Author: Val Warren

We’ve seen everything from executive orders attempting to dismantle critical public agencies, threats of massive cuts to critical programs like Medicaid, deportation of legal U.S. residents, and massive tariffs that have sent a shockwave through our economy.

From the beginning, it has been clear that there is a shock-and-awe campaign being waged by the ultra-wealthy against the working class. The common theme throughout these past 100 days has been an assault on basic freedoms, challenges to the legislative and judicial branches of government, and the disruption of many services and programs that are crucial to poor and working families and the well-being of our society as a whole. The people behind this effort want us to think that they are all-powerful, that we can’t trust anybody, and that the best thing to do is run away and hide.

But here’s the thing: we ain’t built like that. We know better. We’ve been through hard times before, and we always come out stronger on the other side. That’s what makes us different. No matter what gets thrown our way, we keep pushing forward. We’ve already won some big battles, and that’s not nothing.

Last year was full of victories that we can be proud of. We didn’t just talk about changing things; we made it happen. In local budget campaigns, we secured $34 million in funding for projects that directly benefit our community. That’s real money going toward real people and real needs. We didn’t just stop there either. We wrote out a clear platform for what we want our future to look like, and then we elected leaders who said they’d fight for it. We broke the supermajority, defeated candidates who didn’t have our backs, and even came together to elect a governor who’s already shown he’s ready to stand up for us. That’s huge. That’s the power of working together.

But we know the job’s not finished. The challenges ahead are still real, and they’re not gonna be easy. But guess what? We don’t carry this weight alone. This movement, this fight — it’s our home. And we look out for our own. The noise from outside forces might try to break us down, but we’re stronger together. We’ve made it this far because we stick together, and we’re gonna keep moving forward, no matter what.

It’s easy to look at the news and feel like the deck is stacked against us. But one thing we’ve always known as Down Homies is that our strength comes from unity. We’ve been through tough times before, and every time, we’ve come out the other side stronger. That’s because we’ve always had each other’s backs.

This movement we’re building isn’t just about fighting for ourselves —
it’s about fighting for everyone who feels left behind, everyone who feels like the system is rigged against them.

So instead of doing what THEY want us to do, we did the opposite. We’ve been getting together online every other week, sharing information, sharing resources, making plans, and getting connected on our First 100 Days call series.

Next week, this historic and unprecedented first 100 days will come to a close, and we’ll wrap our series with what we know now and what we are seeing on the road ahead.

We know it won’t be easy. But we’re built for this. We’ve got the strength, the grit, and the determination to face whatever comes our way. And we don’t have to do it alone. We can’t do it alone. We need everyone to step up, to reach out to their neighbors, to organize, to make sure we’re always fighting for what’s right.

We hope you’ll join us: dhnc.info/First100

RSVP now to join our wrap-up call
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 7 pm
dhnc.info/First100

We’re sending you strength, purpose, and love as we enter a new political reality. Thank you for being a part of our community.