A month isn’t enough to cover the history and impact of the millions of people who identify as AAPI. There are 20.6 million people in the U.S. who identify as AAPI—over 6% of the total population, and their cultures, contributions, and challenges deserve to be recognized. 

What is AAPI Heritage Month?

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (or AAPI Heritage Month) celebrates people in the United States who are of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian descent. 
• The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast, and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. (History).
• There is no single story of the AAPI experience but rather a multitude of heritages and cultures that are continually cultivated, making up a tapestry of diverse experiences and histories.
• Many in the AAPI community also consider this month of May a chance to raise awareness about the unique challenges the AAPI community faces.

How AAPI Heritage Month began

AAPI Heritage Month started as a weeklong celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander people and culture under President Jimmy Carter in 1978. It was extended to a monthlong celebration in the 1990s.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate both the first Japanese immigration to the U.S., which took place in 1843, and the 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad, a project that owed its success to the many Chinese, Japanese, and Korean workers who labored on it.

In the 1970s, other heritage weeks and celebrations were already being officially observed in the United States. Between the Civil Rights Movement and the countless other movements for social justice, there was an increasing push for the government to recognize the rights of minority groups in the U.S., celebrate their cultures, and ensure their well-being.

Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta, along with Senator Daniel Inouye, introduced the idea of an AAPI heritage week in Congress in 1977, but both resolutions initially failed. It took another year for the resolution to be pushed through.

Jeanie Jew was the congressional staffer who had first brought the idea to Rep. Horton, after witnessing the lack of Asian representation during the country’s 1976 bicentennial celebrations and drawing on her own family history of an ancestor who was killed in the destruction of San Jose’s Chinatown in 1887.

Activists and movement leaders have raised valid criticisms of AAPI Heritage Month.

Some have highlighted that AAPI Heritage Month does little to advance the community’s interests in the way other heritage months do. While striving to celebrate these cultures, AAPI Heritage Month can have a tokenizing effect, as the collapse of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders into one group fails to articulate and address the breadth of complexity and the concerns of each individual group.

Many activist groups and thought leaders urge the general public to participate in the celebration and recognition of AAPI people and cultures in ways that extend long past the month of May and, in so doing, avoid making short-term tokens of the AAPI people in our communities.

A few ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

Here are a few ways you can participate in AAPI Heritage Month events to honor and celebrate AAPI culture:

• • Get involved with the movement to #StopAAPIHate by taking bystander trainings.
  • Advocate for AAPI rights at a local level.
  • Support AAPI creators.
  • Support business owners by shopping and dining at local AAPI stores and restaurants.
  • Understand that AAPI people are not a monolith. There are countless unique traditions, cultures, and experiences that make up the AAPI community.

The post Exploring the Rich History of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

For 25 years, MoveOn members have been on the front lines of elections, mobilizing communities and providing voters with the resources they need to make their voices heard at the ballot box.     

This year, MoveOn is unveiling a $32 million election program to reelect President Biden, secure another Democratic trifecta, and protect American democracy from Donald Trump. Our persuasion program will be our most ambitious election program ever and is designed to turn out the Biden-Harris coalition once again and continue to fight for progressive change for all.

But we need your help. Give at MoveOn.org/ElectionPlan2024.

2024 PRIORITY RACES

WHERE WE WIN 

TARGET RACES

PRESIDENT BIDEN’S REELECTION TO THE OVAL OFFICE: MoveOn will play a key role in campaigning for the Biden-Harris ticket in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia. 

WINNING BACK THE HOUSE: The path to a Democratic majority in the House is clear but not easy: We need to flip a handful of seats to regain control. Since early last year, MoveOn members have been organizing on the ground in “Complicit Caucus” districts—18 swing districts that Biden carried in 2020 but Republicans won in 2022. All told, MoveOn is targeting more than two dozen seats that give Democrats the best shot at winning back the House in 2024.

PROTECTING THE SENATE MAJORITY: With 34 seats up for reelection, we’ll need all hands on deck to maintain our razor-thin Senate majority. MoveOn is primarily investing in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio Senate seats.

HOW WE WIN 

MOBILIZING SURGE VOTERS WITH VOLUNTEER POWER

MoveOn’s 2024 organizing will persuade and mobilize “surge voters”—people who voted for the first time, or who became more active, after the 2016 election. Within this population of more than 11 million voters across our target geographies, MoveOn is focusing on young voters and on voters who didn’t vote in 2016 and/or 2022. Young people are voting at a higher rate than previous generations did at their age, and they reject MAGA by 20-point margins. If these key voters turn out to the polls, they will deliver the margin needed to win.

Because it is critical that we start talking to voters now, we’ll begin voter contact earlier than ever before, reaching the voters most at risk of sitting out the election and deploying our volunteer base to encourage them to vote. Thousands of volunteers will take action and participate in our persuasion and relational turnout programs between now and Election Day, driving tens of thousands of persuasion contacts.

Hundreds of MoveOn members have already signed up to be Vote Mobilizers. They’ll lead the voter contact programs in their communities by hosting house parties and training and organizing fellow member volunteers. The opportunity to build community through in-person actions for the first time since the onset of the pandemic will be extra motivation to join this effort to impact the election!

Based on consistent research—from the Analyst Institute and MoveOn’s own previous election efforts—that shows that multiple contacts via different communication channels have a higher impact than a single connection, we’ll contact voters using three methods during the persuasion phase, to layer contacts and increase the likelihood of the voter remembering the outreach. MoveOn volunteers will spend the spring and summer using multiple methods of contact, such as postcards, phone banks, and canvassing, to reach voters. They’ll talk to voters about the stakes of the election and issues they care about, sell the wins that progressives and Democrats have delivered, and make the pragmatic and strategic case of why their votes are critical.

MAXIMIZING IMPACT WITH VOTE TRIPLING

In the fall, we’ll focus on vote tripling—a practice of urging voters to reach out to three of their friends and family members to remind them to vote, help them make a plan, and ensure they turn out. It can be done via text, online, by phone, or in person.

Vote tripling is up to five times more effective than traditional methods because it’s based on existing, trusted relationships. In the 2022 midterm elections, MoveOn’s vote tripling program turned out an estimated 48,000-50,000 voters in battleground districts and states—that’s tens of thousands of voters who otherwise might have stayed home.

SHAPING THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA NARRATIVES

Our member- and volunteer-driven voter contact efforts will be further complemented by paid communications and MoveOn’s traditional rapid-response campaigning.

Our 2024 election program will:

• Put into motion a massive digital and television advertising campaign—including during Trump’s criminal trials. 

• Leverage our huge social media reach with a hard-hitting education campaign about the most unpopular policies Trump has promised to his donors, including his agenda of authoritarianism and the further erosion of our freedoms and rights.

• Center communities whose rights have been decimated by Trump policies—from people impacted by abortion bans to communities of color targeted by voter suppression policies—to show just how dire the threats to our nation are. MoveOn members will share their stories about why this election matters to them, and we’ll show the videos as ads to the surge voters most likely to be persuaded.

PROTECTING DEMOCRACY FROM TRUMP AND THIRD-PARTY THREATS

Our fundamental freedoms and institutions are in jeopardy if the twice-impeached and criminally indicted Trump returns to the Oval Office. He and his advisers have made it clear that they will destroy democracy and our rights. 

And we must prevent any third-party candidate from hindering a Democratic victory. The data shows that 2016 will surely repeat itself if third-party spoilers, like RFK Jr., do not step aside.

The post How to Beat MAGA Republicans and Help Democrats Win Elections in 2024 appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

The stakes of the 2024 election are sky-high: Our democracy is under attack, our rights have been rolled back by a right-wing-packed Supreme Court, and MAGA Republicans continue to wreak havoc in state governments.

Our goal in 2024 is to reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris, protect the Senate, and secure a Democratic majority in the House. To do this, we’ve identified the specific voters, known as surge voters, who can deliver a victory in the key states and districts across the country. These voters started voting after 2016, either for the first time or more frequently, but don’t vote consistently. We need them all to turn out, because when they do, they are very likely to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot.

Given this focus on a specific subset of voters, MoveOn’s strategy is to develop a deep connection with these voters. This allows us to focus our efforts where we know we can have the most impact.

MoveOn’s member-driven voter contact plan aims to reach individual voters three or more times before Election Day. In the spring and summer, our outreach will be aimed at persuading surge voters that their vote matters and inspiring them to turn out by November. Then, in the fall, we will contact them again to ask them to triple their vote by getting three or more friends and family members to vote as well. Surge voters are more likely to vote when they’ve made a commitment to remind their community to be a voter with them. Since surge voters tend to be friends with other surge voters, their reminder increases the likelihood that other infrequent voters will vote too!

The strategy of reaching out to voters three+ times is rooted in years of experience and rigorous testing. Here are a few concepts that informed the plan:

• Combining canvassing, phone calls, and postcards. Contacting voters by more than one communication method increases the overall impact. MoveOn found this in our 2022 election program—voters who we were able to reach with a digital ad and a phone call were an estimated 2.1 percentage points (pp) more likely to vote than members of a random control group, and those who received a text message and a call were an estimated 1.3pp more likely to vote than a random control group. Those who received only one contact were not significantly more likely to vote. This follows similar findings across political campaigns. A congressional campaign in New York found in 2018 that combining TV ads, mail, and digital ads was over three times more effective at motivating people to vote than mail alone. And a Senate campaign in Pennsylvania found that combining mail and canvassing increased support for the Democrat by 7.4 percentage points. 

• Diminishing returns within the same methods. Decades of random control trials where campaigns and organizations compare sending one piece of mail to sending two, three, four, or more pieces during an election cycle have found that the first piece of mail is the most impactful. One group estimates each subsequent mail piece performs about 17% worse than the previous one. This happens in part because the first mailing already convinced the majority of people who will be convinced by receiving mail. Sending a second piece of mail to someone who throws out everything that looks like a political flyer is not going to make much impact. This is why, by using multiple communication channels—mail, phones, and canvassing—we’ll be maximizing the impact of each contact in each channel and avoiding diminishing returns with multiple expensive follow-ups.

• Increase recall. We consume so much content, from social media to TV and beyond, that it’s easy to forget a single contact. Studies have found that voters recall a single contact with a campaign for a few weeks to a few months. This is why so many campaigns barrage voters with calls and texts in the final few days of a campaign, which MoveOn has found can have a backlash effect—making the voters less likely to vote. Voters who received four or more text messages in 2022 were an estimated 3-5pp less likely to vote than members of a random control group. By contacting voters a few times over the spring and summer, we’re building up their recognition of MoveOn and hopefully making them more likely to take action with us in the fall by voting.

This program builds off of 25 years of experience, including our 2022 election program which increased voter turnout in our target states and districts by an estimated 0.66 to 0.69 percentage points, resulting in 48,000 to 50,000 additional voters turning out to vote.

MoveOn is backed by millions of members, powerful analytics, and seasoned political campaigners. Together, our outreach to voters in person, on phones, and across the internet will match the right messages to the right voters in the most important districts, to maximize our impact.

Ready to get involved to win across the country in November? Sign up here to be a Vote Mobilizer.

The post The Research Behind MoveOn’s Member-Driven Election Strategy appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Credit: Robert Gauthier/Getty Images 1601912968

In the wake of the devastating fire that ravaged Lahaina, Maui, in August, a rallying cry was heard across communities near and far. It was a call for support, for solidarity, and for a collective effort to aid in the recovery of this historic town. And among those who heeded this call were the compassionate and proactive members of MoveOn.

When disaster struck, MoveOn members came together, demonstrating the power of collective action and empathy. Through a concerted fundraising initiative, nearly $200,000 was raised to assist a community-driven organization, the Maui Community Power Recovery Fund (MCPRF), in their tireless efforts toward recovery and resilience-building.

This substantial contribution, comprising more than a quarter of the total funding for MCPRF, holds immense significance. Not only does it facilitate immediate material relief for those affected by the fire, but it also serves as a foundation for long-term strategies to address the root causes, particularly in combating climate disruption and enhancing Maui’s resilience against future challenges.

The Maui Community Power Recovery Fund’s dedication to not only rebuilding but also fortifying the community against future adversities echoes a broader sentiment—a reminder of the strength found in solidarity and collective action. Each contribution, each gesture of support, becomes a building block in the restoration of hope and resilience. Here’s a look at what MCPRF told us they’ve been up to, fueled by support from around the country:

1. Facilitated a series of meetings with community leaders to guide a shared game plan and identity, which turned into the ”Lahaina Strong” initiative.
2. Staffed up with people from the community, representing a range of different skills (operations, community organizing, videography, etc.).
3. Conducted ”needs assessments” through in-person canvases at community meetings and within hotels. We coordinated ”tagnawa” events with Ilocano and Tagalog volunteer translators to connect more than 1,500 Filipino survivors to benefits that were falling through the cracks with FEMA and Red Cross. We also helped stand up Roots Reborn, an organization to support Spanish-speaking and Filipino immigrants on Maui, many of whom are undocumented. Other partners for this effort include Help Maui Rise and the Hawaii Workers Center.
4. Created a system to connect people to the right service providers via automated texts, emails, and calls responsive to their real-time needs.
5. Held listening sessions on recovery, in coordination with council members, and turned out thousands of people to various hearings—including distributing 1,500 shirts for people who testify or volunteer. Dozens of press clips so far. Here’s one!
6. Pushed for extended relief so service workers wouldn’t be forced back to work, and won $100 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds and FEMA block grant extensions.
7. Pushed to extend the October 8 reopening of west Maui to tourism, gaining support from local political leaders. Here’s our petition delivery!
8. Planning various upcoming concerts and respite events with partners, all under the Lahaina Strong banner.
9. Launching a participatory rebuilding process and developing a community-driven master plan for Lahaina.
10. Working on legislation for the next state legislative session to institutionalize some of these changes to build resilience!

As we reflect on this collaborative effort, it becomes evident that the impact stretches beyond monetary value. It’s about the interconnectedness of communities, the willingness to extend a helping hand, and the belief that, together, we can create tangible change.

The involvement of countless MoveOn members embodies the spirit of compassion and unity that reverberates in times of crisis. Your support has not only aided Lahaina’s recovery but has also illuminated the path toward a more resilient and empowered Maui.

Let this be a reminder that, amid challenges, there exists unwavering hope. And through collective efforts and unwavering support, we can rebuild, strengthen, and create a better tomorrow for all.

Together, we continue to make a difference—one community at a time.

The post Rebuilding Hope: How MoveOn Members Joined Hands to Aid Maui’s Recovery Efforts appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Credit: MoveOn

Closing out the year amid so much heartbreak and global uncertainty is challenging. But what keeps us hopeful that a different world is not only possible but actively unfolding, is the actions that millions of MoveOn members like you take every day. In the face of oppressive forces working to isolate, disconnect, and immobilize us through despair and fear, we have chosen, time and time again, to come together, build power, and exercise disciplined hope in order to create a better future for all of us. 

With compounding crises and attacks against our communities, MoveOn’s free petition platform has been a catalyst for millions of MoveOn members and progressive partners from across the country. It has propelled us forward on issues that impact our lives—from police violence to student loan debt to LGBTQ+ rights to bodily autonomy and so much more. Whether at the forefront of a campaign or as an integral part of a larger strategy, MoveOn petitions have empowered local change-makers to make tangible differences at the local, state, and federal level. 

There are those in power who want to make our problems seem insurmountable and systems of oppression inevitable. We know they aren’t. People created these systems, and collectively, we have the ability to dismantle, reimagine, and reconstruct them. By signing or launching a petition (or many), you are a reminder that our collective actions matter and that each one of us plays a necessary role in creating the just society we deserve. 

Keep reading to check out some of our petition highlights from this year and set an intention to start your own petition in 2024.

2023 Snapshot

Credit: Youtube/CNBC

• We stopped the price gouging of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Early in the year, Moderna considered quadrupling the price of its people-funded vaccine, despite the low cost of producing the vaccine. We partnered with Senator Bernie Sanders to launch a petition on the MoveOn platform to stop Moderna’s multi-billionaire CEO from driving this lifesaving vaccine out of reach for millions of uninsured Americans. Over 177,000 MoveOn members signed the petition, and in February, following the outcry, we had a major win when Moderna said it would not raise the price. MoveOn members continued to fight to hold Big Pharma accountable, most recently partnering with Demand Progress on a petition to stop Pfizer from hiking up the price of Paxlovid, the lifesaving COVID-19 treatment.

• We called out rainbow capitalism. One week before Pride Month, Target caved to a small but vocal group of bigots and pulled their LGBTQIA+ Pride merch. More than 123,000 MoveOn members signed the petition calling Target out for their “rainbow capitalism” and demanding that they reinstate their merch. Because of the backlash, Target saw a decrease in their sales for the first time in six years—with MoveOn members and the broader public showing power not only with our signatures but also with our wallets. MoveOn members also supported Starbucks Workers United, who hosted a petition demanding that the coffee chain respect LGBTQIA+ workers and customers by allowing them to decorate for Pride Month, after workers reported that Starbucks had refused to let dozens of stores across the country do so. Unionized workers at more than 150 stores launched a historic weeklong strike, even forcing some stores to close.

• MoveOn members amplified the voices of labor unions during the hot labor summer. This was a big year for building union power, and we worked with labor groups on petitions to amplify their efforts. Trader Joe’s United launched two petitions to fight union-busting—from a retaliatory firing to a bogus trademark lawsuit. This summer, they took their fight to Trader Joe’s headquarters, and they are continuing to push back against union busting and advocate for fair working conditions for all crew members.

Credit: Trader Joe’s United

• We advocated for worker protections amid rising heat. Working with Representative Greg Casar, we hosted a petition demanding federal protections amid record-breaking heat waves that took a physical and even deadly toll on outdoor workers. Rep. Casar participated in a water strike on the steps of Congress to pressure the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to pass immediate and permanent heat safety measures. The public pressure did result in the Department of Labor issuing the first ever hazard alert for heat, and in President Biden announcing a slate of investments—but champions in Congress are still fighting to codify federal protections.

• We pushed back against book bans. When the GOP and far right waged their war against books and the freedom to read, MoveOn members were ready to mobilize. More than 133,000 members signed a petition in support of history-making poet Amanda Gorman, after her book “The Hill We Climb” was restricted in a Florida school. And from national efforts to join with artists and writers like LeVar Burton for the Artists Against Book Bans petition to local, member-started petitions in Texas, Florida, Illinois, D.C., and Georgia—more than 477,000 members added their names to book ban-related petitions on the platform this year. And we used that member energy to launch powerful campaigns offline, too, including our Banned Bookmobile, which carried our petition to key cities on two multicity bus activations this year alone.

Credit: MoveOn

• MoveOn members mobilized to call for a ceasefire. After the heartbreaking Hamas attacks on October 7, the Israeli government began its brutal and incessant bombings targeting Palestinians, which have gone on for months—resulting in nearly 20,000 deaths in Gaza, the majority of them women and children. More than 486,000 members signed the petition calling on President Biden and members of Congress to use their political power to stop all loss of life in Israel and Palestine—signatures that were delivered to the White House. MoveOn members not only signed the petition but also made calls and sent messages to their elected officials calling for a ceasefire, participated in a ceasefire day of action, and joined actions in Washington, D.C., and their own communities.
  
  MoveOn will continue to listen to our members and mobilize our community so that the people of Palestine and Israel can live their lives without fear of violence and mass death. You can still sign and share the petition here.

Credit: MoveOn

MoveOn members did that—and so much more—together. Will you take five minutes to start your own petition on MoveOn’s free petition platform now?

Community Spotlights

MoveOn members and progressive partners launched thousands of petitions this year alone! Below, we spotlight some of the incredible grassroots petitions from 2023. 

• In March, a 22-year-old Indigenous woman, Mika Josephine Westwolf, was killed walking along Highway 93 in Montana. A friend of Mika’s family, Erica Shelby, started a petition to demand the Department of Justice investigate the death of Mika Westwolf and dedicate additional resources to missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) cases. In October, after months of urging local and federal investigations to take Mika’s death seriously, an arrest was made and a trial set for May of next year. Mika’s mother, Carissa Heavy Runner, told a local reporter: “To me, Mika was part of the bigger picture. The bigger issue she is bringing attention to this epidemic, which is very much needed. Hopefully this will help set the wheels in motion towards justice, where it will be a change for other families and within this court within the legal system.”
• The GOP continued their attacks on abortion and reproductive rights in 2023. Our platform partner UltraViolet Action launched a petition to urge U.S. pharmacies to protect customers’ right to abortion medication. And with the recent news that the Supreme Court will take up the abortion pill case in 2024, we need every signature we can get to build momentum to protect and expand abortion access in the coming year.

• Accountable Tech also launched a petition on the MoveOn petition platform, calling out Google for continuing to collect and retain location history and search queries for abortion clinics. The petition, which has collected more than 41,000 signatures, is working to expose Big Tech’s role in anti-abortion attacks, demanding Google stop aiding abortion prosecutors. And in December, Google announced that it was rolling out more protections for its location data, an encouraging step in the right direction, according to Accountable Tech.

• 2023 marked the fourth year in a row that record-breaking anti-trans bills were introduced on the state and federal level—and terrifyingly, over 75 of these unconstitutional and harmful bills have become law. MoveOn member Destinee Dickson launched a petition to fight back against one of these bills, H.R.734—a nationwide ban of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex youth participation in school sports on teams that match their gender identity. The bill passed the U.S. House but failed to pass the Senate.

• When disgraced Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene went on FOX News to brag about circumventing the confidentiality of a secure congressional review of materials, she thought nobody was watching. But our partners at Common Cause were, and so were we. More than 74,000 members signed a petition calling for an official investigation. We’re still waiting for an investigation into this and other unethical behaviors from Rep. Greene—but in the meantime we made it clear that the public is paying attention and wants accountability from elected officials.
• We continued to work with our partners at the Student Debt Crisis Center to urge the Biden administration to use whatever tools are necessary to cancel student debt. With President Biden’s student loan relief blocked by the Supreme Court earlier this year, payments resumed in August. MoveOn and SDCC launched a petition that now has more than 74,000 signatures, urging President Biden to use his authority to provide debt cancellation for borrowers and create a new relief program through the Department of Education. And the continued public pressure is working, with the Education Department currently working on a new proposal. 
• This summer, MoveOn member Karen Feridun sounded the alarm about a U.S. Forest Service proposal that would pave the way for national forests to become carbon waste dumps. The petition has already gained more than 18,000 signatures to protect the more than 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands that the Forest Service manages.

• Partners also fought to protect abortion care against local attacks. The Peace Pentagon and Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance created a petition to reject an anti-abortion ordinance that was up for vote by the end of the year. With just over 1,000 signatures in addition to on-the-ground organizing, they successfully defeated the ordinance on December 14!

• Economic Security Project Action launched a petition demanding that there be no pay raise for Congress after they blocked the expanded child tax credit. More than 58,000 MoveOn members signed the petition to expose the GOP hypocrisy and demand better for families. With budget negotiations still taking place, the child tax credit and champions in Congress are still fighting to include it in the final appropriations package.

• This year the GOP sank to a new low when they introduced a new proposal that would eliminate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) from the National School Lunch Program—a change that would impact 20 million children. Parents Together Action launched a petition that has garnered more than 50,000 signatures! Not only did the proposal not pass, but this fall the Department of Agriculture lowered the threshold for eligibility for schools, and now millions more students can receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.

• Horrifyingly, this summer there were reports that Governor Greg Abbott directed Texas troopers to deny migrants drinking water and push migrants—including small children and babies—back into the Rio Grande. Nestor Ruiz launched a petition to demand President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas investigate the claims and stop human rights violations at the border. The state internal investigation found “no systemic wrongdoing” in December—making the case for a federal investigation even more urgent.

• In August, the Seattle Police Department released audio of a police officer making jokes and cruelly discussing the killing of 23-year-old Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, a pedestrian hit and killed by an SPD officer earlier in the year. In the audio, Detective Daniel Auderer heartlessly states that her life had “limited value.” MoveOn member Dr. Glory Janes created a petition that quickly gained over 225,000 signatures, with new signatures being added every day. There is an independent investigation currently underway, and local organizations and groups are continuing to fight for justice for Jaahnavi.

• At the beginning of the year, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland protected federal land around Minnesota’s Boundary Waters from destructive mining for 20 years. But Representative Pete Stauber introduced a bill to roll back these vital protections. More than 20,000 MoveOn members signed a petition to save the Boundary Waters.

• Reality television is having a reckoning, with cast members coming forward to detail unethical behavior, exploitation, abuse, and intimidation—all so producers and streaming companies can profit. The Unscripted Cast Advocacy Network—founded by former cast members of “Love Is Blind”—launched a petition on MoveOn’s platform calling on Netflix and other reality television giants to add a disclaimer to all unscripted television. They were just featured in an “Impact x Nightline” episode on Hulu as their campaign for greater transparency and accountability continues. 

It’s our people power that makes MoveOn petitions successful, and we’re grateful for every click you made this year. We’re taking a week off to get rested and restored before 2024 so we can hit the ground running. We can’t wait to see what petitions you start in the coming year. Click here to start your petition on MoveOn’s free petition platform now.

As always, thanks for all you do.

The post Here’s What Your Signatures Made Possible in 2023 appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Credit: MoveOn

What a year! Thanks to MoveOn members like you, we boldly celebrated 25 years of progressive change—despite the challenges of this political environment shaped by dark money, disinformation, and right-wing capture of our government. While we’re strategizing and building for the intense election year ahead of us, we look back on the work we’ve done together in 2023. 

In October, we brought together hundreds of grassroots leaders and volunteers from across the country for the MoveOn 25 Member Summit. For two days in Atlanta, we highlighted 25 years of impact and shared MoveOn’s road map for taking back power for the people in 2024. 

Credit: MoveOn

As Republicans and right-wing activists increasingly attacked our rights and autonomy, we continued to mobilize around the country:

• This year has been one of the most consequential and deadly legislative sessions for the LGBTQ+ community. We utilized state-based partnerships and worked with MoveOn members directly to fight against these violent attacks with calls and letters in support of LGBTQ+ electeds and against Target and Starbucks’ corporate attempts to silence LGBTQ+ employees.
• When right-wing activists and Republicans ramped up their book bans, we moved into action (literally!) and went on the road with our first-ever Banned Bookmobile on a multistate tour to sound the alarm on GOP censorship and book bans. 
• The first iteration of the tour was so successful, we did a second leg in different cities and created strategic partnerships with Pod Save America and Lovett or Leave It.
• We used the momentum of this moment to fight back against censorship further by creating our “Artists Against Book Bans” campaign, featuring a letter signed by 150+ influential celebrities and our Read Banned Books T-shirt, an initiative we spearheaded with beloved “Reading Rainbow” star LeVar Burton.

Credit: MoveOn

We showed up and showed out to protect our freedom and democracy: 

• We continued to fight back against the corruption of Clarence Thomas and the rigged right-wing Supreme Court by working in lockstep with a coalition of partner organizations to hold the Supreme Court justices to a higher standard, resulting in a Code of Conduct that creates rules and standards for justices to abide by. This is just the first step in our long-term goal of holding SCOTUS accountable and creating guardrails that protect against the corrosion of our democracy.
• After Democrats secured an electoral win in Wisconsin in the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans in the state retaliated, trying to impeach Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz—who won her election earlier this year with the endorsement and help of MoveOn members. We mobilized in Wisconsin with partners and made calls in protest, which led to Republicans’ taking impeachment off the table. 

We launched our campaign against the Complicit Caucus—the 18 vulnerable swing-district House Republicans who masqueraded as moderates to win in districts that Biden had previously won in 2020—and took the fight to their home turf:

• With the support of highly organized and trained cohorts of MoveOn members in these districts, we continuously exposed these members of Congress to voters in their district via paid ads, in-district actions, strategic communications, and more for what they truly are: enablers of extremist right-wing values that don’t align with their constituents’. They must be voted out. 
• MoveOn has been campaigning from the very beginning to expel George Santos since news of his lies to and betrayals of the American public became clear. After a pivotal year of campaigning, when more damning evidence of fraud surfaced from the scathing House Ethics Committee report, we leveraged the moment to demand Congress expel him by flying a Santos balloon in front of the Capitol on the day of the historic vote.
  

Credit: MoveOn

We continued to hold Trump accountable—through all 91 charges—and fought back against MAGA extremists and their disinformation campaigns:

• MoveOn has led the charge with pivotal partnerships across the movement to hold Trump accountable for his actions, both in and out of the White House. He is not above the law. Our yearslong push to demand that Trump be prosecuted for his many crimes was successful when charges were filed in various states and federally earlier this year.
• We’re building on this momentum with our campaign to disqualify Trump from the 2024 ballot. The U.S. Constitution says no one who participated in or incited an insurrection against the U.S. government can hold public office again. Clearly, this includes Trump’s role in organizing the violent insurrectionist attack on January 6. We’re working with MoveOn members in key states where lawsuits are being introduced to build this narrative and keep Trump off the ballot in 2024. 

We continued to fight for working-class and marginalized communities in 2023. MoveOn members leaned in to support workers and allies in the labor movement:

• It was a Hot Labor Summer indeed! The Writers Guild of America began striking for a fair contract, and SAG-AFTRA followed a few months after. We garnered thousands of petition signatures, and MoveOn members joined workers at picket lines across the country. 
• MoveOn members made calls, sent emails, and showed up to support Teamsters United in their strike against UPS and the United Auto Workers. CEOs heard our voices clearly and renegotiated new contracts for hundreds of thousands of workers across the country.
  

Credit: MoveOn

We did all of this our way—with grassroots donations, people-powered action, member-driven campaigns, strategic partnerships, and cross-movement collaboration. Millions of MoveOn members took action this year—from signing petitions to calling Congress to showing up in the streets to participating in voter outreach and so much more. It’s your support that allowed us to keep fighting and giving back. MoveOn members provided critical support for our state allies and more than $150,000 to Maui for relief and repair after a devastating series of wildfires. 

MoveOn members fought to pass laws and keep up the pressure for congressional and administrative action for an America that works for all:

• We mobilized to prevent a devastating GOP government shutdown, month after month. Republicans will try to counter back even stronger in the new year, but Democrats have held the line, and MoveOn members supported them to fight back against cuts to essential services and programs. 
• The Biden administration, along with the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, took action to crack down on junk fees that impact a majority of Americans. MoveOn members fought alongside champions in government who are seeking to rein in corporate power and put consumers first.
  

MoveOn members took action in solidarity against militarism and for freedom around the world:

• MoveOn began calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. There was an outpouring of engagement from MoveOn members in the form of calls, letters, and petitions to end the violence and save lives.
• The petition to save as many lives as possible in Gaza and Israel has nearly 500,000 signatures—names that were delivered at an event with partners in front of the White House—and MoveOn members donated more than $500,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.  

Every year, we continue to build on the previous year’s successes and failures and to learn from them. Our work in the past year is a testament to that.

In the upcoming months, it will be more important than ever for us to unite and fight back against Trump and MAGA extremists. The ongoing threat is in many places, and we will continue to fight back, whether the fight is in Congress, boardrooms, or courtrooms. We will continue to fight for a populist democracy that works for the many, not just the few. 

We will be the ones to make the changes now for a sustainable future with justice for all.

Watch our video below: 

Thanks for all you do.

The post What We Accomplished Together in 2023 appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 28: MoveOn debuts a 15-foot-tall inflatable of Rep. George Santos (R-NY) ahead of a possible vote to expel Santos from Congress on Capitol Hill on November 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MoveOn)

By now, we’ve all heard the news that George Santos was finally expelled from Congress on Friday. This is a huge victory for New York 3rd District residents, who are finally free from a lying lawmaker who cheated the system to pad his own pockets, and for everyone who values integrity and democracy in this country.

And it’s no coincidence that just last Tuesday, days before Congress would vote to expel Santos, MoveOn flew a 15-foot George Santos inflatable balloon in front of the Capitol, with a tie that said “full of lies.” The goal of the balloon was to demonstrate grassroots opposition to George Santos in a key, high-stakes moment and to bring national attention to the demand for Congress to expel him immediately. And that’s exactly what happened.

More than 100 media outlets mentioned MoveOn’s balloon in light of the House vote to expel George Santos. As reported by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Washingtonian, People magazine, and more, MoveOn capitalized on the spectacle around Santos to further damage his reputation and raise the stakes surrounding his expulsion. We even reached more than 50 broadcast and radio stations—from Kansas to Santos’s own backyard in New York—making it clear across the country that Santos has no place in Congress.

George Santos is just the sixth House member to ever be expelled from Congress, which required two-thirds of Congress to approve. His expulsion came a few weeks after the House Ethics Committee released a report revealing the myriad of laws he broke, including illegal usage of campaign donations for luxury vacations, spas, Botox, and more. The scathing report concluded that “Representative Santos sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit.”

Constituents from Santos’s district, NY-03, have been relentlessly rallying, lobbying, and advocating for Congress to hold Santos accountable for his lies and fraud. For nearly a year, they had no meaningful representation in Congress.

MoveOn got involved in the fight to oust Santos early in 2023, just a few weeks after the news broke about the lies he told about his religion, education, and other personal information to get elected. In February, dozens of NY-03 MoveOn members and partners delivered a petition to his Long Island office, with 100,000 signatures demanding George Santos resign or be expelled. And just a few weeks later, MoveOn planned a “Drive Santos Out” constituent caravan with partners that made its way through the district and received TV, radio, and newspaper coverage across the region to demonstrate constituent opposition.

Before this most recent vote, Congress had voted twice on whether to expel Santos from Congress and failed both times. Even this time, after being charged with 23 indictments and the damning House Ethics Committee report, GOP leadership still voted to keep Santos in Congress.

Santos escaped accountability for far too long, with protection from his MAGA colleagues, who kept him in office so they could hold on to their majority and power in Congress. But ultimately, we won. And will we keep winning when we come together to demand justice and accountability for those who serve themselves instead of the people they are supposed to represent.

The post MoveOn’s 15-ft. Santos “Full of Lies” Balloon Blows Up in Press appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

A parent and child talk on their living room couch.

As Thanksgiving approaches, you may start hearing questions and commentary about the history of the holiday—especially from kids—that aren’t rooted in the facts. The often-told story of Thanksgiving is a myth of harmony and an erasure of the genocide that colonists committed against the Wampanoag Tribe in the 1600s. Thanksgiving became a celebrated holiday during the Civil War, likely as a tactic for Abraham Lincoln to unite the North against a common enemy—the South. Indigenous people acknowledge the holiday in various ways. While some Indigenous people consider Thanksgiving a day of mourning, others gather with their families and give thanks.  

Thanksgiving has a dark history, often overlooked by mainstream society, that can be difficult to discuss with your children, students, friends, family, and others in your life. As you approach conversations about the holiday, it’s good to go in with a few things first:

1. An open mind

Talking about Thanksgiving is hard because everyone has different views, emotions, and thoughts concerning the holiday. 

As you endeavor to share your own knowledge and experiences, remember to be open to others’ perspectives as well, and listen to understand, not to respond. 

2. A full understanding

Not enough people are aware of what really happened at the first Thanksgiving. The long-standing legend of “smiling Pilgrims and Wampanoag people happily enjoying a big meal together” has been completely debunked, and light’s been shed on the truth of the Pilgrims’ genocide of the Wampanoag Tribe. In 1970, United American Indians of New England declared Thanksgiving a National Day of Mourning. But other Native Americans and allies celebrate the holiday as part of a long cultural tradition of giving thanks.

There’s no way around it: The reality of Thanksgiving doesn’t exactly make for an easy holiday conversation starter for a day that’s largely been about family, food, and gratitude for many Americans. But living in this country, we are all interconnected, and it’s important to acknowledge this reality and teach the truth of this holiday’s history rather than retell the same harmful stories. 

Interrupt the myths and inaccuracies when you hear them. Rather than changing the history people have heard, fill in the gaps. Raise awareness about the systematic displacement of and violence against Indigenous peoples that the United States was founded on. Encourage people to look into the history of the land they inhabit–this Native land map is an amazing educational tool to share. Let people know that Indigenous communities are not of the past. Silence and misinformation about Indigenous people and our country’s origins are, unfortunately, all too common.

So as you prepare to spend time with family and friends, here are some ideas to help you navigate those discussions:

1. Ask questions.

One great approach to discussing or teaching about Thanksgiving is to first ask questions to understand the person’s perspective on the holiday. These questions can be jumping-off points for writing or discussion in the classroom or at the dinner table:

• Why is this holiday called Thanksgiving? 
• What were people giving thanks for? 
• What is the other part of this story that isn’t typically told?
• What does this holiday mean to you?
• What, if anything, is hard about the holidays for you?
• How could we reimagine our celebration of Thanksgiving?
• How can we acknowledge the true history of Thanksgiving today and beyond?

2. Be age-appropriate. 

Naturally, young children may not be ready to learn about all the horrific details of Thanksgiving’s history. Instead, Bob Peterson, founding editor of Rethinking Schools and co-editor of Rethinking Columbus, shares, “you can redirect conversation about Thanksgiving to be about what you’re thankful for as a family.” 

Once kids reach ages five or six, Peterson says you can share something along the lines of, “The Wampanoag peoples lived in Massachusetts for hundreds of years, but people from Europe came and took their land, and it wasn’t fair.” Older kids are able to learn an in-depth history.

Looking for ways to teach more accurately about Thanksgiving in the classroom? One idea is to ask students to rewrite the Thanksgiving story using historical records and write a poem from the perspective of a person from that time, as Arlington Public School teacher Susannah Remillard had her class do. Kids of all ages can learn that harvest feasts had been part of Wampanoag life much earlier than the 1621 “Thanksgiving feast” with settlers and that giving thanks is a daily practice for many Indigenous people.

3. Keep the conversation going.

You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving gets here to discuss its truth. And once it’s over, keep the conversation going and continue learning and growing by researching, reading, and discussing history, colonialism, race, and privilege year-round.

Sources and additional resources:

The Real History Behind Thanksgiving

How to Talk to Kids About Thanksgiving

10 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Thanksgiving

How to Tell Your Kids the Truth About Thanksgiving

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

Teaching the truth about Thanksgiving

Native-land.ca

The post Tips for Approaching the True History of Thanksgiving With Your Family, Friends, and Kids appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting shares the election plan for 2024. Credit: MoveOn

Happy birthday to MoveOn! We’ve officially reached 25 years of people-powered progress! This past weekend, we hosted the MoveOn 25 Member Summit in Atlanta to celebrate MoveOn’s 25th birthday while also connecting and organizing ahead of the 2024 election. It was our first time coming together in person in 5 years and we took full advantage of the opportunity to celebrate our work together and build the power we need to win the White House and Senate, and take back the House in 2024.

And we couldn’t have done it without you—your actions and support have made the collective wins of the past 25 years possible.

We had 25 sessions, 50 speakers, and hundreds of MoveOn members in attendance for this monumental moment in MoveOn’s history. We even brought our Banned Bookmobile! 

Check out the video below to see what our members, special guests, partners, and staff got up to over the course of the summit. You’ll witness some of our favorite moments and get a feel for the electricity that was in the air throughout the weekend.

Here are some more highlights:

The opening session

The youth drumline surprises members at the opening session. Credit: MoveOn

At Saturday’s opening session, members were surprised with a youth drum line to get everyone fired up. MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting shared, “Members like you are the heart and soul of this vibrant community. We, the people—we are why we are powerful. Why we are effective. And why we have been able to be so impactful over the last 25 years. Because when we come together, millions of us, to take collective action—that is power, folks.” 

Credit: MoveOn

We couldn’t have said it better! We had amazing guests who spoke to educate and inspire our members, including Maurice Mitchell with the Working Families Party, former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten, Marisa Kanof and Ani with VoteRev, Elyssa Feder with Rising Organizers, Giovanna Negretti with OPEN, Jess Weldon and Jessica Angima with Arena, and more.

We also had some stellar members lead sessions alongside MoveOn staff. Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give, and Erick Allen, Chair of Cobb County Democrats, spoke to an enthusiastic crowd during our Banned Bookmobile event, where we gave away pizza, cupcakes, and, most importantly, 1,000 banned books!

A crowd gathers outside the Banned Bookmobile event. Credit: MoveOn

Saturday night’s entertainment

We envision a future where we all can thrive—so building relationships and sharing joy are just as essential as training and education. During Saturday night’s show, drag artist Trinity K Bone’t kicked off the celebration. Members from many different backgrounds and generations danced together and cheered in a big dance circle. Rapper Common shouted out MoveOn (multiple times) and surprised us all by bringing a member onto the stage! Our emcee, MoveOn Director of Member Learning Chris Percy, literally had the crowd laughing out loud and cheering his name by the end of the weekend.

Rapper Common performs. Credit: MoveOn

Drag artist Trinity K Bone’t takes the stage. Credit: MoveOn

Rapper Common serenades MoveOn member Jewel Nunley on stage. Credit: MoveOn

Members laugh together during the Saturday celebration. Credit: MoveOn

MoveOn members share their main takeaways:

To build power for our movement, it takes all of us educating, organizing, and connecting with each other. And that’s why MoveOn members, partners, and staff hosted sessions to invest in members—to develop, train, and share experiences that we’ll need to win in 2024. The sessions provided expertise across many topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), LGBTQ+ campaigning, organizing tactics, and even TikTok dances—all with the goal to defeat MAGA and win the House, Senate, and White House in 2024.

Members brainstorm ideas with sticky notes at a breakout session. Credit: MoveOn

Members show off their new manicures at the Nail the Vote booth. Credit: MoveOn

Speakers take the mainstage. Credit: MoveOn

Members dance together during the breakout session, “MoveOn Shuffle: How to Create a Tik-Tok.” Credit: MoveOn

We asked members about their main takeaway following the Summit; here’s what they had to say:

“I really can make and have made a difference.” –Carol G.

“We are in this together. Our collective voices have power!!” –Bonita T.

“I am not alone. And, together, we can win the elections, because our policies and progressive ideas are also the ideas of the vast majority of Americans.” –Patrick C.

“I am more proud than ever to be a member of MoveOn.” –William A.

A huge thank-you to our members who sacrificed their time and energy to attend the summit, the dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event run smoothly, our partners and guest speakers for sharing their experiences to help us build power for the movement, and our generous donors and sponsors who made it all possible. 

The work continues

Members gather around a table during a breakout session. Credit: MoveOn

Members dance and cheer at the closing session. Credit: MoveOn

Let’s be clear—we have a lot of work ahead of us to make our vision for the future a reality. MAGA Republicans’ attacks on our communities and freedoms continue to threaten our democracy. But like Maurice Mitchell from the Working Families Party said last weekend, “Where they have money, we have people power. And our people power is endless.” 

While our people power may be endless, we can make an impact only when we are organized and choose to collectively exercise it. That’s why MoveOn is starting our election program sooner than ever before. Join us by signing up now to be a vote mobilizer to defeat MAGA and win the House, Senate, and White House in 2024. 

The post Happy 25th Anniversary, MoveOn! Highlights from our Member Summit in Atlanta appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) is from September 15 to October 15. Dedicated to celebrating the culture and history of Latinx people in the United States, Congress implemented LHHM in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. The week was later expanded to a month in 1988.

Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month offers us the opportunity to learn about, explore, and celebrate the incredible influence Latinx people have had on the United States for generations. 

You may be wondering why the celebration begins in the middle of September, and the reason is that it coincides with independence days in several Latin American countries. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica all celebrate their independence on September 15, followed by Mexico on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize on September 21.

The Origins of Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month

As mentioned, this celebratory month started as a weeklong celebration that was introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown.

As the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was coming to an end, a growing movement to recognize the contributions of minority populations in America emerged. Because George E. Brown represented East L.A., along with the majority of the San Gabriel Valley, (predominantly Latinx communities), he wanted to ensure that these communities received national recognition for the role they played throughout American history. National Hispanic Heritage Week was officially signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 17, 1968.

Many years later, it became clear that one week wasn’t sufficient to recognize and celebrate Hispanic heritage and cultures and the undeniable imprint and impact their contributions have made on America. That’s why in 1987, Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed expanding National Hispanic Heritage week to a monthlong celebration which was signed into law by President Reagan on August 17, 1988. And on September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush officially declared the current 31-day period from September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

So, why “Latinx”?

While National Hispanic Heritage Month is widely recognized, we choose to use the more inclusive term “Latinx” because it “represent[s] the identities of non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender-expansive people. ‘Latinx’ also centers the lives of indigenous, Brazilian and other non-Spanish speaking people in this celebration.” (HRC)

Interesting Facts About LHHM:

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population in the United States today is over 63 million, making it the nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority—19.1% of the total population.
• 13 states had 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2022—Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
• The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.
• One in 4 children in the United States are Hispanic, and most (94%) were born in the United States.

Memorable Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month quotes: 

• “You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.” —Cesar Chavez, American labor leader and civil rights activist
• “There is so much fear and hate. We must negate it with active, courageous love.” —Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, United States Representative (D-NY)
• “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for.” —Dolores Huerta, American labor leader and civil rights activist
• “The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.” —Carlos Santana, American guitarist
• “You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you.” —Antonio Tijerino, President & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

This month and beyond, remember that Latinx history is American history.

The post The Rich History of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

“A threat to one form of art is a threat to us all.”

That’s what LeVar Burton, the former host of “Reading Rainbow” and executive producer of the 2023 documentary “The Right to Read,” believes, and it’s why he’s partnered with MoveOn to launch a campaign with creative leaders to bring heightened awareness to this dangerous form of censorship and exclusion. With a new school year just beginning, this letter is a timely response to Republicans banning a record number of books in the last school year, despite backlash and public opinion research showing that the majority of Americans oppose book bans.

“It’s embarrassing that we are banning books in this country, in this culture, in this day and age,” says Burton. “And it’s dangerous that a handful of individuals are deciding that any book with Black and queer people is divisive. I’m proud to be surrounded by hundreds of artists and millions of MoveOn members who are solidly against this type of censorship. We are calling on everyone to join us in raising their voices to uphold artistic freedom, embrace multicultural history, and put a stop once and for all to book bans.” 

Celebrities Raise Their Voices Against Book Bans

And he’s not fighting back alone. With this petition, Burton is calling on celebrities and activists to join him in pushing back against book bans and defending the freedom to read and learn by signing onto his letter declaring that “the restrictive behavior” of book bans is “not just antithetical to free speech and expression but has a chilling effect on the broader creative field.” 

More than 175 celebrities agree with him. Judy Blume, Sandra Cisneros, Ariana Grande, Roxane Gay, Amanda Gorman, Billy Porter, Chelsea Handler, Jodi Picoult, Gabrielle Union, Padma Lakshmi, Sharon Stone, and others have signed on, using their voices to speak out against the attacks on books and the freedom to learn. 

Push Back Against Book Bans—Sign the Petition & Rock Your Merch

Featured in “The Hollywood Reporter,” The Root, HuffPost, ”People” magazine, and more, the open letter asserts that “The government cannot and should not create any interference or dictate what people can produce, write, generate, read, listen to, or consume.”

You, too, can join LeVar Burton and scores of people across the country in condemning book bans and calling for an end to hateful censorship. Visit our Artists Against Book Bans site to read and sign the full letter.

As a part of National Banned Book Week, from October 1 through 7, you can also show your support proudly and visibly by getting our exclusive “LeVar Burton Says Read Banned Books” shirts, which just dropped! Your contribution will raise money for our next Banned Bookmobile tour and purchase more banned books to give away for free, fighting back against extreme politicians and their bans.

LeVar Burton, former host of “Reading Rainbow” in his custom tee that reads “LeVar Burton Says Read Banned Books.” Credit: LeVar Burton Entertainment

The Banned Bookmobile Fall Tour

We launched our Banned Bookmobile Tour campaign this year to push back against book bans, have conversations with voters about fighting MAGA extremism, and provide resources for people to get involved to help defeat the GOP in 2024.

We met so many MoveOn members and supporters during our multistate tour this summer, and we’re excited to announce that we’ll be on the road this fall as well!

That’s right, we’re kicking off our fall tour at the following stops:

• Georgia
• Tennessee
• South Carolina
• Ohio
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.

The first stop of the Fall Bookmobile Tour took place on Sunday, October 1 at the Little Shop of Stories, an independent bookstore in Decatur, GA. Credit: MoveOn

You can learn more about our Banned Bookmobile and catch up on the latest news at MoveOnBannedBookmobile.com.

The post Artists Against Book Bans: 170+ Celebrities Sign Petition Defending the Freedom to Read appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

From left: Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Mehdi Hasan, Rep. Gregory Meeks, and James Carville

The dark-money political party No Labels has made headlines this summer by qualifying for the ballot in a number of states. While they try to pitch themselves as a bipartisan third-party alternative to voters who aren’t interested in either Biden or Trump, the reality is their misleading and misguided presidential effort will only help put Donald Trump back into the White House. No Labels has no candidates on its slate, no math or path to get to 270 Electoral College votes, and no transparency about its donor base (though we do know they’ve been cashing checks from right-wing megadonors and are staffed by consultants with ties to MAGA candidates).

Here’s what some critics have said in recent weeks about No Labels’ dangerous third-party bid.

“Let’s be serious. Black folks know there are two choices in this election: [Biden, or] MAGA Republicans who are debating the benefits of slavery, banning books, a woman’s access to an abortion, and threatening our most precious right to vote. With all of this at stake, we won’t allow Black voters to be hoodwinked by a sideshow that can only dilute our power and roll back our progress.” –Congressional Black Caucus PAC chair, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY)

Let’s be clear: Corporate-backed spoilers like No Labels serve only to hinder progressive policies and undermine President Biden and Democrats at every level. We won’t be fooled.” –Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)

“They won’t tell you where their money comes from; they say they’re funded by undisclosed corporate dark money. And they won’t take a position on anything. But yet they’re offering the American people something new and fresh. That’s a good line of f—ing bullshit there.” –James Carville, political consultant and author

“Big donors are drawn to No Labels because they want and need another Republican in the White House to protect the tax cuts and deregulatory regimes through which they become richer.” –Charles P. Pierce, political blogger and liberal pundit

“I would say one simple thing to someone who wants a bipartisan person in the middle: That person exists. His name is Joseph Robinette Biden.”–Mehdi Hasan, political broadcaster and author

MoveOn members are joining these individuals in speaking out about this dangerous No Labels party. Keeping Donald Trump far from the White House is essential to protecting the progress we’ve made these last three years and defending our democracy, including gun violence legislation, tackling the climate crisis, and lowering Medicare costs for families. Join us now by signing the petition to stop No Labels from helping to elect Trump.

The post What Politicians and Pundits Are Saying About the No Labels Heist appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

If you have a credit card or bank account, then you’ve probably been hit with junk fees. From credit card late fees to ATM fees, convenience fees to overdraft fees, U.S. banks and financial institutions are padding their profits with our money. Junk fees are surcharges that typically come as a surprise to consumers. In many cases, they appear at the end of the checkout process and their costs are not shown upfront. 

Junk fees are squeezing the middle class on essential needs like housing, banking, and travel—and it’s time to address them.

President Biden said in the State of the Union this year, “Americans are tired of being played for suckers” and said junk fees “can add hundreds of dollars a month and make it harder for families to pay their bills.” And to make matters worse, junk fees disproportionately affect low-income households and people of color, exacerbating economic inequalities. Working- and middle-class people pay billions in junk fees every year, and this is unacceptable.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action this year to hold banking institutions accountable, ordering Bank of America to pay more than $100 million to customers for systematically double-dipping on fees imposed on customers with insufficient funds in their account.

President Biden has committed to ending these junk fees as part of his larger fight against corporate greed, and MoveOn is building a campaign to support that work by organizing our members to put pressure on corporations to end this harmful practice.

Together, we can urge the Congress and regulatory agencies to continue cracking down on these unnecessary banking and ATM junk fees across the financial sector.

JUNK FEES BY THE NUMBERS

• At least 85% of Americans have experienced a hidden or unexpected fee for a service in the previous two years, and one-third of Americans say they’ve spent $100 or more on unexpected or hidden fees on the bills they regularly pay over the past decade.
• These fees disproportionately affect low-income households and people of color, exacerbating economic inequalities. 
• Addressing junk fees has broad support across party lines–85% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 74% of Republican voters support legislation that addresses junk fees.
• 79% of Americans support the Biden administration’s plan to lower limits on credit card late fees (90% Democrats, 74% independents, 68% Republicans). 

How We’re Taking Action: 

MoveOn members are dedicated to this work—more than 140,000 members have signed a petition to break up Ticketmaster, one of the worst offenders when it comes to junk fees. 

With the Biden administration now making this a policy priority, we have a real chance to finally take on these corporations and protect everyday people from being scammed by billion-dollar companies who just want to line their executives’ pockets.

It’s time to call out defenders of junk fees and push corporations to reform extra expenses for American families. 

And that’s why MoveOn is launching a new initiative called “F*ck the Fees.”

As part of our “F*ck the Fees” initiative, MoveOn will be focused on leveling the playing field for working families under siege by:

• Calling for corporate accountability for big corporations that are gouging consumers with these junk fees.
• Lifting up the voices of our members who have been impacted by these rampant, abusive fees.
• Calling on Congress and federal agencies to establish rules and regulations that support and uplift working-class Americans and fight back against these outrageous fees.

Do you know how much you’re paying in junk fees?

Using the junk fee calculator on our site, you can get an estimate of how much you’ve paid in junk fees in one year. After answering a series of relevant questions, you’ll be able to see just how much junk fees really rack up against consumers. 

Visit our F*ck the Fees site to see how much you’re paying in junk fees and learn more about how you can push corporations to reform unnecessary expenses to American families.

Additional Resources and References:

White House:

President Biden Recognizes Actions by Private Sector Ticketing and Travel Companies to Eliminate Hidden Junk Fees and Provide Millions of Customers with Transparent Pricing

CFPB: 

CFPB Issues Guidance to Rein in Creation of Fake Accounts to Harvest Fees
CFPB Issues Guidance to Help Banks Avoid Charging Illegal Junk Fees on Deposit Accounts
CFPB Uncovers Illegal Junk Fees on Bank Accounts, Mortgages, and Student and Auto Loans
CFPB Proposes Rule to Rein in Excessive Credit Card Late Fees
CFPB Moves to Reduce Junk Fees Charged by Debt Collectors
CFPB Research Shows Banks’ Deep Dependence on Overdraft Fees
Banks’ overdraft/NSF fee revenue declines significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels

DOT:

Airline Customer Service Dashboard (including free family seating)
DOT to Propose Requirements for Airlines to Cover Expenses and Compensate Stranded Passengers

FTC:

Federal Trade Commission Explores Rule Cracking Down on Junk Fees
FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Junk Fees, Bait-and-Switch Tactics Plaguing Car Buyers
Federal Trade Commission Proposes Rule Provision Making it Easier for Consumers to “Click to Cancel” Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships

The post Junk Fees: Fees You’re Paying for That You May Not Even Know About appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

GOP Candidates Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy face off at the Republican National Committee Debate in Milwaukee, WI. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty

In case you missed last night’s RNC debate for the sake of your mental health, we watched it so you don’t have to.

Despite Trump’s absence, his eight rival Republican candidates battled it out in an attempt to prove their ability to replace him as front-runner. Whether or not any of them were successful in upending his lead remains to be seen, but it’s hard to characterize their performances as anything but major fails.

And while it felt like two hours of total nonsense, thanks to social media, it wasn’t a total loss. By far the “best” part of last night’s debate were these reactions from the Twitter universe. Here’s how the night went: 

As the debate began, Dark Brandon helped kick things off for Fox News audiences:

Dark Brandon got the FIRST word before tonight’s #GOPDebate, and it slayed!

Boss move.pic.twitter.com/e8mxoHXNPz

— Grant Stern  (@grantstern) August 24, 2023

Which was followed by a little desperation and plagiarism:

Vivek Ramaswamy joins the long tradition of Republicans plagiarizing the Obamas…steals Barack Obama’s “skinny kid with a funny name” line…

(Truly laughable and reflects just how desperate Republicans are to try to relate with a younger generation the way Obama did.) #GOPdebate pic.twitter.com/BXomxMsrzq

— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) August 24, 2023

Then it was time for some climate change denial.

Moderator: Raise your hand if you believe human behavior causes climate change.#RNCDebate candidates: pic.twitter.com/azLULFVeMe

— BoldProgressives.org (@BoldProgressive) August 24, 2023

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse …

“Burn coal” says a GOP presidential candidate on the debate stage, to cheers and applause, after the hottest summer in memory. pic.twitter.com/PnHbPnC3Ho

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 24, 2023

Followed by a cacophony of non-answers:

The question was “is climate change real?”

Tim Scott: “I had a single mom..”
Haley: “Margaret Thatcher once said…”
DeSantis: “Corporate media is biased”.
Vivek: “I’m not bought and paid for!”
Christie: “You sound like ChatGPT!”

These are not serious people. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/zyJcoCqbnB

— Jay (@JayNCtoDC) August 24, 2023

Chris Christie chimed in to show how tech-savvy he was: 

christ christie mentioning chatgpt #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/9s00tWEHzq

— luke bosley (@bosley_luke) August 24, 2023

And then the moment we all knew was bound to happen—they were asked about abortion:

When Republicans start mansplaining what should happen in a woman’s womb. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/TeBhQc29P8

— Rachel Irwin (@rachelgirwin) August 24, 2023

No surprise here:

Ron DeSantis is proud of stripping a Women’s right away. #RNCDebate pic.twitter.com/K99fGv4f04

— The Chanteezy Is Real (@iamchanteezy) August 24, 2023

Then it was time for a commercial break with a casual mention of Donald Trump turning himself in to the authorities. (We can’t make this stuff up.)

Actual words uttered during a GOP primary debate: “Right now you are looking live at Fulton County Jail, where former president Donald Trump will be processed tomorrow. Next, the candidates will have an opportunity to talk about the coming trials of Donald Trump.” pic.twitter.com/HN0Wr7dhm3

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 24, 2023

Moments later on the debate stage, the math wasn’t mathing for Vivek Ramaswamy:

Vivek Ramaswamy says we should hand the country over to a new generation but advocates for raising the voting age. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/NrHD0UOHjU

— Eve Levenson (she/her) (@eve_levenson) August 24, 2023

Then Ron DeSantis talked about the importance of education:

“We need education in this country.” Says the man who banned every book in America from Floridian schools.#GOPDebate #RNCDebate #republicanDebate #RNC #GOP #republicanDebate pic.twitter.com/vf860hApK3

— Dana Abercrombie #AmplifyBlackVoices (@sagesurge) August 24, 2023

The Republican candidates shared how they really feel about taking care of the less privileged in America:

Q: How do you plan to fight homelessness

Pence: Cut taxes, close the department of education

Christie: PROSECUTORS NEED TO LOCK THEM UP

Us: #GOPDebate #RNCDebate pic.twitter.com/RPduuvwsBN

— NoChillMood (@ritaag) August 24, 2023

And then Nikki Haley decided to shake things up with … the truth?

Oops. Nikki Haley let the cat out of the bag! Trump and GOP added $7.8 trillion to the national debt. They gave the store away to the super-rich and spent us into the ground! #GOPDebate

— Jamie Raskin (@jamie_raskin) August 24, 2023

What she said. pic.twitter.com/GvDRWUI1hK

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 24, 2023

Mike Pence felt a bit left out, so he had to say something: 

“I’m intensely proud of the record of the Trump-Pence administration,” says man who ended the Trump-Pence administration by running from a crowd of Trump supporters trying to kill him.#GOPDebate

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 24, 2023

And, thankfully, just like that, the first Republican debate was over …

Imagine looking at this debate as a Republican voter and having to choose between one of these candidates and the guy getting his mugshot taken tomorrow

— Acyn (@Acyn) August 24, 2023

I didn’t see one possible President on the stage of the Republican debate tonight. And the one who wasn’t there must never be again.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 24, 2023

… with the biggest takeaway of all:

I’ve seen enough: The winner of tonight’s debate is President Biden! #DarkBrandonWins pic.twitter.com/ImWdAWKATv

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) August 24, 2023

All jokes aside, this debate clearly proves that if you haven’t yet gotten involved with next year’s election, now is the time to get off the sidelines. 

MoveOn is preparing to launch the biggest election program of our 25-year history, and we need your help to make it happen.

The messages shared by the GOP candidates last night were wrong. They were dangerous. And they must be defeated.

Join us in fighting for an America where everyone can thrive. Click here to chip in now.

The post Recap of the Republican Debate 2023: A Complete Dumpster Fire appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

NEW YORK, NY – Atmosphere at the Nobody Is Above The Law Rally in New York City. Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty/MoveOn

Donald Trump is the first president—former or current—to have been charged with a crime. Over the last five months, Trump has been indicted four separate times and charged with 91 felonies. 

And yet, Trump is still the unrivaled front-runner for the Republican nomination, and polling has him in a dead heat with President Biden in a general-election matchup.

But after so many years of getting away with his crimes scot-free, Trump is finally being held accountable for the crimes he’s committed. No one is above the law, including a former president. 

Here are the four crimes Trump has been indicted for this year: 

“CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE” | Fulton County, Georgia

On Tuesday, August 15, Trump was indicted for the fourth time, and the charges lay out exactly what Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis believes Trump to be: an organized crime boss. 

Trump was charged with 13 felonies related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, and 18 of his co-conspirators are charged as well. The resulting charges are all damning, but one stands out above the rest. Trump is being charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act statute in Georgia, more commonly known as RICO.

There are two important differences between this indictment in Georgia and the federal indictments Trump is currently facing. First, the RICO charge in Georgia is the first charge in any of the indictments that comes with a mandatory minimum sentence: five years in prison. Second, unlike the federal indictments, Trump will have no way to make this case in Georgia go away or pardon himself from the charges—even if he wins the 2024 election.

CONSPIRACY TO OVERTURN ELECTION RESULTS | Washington, D.C.

The Case: Once it was clear Biden had won the election, Trump pressured officials, in multiple states, to overturn the popular vote. He then conspired to produce “fake electors” that would throw the election into question and allow the House of Representatives, led by then-Vice President Pence, to decide Trump was the winner of the 2020 election. When Pence refused, Trump riled up the crowd to storm the Capitol on January 6, exploiting the violence to disrupt the certification of the votes. 

Status: On August 1, 2023, Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts, including “Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.” 

THE STOLEN DOCUMENTS | Mar-a-Lago, Florida

The Case: Trump illegally kept thousands of documents, many of which were highly classified, at his home in Mar-a-Lago. He refused to return them and conspired to hide them from investigators.

Status: On June 9, 2023, Trump was charged with 37 counts, including unauthorized retention of national security secrets, and false statements. Judge Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge with a history of bias, is overseeing the trial. Advocates are calling for her to be removed from the trial and for the trial to be televised, for transparency. 

HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS  | New York, New York 

The Case: In attempts to cover up an alleged affair, Trump made hush money payments to Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election. At a news conference after Trump’s arraignment,  Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg explained that “Under New York state law, it is a felony to falsify business records with intent to defraud, intent to conceal another crime.”

Status: On April 4, 2023, Trump was charged for 34 criminal counts of falsification of business records in the first degree. He pleaded not guilty. The prosecution intends to bring this case to trial in January 2024. 

Here’s how you can get involved:

Donald Trump and his allies have continued to alert MAGA supporters and spread conspiracies about the criminal charges against Trump. Trump has claimed that these charges are politically motivated and that they are an abuse of power from the Biden administration. He’s even fundraised millions of dollars off these claims and his indictments. Enough is enough.

We have a real opportunity to put a stop to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement once and for all in 2024. Here’s how you can join us in this fight: Join 380,000 MoveOn members and counting by signing the petition to disqualify Trump from holding public office under the 14th Amendment. 

The post A Full Breakdown of Donald Trump’s Legal Cases and His Latest Indictment appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Our Banned Bookmobile tour stop in Atlanta, Georgia.

This July, MoveOn members and book lovers came out in droves to support our mission to give away banned books and fight back against book bans across the nation. Whether you joined us or rooted us on from afar, here’s a “Recap on the Road” of our first-ever Banned Bookmobile tour!

On our tour, we traveled across 10 states, 14 stops, and distributed thousands of books, bookmarks, T-shirts, and buttons for free. We stopped at local bookstores along the tour to replenish our inventory of banned books for other stops. We held events in bookstores, outside libraries and school board hearings, near state capitols, and in symbolic locations honoring local stories of resistance. We are grateful to everyone who made this tour happen, from MoveOn members who donated to power the Bookmobile and stock it with books to give out, to all of our inspiring speakers who passionately shared their stories and who fight for and educate their local communities every day, and to every person who attended or followed along with the Banned Bookmobile on its journey to support the freedom to read and the freedom to learn. 

After our Banned Bookmobile had its first look at NEA’s annual convention in Orlando and officially launched in Chicago at Netroots Nation, we headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where about 50 MoveOn members and Wisconsinites joined us at Rooted MKE, the local BIPOC and children’s bookstore.

Mandela Barnes, former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, was our featured speaker. Barnes shared, “When you see lawmakers across the country try to ban books, they want to limit the knowledge that people have. And we’ve seen this story before, and it did not end well. We need to make sure that never happens again. We want to make sure that our children have access to world-class education. And that means having access to literature that may upset certain lawmakers that would rather them not read it. And this means teaching full history. This means letting kids get a chance to learn about who they truly are, to learn about the world as it is.”

Mandela Barnes gives a speech during the Banned Bookmobile stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Rapid-Response Campaign Director Mana Kharrazi was on the ground and said, “Everyone is so grateful; folks feel seen, and each has their own story of why this matters. And when we do an event in a place like Milwaukee, they thank us for recognizing that their community’s important, and not just during elections. The sense of community among book lovers and educators was breathtaking.”

Next, we made our way to Toni Morrison’s hometown, Lorain, Ohio, and while we were there, longtime resident Andre Massey walked up and asked us what we were doing in his small town. He informed us that Toni Morrison’s niece, Ms. Georgia, still lives in Lorain, so he called her up, and Mana and the Bookmobile team got the chance to chat with her about the Banned Bookmobile tour. 

“We thanked her for her family’s contribution,” Mana shared, “and she’s sending our photo to Toni Morrison’s son and letting the family know about our tour. She was grateful for what we’re doing and shared that Morrison would’ve loved it. It was a beautiful conversation that gave us all chills.”

Andre Massey, a resident of Lorain, Ohio, poses next to the Toni Morrison historical marker during our Banned Bookmobile stop there.

More stops and amazing highlights of our tour include:

Cleveland, Ohio, at Loganberry Books, where we had at least 50 folks show up, including school board members, a person from the Honesty for Ohio Education coalition, a civil rights lawyer, and a group of educators.

The Banned Bookmobile tour stops at Loganberry Books in Cleveland, Ohio.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Clemente Museum, where State Representative Chris Rabb, who recently introduced new anti-book-ban legislation, spoke about the issue. The owner and founder of the museum also spoke about the recent banning of a book about Clemente, all because it mentioned he’d experienced racism. The book sold out for months after news of the banning—another reminder that the majority of the public is against book bans. 

The Banned Bookmobile stops at the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Charlottesville, Virginia, at the IX Art Park, where Daphne Spain, a retired UVA professor and owner of 2nd Act Books, a local bookstore, joined us to share a few words. Allison Spillman also spoke about the importance of opposing book bans. She is running for the local school board against Antonin Scalia’s daughter, further cementing her leadership in a local fight against book bans. Check out the NPR piece about our Charlottesville stop!

The Banned Bookmobile tour stops in Charlottesville, Virginia at the IX Art Park.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the Peace and Justice Plaza, where we had a great crowd of students and community members who were very passionate about the issue of banned books and the state of politics in North Carolina. 

The Banned Bookmobile tour stops in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the Peace and Justice Plaza.

Asheville, North Carolina, at Pack Square Park West, where we met dozens of MoveOn members, including Bob, who is hosting a banned book week of action in October. We met retired librarians and teachers, as well as several Florida teachers taking a break from the local turmoil embroiling their schools in fights over books. Other local residents shared about their organizing to vote out Madison Cawthorne and his brand of MAGA extremism.

Our Banned Bookmobile stop in Asheville, North Carolina, at Pack Square Park West.

Nashville, Tennessee, at the North State Capitol, where scores of librarians and teachers joined us. We had the fortune of meeting inspiring activists on the front lines of pushing back against draconian bans in Tennessee, including Aftyn Behn, a local candidate for District 51, who led the organizing around the Tennessee 3, and Vidalia Ann Gentry, a drag artist named TN Pride Chamber’s advocate of the year. 

Our Banned Bookmobile tour stop in Nashville, Tennessee, at the North State Capitol.

Atlanta, Georgia, where we heard from a slew of local and state champions involved in pro-democracy and educational fights, including those combating the state’s new censorship law. The event included remarks from Chair of Cobb Democrats Erick Allen; Amanda Adams Lee, a teacher and former officer of the Georgia Library Media Association; Georgia Educators of Equity and Justice President Aireane Montgomery; Georgia State Representatives Solomon Adesanya and Terry Cummings; as well as Executive Director of Georgia Youth Justice Coalition Melody Oliphant. The powerhouse leaders spoke about the struggles educators face in Georgia, like Katie Rinderlie, who was the first educator fired under the state’s censorship law passed in 2022 for reading “‘My Shadow is Purple,’” a children’s book about inclusion, to her students. 

Our Banned Bookmobile tour stop in Atlanta, Georgia.

Charleston, South Carolina, at Itinerant Literate Bookstop, where Charleston’s first poet laureate, Marcus Amaker, spoke and read some of his poetry for the crowd. We also met with Be The Ones Executive Director Cate Mayer and several fantastic educators who told of us about some of the fights they are going through in South Carolina’s rural Berkeley County, where teachers are under review for assigning some of the books on the AP reading list.

Our Banned Bookmobile tour stop in Charleston, South Carolina, at Itinerant Literate Bookstop.

Savannah, Georgia, where we met members of multiple local banned book clubs, along with some local MoveOn members, a few of whom were librarians and teachers. We also met a young local activist who’s helping to organize a bookmobile featuring queer authors.

Our Banned Bookmobile tour stop in Savannah, Georgia.

We wrapped up our tour in Tallahassee, Florida, at Common Ground Books. We brought hundreds of thousands of signatures of MoveOn members fighting against bans and censorship to the capital where Ron DeSantis has made these attacks a key part of his governing vision and his campaign for president. Some of Florida’s fiercest champions showed up to conclude the tour. Florida State Representatives Michele Rayner-Goolsby and Angie Nixon gave powerful speeches, along with activist Thomas Kennedy and Jen Cousins, founder of the Florida Freedom to Read Project. The chair of the Florida Democratic Party, Nikki Fried, ended the program with a promise to overcome the onslaught of anti-democratic and far-right policies DeSantis and the MAGA Republicans have inflicted upon Floridians. Speakers shared about DeSantis’s latest attack on education and efforts to erase the realities of slavery within the United States in Florida’s curriculum. 

Our final Banned Bookmobile tour stop in Tallahassee, Florida.

Nixon said, “He [DeSantis] wants to control how we think, how we learn, because he’s fearful … that the people are going to come together and are gonna do the same thing to him that he’s been doing to us for years. Progressive people don’t lead like that. We lead with love. We lead with honor, integrity. We lead based on facts. Data-driven facts. We don’t lead off divisiveness, fear, and hate.”  

Rayner-Goolsby said, “The reason that the MAGA right and white supremacists are doing what they’re doing—homophobes and transphobes—because we are close to liberation. And we are close to winning. So when we are close to winning, and we are close to liberation, what are you gonna do? You have to silence the people. But I know something that they don’t know. We will not be silenced. We will NOT be silenced.” 

And we won’t stop sounding alarms about Governor Ron DeSantis’s censorship and the rising wave of GOP book bans across the country. For more information on our Banned Bookmobile and how you can get involved, visit our site.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 13: A general view of atmosphere during MoveOn’s national Banned Bookmobile tour launch at Sandmeyer’s Bookstore on July 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. MoveOn’s Banned Bookmobile is on a multistate tour to sound alarms on the rising wave of GOP book bans across the country. The Banned Bookmobile tour will distribute some of the most frequently banned books in some of the communities most impacted by the bans. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for MoveOn)

How you can get involved:

• Chip in monthly to support the Banned Bookmobile. With just a $5 monthly donation, you can help power MoveOn’s Banned Bookmobile cross-country tour so we can keep buying as many copies of DeSantis’s banned books as we can, giving them away for free, and help MoveOn continue fighting against this and other authoritarian policies of the MAGA Republican Party to strip us of our rights.

• Learn more about the Banned Bookmobile and its current stops. You can even request a stop to bring the Banned Bookmobile to your community.

The post Banned Bookmobile Recap on the Road: Best Moments of Our Tour Through Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

That’s right—we ran out of books to give away in just ten minutes. 

Keeping up the momentum, we kicked off our official Banned Bookmobile tour in Chicago the following week. 

We chose to jump-start our tour in Chicago to celebrate Illinois enacting the nation’s first ban on book bans—a proactive move sure to be replicated elsewhere. 

Crowds gather around American Federation of Teachers President, Randi Weingarten, at MoveOn’s Banned Bookmobile by Sandmeyer’s bookstore in Chicago. Credit: MoveOn

Our launch event was at Sandmeyer’s Bookstore in downtown Chicago featuring the following speakers:

• MoveOn Political Action Executive Director Rahna Epting
• AFT President Randi Weingarten
• NEA President Becky Pringle
• Illinois State Representative Anne Stava-Murray, lead sponsor of the anti-book-ban bill in the Assembly
• Illinois State Senator Laura Murphy, lead sponsor of the anti-book-ban measure in the Senate

MoveOn Political Action Executive Director, Rahna Epting, speaks at the Banned Bookmobile launch by Sandmeyer’s bookstore in Chicago. Credit: MoveOn

Both Becky Pringle and Randi Weingarten gave impassioned speeches about the power of books and of learning our history and expressed gratitude to MoveOn members for showing solidarity with educators amid MAGA book bans and censorship. 

We then continued our tour at the Netroots Nation conference in Chicago on July 14. Thanks to the donations, volunteer energy, and support of countless MoveOn members, the Banned Bookmobile distributed thousands of the most banned books in America—delivering free books and a boost of hope in community after community. 

Needless to say, the Banned Bookmobile’s kickoff was a huge success, but the work doesn’t end there.

In a big Politico story last week on MoveOn’s Banned Bookmobile, MoveOn’s Executive Director Rahna Epting explained the goals: “One is to shed light on the dangerous bans of Ron DeSantis, whether that’s banning saying gay, banning abortion or, even now, banning books—over 500 books in his own state. And No. 2 is to shed light on the fact that this is the entire agenda of the new MAGA Republican Party.”

Epting added, “Not pushing back against book bans would be a massive failure for all of us that care about the future of this country.”

As we continue giving out free banned books, our mission remains the same—sending a message to MAGA extremists that we won’t stand for their bans and we will hold them accountable for their attempts to censor our books, whitewash our history, silence our librarians, and punish our educators.

You can get involved by chipping in monthly to keep MoveOn’s Banned Bookmobile on the road and power MoveOn’s campaigns to fight back against MAGA extremism.

Check out more posts from our journey through Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and all the way to the capital of Florida in the days to come.

National Endowment for the Arts President, Becky Pringle, addresses a crowd at the Banned Bookmobile launch by Sandmeyer’s bookstore in Chicago. Credit: MoveOn

The post MoveOn’s Banned Bookmobile Ran Out of Books in Just 10 Minutes appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

Hundreds of Americans protest outside the Supreme Court after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Credit: MoveOn

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s questionable actions and unethical behavior have gone on for far too long—and it’s time for him to be held accountable.

From enjoying a luxury vacation paid for by a right-wing megadonor with cases before the court to his wife leasing land to an oil and gas firm while he was undermining the Environmental Protection Agency, Alito’s corruption abounds. Alongside his problematic conduct outside of the court, Alito’s consistent pattern of ruling in favor of corporate interests over the rights of everyday Americans is alarming. We cannot let Justice Alito continue to strike down our civil liberties and rule against our fundamental rights with his biased and unethical decisions.

Justice Samuel Alito isn’t the only one. 

Clarence Thomas has refused to recuse himself from cases involving the attempt to overturn the 2020 election, an attempt which his own wife was involved with. Meanwhile, he’s accepted hundreds of thousands in gifts from a right-wing megadonor—while ruling in favor of that megadonor’s causes and against basic protections for workers, the environment, our health care, and our families.

The recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court have sent shock waves through our nation, striking at the very foundation of fairness and justice. These major decisions, including ending affirmative action in higher education, derailing President Joe Biden’s plan to address student loan debt, and stripping away LGBTQ+ rights—following last year’s devastating rulings on abortion and gun safety—are not isolated incidents. They’re symptoms of a larger problem: a court compromised by biased justices like Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, showing blatant disregard for the public’s interest while benefiting right-wing billionaires and pursuing their own ideological crusades.

Samuel Alito’s behavior directly conflicts with his role as a Supreme Court justice.

If you’ve been following the news, you already know about the questionable actions and unethical behavior of Justice Alito and his wife. This egregious behavior is an outright betrayal of the public’s trust as our justice system is being sold to the highest bidder. 

It’s one thing for a billionaire to curry favor with lavish gifts. It’s another for a Supreme Court justice, who should be held to the highest levels of scrutiny and of ethics, to accept these gifts and cozy up to billionaire and corporate interests. Not only did Alito accept the vacation, but he never disclosed it and did not recuse himself from cases involving his benefactor, Paul Singer.

Yet while Justice Alito and his wife’s shady associations and questionable financial dealings raise serious concerns about their impartiality and motives, they aren’t the only ones entangled in this web of corruption. Among Justice Clarence Thomas’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from right-wing megadonor Harlan Crow are trips and even the private-school tuition for Judge Thomas’s godchild. Crow even owns the house where Justice Thomas’s mother lives rent free.

And no, this is not a coincidence—it’s a systemic problem that’s poisoning the highest court in our country. It’s time to push back against corruption and demand accountability from those wielding immense power.

MoveOn is taking action.

It’s clear that Justice Alito and others on the court are more interested in pushing their own agendas than upholding the principles of fairness and equality. We must take a stand and demand a full investigation into the actions of Justice Alito, Thomas, and any other justice whose behavior raises red flags.

We not only need a code of ethics but an immediate and thorough investigation into what gifts the justices received, from whom, their ties to benefactors, and any potential conflict of interest before the court. We need investigations on why the justices failed to disclose these gifts or recuse themselves. And we need impeachment hearings to confront any wrongdoings that bring shame to the court and corruption to the cause of justice.

And that’s why we’re urgently calling for a full investigation into the actions of Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas, and any other corrupt Supreme Court justices whose behavior raises red flags.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Join us in signing the petition calling for an investigation into Justice Alito, Justice Thomas, and the broader issue of judicial misconduct. Together, we can expose the truth and fight for a Supreme Court that genuinely represents the interests and values of the American people. And these investigations are only the start as we pursue a real, accountable code of ethics for the court and truly expand the court to rebalance it from the right-wing takeover of McConnell and Trump’s court-packing schemes.

The post Why We’re Petitioning to Investigate and Impeach Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

MoveOn’s first ever Banned Bookmobile is on the move and will be traveling through multiple states, giving out as many banned books as possible to students to fight back against book bans by MAGA politicians like Ron DeSantis.

We hope to see you on the road! But whether you’re able to join us in-person or not, you can still show your support! That’s right, MoveOn just released our brand-new, special-edition “The Books They Ban Are the Books I’ll Read Next” holographic bookmark—and we’re giving them away for FREE while supplies last, as part of our drive to celebrate books, the freedom to read, and our push against book bans.

Click here or on the image below to claim your free bookmark.

Far-right extremists are pursuing a coordinated and relentless crusade to ban books.

These efforts are intended to stop students from learning about race, sexual orientation, gender identity, police violence, the Holocaust, different cultures, and an unbiased version of the history of our country. From school boards and library boards to state legislatures, they are finding ways to remove books from shelves and classroom lessons.

Among the most frequently banned books in America? “The Hate U Give,” written by Angie Thomas, which traces the life of a 16-year-old Black girl from a poor neighborhood who attends an elite, white private school and witnesses a white police officer shoot and kill her childhood friend, along with “Gender Queer,” a memoir about self-discovery and gender identity by nonbinary author Maia Kobabe. In Florida, the complaint of one parent even had “The Hill We Climb,” a poem by the National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, which she read at President Biden’s inauguration, removed from a class curriculum.

Unfortunately, this dangerous, right-wing campaign to ban books across the nation is only escalating.

The American Library Association reported a record number of attempted book bans—most of which target books written by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community—in 2022, nearly doubling the previous year.

How you can get involved:

It’s vital that everyone is able to read essential works that teach empathy and compassion and lift up the most pressing issues facing our society.

That’s why MoveOn is supporting a range of efforts to fight against book bans—from a Banned Bookmobile getting ready to tour the country, to petitions signed by hundreds of thousands of MoveOn members, to ways folks can proclaim their opposition to bans in their everyday lives—including these “The Books They Ban Are the Books I’ll Read Next” bookmarks. By getting yours and using it proudly, you’ll join our fight to stop book bans and raise awareness about the GOP’s effort to restrict learning and freedom of expression.

Click here to get your free bookmark now (while supplies last) and use it to keep your place in your banned book!

The post Get Your Free Bookmarks Today and Support Our Mission to Fight Book Bans appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.

No Labels is a third-party dark-money group that would put Donald Trump back in the White House in 2024. Disguising themselves as a group of moderates trying to save America, right-wing corporate donors are funding a $70 million campaign, through a party called No Labels, to create a spoiler ticket that would pull votes from Joe Biden in swing states.

This third-party bid is not some fly-by-night operation trying to promote bipartisan progress. Cloaked in mystery, the group won’t disclose their donors and has yet to offer up a platform or agenda. What we do know: They are well funded by right-wing mega donors aligned with Donald Trump and serious about defeating Biden to advance a MAGA agenda. According to their own website:

• Twenty of the 22 states they are targeting are states Biden won in 2020.

• Two-thirds of the delegates they want to siphon off come from blue states.
• They are already on the ballot in five states, including the battleground state of Arizona. 

Make no mistake, this third-party spoiler bid will put Trump back in the White House (or DeSantis if Trump falters). We must stop them. 

While No Labels has existed for more than a decade, its recent push to advance a spoiler ticket has its former members and acolytes attacking and distancing themselves from the group. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Brad Schnieder (D-IL) are members of the Problem Solvers Caucus founded by No Labels, and they have recently denounced its presidential bid. No Labels attacked Rep. Schnieder by sending a mass text message to his constituents and calling him “out of step” with his voters. In response, Rep. Schneider said, “No Labels’ attacks are the kind of division the country needs less of right now, and it’s a betrayal of every moderate and every problem solver in Congress.”

Who is funding this third-party effort? Remember Harlan Crow, the right-wing billionaire donor to Republicans who has been lavishing Clarence Thomas with financial gifts for years? He made a six-figure donation to No Labels. Crow is the type of donor who has deep pockets to corrupt our political institutions and advance an anti-democratic, extremist agenda. With donors like these, no wonder No Labels refuses to disclose who else is bankrolling their unscrupulous attempt to undermine the 2024 election.

And their tactics are already being exposed as less than ethical. In Maine, the secretary of state told No Labels to “cease and desist” for duping voters into changing their political party affiliation. In Arizona, they are being sued for failing to disclose donors. With billionaire backing, they are not concerned about the consequences of breaking laws. Their donors want Biden defeated. That’s why MoveOn has alerted secretaries of state and election boards in all 50 states about the deceptive efforts of No Labels.

MoveOn has joined a coalition to stop this third-party bid as part of our 2024 strategy to keep MAGA Republicans out of the White House. We’re raising funds to launch a counterattack and to continue creating an America where everyone can thrive. Will you chip in?

Our plan will expose them for who they are—billionaires who want MAGA back in the White House. Donald Trump would roll back our freedoms, our democracy, and the hard-fought progress we’ve made to advance economic, racial, social, and environmental justice. And that’s why we must stop them.

If they raise enough money, get on the ballot, and recruit their candidates, it will make our 2024 efforts that much harder and that much more expensive. If—like us—you are concerned that a third party will put Trump back in power, add your name to the petition to stop No Labels today.

The post No Labels: Right-Wing Dark-Money Group Would Put MAGA Back in the White House appeared first on MoveOn: People-Powered Progress.