Crys
@tangledmire.bsky.social
LGBTQ+, pro-democracy.
I'm a gamer (TTRPGs, occasional video games), I love nature, I do some baking, and I'm mildly crafty (bad sewing, rough digital art, other random crafts). Also neurodivergent (ADHD).
DMs are off.
I'm a gamer (TTRPGs, occasional video games), I love nature, I do some baking, and I'm mildly crafty (bad sewing, rough digital art, other random crafts). Also neurodivergent (ADHD).
DMs are off.
If you can, show up at Dallas City Hall (1500 Marilla St, Dallas, TX 75201) this Thursday, November 6th for the City Council meeting at 9AM or for the Rally outside at 11AM!
We will see you there!
#iceout
We will see you there!
#iceout
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
If you can, show up at Dallas City Hall (1500 Marilla St, Dallas, TX 75201) this Thursday, November 6th for the City Council meeting at 9AM or for the Rally outside at 11AM!
We will see you there!
#iceout
We will see you there!
#iceout
10 days til No Kings! It's at Pacific Plaza in Dallas, TX. Hope you'll join us there on 10/18 from 12pm to 3pm!
October 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
10 days til No Kings! It's at Pacific Plaza in Dallas, TX. Hope you'll join us there on 10/18 from 12pm to 3pm!
We have heard they plan to end the special session tomorrow and IMMEDIATELY begin a new one and that they plan to ram the Bathroom Bill through without the public having a chance to weigh in. If you can be there, please do. If you can't, please call your representatives.
#Austin #Texas
#Austin #Texas
August 15, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Need something to do in Dallas, TX on John Lewis Day?
@indivisibledallas.bsky.social, @50501dfw.bsky.social, and @lwvdallas.bsky.social are hosting a Rally on 7/17 from 6-8 PM at Pacific Plaza.
Good Trouble Lives On! I hope we see you there!
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
#dallas #protest
@indivisibledallas.bsky.social, @50501dfw.bsky.social, and @lwvdallas.bsky.social are hosting a Rally on 7/17 from 6-8 PM at Pacific Plaza.
Good Trouble Lives On! I hope we see you there!
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
#dallas #protest
July 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Need something to do in Dallas, TX on John Lewis Day?
@indivisibledallas.bsky.social, @50501dfw.bsky.social, and @lwvdallas.bsky.social are hosting a Rally on 7/17 from 6-8 PM at Pacific Plaza.
Good Trouble Lives On! I hope we see you there!
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
#dallas #protest
@indivisibledallas.bsky.social, @50501dfw.bsky.social, and @lwvdallas.bsky.social are hosting a Rally on 7/17 from 6-8 PM at Pacific Plaza.
Good Trouble Lives On! I hope we see you there!
www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
#dallas #protest
I kept meaning to share this and kept forgetting... My fourth crochet project at its forever home with my Aunt in Florida. I love her mugs!
April 1, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I kept meaning to share this and kept forgetting... My fourth crochet project at its forever home with my Aunt in Florida. I love her mugs!
February 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Again, @librarianjones.com is an every day hero, and so are many other librarians! Libraries are under attack across the US. Give them your support if you can!
Including her original image with ALT text. Character limit meant I couldn't fit the title: 'The problem is not the library' in Livingston.
Including her original image with ALT text. Character limit meant I couldn't fit the title: 'The problem is not the library' in Livingston.
February 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Again, @librarianjones.com is an every day hero, and so are many other librarians! Libraries are under attack across the US. Give them your support if you can!
Including her original image with ALT text. Character limit meant I couldn't fit the title: 'The problem is not the library' in Livingston.
Including her original image with ALT text. Character limit meant I couldn't fit the title: 'The problem is not the library' in Livingston.
Closing speech by Isabel Rogers at USAID in Washington D.C. during the 50501 protests on 2/5/2025: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Grassroots organizer Isabel Rogers' closing speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. at USAID on February 2nd, 2025:
Alright everyone, how are we feeling? [cheering] Thank you so much for coming out tonight! My name is Isabel Rogers, I'm one of the grassroots organizers of this event and I just wanted to say we've heard some from incredibly accomplished people today, but as an average American who has worked on USAID programs I wanted to say that this is OUR time to use OUR voice to stand up for what we believe in!
I am talking to the American people right now: call your Senators, sign these petitions! Do not let democracy die!
We have several other protests going on this week! I hope to see you all there! There's one in front of the Department of Labor at 3:00 PM today, and if you have any more questions or want to know more about our organization, go to usaidstopwork.com. Thank you again and let me hear you say USAID! [speaker and crowd chanting repeatedly: USAID]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreidjkr243zpchx2n3bls7llo5lcdvhnq35p2olgpx55ysy7gx47x7a@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Closing speech by Isabel Rogers at USAID in Washington D.C. during the 50501 protests on 2/5/2025: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
And another one I'd already transcribed in the interest of keeping them all in one place.
@markey.senate.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
@markey.senate.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
I'm Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts and um, what's dangerous is that people who work for USAID are wearing masks to protect themselves from Musk. This is a dictatorship in the making! This is an attempt to take over USAID and then use that as the example to take over the EPA, and Medicaid, and Medicare.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk- Elon Musk makes unsafe cars and now he wants to create an unsafe world! And cutting the programs that are at the heart, at the heart of who we are as a nation. So, he said, Elon Musk said, over the weekend that he's gonna throw USAID into a wood chipper. What else is going into that wood chipper?
Healthcare, democracy, fighting for the rights of those who are most desperate around the world and sending a message that he is going to do the same for those who are most desperate in the United States of America itself!
This is an historic moment! This is the time when we have to stand up and to fight! To not stand on the sidelines! To have people by the millions! People by the millions are gonna have to stand up and protest!
When we come back here the next time, there should be hundreds of thousands and MILLIONS of people descending on Washington D.C.! We need to march for freedom! We need to march for democracy! We need to march for justice! Not just for people in our country, but all around the world!
We are- we are the moral force of the world! [Man in the crowd: Not anymore] We are, we are a democracy that people look up to [Woman in the crowd: We were!] that building, that, that, statue of freedom is the most famous building in the world! And there's a reason because in every village in the world, in every hut in the world, they know that the United States stands for freedom and liberty!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreic227v4qxafw7whumhf2ov36yzst4nfjpzmnfndnxrblrx3ztnz7y@jpeg)
![Part two of Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
And that building is a- is a symbol to all of them of what they in their countries should aspire to. When I went to Liberia, USAID was there to help with Ebola! When I went to Cape Verde, USAID was there to help with Zika! When I went to Nigeria, USAID was there to help with Malaria! Yes to help those people, but to prevent the spread of those diseases around the world!! [crowd's applause swells] -going to make sure that we are providing that protection.
That is who all of you are. That is what USAID represents, the best of our country! The best of who we are! The best of what we have to be as a nation!
Elon Musk and Donald Trump are the worst of what our country stands for. [Crowd cheering loudly] The only way to take back our government is to take to the streets by the millions! To demand justice not just for the people in our country but all around the world!
[Crowd chanting: The People United Will Never Be Defeated!]
Otherwise, they are coming for our clean air, for our clean water, for Medicaid, for Medicare, for the Affordable Care Act. This is just a preview of coming atrocities that Musk and Trump have planned for our country.
So, let's unfreeze USAID! [crowd cheering loudly] -let us get up and FIGHT! Let us get up and RESIST! Until we have reclaimed, reclaimed, the- the- the reason why we fought that American Revolution! And it was to make sure that we never again lived under a dictator! That never again would one person decide what our country stood for!
Let's get up and fight! Let's go and get it done!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreidz5u3gmdlaht5x2qpfvnm3sekusisvln6hqkli6imkhqczhoyo3a@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
And another one I'd already transcribed in the interest of keeping them all in one place.
@markey.senate.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
@markey.senate.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
Speech by former USAID member Chris Milligan: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of former USAID member Chris Milligan's speech from the coverage of the 50501 protest in DC on February 2nd, 2025:
My name is Chris Milligan and I served my country for thirty-one years at USAID [cheering] like many of you. Thank you for coming today!
I hear that USAID is full of radical lunatics. [cheering] Radical because we believe in the power of America! [cheering] The power to change lives! We know that America is looked up to around the world as a city on a shining hi- as a shining city on a hill! Radical because we engage in the world with compassion! With American values! not only lifting millions out of poverty and oppression, but making America safer and making jobs back here at home.
Lunatic? Lunatic! Well we volunteer in war zones, [laughter] we are in the most dangerous and challenging places around the world! [someone in crowd: unarmed] Unarmed! Famines, disasters, military dictatorships! Without our families, without our friends, and at a cost. I'm reminded of that when I walk by our memorial wall which has too many names of Americans who have lost their lives serving their country: our colleagues.
Who would do this? Committed, patriotic, radical lunatics who put country first! [cheering] I proudly served as USAID's counselor in the first Trump administration and let me tell you something: we did incredible reforms! [woman in crowd: yes!] And we strengthened the workforce! What we're seeing now is quite different, so I ask, what's changed? [crowd: the people! Musk!]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreid2pk6gb2ue7y6rk5jqgxcxz45vn4uervp3oksmfvehkgupdxku3y@jpeg)
![Part two of former USAID member Chris Milligan's speech from the coverage of the 50501 protest in DC on February 2nd, 2025:
Most programs, most programs now on hold supported President Trump's priorities in his first administration! In fact, every dollar spent is approved by the secretary and requested as part of the president's budget, so I ask, what's changed? [crowd: Musk!] The dedicated staff recently put on administrative leave served president Trump honorably during his first administration and many were promoted!
So what do we ask: what's changed? [crowd: Musk!] You know it! This denigration of patriotic Americans is a win for those who want to weaken our country. The creation of America began with these three words: We the People!
Assistance should serve the American people, not be a plaything of the elites! Don't- don't destroy what you don't understand! Every minute that assistance is frozen weakens America, makes us less secure, and costs us jobs! Let's stop the political theater! Let's protect taxpayers' money! Lift the freeze on foreign assistance! Let’s- [cheering] Yeah! [chanting: Lift the freeze!]
Let patriotic Americans serve their country! Let patriotic Americans serve their country! Untie America's hands! Let's make America safe again! Thank you!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreidkatmj32jy2vmmg7nvmx6uwthcyf5jyg5j7vc6vaix5zlrf62m2a@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Speech by former USAID member Chris Milligan: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
Speech by former USAID member Jeremy Konyndyk (@jeremykonyndyk.bsky.social - president of @refugeesintl.bsky.social): www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of former USAID member Jeremy Konyndyk's speech from the coverage of the 50501 protest in DC on February 2nd, 2025:
My friends, I'm Jeremy Konyndyk. I am a former USAID official. [crowd cheering] I am proud to be here with all of you today. I am proud of the work that we have all done on behalf of the American people to better the world. I am here because I love USAID and I believe in the mission of USAID, but also because I love the Constitution and I believe in the Constitution. [cheering]
And we need to be clear that both of those are at risk. The attacks on USAID are attacks on the Constitution! If we are in a country where the richest man can decide that the richest country will no longer help some of the poorest people, we are in a very, very dire place! The attempts to kill USAID will kill people! They will kill people that America has committed to save! This will abandon people that America has committed to support! It will dramatically weaken our country's global influence, and it will empower and embolden our political rivals!
Among those who are openly cheering Musk's campaign against USAID are the Houthis in Yemen, are the former president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev! They do not have America's best interests at heart. They know that if USAID is taken off the board, their jobs get easier, America gets weaker and less safe!
I also want to address the people of USAID, you who have committed your careers and your lives to serving your country [cheering] to advance the welfare of the world. You deserve BETTER! What is happening is a brutal and a shameful betrayal of you who have served your country with bravery, with integrity, with dedication, and with honor!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreihgtva4pxb35poq4rsin64zfl4lixcmwwkspqj7c5tjc7kajjzyfe@jpeg)
![Part two of former USAID member Jeremy Konyndyk's speech from the coverage of the 50501 protest in DC on February 2nd, 2025:
You have been forward deployed on reconstruction teams in war zones. You have brought the global HIV epidemic under control. [cheering] You have fought famines. You have stabilized fragile economies. You have charged headlong into Ebola hot zones. The vest I'm wearing today, I wore every time I deployed to a crisis zone with USAID. When I took it out- when I put it on this morning, I found in there a pair of gloves that I got- plastic gloves- that I got on one of my trips to the Ebola response in 2014. That is emblematic of the work that USAID does in the world and the risks that USAID personnel take on behalf of their country. [cheering]
You at USAID represent the best face of America abroad and you deserve better! [cheering]
I also want to issue a plea to republican colleagues on the hill. You know that what is being said about USAID is not true! [cheering] You know the truth of this agency! Many of you have been on record many times praising the important work of USAID! [cheering] Speak out! Where are you? Have the bravery, have the courage to speak the truth because if we lose USAID it is a catastrophe for our foreign policy, it is a catastrophe for people who depend on us around the world, and it is a catastrophe for the Constitution.
Thank you.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreiemek4tu4id3tmpqcqevlmt26bbftwyrsahtphtxm252xsp34hvs4@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Speech by former USAID member Jeremy Konyndyk (@jeremykonyndyk.bsky.social - president of @refugeesintl.bsky.social): www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
Speech by Bama Athreya of USAID: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of Bama Athreya of USAID's speech from the coverage of the 50501 protest in DC on February 2nd, 2025:
Alright, hi everybody, my name is Bama Athreya, and until two weeks ago- [cheering; missed two words here] -I had the honor to serve as a deputy assistant administrator at USAID, [cheering] the greatest agency in the US Government! And I did have to get a top secret security clearance before I started working there, as I recall.
Now, I've been, like, following some of this stuff on social media that they've been saying about USAID lately and there are couple things I just don't get, like, some words that are getting thrown around like: radical. [man in crowd: No!] I, so I ju- I asked myself: why would people associate USAID with the word 'radical'? [crowd calls for her to speak louder, she adjusts the mic] And uh, I started thinking about the work that I had been working on, you know, with my team at USAID, and you know, we had a lot of work on children, youth, and families.
And so I think about like us and the stuff we did and like, we supported partners that would, actually you know, find orphans and children who'd been abandoned by their parents and place them with loving, caring families around the world. That's what we were doing. [cheering]
And then we kept working with those children, those families, to make sure that they had safe places to go to school and get an education. And then as they got a little older we gave them the confidence, the tools, and the skills through our programs to be able to get jobs or start small businesses if they wanted to and pay it forward, lift up others in their community through the work they were doing. That's what we did. [cheering]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreiakvi5ijy2srfjvbcinolxsnrr5om2i63w7emw656mwyzfeq3sbku@jpeg)
![Part two of Bama Athreya of USAID's speech from the coverage of the 50501 protest in DC on February 2nd, 2025:
And, you know, so, I- I thought about this word 'radical' and I really associated it with terrorist organizations that wanted to recruit those young people. Groups like ISIS, and Al Qaeda, and criminal gangs through Latin America that wanted to recruit those young people, but they couldn't because those young people have options. They have options for a better future and a safer future! [cheering] They're safer because of the work we do and we're safer because of that work! [cheering]
So, you know who's cheering today? ISIS is cheering. Al Qaeda is cheering as we recall thousands of people around the world who show up every day to work thinking not about themselves but thinking about what they can do to make that child safer, to make that family healthier, to give that young people- those young people hope.
And so when I think about our wonderful staff around the world, I think about things that young people have said to me as I've gone on my travels and met them. And they come up to me and they've thanked me. And they haven't thanked me because of the money we've put into the programs. They've said to me, "You believed in me" [cheering] And they've said, "Because you believed in me, I believe in myself." And so we give people that. We give them hope, care, courage. And if you cut AID out of the US Government, you cut out the beating heart of our foreign assistance!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreihuuvyiulfjfq6jlq7lowlac4ymjty3blwfjhabgmhvnykt2pqo6m@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Speech by Bama Athreya of USAID: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
I had already transcribed @jonathanjackson.house.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
I'm reposting it here to keep them all in the one place and in the correct order.
I'm reposting it here to keep them all in the one place and in the correct order.
February 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I had already transcribed @jonathanjackson.house.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
I'm reposting it here to keep them all in the one place and in the correct order.
I'm reposting it here to keep them all in the one place and in the correct order.
Vermont Senator Peter Welch's speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Vermont Senator Peter Welch's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Let them work! Let them work! I'm Peter Welch from the mighty state of Vermont! [cheering] Alright, somebody's got to stop this lawless and cruel policy! Marco Rubio! He's the secretary of state [crowd booing]. He's got to take responsibility. Marco: let them work! Let them work!
And I just want to say one thing: all of us are waking up wondering how are we gonna get through this day? That's what we're wondering. Everyone can't believe what is happening to our great country, but, but we only have one decision to make. It's to get up and face the day or pull the covers over our heads and we are gonna face the day! We're gonna fight to protect our constitution! We're gonna fight to protect our brothers and sisters who are working on our behalf all over the world!
We are gonna face the day and if we have any time to be discouraged, think of the great Martin Luther King, who every day faced a day where death awaited! Where every day h faced a day where the forces were against him, but what he found was what love and community with the people who worked with him to fight for civil rights! We fought to end the Vietnam war, we are going to fight to protect our Constitution, and our democracy, and the dignity of people all over this world!
We are not gonna let Trump destroy our souls and our hearts! Let them work! [crowd chanting repeatedly: Let them work!] Thank you!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreidzp7vzena4ooiwixidnw6knlouqcqexkjngtvr5ium4fk4ytjas4@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Vermont Senator Peter Welch's speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
Doctor Atul Gawande's speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of Doctor Atul Gawande's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Here is what we need to do:
We need to make the people who are harmed seen! We need the pictures of the people who are being hurt today! They have names!
I met patients in Kenya whose life - a baby - whose life was saved because a midwife was taught how to save that baby's life and that baby does not have a midwife today. I met Poon Sao in Thailand who act, who walks the neighborhood as a community health worker, who is able to make sure that people in their community get medicines. There are organizations that have people who are doing this work. We have to show them!
Many of you know these people. What I ask is to be brave. Your own organizations are afraid of the attacks are coming their way! We will be the ones to stand up and show the people who are hurt! I am a surgeon. I am Atul Gawande, who has led global health at USAID [cheering] for the last three years until two weeks ago!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreig6j3fktu2mvlqik6ocxkpwh3zszli76ozbvge54cyoihgrylbyzq@jpeg)
![Part two of Doctor Atul Gawande's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Until two weeks ago, there was a Malaria team with world experts and they are gone! Until two weeks ago, there was a TB team and they are gone! Until two weeks ago, there were disease fighters and they are gone! But they have not gone away. So we need you to demand that we let them work! Let them work! [doctor and crowd chant together repeatedly: Let them work!]
They have called this 'shock and awe'. It is 'shock and destroy'! You cannot dismantle a plane and fire the crew in mid-flight, But that's what an oligarch with unchecked power is doing to lifesaving foreign assistance programs! John F Kennedy founded this organization to win the hearts and minds of the world. Those people are being pulled out, taking their families, our teams are making th- are being forced to pull their children out of schools! To have spouses lose their jobs and come home as if- they're being treated as doing something wrong!
We have two days to stop them being pulled out! Stop them being pulled out! We must demand that we let them work! [doctor and crowd chant together repeatedly: Let them work!] [chanting transitions to: Let us work!]
I will be with you all the way and we will be together all the way! Thank you!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreievgo4i2y4vcnltercnzkrhbjqkary26vysj6i4w6rlawd2i7k5pm@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Doctor Atul Gawande's speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
@booker.senate.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
He really wants us to know we've got a voice, y'all. I think most of us have been using ours, but let's keep it up!
P.S. I bet the other congresspeople were glad they didn't have to follow that speech since a doctor went next.
He really wants us to know we've got a voice, y'all. I think most of us have been using ours, but let's keep it up!
P.S. I bet the other congresspeople were glad they didn't have to follow that speech since a doctor went next.
![Part one of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Ladies and gentleman, my name is Cory Booker [cheering and woman in crowd: We love you!] and it is time for us to fight! And let's be clear, let's be clear about how we can fight! The republicans won the White House, they won the House of Representatives, they won the United States Senate. They have majorities across congress, but we are not powerless! We have agency! And we all must join together and fight in these ways!
But the FIRST thing we cannot do is allow them to weaken us by us turning against each other! This must be a coalition that grows, and grows, and grows! There can be no bystanders in this fight! It is time that we understand: the only thing necessary for wrong to triumph is for right to do nothing! For right to be silent!
And to understand this, there are legislators walking through here, but these are the ways we're gonna fight:
First of all, in the United States Senate, we will not cooperate! [crowd cheering loudly] We are joining the leadership, we are joining the leadership already stated by Brian Schatz of Hawaii, that we will cooperate with no appointments when it comes to the State Department, no appointments when it comes to Foreign Policy. The first thing we're gonna do in the senate is not cooperate with the illegal and unconstitutional acts that they are trying to do!
The second thing we are going to do - and we met this morning, it is in the legal perspective - the second thing we are gonna do is we are gonna fight this legally in every way we can! [cheering] We will fight their violation of civil service laws! We will fight their violation of civil rights laws! We will fight their violations of separation of powers! We will fight their violations of our Constitution of the United States of America! We will not shut up, we will stand up, we will speak up, we will rise up!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreiesfrwaf2s2wg2u5c4hujtqvaz6foenvjdvdg5ylcjn6pr22th6da@jpeg)
![Part two of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
It is time as the African spiritual says for us to LIFT EVERY VOICE in condemnation of what's going on! We will fight legally, we will fight procedurally, and we will also fight legislatively. From the House of Representatives to the United States Senate, we will be introducing legislation to stop this assault on our Constitution and separation of powers!
And lest you think I'm naive, lest you think I'm naive: do not categorize this as a left to right fight! This is not about left or right; it's about right and wrong! [cheering] This is not about demonizing a political party; it is about telling the truth about Donald Trump's actions and Elon Musk's actions! We must, we must as a people appeal to the consciousness of those moderate republicans that we can get to stand with us on legislation to SAVE USAID!
And so again, [senator pauses as crowd chants repeatedly: USAID] and so again, again, we are going to fight procedurally and shut down any processes we can that are complicit in this! We're gonna to fight legally in the courts across our country! We're gonna fight legislatively as well!
But the most important way we fight, the most important things all of us have to do together! Whether you are a United States Senator or Congressperson or just an American citizen who is PISSED OFF [cheering] let me tell you this: all of us must speak up! All of us must speak truth to power! This is still the United States of America!
You have a voice!
You don't just have a voice if you're a billionaire!
You have a voice!
You don't just have a voice if you're the president of the United States!
You have a voice!
You don't just have the voice if you're connected or elected!
You have a voice!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreibk2r7gdt3qzoee566nkbo46u5kqbttnvwrc46yrv5mad7qdcg5he@jpeg)
![Part three of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
We have already shown as Americans that we can push back and stop Trump! We did it in 2016 with healthcare! We stopped Trump! We've done it before with his efforts to stop federal funding to our veterans and first responders just about a week ago! We are not powerless! We have agency! We- this is a democracy! One person matters! Everyone matters!
And so the last way we have to fight is by standing together! Building our coalition! Reaching out to people! Just cause you don't agree with everybody on everything, pull them into this fight! Because the work that USAID does is to protect America! The work that USAID does is to protect Americans from terrorism and instability! Protect Americans from infectious diseases! Protect Americans and the global order that helps this nation thrive!
You all know what you do with bullies! You stand up to them! But this is not a playground, this is our nation! Donald Trump will not win. History is replete with leaders like him that tried to divide, tried to tear up constitutional orders, tried to break the law, tried to demean and degrade the innocent.
History is replete with people that tried to do that and I only know one way to stop them! I only know one way we're gonna win! I only know one pathway to victory, and that is for us to do it together! WE THE PEOPLE! Ladies and gentlemen, don't give up! We will face defeats, but we must never be defeated! Don't give up! [crowd chanting repeatedly: Corey!] Do not give up!
I am proud to bring to the microphone right now one of the most important voices in global public health, a great American, a great patriot, a man of character and honor, I bring you Doctor Atul Gawande!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreicvtcu5v2tgrcxixao7kgjbtijh5kysj632dvb5re2rc5mos5sdkm@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
@booker.senate.gov's 🔥🔥🔥speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
He really wants us to know we've got a voice, y'all. I think most of us have been using ours, but let's keep it up!
P.S. I bet the other congresspeople were glad they didn't have to follow that speech since a doctor went next.
He really wants us to know we've got a voice, y'all. I think most of us have been using ours, but let's keep it up!
P.S. I bet the other congresspeople were glad they didn't have to follow that speech since a doctor went next.
@repgregstanton.bsky.social's speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
Lots of loud cheering during this one made it hard for me to hear. The part in {} is my best guess at what was said there.
Lots of loud cheering during this one made it hard for me to hear. The part in {} is my best guess at what was said there.
![Part one of Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
I'm Greg Stanton, congressmember from Arizona. They are cheering in Beijing, and Moscow, and every corner of the globe where our adversaries have been [crowd chanting getting louder: What's your plan?] praying for the strength of American leaderhip- [chanting is too loud to hear the senator] -For more than sixty years, USAID has- [chanting too loud to hear] -under democratic administrations and under republican ones as well.
Congress has passed the budget across party lines providing robust funding for USAID and it has always had republican support before because it is a tool that advances American interests and protects American lives. It fights famine and drought, helps after natural disaster, and promotes economic stability to lessen global migration to our borders! And to the China hawks across the aisle: you know that this action- illegal action by Trump and Musk hurts our ability to compete with China's government and rogue initiative.
[man in crowd occasionally: No shit! What is your plan?]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreifdf2qssokegillqkjox33rti44iqmrgzhyjzl3jsxm2d562zwghy@jpeg)
![Part two of Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
If you want to have the strongest economy on planet earth, utilizing our soft power is critical. The Chinese Communist party understands all too well the benefit of soft power. If the United States is serious about winning this global competition with China, well to borrow a poker term, that is the buy-in.
Here's a simple truth: by killing USAID, this attempt by Trump, Elon, and DOGE, are Americ- are making the United States less safe. And oh by the way, they're picking on USAID first, but Trump, Elon, and DOGE are setting their sites on the Department of Education next. Trump should not be king- [crowd chanting loudly: What's your plan?] -funding, abolish a {congressionally appointed agency.} That is- [crowd cheering too loudly]
I want to speak directly to my republican colleagues across the aisle: you may be cheering this act by Trump and Musk, or maybe you're just afraid of Trump and Musk. But let's be clear: [man in crowd: All you do is talk!] they're bypassing you as well and the American people will hold you accountable! [sparse applause and cheering]
This doesn't stop until the public and members of congress on both sides of the aisle stand up and remind Trump that we are co-equal branches of government and we need to restore checks and balances in this country.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreigi5kwbnbq6pjae3mixmi5h5xbkq4hlm4ipop2tnkdji66bj7k5wa@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
@repgregstanton.bsky.social's speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
Lots of loud cheering during this one made it hard for me to hear. The part in {} is my best guess at what was said there.
Lots of loud cheering during this one made it hard for me to hear. The part in {} is my best guess at what was said there.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons' speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of Delaware Senator Chris Coons' speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
USAID saves lives, makes peace, protects our planet, stabilizes our world, does great work! Let's hear it for the men and women of USAID! [crowd cheering] I'm Senator Chris Coons I've been a senator fourteen years and I have seen the incredible work of local partners, of nonprofits, of USAID around the world!
From Kibera in Nairobi at St Mary's Clinic, handing out life saving medications, to Indonesia fighting to save a coral reef, to working with counter cartel human trafficking efforts in Mexico, to helping entrepreneurship in Malawi. Around the world, USAID for decades has advanced American interests and American values! And to mistreat the folks who have delivered this life saving support for so long is just plain wrong!
The difference that you have made, the difference that nonprofit partners like World Vision, and Catholic Relief Services, and Save the Children, and International Rescue Committee, and CARE have made makes America safer!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreih3yy5llzxhyfijqaeojculph2ow2szsohvwaa5j5cw5x54bgjhxu@jpeg)
![Part two of Delaware Senator Chris Coons' speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
When President Trump ran, he said he would make America safe again. [woman in crowd: He's a liar] Nothing about this makes us safer. There's an Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Helping Uganda fight Ebola makes America safe! There is a Marburg outbreak in Tanzania. Helping Tanzanians fight Marburg makes America safe! There is a crisis of human trafficking in Mexico. Persuading young people not to join gangs, not to be trafficked, not to be taken advantage of makes America safer! Working to destroy land mines left behind by conflicts, working to rebuild economies made unstable and unsafe by conflicts makes America safe!
So all of these illegal actions of recent days will be challenged in court, will be challenged on the floor of the congress, and will not stand! If DOGE wins and our foreign aid is completely shut down, if Elon Musk wins and our foreign assistance completely ends, who will cheer and who will win? The cartels will win, terrorists will win, Russia will win, China will win! This effort is not efficient, it is not sane, it is not respectful, and it does not make America safe!
So let's pull together and tell the real story of foreign aid and the way that it saves lives, advances our values, and makes our world a better place! Thank you all very much.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreidmhm7g6d7atsrtdipaonje3jzquh3wpx276mylm54fwosg2q42dq@jpeg)
February 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Delaware Senator Chris Coons' speech: www.youtube.com/live/Wxzo02U...
![Part one of Florida Congresswoman Lois Frankel's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Well you can see I'm from Florida, I'm pretty cold, okay? [crowd laughing] Actually I'm Lois Frankel, let me see. Woah, okay, hey. You know, I ha- I had this speech, I'm not really much of a speech maker, but, I'm Lois Frankel, I'm from Florida and I am the lead democrat on the- [crowd: Louder!]
Okay, here we go. I said I'm not much of a speech maker so here, but, I'm Lois Frankel, I'm from Florida, I am the lead democrat on the house appropriations committee that funds foreign assistance. [cheering]
You know, I really think I could just read your signs, and that would be my speech, right? "Stop the freeze!" "When USA disappears, terrorists reappear!" "Defend Democracy!" "Stop the coup!"
Jason, uh, I wanna tell you, I am a mother first. My son was a United States marine. He went to Afghanistan, he went to Iraq. He was an artillery officer. [cheers] Thank you, but I wanna just tell you, when he came back, you know where he went next? USAID. [crowd cheering loudly]
And he would be the first one to tell you - just like some of Donald Trump's former generals - that when you are good neighbors and you spend money helping your neighbors, you spend less money on bullets. [cheering] I wanna- [man in crowd: Our generals!] Your generals! You're right, they were your generals.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreicchq3kwp57ylpyjpt5wyrr4kwqzz3zqihjg2aemwuymtyubngc4q@jpeg)
![Part two of Florida Congresswoman Lois Frankel's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
So you see this little packet? [Lois lifts a white, plastic packet, like a catsup packet but larger, in one hand] It costs, it's called, 'RUTF' and for a couple of cents, it can stop the starvation of a small child. For a couple of cents. And I tell you, I'm not only a mother, I'm a grandmother, and I'll tell you this... I would do anything, anything to keep my grandchildren from starving and when- when USAID funds the program with these packets... How do you think the parents feel? The good will that we- that we- that we generate.
And I'll tell you one more story. Years ago I- Anyone from CARE? [crowd cheering] I hear some people from CARE. I went to a small village in Malawi with CARE and there I saw a small classroom of young, of little girls being educated. And we saw a program of mothers learning how to make a living. Now why should we care?
Here's why we should care: Ladies if you didn't know this, little girls grow up to be mothers and mothers influence their children in a big way. And when you educate the girls and you educate the mothers and you breed economic opportunity, you don't breed terrorism, right?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreid3f6kwa4lwzirlydemtay54boimzmyzx7uw74qzjhagnglzsyyl4@jpeg)
![Part three of Florida Congresswoman Lois Frankel's speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
That's- that's what your sign says there. Alright. And here's one last thing, I don't know if I saw this sign, but what happens when we step out? Who steps in? [various shouts from crowd] When we step out, China and Russia's gonna, is gonna step in.
So, let me just say again, to thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart, all of us. Thank you. Those of you who work for USAID. [cheering] Okay. Those of you who care about their families, about them and our place in the world, we must stand together! We must fight back! And we must be good neighbors because- not just because it's the right thing to do for people overseas. It's the right thing to do-
[crowd chanting: Hey hey! Ho ho! Elon Musk has got to go!] Okay, here we go. [chanting continues] Okay, but we gotta stay, and we gotta fight back! [crowd shushing] Thank you.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreibaobflsfltns3w5vqg3z2agxwz63rigg7bbm5wbgxtqvy6fnmtai@jpeg)
February 7, 2025 at 12:11 AM
![California Congresswoman Sara Jacobs' speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Well hi everybody, I'm Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. I represent San Diego. And I'm also proud to serve as the ranking member on the subcommittee of Africa and global development. But most importantly, before I was in congress, I worked on international conflict resolution with many of you.
And it's clear to me that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have no idea how foreign aid works. And you know how I know this? Because I literally had to do a video teaching Nancy Mace why what USAID does prevents terrorism!
Let's be clear: this is bad for people! This is going to hurt people all over the world! This is going to hurt our national security! But probably most importantly, this is illegal! What Elon Musk is doing is illegal! Only an act of congress can eliminate USAID because congress is who created USAID! And that's why this week I'll be introducing legislation to push back on Elon Musk's illegal takeover of USAID!
[crowd chanting repeatedly: Lock him up! ]
And when I do, I need every single one of you on the phones to all of these republicans who for years have said they care about this and put them on the record! But let's be clear: this is illegal and it is a coup! It is a power grab meant to silence critics! And let's be clear: while USAID might be first, it is not going to be the last!
But joke's on them, because how knows better how to work in authoritarian country than all of you? So we are not going to sit back and take this, are we? [crowd: No!] We are not going to allow Elon to sentence millions of kids to poverty or death, are we? [crowd: No!] And we are not gonna let an unelected billionaire take over and destroy our country, are we? [crowd: No!]
Thank you all so much for everything you do! We are gonna keep fighting! We are gonna win this! Thank you again!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreicaofdxlma4dv6th3zkhkkeliatfz2jphlukjnqvr4lueihbn4wwe@jpeg)
February 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
![Part one of Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus' speech from the live coverage of the 50501 protest in Washington D.C. on February 2nd, 2025:
Thank you, Jason. I'm Dina Titus, I rep- [video issues] -be here today to speak out in favor of this wonderful Agency that does such terrific work- [video issues] -to Finland, you are on the front lines and all the countries in between. And the people you serve thank you too. They may not know you by name, they may not know you here, but they know their lives are made better by all the things that you do.
You have read the latest memos, calling people home, closing down offices... And what about the appointment of a person that stormed the capitol now saying he will send the marines if you don't come home? [crowd booing] Boo is right!
We just have to ask: have they gone mad? Have they gone mad? They seem to have forgotten that every dollar we spend on diplomacy keeps us from sending another soldier into harm's way! Keeps us from having to fight and finance another hot war! Keeps us at home where we are safe!
Have they just forgotten that? Are they just gonna abandon the Uyghurs and the women in Afghanistan? They don't seem to care. Are-are they not gonna pay the people that are guarding the terrorists in the Syrian prisons or keeping law and order in Haiti? They just don't seem to care. Do they not value the expertise and knowledge that you bring to the programs where you serve around the world and what a difference that makes? They just don't care. So the answer to the question is: Yes, they have gone mad! And that's why we have to be mad ourselves to stand up to them!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ug55xkcbs564w7naowu42tq/bafkreiece6khzacqoip6en6fo5anzxdperrbkogbuxs6t6eodklfuonnsm@jpeg)
February 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
February 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
February 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Well, even Elon's supercharged algorithm couldn't get his terrible comeback (if you can call it that) a bigger audience than @governorwalz.mn.gov's original zinger.
Walz's tweet has 31.3 million views, 760k likes, 91k retweets.
Elon's tweet has 928.5k views, 50k likes, 2.3k retweets.
Walz's tweet has 31.3 million views, 760k likes, 91k retweets.
Elon's tweet has 928.5k views, 50k likes, 2.3k retweets.
February 6, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Well, even Elon's supercharged algorithm couldn't get his terrible comeback (if you can call it that) a bigger audience than @governorwalz.mn.gov's original zinger.
Walz's tweet has 31.3 million views, 760k likes, 91k retweets.
Elon's tweet has 928.5k views, 50k likes, 2.3k retweets.
Walz's tweet has 31.3 million views, 760k likes, 91k retweets.
Elon's tweet has 928.5k views, 50k likes, 2.3k retweets.