Take action to defend democracy!
Actions for the week of 7.7.2025
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Send your ideas for action items to: cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com
We rely on your input for these items!
These are just suggestions of actions you could take as an individual. If you are a League member, always remember to express your personal views, and not to speak on behalf of the League.Only League Presidents or designees can speak on behalf of the League.
Local-Level Actions
ACTION 1: ATTEND meetings of your local government and stay informed on local issues.
LWVOP.org maintains an extensive calendar of local public meetings.
- Monday, July 7: Pickens County Council Meeting in the Council Auditorium at the Administration Facility, 222 McDaniel Ave., Pickens, SC 29671 at 6:30 pm. Here are links to their 2025 Council Meeting Calendar, Pickens County Calendar, and to the agenda and minutes and videos.
- Monday, July 7: City of Clemson Council meeting held at Council Chambers, Clemson City Hall, 1250 Tiger Blvd #1, Clemson, SC 29631 at 6:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Find the 2025 calendar.
- Tuesday, July 15: Oconee County Council will hold the final vote on the amendment to the Conservation Bank Ordinance. There will be a public comment period and a hearing before the vote. Learn more about this issue and read the online petition.
ACTION 2: SAVE the Date: July 17, John Lewis National Day of Action
Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
— Congressman John Lewis
“Good Trouble Lives On” is a day of action scheduled on July 17 to honor John Lewis’ legacy. The national office has signed on as a partner if Leagues are interested in planning actions that day. Learn more here: Good Trouble Lives On Messaging Guide: March in Peace. Act in Power.
State Of Play: What We’re Fighting For
“We are facing the most brazen rollback of civil rights in generations. The same forces that used violence against John Lewis and civil rights leaders for marching for justice on the Edmund Pettus Bridge are back, with billionaires’ backers, extremist leaders, and authoritarian ambition.” — LWVUS
State-Level Actions
Find your SC Legislators
ACTION 3: SAVE the date: August 6
The LWVSC Healthcare Policy Workgroup is planning a special meeting for August 6. The speakers will be addressing issues that will be of broad interest, so they would like to extend the invitation to the full membership. More details to come.
ACTION 4: LEARN: Upcoming Unite and Rise Training LWVUS Democracy in Your Hands Series | July – October 2025
This virtual training series will include five key topics, outlining how Leagues can activate and mobilize their communities in this rapidly changing political environment and make a lasting impact. Members are welcome to attend any of the following sessions, occurring through the summer and early fall. Find the upcoming agenda and more information on each session.
- Jul. 23, 11am ET | Championing Issues That Matter Most to You
- Aug. 20, 12:30pm ET | Understand the Three Branches of Government
- Sept. 17, 11am ET | Working With Local Election Officials to Anchor Change
National Level Actions
Update: “Unnecessary and Disastrous: LWV Responds to Signing of Budget Reconciliation Package”
July 3, 2025: Today President Trump signed into law a budget reconciliation package, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” that will drastically cut health care for millions of Americans.
In response, the League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following statement:
“On the day we should be celebrating America, instead, President Trump and his allies are attempting to systematically dismantle the very reason for this holiday and put our country in harm's way by ripping away health care from millions of Americans.
“The budget reconciliation bill signed today will kick millions of people off Medicaid — the single largest source of health coverage in our country — a completely unnecessary and disastrous choice that does nothing to improve Americans’ lives.”
Read this article from the Statehouse Report for an analysis of how the bill could affect South Carolinians.
Passage of this budget may feel like a defeat, it’s important to stay engaged. If you need a break from national issues, then take one!
ACTION 5: If you would like to speak out on other issues of executive overreach, including:
- Use of National Guard and Military Against Americans
- The Trump Administration Defiance of the Courts and Constitution
- Defending Reproductive Rights
These topics and many more are available for action on fivecalls.org
ACTION 6: STAY INFORMED: NEW LWV Federal Judiciary Position
In June 2025, the League of Women Voters national Board was pleased to announce the adoption of the new League position on the Federal Judiciary.
“The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) believes that all powers of the US government should be exercised within the constitutional framework of the balance of powers among the three branches of government. The League believes that, within the bounds of the US Constitution, the overarching principles of transparency, accountability, independence, and ethics are essential to an effective federal judiciary. These principles are not only essential for a strong democracy but foster public trust in the federal judiciary and adherence to the rule of law, the essence of our constitutional democracy.”
ACTION 7: STAY INFORMED: What do the Supreme Court's decisions this term mean for democracy?
Wednesday July 9, 3 pm
“The Supreme Court currently faces some of the biggest challenges in its history. The president is determined to break through the constitutional limits of executive power, and the Court’s own public approval hovers near all-time lows. Will the justices stand up for the Constitution on the biggest issue facing the country, the extraordinary executive power grab?
“Against this backdrop, the justices are poised to hand down rulings in key cases that will affect millions of people’s lives, including access to healthcare, education, and political representation and the power of federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions. Join us on Wednesday, July 9, at 3 p.m. ET for a virtual conversation with Supreme Court experts about the Court’s decisions this term and what they mean for the rule of law at a time when democracy is under strain.
“Whether you follow the Court closely or are looking to understand its role in our system of checks and balances, this discussion will provide essential context for how the Court is working today.”
Sponsored by Brennan Center for Justice. Register here.
ACTION 8: Take CARE of yourself (and others!)
With so much going on in the world, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Take some time to do something you enjoy. Here’s a little cartoon to remind us to smile and be kind to others. Courtesy of FunnyTimes.com
ACTION 9: Join the League (if you are not already a member!
Help support the League in their mission of educating and informing voters.
ACTION 10: Sign up for the mailing list.
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We would love to hear from you about this initiative. Feel free to forward this email to others who wish to find ways to participate. Whether it’s how this made you feel, results you saw, or suggestions for future topics, please let cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com (subject: Defending%20Democracy, body: ) (Cherie Walker) know.
