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Reclaiming Our Power for Radical Change

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Team re:power

Welcoming our first ever Program Operations intern!

In September, re:power welcomed Isabella Guinigundo (she/her) as our first-ever Program Operations Intern! Isabella is a Filipina organizer from occupied Myaamia lands (so-called Cincinnati, OH). She got her start in organizing early on when she led Cincinnati’s Young Activists Coalition at 17 years old. In 2019, Isabella helped develop the national youth climate movement as a member of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike’s Logistics team. And during the 2020 election, she led AAPI voter engagement efforts with Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership. Isabella is a co-founder of Ohio Youth for Climate Justice, a youth-led, anti-capitalist movement fighting to address the climate crisis with the focus and urgency that it deserves. 

When she’s not causing trouble for people in power, Isabella enjoys baking, reading, and long walks in the park. Presently, she is a third-year student at The Ohio State University studying Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Science & Environmental Communications. 

Isabella Guinigundo

Announcing our new Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing, Victor Suarez

Victor Suarez

Our newest staff member, Victor Suarez (he/him) joined our team in September as our Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing! Victor is based in Pasadena, CA and for the past 7 years, has worked at the intersection of electoral campaigns, narrative strategy, and digital organizing. Before joining the re:power team, Victor was the Strategic Communications Director at California Calls, a progressive statewide alliance of community-based organizations. There he led communications campaigns in support of statewide ballot initiatives, public education campaigns, and year-round power building.

Victor began his career in communications working in the political tech space. He served as an Account Executive at NationBuilder where he worked with political campaigns and non-profits in the U.S and Latin America. And he is an alumnus of re:power’s Digital Organizing School! Victor is a proud Angeleno and the son of immigrants from Mexico. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He lives in Pasadena with his incredible partner and their two cats, Simba and Mochi.

July Newsletter

Preview - July 2022 Newsletter

Statement on the overturning of Roe v. Wade

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, the decision which protected the right to abortion in this country. Justice Alito makes it clear what he hopes to do with this decision—to reset our country, back to a time that is aligned with the “history and traditions” of our nation. In fact, in multiple places throughout his opinion, Justice Alito refers to this notion. He says that in determining today’s ruling, the Court asked itself “whether the right [to abortion] is ‘deeply rooted in [our] history and tradition’ and whether it is essential to our Nation’s ‘scheme of ordered liberty.’” 

Why am I focused on Justice Alito’s insistence that we adhere to the traditions and history of our nation? Because what Justice Alito is really saying is that he, and many others who want to deny our bodily autonomy, are seeking a country in which white supremacy and patriarchy remain intact. A country in which control of our bodies is not our own. The same country that supported the enslavement and torture of Black bodies.

What we know is that the history and traditions of this country are racist and sexist. We know that the history and traditions of this country limited the liberties and freedom of anyone who was not a white cis-male. And we know that this country and its “democracy” were built to give order to the systems of white supremacy and patriarchy—it is this same “scheme of ordered liberty” which Alito argues does not protect the right to abortion. 

Today’s decision was not a surprise—we knew this was the goal. It feels scary and bad. So, so bad—especially for women of color, non-binary and gender non-conforming people of color, poor people, and anyone who lives at the intersections of marginalization based on race, gender, sexuality, and class. The impact of losing the right to abortion is directly related to losing our rights to bodily autonomy and losing access to so many supports, like compassionate healthcare, that allow us to live full and free lives. 

But I also know that for people like me who live at the intersections of race and gender—Black women and other women of color, Indigenous and Native women, trans and non-binary people of color—our rights have never felt secure in this country. Even when we see progress, we immediately hear the distant roar of those who are coming to take it away. And I’m certain that more attacks on our rights are on their way, as illustrated by Justice Thomas’ reference to the Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell decisions. 

I started my morning not thinking about SCOTUS, but instead reflecting on an incredible thing that happened this week: our first Women of Color Leadership cohort in-person kick-off in Baltimore, MD. 32 incredible women of color leaders came together to begin a journey in which they will deepen their leadership, their understanding of themselves and of each other. All of these women work daily in service of their communities. They are our future leaders. They are my seeds of hope.

Women of Color Leadership Cohort, Baltimore, MD

Today’s decision placed an ominous gray cloud over all of us. We must seek out the rays of sunshine that break through the clouds and stand in that warmth whenever we can. 

I won’t deny that the fight ahead of us will be hard, but we’ve been in this fight for longer than we think. Our ancestors were fighting this fight and our descendants may have to continue it. And in that timeline, there is still so much that we can accomplish together.

Statement on Leaked SCOTUS Opinion

Like many of you, we were up late reading and reacting to the leaked draft Supreme Court majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which appears to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. 

If true, it appears the court is prepared to make one of our biggest fears a reality: an end to the constitutional right to choose. 

We are filled with frustration, anger, and sadness at what this leaked document could mean for the future. But let’s make one thing clear: this is a leaked draft opinion, not a final order of the Court. As of today, our right to choose is still legal. 

And, if this does go on to become the Court’s decision, know this: the fight is not over.

If the leaked document is to be believed, this issue will be kicked back to the states. State and local organizing and elections will become more important than ever.

Our partners in the reproductive justice space have been preparing for this moment, and we are here to support them, state by state, by training and supporting them and their leaders on the ground working to protect our right to choose.  

From our rights to protest and vote, to our right to love and live how we choose, we are seeing our basic human rights methodically stripped away. 

Now is not the time to give up. Instead, we must band together, build power in the states and at the federal level, and do all we can to build a true democracy that serves us all. 

Ways to join this fight:

  • Get acquainted with the rights you have in your state constitution and how they can be strengthened. This is where the fight is going. 
  • Get engaged in state elections for legislators and governors and weigh in. This is where the power will be. 
  • Get to know your state supreme courts and the laws that protect them from being taken over by the opponents of democracy. This is where the buck stops.  
  • State courts are the umpires in this high stakes game. We need qualified justices who reflect the people they serve. If you’re from a state that elects judges, vote!