“Resist. Fight. Don’t be indifferent.” — Steve Schmidt of “The Warning”
Action of the week: Rein in ICE
Contact your federal representatives and ask them to vote against any further DHS funding. 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. Senator Bernie Sanders warns that ICE has become Trump’s domestic army (YouTube). ICE is now used generically to reference DHS officials, including CBP agents. We the people do not need a domestic army.
To whistle or not to whistle, that is the question…
The LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts (LUCE) is intentionally decentralized for safety and efficacy. Each local hub is deciding, based on the local circumstances and interest groups, what to do regarding whistles. There are good arguments for and against using whistles to protect others. We recommend taking a look at Why We Don’t Use Whistles in Rapid Response (A Maryland community-led framework), a thoughtful presentation on the use of whistles. Here in Newton, LUCE and Newton Indivisible are not currently distributing whistles. Newton Indivisible is working to facilitate conversations among stakeholders to determine the best way forward. Of course, whistles for personal protection remain everyone’s personal decision.
ICE Out Boycott List
Take a look at the corporations enabling ICE operations (MS Now, YouTube). When a company chooses to do business in a community, it enters into an implied social contract with that community. Companies break that social contract by enabling such a community to be harmed. Are you wondering how we can exert economic pressure on corporations to stop them from supporting ICE operations? Jess Craven (Chop Wood Carry Water) has shared an ICE Out Boycott List that includes script suggestions and alternative vendor options.
Playing the Long Game: Lessons from North Carolina
Join our next all-member meeting on Tuesday, February 24th at 7:00 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.
Get ready for No Kings 3 on March 28th
The first No Kings Day attracted 5 million people. The second No Kings Day attracted more than 7 million people at more than 2,700 events in all 50 states, DC, and cities worldwide. On March 28th, including a flagship event in the Twin Cities, let’s show the world that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings, with record-breaking crowds united in nonviolent defiance of authoritarianism. Invite your family and friends.
Training for No Kings 3 has begun. For example, Eyes on ICE: Document and Record, on Thursday, February 5, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EST.
Elections Action Team
This week, 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 statewide offices will be protected:
- On Monday, 2/9/2026, at 6:00 p.m. (virtual), join Swing Blue Alliance to make phone calls to voters in WI.
- On Monday, 2/9/2026, at 6:45 p.m. at United Parish in Brookline (15 Marion St.) 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:
- Georgia raid seen as start of Trump’s effort to corrupt elections ahead of midterms, The Briefing with Jen Psaki, podcast episode, 1/30/2026.
- Trump Could Interfere With the Midterm Elections. You Can Help Defend Them by the Editorial Board, New York Times Opinion, 1/31/2026.
- Our Right to Vote is Under Siege… Again, Freedom Writers, Substack, 1/31/2026.
- If you plan to knock on doors before the midterms, you’ll want to learn the art of deep canvassing by attending Intro Session: What Kind of Conversation Do You Need to Have? on Tuesday, February 10th at 6:00 p.m. This training will ground you in the conversation principles that gave rise to deep canvassing and show you how to leverage those foundational skills across a range of conversations, including recruitment, activation, listening, and deep canvass persuasion.
Marshal Training
On Sunday, February 15, Reclaim Our Democracy and the De-ICE Hanscom Coalition present Marshal Training with Rebecca Riccio, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at First Parish in Lexington, 20 Lexington Road, Concord. This free, in-person, two-hour workshop will provide principles and techniques for building a culture of collective care, implementing common safety protocols at nonviolent direct actions (marches, rallies, protests, standouts, etc.), and de-escalating agitated, angry, and aggressive individuals at such events. These skills are valuable for any activist who organizes or participates in demonstrations and can help organizations increase their preparedness for nonviolent direct actions. Learn more and register.
Bridge Brigades Around Boston
There are numerous Bridge Brigade efforts throughout the Boston Metro area. Newton has three active groups:
- Newton Bridge Brigade is out on Thursdays, 7:30 -9:30 a.m., on the Kendrick Street Bridge over Route 128/95.
- The Highlanders Visibility Brigade is out in West Newton on Highland Street over the Mass Pike on Wednesday mornings, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
- Swing Left JP is out on Thursdays, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.; on Fridays, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.; and on Saturdays, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., on Lewis Terrace in Newtonville.
Take a look at the Local Visibilities Schedule for a list of events across the area, including specific days, times, locations, and weather and wind chill cancellations. To stay up to date on daily or weekly changes, join a Signal Group. Instructions for joining are on the Local Visibilities Schedule.
Rallies Action Team
Join us for our 47th 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. Participants may gather at Luna’s after the standouts. 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.
Event Photo and Video Request
If you have photos or videos related to Newton Indivisible activities that you are willing to share with our Storytellers Action Team for use in our newsletter and social media channels, please use our upload link.
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.