s destructive agenda, but it takes major resources. Our power comes when we stand shoulder to shoulder and speak out in a collective voice that is louder and more powerful than any single one of us as an individual — John, will you chip in $25 or more to help sustain our ongoing work to defend our communities and our democracy?

Yes, I'll Give!

This is just the latest chapter in a long history of policies designed to strip Black communities of power, purpose, and possibility. The goal of this Administration is predicated on anti-Blackness and a neo-segregationist agenda seeking to erase our contributions and our legacy. But this weekend was a reminder that we are not alone in this fight.

While Trump and his allies seek to break us to embolden themselves, I am reminded of the words of prolific writer and Black womanist thought leader, Alice Walker, who once said that “There are those who believe Black people possess the secret of joy and that it is this that will sustain them through any spiritual or moral or physical devastation.”

As a Black woman who has experienced the cruelties and injustices of this world, but who will not let them break me, I know her words are correct.

Furthermore, Ms. Walker says that “resistance is the secret of joy.” Our joy is resilience. Our joy is defiance. Our joy is the sustenance that keeps us going in the fight for freedom and justice. Like our ancestors, we will continue to find joy in community. In togetherness. And in collectively imagining and fighting for a just and equitable world we haven’t experienced…yet.

As we tell segregationists, bigots, and the privileged wealthy elite to keep their “hands off” all that they seek to steal from us, we can and we will find joy in resistance, and resist with joy. If you participated in a protest or an action this past weekend, I see you and I am grateful for your courage and dedication.

And if you weren’t able to get out there, there are still so many ways for you to continue to support our movement. Can we count on you to make a contribution of $25 or more today to fuel our campaigns for justice?

Thank you for all that you do. These are dark days, but it can’t storm forever.

Until Justice Is Real,

Portia Allen-Kyle (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
Color Of Change

Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change.

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