Access information on Immigrant Rights.

Click Here For Video Link

Video clips from The Contrarian. This danger is real, and it is upon us all. Thank you for watching. Please take care and feel free to respond with comments or questions for The Contrarians.

Click Here for The Contrarian Piece

When a devastating crash between a passenger airplane and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River killed all 67 people on board, Trump was quick to blame the deaths on "DEI" because a woman was aboard - no further proof needed that the crash happened because an incompetent woman had made it to the controls of the helicopter due to DEI -- while the men were there as a result of "merit". VP Vance and new Secretary Duffy are continuing to promote these claims. Then the Army released, with the permission of her family, the name of the woman and it turns out - of course - that she was a star. Here's a portion of Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach's bio:

She had been in the top 20 percent of Army ROTC cadets.... Her awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. Her family said in a statement that she had planned to pursue a career as a physician. (2)

So, an excess of merit. Incidentally, it turns out that the Army has been experiencing nearrecord levels of Class A helicopter accidents.(3) And Senator Chris Murphy wonders if, given Trump's deliberate creation of chaos and drastic cutbacks in government, the rush to blame minorities might be a coverup. "What he is saying is that the only people who are competent to run anything in this country are white men." We'll certainly be hearing that claim a lot in the coming months. (1)

(2) https://tcinla757.substack.com/p/poking-around-its-only-been-three

(3) https://theintercept.com/2025/01/31/washington-plane-crash-army-helicopter-

accidents/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

(1 https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2025/01/this-could-be-a-coverup-dem-senator-

says-trump-very-vulnerable-over-mid-air-

collision/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_12499603

The town hall will focus on the ACLU's response to the Trump administration's very first actions in office, including attempts to end birthright citizenship, shut down the southern border to asylum seekers, ban health care for transgender youth, and dismantle the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

AJ Hikes, ACLU Deputy Executive Director for Strategy & Culture, will be the moderator, joined by a panel of the ACLU's leadership team:

Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director

Cecillia Wang, ACLU National Legal Director

John Gilbert, ACLU National Organizing Director

Naureen Shah, ACLU Deputy Director of Government Affairs, Equality Division

Chase Strangio, ACLU LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project Co-Director

They will provide key insights into the ACLU's response to the Trump administration, from litigation to advocacy and grassroots organizing, as well as the crucial role states and cities have to play in protecting our freedoms. Importantly, more than just a briefing, the town hall will be a space for community and solidarity as we work to defend our democracy and advance the fight for justice and equality.

RSVP right now to receive a link to the virtual event and to submit your questions in advance.

Click Here To RSVP and get a link to the event

Please call Congressman Bill Keating to ask if our Town Hall meeting has been scheduled, and if so, the time and place it is scheduled. We need to put a little pressure on our leaders to make this happen. Your calls are working!

Keating's Hyannis Office Phone: (508) 771-6868

Keating's Washington, DC Office Phone: (202) 225-3111

The event is being sponsored by Building A Bigger Table. In attendance will be groups who are working on or committed to migrants; to justice, and to fair, ethical treatment for all, including Building A Bigger Table, Indivisible Outer Cape, and Lower Cape Indivisible. The event is still in the planning stages, but donations will likely be accepted at the door.

Tubi is Rupert Murdoch's latest scheme to use entertainment - and especially the Super Bowl - to fund his right-wing agenda and assault on American minds. The Media and Democracy Project has some takeaways for you.

Click here for full article

Tubi is Rupert Murdoch's latest scheme to use entertainment - and especially the Super Bowl - to fund his right-wing agenda and assault on American minds. Read the entire article for more.

Click to Read

Lower Cape Indivisible: Join the Opposition

As Josh Marshall has written, given that Republicans will control the entire apparatus of federal government until 2026 at least, "this is fundamentally a battle over public opinion." LCI is well equipped for this battle, both for the present day and in the all-important lead up to the 2026midterms.

• Our army of postcard writers - [we wrote and mailed XXXXX postcards in 2024] - stands ready to communicate the truthy to voters in low-information Red States.

• Our newsletter has over 1,100 subscribers to whom political developments and actions can be communicated.

• Our website can track progress and publicize public actions

* The EOs promote Project 2025's goals of turning our democracy into an autocracy of white, Christian males.

* As Curtis Yarvin, whose theories inspire both Project 2025 and the Broligarchy, explains,the goal is a government whose power and actions are beyond the reach of most citizens.

What Can Be Done?

In 2017 a Resistance quickly assembled to demonstrate publicly against Trump. Its premise was that these acts of resistance would carry us to 2020 and electoral victory. Well, look where that's got us. Trump is president again. Republicans control both Houses of Congress and the some of the Supreme Court. And, as one DNC official put it, "elected officials [are] talking like these are normal times when actually the house is burning down around everyone." And a quick tour of mainstream media sites shows the same.

There are reasons to be hopeful.

• While many activists concluded from Trump's win that our efforts failed, there's good evidence that they worked. In 2024 the Harris Walz campaign targeted swing states. Among some of them (NC, WI, and GA), according to data from Jay Kuo, the campaign actually performed better than Biden in 2020 Several others were close. Focused effort works.

• Trump's winning margin was razor thin. His favorability ratings have always been low and are starting to slip further.

•Many of the actions we find horrifying aren't playing well on the national stage. Already there's a backlash to the prominent role of billionaires in a "populist" MAGA government. Even Republican legislators are alarmed by the sudden cut off of federal funds to their constituents. rattling the businesses that depend on their labor (construction, especially now in areas hit hard by storms and fires, needs workers; and agriculture (growing, harvesting, processing) can't produce our food without cheap labor. And quiet efforts to slash government air travel safety programs are making the front pages due to horrific airline accidents.

Just a few weeks into the Trump II administration and the U.S. is in the midst of a coup that threatens our democracy and the well-being of the people who live here.

Of Course It's a Coup

• Just a few weeks into Trump's second presidency, he and his minions have made drastic changes in the federal government that violate the Constitution and multiple laws. Yes, dozens of lawsuits have been filed but they may be too late and may not be enforceable. The damage may be permanent.

* Some or all of federal funds for a broad sweep of programs (from Medicaid to cancer research and foreign aid) have been frozen and many of them may not survive.

* The language and initiatives to support anyone who's not white, male, and Christian are in the process of being erased from federal websites and prevented from carrying out mandates.

* Swathes of staff at all levels are being revenge fired from those arms of the federal government (DOJ, FBI) that could enforce legal mandates against Trump's efforts.

• In addition, the richest man in the world, billionaire Elon Musk - who holds no elected or congressionally approved office - has seized control of key federal systems and is using them to promote the "broligarch" agenda.

* He has taken control of the system that makes payments on behalf of the entire government and is now working on ways to half payments unilaterally (and, perhaps, selectively to, say, individual dissidents receiving social security).

* He also controls the Office of Personnel Management and its data systems which gives him access to all federal employees' information and has already allowed his to send individual messages to all requesting resignations.

• Project 2025's Blueprint for Trump II is well on its way to full implemention and there's more to come. A barrage of "Executive Orders," most of which violate the law, many of which are barely coherent, and some of which still aren't public, flooded the executive branch on Day One.

During the Blue Wave of 2018, LCI supported Galibois for DA, including through Post carding efforts. We are thrilled with his leadership; Please call his office to let him know how thankful we are for how he is providing the leadership we need in these times.

Barnstable Office

Phone: 508-362-8113

Orleans Office

Phone: 508-255-7007

"Friends and Supporters,

We have entered a new era. Actions targeting women, the BIPOC community, and LGBTQ+ youth and adults headline the news on a daily basis. I remain steadfast in my commitment to protect EVERYONE'S human and legal rights enshrined in and protected by our United States Constitution and our Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. As you will see in my 2024 Annual Report I am resolute in my priorities, vision, and approach to ensuring public safety: deep commitment to community engagement, pursuit and detention of fentanyl drug traffickers, dismantling human trafficking enterprises, and safeguarding women's reproductive health rights. Following the Dobbs decision in June of '22, a great many states across the country made abortion illegal and continue in their efforts to this day to further restrict access to reproductive health care. Ever more emboldened by the transition of Presidential power, outside states and jurisdictions have begun prosecutions against women who have obtained abortions outside their home state (see, New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion Pills There - The New York Times).This escalation in the fight over reproductive health care was expected. Early on in my campaign I announced that, if elected, I would not cooperate with any attempts by outside jurisdictions to prosecute a woman or medical staff for abortion care received or provided in my district. As District Attorney, I will not waver from this commitment. Prosecutions from outside jurisdictions of surgical or medically assisted abortion that occur on the Cape or Islands would require my assistance. I will not cooperate. I will hold the line."

TRUMP/MUSK/PROJECT 2025 TARGETS

Guess who's on the list? Surprise: it isn't white men.

This, according to Popular Information, is from a memo distributed by NSA leadership to its staff that says that on February 10, all NSA websites and internal network pages that contain banned words will be deleted. This is the list of 27 banned words distributed to NSA staff:

Anti-Racism

Racism

Allyship

Bias

DEI

Diversity

Diverse

Confirmation Bias

Equity

Equitableness

Feminism

Gender

Gender Identity

Inclusion

Inclusive

All-Inclusive

Inclusivity

Injustice

Intersectionality

Prejudice

Privilege

Racial Identity

Sexuality

Stereotypes

Pronouns

Transgender

Equality

Read Complete Article

After many of our fellow Activists phoned his office, Congressman Keating will hold a zoom Town Hall tomorrow evening!

We need to let Congressman Keating know that we want our representatives to stop the Coup. Let him hear your voice!

Click Here To RSVP

Tell your Members of Congress to take a stand against the Trump-Musk coup. Musk and Trump are usurping the legislative branch's power by freezing funds allocated by Congress and attempting to shutter agencies that can only be terminated by legislation. All congresspeople -- regardless of party -- should be up and arms and fighting back. Our resource page has call scripts and email tools you can use to demand action from your elected officials.

Tell your Republican senators to reject the nominations of RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel. If you've already completed our first to-do, you know that we are telling Dems to vote no on ALL Trump nominees until this constitutional crisis is over. But Democrats are in the Senate minority, so to stop Trump's most heinous nominees, we need a few Republicans to vote NO too. Visit our Nix the Noms page for email tools and call scripts.

Join our weekly discussion Zoom with Indivisible co-founders Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg (Thursday, 3pm ET/12pm PT). On the day of the inauguration, we sent an email with a paraphrased quote from one of our favorite shows on rebellion, Andor: "The pace of oppression outstrips our ability to understand it and that is the real trick of the imperial thought machine." Applicable, right? When horrendous news comes at us as fast as it has the last few weeks, the only way to process it and stay grounded is to come together, in community, and discuss what's happening. And, more importantly, to discuss how we fight back.

P.S. -- With social media companies bending the knee to Trump, Project 2025 purging the government of dissenters, and corporate media companies caving in the face of speech-chilling lawsuits, it's never been more important to invest in organizations you believe in that are willing to speak out and defy autocracy. Please consider chipping in with a monthly or one-time donation to help us keep up the fight.

Nix the Noms:

Update on Key Confirmation Battles

This week, we could potentially see full Senate votes on two of Trump

Click Here for Scripts and email tools to oppose Trump's Nominees

Click Here To Register For The Truth Brigade Zoom Event

Speaker Johnson submitted his (Republicans') budget resolution for funding the government today. According to Heather Cox Richardson, it calls for:

• Cuts of $2 trillion to spending that includes Social Security and Medicare.

• Republicans expect to cut food aid for more than 40 million low-income Americans;

Politico reported, and are considering $150 billion in cuts to supplemental nutrition

programs.

• $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and an increase of $4 trillion in the debt ceiling.

• Several hard-liners want at least $500 billion more in guaranteed spending cuts

and a series of other changes.

Click for Heather Cox Richardson's take

Click here for full Politico article

A Substack article with information on reproductive health issues. Worth a read.

Click to read full article

"At this time of uncertainty we know several things: evidence-based information is critical in healthcare and beyond. People will continue to have abortions. And the evidence shows that abortion pills are safe, effective, life-saving medications, whether obtained through a clinic visit, via telehealth, or as a self-managed option. Abortion pills are accessible in all states and territories, including states with heavy restrictions, and can be kept on hand for two years.

Here are a few specific actions people can take to protect this access. PLEASE share this information:

• Learn about pills in advance. People can access highly affordable (as low as $70) abortion pills now before they need them, so they have access to this vital form of health care. Visit plancpills.org/pills-in-advance to learn more and find pill options.

• Order Plan C stickers. To date, we've distributed more than 4M stickers that direct people to our website with accurate, up-to-date information about how people are accessing abortion pills. We plan to continue to share this information under a Trump administration. plancpills.org/stickers

• Spread the word about resources. We encourage people to know about and bookmark the following resources which will have information on how to access abortion:

o For pills by mail sources and info on using them, visit plancpills.org

o For clinics, travel and pills by mail visit ineedana.com

o For medical support, mahotline.org

o For legal support, reprolegalhelpline.org

o And for a one-stop URL for reproductive access information, youhaveoptions.com."

"Jessica Valenti is a force of nature. Her newsletter is a powerful corrective to the misogyny of America."

lyz, Men Yell at Me

"An absolute must-read if abortion is an issue that matters to you. Indispensable."

Jessica Craven, Chop Wood, Carry Water

"Because we need to be talking about Abortion 24/7 until it's an indelible right, everywhere for everyone-- and Jessica has that conversation, everyday. "

Nia Òla, That Deep

Democratic Legislators "pissed" at liberal groups MoveOn, Indivisible

according to a report from Axios

According to the report, one House Democrat said, We've got to stop the groups from doing this...People are concerned that they're saying we're not doing enough, but we're not in the majority." Rep. Ritchie Torres of NY is reported to have said, "I reject and resent the implication that congressional Democrats are simply standing by passively,"

Maybe this is a reason lots of people are angry - a summary from Daily Kos of Democratic Senators' response to Trump Cabinet nominees.

• Tulsi Gabbard confirmed as director of national intelligence; Democrats failed to exercise every option available to voice opposition to her-despite widespread security concerns that could affect every American and U.S. ally

• Not one Democrat objected to proceeding with the nominations of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• Not a single member of the Democratic caucus opposed Rubio's nomination in his 99-0 confirmation vote. Rubio is now working in concert with billionaire Trump donor Elon Musk to destroy the U.S. Agency of International Development-cutting off a vital pipeline for people across the world whose lives depend on U.S. support.

• Sean Duffy became secretary of transportation with the aid of 24 Democratic votes.

• Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins also garnered support from 24 Democrats.

• John Ratcliffe now leads the CIA after 21 Democrats voted to confirm him.

• Doug Burgum became secretary of interior with 26 Democratic votes.

• Scott Bessent got 16 Democratic votes to become Treasury secretary just days before he opened up Treasury's computers to Musk's boys.

• Kristi Noem became secretary of homeland security with 7 votes from Democrats,

• Christopher Wright became secretary of energy with 8 Democratic votes

• Lee Zeldin was confirmed as administrator of the EPA with 3 Democratic votes.

• One Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania ,voted to confirm Pam Bondi as attorney

Read Full Axios Article Here

Read a related KOS article here

Our protest stands against Trump's illegal power grab and the dangerous path to fascism. Project 2025 threatens our democracy, and our vulnerable communities face increasing attacks. We unite to defend justice, equality, and our freedoms, refusing to let our rights be stripped away. Hosted by Indivisible Upper Cape, Falmouth Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Coalition for Social Justice. Endorsed by Falmouth Democratic Town Committee,Falmouth Human Dignity Committee, Racial Justice Falmouth, and Co-Sponsored by Lower Cape Indivisible.

Sign up via Mobilize US.

Date: February 17, 2025

Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm

Location: Peg Noonan Park, Falmouth, MA

COMBAT MUSK's LIES/DISINFORMATION

Musk is claiming - and right-wing media are propagating - that he's discovered millions of people over the age of 100 who are collecting social security. Clearly a fraud that Musk's DOGE has eliminated, saving American taxpayers billions of dollars.

Except it's all a lie. The reality: Social Security computer system operates on COBOL, an old computer language that DOGE's youthful Musketeers aren't familiar with, so they didn't understand how Social Security handles birth and death dates. Public watchdogs -Inspectors General [yes, Trump has now fired all of them] investigated and reported on the issues created by the old computer language. The IG emphasizes that Social Security does terminate benefits upon a recipient's death, but the computer system has no way to input death dates. Hence the appearance but not the reality of payments to dead people.

This information is publicly available, so Musk should have known. Does he care? Apparently, all he cares about is loudly touting DOGE saving billions of dollars to preserve his access to the federal government's computers so he can do more cost-cutting. You can be sure that any "savings" will result in tax cuts for billionaires, not benefits for regular taxpayers.

See Status Kuo for the details and tell your friends.

Click for Status Kuo Article

Here are some ways you can take action.

Fri, Feb 21 @ 10am

Musk or Us: Demand Congressman Andrew Clyde Fight Back! >

Fri, Feb 21 @ 10am

In-person US Congressional Office Visits (Feb-Mar) >

Fri, Feb 21 @ 10am

Join "COFFEE & CONVERSATION": Reacting to Trump 2.0 - Every Weekday M-F @9 AM CT Zoom! 5yrs running >

Fri, Feb 21 @ 11am

Congressman Rulli Canfield Office Visit >

Fri, Feb 21 @ 11am

Musk or Us: Office Visit to Demand Rep. Barrett Fight Back [Registered event] >

Fri, Feb 21 @ 11am

Musk or Us: Demand Frank Pallone (NJ CD6) Fight Back! >

Click here to find and register for the events above

In honor of Black History Month, there will be a showing of the film "Just Mercy" at the Cape Cinema, Hope Lane in Dennis at 4:00 p.m. The event is being co-sponsored by the Martin Luther King Action Team, Cape Cod, and the NAACP

Click here for details about the film

Join us on February 23 at 3 PM to learn more about how you can help immigrant communities deal with the threat from the Trump Administration. Tom Ryan from the Cape Cod Coalition for Safe Communities will be our speaker and we will provide ways to take actions, both at this event and at home. Registration required.

Wellfleet Adult Community Center

715 Old Kings Highway, Wellfleet, MA

Register Here (Required)