Local Progress

13 Jan 2025

Hey everyone! We're Local Progress, a national network of local elected officials united in the fight for racial and economic justice. It's wonderful to see so many familiar faces here from Twitter 😁. If you don't know who we are, here's a little primer! 🧵👇

🗓️SAVE THE DATE: Meet us in Portland, OR next year! We can't wait to bring together our incredible community for our 2027 National Convening in Portland on July 8-10.

When the federal government announced "Midway Blitz" last year, @chialderwoman.bsky.social jumped into action. ICE raids & assaults on local officials brought chaos, but local leaders fought back. From alert networks to immigrant justice support, local leaders have a role to play when ICE shows up.

The #BraveofUs this month took action against surveillance and ICE overreach in our communities. Local power keeps our communities safe. ❤️ Swipe through to see where it's happening 👉

thestranger.comSeattle Votes 7-2 to Restrict Algorithmic Grocery Pricing - The StrangerThe Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to limit how companies use personal data to set prices in grocery stores. The move will prohibit large grocery stores from using algorithmic pricing for individu...

🛒 The Seattle City Council passed a new law to prohibit large grocery stores from using algorithmic grocery pricing! Introduced by @councilmember-amr.seattle.gov and @mayor.seattle.gov, this law prevents price gouging and discrimination based on personal data. www.thestranger.com/news/seattle...

syracuse.comSyracuse University can, and should, pay city substantially more, auditor’s report saysAnalysis of school's property portfolio shows it would pay $35 million to city and school district if parcels were fully taxable.

As localities face budget deficits, LP members are exploring every option to ensure those who can pay do so and services aren't cut. Read Syracuse Auditor Marion's Op-Ed 👇 on how a local private university should pay what it owes to ensure the entire city can thrive. https://bit.ly/4rxVsT6

School is back in session – and every student deserves to feel safe in their classroom. As a school board member, you have the power to keep ICE off campus and away from student data. Our No Secret Police toolkit shows how. Link in bio. 📚

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Congressman Greg Casar

@repcasar.bsky.social

21 Sept

ICE wants to deport Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a DoorDash driver who they just shot in Austin yesterday. The federal government can't shoot someone and then try to make them disappear to escape scrutiny. Wilber Rafael Garces Perez needs a doctor right now, not a deportation.

17 Sept

ICE wants your local police to do its dirty work. The 287(g) Program, often voluntary unless your state law requires it, turns local cops into ICE agents, emboldening them to surveil, arrest, and deport our neighbors. The good news: local electeds can stop it. 🚫 Link to the toolkit in our bio!

16 Sept

Co-governance helps local electeds build power & uplift community voices. LP member Delishia Porterfield, TN Council Member, published an op-ed on co-governance's future as part of the "Case for Co-Governance" series with @raceforward.org & Partners for Dignity. Read the op-ed at the link in bio

10 Sept

Today's #NoSecretPolice policy win is from Lehigh County, PA! LPPA member County Executive Josh Siegel helped ban ICE from using county property for immigration enforcement. No county spaces to cover up secret police tactics. ‼️ Want this for your community? Toolkit linked in bio.

msmagazine.com‘At Last, We Know We Are Not Alone’: Gloria Steinem on Ms., the Feminist Movement and the Work Still AheadGloria Steinem helped bring feminist ideas, voices and movements into the mainstream through journalism, organizing and activism—and helped build <em>Ms.</em> into what it remains today: not simply a ...

3 Sept

Gloria Steinem practiced both bold activism and reflective learning when her activism fell short. Her legacy is a reminder that passing the torch means making our movements more inclusive, intersectional, and just. https://msmagazine.com/2026/09/03/gloria-steinem-feminist/

27 Aug

It’s the National Week of Action Against Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), but for the #BraveofUs, every week is a chance to stop surveillance and protect residents’ safety and privacy. 🛑 Learn more about how you can cancel your ALPR contracts at the link in our bio.

AMR - Alexis Mercedes Rinck

25 Aug

As ICE continues its silent rampage, it's #BraveOfUS to speak out. Lately, we’ve been featuring some of our powerful and brave first-generation immigrant members of LP 💖 Today, the inspiring Mayor of Mount Rainier, MD Celina Benitez!

Local Progress reposted

@alexis4seattle.bsky.social

24 Aug

Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Foster, Councilmember Saka and I are teaming up to ban surveillance pricing at grocery chains in Seattle. Surveillance pricing is a harmful practice where your data is weaponized against you to price gouge. (1/2)

Local Progress reposted

AI Now Institute

@ainowinstitute.bsky.social

You passed a data center moratorium. Now what? Join us tomorrow at 1pm ET for a workshop on the policy tools and organizing strategies so moratoriums build momentum for lasting change, featuring real-life examples from Arizona, New Jersey, Texas, and Tennessee. Register: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Housing should be for people, not profit. That's why Local Progress Impact Lab is releasing a resource with Regional Housing Legal Services on bold tactics local elected officials in Pennsylvania can take to bring down the cost of housing in their communities.

The toolkit covers policies to make housing more affordable, protect renters, and prevent displacement, including: 🏡 Anti-Retaliation 🏡 Just Cause Eviction Protections 🏡 Rental Registration and Licensing 🏡 Rent Stabilization 🏡 Short Term Rentals 🏡 Social Housing

localprog.orglocalprog.org

We all deserve a dignified, stable, place to call home. That’s what Local Progress members across the state are fighting for in their communities. Read the full toolkit here: localprog.org/PABoldHousin...

DHS calls it "market research" – we call it just another trick up their sleeve to secretly dilute our local power while they continue to detain our neighbors in deplorable conditions. 📣Local leaders say NO.

bit.lyChicagoans Alleging Crimes By ICE Agents Seek Police Help After Feds ‘Fail To Act’A coalition of alleged victims and immigration advocates filed nine police reports Monday against federal agents linked to last fall’s Operation Midway Blitz.

17 Aug

When federal agents act with impunity, as they did during Operation Midway Blitz, local leaders step up. LP member and Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez stood alongside victims and advocates, leading with transparency and accountability. https://bit.ly/3RZklcZ

resolvephilly.orgOne year of ICE Out trainings - Resolve PhillyIt's been a year since Councilmember Kendra Brooks and her team have hosted ICE Out trainings in Philly. They reflect and look to the future.

14 Aug

A year ago, Councilmember Kendra Brooks launched the "ICE Out" training sessions in partnership with local orgs. Today, they've reached over 3,000 Philadelphians, with 150 of those being new trainers on how to interact with ICE and protect vulnerable community members. 👏🏼 https://bit.ly/462k3oM

13 Aug

Essex County, NJ, banned county collaboration with ICE and the use of county property for immigration enforcement. ‼️ S/O to County Commissioner VP A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, who led the fight – and won. Check out the #NoSecretPolice toolkit at the link in our bio!

lcsun-news.comDOJ's Model City Initiative is a Trojan horse for Las Cruces | OpinionIt’s not difficult to understand the real intent of this initiative.

12 Aug

DOJ's $300M "Model City Initiative" comes with strings attached: surveillance, fear, and violence in immigrant communities. S/O LP members and Las Cruces Councilors Bencomo & Corran for calling it what it is: a Trojan horse, not a safety grant. Read more: https://bit.ly/4wgbRfD

lpm.orgAs data center developers eye West Virginia, local communities feel overlookedData center development is a fast growing industry, with projects popping up in seemingly every corner of the country. But that’s not been the case in West Virginia so far. Now, state officials are ro...

7 Aug

More than half of all Americans don't want a data center built in their backyard. But thanks to preemption, state officials in West Virginia are removing local decision-making and paving the way for data center development in every community. Read more 👇 https://bit.ly/4fIwBYr

progressivegrocer.comSetting the Stage for More Public Grocery StoresBig cities find creative ways to eradicate food deserts

4 Aug

When people across the country are in grocery aisles finding themselves weighing whether eggs or milk fit into their budget, something is broken. Municipal grocery stores can stabilize the cost of putting food on the table. progressivegrocer.com/setting-stag...

bit.lyStarting a Municipal Grocery Program: First Steps and BackgroundPolicy Bulletin 📌 Starting a Municipal Grocery Store: Background and First Steps April 2026 Across the country, communities are confronting a deepening grocery crisis: prices continue to climb, nei...

4 Aug

Our policy bulletin breaks down the grocery affordability crisis and how localities can explore municipal grocery programs with existing and emerging models as well as practical steps to begin introducing them in your own neighborhoods. bit.ly/3OoRpcw

borderlessmag.orgICE Arrests Are Leaving Some Immigrant Families’ Cars Behind. These Volunteers Are Stepping In To Help – Featured – Borderless Magazine NFPICE Arrests Are Leaving Some Immigrant Families’ Cars Behind. These Volunteers Are Stepping In To Help – Featured – Borderless Magazine NFP

4 Aug

Our members are not just governing from afar. They're on the ground with their communities figuring out creative solutions that truly work. Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez is doing just that. https://bit.ly/4yZ8dta

seattlemedium.comKing County Explores Countywide Housing Levy To Expand Affordable HousingKing County explores a countywide housing levy to fund affordable housing and shelters amid potential federal funding cuts.

3 Aug

“You can’t have stability, health, or healing without the basic necessity of a place to call home, and too many across our county are facing just that reality." - @cmtmosqueda.bsky.social https://seattlemedium.com/king-county-housing-levy-exploration/

30 July

From Milwaukee to Portland, San Diego to El Paso, and many other localities — LP's Immigrant Justice Steering Committee is a diverse group of local leaders, all fighting the same battle for immigrant families. #BraveOfUs @braveofus.bsky.social ❤️

dailyyonder.comQ&A: West Liberty City Council Member Dana Dominguez | The Daily YonderEditor’s Note: This interview first appeared in Path Finders, an email newsletter from the Daily Yonder. Each week, Path Finders features a Q&A with a

28 July

A moving interview with LP Immigrant Justice Steering Committee member and City Councilmember in West Liberty, IA Dana Dominguez ⤵️ https://dailyyonder.com/qa-west-liberty-city-council-member-dana-dominguez/2026/07/17/

thebanner.comFirst Baltimore Latina council member calls for more protection from ICE near schoolsImmigration enforcement is “changing childhood itself,” experts told Baltimore City Council at a three-hour hearing Thursday.

27 July

Immigration enforcement is ‘changing childhood itself" - worsening anxiety and depression for students. That's why @odetteramos.bsky.social wants to expand Baltimore's Safe Passage initiative to more schools 👏 www.thebanner.com/education/k-...

washingtonpost.comMan fatally shot by police officer in Madison, prompting protest in cityThe shooting in the Marquette neighborhood of Madison, Wisconsin, was filmed by people nearby and shared online.

23 July

Sending love, strength, and power to our members in Madison ❤️✊🏽

The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com

Protests have taken place in Madison, Wisconsin, after a man was shot and killed by a police officer on Wednesday as a bystander captured graphic video of the incident, which was widely shared on social media and is fueling tensions in the city.

22 July

As ICE’s “silent surge” continues, it’s #BraveOfUS to speak out. Lately, we’ve been featuring some of our powerful and brave first-generation immigrant members of LP 💖 Today, the inspiring Portland City Councilor @pnwpolicyangel.bsky.social!

portland.govCity Leaders: We Stand with Our Immigrant NeighborsPortland leaders denounce the "silent surge" of immigration enforcement spreading fear among our neighbors. While federal immigration is beyond the City’s authority, our commitment to our immigrant co...

22 July

S/O to the LP members across Portland who formally denounced the "silent surge" of immigration enforcement spreading fear among our neighbors. “To our immigrant neighbors: we see your fear, and we refuse to accept this as normal.” www.portland.gov/hello/news/2...

20 July

An upcoming federal court case could force MASSIVE energy rate hikes onto the people of Puerto Rico. All to enrich greedy bondholders like GoldenTree. 200+ elected officials just filed an amicus brief calling for people over profits ‼️

AMR - Alexis Mercedes Rinck

20 July

In GoldenTree v. The People of Puerto Rico, LP members are standing up for the people of Puerto Rico – fighting to ensure they can afford their electric bills & access essential public services during emergencies. Check out the amicus brief ➡️ localprog.org/PREPAAmicus

Local Progress reposted

KimRoneyforAsheville

@kimroney.bsky.social

14 July

Organizing with @localprogress.bsky.so in Baltimore!

Local Progress reposted

@alexis4seattle.bsky.social

12 July

I’ve been in Baltimore the past couple of days at the @localprogress.bsky.social Annual Convening alongside over 500 progressive city, county, and school board elected officials. I’m leaving with policy ideas, new relationships to incredible leaders, and a lot of hope. Onwards together!

Local Progress reposted

Igor #IStandWithUkraineTregub he/him

@igortregub.bsky.social

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the national @localprogress.bsky.social convening in #Baltimore. My heart is full from the experience and my head is full of ideas I’ve learned and workshopped there about how to get ourselves into all sorts of #goodtrouble. Thank you LP! 💪

This past weekend, we held our ⚡️2026 LP National Convening ⚡️ in Baltimore! We hosted 500+ local leaders and partners for an amazing 3 days of connection, learning, and rejuvenation. Our time together left us basking in hope, joy, and gratitude 💖

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On our last day together, we reminded ourselves that first and foremost we are ORGANIZERS. We govern with our communities. We lead with our neighbors. We rise by lifting up those around us.

localprogress.orgJoin Us - Local ProgressJoin Us

Last weekend, our members and partners laid the groundwork for a new sort of governing. One that leads boldly with joy, and ALWAYS puts the needs of our communities before the rich and powerful. Join our network and be a part of this movement. localprogress.org/join-us/

Our theme this year was "Fearless Leadership. Joyful Liberation." 🌼 As the Trump Admin continues to terrorize our communities, it is more important now than ever to govern boldly -- constantly building towards our ultimate goal of true liberation for all.

From strategy sessions and community building, to site visits and state chapter meetups -- our first two days were jam packed! We grounded ourselves in place in Baltimore, learned from one another, nerded out, and made commitments to take back to our communities.

krwg.orgLas Cruces City Councilor Johana Bencomo on birthright citizenshipLast week the U.S. Supreme court decided to uphold birthright citizenship. Councilor Johana Bencomo discussed her thoughts on the decision and what the City of Las Cruces can do to protect immigrants.

14 July

"It should not have been even something that was discussed. It is in the Constitution, and it is the soul of this country. If you are born here, you are an American citizen." - @johana-b.bsky.social Las Cruces City Councilor Johana Bencomo on birthright citizenship ⤵️ www.krwg.org/krwg-news/20...

Local Progress reposted

Kelsea Bond 🌹

@kelseabondatl.bsky.social

11 July

What an honor to spend the weekend with so many progressive legislators around the country at the @localprogress.bsky.social convening in Baltimore, including DC’s NEWEST Democratic Socialist Mayor-elect Janeese Lewis George, and so many other cool people! 🌹

mcall.comLehigh County bans ICE from staging immigration operations on county propertyThe Lehigh County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday banned ICE agents from using county property for immigration enforcement operations, but postponed a vote on a related measure.

9 July

S/O to Lehigh County, PA for ensuring county-owned property is ICE-free 👏 "We don’t want people to be afraid of our public spaces; we want people to enjoy them." - County Executive Joshua Siegel www.mcall.com/2026/06/25/l...

nytimes.comImmigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down

2 July

ICE has arrested more than 10,000 people in the last five days -- that is DOUBLE its daily arrest numbers. This has happened quietly, without the media attention that previous federal deployments have received. It's up to all of us to visibilize this terror. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/01/u...

1 July

While the Supreme Court seeks to ostracize young trans people from our society, the Pride Caucus has one simple message to the trans youth in our communities. You are valued, you are worthy, and you are not alone in this fight.