Hi John,  

This past month, the people in power have shown us exactly who they are. They paraded tanks through D.C. in a show of dominance. They unleashed ICE raids on immigrant communities, detaining leaders like SEIU’s David Huerta in a calculated act of intimidation. They slashed vital public resources by advancing devastating Medicaid cuts. And they celebrated as the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s cruel ban on life-saving care for trans youth. 

But while the Trump administration flexed its muscle, ACLU People Power flexed something far stronger: the power of organized people.

Our grassroots community of volunteers has mobilized by the thousands. And when they tried to disappear our leaders, we brought them home: After weeks of pressure and relentless advocacy, Mahmoud Khalil- wrongfully detained for his work organizing for Palestinian human rights- has been released. His freedom is proof: solidarity works. People power wins. 

From coast to coast, we showed up and proved that people can and will triumph over power. Here’s what we won together this month:

While tanks rolled through Washington in a made-for-TV display of dominance, ACLU activists across the country joined hundreds of partners for a nationwide No Kings Day of Action featuring 2,400 events across the country and over 5 million people taking action. From art builds to an ACLU Know Your Rights training that over 43,000 people power activists signed up for, we showed what real power looks like: collective action rooted in care, dignity, and courage.

In Arizona, our volunteers kept up the pressure on Congress by phone banking to stop harmful Medicaid cuts. Our volunteers were able to have over 320 conversations with directly impacted constituents across Arizona to get them to take action and demand an end to attacks on Medicaid. 

“Thank you, Bernice. You did a really good job on the call. I liked your pace and your kindness with all of us.” - Liz, ACLU People Power Volunteer

And as the fight to protect Medicaid continues in the Senate, our volunteers are not backing down.

After the devastating U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling, our volunteers jumped into action. They helped mobilize two urgent rallies in D.C. and New York that drew over 300 people with less than 5 hours of notice in solidarity with the trans community.

No matter what the Court says, trans people belong. We will keep showing up, loud, proud, and united for trans joy, freedom, and power. 

When ICE raids swept through Los Angeles neighborhoods, our community rose up in protest. In retaliation, President Trump deployed thousands of federalized National Guard troops and Marines. Among those arrested was SEIU leader David Huerta, targeted for his role in organizing.

But this repression didn’t stop us. Over 203 ACLU people power activists responded to a rapid response call and joined 5,000 SEIU folks for a mass protest in LA to demand Huerta’s release and the end to ICE raids across LA.

Over 800 volunteers joined a Know Your Protest Rights training in Minnesota to get the tools they need to stay safe and powerful in the streets. 

“I loved the opportunity to hear from lawyers and have some questions answered. In a scary time for protests, it made me feel more secure having that info from an org like the ACLU” - Emma, ACLU-MN volunteer

Knowledge is power- and this training gave our volunteers the tools to take action with confidence.

In Colorado, the ACLU’s Power & Purpose training brought people together to learn how to organize, connect, and fight back. 

““I’m already rolling with the people power squad!” – Leigh, ACLU People Power Volunteer

Volunteers also distributed Medicaid flyers in Colorado in Northglenn and Greeley to help influence a key vulnerable House member and at No Kings actions statewide, reaching nearly 800 households with critical info on the threat to Medicaid.

“This is about life and death. Most people on Medicaid are kids, seniors, and disabled folks. They just want to live.’ - ACLU People Power Volunteer

This month, we welcomed nearly 60 new volunteers to the call team and trained 20 more through our new condensed ThruTalk training. Together, they made hundreds of calls to connect voters with Congress, mobilize for trans rights, and fuel our Medicaid advocacy. To get connected to our call team, click here. 

With free speech under attack, the ACLU of Maryland is stepping up. On July 8th, they’re hosting a town hall— “We the People: Protect Free Speech for All”—featuring Rep. Jamie Raskin and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez. This is how we fight back: by gathering, by organizing, and by refusing to be silent. Local to Wheaton, MD? RSVP here.

This work doesn’t stop here – and neither do we.

If you’re feeling fired up, here’s how you can plug into action right now and in the weeks ahead:

We are in the fight of a lifetime to defend our rights, our freedoms, and our democracy. Join ACLU People Power’s New Series: Organizing to Protect Democracy- and attend the kickoff session happening July 8th. This free, high impact, virtual training is built to ignite your activism and give you the tools to organize, mobilize, and lead in this critical moment. RSVP today and join us!

The U.S. House passed a budget that opens the door to massive cuts to Medicaid – threatening vital health care access for millions of low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. And the Senate is now taking up the bill. With the Senate poised to vote on their version of this bill, we must speak out. There’s no time to wait: Send a message to Congress and tell them to protect Medicaid at all costs.

SCOTUS upheld Tennessee’s trans health care ban—and now Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is pushing a federal bill to criminalize care nationwide. It would mean 10 years in federal prison for any provider offering gender-affirming health care to trans youth. We can’t let it happen. Send a message to your member of congress today and demand that they vote against this bill.

President Trump deployed thousands of federalized National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles- and is threatening more troops in our communities. This is a direct threat to our basic constitutional rights: lawful protest, free expression, and speaking out against injustice. Congress must take action before it’s too late. Send a message to your MOCs demanding that they call on the Trump administration to withdraw military troops from our communities and rescind the deployment order. 

If you’re ready to get active and get involved, now is the time to sign up and volunteer. Join our community of activists organizing for immigrant rights, gender justice, and civil liberties nationwide. Whether you’re phone banking, text banking, or showing up in person – we need you. Sign up today and join our activist community!

Let’s keep building, showing up, and winning together. 

In solidarity,

– ACLU People Power