Western States Center

Shouting out this regional organizing win!

This week, the Senate voted down a measure designed to block trans women and girls from playing sports with other women and girls. Thank you to the senators who voted to protect trans rights. Trans rights are human rights.

?? Ramadan Mubarak! As the holy month begins, we honor the strength, reflection, and community that Ramadan represents. At Western States Center, we are committed to building a more inclusive democracy where all faiths and traditions are celebrated. To our Muslim friends, neighbors, and allies: may this Ramadan bring peace, unity, and blessings to you and your communities. ??

Joe Kent’s nomination to lead the National Counterterrorism Center isn’t just alarming—it’s dangerous. His history of smearing activists, affiliating with extremists, and pushing conspiracies signals a serious threat to democracy and civil liberties. Read this critical op-ed in The Seattle Times by WSC’s Momentum Program Director, Liz Yates, on why Kent’s appointment would be disastrous for public safety. ??

Fifty-two years ago, members of the American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee—demanding justice, sovereignty, and an end to mistreatment by federal and local agencies. Their resistance was met with violence, but their message endures: Indigenous voices are essential to defending democracy. As we honor this history, we recognize that the fight for justice continues. Indigenous communities remain at the forefront of protecting democracy, sovereignty, and human rights. Western States Center is committed to ensuring that inclusive democracy is built with and by Indigenous voices. #WoundedKnee #IndigenousRights #DefendDemocracy #TribalSovereignty

Undermining Birthright Citizenship has long been a goal of white nationalists. Thank you to Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon for standing up for a just and inclusive democracy in a hearing today and calling out the impact of eliminating this Constitutionally-protected right.

Reps. Jamie Raskin & Bennie Thompson demand DHS Sec. Kristi Noem investigate ICE Asst. Chief Counsel James Rodden over reports he’s been posting racist & xenophobic content online since 2012. They’re calling for disciplinary action if verified. #DefendDemocracy

The language we use has real consequences. As Western States Center’s Momentum Program Director, Liz Yates, warns: “Depicting migrants and refugees as an ‘invasion’ is not only a dangerous and bigoted attempt to fearmonger, it is now the basis of an authoritarian power grab.” We’ve seen what happens when this rhetoric spreads—it fuels violence, undermines democracy, and puts countless communities at risk. Congress must reject this harmful conspiracy theory before it causes more damage. Our democracy depends on it. ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/gJspFxDY #DefendDemocracy #RejectBigotry #StopTheHate

From coast to coast, movements are growing to push back against anti-immigrant bigotry And with pro-democracy partners, we’ve led a letter to Congressional leaders with 82 other organizations nationwide to reject legislation or fund executive actions based on the “invasion” conspiracy theory. Read our full statement on our website

Western States Center is proud to stand alongside The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 85 organizations in opposing Linda McMahon’s confirmation as Secretary of Education. The Secretary of Education must be unwavering in their commitment to enforcing civil rights laws and ensuring equal access to quality public education. McMahon’s lack of experience, failure to demonstrate knowledge of key policies, and unwillingness to challenge threats to student protections make her unfit for this role. We urge the Senate to reject this nomination and stand up for students, families, and educators across the country. Read more ?? https://bit.ly/no2linda