Showing Up for Democracy
Yesterday, across the country and around the world, people showed up! There were over 3,300 No Kings rallies in all 50 states at which 8 million people gathered in the streets, stood shoulder to shoulder, and exercised their fundamental right to be heard. There is something deeply powerful about seeing that many people, in that many places, refusing to sit this moment out. You could feel it. And even if you weren’t there, you can see it in the images, in the crowds, in the sheer scale of people linking arms across communities to create something bigger than any one of us. It was massive and moving!
And we know why we had to show up.
Because this moment still feels heavy. The news is relentless. Trump's illegal war against Iran has stretched on for weeks, and has already resulted in the deaths of thousands, including 13 U.S. service members. Gas prices are up, the stock market is down, and experts believe that the global financial ramifications are just beginning. And despite Trump's contradictory statements, there is no end in sight and there are talks about thousands of ground troops being sent to Iran. All of this without any Congressional authorization or even an address to the nation explaining the rationale or goal for the war. It can feel, at times, like we’re carrying a lot. But even in the middle of that, there are real signs of progress. Real reasons to keep going. This past week brought special elections worth celebrating.
In Palm Beach County, Emily Gregory, who many of you met when she joined us on Zoom, flipped a Florida State House seat (in Trump’s backyard) in a district he won by 11 points. In Tampa, Brian Nathan flipped a Florida State Senate seat. These weren’t supposed to be wins or even close races. And yet, Democrats prevailed! And then there’s Caleb McCoy, whose results the MFD community helped impact by writing thousands of postcards for him through Postcards For Democracy. Caleb ran in a PA district Trump carried by 33 points in 2024, and Caleb earned 42% of the vote, an 18-point swing. Candidates like Caleb give voters a choice, boost turnout, and keep the conversation going in places where it too often goes quiet. And he’s not done, Caleb is continuing his campaign into November. We hope you’ll take a moment to send him a “thank you for running” postcard (details below).
This work isn’t easy. But yesterday was a reminder of what’s possible when people come together whether it’s in the streets or at the ballot box. So tonight, take a breath. Hold onto that feeling and carry it forward. And take a moment, too, to feel grateful for this community we’ve built, and continue to build together. In a time like this, that matters more than ever. We are not doing this work alone and that is what carries us forward, and what will help us build the world we’re fighting for.