We Make The Future Action

DO name specific villains, creating a large “us” and a small “them.” “MAGA regime/Trump regime” “Iranian government/Iranian military” “Israeli government/Israeli military/Netanyahu” DON’T use “Iran,” “Israel” or “America” to shorthand a government, military or ruling faction. Specify the leadership is responsible for these atrocities and the war, not the people who live in these countries. DO call for Congress to pass the resolutions already in the House and Senate to end this war. DON’T call the act the “War Powers Act,” despite this being the official name. To laypeople this makes it seem as though we seek for Congress to declare war, instead of end it. DO emphasize outcomes - how this threatens the lives of everyday people around the world and the safety of our families here at home. We need Congress to end the war, not to authorize it. DON’T emphasize process - how Trump violated the Constitution by bypassing Congress. Our goal is to have Congress stop the war, not have it proceed under an officially approved process. DO call this action by Trump “criminal.” DON’T call this action “illegal.” It is illegal to speed, it is criminal to murder. Our arguments should focus on life and liberty for all people.

DOs and DON’Ts DO call this out for the evil it is and connect it to other harms of the regime: “From Epstein to ICE to Iran, this regime commits crimes against humanity.” DON’T talk about this as a “distraction,” as it belittles the horrific human toll. Further, messaging about messaging isn’t persuasive. DO make clear the horrific human toll: “This regime is killing people for power and profit.” DO, especially if you are a messenger credible to conflicted Trump voters, emphasize this is a betrayal of what Americans want and need. DON’T rely on hypocrisy arguments such as “Trump ran promising peace but is dragging us to war.” This credits the previous statement and implies what’s wrong here is inconsistency instead of evil. DO, when speaking specifically of the lies peddled about Iran’s involvement in the election, remind Americans that “this regime/Trump wants to control the outcome of the election.” DON’T repeat Trump’s lies about “election fraud” in an earnest effort to rebuff them. DO call this war “Trump’s war” DON’T call this war “America’s war” or simply “war.” DO say “war on Iran” DON’T say “war with Iran,” which implies a mutual back and forth.

We are coming together to demand that our leaders in Congress do their duty to end this war and block this MAGA murder regime so we all can live safely and freely, no exceptions.

Now Trump has attacked the people of Iran in an effort to seize and hold more power no matter the will of the people, threatening to drag us into another endless war while peddling lies to control the outcome of our next election.

No matter where we live, what our background, or how we worship, we all deserve a life of safety and freedom for ourselves and our families. But from ICE to Epstein to Iran, this MAGA Murder Regime is determined to destroy the lives of children, families, and anyone who stands up for our freedoms.

Look at the level of commitment and resolve voters of color have to exercise their most fundamental freedom.

MAGA wants to keep people from voting so they can control the outcomes of elections. #HandsOffOurVote

Illustrated poster with pink sky background reading, “Caring for Our Communities Holding Polluters Accountable!” A diverse group of community members stands together confronting a large oil-industry monster made of pipelines and drills. Wind turbines and solar panels appear in the background, along with homes and city buildings, symbolizing community power and clean energy.

Across races and places, most of us do our best to care for our communities.

But some oil, gas, and utility corporations are poisoning our air and water while raking in huge profits.

Caring for our communities means holding corporate polluters accountable.

🎨 PUSH Buffalo

We’ve officially launched our updated website! 🎉

It’s now easier than ever for partners to find, use, and share our research-backed narrative resources.

Check out the updates here: wemakethefutureaction.us

Blue graphic with large white text that reads: “We should all have the freedom to vote and make our voices heard.” The words “Freedom to Vote” are highlighted in a light blue box with bold black lettering. A small logo appears in the bottom right corner.

No matter what we look like or where we come from, most of us believe voters should pick our leaders.

But the MAGA regime is trying to keep our neighbors from voting based on their race, ability & what’s in their wallets.

Let's be clear: we should all have the freedom to vote.

Turns Out There Was Voter Fraud in Georgia—by Elon Musk The state board of elections found Musk’s PAC sent prefilled ballot applications.

Messaging lesson here:
DO say - "yet again, MAGA wants to keep people from voting to control our elections to seize power"
DON'T say - "see!!! they're the ones doing voter fraud!"
Bringing up "fraud" merely feeds desire for anti-voter laws.
newrepublic.com/post/206857/...

5 Things You’re Going to See in Public Education in 2026 | NEA Check out NEA Today’s predictions for the year to come. They point to better educator pay, more cellphone bans, and more.

Every student—no matter their race, ZIP code, or family income—deserves a strong, fully funded public school that prepares them for the future. Check out five predictions for public education this year and see what’s at stake this year. #PSW26

Text reads: “TALKING POINT: From Maine to Minnesota*, the Brave of US are joining together by the thousands to demand an end to this regime’s assault by eliminating ICE from our communities.” Small text: “*adapt to fit your audience and location.” Below is a photo of a protest crowd holding signs including “ICE OUT OF MN!” and “ICE OUT MINNESOTA.” Photo credit: Reuters. Source: Brave Of Us. Bottom right says “Swipe Right.”

Text reads: “TALKING POINT: It’s time to free our cities of masked militia, free our friends and loved ones from abductions and concentration camps, and free America from this cowardly regime of the bullies, for the billionaires.” Below is an overhead photo of a large march with a giant banner reading “ICE OUT NOW” surrounded by protesters in a city street. Photo credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images. Source: Brave Of Us. Bottom right says “Swipe Right.”

Top text reads: “TALKING POINT:” Photo shows a massive protest crowd filling a city intersection between buildings. Photo credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images. Text below reads: “This cowardly regime and its masked militia are assaulting families, invading homes, kidnapping children, and murdering people on the street. We must eliminate ICE and bring agents and the people giving them their orders to justice.” Source: Brave Of Us.

Text reads: “TALKING POINT: To truly make America the land of the free, we must first ensure it remains the home of the brave – the Brave of US who have moved heaven and earth to make a new life, who have faced assault by the cowardly masked ICE militia, and who now continue to demand dignity, justice and freedom even from within this regime’s concentration camps.” Source: Brave Of Us.

This messaging names the real culprit, lifts up multiracial solidarity & calls for hope and concrete action instead of fear.

When we lead with shared values, name who’s causing harm & show people power in action, we motivate more people to join this fight for our freedoms.

Graphic from We Make the Future Action. Photo shows a large winter protest crowd holding a wide banner reading “ICE OUT OF MN!” People hold signs including “ICE OUT!” and “Drop the Charges.” Text reads: “ICE Out Now” and “Messaging Monday.” Photo credit: Brad Sigal/Labor Notes

From Maine to Minnesota, the @braveofus.bsky.social are joining together by the thousands to defend our neighbors and our freedoms.

For #MessagingMonday, we are sharing some talking points for how to frame the MAGA regime's assault on our communities.

Colorful illustrated poster with the headline “Black History is All Our History!” The image shows a group of diverse Black adults and children stacked and posed together in playful positions. Surrounding them are illustrated objects including a guitar, light bulb, traffic light, computer, chair, phone, ice cream cone, candle, and books. The background is purple and pastel-toned, and the artwork is credited to @courtneyahndesign.

Black history is all of our history.

During #BlackHistoryMonth and every month, we need to fight back against the MAGA regime's attempts to whitewash our history and keep us divided.

Our children must be able to learn the full truth of our history.

Credit: @courtneyahndesign.bsky.social

How language can mobilize people to fight fascism with Anat Shenker-Osorio - Maine Beacon On the podcast, Senior Organizing Director Esther Pew interviews Anat Shenker-Osorio, a linguistics and cognition expert, about how movements can more effectively mobilize folks to fight against fasci...

@anatosaurus.bsky.social recently joined the @mainebeacon.bsky.social podcast to explain why debunking the MAGA regime's lies isn't enough.

We must replace their false narratives with truthful, values-driven stories & a vision for the future.

Listen to the podcast:
mainebeacon.com/how-language...

Great stuff from @anatosaurus.bsky.social on today's pod, including her idea that blue areas are being terrorized by a "MAGA Murder Regime." We discuss how ICE is not functioning as law enforcement in any remotely recognizable sense, and how the public has figured this out:

HANDS 👏 OFF 👏 OUR 👏 VOTE

@anatosaurus.bsky.social
@mikepod.bsky.social

Media challenge: Stop using the word "immigration" in phrases about abduction, assault, murder, and so on. Immigration means the movement of people into a country for purposes of residency. What's being "enforced" here is terror & crimes against humanity.

Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “On Behalf of ICE Out of MN Event Coalition: Minnesota Labor, Faith, Community Groups Issue Statement on Announcement of ICE Plan To End Surge Minnesota, Make Clear Need for Justice for Those Detained and Harmed By Surge Following Border Czar Tom Homan declaring Operation Metro Surge has concluded as part of its political damage control with DHS funding being debated, representatives from labor, faith and community groups who are part of the ICE Out of Minnesota coalition are speaking out about the development. Groups are recognizing this retreat from the federal occupation brought forward by regular Minnesotans while making clear that that the fight for justice is not over for the scores of Minnesotans who were killed, assaulted, had their civil rights violated or otherwise felt the negative impacts of the chaos brought by ICE:” Bottom logo reads: “UNIDOS MN – Community • Leadership • Power.”

Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “President Trump thought he could break us, but he was wrong. Over the last three months Minnesotans showed our country what it means to stand up to tyranny and protect our communities. In the coldest months of winter, when it would have been easy to stay home and look the other way, we bundled up, headed out into our communities and said ‘no.’ “These masked agents leaving our state can be spun any way people want, but history will show what this was: regular people, clergy and teachers, janitors and soccer moms, people across all of our complicated differences, simply refusing to let our neighbors be attacked and abducted without a fight. The level of solidarity shown by Minnesotans should be an example for everyone and we couldn’t be more proud of our state.”

Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “While we are thrilled that this wave of attacks is seemingly being significantly scaled back, we must acknowledge the deep harm and trauma these last few months have brought to our state. Thousands of families torn apart. Alex Pretti and Renee Good murdered in our streets. Thousands of Minnesotans attacked and their civil rights violated simply for bearing witness. Students fearful to go to school, local small businesses having to shutter their doors. “Our state continues to be held together by the bravery and solidarity of our residents, with no help from the corporations or those in power. We delivered groceries and stood guard outside of daycares. We formed neighborhood groups, held a historic day of no work, school or shopping, and we marched by the tens of thousands to make clear our demand for ICE to leave our state. We will continue to support our local business and blow our whistles.”

Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “Many Minnesotans were forever changed by these surges, and as we work to recover, our coalition will continue to call for these demands and others to help repair the harm done by this illegal attack on our state: • Bring home everyone who was illegally taken to other states, including the children imprisoned in horrible conditions in places like Texas • Drop charges against the peaceful constitutional observers and prosecute ICE and federal agents for illegal practices during the operation • Stop funding for an ICE agency that has proven violent and unaccountable • Support for the small businesses and workers who are facing hardship, evictions and closures because of the attacks on our state. • No new increased cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, also known as 287(g) agreements.”

Check out this bold, defiant message from the ICE Out of MN coalition including @unidosmn.bsky.social.

This is what it looks like to build narrative power through love and solidarity instead of hate and division.

Graphic with dark background showing an armed ICE officer in tactical gear at the center. Large headline reads: “Republicans’ ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ nearly tripled funding for ICE. That money came from your benefits:” Around the officer, text points to different areas of the image stating the funding was “paid for by cuts to”: • Medicare & Medicaid • clean energy projects • disaster response • reproductive health care • SNAP • obesity prevention • energy tax credits Small dollar signs are scattered around the image. Sources are listed at the bottom citing CAP reports and Getty Images.

How does the MAGA regime fund a masked militia to assault our neighbors?

By stripping us of our health care & everything we've created to take care of each other.

We must #FreeAmerica from their rule & build a future where we all have the freedom to thrive.

📷 @indivisible.org

Large crowd gathered outdoors in front of a building with the words “FORWARD TOGETHER” above the entrance. The slide text reads: “Thousands of Haitian immigrants bravely left behind violence to start new lives in Ohio. They are important members of the community. Their children attend school, play sports, and have fun with their friends – just like every other child.”

Photo of an empty classroom with rows of desks facing a green chalkboard. The slide text reads: “Today, about 20% of children attending Springfield City Schools are immigrants. There are 1,200 children under the age of 4 whose parents are now vulnerable to deportation. EVERY CHILD IN OHIO HAS A LEGAL RIGHT TO A PUBLIC EDUCATION, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, ABILITY OR IMMIGRATION STATUS.”

Group of children and adults at a rally holding handmade signs that read “We love our immigrant neighbors,” “ICE is not cool,” and “Stay out of our schools.” The slide text reads: “Ohio’s public schools should be places where every child is safe, welcomed and free to learn. No child can learn when they’re afraid or hungry. When ICE comes to a community, it makes families afraid to send their children to school – robbing students of their right to an education.”

Group of adults at a protest holding American flags and signs, including one that reads “Immigrants are welcome here.” The slide text reads: “From Cleveland to New Philadelphia to Springfield, we’re coming together across our differences to call on lawmakers to protect our schools. Tell them to stop giving unlimited resources to ICE and start fully funding our schools. We want our families to be safe and whole and our children to grow up free from fear – no exceptions.”

These graphics from @ohparentsunited.bsky.social are a powerful example of messaging that leads with values, not fear:

✅ Names the real culprit and the harm they cause
✅ Connects ICE funding to the defunding of schools
✅ Calls for coming together to accomplish a concrete vision.

Check out NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani (@mayor.nyc.gov) naming race while talking about the city's new universal 3K and pre-K program.

He is making it clear that everyone should have the freedom to support their families and get the care and education they need — no exceptions.

ICE observer trainings expand to Greater Minnesota The Immigrant Defense Network is holding constitutional observer training in 30 cities across the Midwest, activating more residents to document federal immigration activity.

"I'm afraid too, but I'm choosing to be brave."

Across the country, the #BraveofUS are choosing to speak out and fight for our neighbors and our freedoms.

More on Immigrant Defense Network's #BraveOfUS Midwest Tour, where they are training constitutional observers, in @sahanjournal.bsky.social:

Anywhere we have truly shifted policy on group shamed, blamed & reviled it has been by showing they're awesome, not merely depicting harms & horrors done to them. If you want people to come to your cause, be attractive. And like any magnet - revel in repelling the haters. #BadBunnyBowl

Springfield schools close amid ‘potential safety concern;’ residents asked to avoid downtown area The streets affected include Fountain Avenue, Columbia Street, North Street, and Limestone Street.

We know what keeps us safe: neighbors looking out for neighbors, resources so down on luck doesn't turn into disaster, people sworn to protect & serve respect all as equals. And we know what doesn't keep us safe: this regime terrorizing & stoking adherents to violence.
www.whio.com/news/local/r...

How language can mobilize people to fight fascism with Anat Shenker-Osorio - Maine Beacon On the podcast, Senior Organizing Director Esther Pew interviews Anat Shenker-Osorio, a linguistics and cognition expert, about how movements can more effectively mobilize folks to fight against fasci...

“What I try to do is remember that the ultimate aim of an authoritarian movement is to erode our will to resist...Because as long as we’re still resisting, refusing and ridiculing them - all of which are essential - it’s costly for them.”

@anatosaurus.bsky.social on Beacon Podcast

For real, Bad bunny’s halftime show was a beautiful & courageous display of defiance to the MAGA regime’s agenda to whitewash America.

Bad bunny said: We will not be erased.

Instead, we will embrace all of America & all of our history to make a better future for all of us.

Text slide titled ‘Narrative Tip.’ It advises calling out politicians and groups who stir fear about LGBTQ+ people, especially by exploiting unfamiliarity with transgender people, and affirming respect and support for young people being their authentic selves.

Text slide titled ‘NARRATIVE TIP: Use Contrast.’ Text reads: ‘Instead of helping educators and students get the support they need, [VILLIAN] is attacking our public schools. Rather than working to keep students and educators safe, [VILLIAN] wants to ban books and whitewash our history. Instead of solving the educator shortage, [VILLIAN] is attacking LGBTQ+ students and educators.’

Text slide titled ‘FULL NARRATIVE.’ Text reads: ‘Most of us believe that children of all races, backgrounds, and genders should have the freedom to learn, be themselves, and pursue their dreams. But the MAGA regime denies children a quality education based on what they look like or where they live.’

Text slide titled ‘FULL NARRATIVE.’ Text reads: ‘They fuel divisions between us, re-segregating schools to deny Black and brown kids opportunities, passing laws to erase our history of coming together to push for better, and exploiting a lack of familiarity with transgender people to exclude kids from healthcare, school, and sports. By [Insert Call to Action], we can make our schools places where children of all races and genders are free to learn all that they have the potential to be.’

The MAGA regime is passing laws to ban children from learning from the mistakes of our past and taking down all mentions of Black history.

But across races, backgrounds, and faiths, we want our children to learn with honesty about who we are & have the freedom to pursue our dreams.

Graphic titled ‘Defending the Freedom to Learn – Messaging Monday.’ An illustration of an open book with the text ‘Let’s teach the good and the bad of our history.’ We Make the Future Action logo and ‘Swipe right’ arrow

Text slide titled ‘Narrative Tip: Talk solutions.’ It states parents want more teachers, mental health teams, and solutions to overcrowding and understaffing—not conspiracy theories or bigotry.

Text slide titled ‘Narrative Tip: Don’t use their terms.’ It warns against repeating disputed terms like CRT, DEI, gender ideology, grooming, and ‘Black Lives Matter,’ which have shifting definitions.

Text slide titled ‘Narrative Tip: Define the stakes in concrete terms.’ It lists examples of topics some groups want to restrict, including slavery, MLK Jr., Rosa Parks, Juneteenth, the Trail of Tears, Anne Frank, and LGBTQ+ humanity.

After 100 years of #BlackHistoryMonth, we are still fighting for our schools to teach the truth of our history.

Together we need to stop the MAGA regime from attacking our children's freedom to learn.

Check out more research-backed messaging tips here: www.wemakethefutureaction.us/resources-do...