LSU members, David, Alma, and their son Eddie at Sunday’s rally in support of Church World Services
Nathan Wilson | LNP Staff
I know things feel daunting right now between a fascist in the White House and his right hand man and billionaire bestie, Elon Musk, stealing jobs and resources from working people through DOGE.
Organizations like the ACLU are working hard to challenge unconstitutional executive orders and labor unions are challenging many of Musk’s demands. I’m grounding myself in the important work of protecting our families, neighbors, and communities here in PA while continuing to be on the offense and fighting for the resources we deserve at the local and state levels.
We support Governor Shapiro’s decision to support working Pennsylvanians in his lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s illegal freeze of federal funds. On the day it was filed, the Trump administration was withholding over $2.1 billion in federal funding that we paid for as taxpayers! The Trump administration was preventing PA’s state government from providing us with the resources we are legally owed and deserve. As of Monday, the federal funding involved in the lawsuit was unfrozen! This is a win for all working Pennsylvanians, and we hope to see Governor Shapiro continue to fight for everyday people over billionaires.
This past Sunday in Lancaster, Lancaster Stands Up joined Church World Services at a rally and benefit concert opposing the Trump administration’s executive order that halted the US Refugees Admission Program (USRAP) and froze federal payments for work conducted by refugee settlement organizations like CWS. The funding freeze prompted CWS to furlough 65 employees in the Lancaster region, and many more across the country. As of Tuesday, U.S. District Court judge, Jamal Whitehead, filed a preliminary injunction stating the USRAP can continue its work and the Trump administration cannot prevent refugees from being allowed into the U.S. at least until the pending case, Pacito v. Trump, is resolved.
The Lancaster community came together and raised over $10,000 at the sold out benefit concert hosted by Tellus360 for our neighbors that CWS supports. This is what protecting each other looks like. So far, community members have raised $45,000 for the employees furloughed by CWS. To support the furloughed CWS employees, please do so through their separate GoFundMe, here.
Lancaster reminded me we are not alone, and there’s hope when we work together. I invite you to find hope in your community by joining us. When we come together across race, place, and generation, we build power, strengthen our communities, and successfully fight for the resources we all need to thrive. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to protect each other. Get involved today! Become a member of PA Stands Up, and join us for an upcoming event!
If you’re already a dues paying member, consider donating to help us sustain our fight for safety, dignity, and resources all Pennsylvanians need.
In community,
Hannah