If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!
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Like many Americans, you probably learned about social justice movements in history class. Our nation is defined by moments like women’s suffrage, abolishing enslavement, passing the Civil Rights Act, and marriage equality.
But how do we achieve wins like this today? In Living Justice, join Jennifer Hofmann to take a deep dive into the strategies and mechanisms that give movements their momentum and develop your own engagement plan.
Want to learn the crucial tools of change with other inspiring Americans?
Sign up for Living Justice, a 6-week class from Americans of Conscience starting this October.
The Good News
Are you ready for a few reminders of what’s going right in America? This week’s list is full of people protecting what belongs to us all—from a beloved neighborhood tree to free speech and the water we rely on to live. May we pause to remember that care takes many forms and that people are showing up with care every day.
- More than 40 Indigenous Nations and communities from around the world attend the Sacred Waters Gathering, which focuses on strengthening Indigenous-led approaches to water stewardship, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and community health.
- DHS faces a lawsuit on behalf of St. Paul resident and U.S. citizen ChongLy “Scott” Thao for refusing to cooperate with an attorney’s investigation into Thao’s wrongful arrest by ICE personnel.
- A federal court rules against a Bureau of Land Management attempt to remove 900 bison from their grazing land, where the herds’ presence supports conservation and food sovereignty among Indigenous communities.
- The FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines for autumn 2026, and most insurance plans will cover the updated shots.
- MA supports students and community members’ First Amendment right to access library materials of their choosing under a new law clarifying that materials cannot be removed for partisan, personal, or doctrinal views.
- TX: A federal court strikes down a state law restricting drag performances, finding the law violated the First Amendment right to free speech.
- WI: Nearly 5,800 DACA recipients can now receive work licenses for various types of employment under a new state law.
- South Kingstown, RI terminates the town’s contract with the Flock surveillance company and will remove any automated license plate reader cameras currently in use.
- The United Nations approves the use of the Equal Earth Map Projection, which will show Africa and other continents in fairer relative proportion than the widely-used Mercator world map.
- The advocacy organizations Unidos MN and The Smitten Kitten receive Germany’s Aachen Peace Prize for their nonviolent resistance in support of immigrant neighbors.
- A new mural celebrating LGBTQ+ history is unveiled in Jacksonville’s 5 Points neighborhood.
- Democracy Forward shares daily pro-democracy actions to take during the 100 days leading up to the November elections.
- A San Diego resident takes a creative approach in sharing his opinion on Flock surveillance with the City Council.
- Washingtonians commemorate a beloved fallen tree by covering it with thank-you notes.
You’re invited: If you’re curious about how to advance social change over the long haul, come take a deep dive into Bobbie Harro’s Cycles of Socialization and Liberation with Jen Hofmann and a motivated learning community starting October 16. Sign up here.