Evening Roundup, August 6
Featuring Mimi Marziani; Diamond Brown & Yadira Paz-Martinez; Ari Berman with Jen Rubin; Jennifer Weiss Wolf; Shalise Manza Young; April Ryan & Alexis McGill Johnson; and RJ Matson
Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson on the fight for reproductive freedom
Three years ago, Roe v. Wade was overturned in the Supreme Court, dismantling the right to abortion care in America. Since then, there has been a massive uptick in states adopting draconian abortion policies.
A whole new ballgame
RJ draws several editorial cartoons each week for his substack, e pluribus cartoonum, and for Roll Call, the newspaper of Congress and Capitol Hill. His work is widely syndicated to print newspapers by Cagle Cartoons.s
Republicans' attempt to redistrict Texas is a power grab: Ari Berman explains
Today is the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation that bans racial discrimination in voting, including racist gerrymandering. But, Texas Republicans seem to have forgotten this, given the fact their new proposed redistricting map
The Contrarian covers the Democracy Movement
Every day (Monday-Friday), we’ll update this space with protests, signs and other public demonstrations against the actions of the administration. Keep checking to see how Americans all across the country are protecting and defending democracy. Get help organizing from
Living for the hope of it all
Welcome, August! When my kids were young, I used to refer to it as the juiciest month of the year—loving its bloated days, all sunshine and sweat. And, in our case, it’s punctuated by weekly cake and candles. In my family of five, all but me celebrate an August birthday. (Today my firstborn turns 29—here’s to you, kiddo!)
Texas Democrats put up a fight: Mimi Marziani on the battle to keep voters enfranchised
This past Sunday, over 50 Texas Democrats left the state in order to block the passage of a Republican redistricting plan that disenfranchises Black and Hispanic voters. Now, Gov. Abbot is suing to have the head of Texas House Democrats, Rep. Gene Wu, removed from office while attempting to force the return of other Democrats to meet quorum.
Thank you for doing much to keep Texans on our minds as they fight for our rights! Americans should rally to the cause of Texans now the way they rallied to the cause of Bostonians 250 years ago. As Patrick Henry put it at the end of his famous speech in Virginia on March 23, 1775:
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
So much great content here. Thanks Contrarians! I learn so much!