'Resistance 2.0' to Stop the Coup Grows in Connecticut

 

by Joelle Fishman

The crowd was overflowing at Duffy Elementary School in Wast Hartford on Saturday for a Townhall meeting with Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal called together on 48 hours notice.

Murphy, who has taken a lead in the U.S. Senate challenging the constitutionality of the Trump administration, received a prolonged standing ovation when he entered the auditorium. “I am here for two reasons, and maybe you are too,” he said. “One because I believe our democracy is worth fighting for, and two because I demand to live in a country where we do not fear our neighbors, we love our neighbors.” His statement brought another prolonged applause.

In addition to the 700 crammed into the school, hundreds more were participating on YouTube.

Following Trumps executive order and memo withholding federal funds to local programs the week before, sending healthcare, childcare, nutrition and countless other programs into crisis in Connecticut and across the country, the unconstitutionality of the administration's actions brought alarm, protests and court actions.

The courts overturned the memo withholding funds on the grounds that Congress controls all funding, but Trump made it clear that he will implement the executive order.

Murphy challenged the role of Elon Musk and DOGE saying,“in a democracy we can protect ourselves against abuses from those elites, from those billionaires, from those corporations who just want to amass power.”

Many who lined up at the mic to comment called on the Senators to do everything in their power to stop the coup. In response to one question Murphy declared, “don't feel hopeless, organize!” adding that “the first step is to show up in large numbers as we are doing.”

Audience members invited other participation to get involved in their organizations including Indivisible and faith groups. Bette Marafino, president of CT Alliance for Retired Americans urged those present to call friends and family they have who live in Republican states.

Murphy pledged to refuse to cupport confirmation of any nominees, saying ““If you’re signing up to destroy the constitution of the United States, I don’t want any part of your journey.”

Other questions centered on specific attacks including how to defend Diversity Equity and Inclusion against attempts to dismantle anti-racism. “Call it out for what it is – white supremacy.” was the reply.

In New Have, the snowfall that evening did not stop the annual run the next day to raise funds for the immigrant and refugee group IRIS. Thousands took to the streets affirming support for IRIS following withdrawal of federal funds leaving them struggling to survive.

At a press conference the following day New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced that the city has joined a lawsuit with San Francisco, Portland Oregon and King County Washington against the Trump administration to protect ”welcoming city” for undocumented immigrants..

The lawsuit challenges Trump's exeutive order to end funds for “sanctuary cities.” New Haven's “Welcoming City” order prohibits city workers from asking immigration status, disclosing confidential information, or using city resources to assist in an investigation unless compelled by state or federal law, or to coordinate with ICE.

The mayor said the city has received over $64 million in DOJ grants for violence prevention, adding that the threat of a federal funding freeze could impact moe than 300 city workers.

Since November immigrant groups and their allies began meeting, expanding relationships, studying what to do in the case of a visit from ICE, preparing the community to know its rights with “red cards” that explaining that ICE must have a court warrant signed by a judge to make an arrest.

In addition, Connecticut's Trust Act prevents state workers of sharing information with ICE. Attorney General William Tong has constantly affirmed that Connecticut is a welcoming state, and has filed numerous lawsuits against Trump's unconstitutional eecutive orders.

The previous week labor and progressive elected officials were in the house as 1500 people turned out for an historic Solidarity Summit hosted by the Unite Here unions at Yale and in Connecticut. Union workers courageously told their stories and vowed to stand firm for their democratic rights. (See story page four).

The Communist Party has been issuing weekly “Rapid Response” calls to action, this week for calls to Congress to “Stop the Coup”.