Emergency News Roundup and Call for Action
Democracy and freedom die in apathy. Let's do something about it.
I was going to publish a story about the adventures of my news journalism career in my 20s, but I feel compelled to jump my own line with this newsletter due to the urgent Constitutional Crisis the United States has plunged into. It’s a 10-alarm fire that should make everyone drop whatever they’re doing, pay attention and take action.
This will be a quick read, with links to other posts and videos if you choose to learn more. I’m mainly relaying information that I’ve found valuable and to-the-point. You may have read about many of the issues included here, but there may be one or a few that you’ve missed. Follow the sequence, and you’ll get a pretty good picture of where we stand at this critical juncture of our nation’s history, and decide for yourself what to do next.
The Emergency Is Here
gives a succinct summary of the reasons why the current situation is so urgent. Trump and his cabinet have crossed the line when they blatantly disregarded the Supreme Court’s ruling on the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal U.S. resident who was illegally (without a trial or evidence) deported to the notorious El Salvador CECOT prison, which is by nature a concentration camp.
Outsourcing Concentration Camp
Thanks to Sen. Van Hollen from Maryland, we now know the truth behind this illegal deportation of Kilmar. Trump had arranged to pay the El Salvadorian government for the deportation. Corrupt and evil to the core. I have no doubt that the deportation of 238 (likely far more) so-called Venezuelan criminals to the CECOT prison camp is also a part of this corrupt arrangement to instill fear and further Trump’s racist agenda.
Now They’ve Coming for the Citizens
Not only did Trump toyed with the idea of sending “homegrowns” to El Salvador, but immigration officers have already started harassing and detaining U.S. citizens when they return from overseas trips. Those who look foreign and are naturalized U.S. citizens have a harder time than others (but not even white folks are immune).
Violent Crimes Against LEGAL Immigrants inside the Country
This is such a brutal attack on the human rights of immigrants that I’m aghast with disbelief. No words.
Simultaneous and Ongoing Theft of Our Personal Data
Meanwhile, the Elon Musk-led DOGE continues to pillage our personal data and whistleblowers have detected suspicious intrusive activities from Russia prying into these data.
A whistleblower's disclosure details how DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data (NPR)
Scream, Lola, Scream
Well, that’s an out-take from the German movie “Run, Lola, Run.” I don’t remember much of the story line, but for some reason, the title has stuck with me.
Do you feel like running in the street and screaming at the top of your lungs yet? I do.
That’s why when I read the following article by
, I felt seen and heart. I felt every bit of the righteous anger and resolve the author shared. By the way, if you haven’t subscribed to The Warning, please do. Schmidt holds some of the best lives on Substack I’ve ever seen.
Ready, Set, Action!
While many of us wonder what concrete actions our elected officials are doing, I heard a piece of positive news from California.
Turned out that Californian Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General have been planning a lawsuit against Trump on the illegal tariffs he unilaterally imposed to countries all over the world. Here’s more if you want to hear the details:
My own hometown Hong Kong has taken action in response to Trump’s tariffs by stopping the flow of sea and air mail packages to the United States (starting at 9 mins 9 seconds into the video):
Flee, Lola, Flee
Many have fled America, or at least have started to look into the option of getting a second passport—just in case. If you belong to this camp, make sure you understand your options and responsibilities as an immigrant of another country, as moving countries is a huge feat. Here’s my take as a perpetual immigrant and second class citizen on this planet:
And here’s a video that talks about new visa requirements for Americans by the 7 most popular destination countries. Some of the changes apply to all foreign nationals, too, but this video’s target audience are Americans. I find the comments very interesting to read as well.
For Those Who Choose to Stay and Fight
If you are among the majority of Americans who choose to stay or who simply can’t leave (like me), and if you want to do something about this fire that’s burning all around us, here’s a call for solidarity. Let this call for action fuel you for your next move. Let’s fight the corrupt, illegitimate and cruel regime together with our collective voice:
I’ll be attending my local protest this Saturday.
Find out if there’s a protest happening in your area, or volunteer to organize one: https://www.mobilize.us
Democracy and freedom die in apathy. Let’s do something about it.
I used to laugh my head off when my teachers told me in high school that "The Greatness of America Stands at the Brink" and I had to get a 97 in chemistry and become a biochemist to save it. Not a knowledge or understanding of history. That was just twaddle about the past.
Well, the greatness of America IS standing at the brink, and it will take an understanding of both American and Nazi history to save this nation.
Great post, thank you Louisa!