Nov 11, 2024 5 min read

there is still good news, there has always been good news

this newsletter will not tell you how to feel. i will not be sharing my election hot take here (at least not yet). there are enough of those going around right now. this newsletter will serve to push us to ground in the struggle and the wins we have had historically and uplift the wins we are having today in the struggle.

for many progressives who are invested in electoral politics, this week was disappointing. if you are still invested in electoral politics and are not grounded in the ways folks have organized to use them outside of the status quo power structure, now is the time to ground in the legacy of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, of black women organizers across the south generally, of local socialist movements across this country. we have much to learn from those who came before us.

new orleans city council approves local IDs

in local politics, here's a practical win. this is a reminder that local politics are much more easily influence and immediately impactful than federal ones.

"NEW ORLEANS: Thursday, November 7th, at 11:30am, Our Voice Nuestra Voz (OVNV) and other community members gathered at the New Orleans City Council to support an ordinance to create a municipal identification card program to provide ID cards for those who otherwise may not have access to one. The ordinance was co-sponsored and passed unanimously.

Government issued ID cards are necessary in order for community members to access a number of vital services, including opening bank accounts, signing leases, receiving healthcare, and more. However, a number of groups have traditionally faced barriers when it comes to acquiring a government issued ID, such as unhoused people, formerly incarcerated people, elderly, youth and foster children, transgender/non-binary people, and mixed-status migrant families. Without government issued ID cards, these people have been limited in their ability to participate fully in community life and access basic services.

With this municipal ID card program, the city will have its own government ID cards that are separate from the state driver’s licenses/ID cards or from the federal government. This lowers barriers and creates access to government issued ID cards for those who need them most. These new ID cards will be administered by the city and will be accepted as valid identification and proof of residency by all city departments."

Tlaib and Omar continue to lead through strong organizing

politicians who are engaged in their communities can and do still win.

In a post on social media, Omar thanked her supporters for all their hard work in her election campaign. “Our hard work was worth it. We knocked on 117,716 doors. We made 108,226 calls. And we sent 147,323 texts. This is a victory for ALL of us who believe that a better future is possible. I can’t wait to make you all proud over the next two years,” she said.

spain rejects shipments to israel

economic action continues to be one of the most effective tools we have in our collective arsenal.

"A Maersk container ship has been denied entry to the Spanish port of Algeciras, the Danish shipping company said Saturday, denying that the vessel is transporting arms to Israel.

"It is our understanding that Spain has in its discretion changed its criteria and is now rejecting vessels that carry anything military related going to, or from, Israel, notwithstanding such cargo being legal."

"Spain, which has stopped exports arms to Israel, is one of the European countries most critical of Israel's offensive in Gaza."

to learn more about the Palestinian led movement against maersk, read below:

there is plenty you can do

historically, these moments of disappointment bring groundswells of new energy. i find personally that if i spend time in groups aligned around similar values, even if they are imperfect, i leave energized and more hopeful. my hope for you is that you find such spaces. here are some New Orleans specific and national options to consider: