Trans Relocation Support of Western Mass. is a local group working with the national network Pink Haven Coalition to assist trans and nonbinary individuals fleeing states with anti-trans legislation for Western Massachusetts. TRS helps them find temporary housing and connects them with a team of volunteers—their own “welcome village.” Volunteers provide much-needed support as newcomers settle in and join our affirming community.

This project hopes to reach people concerned about what is happening with our immigrant neighbors and are not sure how to help or aren’t able to donate their time. We would like to make it easy to help and keep informed. The Five Friends and Neighbors Initiative asks a person to commit to connecting with 5 friends and neighbors asking them to donate $5 a month to local organizations that are trusted by the immigrant community. In return the person will receive a monthly summary from the project organizers describing fundraising benchmarks, current needs, and progress made on legislation, fund distribution, etc. The goal is to increase awareness and action in our area and provide the opportunity to inform our neighbors and friends so we can keep them engaged.

An initiative of FCCPR, the project benefits the People’s Fund, the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, LUCE—and indirectly, ultimately, all of us.

Citizens Bank is the #1 investor in ICE prisons through GEO Group & CoreCivic. Citizens Bank invested $2.2 billion in 2024 alone. The request is simple: cancel your account at Citizens, and then write them and tell them why.

The regime has launched a webpage to report “media bias” tips. What a pity it would be if it were flooded with tips about every show on Fox TV.

Six Congressional Democrats who are former members of the military or intelligence services produced a video reminding servicemembers of their obligation to refuse illegal orders, and assuring them that we’ll have their backs when and if they do. The reaction from the lawless cult of the GOP has been hostile.

Eight Democratic Senators calling themselves the “Fight Club” are working to shift the party towards a more aggressive stance against the regime.

We must let these electeds know that we are behind them. Let’s encourage more of them:

We will kick off 2026 with a reprise of our work alerting voters in Michigan (races for governor, US Senate, all 13 US House seats in November), of the impact of the Republican budget. This will be a news boosting graphic (see above), highlighting the cuts to rural hospitals made law in the Republican budget bill (script below).

You can reserve cards on this form. Packets will be available to pick up in Florence or in Amherst (details on the form) on January 7. The cards are free (from the folks at Postcards to Swing States); 25 postcard stamps are $16; subsidies and payment options are on the form. Cards are to be mailed on February 8. You may hold on to them and mail yourself on that date, or return them to the pickup locations to be mailed en masse.