La Résistance! It Takes A Nation

As you know, millions of ordinary Americans in every part of this country-- red states, blue states-- are resisting the authoritarian, even fascist, impulses of the new Trump-Bannon-Pence regime. And, so far, that resistance has scored some remarkable victories. Everyday American citizens-- along with intrepid members of the media and more than a few elected officials-- forced the Trump Regime to reverse the announced federal hiring freeze for the Veteran Administration. In the last few days several federal judges halted the Trump/Bannon unconstitutional travel ban aimed at Muslims. The massive airport protests last weekend resulted in several Trump cabinet members pointedly overriding #PresidentBannon's horrifying scheme to deport legitimate American residents, including Green Card holders and even Iraqis who fought alongside American soldiers. An effective boycott coupled with widespread protests led to Uber's CEO dropping out of a Trump business advisory council and pledging $3 million and immigration lawyers for its drivers. (200,000 Uber users dropped the app and Lyft gave a million dollars to the American Civil Liberties Union to fight the illegal Trump/Bannon immigration ban. Resistance has made a massive difference to the ACLU, which normally raises 3-4 million dollars a year and took in an astonishing $24 million in just one weekend of protests!

Meanwhile, Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) has become more popular and respected than ever before. Enrollment ads are airing despite Trump's initial orders to take them down and, despite ugly Republican efforts, Obamacare has enrolled 9.2 million people in the face of their opposition and systemic sabotage.

The Health and Human Services, EPA, US Deptartment of Agriculture gag orders were lifted due to tremendous protests and pressure from the public and from members of Congress standing up to Trumpist bullying.

So far, 800,000 scientists have signed up for a march in support of science and against the dangerous denialism led by crackpots like Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Trump himself. Renewable energy is growing despite Trump-- and is likely to continue to do so.

Reports have been flooding in from everywhere that more and more people of different career/religious/economic/ethnic/gender backgrounds are considering running for political office than ever before. And Reproductive rights activists are pushing for protection at state level.

Trump's approval ratings are the lowest of any president in history at this point in his term. An unprecedented 40% of Americans would already like to see him impeached! Efforts are underway! Governors, state attorneys general, mayors and local officials are standing up to Trump and his toxic agenda and authoritarian policies. And then there's this, supposedly launching tomorrow: @FIRE_THE_FOOL, in advance of an April 1 protest march. 

This week, two reporters from entertainment-oriented magazines called to ask me about the effectiveness of popular culture protests against Trump and his policies. Expectations are building for The Grammy Awards show next week. More and more artists have been writing and recording anti-Trump songs. High profile athletic teams-- and many others-- are joining the effort to boycott Trump hotels and his other businesses. Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus dropped Ivanka Trump's fashion collection, citing the brand's poor performance. And this weekend, theaters are absolutely packed with viewers of the just-released and extraordinary documentary on James Baldwin. This must see film, I Am Not Your Negro, is the latest in asking us to face the racism that continues to plague the heart of America.



Yes, these are dark times and, don't let anyone tell you that the threats aren't colossal. While more resistance and creative forward-moving strategies will be needed, sometimes we have to celebrate our wins. We have to stay vigilant, and seriously take care of ourselves and each other. Activist burnout is a real thing. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Give thanks for all the others-- known and unknown-- who are shoulder to shoulder with us in this fight. This weekend Blue America has put up a new ActBlue page dedicated to members of the Senate and the House who have been most forceful and effective in their courageous resistance to Trumpsm-- from Luis Gutierrez, who started the movement to boycott the Trumpist inauguration-- something that almost 80 Members of Congress joined-- to Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ted Lieu and Jerry Nadler, challenging Trump's and the GOP's myriad attempts in Congress to push their disastrous agenda. Take a look at the short list by clicking on the thermometer below-- and if we've overlooked anyone especially deserving, please let us know: