Tuesday, October 28, 2025
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A View From the Ground
News and information about politics, government, civic participation and engagement from URL Media's network of Black and Brown publishers.
This week, learn how noncitizen immigrants can be part of the political process. Also, how Trump is weaponizing the justice system to target high-ranking Black women. And as always, we’re bringing you the latest updates at url-media.com.
Credit: iStock
Can't vote? You still have political power
If you’re not a citizen, you can still have a voice in shaping the political future. Immigrants and other non-voters have serious power when it comes to shaping their communities, from influencing how millions of dollars get spent to pushing for policy changes that affect everyone.
Want to actually see your tax dollars at work? Programs like Participatory Budgeting and The People's Money let any resident propose and vote on projects for schools, parks, and community services. No citizenship required. You can also join community boards, testify at City Council hearings, or get involved with immigrant rights organizations that lobby elected officials and organize protests.
Even political campaigns need you. Non-voters can volunteer, canvass, and phone bank for candidates they believe in. From PTAs to town halls to worker advocacy groups, there are dozens of entry points into civic life that don't require a ballot. Your voice matters in shaping policies on housing, wages, healthcare, and transportation.
Quote of the Week
"This whole mess is basically a mess of [the city’s] own making.” – Mohamed Attia, managing director of the nonprofit advocacy group Street Vendor Project, explaining to Documented how the addition of ICE has exacerbated the sustained, year-long campaign by NYC law enforcement to crack down on unlicensed vendors.
Source: Pexels / Brett Jordan
Ways to get involved
Learn tools to challenge anti-Muslim hate - CAIR
Source: iStock
How Trump wields the DOJ, ICE and domestic abuse, who makes policy and more
Trump continues to target Black women who oppose him: NY Attorney General Letitia James got indicted for allegedly helping her niece buy a house, but Trump officials with identical mortgage situations faced zero consequences. She's the latest Black woman in public service targeted by the Trump administration, joining Federal Reserve economist Lisa Cook and Georgia DA Fani Willis. Over 100,000 Black women have lost federal jobs in DEI rollbacks. Legal experts say the justice system is being weaponized to punish political opponents and erase institutional progress built by women of color. Keep reading at Capital B.
ICE raids are silencing abuse survivors: ICE raids and Trump's immigration crackdowns are silencing domestic violence survivors. Reports have dropped by a third in LA County, not because abuse decreased but because immigrants are terrified to come forward. The administration is making it harder to get visas that protect survivors, and denied applicants now face deportation instead of just losing status. Social workers say abusers are weaponizing immigration fear while survivors avoid courthouses, hotlines, and police. When survivors stay silent, abusers walk free and everyone becomes less safe. Keep reading at AsAm News.
Reshaping who makes policy: UC Berkeley's Possibility Lab is flipping the script on who gets to shape policy. They're partnering with California's Youth Empowerment Commission to bring young people, low-income communities, and people of color into policy conversations that usually exclude them. Instead of waiting for elections, they're collecting real-time data on what communities actually need and feeding it directly to state agencies working on climate, land use, and budget priorities. The goal? Make policy reflect people who don't traditionally vote or donate to campaigns. Keep reading at India Currents.
When the president acts like a dictator: Trump demolished the White House East Wing and is remaking America in the image of authoritarian Philippines under Marcos and Duterte. He's pardoning crypto executives tied to his business, demanding $250 million in "legal costs" from taxpayers, and ordering extrajudicial military strikes without Congressional approval. Meanwhile, he's heading to Asia to negotiate with Xi and other leaders who are playing nice to get what they need. The strongman act isn't just for show anymore, and what happens abroad is reshaping democracy at home in terrifying ways. Keep reading at AsAm News.
Other recommended reading
‘No Kings’ and the lure of spectacle - Black Agenda Report
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This content was created with AI assistance or collection.
