Each year, FCNL’s Annual Meeting provides us with an opportunity to come together and strategize for the work ahead. That opportunity was particularly rejuvenating for us during this painful moment for our country.
It can be difficult to continue to engage with the political process when each day brings more injustice. How can we sustain ourselves to keep going?
We wanted to highlight a few of the moving reflections that we heard on hope, resilience, and persistence.
Itzel Hernandez, immigrant rights advocate, AFSC:
“I think about the courage of the human spirit to still dream,” Itzel Hernandez said, reflecting on her experience working with undocumented youth. “And that I think that is one thing that we must all reclaim in this moment.”
Itzel encouraged us not to lose sight of the fact that “good things are still happening.”
“You can hold people’s sorrows while you also hold someone’s dream. And you can hold people’s concerns while you also hold people’s hope,” she said.
If you do, “you’ll never let your soul starve for inspiration and hope and resilience.”
Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century:
Timothy Snyder, a historian and leading expert on authoritarianism, offered some hopeful lessons from history.
He pointed out that the movements for civil rights and women’s suffrage “had far more defeats than victories” before succeeding.
The road to victory was “long and hard,” he said, and there was “far more bad news than good news” along the way. “But the key is that people kept at it.”
Amelia Kegan, FCNL’s Associate General Secretary for Policy and Advocacy:
Amelia Kegan offered insights into how we can build power even when powerful interests oppose our work.
“Power still comes in the form of money and people. We don’t necessarily have a lot of money. We do have people,” Amelia said. “Our task is to build power by growing our partnerships and coalitions.”
“I have faith. And hope,” she continued. “Cracks are forming. Energy is building … we have to keep showing up.”
Check out our 2025 Annual Meeting Highlight Video!
Elsewhere
Anti-Immigrant Surge Spreads to Charlotte, Ideology Spreads Internationally
The federal forces tearing our communities apart surged in Charlotte, North Carolina this past week. Border Patrol raided a church property last Saturday, snatching one man without identifying themselves. The church has cancelled worship services.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on X repeated racist tropes about the supposed dangers of immigration. The Trump administration is working to export its cruel anti-immigrant agenda while ignoring the serious humanitarian and human rights concerns raised by forced migration.
FCNL is organizing a campaign of handwritten letters to deliver to Congress on December 18, National Migrants Day, to send a clear message: Immigrants make this nation whole. Unchecked, clandestine detention and deportation must stop. Learn more and write your own letter here: fcnl.org/migrationletter
Trump Threatens Members of Congress Over Video
Six Democratic members of Congress recorded a video reminding members of the U.S. military that they have the right and duty to refuse to obey illegal and unconstitutional orders. President Trump proceeded to make death threats and threats of legal prosecution against them.
But the targeted members of Congress aren’t backing down. “Fear is contagious, but so is courage,” they said in a joint statement. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.”
The vast majority of Americans do not want political violence. We know that war and violence is not the answer, at home or abroad.
Congressional Action on Sudan Genocide
Crimes against humanity are continuing in Sudan as the U.N. presses to supply aid to El Fasher. While the conflict has deep roots, it is being fueled by outside countries, particularly the UAE.
Members of Congress can cut off military exports to the UAE until it stops supporting the Rapid Support Forces carrying out genocide in Sudan. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) just asked for unanimous consent in the Senate on legislation to do just that. Although that effort failed, Van Hollen’s actions together with growing support for similar legislation in the House is increasing pressure on the UAE. Urge your lawmakers to join the legislation today!
