A defiant spirit is rising from the youth. Millennials have refused to disengage from the body politic that seeks to marginalize them. Instead, they’ve thrown down a challenge to politicians of every party and office: work with us or step aside – because now it’s our turn.
The young generation cares about progress not candidates. They seek American optimism, not scoreboard politics. They do not define their red, white and blue passion in terms of right versus left, but right versus wrong.
Today’s youth march to a different drumbeat than prior generations – the traditional means of political outreach and communication fall far short. A generation this creative and plugged in need fresh content and a digital social-political network to give full voice their enthusiasms. I Vote was built to provide both.
The “Generation Vote” spot sounds the rallying cry of young America this election season. You say we’re tuned out? You say we don’t matter? Well you’re flat out wrong. We ARE knowledgeable, we ARE passionate, and we WILL vote.
We know that our futures are on the line. We know that the economy we will live in for the rest of our lives is on the line. We know that health care, women’s rights, gay rights, foreign diplomacy instead of foreign wars, education, and the environment are all on the line. And most of all we know that our vote will set the line. That’s why on November 6th we’re going to show up in force. It’s our turn. We’re Generation Vote.
– Haroon “Boon” Saleem, Chairman/Co-Creator I Vote (www.facebook.com/ivotenation)
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We urgently need your help to prepare. As you know, our December fundraiser is our most important of the year and will determine the scale of work we’ll be able to do in 2025. We’ve set two goals: to raise $136,000 in one-time donations and to add 1440 new monthly donors by midnight on December 31.
Today, we’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you have the means to make a substantial gift, please dig deep during this critical time!
With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy