What Gave Me Hope After a Brutal Week in Politics
From farmers to veterans to abortion rights defenders, these stories prove we’re not backing down.
Hola!
It is Tuesday, and some of you probably were wondering what the heck happened with The Bright Side edition last Sunday.
And that’s totally understandable!
To be perfectly honest with you, after the budget bill passed last Thursday, I had to go lick my wounds and hide my head in the sand like an ostrich for a few days.
I don’t know why I got my hopes up and really thought we were going to stop the bill from passing in the House. I get my hopes up every time, and then I get mad at myself for falling for it.
I’ve been messaging about this bill, and the millions of people who will be affected by the cuts to healthcare alone, for over 4 months. I’m tired. I’m frustrated.
But I’m not giving up.
I’ve been thinking a lot about everything going on and how so many people don’t even know what’s happening.
I think more than ever I need to keep talking about what’s happening, and sharing with my audience how we will all be impacted by these things, with the hopes of influencing people to talk about it to their friends and families.
But the other really important thing we must continue to do is share the victories around us. The big and the small. The acts of kindness.
I hope you enjoy and feel energized by this roundup of good news and please comment below to tell me which one was your favorite. And if you have something else I should include in the next edition, that’s even better! Please share.
A huge win for asylum seekers
A federal judge ruled Trump’s order banning asylum seekers at the southern border was illegal. The court made it clear: the president can’t override laws passed by Congress or treat immigrants fleeing danger as an “invasion.”
This decision affirms the right to seek asylum and protects people from cruelty disguised as policy.
Farmers just reclaimed their climate tools
The USDA has agreed to restore vital climate data it had quietly removed after Trump took office. These tools help farmers prepare for extreme weather, protect their crops, and access federal support. After public pressure and a lawsuit, the data will return, proving again that when we organize, we win.
Reproductive rights are protected in Wisconsin
The state’s Supreme Court struck down a near-total abortion ban from 1849, ruling that newer laws permitting abortion care up to viability take precedence. This ruling restores certainty for providers and patients, and it only happened because voters flipped the court last year.
If you want to read more about this incredible win, my friends Pari & Eve, MPH wrote about it here:
Veterans stand with Afghan asylum seekers
(This was my favorite story this week)
After a former interpreter was detained at his asylum hearing, more than 200 U.S. veterans stepped up to attend immigration hearings with Afghan refugees. Their message is clear: this isn’t political, it’s personal. They’re showing up for the people who once showed up for them.
Veterans push back against VA cuts
And speaking of Veterans… After thousands of veterans organized a massive day of protest against cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs on June 6th, the Secretary announced he’s scaling back those cuts by 60%. This is a massive victory for veterans and against this callous and careless Trump administration.
Climate resilience law passed in Connecticut
Connecticut just passed two big climate bills that set bold emissions targets and invest in helping communities adapt to climate change. These laws expand clean energy access and fund local climate solutions. This is why paying attention to local governments really matters.
Trump’s mass deportation push hits a wall
A federal judge blocked an effort to revoke legal protections from more than 500,000 Haitians living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The ruling protects families from being uprooted without notice, and calls out the administration for violating federal law.
Two young Latinas save 20 girls from Texas floods
Two young Mexican-American camp counselors secured 20 young lives in Camp Mystic during the Texas flood as the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes.
That’s it for this edition of The Bright Side.
Thank you for being here, for holding space for the frustration and the hope, and for caring enough to stay informed. If something here lifted your spirits, please forward it to someone else who could use a dose of encouragement.
And don’t forget: your voice matters. Your presence matters. And you’re not alone in this fight.
Un abrazo,
My favorite story was about the two Latinas rescuing 20 girls from the flood.
Thanks for the feature on our Wisconsin story!