Our justices are protesting, are you?; Democrats flip South Carolina Republican stronghold and more!

We're NOT Doomed 63: Aug 13, 2026

What time is it?

Summer time! And that goes for Congress too.

Both the US House and Senate are on recess, meaning, if you have issues, now is the time to air them.

Before I go further, let’s clear something up.

“Recess” means “in district work period.”

And yes, this is the longest recess of the year, so there ARE vacations and surgery recoveries and egg retrievals (I’m sure everyone knows about AOC), so, they aren’t going to be working the entire time. BUT for the entire month of August, the House and Senate are not in session, and much of that time SHOULD be spent in their district with you, their constituents.

So, I repeat, if you have something your Rep or Senators are doing that you don’t like, set up a meeting, or protest outside their office (try a meeting first with a Dem). Chances are much higher right now that they are actually there and ready and willing to meet with you.

It’s the time to invite Reps to local events, be it a protest, mutual aid, whatever.

Look at what Kate Powell, MPA, CFRE is posting about, what bills are coming down the pipe, and if your rep’s stance bugs you, let them know, IN PERSON.

If they are having an event, and they should have several, show up, ask questions, tell them what you want to see.

They represent YOU and right now is the longest period of the whole year that YOU are supposed to be the focus.

And if they don’t have any public events, if they are on vacation the entire time, make noise about that too, cause that should not be the case.

Recess means not in DC, it does not mean not working. There are so many recesses through the year because half of the legislative job does not happen in DC, but they are still very much supposed to be working.

Not to mention, it’s Midterm year. So if they are running for office, this is the time for that too, so they should doubly want to hear from you.

So don’t wait till they’re back in DC to tell your Rep or Senators how you feel, now is the best time of the entire year.

Be proactive and get their attention! As you know by now, your voice is your superpower, but only when you use it!

Midwest

Tue, July 7 - In September 2021, Polish judges embarked on a bus tour to sound the alarm over the dismantling of democracy. It was called “Tour De Konstytucja.” I might not speak Polish, but I certainly know what that means.

This July, American retired judges embarked on their own from Pittsburgh, PA to Ann Arbor, Michigan inspired by this Polish act of courage.

The tour was called “Justice in Motion” and featured speeches and marches in public spaces like Grosse Pointe Public Library in Michigan and Ohio Supreme Court Plaza in Columbus.

As former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Mike Donnolley said during the Columbus March of a Thousand Robes:

We’re a country of laws, not men. We’re hoping this march will be a symbol of what this bus ride stands for, and that is standing up for the rule of law, the bedrock of our democracy.

These may be retired judges, but as we know, one reason we still have a democracy is because the courts are holding. The majority of judges around the country are following the rule of law, and that means throwing out most things the Trump administration and Republican governments at large are trying to do.

I wish “Justice in Motion” had gotten more visibility. It’s a remarkable moment that gives me so much hope to witness. But, even though it’s over, it’s not too late to spread the message of what they were able to accomplish.

Abbeville, South Carolina

Tue, July 14 - Abbeville County went for Trump in 2024 by 70%. However, in July, during a special election for Mayor, Democrat and City Councilmember Faye Thomas won with a 37 point margin.

Faye Thomas has only been in office for less than a month and she’s already making changes.

The previous mayor resigned over accusations of lack of transparency, so during her first meeting, Mayor Thomas announced that there will be quarterly meetings between Abbeville residents and the department heads in the city.

This is a small town of only just shy of 5,000 people, but she’s working on a transit system and a second grocery store, and, as she said, “any kind of industry that we can get here.”

This is what happens when we elect Democrats and why I say that local elections are the most important of them all.

As Muscogee County Dem Committee said:

This result underscores something we say often: local elections matter. Every conversation, every volunteer, and every single vote truly makes a difference.

And that’s exactly what the main take away is from this win. Now, let’s make it happen across the country in November!

Illinois

Sat, July 25 - Governor JB Pritzker signed a new bill into law marking July 25, Emmett Till’s birthday as Emmett Till Day.

The bill was signed at Robert Temple Church of God in Christ where people had been able to view his open casket after he was murdered 71 years ago.

By creating this state holiday, Pritzker’s goal is for him and his story will always be remembered:

In Illinois, we understand that we cannot build a more just future if we are unwilling to confront the injustices of our past. This legislation ensures that Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till-Mobley will never be forgotten, their legacy will continue to challenge us to be better, and their example will continue to inspire us to build a state and a nation that lives up to its highest ideals.

Also present was Rev. Wheeler Parker, Till’s cousin who had been with him that day. He said:

I wish that he was here, but he accomplished more in death than he did if he lived. It’s mixed emotion because I think I’m pleased and happy to see the progress that has been made since, since Emmett. We’ve come a long way. In America, the wheels of justice grind, but they grind so slow.

While we need to remember that change does take time, it IS possible, no matter how long it takes. It took 70 years, but I’m so glad this was finally made a day of note.

Never give up on fighting for what’s right. It WILL happen eventually if we keep fighting for it.

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So those are today’s stories. I hope you learned something and it makes you ready to keep fighting back!

If you want more nuance, anti-doomerism and calls to action like this, make sure to subscribe, and get a paid subscriptions to get extra posts throughout the week!

And join my group Election Day Is Every Tuesday, so you’re informed for every election, cause that’s how we start changing things.

If you made it to the end, comment with 👩🏽‍⚖️ (a judge) cause they’re doing incredible work protecting democracy!

And remember, our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!