FIGHT BACK, Zimnotes V. 31 # 4
Project 2025 Is Here: How to Fight Back
Project 2025 Is Here: How to Fight Back
The Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project is a 900-plus-page policy blueprint that seeks to fundamentally restructure the federal government. It is heavily funded by the Heritage Foundation, whose homepage states: Help Dismantle the Deep State. The platform proposes to dismantle social safety net programs and turn back civil rights - issues critical to nonprofits. For details of what Project 2025 will do see previous ZimNotes: Project 2025 is a Profound Threat to Nonprofits.
Its overarching goal is clear: To lay out an authoritarian playbook that would destroy the system of checks and balances our forebears designed when they sought freedom and popular sovereignty some 250 years ago. The Project was put together by people who served in top posts under Trump last time and are now in power. According to Lawyers Defending American Democracy, whose mission is to galvanize lawyers to defend the rule of law in the face of an unprecedented threat to American democracy), Project 2025 reflects deep-seated hostility to any aspect of diversity, equity, and inclusion. See talking points.
But we don’t have to watch. Many organizations are fighting back. Here is a recent example of how to fight back that INDIVISIBLE describes:
“…the Trump administration issued a broad freeze on federal spending allocated by Congress. It was a radical act that jeopardized the health and well-being of millions of Americans. It was also brazenly unconstitutional and Trump’s most blatant attempt to usurp power from Congress and put himself on the path to becoming a dictator.
Well, we weren’t going to stand by and just watch it happen. In less than 16 hours, we drove tens of thousands of calls to Congress letting Republicans know they would be held accountable for their complicity and pushing Democrats to shut down the Senate until Trump backed down.”
Opposition: Be vocal about policy issues, including being a loud opponent--at a minimum, think signs in the office and social media posts. Issue advocacy is permitted!
Trump signed dozens of Executive Orders (EOs) on issues important to nonprofits. Here are national and legal organizations fighting back (you do not need to be a lawyer to do so).
National Council on Nonprofits: Executive Orders(EO) Affecting Charitable Nonprofits-including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; government grants and contracts; civic engagement; immigration; and specific nonprofit subsectors.
Some of the EOs won’t take effect immediately, and many will be immediately challenged in court. The chart outlines some of the EOs that affect nonprofits directly and indirectly. It includes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Federal Government, Immigration, LGBTQ+ Environment Census and Community Engagement, and others.
ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union Fight Back Stop Project 2025 Tyranny.”…experts have already built a detailed roadmap to fight back – point-by-point, issue-by-issue. We're working now in state legislatures and courts nationwide to block this harmful agenda from ever becoming a reality.
NACCP: Toolkit to Fight Project 2025. “Project 2025 threatens to reverse decades of progress and harm Black and marginalized communities. We deserve - and we fight for - a better future.”
Lawyer Defending America Democracy: Behind Trump Executive Orders Understanding Projects 2025 Master Plan. Understanding what a governmental shift to autocratic rule looks like and “how to respond to its overreach and threats to the rule of law.”
Equal Rights Advocates: Many suggestions of what you can do! Take Action to Support Gender Justice.
National Women’s Law Center: Press releases and posts on the EO’s and fighting back. “Whether we’re authoring critical legislation on equal pay and workplace protections, fighting for abortion rights, or pushing for the nominations of critical federal judges, our federal advocacy and regulatory efforts are core to the National Women’s Law Center’s work.”
Alliance for Justice: They are already fighting back. Key Laws and Activities to Consider in 2025 and Beyond “Have an advocacy-related question? Just ask using this form. One of their advocacy coaches will respond within two business days. Submit an online question to our advocacy coaches using this form or email advocacy@afj.org.”
Southern Poverty Law Center: By engaging local communities and grassroots organizations, the Southern Poverty Law Center is organizing to build the political power of Black and Brown people throughout the Deep South.
National Lawyers Guild: Assessing Risks in Supporting Immigrants at Points of Intervention.
National Immigration Law: This lays out Trump's first moves, how to best protect yourself and your loved ones, and Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Arrested or Detained by Immigration.
Discuss what you can do and fight back for your clients, communities, and democracy!
(Photo by Jennifer Uppendahl on Unsplash)