Our information and to-do's this week come from the Meidas+ substack and Indivisible. While progress has been made this year, there is still so much more to do. 

"So stay loud. Stay visible. Stay politically inconvenient. Talk to your friends. Organize. Vote like the Constitution depends on it; because this time, it actually does." 

from https://substack.com/@therealmichaelcohen and https://substack.com/@meidastouch

From Indivisible:

1. Submit a public comment on the Trump regime's new attacks on trans youth. The government is now accepting public comment on two proposed rules that would severely restrict access to gender affirming care for young Americans. These comments will be supportive of legal challenges aimed at blocking the new rules. Submit a comment now, or read on (below) for more information. https://bit.ly/trans-public-comment

2. Tell your senators: No war with Venezuela. Trump is continuing to escalate his warmongering: On Saturday, the Coast Guard boarded an oil tanker that doesn't even appear on US lists of sanctioned vessels; Hegseth's "Department of War" is now in active pursuit of a third oil tanker; and last week saw an uptick in drone attacks on small boats, bringing the total number of people needlessly killed to at least 100. The Senate will be voting after the holiday on War Powers legislation that would block the march to war. Call your senators and urge them to vote yes. https://bit.ly/no-war-venezuela

3. No Kings, No Kings, No Kings. Y’all, everybody is looking forward to the next No Kings in the spring. Official date to-be-announced. https://indivisible.org/sign-updates-indivisible

1. Easy – Reach out to your elected reps to stop the attempt to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” From Jess Craven from Chop Wood, Carry Water, by “allowing politically aligned appointees to unilaterally alter a congressionally established national memorial would set a dangerous precedent. It would invite future administrations to rewrite history, law, and public institutions by fiat rather than through democratic processes.” (https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/39fed/05ussen/html/sen.html, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/39fed/06ushse/html/msa18593.html)

2. Average – Reach out to your reps to stop Trump’s march to war with Venezuela. (https://5calls.org/issue/trump-venezuela-extrajudicial-murder/)

3. Heavy – Reach out to your reps about RFK Jr. and the continued chaos at the CDC. Changes to the vaccine schedule are very dangerous to our children and the public health. (https://5calls.org/issue/center-for-disease-control-cdc-kennedy/)

As the holidays approach, we’re all very busy. But take a minute to look at all of the “to do” ideas we have published here, https://bit.ly/what-can-I-do, and pick one to work on this week. Let’s continue to push back against this regime’s assaults on our democracy.

Need a quick assignment and don’t want to make a choice?

Call Senator Cassidy in his capacity as Chair of the Senate HELP Committee; oversight of the CDC’s public health policies is one of his key responsibilities. Our nation’s health is suffering under this administration; measles outbreaks, unreliable vaccine info and recommendations, etc. 

RFK Jr. is unqualified and must go. 202-224-5824

1. Easy – Contact your senators and demand a full investigation into Pete Hegseth’s extrajudicial killings. Hegseth has signaled his intention to continue extrajudicial attacks. (5calls.org has a great script with a lot of information on this topic.)

2. Average – Call Senator Cassidy in his capacity as Chair of the Senate HELP Committee (oversight of the CDC’s public health policies is one of his key responsibilities as chair of this committee) and ask him to act now. The CDC recommendation against the HEP vaccine at birth is irresponsible! He needs to stop the anti-vax takeover of the CDC. JFK Jr. needs to go now. *

3. Heavy – Contact state legislators (link below) and let them know you are advocating for banning 287(g) agreements in Maryland through a clean bill as well as tackling unmasking of ICE agents and cancelling the Avelo contract at BWI.

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/gacofr.html

* All members of the panel who recommended the change were appointed by RFK Jr. 

“The hepatitis B vaccine has been universally recommended for newborns in the U.S. since 1991. Over that time, research shows hepatitis B infections among infants and children have dropped 99%.” Source – CBS News

1. Easy – Remember – through Cyber Monday, NO SHOPPING at Target, Home Depot or Amazon. Better yet, NO shopping at any of these regime supporters ever. **

2. Average – Tuesday is Giving Tuesday. If you are able, donate to Maryland Food Bank (https://mdfoodbank.org/supportnow/), and/or a local non-profit that supports causes you care about.

3. Heavy – Are you a Frederick County resident who wants to support neighbors facing food insecurity? Indivisible Frederick is starting a group to connect people with nearby resources and explore ways to expand food support through mutual aid efforts across the county. The group is looking for volunteers to scout potential new pantry locations and to help build and maintain new food pantries. RSVP for the next meeting on December 6 @ 1 PM. (https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/872412/)

**Why just these 3? From Indivisible, “These aren’t the only companies complicit in Trump’s attacks on democracy -- far from it! -- but economic pressure is most effective when it’s concentrated and easy to join in on. We’re focusing our fire on three ubiquitous brands that are among the biggest corporations trying to profit by enabling Trump.”

Ultimately, for the rest of the holiday shopping season, and for the future, don’t give any money to the companies undermining democracy. Support local businesses or mutual aid efforts instead.

1. Easy - Do not trust information coming out of the CDC. Instead, follow the accounts on Instagram listed below or subscribe to Katelyn Jetelina to get reliable medical news. Instagram accounts: @nationalphc, @savehealthresearch, @drjessicaknurick, @unbiasedscience, @sciencewhizliz, @your_local_epidemiologist, @rubin_allergy. Share this!

2. Average – Besides following our Black Out Black Friday initiative, specifically boycott the following retailers: Target, Home Depot, Amazon (forever if possible). These three corporations are enabling the republican regime.

3. Heavy - call Senator Cassidy in his capacity as Chair of the Senate HELP Committee and ask him to act now! (regarding the CDC vaccine autism website being scrubbed and filled with anti-VAX propaganda – script for call follows)

202-224-5824.

Possible Script: Hi my name is _______ and I’m calling from [city, state]. I’m calling the Senator in his capacity as chair of the Senate HELP Committee because I am very upset that RFK Jr has scrubbed the CDC vaccine autism website and filled it with anti-VAX propaganda. This is a public health emergency in the making. He needs to be removed and the website needs to be restored immediately. Lives are in danger and I expect the Senator to act. He voted to confirm this man. It’s now his job to fix what he broke. Thank you.


1. Easy - Pledge Not to Shop at Starbucks While Workers Are on Strike.
Show your solidarity by refusing to cross the picket line, physically or financially. No contract, no coffee. Recent reports put CEO Brian Niccol's compensation (~$96 million) at roughly 6,666 times higher than a barista. https://www.nocontractnocoffee.org/#pledge 

2. Average – Call your senators and representative about Trump’s abuse of pardon power. Express your deep concern about Trump’s pardons for 77 people who attempted to overturn the 2020 election. The abuse of pardon power, where loyalty to Trump means immunity from consequences, creates a two-tier justice system. Express your support for legislation to reform presidential pardon powers. (5calls.org)

3. Heavy - Prepare for January 30. Mark your calendar. On January 30, 2026 government funding runs out again. Join or follow organizations tracking shutdown negotiations: 50501 groups, Indivisible, MoveOn, other state Resistance groups.

1. Easy – Reach out to your reps. Let them know you are not happy they caved. Let them know you want the funding deal AND a guaranteed extension of ACA premium tax subsidies, not just a promise of a vote later. Let them know if they support reopening the government but leave health-care costs hanging, you will hold them accountable. (5calls.org)

*** Here are the democratic senators who seem to be caving, in case you are interested in letting them know how you feel.

Janeen Shaheen (NH) - (202) 224-2841

Gary Peters (MI) - (202) 224-6221

Mark Kelly (AZ) - (202) 224-2235

Maggie Hassan (NH) - (202) 224-3324

Peter Welch (VT) - (202) 224-4242

Tammy Baldwin (WI) - (202) 224-5653

Elissa Slotkin (MI) - (202) 224-4822

2. Medium – We need to stand together and support those in our community continuing to face food insecurity. Donate to a food bank, help stock the community fridge, help build a local safety net. Frederick Food Bank, Frederick Community Table, Frederick Community Fridge And help to feed furry family members with a donation to the Frederick County Humane Society; they provide needed assistance to keep pets healthy and happy in their home. http://www.fchs.org/ 

3. Heavy – Planned Parenthood health centers defend reproductive freedom. Planned Parenthood is being defunded. Consider donating to support them. https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/

1. Easy – Donate to one of these local agencies to help feed our neighbors who are facing food insecurity. Frederick Food Bank, Frederick Community Table, Frederick Community Fridge 

2. Medium – Using Spotify or Pandora? Change how you stream your music. They are broadcasting ICE recruitment ads. Known blue-leaning streaming alternatives are Tidal and YouTube Music.

3. Heavy – Get ready for the economic blackout on Black Friday. Big box stores/large retailers are the targets. On Black Friday, buy local only and support our community businesses. (Prevent surge spending the days before by preparing for this day.)

1. Easy – Help feed your neighbors who are facing food insecurity. The government shutdown is dragging on, with many furloughed or working without pay, and SNAP benefits will not be distributed for November. Here are a few of the places that you can donate, volunteer, get involved.

• City of Frederick Food Bank Program (https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/462/Food-Bank-Program),

• Maryland Food Bank (https://mdfoodbank.org/)

• Capital Area Foodbank (https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/)  

• Other ways to help/give

o   Info on food resources in Frederick County

(https://bit.ly/Frederick-Food-Resources)

o   Helping Hands and Caring Hearts (https://helpinghandsandcaringhearts.org/about/)

o   Blessings in a Backpack 

(https://frederick.blessingsinabackpack.org/get-involved/)

o   Frederick Community Fridge, behind ERUCC (https://www.facebook.com/frederickcommunityfridge/)

o   Additional ways to give

(https://mdfoodbank.org/ways-to-give/)

2. Medium – Join a group that’s organizing for something you believe in. Here are some options: 

o   Indivisible - https://indivisible.org/

o   A local mutual aid network - https://www.mutualaidhub.org/

o   A group planning more protests in DC such as https://refusefascism.org/

o   Use https://www.mobilize.us/ to find an event to take part in

o   Rise Up Frederick – riseupfrederick.com 

3. Heavy – Write an op-ed or letter to the editor of the local paper (here’s a how-to guide). Here’s the link to the Frederick News Post to submit a letter to the editor- https://bit.ly/LTE-FrederickNP 

1. Easy – Attend the No Kings post protest call. What do we do next? Tuesday, October 21 at 8 p.m. Sign up here for the link: https://www.nokings.org/

2. Medium - Sign the letter to Governor Moore to kick Avelo Airlines, the airline making the ICE flights, out of BWI Airport. https://bit.ly/No-more-ice-flights 

3. Heavy – Take action to combat the cuts to special education. The Council for Exceptional Children lists actions you can take. https://exceptionalchildren.org/takeaction

1. Easy – Join the Indivisible Weekly Chat. Every Thursday, Indivisible co-founders help wade through the week’s news, answer your questions, and provide timely calls to action. October 16 at 3pm EST - REGISTER FOR EVENT (https://bit.ly/Indiv-Chat)

2. Medium - Blessings in a Backpack is a national organization that helps prevent weekend hunger in US schoolchildren. If you live in the Frederick area, check out the FB page for volunteers, the sign up list of upcoming volunteer opportunities, or the food donation wish list.

3. Heavy – Reach out to your Senators and Representative and demand the impeachment of RFK Jr. as head of HHS using the 5calls.org app. For good measure, get your Covid booster and flu shot this week. We need to stay healthy in spite of him! (ALL Maryland residents can get the Covid booster.)

Pick your task for this week, at whichever level of effort suits you best, and work at that this week. Make your voice heard.

1. Easy – Attend the school board meeting on Wednesday, October 8 to support diversity! (191 South East Street, 6 pm, https://bit.ly/BOE-MTG)
   And/or support a local non-profit; they are hurting right now! Here are 2 links to help support local food pantries. Fight Hunger in the City of Frederick: https://bit.ly/help-Fred and help fill the Community Fridge in the heart of Frederick: https://bit.ly/Fred-comm-fridge  

2. Medium - Plan to attend a No Kings II rally near you on October 18. Now is a good time to create signs. Local Rally (Baker Park): https://bit.ly/NK-Fred Find another location: https://www.nokings.org/  

3. Heavy – Reach out to your Senators and Representative; Democrats need to hear from their constituents. We must let them know that we want them to fight! Here’s a script from the Indivisible website to make it easy! https://bit.ly/call-now-Fred
   Then, call out the Republicans for their responsibility and cowardice for this shutdown! Spread the word with people you know, and write an op-ed or letter to the editor of the local paper (here’s a how-to guide) and post on social media (here’s a toolkit). Here’s the link to the Frederick News Post - https://www.fredericknewspost.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/

Pick your task for this week, at whichever level of effort suits you best, and work at that this week. We must all be heard.

1. Easy – Buy only local this week, no big chains. Keep your dollars in your community. Need help finding what you need locally/from small businesses versus the mega corporations? Check out alternatives here: https://bit.ly/bigcorp-alt

2. Medium – Register and attend (virtually) Taking Back Our Power in 2025 with Stacey Abrams, Thursday, October 2, 7:30 PM ET – VIRTUAL. Hear from a great organizer what we can do to fight back against authoritarianism. (If you register but cannot attend, this may give you access to the recorded event.) https://bit.ly/FightAuthoritarianism

3. Heavy – Support Planned Parenthood by calling your reps (5calls.org makes it easy) and demand that Congress use their power to protect Planned Parenthood patients and defend our right to control our own bodies, lives, and futures, free of government interference and/or make a donation to Planned Parenthood. https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/support

Pick your task for this week, at whichever level of effort suits you best, and work at that this week. No act is too small. If we all work together, we will succeed.

1. Easy – watch this short video from @amandasmildtakes here https://www.instagram.com/p/DNau5yqAVAw/ and choose one of her suggestions for your 1 to do this week. (Note: you don’t have to be on Instagram to watch the video.)

2. Medium – Make sure you are registered to vote. All elections are important, but our local elections are especially important. Here’s the link where you can check that you are registered, and if not, you can get registered. There are other voter tools here as well. https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch

3. Heavy – Check out the boycotts on our web site and implement them. Dollars and how we spend them are our power. Don’t give your money to the large corporations that are enabling this regime to destroy our democracy and take away our voice. And then send the link to three of your friends to follow these boycotts. Community is the way we will succeed. https://bit.ly/PoP-boycotts

Not sure what you can do to fight back against this regime? Beginning on September 15, every week we'll publish a short list of tasks ranging from easy to heavy lifting. Pick a task, at whichever level of effort suits you best, and work at that this week. No act is too small. If we all work together, we will succeed.

1. Easy – Text 2 people you know and encourage them to sign up for our newsletter. This is a great way to get information, especially for people who are not on social media. Here’s the link:  https://riseupfrederick.eo.page/newsletter

2. Medium – Text or call 2 people you know and challenge them to take part in the Economic Blackout of the System. (See all the info in #3 below.)

3. Heavy – Economic Blackout of the System. Buy nothing! By peacefully shutting down the economy, we reclaim our power and force the system to listen. If you can choose only one day to do this, make it September 17 – Constitution Day. More info: https://blackoutthesystem.com/

Not sure what you can do to fight back against this regime? Beginning on September 15, every week we'll publish a short list of tasks ranging from easy to heavy lifting. Pick a task, at whichever level of effort suits you best, and work at that this week. Not all of us are able to attend protests. Some of us can donate money. Others can donate their time. No act is too small. If we all work together, we will succeed.

1. Easy - don’t buy anything from Amazon this week.

2. Medium - Share this link for getting accurate information and checking facts with your clan - https://bit.ly/RUF-justthefacts

3. Heavy - use 5 calls and call your reps. Yes, we have democratic reps, but they need to hear from us, and with information they can use. Tell them about how current policy is negatively affecting you. Examples - groceries are more expensive, fear of international travel, employment or income losses, unavailability of social security offices, loss of school or community programs.