There's no messaging without organizing. Unless you have a task for message to do - bring people together to contest for power & take on billionaires poisoning us - you can't craft let alone evaluate message.
And there's no organizing without messaging. Directing action take words & images.
Graphic illustration of a hand placing a ballot labeled “VOTE” into a ballot box. The background spells “TEXANS” repeatedly in large pink letters. A button at the bottom reads “WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT.” The Move Texas logo appears in the top right. Text on image reads: “VOTE” “WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT” Logo: “MOVE TEXAS”
Pink background slide with white text encouraging young people to vote in Texas. Text on image reads: “In Texas, the people at the top—billionaires, big corporations, and crooked politicians—bank on us staying quiet and staying home. They pray we don’t show up, because the moment young people walk in the room, their whole agenda starts to crumble. Across race, gender, and background, we deserve a real say in how this state runs. Skipping the primary means letting others decide who your choices will be in November. We won’t let that happen. This year’s elections, we’re coming full force. Bold at the ballot box. Bring your hopes, your anger, your voice—and your ID—to the polls. Texas is ours if we show up.”
We love this values-forward messaging from @movetexas.bsky.social's Primary Voter Guide which makes it clear why it's so important for young people to come out and vote.
Read the guide here: www.boldtexas2026.vote
Check out our new "Defending Education For All" rapid response messaging guide for research-backed tips to craft messaging that meets this critical moment and champions education for all: www.wemakethefutureaction.us/resources-do...
Teal background graphic with white text and headings. Text on image reads: “WHAT IS HB793? HB793 (Lamberth)/SB836 (Watson) aimed to strip children of their freedom to learn based solely on where they come from. This bill aimed to overturn Plyler v. Doe — longstanding Supreme Court precedent that guarantees all children free access to public education. HOW WE ORGANIZED Together, we sent a clear message that lawmakers could not ignore: education is for ALL children. Through the Education For All Tennessee Campaign, more than 65 organizations recruited supporters from 294 Tennessee cities, engaged 1,361 volunteers and 8,000+ action takers, led multiple mass mobilizations at the Capitol, held 125+ legislative meetings, and helped pass school board resolutions standing against the bill in four school districts.”
Photo of a large crowd gathered outside the Tennessee Capitol building. People cheer and throw graduation caps into the air while holding protest signs. Text on image reads: “TOGETHER, WE: MADE 6083 CALLS SENT 3542 EMAILS HELD 16 PHONE BANKS”
Teal background graphic with white text. Text on image reads: “WHAT’S NEXT? We’re proud of this moment. We’re proud of this movement. And we’re already preparing for 2026. While HB793 did not advance in 2025, we know it will be brought back in 2026. But if they’re doubling down, we’re tripling down. We are organizing across the state, continuing to highlight the human cost of this legislation, and connecting people to ways to build power locally. Together, we can protect not only Tennessee’s kids, but students across the nation by defeating this legislation. And by protecting all children’s freedom to learn, we will be one step closer to building a Tennessee where all families, no matter who they are or where they come from, have the freedom to thrive.”
They coordinated days of action, organized phone banks, used digital ads and social media, and activated small business and faith leaders – all repeating the same core messages.
Photo of students and community members standing outside a government building while a person speaks through a megaphone. Several young people hold a large banner that reads “Education is a Right” decorated with colorful handprints. Some students wear graduation caps. Text on image reads: “TOGETHER WE PROTECTED EDUCATION FOR ALL” “How Tennessee Held Off HB793” Logos at bottom read: “TIRRC” and “Education For All Tennessee”
The Education for All Tennessee campaign successfully beat back legislation to take away children's freedom to learn & attend public school based on their immigration status.
@tnimmigrant.bsky.social & Forward TN worked with multiple orgs to create an echo chamber for their narrative to take root.
Check out our new "Defending Education For All" rapid response messaging guide for research-backed tips to craft messaging that meets this critical moment and champions education for all: www.wemakethefutureaction.us/resources-do...
Teal background graphic with white text and headings. Text on image reads: “WHAT IS HB793? HB793 (Lamberth)/SB836 (Watson) aimed to strip children of their freedom to learn based solely on where they come from. This bill aimed to overturn Plyler v. Doe — longstanding Supreme Court precedent that guarantees all children free access to public education. HOW WE ORGANIZED Together, we sent a clear message that lawmakers could not ignore: education is for ALL children. Through the Education For All Tennessee Campaign, more than 65 organizations recruited supporters from 294 Tennessee cities, engaged 1,361 volunteers and 8,000+ action takers, led multiple mass mobilizations at the Capitol, held 125+ legislative meetings, and helped pass school board resolutions standing against the bill in four school districts.”
Photo of a large crowd gathered outside the Tennessee Capitol building. People cheer and throw graduation caps into the air while holding protest signs. Text on image reads: “TOGETHER, WE: MADE 6083 CALLS SENT 3542 EMAILS HELD 16 PHONE BANKS”
Teal background graphic with white text. Text on image reads: “WHAT’S NEXT? We’re proud of this moment. We’re proud of this movement. And we’re already preparing for 2026. While HB793 did not advance in 2025, we know it will be brought back in 2026. But if they’re doubling down, we’re tripling down. We are organizing across the state, continuing to highlight the human cost of this legislation, and connecting people to ways to build power locally. Together, we can protect not only Tennessee’s kids, but students across the nation by defeating this legislation. And by protecting all children’s freedom to learn, we will be one step closer to building a Tennessee where all families, no matter who they are or where they come from, have the freedom to thrive.”
They coordinated days of action, organized phone banks, used digital ads and social media, and activated small business and faith leaders – all repeating the same core messages.
"From Epstein to ICE to the war on Iran, this regime commits crimes agains humanity...this regime is determined to destroy the lives of children, families and anyone who stands up for our freedoms."
@anatosaurus.bsky.social
@mikepod.bsky.social
The absolute #BraveOfUs - not just having made a way out of none at all but reporting the truth at great risk to herself. America calls itself "land of the free, home of the brave," we must eliminate ICE/DHS to make it that way.
Blue graphic slide titled “Cross-Racial Solidarity” with a photo below showing Bad Bunny holding a football that reads “TOGETHER, WE ARE AMERICA” in front of performers and many flags from across the Americas. Text on image reads: “Cross-Racial Solidarity While Bad Bunny held the football that said ‘Together, We Are America’, the stage filled with flags from countries across the Americas, framing ‘America’ as plural, interconnected, diverse, and multi-national. The performance connected Puerto Rico to New York to Hawai‘i, referencing shared histories of U.S. colonial control.”
Blue slide titled “Government for All” with two photos from the performance: one showing Bad Bunny performing on a large stage structure with sparks and performers around him, and another showing him standing in tall grass next to a Puerto Rican flag. Text on image reads: “Government for All The performance opens in a field of sugar cane, a reminder of how the U.S. government colonized Puerto Rico and extracted Puerto Rican labor. The imagery of power lines represents failing infrastructure caused by U.S. disinvestment. The light blue Puerto Rican flag was historically associated with pro-independence movements. These aren’t random visuals. They point to decisions, policies and political structures that shape people’s lives.”
Blue slide titled “Government for All” with a photo of a storefront called “LA MARQUETA,” showing a neighborhood bodega with a glowing sign that reads “WE ACCEPT EBT.” Text on image reads: “Government for All The glowing ‘We Accept EBT’ sign in the bodega signals that public benefits are part of community infrastructure, and that our government should work for all of us no matter what we look like and how much money we have in our pockets. This element of the framework reminds us that systems are built by people in power. They reflect priorities. And they can be changed to serve all of us, not just the wealthy or well-connected.”
Blue slide titled “Shared Prosperity & Racial Justice.” The photo shows Bad Bunny being lifted and celebrated by a crowd outside a Puerto Rican social club. Text on image reads: “Shared Prosperity & Racial Justice From the sugar cane fields to the bodega to an appearance by Toñita, the founder of the last remaining Puerto Rican social club in New York City fighting displacement, the throughline is clear: communities deserve stability, dignity, and protection from extraction. Shared prosperity means building a future where everyone, across colors, cultures, and communities has the freedom to thrive.”
If you look closely, the entire performance was an example of the core elements that undergird the Race Class Narrative in action.
🔹 Cross-Racial Solidarity
🔹 Government for All
🔹 Shared Prosperity & Racial Justice
Graphic showing a stadium scene with many flags from countries across the Americas waving in a crowd. A large stadium sign reads: “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.” The We Make the Future Action logo appears in the top left. Text on image reads: “Bad Bunny and the Power of Visual Storytelling” “Messaging Monday”
It’s been a month, but we’ll admit: We’re still thinking about Bad Bunny’s halftime show.
His performance was a powerful reminder that cross-racial solidarity isn’t only something we write about in our messaging.
It’s also something we can show.
DO name specific villains, creating a large “us” and a small “them.” “MAGA regime/Trump regime” “Iranian government/Iranian military” “Israeli government/Israeli military/Netanyahu” DON’T use “Iran,” “Israel” or “America” to shorthand a government, military or ruling faction. Specify the leadership is responsible for these atrocities and the war, not the people who live in these countries. DO call for Congress to pass the resolutions already in the House and Senate to end this war. DON’T call the act the “War Powers Act,” despite this being the official name. To laypeople this makes it seem as though we seek for Congress to declare war, instead of end it. DO emphasize outcomes - how this threatens the lives of everyday people around the world and the safety of our families here at home. We need Congress to end the war, not to authorize it. DON’T emphasize process - how Trump violated the Constitution by bypassing Congress. Our goal is to have Congress stop the war, not have it proceed under an officially approved process. DO call this action by Trump “criminal.” DON’T call this action “illegal.” It is illegal to speed, it is criminal to murder. Our arguments should focus on life and liberty for all people.
DOs and DON’Ts DO call this out for the evil it is and connect it to other harms of the regime: “From Epstein to ICE to Iran, this regime commits crimes against humanity.” DON’T talk about this as a “distraction,” as it belittles the horrific human toll. Further, messaging about messaging isn’t persuasive. DO make clear the horrific human toll: “This regime is killing people for power and profit.” DO, especially if you are a messenger credible to conflicted Trump voters, emphasize this is a betrayal of what Americans want and need. DON’T rely on hypocrisy arguments such as “Trump ran promising peace but is dragging us to war.” This credits the previous statement and implies what’s wrong here is inconsistency instead of evil. DO, when speaking specifically of the lies peddled about Iran’s involvement in the election, remind Americans that “this regime/Trump wants to control the outcome of the election.” DON’T repeat Trump’s lies about “election fraud” in an earnest effort to rebuff them. DO call this war “Trump’s war” DON’T call this war “America’s war” or simply “war.” DO say “war on Iran” DON’T say “war with Iran,” which implies a mutual back and forth.
We are coming together to demand that our leaders in Congress do their duty to end this war and block this MAGA murder regime so we all can live safely and freely, no exceptions.
Now Trump has attacked the people of Iran in an effort to seize and hold more power no matter the will of the people, threatening to drag us into another endless war while peddling lies to control the outcome of our next election.
No matter where we live, what our background, or how we worship, we all deserve a life of safety and freedom for ourselves and our families. But from ICE to Epstein to Iran, this MAGA Murder Regime is determined to destroy the lives of children, families, and anyone who stands up for our freedoms.
Look at the level of commitment and resolve voters of color have to exercise their most fundamental freedom.
MAGA wants to keep people from voting so they can control the outcomes of elections. #HandsOffOurVote
Illustrated poster with pink sky background reading, “Caring for Our Communities Holding Polluters Accountable!” A diverse group of community members stands together confronting a large oil-industry monster made of pipelines and drills. Wind turbines and solar panels appear in the background, along with homes and city buildings, symbolizing community power and clean energy.
Across races and places, most of us do our best to care for our communities.
But some oil, gas, and utility corporations are poisoning our air and water while raking in huge profits.
Caring for our communities means holding corporate polluters accountable.
🎨 PUSH Buffalo
We’ve officially launched our updated website! 🎉
It’s now easier than ever for partners to find, use, and share our research-backed narrative resources.
Check out the updates here: wemakethefutureaction.us
Blue graphic with large white text that reads: “We should all have the freedom to vote and make our voices heard.” The words “Freedom to Vote” are highlighted in a light blue box with bold black lettering. A small logo appears in the bottom right corner.
No matter what we look like or where we come from, most of us believe voters should pick our leaders.
But the MAGA regime is trying to keep our neighbors from voting based on their race, ability & what’s in their wallets.
Let's be clear: we should all have the freedom to vote.
Messaging lesson here:
DO say - "yet again, MAGA wants to keep people from voting to control our elections to seize power"
DON'T say - "see!!! they're the ones doing voter fraud!"
Bringing up "fraud" merely feeds desire for anti-voter laws.
newrepublic.com/post/206857/...
Every student—no matter their race, ZIP code, or family income—deserves a strong, fully funded public school that prepares them for the future. Check out five predictions for public education this year and see what’s at stake this year. #PSW26
Text reads: “TALKING POINT: From Maine to Minnesota*, the Brave of US are joining together by the thousands to demand an end to this regime’s assault by eliminating ICE from our communities.” Small text: “*adapt to fit your audience and location.” Below is a photo of a protest crowd holding signs including “ICE OUT OF MN!” and “ICE OUT MINNESOTA.” Photo credit: Reuters. Source: Brave Of Us. Bottom right says “Swipe Right.”
Text reads: “TALKING POINT: It’s time to free our cities of masked militia, free our friends and loved ones from abductions and concentration camps, and free America from this cowardly regime of the bullies, for the billionaires.” Below is an overhead photo of a large march with a giant banner reading “ICE OUT NOW” surrounded by protesters in a city street. Photo credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images. Source: Brave Of Us. Bottom right says “Swipe Right.”
Top text reads: “TALKING POINT:” Photo shows a massive protest crowd filling a city intersection between buildings. Photo credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images. Text below reads: “This cowardly regime and its masked militia are assaulting families, invading homes, kidnapping children, and murdering people on the street. We must eliminate ICE and bring agents and the people giving them their orders to justice.” Source: Brave Of Us.
Text reads: “TALKING POINT: To truly make America the land of the free, we must first ensure it remains the home of the brave – the Brave of US who have moved heaven and earth to make a new life, who have faced assault by the cowardly masked ICE militia, and who now continue to demand dignity, justice and freedom even from within this regime’s concentration camps.” Source: Brave Of Us.
This messaging names the real culprit, lifts up multiracial solidarity & calls for hope and concrete action instead of fear.
When we lead with shared values, name who’s causing harm & show people power in action, we motivate more people to join this fight for our freedoms.
Graphic from We Make the Future Action. Photo shows a large winter protest crowd holding a wide banner reading “ICE OUT OF MN!” People hold signs including “ICE OUT!” and “Drop the Charges.” Text reads: “ICE Out Now” and “Messaging Monday.” Photo credit: Brad Sigal/Labor Notes
From Maine to Minnesota, the @braveofus.bsky.social are joining together by the thousands to defend our neighbors and our freedoms.
For #MessagingMonday, we are sharing some talking points for how to frame the MAGA regime's assault on our communities.
Colorful illustrated poster with the headline “Black History is All Our History!” The image shows a group of diverse Black adults and children stacked and posed together in playful positions. Surrounding them are illustrated objects including a guitar, light bulb, traffic light, computer, chair, phone, ice cream cone, candle, and books. The background is purple and pastel-toned, and the artwork is credited to @courtneyahndesign.
Black history is all of our history.
During #BlackHistoryMonth and every month, we need to fight back against the MAGA regime's attempts to whitewash our history and keep us divided.
Our children must be able to learn the full truth of our history.
Credit: @courtneyahndesign.bsky.social
@anatosaurus.bsky.social recently joined the @mainebeacon.bsky.social podcast to explain why debunking the MAGA regime's lies isn't enough.
We must replace their false narratives with truthful, values-driven stories & a vision for the future.
Listen to the podcast:
mainebeacon.com/how-language...
Great stuff from @anatosaurus.bsky.social on today's pod, including her idea that blue areas are being terrorized by a "MAGA Murder Regime." We discuss how ICE is not functioning as law enforcement in any remotely recognizable sense, and how the public has figured this out:
HANDS 👏 OFF 👏 OUR 👏 VOTE
@anatosaurus.bsky.social
@mikepod.bsky.social
Media challenge: Stop using the word "immigration" in phrases about abduction, assault, murder, and so on. Immigration means the movement of people into a country for purposes of residency. What's being "enforced" here is terror & crimes against humanity.
Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “On Behalf of ICE Out of MN Event Coalition: Minnesota Labor, Faith, Community Groups Issue Statement on Announcement of ICE Plan To End Surge Minnesota, Make Clear Need for Justice for Those Detained and Harmed By Surge Following Border Czar Tom Homan declaring Operation Metro Surge has concluded as part of its political damage control with DHS funding being debated, representatives from labor, faith and community groups who are part of the ICE Out of Minnesota coalition are speaking out about the development. Groups are recognizing this retreat from the federal occupation brought forward by regular Minnesotans while making clear that that the fight for justice is not over for the scores of Minnesotans who were killed, assaulted, had their civil rights violated or otherwise felt the negative impacts of the chaos brought by ICE:” Bottom logo reads: “UNIDOS MN – Community • Leadership • Power.”
Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “President Trump thought he could break us, but he was wrong. Over the last three months Minnesotans showed our country what it means to stand up to tyranny and protect our communities. In the coldest months of winter, when it would have been easy to stay home and look the other way, we bundled up, headed out into our communities and said ‘no.’ “These masked agents leaving our state can be spun any way people want, but history will show what this was: regular people, clergy and teachers, janitors and soccer moms, people across all of our complicated differences, simply refusing to let our neighbors be attacked and abducted without a fight. The level of solidarity shown by Minnesotans should be an example for everyone and we couldn’t be more proud of our state.”
Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “While we are thrilled that this wave of attacks is seemingly being significantly scaled back, we must acknowledge the deep harm and trauma these last few months have brought to our state. Thousands of families torn apart. Alex Pretti and Renee Good murdered in our streets. Thousands of Minnesotans attacked and their civil rights violated simply for bearing witness. Students fearful to go to school, local small businesses having to shutter their doors. “Our state continues to be held together by the bravery and solidarity of our residents, with no help from the corporations or those in power. We delivered groceries and stood guard outside of daycares. We formed neighborhood groups, held a historic day of no work, school or shopping, and we marched by the tens of thousands to make clear our demand for ICE to leave our state. We will continue to support our local business and blow our whistles.”
Graphic with the heading “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” Text reads: “Many Minnesotans were forever changed by these surges, and as we work to recover, our coalition will continue to call for these demands and others to help repair the harm done by this illegal attack on our state: • Bring home everyone who was illegally taken to other states, including the children imprisoned in horrible conditions in places like Texas • Drop charges against the peaceful constitutional observers and prosecute ICE and federal agents for illegal practices during the operation • Stop funding for an ICE agency that has proven violent and unaccountable • Support for the small businesses and workers who are facing hardship, evictions and closures because of the attacks on our state. • No new increased cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, also known as 287(g) agreements.”
Check out this bold, defiant message from the ICE Out of MN coalition including @unidosmn.bsky.social.
This is what it looks like to build narrative power through love and solidarity instead of hate and division.
