As Donald Trump prepares to assume the presidency with Republican control of Congress, grassroots organisations across the United States are intensifying efforts to resist his policies on immigration, reproductive rights, and policing.
In Austin, Texas, Grassroots Leadership, which campaigns against mass incarceration and deportation, is training residents in 'sanctuary in the streets' tactics. The group aims to enlist 500 activists within two months to physically block immigration raids and arrests through non-violent disobedience.
The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) is preparing legal challenges to rollbacks on abortion access and contraceptive coverage. Vice-President-elect Mike Pence has vowed to overturn Roe v Wade, while Trump has promised to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, which includes no co-pay contraception.
'The Trump administration is a tremendous threat to reproductive health rights and justice,' said Kelly Baden, interim senior director at CRR. The organisation is also encouraging public calls to Congress to defend Planned Parenthood.
Dream Defenders, based in Miami, is bracing for increased police brutality against black communities. The group, which launched a policy platform for black lives in August, anticipates Trump's pro-police stance will exacerbate systemic violence.
