#ResistTrump by looking at all the tasty resistance out there, mmmm good!

If you’re feeling a bit discouraged by the confirmations of DeVos and Sessions, don’t be, because the massive wave of resistance to Trump that you and I are part of has accomplished several things that will ultimately be crucial to bringing Trump down. And we’ve accomplished these things less than three weeks into the Trump regime.

We’ve helped to push Congressional Democrats into a solid anti-Trump bloc. Democratic Senators stood together in voting against DeVos; only one Democratic Senator, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin, voted yes for Sessions — and I suspect he’s going to be getting a LOT of phone calls today, if not an office visit. (If you live in West Virginia, why not contact him yourself!)

We’ve alarmed Congressional Republicans, who’ve resorted to turning off their phones and sneaking out of town hall meetings through the back door. Literally. Yes, they’ve continued to support Trump and to vote for his nominees, but if we keep up our resistance (and I think we can) and Trump continues his erratic behavior (as I’m sure he will), some of them will break with Trump and then the whole equation changes.

Our resistance has also succeeded it taking the repeal of the Affordable Care Act off the immediate agenda. Trump, who not long ago was boasting he could fix everything wrong with healthcare in an instant, is now suggesting that, well, maybe we won’t get to it until 2018. Or maybe never? Never’s good with me.

The other big accomplishment?

Activists — old hands and newbies both — are taking the energy that propelled the Women’s March and all the other acts of resistance that have erupted in the last three weeks and creating a vast new infrastructure of resistance that will enable us to fight this fight as long as it takes to win. 

To see what I’m talking about, check out The Nation’s very handy Guide to the Sprawling New Anti-Trump Resistance Movement, which discusses a number of these new initiatives and suggests ways to get involved with them.

And if you are interested in doing some activism yourself, right now, call your senators and urge them to vote no on Tom Price for Health and Human Services. His confirmation vote could come tomorrow. See 5calls for more details on him and the number of a Senator to call.

And if you want to do more 5Calls has a bunch of suggestions for other calls you can make. See my posts here and here for information and advice on how to make your calls and emails effective. If making these sorts of calls is tough for you, here’s some advice on calling politicians if you have social anxiety. But emails are also fine.

If you’re (rightfully) pissed off about DeVos, Upworthy has some suggestions of ways to defend students and schools and learning in general.

If you want to do some marching or otherwise get out of the house, here are some upcoming protests and other events, which I’ve pasted in from the RESISTABLE newsletter (sign up for it here).

Thursday, February 9
6:30PM ET — Cleveland Activist Bootcamp, Cleveland, OH
Freedom of Choice Cleveland Coalition (FOCC) is hosting “Roe Together,” an evening of education and activism on reproductive choice. The speakers will address the moral, legal, legislative, and practical consequences of recent attacks on reproductive rights, as well as providing insights on how to respond effectively through direct action.

Friday, February 10
5PM CST — Rally for Reproductive Rights, Chicago, IL
Reproductive rights, including abortion, are under attack everywhere in this nation. Illinois, and the Chicago area in particular, have long been known as a safe haven for abortion care in the midwest region. We’re holding this rally to defend the rights we already have, and to demand their protection and expansion.

Saturday, February 11
11AM ET — Protest PP Counter-Rally, Manhattan, NY

Protest PP is holding country-wide rallies to defund Planned Parenthood. If you think Planned Parenthood is vital and necessary and should receive government funding, then join others who stand with Planned Parenthood in Washington Square Park to peacefully support them.

8:30AM ET — 11th Annual Moral March on Raleigh, Raleigh, NC
This annual mass mobilization brings together justice loving people from across the state and nation to stand against the legislative attacks on the people of North Carolina and to continue to fight for their moral agenda. Opening rally at 9:00 a.m., march and people’s assembly at 10:00 a.m. Will gather on South St. in downtown Raleigh.

12PM ET —  Support Planned Parenthood, Portland, ME
Join organizers on the steps of City Hall to show support for Planned Parenthood and their mission, which is to provide, promote, and protect access to reproductive health care and sexuality education so that all people can make voluntary choices about their reproductive and sexual health. **This event is in support of Planned Parenthood, but not representative of or affiliated with the organization.

That’s all I’ve got for today. KEEP ON PERSISTING!