Thanks for our political good news

 Just a repost from their newsletter today.

Americans of Conscience Good News Special Edition for July 4, 2025 If celebrating today seems hollow... Take a moment with us to recognize how the insurmountable vision of achieving liberty and justice for all is STILL present today in myriad creative ways. Pause with us this holiday weekend to enjoy the good news and progress for America over those who would oppress us.   Celebrating our Collective Effort Last month, our AoCC community took over 3,168 actions together in June, bringing us to a total of 38,816 actions for 2025. Because of our combined efforts, we are reminding our elected officials (especially at the state and local levels) that we are not going away quietly! What could be more patriotic?   Just good news Here are all the wins for U.S. democracy, immigration, and equality The Los Angeles Unified School District takes steps to shield graduates and attendees from ICE interference during graduation ceremonies. Administrators of Los Angeles elementary schools refuse to admit DHS agents attempting to speak to particular students under suspicious circumstances and without parental permission. Due to community opposition, the Monmouth, ME police department withdraws its application to a program that allows local police to enforce federal immigration laws in coordination with ICE. Officials in Boise, ID and Missoula, MT declare the rainbow flag to be the official city flags in order to circumvent state bans on Pride flags being flown on government property. Salt Lake City adopts the rainbow Pride flag, the trans Pride flag, and the Juneteenth flag as official city flags in order to circumvent a state ban on “unofficial flags” being flown on government property. A Medford, MA political committee distributes Know Your Rights cards to community members at risk of unlawful ICE conduct. A Quaker group marches from NYC to Washington, DC to demonstrate against the presidential administration’s unjust targeting of people who immigrated to the U.S. The Bay Area Council on Gender Diversity provides support, education, and advocacy to transgender and gender-diverse people and their communities in northeast Wisconsin. Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland join Harvard University’s lawsuit against the administration’s politically motivated threats of federal funding freezes. A coalition of 64 organizations issues a joint letter to the Secretary of State demanding that he halt the revocation of Chinese international students’ visas.  Employers and business owners proactively look out for their employees’ safety through know-your-rights trainings held by immigrant rights groups. Jenny Nguyen’s women’s sports-focused bar is so successful that she’s opening four more franchises across the country. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Milford, MA teenager, is released on bond from immigration detention and can now pursue his visa and asylum claim in the community. With the assistance of six U.S. senators, theater artists hold a surprise “guerrilla theater” performance at a Kennedy Center venue in support of the LGBT+ community and artists’ right to free expression. During her BET Awards acceptance speech, Doechii speaks out against politically motivated attacks on protesters. Bluesky users refuse to tolerate the vice president’s dangerous anti-trans rhetoric. After a teacher came out as trans and was fired, the support of 2000 community and union members secured their reinstatement. College student Neve Palmer invents a straw that changes colors if drugs have been added to a drink. University of Texas students protest the university’s ban on drag performances with a "Day of Drag" event, complete with performances and solidarity makeovers.   Support the good news list Every time we speak up together, I feel so proud of you and us, showing up for our nation and neighbors at this difficult time. Let's keep carrying on together!  If you think we at AoCC are doing a good job keeping you informed and engaged in this overwhelming time, click here to learn about being an AoCC patron.