Power to the People News — April 23, 2026
Power to the People News for April 23, 2026: Iran war backlash, abortion rights, sexual harassment in Congress, and authoritarian power.
Power to the People News is independent, people-powered news and action for everyone ready to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.
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When Power Abuses, the People Respond
The warning signs are impossible to ignore. This week, a major study found dozens of sexual harassment allegations involving members of Congress, veterans were arrested for protesting the Iran war, fresh reporting raised new questions about whether Trump can be trusted in moments of military crisis, and voters made clear they are not buying the war propaganda. At the same time, the fight for bodily autonomy remains urgent: Pennsylvania struck down a Medicaid abortion funding ban, abortion bans in red states are blocking lifesaving care, and the DOJ is facing scrutiny after welcoming anti-abortion advocates while pushing out staff tied to abortion-rights groups.
But this is not the end of the story. Communities are organizing. Advocates are rising. Truth is breaking through. And people across this country are refusing to surrender their rights, their dignity, or their democracy. Power still belongs to the people — and together, we can protect our communities and each other.
📰 Stories Shaping Power to the People Right Now
Dozens of US lawmakers have been accused of sexual harassment, study finds
Power without accountability becomes abuse. A new study found 53 workplace sexual harassment allegations against at least 30 members of Congress, and most victims were staffers. Survivors deserve more than another resignation and a forgotten headline. People power means changing the rules, protecting workers, and ending the culture that lets the powerful prey on those with less power. The Guardian
Dozens of US Military Veterans Arrested At Capitol During Protest Against Iran War
When veterans get arrested for opposing war, democracy is in trouble. Reports say dozens of US military veterans were detained at the Capitol after protesting the Iran war, many in uniform and some with military families beside them. People power means listening when those sent to serve say enough. War without accountability abroad always threatens rights and democracy at home. Sunday Guardian Live
AOC Renews Call to Oust Trump After Report on His Exclusion From Situation Room
If a president cannot be trusted in the Situation Room, the danger is bigger than one scandal. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez renewed calls to remove Trump after reports that aides kept him from real-time military updates because they believed his impatience would not help. People power means leaders who can be trusted with war, lives, and democracy. Truthout
Trump keeps claiming victory in Iran. Our new poll shows voters aren’t buying it.
Voters are not buying the war spin. A new Politico poll found most Americans say the Iran war is not in the national interest, only 38 percent back the strikes, and many do not believe Trump has clear goals. People power starts with rejecting propaganda and demanding leaders put human needs, truth, and democracy ahead of reckless war. Politico
Pennsylvania court strikes down ban on use of Medicaid funds for abortions
When healthcare depends on income, rights are already under attack. A Pennsylvania court struck down the state’s ban on using Medicaid funds for abortions and said the state constitution guarantees a right to abortion. That is what people power looks like: refusing a system where low-income women are denied care because politicians decided their freedom costs too much. The Guardian
Red States Thought They Could Stop Abortions. They Ended Up Stopping Only the Lifesaving Ones.
Abortion bans were sold as stopping abortions. Instead, they are stopping lifesaving care. Slate reports the bans are failing at their own stated goal while putting pregnant people in danger when emergencies hit. Freedom over fascism means rejecting laws that treat women as disposable and defending the right to survive pregnancy, not just the right to be judged by politicians. Slate
DOJ hosts anti-abortion advocates after it fired staff for work with abortion-rights orgs
This is what authoritarian power looks like when extremists get the keys. NBC News reports the Justice Department met with anti-abortion advocates just hours after firing staff accused of ties to abortion-rights groups. When government punishes one side and welcomes the other, rights are not being protected. People power means defending bodily autonomy and stopping the state from becoming a weapon for ideological control. NBC News
Dozens of US lawmakers have been accused of sexual harassment, study finds
Power without accountability becomes abuse. A new study found 53 workplace sexual harassment allegations against at least 30 members of Congress, and most victims were staffers. Survivors deserve more than another resignation and a forgotten headline. People power means changing the rules, protecting workers, and ending the culture that lets the powerful prey on those with less power. The Guardian
Why the Grassroots Resistance Can’t Wait
These stories are warnings about what happens when power stops respecting human life, dignity, and accountability. The pattern is clear: cruelty is being normalized while oversight falls behind. That is why the grassroots resistance cannot wait. People power is how we expose abuse, defend our neighbors, and demand accountability before even more harm is treated as business as usual.
💥 Your Power in Action: What You Can Do Today
🚨 Take Action: Tell Congress: Impeach Pete Hegseth Now
📜 Take Action: Impeach Trump for Threatening War Crimes in Iran
💸Take Action: Make the Ultra-Rich Pay Their Fair Share
💵 Take Action: Tell Congress now: keep politics and personal branding off our money.
💵 Take Action: Tell Treasury: Keep Trump Off Our Money
🏥Take Action: Tell Congress: choose healthcare, not warfare.
Join an upcoming event:
Communities Not Cages: National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention
On April 25, 2026 communities are showing up and speaking out to Stop ICE’s warehouse detention expansion. Find an event near you.
May Day Strong
On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping. Find an event near you.
The movement for progress and power to the people starts here.
Together, we can defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy, hold leaders accountable to the people’s will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
People Power United is independent, people-powered news and grassroot movement actions dedicated to defending our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy. This is our moment to rise, resist, and reclaim our democracy. Millions of Americans and people who call America home are already rising up in the streets, at the ballot box, and in their communities.
People Power United champions freedom over fascism, progress over fear, and power to the people. We believe change is possible, and we do the work to make it happen. Join us to build people power.
Laurie Woodward Garcia
(paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
Leader, People Power United
People Power United | In this community, we speak out, show up, and build power against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry.
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Power to the People News is independent, people-powered news and action for everyone ready to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.
Subscribe free for daily accountability news and urgent actions, or go paid to help keep this work independent and power the movement for justice, change, and lasting people power.