Progressive groups organized a Stop the #TrumpShutdown rally on Capitol Hill on Friday to protest stagnation on the government spending bill. (Photo: MoveOn.org.)
Jan 19, 2018
A coalition of progressive groups organized a last-minute protest on Capitol Hill Friday evening to call on the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump to avert the looming government shutdown by passing a spending bill that protects Dreamers and funds child healthcare without concessions.
"Donald Trump and the Republicans are driving us towards a government shutdown to support his racist, anti-immigrant agenda," organizers declared on the protest's Facebook event. "Show up to tell them to pass a bipartisan deal to protect Dreamers and avert a #TrumpShutdown--and if the Republicans DO shut down the government, be the first to say '#DoYourJob, pass the #DreamAct, and end the #TrumpShutdown now!'"
The president and Republicans lawmakers have come under fire for their repeated failures to approve long-term funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and their numerous attempts to use recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, or Dreamers, as "bargaining chips" to force through Congress harsher immigration enforcement measures.
Friday's protest, which was organized by United We Dream, the Center for American Progress, Planned Parenthood, MoveOn.org, and others, begins at 7pm at the U.S. Capitol. Speakers will include Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
MoveOn.org's Washington director, Ben Wikler, urged participants to "bring signs, warm clothing, and outrage."
\u201c\ud83d\udea8 PROTEST 7PM TONIGHT 1/19 @ US CAPITOL \ud83d\udea8\nSTOP THE #TRUMPSHUTDOWN & PROTECT DREAMERS!\n\nSpeakers: @KamalaHarris @BernieSanders Dreamers & many more\n* * Bring signs, warm clothing, and outrage\u2014we'll have lights * * \nPLEASE RT! RSVP & INVITE FRIENDS IN DC: \nhttps://t.co/8BblabeYLs\u201d— Ben Wikler (@Ben Wikler) 1516392606
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
A coalition of progressive groups organized a last-minute protest on Capitol Hill Friday evening to call on the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump to avert the looming government shutdown by passing a spending bill that protects Dreamers and funds child healthcare without concessions.
"Donald Trump and the Republicans are driving us towards a government shutdown to support his racist, anti-immigrant agenda," organizers declared on the protest's Facebook event. "Show up to tell them to pass a bipartisan deal to protect Dreamers and avert a #TrumpShutdown--and if the Republicans DO shut down the government, be the first to say '#DoYourJob, pass the #DreamAct, and end the #TrumpShutdown now!'"
The president and Republicans lawmakers have come under fire for their repeated failures to approve long-term funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and their numerous attempts to use recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, or Dreamers, as "bargaining chips" to force through Congress harsher immigration enforcement measures.
Friday's protest, which was organized by United We Dream, the Center for American Progress, Planned Parenthood, MoveOn.org, and others, begins at 7pm at the U.S. Capitol. Speakers will include Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
MoveOn.org's Washington director, Ben Wikler, urged participants to "bring signs, warm clothing, and outrage."
\u201c\ud83d\udea8 PROTEST 7PM TONIGHT 1/19 @ US CAPITOL \ud83d\udea8\nSTOP THE #TRUMPSHUTDOWN & PROTECT DREAMERS!\n\nSpeakers: @KamalaHarris @BernieSanders Dreamers & many more\n* * Bring signs, warm clothing, and outrage\u2014we'll have lights * * \nPLEASE RT! RSVP & INVITE FRIENDS IN DC: \nhttps://t.co/8BblabeYLs\u201d— Ben Wikler (@Ben Wikler) 1516392606
A coalition of progressive groups organized a last-minute protest on Capitol Hill Friday evening to call on the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump to avert the looming government shutdown by passing a spending bill that protects Dreamers and funds child healthcare without concessions.
"Donald Trump and the Republicans are driving us towards a government shutdown to support his racist, anti-immigrant agenda," organizers declared on the protest's Facebook event. "Show up to tell them to pass a bipartisan deal to protect Dreamers and avert a #TrumpShutdown--and if the Republicans DO shut down the government, be the first to say '#DoYourJob, pass the #DreamAct, and end the #TrumpShutdown now!'"
The president and Republicans lawmakers have come under fire for their repeated failures to approve long-term funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and their numerous attempts to use recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, or Dreamers, as "bargaining chips" to force through Congress harsher immigration enforcement measures.
Friday's protest, which was organized by United We Dream, the Center for American Progress, Planned Parenthood, MoveOn.org, and others, begins at 7pm at the U.S. Capitol. Speakers will include Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
MoveOn.org's Washington director, Ben Wikler, urged participants to "bring signs, warm clothing, and outrage."
\u201c\ud83d\udea8 PROTEST 7PM TONIGHT 1/19 @ US CAPITOL \ud83d\udea8\nSTOP THE #TRUMPSHUTDOWN & PROTECT DREAMERS!\n\nSpeakers: @KamalaHarris @BernieSanders Dreamers & many more\n* * Bring signs, warm clothing, and outrage\u2014we'll have lights * * \nPLEASE RT! RSVP & INVITE FRIENDS IN DC: \nhttps://t.co/8BblabeYLs\u201d— Ben Wikler (@Ben Wikler) 1516392606
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.