Hey folks,

Cowardice is easy to find. I’m on the hunt for courage.

We all see Trump shaking down media companies, universities, law firms, and businesses -- and now moving to militarize and control DC (more on that as the situation develops). When you’re dealing with a mob boss like that, cowardice is the easy move. That short-term self-preservationist thinking is why we have Paramount, Paul Weiss, Columbia University, and others buckling under pressure.

So I’m looking for leaders who are doing the hard thing. I want to see and celebrate courage not just because this makes me feel good, but because quiet, unnoticed courage doesn’t spread or build. Sure, courage is contagious, but the contagion could use a boost.

Last week, I wrote about the courage of Texas House Democrats breaking quorum and the need for blue states to fight back. This week, I’m happy to celebrate some courage that’s catching on. 

Not only are the Texas Democrats still refusing to budge in the face of threats from their state, the White House, and the FBI, but Dem leaders in other states are backing them up:

• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker welcomed most of the Texas Dems to his state and ridiculed the empty threat of FBI arrest. “I welcome the FBI coming to the state. I hope they take in the State Fair.”
• California Governor Gavin Newsom also welcomed some of the Texas Dems to his state, and described the moment as an “existential crisis to democracy,” promising to respond in kind with his own mid-decade redistricting.
• Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey hosted some Texas lawmakers, calling the Republican plot “a partisan, craven, political power grab attempt by the President of the United States.”
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul hosted some of the Texas Dems, as well, and accused the Republicans of implementing a plan to “drag us towards authoritarianism,” while also promising her own redistricting response.

It’s so bad that the introverts are here, too. As much as I like to hear fighting words from high-profile politicians, I want to turn your attention to a different detail that struck me this week. It came from Gene Wu, the little-known Texas House Dem leader who is helping lead the charge.

Wu describes himself this way: “I am very, very much an introvert. I prefer to not talk to people if at all possible.” The Washington Post reported that his “leg shook almost uncontrollably with nerves recently as he spoke to reporters.” And yet, Wu is parlaying with governors, party leaders, and national press throughout this crisis.

Courage does not mean you don’t have fear, and it doesn’t mean you are comfortable leading. For the other introverts out there reading this from the safety of your own home, I hope you understand this movement for democracy needs you, too. As Trump threatens to militarize our nation’s capitol, we need all the introverts (and extroverts and omniverts) we can get.

We aren’t all fearless and we aren’t all comfortable, but damnit, this needs doing and we’re going to do it.

This week, that means celebrating and spreading the courage we’re seeing around the country. The Texas Dems have called for a national day of action this Saturday, August 16. Indivisible is backing them up -- find the map here and host or attend an event.

And Leah and I will be back for our weekly live discussion with What’s The Plan? this Thursday at 3pm ET to discuss what we can do moving forward.

For more, read on to this week’s action items below.

In solidarity,
Ezra Levin
Co-Executive Director, Indivisible

Your weekly to-dos

1. Find an event this Saturday, August 16, to protest Trump’s effort to rig electoral maps and steal the 2026 election. Trump’s map takeover is starting in Texas, but it won’t stop there. We’re fighting back nationwide with a day of action this weekend. No event near you? Register your own protest here.
2. Blue State Indivisibles: Call on state Democrats to fight fire with fire by readying new congressional maps. If red state Republicans redraw their maps to rig the race for Congress, blue state Dems must even the playing field by responding in kind. Use our tools to demand that Democratic governors and legislators act now.
3. Sign up for the final One Million Rising session on August 13 to plug into a new phase of national campaign work. You’ll learn to plan and execute a non-cooperation campaign -- and how to coach others to do the same. We’ll also share specific actions you can take to put pressure on institutions enabling Trump.
4. Join Thursday’s What’s the Plan? call to ask Leah and Ezra your questions on redistricting, One Million Rising, and more. Every Thursday at 3pm ET, our co-founders jump online to break down key campaigns and answer your questions directly! Be part of an interactive chat about what’s next in our fight for democracy.
5. DC Indivisibles: We won't allow Trump's takeover of DC to go unanswered, and we're working with local partners to formulate a response. Our partner Free DC is encouraging folks to display DC flags or "Free DC" signs and to step outside at 8pm every day to make some noise -- cheer, shout, wave noisemakers, and do whatever you can to be heard and show solidarity with your neighbors. More soon.

P.S. New threats from this administration come at a torrid pace, and Indivisible needs to move just as fast. That often means responding to emerging attacks like Trump’s map-rigging gambit before we can financially plan for them. Your donations, particularly monthly gifts, make that possible. If you’re able, please start a monthly donation or chip in just one time to ensure we can always respond to new fascist takeover attempts.

Demand universities resist Trump

Last week, Brown University became the latest high-profile institution to cut a backroom deal with the Trump administration -- caving to an extortion scheme that forces discriminatory policies and surveillance measures onto campus in exchange for restored funding.

It’s not just Brown. Columbia and Penn have already capitulated, and behind closed doors, Harvard could be next. But resistance is growing.

We’re partnering with Crimson Courage to support an open letter urging Harvard to stand firm and reject Trump’s demands. Add your name to the open letter telling Harvard they must resist -- democracy depends on it.

IndivisiWIN of the week

In a key New York congressional district, Indivisible groups are working collectively to toxify the Big Bullshit Bill and hold their GOP representative accountable for backing it.

Last week, leaders from CCoHOPE Indivisible and Indivisible YorktownNY took over their local paper’s letters section with pieces condemning Rep. Mike Lawler for voting to gut Medicaid and other programs his constituents need. Read the Indivisibles’ letters in the Peekskill Herald here!

Get an expert's guidance on building coalitions

Our Solidarity in Action speaker series is all about effective strategies to support, uplift, and stand in solidarity with the communities most endangered by authoritarianism. At our next session on August 18, immigrant rights activist and author Cristina Jiménez will share her strategies for building effective community support programs.

You’ll leave equipped with best practices for forming, managing, and sustaining effective coalitions to amplify community support and advocacy efforts.

Sign up for the Solidarity in Action event with United We Dream co-founder Cristina Jiménez on Monday, August 18, at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.

Follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads to keep up on the latest information, and text “INDIVISIBLE” to 59798 to opt-in to our text messaging program, where we send rapid response actions a few times a month.