Wednesday, March 11th from 7-8:30pm
Join us in person in Portola Valley.
Resources
2026-03-28 NO KINGS 3 Only Love is Stronger than Hate
Time: Saturday, March 28, 2 – 4pm PDT
Location: El Camino Real and Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062
About this event
No Kings 3 is on March 28. Thousands will be out along El Camino across the Peninsula showing outrage at the administration, the illegal ICE actions, taking health care from millions to give tax breaks to billionaires, taking away rights from women over their own bodies, protecting pedophiles–the list goes on. Courage is contagious as we take back the House and Senate AND OUR COUNTRY!
We will meet once again at El Camino and Jefferson in Redwood City as we gather in solidarity and bask in “honk therapy” with everyone driving by joining us in strength and love.
A core principle behind all our events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. Turn your back and do not exchange words….that’s what they want and will film you as they try to make us look violent.
Love is stronger than hate!
2025-06-14 No Kings Day – Palo Alto (past event)
2026-02-13 Portola Valley: Work Party for Making “Know Your Rights” Kits (past event)
Indivisible Portola Valley has made about 5000 Know Your Rights Kits and aims to make 3000 more at this work party at a private residence.
These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used. (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The photographer at this event was Sonny Mencher.
For more information about Pro Bono Photo photographers, see http://www.ProBonoPhoto.org/Who-We-Are.
2026-02-08 Santa Clara: ICE Protest at the Super Bowl (past event)
A protest of the actions of ICE and the Trump administration more generally, held near Levi Stadium while the Super Bowl game was taking place there.
These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The photographers at this event were Sammy Braxton-Haney, John Weekes, and Nate Love.
https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/8Feb26SantaClara-ICESuperbowl
2026-02-08 Redwood City: Protest ICE before the Super Bowl (past event)
A protest of ICE timed for the morning of the Super Bowl. Redwood City, corner of Jefferson Ave. and El Camino Real.
These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The photographers at this event were Sonny Mencher and Don Rasmussen.
https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/8Feb26RC-ICESuperbowl
2026-02-08 Santa Clara: ICE Protest at the Super Bowl
A protest of the actions of ICE and the Trump administration more generally, held near Levi Stadium while the Super Bowl game was taking place there.
These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The photographers at this event were Sammy Braxton-Haney, John Weekes, and Nate Love.
https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/8Feb26SantaClara-ICESuperbowl
Old Event Notice: Protest ICE Before SuperBowl
Sunday, February 8, 11am – 12:30pm PST
Location: El Camino and Jefferson Ave
This will be a protest in Redwood City at El Camino and Jefferson Ave to support all cities–especially Minneapolis–that are standing up to ICE. Honoring those who were killed: Alex Pretti & Renee Good and their families and friends. Another man shot in Arizona on the 27th and currently not named is in critical condition. And 6 who died in immigration detention just since Jan 1st! Honoring others who were arrested illegally and sent to secret jails where their families cannot find them…. There are rumors that ICE is coming to our area during Super Bowl as they want to punish us AND are losing their minds that Bad Bunny is the half time act and will sing in Spanish…so we need to be ready and show our power to stand up. If ICE is here by then we will have updates and more to do. I’ll be updating this information.
2026-02-07 ICE Out for Good Protest (past event)
These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The photographers at this event were Jillian Lovett, Zach Lovett, and Jesse Kornblum
Saturday, February 7, 3 – 4:30pm PST
Location: Gateway Plaza, 790 W El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040
We will peacefully gather to stand up to this MAGA regime of bullies for billionaires that is destroying lives and undermining our country. We will demand that ICE be defunded and dismantled as a secret, masked police force that terrorizes people—especially people of color—across the country.
We will gather to speak the truth and demand accountability and justice for the ongoing pattern of ICE violence and abuse.
We will:
– Call for ICE to leave our communities
– Build public pressure
– Create space for grief, solidarity, and collective action
We will share Know Your Rights cards, information on how to report ICE activity, and educational leaflet on how ICE has become a building block of authoritarianism so you can spread the word.
Please join us and bring your friends and neighbors. We need to be in the streets, showing how crucial it is that we defend democracy.
Organized by It’s Blue Turn and Together We Will Palo Alto/Mountain View
A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
A community organizer’s guide to Signal group chats
Key privacy settings and best practices.
by Stevie Bonifield
Publisher: The Verge
Recommended by Bruce R and EFF
With ICE and CBP roaming the streets, united community action is more important than ever right now — from local mutual aid groups to school safety patrols. Known for its privacy features and end-to-end encryption, the Signal messaging app has become a popular platform for organizing these community groups.
Signal can be a great tool for private messaging, but it’s at its best if you know how to use all the privacy options. Not all of these options are automatic or even immediately obvious; there are also some best practices that are helpful for participating in and leading group chats.
Bruce Springsteen – Streets Of Minneapolis
2026-01-17 – NO WAR ON VENEZUELA (past event)
The photographer at this event was Sonny Mencher. The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/17Jan26RedwoodCityNoWar
Time
Saturday, January 17
11am – 12:30pm PST
Location
El Camino at Jefferson
1250 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062
A Call to Freeze ICE
Suspend all ICE activities pending judicial review of their methods.
By: Antonia Scatton
Publisher: Reframing America
There are many, many demands we can make about ICE including reforming it, replacing it with something better, or at minimum, repealing the recent massive funding increases. But those take time. We need action now. We need to call for an immediate suspension of activities, an appropriately named “freeze,” to stop the harm right now. A temporary freeze is a good place to start. It is both drastic and reasonable.
WHAT: Our Demands
- FREEZE OPERATIONS pending LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: Immediately suspend ICE activities and have agents withdraw to their local base. All out-of-state agents conducting “surge” activities should be returned to their home states until further notice.
- DETAINEE STATUS REPORT: No more “disappearing” people.
- List and account for every person detained or arrested by ICE and where they are now (including whether those detained were/are U.S. Citizens, people following the legal immigration process, previous status as a humanitarian parolee, DREAMers, long term residents with no record of violent crime, etc.)
- Every detained person must have the ability to contact their families and access legal representation and a fair and timely hearing.
- Assess the conditions of all detention facilities and assure that all detainees are being held under humane and legal conditions.
- INCIDENT REPORT: No more extrajudicial violence.
- Immediate inventory of all incidents involving shootings, beatings, injury, death, use of chemical weapons, as well as confrontation, investigation and/or arrest of protesters, legal observers, or U.S. citizens.
- Review the legality of above incidents and whether they violate constitutional rights, specifically the First, Fourth and Tenth Amendments of the Constitution.
- All cases of illegal arrest and use of force and/or violation of Constitutional rights should be referred to appropriate jurisdictions for prosecution.
- OPERATIONAL LIMITS:
- ICE must only arrest specific persons using judicial warrants. No racial profiling. No arrests in schools, churches, or medical facilities. ICE must not enter private homes or businesses without search warrants.
- ICE is not to conduct non-immigration-related law enforcement.
- DHS/ICE must provide and commit to clear definitions as to who is eligible for arrest on immigration law violations and why, such as record of being convicted of a violent crime or having crossed the border outside legal border crossings and being ineligible for the asylum process. DHS/ICE must provide and commit to clear definition of who is not eligible for arrest.
- DHS/ICE must agree to crystal clear terms of engagement and use of force: when agents are allowed to stop people, ask for identification, or draw and/or use weapons including vehicles, guns and chemical weapons.
- All arrests must be carried out with respect for due process and the Constitutional rights of suspects.
- Agents must not wear masks. Agents must identify themselves; with their name, department/division and badge number clearly visible. Vehicles must be clearly identified as ICE or DHS. Agents must use body cameras at all times.
- ENFORCEMENT AND RIGHTS OF OBSERVERS:
- DHS and ICE must agree to these terms before resuming operations. Concrete consequences of violating these terms must be laid out in advance and enforced.
- Protesters and legal observers must be provided clear definitions of their rights and responsibilities. Constitutional rights to protest and observe must be respected. We need clear definitions of what does or does not constitute “interfering” with federal agents. Consequences of clearly unlawful interference should be clearly defined in advance and proportionate, not a free pass for extrajudicial violence or murder.
- DHS/ICE must defer to and coordinate with state and local law enforcement. Agents should not operate without the approval of state leadership. Local law enforcement must be able to supervise activities and stop any violations. DHS and the FBI must share all evidence of incidents and work with state and local law enforcement on all investigations.
More Reframing America articles
ACTION HUB – Click on photo to learn more!
Pressure Reps to Act!
Attend Protests!
Attend Town Halls
Promote Constructive Conversation
Stay Informed & Avoid Disinformation
Support Pro-Democracy Organizations and Litigation
The Greatest Sentence Ever Written
by Walter Isaacson
Isaacson explores the origins of the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
• He breaks down the historical context, showing how Jefferson drafted it and Franklin and Adams edited it.
• The book highlights how those words shaped the American Dream and remain relevant in today’s polarized times.
Ali Velshi interviews Walter Isaacson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Keep Your Guard Up
Know Your Rights
By ACLU
Last month, the Bay Area braced for a surge of National Guard soldiers and federal immigration agents. Although Trump ultimately called off the troops, in the short time Border Patrol officers were here, they fired flash-bang grenades at peaceful community members and shot a pastor in the face with a pepper ball. The unprovoked violence was a chilling glimpse of how future immigration raids could unfold here. That’s why we can’t become complacent.
Be prepared and know your rights in case federal agents show up anywhere in our region:
- Know Your Rights: Encountering Law Enforcement and Military Troops
- Know Your Rights: Taking Video or Photos of Law Enforcement
- Know Your Rights: Free Speech, Protests & Demonstrations
- Know Your Rights: If ICE Confronts You
This is from the ACLU’s Know Your Rights page.
This Is the Way You Beat Trump — and Trumpism
Autocrats vs. Democrats
China, Russia, America and the New Global Disorder
by Michael McFaul
Publisher: Mariner Books
“A history, an analysis, and a set of prescriptions for the greatest geopolitical challenge of our time: the threat to the democratic world posed by China and Russia.” —Anne Applebaum, author of Autocracy, Inc.
“A monumental account of contemporary geopolitics”—Francis Fukuyama, author of Liberalism and Its Discontents
From New York Times bestselling author and former ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul comes a bold, clear-eyed look at how the autocracies of China and Russia are challenging the current global order, and how America’s future depends on successfully confronting this threat.
Retribution
Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America
by Jonathan Karl
Publisher: Dutton
Recommended by: Steve Gadol
The must-read new book from Jonathan Karl, the author of New York Times bestsellers Tired of Winning, Betrayal, and Front Row at the Trump Show
In Retribution, Jonathan Karl’s unparalleled access brings us behind closed doors deep inside the White House and presidential campaigns, revealing the extraordinary moments that ended one man’s presidency and brought another back to power.
This is a story of unprecedented political plot twists, showing what happened behind the scenes as political fortunes fell and rose again, and as a new team coalesced around President Trump with the goal of creating an entirely new world order. From President Biden’s shocking withdrawal and Vice President Harris’s historic run, to the multiple assassination attempts on President Trump, his election, and the changes he has brought to every corner of the country, this book reveals in surprising new detail how we got here, and what we can expect from American politics in the years to come.
Interview with Jonathan Karl about Retribution
Community Conversation – October 23, 2025
With Anna Eshoo and Genavieve Koenigshofer
Listen to retired US Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Genavieve Koenigshofer, Executive Director of GenUP, speak at the amazing event organized by IPV leader, JoAnn Loulan, with video by Bruce Rafnel.
No Kings 2 – Parade & Fair
Stanford University journalism students made this video of the Parade up Embarcadero to the Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park. The video includes IPV organizer JoAnn Loulan speaking about how important it is to VOTE YES ON PROP 50!
No Kings 2 – Sam Liccardo
by Bruce Rafnel
Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park.
Organizers
- It’s Blue Turn – https://itsblueturn.com/
- Indivisible Palo Alto – https://indivisiblepaloaltoplus.org/
- Indivisible Portola Valley – https://indivisiblepv.com/
- Indivisible Mid-Peninsula – https://indivisiblemp.org/
Event Program: https://tinyurl.com/u8wmfprf
No Kings 2 – Heham Sallam
by Bruce Rafnel
Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park.
Organizers
- It’s Blue Turn – https://itsblueturn.com/
- Indivisible Palo Alto – https://indivisiblepaloaltoplus.org/
- Indivisible Portola Valley – https://indivisiblepv.com/
- Indivisible Mid-Peninsula – https://indivisiblemp.org/
Event Program: https://tinyurl.com/u8wmfprf
No Kings 2 – Ladoris Cordell
by Bruce Rafnel
Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park.
Organizers
- It’s Blue Turn – https://itsblueturn.com/
- Indivisible Palo Alto – https://indivisiblepaloaltoplus.org/
- Indivisible Portola Valley – https://indivisiblepv.com/
- Indivisible Mid-Peninsula – https://indivisiblemp.org/
Event Program: https://tinyurl.com/u8wmfprf
No Kings 2 – Democracy Fair
by Bruce Rafnel
Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park.
IPV videographer, Bruce Rafnel, prepared this 47-minute video showing many of the activities and speakers at the Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park. Bruce’s coverage includes the closing program featuring retired CA Supreme Court Justice La Doris Cordell, Hesham Sallem of Stanford, Congressman Sam Liccardo, and many Indivisible collaborators.
Organizers
- It’s Blue Turn – https://itsblueturn.com/
- Indivisible Palo Alto – https://indivisiblepaloaltoplus.org/
- Indivisible Portola Valley – https://indivisiblepv.com/
- Indivisible Mid-Peninsula – https://indivisiblemp.org/
The Shadow President
How Russell Vought became Trump's Shadow President
by Andy Kroll
Publisher: ProPublica
From the wholesale gutting of federal agencies to the ongoing government shutdown, Russell Vought has drawn the road map for Trump’s second term. Vought has consolidated power to an extent that insiders say they feel like “he is the commander in chief.”
What Vought has done in the nine months since Trump took office goes much further than slashing foreign aid. Relying on an expansive theory of presidential power and a willingness to test the rule of law, he has frozen vast sums of federal spending, terminated tens of thousands of federal workers and, in a few cases, brought entire agencies to a standstill. In early October, after Senate Democrats refused to vote for a budget resolution without additional health care protections, effectively shutting down the government, Vought became the face of the White House’s response. On the second day of the closure, Trump shared an AI-generated video that depicted his budget director — who, by then, had threatened mass firings across the federal workforce and paused or canceled $26 billion in funding for infrastructure and clean-energy projects in blue states — as the Grim Reaper of Washington, D.C. “We work for the president of the United States,” a senior agency official who regularly deals with the OMB told me. But right now “it feels like we work for Russ Vought. He has centralized decision-making power to an extent that he is the commander in chief.”
Watch: “We Want the Bureaucrats to Be Traumatically Affected”
How To Not Lose Your Sh!t
by Katie Paris and LaFonda Cousin
Publisher: Red Wine and Blue
Let’s be honest: this year has been a bit of a dumpster fire. Here at Red Wine & Blue, we’ve been hearing women in our community say they’re not sure how to make a difference — at least, not without totally losing their shit.
So we decided to tackle that question head-on with a brand-new podcast. It’s simply called How To Not Lose Your Sh!t and it’s hosted by our very own Katie Paris and LaFonda Cousin.
Katie, our founder, has worked in political organizing for most of her career. LaFonda, our Chief People Officer, is a wellness expert and yoga teacher on a mission to reimagine self-care. Every week, they’ll talk to experts and everyday women who are getting involved, building community, and feeling better in the process.
You can listen to our first episode with special guest Heather Cox Richardson on October 1st, with new episodes every Wednesday after that. If you’re already subscribed to the Red Wine & Blue podcast in your podcast player, you’ll automatically see new episodes each week here in your feed.
There are a lot of political podcasts out there already, and a lot of mental health and self-care shows too. What we want to do is reject that binary and explore how getting involved can actually be a form of not only caring for your community, but also yourself. We can’t wait for you to join us on a journey through self-care, politics, community, and tackling this difficult moment… together.
Mobilize.org
You can “filter” for events near you. You can also filter for the “type” of events or meetings.
Where are some current political events near you? Mobilize is a good place to start. https://www.mobilize.us/
From Mobilize’s About page:
Power to the People
Mobilize is your go-to destination for people-powered movements. We provide nonprofits, labor unions, political campaigns, and grassroots organizers the tech needed to create a more just, inclusive, and democratic world.
2025-10-18 – No Kings 2 (past event)
For videos, see no-kings/ posts for Oct. 18, 2025
Join Indivisible Portola Valley and Indivisible Palo Alto
- Gather at 855 El Camino on both sides of El Camino—Town & Country Shopping Center AND the Stanford side cross street Embarcadero!
- At 12:30 we will start our parade down BOTH sides of Embarcadero (on the sidewalk) to Rinconada Park for the Democracy Fair!
On June 14th we had 5000 folks–let’s represent the people who can’t be there and let people know WE ARE NOT GIVING UP! That’s what the administration wants-WE DISSENT! Costumes! Signs! Families!
The ONE THING You Can Do to Fight Fascism RIGHT NOW
by Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin
Publisher: The Ripple Effect Institute
Recommended by: Bruce R.
If it feels like America is sliding deeper into darkness—with voter suppression, book bans, gag orders, and fear spreading daily—you’re not alone. The truth is, fascism thrives when good people hesitate, but democracy grows stronger when ordinary people take action. You don’t need the full roadmap to change the world; you just need to take the next best step. Even the smallest action—whether it’s organizing in your community, speaking out at a school board meeting, or showing up for your neighbors—can disrupt authoritarianism and build momentum for lasting change. In this video, I’ll share why action is the antidote to despair and how you can start making a difference today, no matter your resources or time. History shows us that small acts, multiplied by thousands, topple regimes and create movements. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or the “perfect” leader—your courage matters now.
A FREE GUIDE FOR PROGRESSIVE LEADERS READY TO CREATE LASTING IMPACT
How to Lead Change Without Burning Out
Stop ICE Raids Alert Network
Nation-Wide Mobile Alert System
by Sherman Austin
The Stop ICE Raids Alert Network lets you send and receive mobile alerts about nearby ICE activity whenever and wherever it occurs.
No downloadable app required. StopICE works with technology already built into your phone. Send and receive mobile alerts via text message, or at stopice.net, from any mobile device with a tap of a button.
Adjust your notification settings at any time to receive alerts within a certain mile radius of your neighborhood.
Alerts are crowd-sourced by the public. This means alerts are sent directly by people from their communities.
Beyond Left & Right
Making Sense of Politics in a World of Increasing Misinformation and Manipulation
by Lorenzo Burton
Tired of the endless division, misinformation, and manipulation in today’s political climate?
Beyond Left & Right cuts through the noise to reveal how political systems truly function—and how to recognize when we’re being misled by those in power. In a world where confusion and bias are often used as tools of control, it helps you think more clearly, question more deeply, and see through the fog to understand what’s really going on.
International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
Publisher: ICNC
The website of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, has many links to resources, etc., including a comprehensive “resource library” of advice for activists and organizers, as well as material from scholars, the policy community, etc.
Website
What’s the Plan? With guest: Erica Chenoweth
Noncooperation & Targeting Pillars of Support
This handout describes some of the Pillars of Support.
Each time a pillar institution yields to or supports the regime, the regime grows stronger. In contrast, noncooperation — refusing to do what is expected, disrupting the normal course of events, and withdrawing support from unjust or illegal policies — weakens the regime and creates cracks in its foundation of power.
PDF Handout
Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law (full documentary) | FRONTLINE
FRONTLINE goes inside the showdown between U.S. President Donald Trump and the courts over presidential power.
President Donald Trump’s allies, opponents and experts talk about how he is testing the extent of his power, the legal pushback and the impact on the rule of law.
Continue reading Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law (full documentary) | FRONTLINEOne Million Rising
by Indivisible
Publisher: No Kings
Across the country, authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous. Trump and his allies are not hiding their agenda: mass deportations, rollbacks of civil rights, weaponized courts, and full-scale attacks on our democracy. We don’t have to wait until it’s too late. We can stop this. But it’ll take all of us—not just single days of mass action, but sustained organizing in our communities.
That’s why this summer, we’re launching One Million Rising—a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design. This is how we build people power that can’t be ignored. You’re invited to join us—and lead.
You can visit the site to see the recorded videos and access the training materials.
https://www.nokings.org/rise
Saving Democracy
A User's Manual for Every American: 2nd Edition: The Trump Era
by David Pepper
Publisher: St. Helena Press
Recommended by: Steve G.
Saving Democracy is that rare book that doesn’t simply diagnose the crisis our democracy faces, and the broader strategies that we must take to fight back…but it breaks it all down so that every reader understands the role she or he can play in their own lives.
Buy
Starts With Us
Based on decades of research from Columbia University Professor and Starts With Us Expert-in-Residence Peter T. Coleman, Ph.D., the Finding The Way Out Challenge is designed to help shape new habits and norms for political tolerance and courageous compassion. Think of it as a personalized boot camp for building a healthier national culture and repairing broken relationships across differences.
Latest Articles
- We’re Launching a Get-Out-The-Vote Campaign Inspired by Texas’s Strangest and Most Beloved Mascot: The Armadillo In Texas, we have a state mammal that tells the whole story. When threatened, the armadillo rolls up into a tight little ball. Head down. Feet tucked in. Wait it out. It’s exactly what too many Texans do every primary… The post Don’t Roll Over, Texas appeared first on Builders.
- Voting based on who will actually govern effectively is hard. It requires asking questions that go deeper than party labels, campaign slogans, and who “won” the last debate. If you’re tired of representatives who perform for their base instead of solving problems, here are five questions to ask before you cast your vote. These aren’t… The post 5 Questions to Ask Before You Vote appeared first on Builders.
- Politics seeps into everything now, and if you’re dating or married to someone who votes differently from you, it can feel impossible to navigate. Some couples can’t make it work. A 5,000-person survey found that one in six Americans has ended or considered ending a relationship because of political differences. But others have figured out how… The post From the Inbox: Couples Who Disagree Politically Tell Us How They Stay Together appeared first on Builders.
- The Real Election in Texas Often Happens in March, Not November In Texas, most legislative races are already decided before November even arrives. The primary election in March is where your actual representative gets chosen. Due to gerrymandering and partisan sorting, the vast majority of Texas districts are “locked-in” for one party, meaning whichever candidate… The post Primary Elections 101: How to Actually Make a Difference in Texas Politics appeared first on Builders.
- Every Election Day in November, we treat the ballot box like the main event. And sure, picking leaders then matters. But the real shaping of our democracy happens months earlier, in the quieter, low-turnout world of primary elections. That’s where the choices on the November ballot are made, and where most voters opt out, with… The post Voting in the Primaries Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do for Democracy — and You Probably Aren’t Doing It appeared first on Builders.
Crossing Party Lines
Our story begins in 2016 with two groups starting independently of one another — on opposite coasts of the United States. Coincidentally, both founders chose the same name, “Crossing Party Lines.” Their shared vision led them to create a volunteer platform to unite Americans through warm and engaging conversations. Prompted by a time of unprecedented political polarization, these two visionaries, their energetic team of volunteers, and over 3,000 CPL members are uniting America one conversation at a time. Donations to Crossing Party Lines, Inc. are 501(c)3) tax-deductible.
Latest Articles
Braver Angels
Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the political divide. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, we’re offering America what it needs to overcome the bitterness of our partisan divide. Donations to Braver Angels are 501(c)3 tax deductible
Latest Articles
Sibling Cities USA
Sibling Cities USA facilitates cross-regional pairings of US cities to build deep relationships. IPV member, Bob Barrett, participated in the historic inaugural sibling cities pairing of Palo Alto, California and Bloomington, Indiana.
Living Room Conversations
LRC connects people across divides – politics, age, gender, race, nationality, and more – through guided conversations proven to build understanding and transform communities.
IPV is just getting started with Living Room Conversations. If you are interested in joining us for a conversation, please get in touch. Donations to Living Room Conversations are 501(c)3) tax-deductible.
How to Have Constructive Conversations
We must be willing to ‘talk about it’
Everyone in our democracy must be able to speak their minds about public issues. Speaking up needs to be safe, responsible, respectful and free. This includes airing differences, supplying facts, and explaining opinions and options.
Even in conversations with people with whom we seem to agree, it’s important to air differences. This can be challenging, yet it’s worth it because we can learn from each other.
Conversations with others who have very different perspectives, or whose views seem to be underinformed or based on inaccurate information, or different values, can be much harder.
Basic Guidelines:
- Be curious and listen to understand.
- Show respect and suspend judgment.
- Note any common ground as well as any differences.
- Be authentic and welcome that from others.
- Be purposeful and to the point.
- Own and guide the conversation.
How can we effectively navigate these varied circumstances? Here are five suggestions:
- It’s good to have a goal. You might want to learn about others’ perspectives and how they came to them. You might want to express your own views and be taken seriously. It’s best to be civil and constructive. If there’s a downward spiral, it’s OK to take a time out.
- Establish a personal connection. Tell stories from your life and ask about theirs; look for common themes. Ask, “I wonder…?” or “I’m curious about…” Note opportunities to bond and connect over shared experiences and interests. You also show respect when you ask: “What am I missing on this topic? How can I learn something more about this?”
- When something you disagree about comes up, you might ask: How did you develop that viewpoint? What is your source of information? What experiences shape your opinion? Focus on personal stories and look for areas you have in common. You might discuss values (e.g., caring, fairness, freedom, equality before the law, honesty). Or you might explore overlaps in specific situations. In what circumstances might one value take precedence? Why? We have a lot to learn from each other.
- Another approach is to get down to brass tacks and ask about democracy. Taking a suggestion from the book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide, by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay, you might pose a simple poll to them: on a scale of 1 to 10, with one being “I have no concerns about American democracy at all” and 10 being “American democracy is at the most serious risk in its history,” what number would you choose? Why? What might cause you to change your mind? There could be genuine curiosity about their explanations without having to agree with their viewpoints.
- Find ways to work together on a project of mutual interest. Schools? Performing Arts? Open Space? Fire Safety? This can demonstrate that democracy (e.g., disagreeing respectfully, setting rules and establishing fair processes, listening actively, etc.) can help produce wiser, fairer, more lasting, and more efficient outcomes.
Don’t Coerce. Listen First!
Beyond Conflict Institute reports “people perceive that the other side disagrees with them far more than is actually the case.”
So let’s find the courage to
- GET CURIOUS!
- ASK QUESTIONS!
- LISTEN TO LEARN!
- LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND!
- We can always agree to disagree.
- If things get heated, take a break!
Check out these articles for more:
Are we really as divided as we think? How dark forces are attempting to alienate us from our neighbours, The Toronto Star, April 25, 2023, by Frank Giustra
Yes, It’s Possible to (Gracefully) Talk Politics at Work, Harvard Business Review, October 30, 2020, by Raina Brands
Keeping It Civil: How To Talk Politics Without Letting Things Turn Ugly, NPR, April 12, 2019, by Caroline Kelly
No Kings
For the latest information about No Kings events, go to this website: https://www.nokings.org
About No Kings
In June, we did what many claimed was impossible: peacefully mobilized millions of people to take to the streets and declare with one voice — America has No Kings. And it mattered. The world saw the power of the people. President Trump’s birthday parade was drowned out by protests in every state and across the globe. His attempt to turn June 14 into a coronation collapsed, and the story became the strength of a movement rising against his authoritarian power grabs.
Four months later, that movement roared back even stronger. On October 18, over seven million Americans joined 2,700+ events in all 50 states — a nationwide uprising 14 times larger than both of Trump’s inaugurations combined. What began in June as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to tyranny, spreading from small towns to city centers and across every community determined to defend democracy.
Now, President Trump has doubled down. His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting, and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters. Ignoring mass shootings at our schools and in our communities. Driving up the cost of living while handing out massive giveaways to billionaire allies, as families struggle.
The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger. “No Kings” is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.
Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, and who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.
No King YouTube Channel
NO KINGS: Eyes on ICE: Document and Record
NO KINGS: Eyes on ICE: Document and Record
After the most recent killings in Minneapolis and elsewhere – and as we prepare for the next No Kings mobilization on March 28 – exercising our constitutional right to document and record ICE and federal agents is more important than ever. This call will give you the tools to exercise your rights in a moment when federal agents are terrorizing our communities and using excessive force.
Eyes on ICE: Document and Record
On Saturday, federal agents horrifically shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, in the Eat Street neighborhood of south Minneapolis after brutally beating him in front of witnesses. Enough is enough. Exercising our constitutional right to document and record ICE and federal agents is more important than ever. This call will give you the tools to exercise your rights in a moment when federal agents are terrorizing our communities and using …
Mass Call: What’s Next After No Kings?
No Kings was massive, powerful, and meaningful – but it’s not the end, it’s only the beginning. There are more of us than there are of them. Our growing movement of over 7 million people is coming together to hear from leaders and fellow local activists after the big day to celebrate what we accomplished, and learn about what’s next. Join us.
Millions rise up at over 2,500 peaceful protests to say: No Kings
Millions are rising up at thousands of No Kings events marking a day of defiance against President Trump’s authoritarian power grab, cutting access to affordable health care and militarizing our cities. Peaceful protests are being held in all 50 states, in cities and towns large and small, organized by average Americans across personal, political, and geographic demographics. More than 5 million people protested at the last No Kings day of action. Our mobilization today is the next chapter …
No Kings: Protest Safety, Know Your Rights, & Deescalation – 10/15
Before you hit the streets, watch our Know Your Rights, protest safety, and de-escalation training from the ACLU. — No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people. As President Trump escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS movement continues to rise stronger. We, the majority of millions, are united to remind the world: America has No Kings.
No Kings: Conoce tus derechos – 10/15
Antes de salir a las calles, vea nuestra capacitación “Conoce tus derechos: seguridad en las protestas y estrategias para disminuir tensiones” de la ACLU. — No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people. As President Trump escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS movement continues to rise stronger. We, the majority of millions, are united to remind the world: America …
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Actor and Zen priest, Peter Coyote, on protest tactics
by Peter Coyote
This Substack post was reformatted and posted on Facebook.
Summary
I’m watching the Los Angeles reaction to ICE raids with trepidation and regret.
Three years ago I taught a class at Harvard on the “theater of protest”— designed to help people understand why so many protests turn out to be Republican campaign videos working directly against the interests of the original protest.
Continue reading Actor and Zen priest, Peter Coyote, on protest tacticsAttack from Within
How Disinformation is Sabotaging America
by Barbara McQuade
Publisher: Penguin Random House
UPDATED EDITION: The MSNBC legal analyst explores the impact of disinformation after the 2024 presidential election—and what Americans can do before it’s too late.
“A comprehensive guide to the dynamics of disinformation and a necessary call to theethical commitment to truth that all democracies require.” —Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny
Disinformation—the deliberate spreading of lies disguised as truth, whether from opportunists on the far right, misinformed media influencers, or others—is fragmenting America more than ever before, pushing the nation toward extreme views, civil unrest, and violence.
In this bestselling book, now with a new foreword by the author, Barbara McQuade identifies how disinformation is seeping into all facets of our society, causing havoc in our voting systems, schools, hospitals, workplaces, and the Capitol.
McQuade, an MSNBC legal analyst and former federal prosecutor confronts the ways disinformation is being weaponized to polarize voters, degrade our legal structures, and leverage the political influence of manipulators and authoritarians. Now newly updated, Attack from Within shows us how to fight back against misinformed, extremist thinking and work toward preserving America’s hard-won democracy.
Buy
How to Spot Deliberately Misleading -DISINFORMATION
by Indivisible PV
CHECK THE SOURCE
Use reputable sources such as established news organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. Be wary of sources that are unfamiliar or have a history of spreading false information.
VERIFY THE INFORMATION
Before sharing information, check to see if it has been reported by multiple sources. If not, it may be false or misleading.
LOOK FOR EVIDENCE
Disinformation often lacks evidence or relies on weak or misleading evidence. Look for sources that provide strong evidence to support their claims.
BE SKEPTICAL OF EMOTIONAL APPEALS
Disinformation often uses emotional appeals to manipulate people. Be wary of information that tries to appeal to your emotions rather than your reason.
BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN BIASES
We all have biases that can affect how we interpret information. Be aware of your own biases and try to approach information with an open mind.
THINK CRITICALLY
Ask questions, look for evidence, and consider alternative explanations.
Check Facts @:
White Rural Rage
The Threat to American Democracy
by Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
In White Rural Rage, Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman explore why rural Whites have failed to reap the benefits from their outsize political power and why, as a result, they are the most likely group to abandon democratic norms and traditions. Their rage—stoked daily by Republican politicians and the conservative media—now poses an existential threat to the United States.
INTERVIEW: Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman talk to Matt Lewis Media
Buy
Thoughts on Aliens of Our Creation
Do they work for us, or for themselves?
By: Bruce Rafnel
Publisher: Substack, Authentic Community
Clearly, humans are causing climate change.
But we have more problems than warming the planet. Even if we control the temperature by reducing our CO2 emissions, there are many other ecological problems caused by humans: deforestation, desertification, disruption of water cycles, plastic pollution, insect decline, fishery collapses, and fuel resource depletion. The list goes on and on. “It is no accident that the ruins of the world’s oldest civilizations are mostly in deserts now. It wasn’t desert before that.”
Our human institutions are unwilling (or unable) to address these problems with real solutions. We created these institutions—corporations and governments, most notably—but we seem unable to control them. They have morphed into alien entities that now control us.
The smallest effective human-powered unit is a community, not an individual. However, tight, effective communities have been hobbled. It is time to relearn how to build communities, and then to do the work of taking back our government. At the same time, large organizations can be reformed or broken up, with non-violent actions, to remind them that they exist for humans, not themselves.
Authentic Community feed
- Do they work for us, or for themselves?
- Notes for an upcoming book that I’m writing. (Started: 2022-07-13)
4 tips for developing critical thinking skills
By: Steve Pearlman, Ph.D
Publisher: TEDx Talks, TEDxCapeMay
“Critical thinking” increasingly stands as the most sought-after skill that has long been too fleeting to define. Employers rate it as a pinnacle skill, but one of which they see too little, and educators claim to teach it, but over half of Millennials recently failed a simple Mindedge critical thinking test. So, what is critical thinking? Analysis? Information literacy? Thinking outside the box? Informal logic? Problem-solving? Evaluating data? Decision science? What if all of our efforts to define critical thinking as above have been the core problem with teaching it?
What if, instead of using our brains to devise conceptions of critical thinking, we eliminated the noise and revolutionized a way to teach people how to think better by tracing critical thinking back to its core evolutionary survival mechanisms?
What are the basic survival skills for all organisms?
- Perceive their environment
- Sense danger vs. reward
- Decide between danger and reward
- Act on the decision
2025-04-05 – HANDS OFF! Redwood City, CA (past event)
A More Perfect Union
A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community
By Adam Russell Taylor
Recommended by: Bob
Publisher: Broadleaf Books
Thinking about alternatives is an important part of the One Million Rising training. In the words of the president of Sojourners, Adam Russell Taylor, whom I heard speak recently, to build a “more perfect union,” we need to be focusing on three priorities: Blocking, Bridging, and Building. We are focused a lot on Blocking bad things happening, but have little power to do that. In the future, we can work on Bridging, but that will take a very long time and will entail millions of one-on-one relationships.
In Trump’s Alternate Reality, Lies and Distortions Drive Change
Condoms for Gaza? Ukraine started the war with Russia? The president’s manipulations of the truth lay the groundwork for radical change.
by Peter Baker
Publisher: The New York Times
Mr. Trump has long been unfettered by truth when it comes to boasting about his record and tearing down his enemies. But what were dubbed “alternative facts” in his first term have quickly become a whole alternative reality in his second to lay the groundwork for radical change as he moves to aggressively reshape America and the world.
Read Article
Democracy Requires Our Courage
Gov. J.B. Pritzker: “Tyranny requires your fear, your silence, and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage”
Stand Together in Courage
Some Actions That Are Not Protesting or Voting
Some examples:
ANTI-CRIMINALIZATION
- Film the police AKA copwatch.
- Monitor court cases [courtwatching and participatory defense hubs]
- Financially and emotionally support detained and incarcerated people
- Start or join a jail support project and here’s a jail support zine.
- Consider jury nullification.
- Signal-boost & support prison strikes and abolition efforts.
- Advocate for incarcerated trans prisoners.
COMMUNITY DEFENSE/MIGRANT JUSTICE
- Sign the Solidarity Pledge.
- Learn about and practice community self-defense.
- Learn about Community Defense Zones and also check out this excellent resource Defend and Recruit for learning about creating rapid response networks.Learn about deportation defense through this new resource by Make The Road and this one by Mijente.
This came from the Mutula Aid 101 course.
How to Organize Our Way Out of the Trump-Musk Putsch
A plan to harness grassroots energy—and to hold Democratic leaders accountable.
by Ezra Levin, Leah Greenberg
Summary
Indivisible founders, Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg, wrote this inspiring article for The Nation. Reviewed by Rachael Maddow.
Continue reading How to Organize Our Way Out of the Trump-Musk Putsch
505001
50501 is a peaceful movement. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated.
50501 is a national movement made up of everyday Americans
who stand for democracy, and who stand against the authoritarian
actions of the Trump Administration. The name 50501 stands for
50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Movement.
The 50501 movement is a grassroots effort, meaning it’s
powered by everyday people, not by politicians or political parties.
Most of the work happens at the local level, where volunteers
in local city or state groups organize protests, advertise events,
and handle logistics. These local groups are the lifeblood of the
movement and exist both online and in-person.
In addition to local level organizing, national coordination
between 50501 groups allows us to establish cohesive messaging,
decide dates of action, and share resources. This coordination is
decentralized, therefore, 50501 has no true leadership
Newsfeed
- As Trump’s Fascist Administration kidnaps our neighbors, takes away our healthcare, and covers up a billionaire sex trafficking ring, Americans come together to demand their elected officials take action.
- At hundreds of events across the country, protestors demanded that Congress block DHS funding until ICE & CBP are removed from local communities, that justice is pursued for the victims of ICE’s reign of terror, & for the abolition of ICE, dismantling of DHS, & accountability of complicit officials for their crimes against the American people. The ICE Out of Everywhere National Day of Action, spearheaded by the 50501 Movement & the Women’s March, was a follow-up to the National Shutdown on 1/30.
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2026 *Interviews Available Contact: press@fiftyfifty.one Minneapolis, MN – Today and tomorrow, people are coming together in hundreds of cities across the United States and the United Kingdom to demand ICE off our streets, as part of the National Shutdown today, January 30th, and the ICE Out of Everywhere National Day of Action Saturday, January 31st . The need for immediate action could not be more clear: the cold-blooded executions of Alex Pretti and…
- No Kings Coalition Announces Immediate Efforts and Builds Towards Next National Mass Mobilization on March 28 Continues Support of Local Organizers in Upcoming Actions this Week *INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2026 Contact: press@fiftyfifty.one Coalition Contact: media@nokings.org MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In 2025, millions of Americans came together in nonviolent protest to oppose the growing authoritarian actions of the Trump administration and affirm that this nation…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2026 Minneapolis, MN – In response to the cold-blooded execution of Alex Pretti by the U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross’s execution of Renee Nicole Good, and ICE’s kidnapping, detention, and murder of our fellow Americans, 50501 is organizing the ICE Out of Everywhere National Day of Action on January 31st , the No Housing for ICE boycott campaign of Hilton and other complicit hotels, the #DontServeICE movement…
Voter ID Requirement CA Poll
Public Opinion Strategies recently completed a survey of 800 likely voters in California. The survey was conducted January 19-22, 2025, and has a margin of error of ±3.46%. The memo below outlines some key findings from the survey.
Support for a voter ID requirement enjoys broad, bipartisan support in California.
- Support for voter ID is both wide AND deep: 68% of Californians support a voter ID requirement, with a majority of voters (51%) STRONGLY supporting it.
Outraged
Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground
By Kurt Gray
Publisher: Pantheon
It’s easy to assume that liberals and conservatives have radically different moral foundations. In Outraged, Kurt Gray showcases the latest science to demonstrate that we all have the same moral mind—that everyone’s moral judgments stem from feeling threatened or vulnerable to harm.
We all care about protecting ourselves and the vulnerable. Conflict arises, however, when we have different perceptions of harm. We get outraged when we disagree about who the “real” victim is, whether we’re talking about political issues, fights with our in-laws, or arguments on the playground.
In this fascinating and insightful tour of our moral minds, Gray tackles popular myths that prevent us from understanding ourselves and those around us. While it is commonly believed that our ancestors were apex predators, Gray argues that for the majority of our evolutionary history, humans were more hunted than hunter. This explains why our minds are hard-wired to perceive threats, and provides surprising insights on the scientific origins of our values and beliefs. Though we might think ourselves driven by objective reasoning, Gray unveils new research that finds our moral judgments are based on gut feelings rather than rational thought, and presents a compelling reminder that we are more alike than we might think.
Drawing on groundbreaking research, Gray provides a captivating new explanation for our moral outrage, and unpacks how to best bridge divides. If you want to understand the morals of the “other side,” ask yourself a simple question—what harms do they see?
Defy
The Power of No In a World That Demands Yes
by Sunita Sah
Publisher: Random House
Imagine living the life you want to lead, not the one you’re willing to accept. This profound but practical book offers clear steps to stop people pleasing and start living your truth.
“A powerful book. If you’ve ever compromised your principles to please others, Defy will give you the will—and skill—to stand up for yourself.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again
Buy
Today’s Edition Newsletter, Robert B. Hubbell
A reflection on today’s news through the lens of hope.
By Robert B. Hubbell
Recommended by Bob.
Article Feed
- February 17, 2026
- February 16, 2026
- February 15, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- A recording from Robert B. Hubbell's live video
- February 13, 2026
- February 13, 2026
- February 12, 2026
- February 11, 2026
- Febuary 10, 2026
- February 9, 2026
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- February 5, 2026