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Hi John,
Almost one year ago, the Trump administration returned to power and began a full-scale assault on our freedoms. It attacked immigrants, censored dissent, and used government power to punish entire communities.
We remember that moment. We remember the fear, the anger, and the uncertainty that followed.
And we know what we did next: we organized. We trained our neighbors. We showed up for one another. Together, we turned collective fear into collective power.
Now, just under one year into our fight, our movement is stronger. Across the country, ACLU People Power activists mobilized to defend democracy, protect free speech, and fight for every person’s right to live without fear. As we close this first year of resistance, let’s reflect on what you made possible and look ahead to what comes next.
ACLU IN THE STREETS: ACTION HIGHLIGHTS
This year, you showed us what real people power looks like. From defending democracy and free speech to standing with our immigrant communities, here’s what we’ve accomplished together:
BUILDING PEOPLE POWER
In 2025, ACLU People Power grew into one of the largest grassroots networks for civil liberties in the country. Every training, message, and petition represents a story of courage and connection. Together, we turned outrage into action.
Our growth in numbers:
* 157, 038 new people tuned into ACLU People Power in 2025.
* 532 volunteers used our national Slack every month to coordinate, share invites, and sustain local campaigns.
* Our volunteers and staff sent 5.1 million text s and 6.1 million emails to mobilize communities across the country.
* 342, 150 online action forms, petitions, sign up forms, messages to legislators, and more were completed.
* Our volunteers made over 51,874 constituent calls to legislators in weekly phone-banks.
* Over 12 new volunteer leaders were recruited and trained.
* Over 5,466 veterans were activated through ACLU’s brand-new Veterans for Democracy organizing, with 37 trained up in storytelling, 188 attending a recent town hall, and a goal of over 30 to show up at our Veterans Lobby Day in November.
* Our team hosted a total of 18 Know Your Rights trainings in 2025 that reached more than 53,000 people across the country.
* Over 260 attendees trained at Pop Ed events across the country, including the first ever multilingual popular education training in Newburgh, New York.
* Nearly 13,000 activists joined our regular monthly Action calls, where we keep our volunteers up to date on the latest human rights abuses and the most pressing actions they can take.
* Over 3 million Know Your Rights cards in Spanish and English distributed at No Kings Protests on October 18th.
This is what people power looks like- consistent, relational, and unstoppable. Every number here represents a person who refused to stay silent- who showed up consistently to defend democracy and build a better future.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
This year, President Trump deployed troops to cities like Washington, D.C, Chicago, Portland, Memphis, and L.A., sending National Guard units from several states to patrol our nation’s largest cities.
From local town halls to national marches, volunteers led the charge to stop the administration’s abuse of power. In Washington, D.C., thousands marched under the banner We Are All DC to protest the federal takeover of the city. ACLU staff and volunteers handed out over 2,000 Know Your Rights cards and recruited hundreds of new activists on site.
Activists hold signs up in front of the White House and protest against federal troops in DC. [[link removed]]
Activists join in a mass protest on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to resist domestic deployment.
In Portland, over 500 Oregonians stood shoulder to shoulder in a mass protest to resist President Trump’s domestic deployment threats in Portland. And when ICE Raids and thousands of federalized National Guard troops and Marines swept through Los Angeles neighborhoods, arresting dozens including SEIU leader David Huerta, over 203 ACLU people power activists joined 5,000 SEIU folks for a mass protest in LA to demand Huerta’s release and end the deployment in LA.
Activists hold up signs and march at a protest of over 500 to resist deployment threats in Oregon. [[link removed]]
Protestors in Oregon resist the threats of domestic deployment made by the Trump administration.
“Oregonians showed up to remind the Trump administration that we want a safe country, not one where the military is turned against us” -Elvia Montoya, Senior Advisor, Policy & Gov't Affairs, ACLU National
Most recently, in Oregon, ACLU-OR organizers mobilized across seven No Kings 2 rallies statewide- recruiting 87 new volunteers.
Activists in Oregon dress in frog suits and attend No Kings rallies on October 18th. [[link removed]]
Oregonians march in No Kings rallies on October 18th.
And in Tennessee this month, ACLU-TN and ACLU People Power co-hosted a Know Your Rights: Memphis National Guard training with over 400 attendees. As the administration deployed federal forces in Memphis, ACLU-TN joined 18 local partners in the Free the 901 campaign to educate residents on their rights and push back against occupation. The work culminated in No Kings Memphis, where more than 8,000 people turned out to demand freedom and accountability.
“We are demanding that President Trump and Gov. Lee stop this planned military occupation of Memphis. But if they fail to listen to reason, then the ACLU of Tennessee will consider every legal option available. We will be prepared. We will not be scared.” - Claire Gardner, ACLU of TN
FREE SPEECH UNDER FIRE
When the FCC tried to silence Jimmy Kimmel, the ACLU responded within hours. Over 475 artists and 40,000 ACLU supporters demanded accountability [[link removed]] from media corporations and government officials. The pressure worked- Kimmel is back on air, and our message was clear: censorship has no place in a free society.
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And when they tried to disappear people for exercising their first amendment rights, we brought them home: After relentless advocacy, Mahmoud Khalil- wrongfully detained for his work organizing for Palestinian human rights- was released. His freedom is proof: solidarity works. People power wins.
The ACLU has fought tirelessly in the cases of others who have been wrongfully detained in an effort to get them released from ICE Detention, freeing Dr. Badr Khan Suri, Rumeysa Ozturk, and many more.
STANDING WITH IMMIGRANTS
This year, the Trump administration was committed to ICE detention and expansion, as well as the perpetuation of 287g agreements: the harmful policies that deputize law enforcement as ICE agents.
From announcing a plan to detain 100,00 people by year's end to utilizing military bases as soft-sided detention facilities, they weaponized every federal tool they could against immigrant communities and sowed fear. But our ACLU activists pushed back at every step.
This year volunteers organized protests outside detention facilities, ran state based Know Your Rights trainings, and hosted town halls and volunteer calls to fight back against 287g agreements.
Protestors stand outside of the new proposed immigration detention facility in Hudson CO. [[link removed]]
Advocates stand outside Fort Bliss in a press conference.
As part of this fight, the ACLU of Texas and ACLU of NM joined with partners for a press conference outside of Fort Bliss- the former internment site for Japanese Americans during WWII, which is now being converted into the largest current immigration detention center in U.S. history. In Florida, more than 100 activists joined faith leaders for a vigil outside the brutal Everglades Detention Center.
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And in Delaware, ACLU of DE won a major victory as Governor Meyer signed HB 182 into law, making Delaware the 7th state to ban state and local law enforcement from entering into 287g agreements.
ACLU of DE advocates stand behind Governor Meyer as he signs HB 182 into law. [[link removed]]
Advocates and leaders from ACLU-DE stand behind Governor Meyer as he signs HB 182 into law.
Most recently in Minnesota , ACLU of MN joined hundreds [[link removed]] at the Kandiyohi County No Kings Day of Action. ACLU of Minnesota Advocacy Director Julio Zelaya spoke at the rally about the county’s new 287(g) agreement, which gives local sheriff deputies the power to perform immigration enforcement. These agreements, which have spread rapidly in Minnesota and across the country this year, can turn even the most minor interactions with local law enforcement into life-altering situations: detention, deportation, and separation from families. On October 18th alone, over 100 community members in Kandiyohi County signed a petition expressing their opposition to the 287(g) program.
Activists march in a No Kings rally, where hundreds sign petitions against 287(g) programs. [[link removed]]
Activists march in a No Kings rally, where hundreds sign petitions against 287(g) programs.
And in Maryland, Wicomico County is coming together to say no to 287(g) . On October 7th, a coalition including ACLU of MD organized a press conference and public comment at the county council. The room overflowed with people from different communities demanding the county prioritize the needs of the people, instead of finding new ways to lock people up. Check out the Baltimore Sun [[link removed]] for coverage
DEFENDING TRANS RIGHTS
When the administration moved to restrict access to gender-affirming care and reproductive health, you mobilized. From the #ProudAndFree Week of Action to rallies in July, volunteers stood in defense of bodily autonomy across the country.
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Activists in D.C. rally in response to the U.S. V. Skrmetti ruling.
After the devastating U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling, our volunteers helped mobilize two urgent rallies in D.C. and New York that drew over 200 people . And outside the Supreme Court, our volunteers collected 400+ petition signatures and signed up 90+ new People Power volunteers ready to join the fight for LGBTQ+ rights during Freedom to Be- an installation that serves as a powerful, living testament to trans resilience, community, and joy.
"Trans communities and movements have always been here. We have always taken care of each other even before we had rights.” - Kris Hayashi, Director of National Campaigns, Transgender Justice, ACLU
No matter what the Court says, trans people belong. We will keep showing up, loud, proud, and united for trans joy, freedom, and power.
DEFENDING HEATLH CARE
When Congress moved to slash Medicaid and leave millions at risk, volunteers responded with 24-hour vigils, all-night hearings, and direct pressure on lawmakers. In June and July, volunteers kept up the pressure at committee hearings and town halls. After the so-called "Big Ugly Bill" passed in one form or another, activists targeted more than 30 congressional districts with rapid response actions , planned local town halls, and amplified stories from people who would be harmed. This work is life and death for many families. We will keep organizing until legislators stop voting to take health care away from their constituents.
Activists stage a protest against Medicaid cuts outside a government building in Denver, CO. [[link removed]]
Activists stage a protest against Medicaid cuts outside a government building in Denver, CO.
“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
Together, we’ve shown what a year of people power can do- and this is just the beginning.
WHAT’S NEXT: TAKE ACTION & GEAR UP FOR 2026
Our work doesn’t end here. This next year demands even more from all of us: sharper strategy, deeper solidarity, and sustained organizing. Here’s how you can plug in for 2026:
Activists stand outside the Hudson Protection Facility holding signs and megaphones. [[link removed]]
ATTEND OUR END-OF-YEAR NOVEMBER ACTION CALL
This final Action Call of 2025 is your chance to join us as we reflect, recommit, and take our next collective step in our movement to defend democracy. Join ACLU leaders, field experts, and activists nationwide as we reflect on the wins and collective actions of 2025 and launch the next phase of our resistance.
RSVP TO NOVEMBER ACTION CALL [[link removed]]
TELL CONGRESS: PROTECT A FREE PRESS
A free and independent press is critical to our democracy – but the administration has made clear that they intend to intimidate and silence any reporting the president dislikes.The Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act is our chance to rein in these out-of-control and unconstitutional attacks. Tell your representative: Co-sponsor this critical legislation and protect our free press.
TAKE ACTION [[link removed]]
VOLUNTEER
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!
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Our path forward isn’t just about resisting or reacting. It’s about reimagining what freedom looks like when people take power back, one action at a time. Let’s keep building our vision for the future, together, from now through 2026.
Want to stay connected between newsletters? Visit our new People Power website at aclu.org/peoplepower [[link removed]] for real-time updates, upcoming actions, and organizing resources.
See you in 2026,
The ACLU People Power Team
This email was sent to [email protected]. Email is the most important way we stay in touch with you, but if you need to remove yourself from our People Power email list, click here to unsubscribe: [link removed] .
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