Thankful for having lived during the years of John Lewis and MLK Jr. Time to call our Dem Senators and thank them for the walk-out this morning. Alert: voting rights under attack.
Today's a day to make "good trouble". Even if all we do is contact the White House to say: "Release the Epstein Files." That's trouble for DJT. Also watch "What's the Plan" today for strategies.
Dear Elders,
**** Oops: Don’t forget Indivisible’s weekly “What’s the Plan” TODAY at noon! You can also watch the recording later on Youtube.
I hope you are doing a little something today in honor of John Lewis by making some “good trouble” to protest this hostile take-over of our government.
First off,
I just called our Dem Senators who just did a walk-out on the Senate proceedings to move forward the confirmation of Emil Bove.
Our Democratic Senators are making good trouble right now!
From The Society for the Rule of Law:
More Than 80 Former Judges Sign Letter Opposing Emil Bove’s Nomination
July 15, 2025
More than 80 former federal and state judges — including Board Member J. Michael Luttig — have signed a letter opposing the nomination of Emil Bove to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The letter was sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley and Ranking Member Richard Durbin.
In it, the judges raise serious concerns about Bove’s record, citing his reported mistreatment of law enforcement officers, abuse of prosecutorial discretion, and refusal to condemn the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. They argue that his actions reflect a troubling disregard for the rule of law and call into question his fitness for a lifetime judicial appointment.
The signatories write:
“Elevating a nominee whose record reflects a pattern of misconduct, disregard for lawful authority, and political entanglement would not only compromise the integrity of the courts, it would set a dangerous precedent that judicial power may be wielded in service of personal fealty rather than constitutional duty.”
What we can do
1. Call our CA Senators and thank them:
Dear Senator,
Thank you for the Walkout on the Bove nomination proceedings this morning. I know you are fighting for our democracy and the rule of law. Please keep it up. Keep fighting and making headlines to keep this issue in front of the American people.
Also, demand the release of the Epstein Files. All of them!
Senator Adam Schiff
Washington, DC 20510
San Francisco, CA 94104
Senator Alex Padilla
Washington, DC 20510
San Francisco, CA 94104
2. Contact the White House and say
Mr President:
RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!
Email by CLICKING HERE
Call the Comment Line:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
For the comment line volunteer: Thank you for your volunteer service to Americans by doing this job of answering calls that come into the White House Comment line.
Please tell Donald J Trump:
Mr President,
I can’t believe you are instructing the D.O.J. not to release the entire Epstein Files. To me it seems like you have been lying to us, the American people, when you said during your presidential campaign that you would release the Epstein Files.
You have claimed to be the most transparent administration in American history.
You have claimed: “promises made, promises kept.”
Release the files.
Release the entire file, whether there is a ‘client list’ or not.
The American people deserve to know the names in the files. All the names.
No one is above the law.
We are talking, here, about child sex trafficking. PEDOPHILIA!
The offenders must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I’m not referring to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell.
I’m referring to the many offenders over the decades who engaged in Epstein’s operation. Powerful men who abused young girls.
Ghislane Maxwell was convicted and is in prison for her role in Epstein’s operation.
You MUST instruct the D.O.J. to release the Epstein Files, as you promised.
**** From Carolyn: While I’m at it,
~ I’m going to demand that Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, and Kash Patel be fired.
~ For more detailed information on this you can check out my recent post HERE:
More things we can do:
3. GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON:
Virtual Community Event · Volunteer organized for John Lewis Actions
Time
Thursday, July 17
5 – 7pm PDT
Location
Join from anywhere
Hosted in Santa Rosa, CA 95402
About this event
Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of nonviolent action to respond to the attacks posed on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration and to remind them that in America, the power lies with the people.
On July 17, the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing, we’re taking action across the country to defend our democracy and carry forward his legacy of Good Trouble.
From voter suppression bills like the SAVE Act to the criminalization of protest, the Trump administration is launching a full-scale attack on our civil and human rights. But we know the truth: in America, the power lies with the people, and we’re rising to prove it.
This is more than a protest; it’s a moral reckoning. A continuation of the movement Lewis helped lead, and a new front in the struggle for freedom.
Please note: A core principle behind our Good Trouble Lives On actions is a commitment to nonviolence in all we do. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
4. Sign the Petition
Stand for a Democracy That Works for Everyone
To: California State Legislature
From: _______________________
I join thousands of Californians in calling for a democracy that truly reflects the will of the people—not just the wealthy few.
We must reduce the influence of big money in our elections and ensure that all voices are heard equally, regardless of background, wealth, or political party.
I support reforms that put power back in the hands of everyday Californians and demand action to protect our democracy now.
64% of California voters believe democracy is under attack.
75% say money has too much influence in state politics.
These aren’t just numbers—they’re a wake-up call. Californians are watching as wealthy interests and powerful tech companies gain more control over our political system—and they’re demanding change.
“These numbers are concerning, but they also don’t lie. They’re letting us know that folks here in California recognize the influence that big money has, and that the tech companies have too much power over elected officials.”
— Russia Chavis Cardenas, Deputy Director, California Common Cause (via the LA Times)
We’ve been fighting for decades to take on big money in politics and ensure every Californian—no matter their race, zip code, or party—has a real voice in our democracy. But this fight needs you>>
5. Join an online phone bank
GOOD TROUBLE #HandsOff our Health Care Phone Bank w/ Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi & Rep. Jimmy Gomez
Time
Thursday, July 17
4 – 5:30pm PDT
Location
Join from anywhere
About this event
In partnership with California Democratic Party, Team Pelosi, Rep. Jimmy Gomez's Generation GO, and Los Angeles County Democratic Party
Joined by GDHQ Affiliates: Alameda County Democratic Party, Blue Future, Change Begins with ME (Indivisible), Chop Wood Carry Water, Democrats for Israel Los Angeles, Eastside Gladiators, Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club, Indivisible Westside LA, Palos Verdes Democratic Club, Sonoma County Democratic Party, SF Dems, South Asians for America, and Swing Left/Take Action San Diego.
On July 17, communities across the country will unite to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and continue the fight for justice, voting rights, and human dignity.
Marking five years since his passing, Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of peaceful, collective action in response to the ongoing attacks on our civil and human rights.
Coined by Lewis himself, “Good Trouble” reminds us that real change comes when everyday people stand up and speak out. From courthouse steps to community centers, we’ll come together to show that in America, the power still lies with the people.
Join us for a special phone bank with guests, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Representative Jimmy Gomez, at 4pm PT / 7pm ET. We are calling into Congress Members Valadao, Calvert, and Kim's districts, urging their constituents to hold them accountable for their votes supporting devastating cuts to Medicaid and other essential social services.
We use a dialer system to make calls, so you’ll need a computer or laptop and internet access. We’ll provide a quick training at the start of each shift so there is no experience necessary.
WE ARE STILL GOING STRONG! Join us on Zoom, get trained, and take action.
Let’s show them what accountability looks like.
6. Watch the film, “Voting Rights A Struggle to be Counted”at a virtual Watch Party
**** or scroll down for another film viewing suggestion
The following event is full, but you can watch the film every Sunday evening with
The League of Women Voters
Tune into Voting Rights – The Struggle to be Counted
Each Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m., Phil Portlock, a Washington D.C.-based photographer, film producer and voting rights activist, screens his 25-minute documentary about the history of African American voting rights in the United States and the continuing threats to those rights. Click here for the zoom link and here to a Washington Post article about the film maker and the film.
Menu
Event at capacity.
GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON: "Voting Rights: The Struggle To Be Counted" (a film viewing/discussion).
Virtual Community Event · Volunteer organized
7. Watch the movie, John Lewis, Good Trouble at home with your friends and family
Here is the trailer. You can watch the full movie on several platforms, including YouTube.
From Carolyn:
I’m looking for actions everyday people can take to raise awareness, support, and de-construct efforts to thwart our power of the vote.
Please let me know what you may come up with to combat voter suppression in Texas & Georgia.
(see my post about the voting attacks in Texas and Georgia PREPARING RIGHT NOW)
**** Is anyone good at starting Go Fund Me pages?
(nothing started yet that I can find)
**** I think the Texas State Senators
need $15,000 per Senator
and 51 Senators to do another
WALK OUT of the TX Special Session
scheduled later this month to FURTHER GERRYMANDER that election in time for the 2026 midterms.
The session lasts 30 days and the gerrymandering can’t occur if 51 TX state Senators ghost the session.
More on this in upcoming Elders Taking Action article.
Lots to consider.
Lots to do.
Choose what you can.
Now, it is crucial that we organize, educate and show up.
In solidarity,
Carolyn