“ICE is not a law unto itself.” — Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, Reagan appointee and top federal judge in Minnesota, while accusing ICE of violating nearly a hundred court orders in the month of January alone.
Action of the week: Rein in ICE (week 2)
Find your federal representatives here and ask them to vote against any further DHS funding for ICE and CBP. At an absolute minimum, proponents of democracy must demand that (1) DHS agents clearly identify themselves and reveal their faces, (2) any DHS immunity for constitutional violations is eliminated, and (3) states, cities, and individuals are permitted to directly sue DHS officials for harm caused by constitutional violations by DHS. Temporary funding expires February 13th.
Greater Boston Mayors join forces to oppose illegal federal actions
We thank Mayor Marc Laredo for issuing an Executive Order (PDF) on February 5, 2026 on Newton’s response to Federal Immigration Operations. Mayor Laredo also spoke a press conference on the same day—standing in solidarity with Boston’s Mayor, Cambridge’s City Manager, Chelsea’s City Manager, Lynn’s Mayor, and Somerville’s Mayor—to reaffirm our belief in democracy, the rule of law, and due process in response to federal ICE agents terrorizing cities like Minneapolis and Portland.
How we came to be Newton Indivisible
On Sunday, February 1st, 2026, we held our Procrastinators Holiday Party in the Parish Hall at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton. Pat Burdick gave a toast to Newton Indivisible in the form of a slideshow, How we came to be Newton Indivisible.
Elections Action Team
This week’s recommended actions include:
- Today, Tuesday 2/10 at 4:30 p.m., make phone calls to Democrats in Texas to get Harvard alumnus James Talarico elected to the US Senate! This is an in-person opportunity in Cambridge – location provided upon registration.
- On Sunday, 2/15 at 4:30 p.m., make phone calls from the comfort of your home to turn out voters for House Democrats in special elections. The event will start with a brief training for those new to phonebanking, register now.
- Once again, you have two opportunities to reach out to voters in Wisconsin ahead of their state supreme court election. If Judge Chris Taylor is elected on April 7th, the Democrats will have a 5-2 majority, and the Wisconsin vote in 2028 for President, Congress, and state-wide offices will be protected!
- Monday 2/16 at 6:00 p.m. (virtual) – Join Swing Blue Alliance to make phone calls to voters in WI.
- Monday 2/16 at 6:45 p.m. (in-person) at United Parish in Brookline (15 Marion Street) – Join Activist Evenings Brookline to write postcards to voters in WI.
- Learn about the latest threats to free and fair elections and how you can take action: Listen to (or read the transcript of) an interview with Stacey Abrams about how autocrats meddle with elections.
- Add your name to the Protect Our State’s Elections From Federal Voter Intimidation petition to tell Governor Healey and state legislators to protect MA voters from federal intimidation. Then send a similar message to the MA delegation on Capitol Hill using Resist Bot Petitions.
Playing the Long Game: Lessons from North Carolina
Join our next all-member meeting on Tuesday, February 24th 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom to prepare for the midterms and beyond. North Carolina has overperformed its expectations in the last two election cycles. By some metrics, it has been the best-performing swing state, even though Trump has won. What lies underneath its strengths? What is the plan to take it to the next level in 2026 and 2028? How can we help? And what can we learn? Speakers Jeff Blum, Chair of All In for North Carolina, and Olivia Zalecki, Deputy Director of Strategy and Development for NCAAT in Action, will answer these questions in a lively panel discussion format.
You must register for this event to receive the Zoom link.
ICE OUT: Minnesota Writers Rising Up
On February 7, the ICE OUT: Minnesota Writers Rising Up anthology was released. This volume brings together moving works about the occupation of Minnesota, donated by dozens of writers. Art by Robin Schwartzman. Here is a brief excerpt:
“So here is one concrete act of courage, especially for those who are afraid: step outside the algorithm. Taste more than one version of the world. Borrow a wider sky. Then choose—not your team—but your conscience.
And do the hard thing without becoming what you oppose:
Do not be violent.
Do not burn your city.
Show up. Speak. Call. Witness.
This is not softness. This is strength. Because in every era, tyranny depends on the same resource: the silence of the decent. Boethius wrote The Consolation of Philosophy in prison while awaiting execution, and his counsel is quiet steel: leave hope and fear aside. Not because hope is bad—but because fear is how power trains good people into spectators.”
From “A Mirror in Minnesota” by Lori A. Browning
The anthology provides a poetic antidote to the hatred and AI slop spewing from the MAGA media ecosystem. It is available from Afton Press, Amazon, or may be ordered through bookstores. Proceeds will support a full history of these events, to be published later this year or in 2027 by Afton Press, a Minnesota nonprofit publisher.
Resist and Reimagine: Lessons from Minnesota on Fighting Authoritarianism
Organizers and community members in Minnesota are transforming crisis into action and tragedy into solidarity. Join us for a conversation on Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m. with labor and community leaders from Minnesota, including Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and special guests.
Register now for this event to learn practical lessons for fellow organizers on organizing in the midst of crisis, rapid response, economic solidarity actions, and how Minnesota’s experience can help other communities prepare to protect each other. Hosted by We Build Progress, Take Action Minnesota, Minnesota AFL-CIO, Faith in Minnesota, People’s Action, Faith In Action, the Organizing Revival National Networks, Women’s March, and Indivisible.
Singing Resistance Action
The “Singing Resistance” is inviting organized groups to sing in public from February 28th to March 1st. Their values include beloved community and non-violence. Take a look at the Singing Resistance Songbook and the Singing Resistance Toolkit. A rehearsal is being organized; contact Demie at singing@newton-indivisible.org to get involved. This local singing action will take place at our regular RESIST Standout in Newton Centre on February 28th.
Get ready for No Kings 3 on March 28th
Invite your family and friends to join millions of others in showing the world that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings. Keep an eye on this newsletter for updates on training for this historic event.
Bridge Brigades around Boston
There are numerous Bridge Brigade efforts throughout the Boston Metro area. Newton has three active groups. Visit our Boston Bridge Brigades Action Team page on our website for dates, locations, and how to join one of the local Signal chats to stay up to date on these actions.
Rallies Action Team
Join us for our 48th RESIST standout in Newton Centre on Saturday, February 7th, at the intersection of Beacon and Center Streets from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Standouts will continue in Newton Centre throughout the winter unless Newton declares a snow emergency. However, some of our stalwart participants may not be able to stand out in the cold. If you are young and healthy, please consider joining us on any Saturday you are available during the winter months.
Bring your own signs. Take a look at The Big List of Protest Signs for ideas. Participants may gather at Luna’s after the standouts.
Join our Safety Action Team
Newton Indivisible is looking for volunteers to build a Safety Action Team. Members will earn de-escalation techniques, participate in Marshall trainings, and organize Safety Marshalls for Rallies, Standouts, and more. Please contact our Action Team Coordinator to volunteer for this critical endeavor.
Please share photos and videos with our Storytellers Action Team
If you have photos or videos related to Newton Indivisible activities that you are willing to share with our Storytellers Action Team, please use our upload link to share them for use in our newsletter and social media channels.
More opportunities to take action
Please visit the Opportunities to Take Action page on our website for a listing of important ongoing initiatives. The list is updated weekly along with our newsletter. You can also make an impact by donating to Newton Indivisible.
Newsletter contributions
To submit items for inclusion in our Newsletter, please send them to newsletter@newton-indivisible.org and include an image if possible. Submissions will be edited for brevity and clarity.
Brought to you by the Newton Indivisible Executive Committee: Kia, Rachael, Larry, Pat, Erica, Karen, and David. To send a message to the leadership team, use our Contact Form or email info@newton-indivisible.org. You can donate to support Newton Indivisible.