IT’S THE GUNS!!! IT’S THE GUNS!!! IT’S THE GUNS!!! IT’S THE GUNS!!! IT’S THE GUNS!!! IT’S THE GUNS!!! IT’S THE GUNS!!!
Link to Newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/easternilindivisible/p/newsletter-week-of-22nd-27th-of-september?r=5kv5w9&utm_medium=ios
Hi y’all – hope you’re doing well, taking care. The news is heavy, so here are a ton of cartoons to make light of it — and then some cat photos at the end just to top it off! 🦋 -Cecelia
https://open.substack.com/pub/easternilindivisible/p/bluewingthings-to-do-in-case-of-coup?r=5kv5w9&utm_medium=ios
To access the Newsletter ^
Like many GenXer’s, I grew up watching the Cosby Show. I loved it. I must say that I enjoyed Malcolm-Jamal Warner on The Resident as well, his character always brought flair & much needed class.
Rest in Power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner 🕯️
Link to Newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/easternilindivisible/p/newsletter-week-of-july-6-13-wrap?r=5kv5w9&utm_medium=ios
Goodies for you below.
This Week Was Devastating. Here’s Why We Can’t Look Away.
This week, Congress passed what I can only call the Big Bastard Bill—one of the largest upward transfers of wealth in modern history.
It rips away food assistance, housing support, health care, and basic human dignity from millions of people—while shoveling even more money and power into the hands of billionaires and federal agencies like ICE.
What we witnessed wasn’t just cruelty. It was strategy.
It was white supremacy in action: organized, well-funded, and increasingly unafraid to show its face.
This Is Not Subtle. And It’s Not “Just Politics.”
Let’s stop pretending.
The Confederate flag that once hid in basements now waves in statehouses.
Elected officials spout conspiracy theories, criminalize immigrants, and pass laws designed to erase civil rights and rewrite history.
And millions have been conditioned not to see it—or to dismiss it as “just politics.”
But it’s not just politics.
It’s racism. It’s white nationalism. And it’s growing.
Silence Is Complicity.
We have to name it—clearly, urgently, unapologetically:
White supremacy is alive.
It is embedded in our systems, our laws, and our political institutions.
And when we don’t speak up, we make room for it to grow.
For too long, even progressive movements—liberal, Democratic, grassroots—have hesitated to say the words out loud.
But we cannot fix what we refuse to face.
And we cannot build a multiracial democracy by avoiding the fight at the heart of our nation’s story.
This Fight Goes Back to the Beginning.
The Declaration of Independence—written nearly 250 years ago by enslavers and landowners—declared that “all men are created equal.”
It was a lie then.
But it also planted a seed of truth—waiting for us to claim it.
“…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…”
That line wasn’t written for 1776. It was written for us—for 2025.
This Government Is Destructive.
Right now, we’re living under a system that serves the wealthy, punishes the poor, and acts as if racism is over.
That is destructive.
That is unjust.
And if we believe in democracy—real, inclusive, multiracial democracy—then it’s up to us to alter it.
How We Alter It:
With truth-telling With organizing With legislation With collective care With courage and clarity
We don’t need to destroy the promise of America—we need to reclaim it.
We need to finish the work that was never meant for us—but now belongs to us.
Let 2025 Be the Year We Tell the Truth and Make Room for Everyone.
Let’s not leave the future in the hands of those who never meant for us to be part of it.
Let’s take it back—and build something better.
In Solidarity,
Cecelia 🦋
Weekend 🗞️ Top Stories You Should Know
🌊Death Toll from Texas Floods Nears 70, Including 21 Children
Links From the Week Ending 7/06/2025
‘Big Balls’ Is Now at the Social Security Administration | WIRED
Tommy Tuberville calls for Senate parliamentarian’s firing over Medicaid ruling
Trump Justice Dept. Pressuring University of Virginia President to Resign – The New York Times
Cuomo will stay on NYC mayor’s ballot after conceding Democratic primary to Mamdani,
sources tell CNN | CNN Politics
Supreme Court curbs injunctions that blocked Trump’s birthright citizenship plan
University of Virginia president, pressured over DEI, resigns rather than ‘fight federal
Senate blocks Iran war powers resolution
Good trouble: ‘GO **** YOURSELVES’: National park visitors slam feds in leaked park
comments
Around 100,000 march in Budapest Pride event in defiance of Hungary’s ban : NPR The march, described as the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hungary’s history, took place in defiance of a ban implemented by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. Organizers called it a rebuke of the government’s stance against LGBTQ+ rights.
The government had enacted a law making it an offense to hold or attend events that “depict or promote” homosexuality to minors. Police rejected requests to register the Pride march. However, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony declared it would be held as a municipal event, which he argued didn’t require police approval. Despite government warnings of potential fines and even prison time, the event proceeded with a large turnout, including European Parliament members and other officials
Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act’s preventive care mandate – The Washington Post
Kyle Griffin: “Johnny Noviello moved from Canada to Daytona Beach when he was 10 years old.
He grew up in Florida and became a lawful permanent resident. On Monday, June 23, he died at the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami, after six weeks in immigration detention.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i…Bluesky
Monday
2 firefighters were killed in a sniper-style ambush in Idaho. Here’s what we know | CNN
Trump DHS links data for new citizenship tracking tool : NPR
After decades in the US, Iranians arrested in Trump’s deportation drive
DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship : NPR
Teen girls shot near Stonewall Inn after Pride celebrations, NYPD says – Gothamist
Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary policies – POLITICO
Tuesday
Intercepted call of Iranian officials downplays damage of U.S. attack – The Washington Post
Espionage Act: Team Trump’s Latest Plan to Go After the Media
Senate bill allowed to ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood
Trump Administration Highlights: White House Presses for Trump’s Big Bill as Senators Trudge
Appeals court allows Georgetown researcher, previously detained by ICE, to remain free -POLITICO
The Big Bastard Bill passed.
Senator Tom Tillis isn’t running for reelection—because he couldn’t face the people he betrayed.
Josh Hawley? He stood tall and lied, right alongside the rest of the GOP.
Remember who they are.
Senator Murkowski voted yes.
She struck a backroom deal to shield her state—while leaving millions of Americans to suffer, starve, and die.
Remember who they are.
Kamala Harris once broke a tie—for the needy.
J.D. Vance just broke a tie—for the greedy.
One cast a vote for care.
The other, for cruelty.
They knew what this bill would do.
They passed it anyway.
“You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.”-J.L.
So let’s speak.
Let’s organize.
Let’s make them remember.
Because this moment demands courage—and good trouble.
Remember who they are.
Remember Who They Are, Cecelia English, 2025
Samuel Alito Takes Pride in Gay-Bashing | The Nation
Wednesday
Trans swimmer Lia Thomas’ records revoked in UPenn deal with Trump admin
Former archivist raises red flags over NARA cuts
CBS owner Paramount settles Trump lawsuit over Harris interview for $16M – The Washington Post
At least 17 million Americans would lose health insurance under Trump plan – The Washington Post
US private sector lost 33,000 jobs in June, missing expectations for an increase of 115,000 |CNN Business
US judge blocks Trump asylum ban at US-Mexico border, says he exceeded authority | Reuters
Justice Dept. Explores Using Criminal Charges Against Election Officials – The New York Times –
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/justice-department-election-data.html
Administration Directives: Senior officials have instructed Justice Department lawyers to investigate how a failure by state or local officials to meet security standards for electronic voting systems could be considered a crime.
Emphasis on Election Security: This effort is reportedly driven by the Trump administration’s assertions, without strong evidence, that American elections are vulnerable to fraud and manipulation.
Concerns about Mismanagement: The discussions explore the possibility of charging officials with criminally negligent mismanagement of election systems.
Surprise within the DOJ: Some prosecutors within the Justice Department have expressed surprise at this direction, finding it to be a novel and potentially aggressive approach.
DOJ Response: A Justice Department spokesman stated that the agency is exploring all options to promote “free, fair and secure elections”.
Impact on Election Officials: This potential action could significantly increase the stakes for state and local election officials, bringing the Justice Department and the possibility of criminal charges into the election process.
Thursday
Supreme Court will decide whether states can ban transgender girls from girls’ sports -POLITICO
Gag order in Abrego Regarding the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a federal judge in Tennessee has issued a gag order. This order was issued in early July 2025, in response to a request from Abrego Garcia’s defense lawyers.
Man arrested for trying to bring “ghost gun” into Capitol Hill office building – CBS News
A man who spent 27 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit has been awarded $2.85 million – and a heartfelt apology – by state officials. “There are no words to express how deeply sorry we are for what was taken from you and for the failure of our justice system,” Lt. Gov. Aruna K. Miller said Wednesday while presiding over a Maryland Board of Public Works meeting.
Call to Action: Heyyy, we have a weekly Zoom meeting Monday night at 6:30pm • Eastern Illinois Indivisible hosts open Zoom meetings every Monday at 6:30 p.m.
If you’re curious, the Meeting ID is 925 1865 9494 & the passcode is 186649. No pressure—just conversation.
Week of Monday, June 16 – June 22, 2025
This week was marked by violence and assassination—and now ends with our so-called leader launching a war without constitutional authority.
We are watching lines break, one after another.
It feels like the Summer of Fire has begun.
But fire also clears the ground for new growth. And we are not powerless.
In every county, in every community, people are waking up, linking arms, and refusing to go quietly.
So yes—it’s dark. But we’ve lit torches before. And we’ll do it again.
“You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim, or diminish your light.”
— John Lewis
📰 Links from the Week Ending June 22, 2025
A round-up of key stories shaping our democracy, our communities, and our future.
📡 Immigration, Surveillance, and Detention
CBP flying surveillance aircraft over Phoenix ICE operations – Arizona Mirror
ICE detainees tear down wall in uprising at NJ detention facility, lawyer says Four detainees escape Newark immigration facility
– U.S. Marines detain civilian in Los Angeles —
– Reuters Military detentions begin at border “defense zone”
– CNN Brad Lander, NYC mayoral candidate, arrested by ICE at courthouse
– The New York Times Man arrested at “No Kings” protest had long-standing obsession with Nazi ideology Pipe bomb discovered in home of man arrested at PA “No Kings” protest
– CBS Philadelphia Migrant deported to El Salvador after wrongful gang label – per legal advocates
⚖️ Government, Courts, and the Constitution
House votes to defund NPR and PBS – NPR Federal judge blocks Trump executive order requiring citizenship proof to vote – CourtListener (via Bluesky)
Federal judge accuses Trump admin of discriminatory NIH grant cuts – POLITICO On Monday a federal judge ruled [47’s] cancellation of several hundred NIH research grants illegal & void.
CBO: Trump’s immigration and tax bill could add $3.3 trillion to the national debt – Washington Post
Senate Democrats enable [47’s] crypto windfall – Here are the Democrats who voted for it: Angela Alsobrooks (MD) Cory Booker (NJ) Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) John Fetterman (PA) Ruben Gallego (AZ) Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) Maggie Hassan (NH) Martin Heinrich (NM) John Hickenlooper (CO) Andy Kim (NJ) Ben Ray Luján (NM) Jon Ossoff (GA) Alex Padilla (CA) Jacky Rosen (NV) Adam Schiff (CA) Elissa Slotkin (MI) Mark Warner (VA) Raphael Warnock (GA)
Popular Information Trump approved Iran strike plans but delayed execution –
Wall Street Journal Trump not invited to NAACP convention—the first president in 116 years to be excluded NAACP says [47] isn’t welcome, breaking tradition: NPR This article explains the NAACP’s decision not to invite [47] to the 2025 convention and provides context.
[47 Regime] reverses exemption for farms and hotels from immigration raids – The Washington Post
🏳️⚧️ Civil Rights & Social Policy
SCOTUS upholds Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors – Erin in the Morning
VA hospitals remove politics and marital status from patient protection guidelines – The Guardian
FEMA preparedness program cuts hit Trump-voting rural areas hardest
Over 250 million acres of public land now eligible for sale under SENR bill –
The Wilderness Society State Department reinstates student visa interviews with stricter social media checks
🧨 Violence, Extremism, and Public Safety
Two Minnesota lawmakers shot in their homes – AP News Minnesota suspect had notebook listing 70 potential targets –
The New York Times Authorities continue search for Vancehttps://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-chicago-baseball-stadium-catholic-mass-5fa10cc7084271e92c911b66de8cab51 Boelter in targeted lawmaker shootings – The Washington Post The TN Holler coverage on Bluesky Second-degree murder charges filed, first-degree pending grand jury – Kyle Cheney via Bluesky Police investigate break-in at home of slain MN Rep. Melissa Hortman
🎭 Culture, Media, and Power
Pope Leo throws ceremonial first pitch at Chicago ballgame –
The Washington Post Trump accidentally drops signed US-UK trade deal in public –
Independent TV SpaceX Starship explodes on test stand –
Dodgers clash with [47 Regime] over ICE presence at stadium – In summary: The Dodgers asserted they denied ICE entry to their stadium, while the Trump administration (ICE and DHS) denied being present for an operation related to the Dodgers. This incident sparked debate and protests regarding the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and the role of public venues in such matters. The Dodgers’ subsequent donation to support immigrant families reflected their awareness of the concerns of their fan base, many of whom are of Latino heritage and have been impacted by immigration policies.
“Kamala Harris won the U.S. election” – SMART Elections Substack – I know, I agree, I hear what you’re saying… but without presenting evidence we’re starting to sound like they did in 2020. So present the evidence & let’s see what the judge says.
Well, folks—that’s what we’ve got for this week.
Take a deep breath.
Make sure you’re taking care of yourselves: eat something halfway healthy each day, drink plenty of water, and give yourself some grace.
If you’re outside, stay in the shade—and try to avoid the heat during the hottest part of the day. It’s only getting hotter.
In Solidarity,
Cecelia💪🏼💙🦋
Post Script: We at Eastern Illinois Indivisible are working on organizing a Community Event, Good Trouble: Rural Rising on July 17th, in downtown Casey, Illinois, from 5pm – 7pm. More info to come soon!
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