The past three weeks of the Trump Administration have been incredibly difficult. Marginalized people are facing attacks on our rights, the programs we depend on for survival, and our existence itself. Our communities are understandably scared, and that fear is what people in power are trying to create. But we are not powerless. ASAN, along with many other organizations and communities, is committed to fighting back against these attacks on our rights. Now is a time for action. Here are three things you can do right now:
Call your Senators NOW and tell them to vote NO on RFK Jr. for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and vote NO on McMahon for Secretary of Education.
RFK Jr. has said things about autism and public health that are not true. These things make him a terrible choice for Secretary of HHS. He is against vaccines which save lives. He questions whether HIV causes AIDS. He wants to use more quack autism “treatments” that could hurt people. He has also suggested putting people who take psychiatric medication in labor camps. These dangerous views should stop him from getting the role. We are upset about his nomination as self-advocates, professionals in health policy, and people who want the government to protect our health and trust science. If RFK Jr. becomes Secretary of HHS, our country’s health will suffer. But there is still time to stop him — call TODAY!
Linda McMahon is Trump’s nominee for the Department of Education, and she shares Trump’s agenda of exclusion and discrimination. The Department of Education works to ensure that every child has access to an inclusive education and to protect students from discrimination. Already, this administration has stopped ongoing civil rights enforcement for students, threatened to defund or even prosecute teachers who teach racial equity or support LGBTQ+ students, and is even planning to dismantle the Department of Education itself. Tell your Senators to vote NO on McMahon!
Next, meet with your Representative and Senators and tell them to OPPOSE cuts to Medicaid! Many disabled people in the US rely on Medicaid for life-saving care and services, but some people in Congress think the government should spend less on Medicaid. If funding is cut, people across the country will lose the services we need to survive. There is no way to cut Medicaid that won’t hurt disabled people who rely on it. We need to tell Congress: no cuts to Medicaid! Learn how to set up and get ready for your meeting here. Can’t set up a meeting but want to speak out for Medicaid? Call your members of Congress — we’ve even got a guide to help you feel prepared! Our elected officials work for us, so make your voice heard!
All of the government’s actions — the executive orders, new policies, and hateful decisions — are scary and concerning. Some of them have been immediately challenged by lawsuits, and may either be quickly overturned or tied up in litigation for years. That doesn’t erase the harm they do by causing fear and encouraging and emboldening private acts of discrimination and cruelty. Many new government policies demonstrate contempt for civil rights, the Constitution, the rule of law, our community, and other marginalized groups. They are unacceptable. We will keep fighting, and make sure our communities know what is happening and how to fight back.
It’s easy to feel discouraged by the constant barrage of attacks on our communities, but we can still fight back together. As much hate and vitriol as we have seen, we have also seen communities, organizations, and individuals come together to educate, protect, and fight. Groups like Advocates for Trans Equality, interACT, National Women’s Law Center, Transgender Law Center, Planned Parenthood, Center for Constitutional Rights, and National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network came together to offer both an overview and an in-depth analysis of President Trump’s recent executive order targeting transgender healthcare for people under 19. Disability groups have pushed back on incorrect, hateful ideas about vaccines and about the contributions disabled people make. Communities have led protests and marches to push back against racist anti-immigrant policies. When we are feeling overwhelmed by everything that is happening, it is absolutely essential to remember that we can take action. We can push back against hateful policies. We can educate one another on decisions that are meant to confuse and scare us. We can support those of us under attack and fuel grassroots work to keep each other safe. We will continue to do everything we can, and we will do that with all of you.