The Power of Local Resistance

Notes from my travels across the US in June

Hey friends,

You don’t need me to tell you—our country feels like it’s on fire. Each week brings new, escalating threats to our rights, our safety, and our democracy. Over the past month, I’ve traveled to 17 cities across the U.S.—from the Deep South to the West Coast—and I want to share what I’ve seen.

In every corner of the country, especially within progressive faith communities, a quiet but powerful resistance is rising. While national news can leave us feeling helpless, people are organizing locally. They're creating grassroots movements that are pushing back against injustice and transforming their neighborhoods in meaningful ways.

Faith communities are at the heart of this movement. They’re showing up—not just with signs at rallies, but with resources, relationships, and real support. Churches are becoming sanctuaries for LGBTQ+ youth, hubs of care for low-income families, places of welcome for immigrants, and trusted spaces where local leaders seek guidance and partnership.

At its core, the Christian faith has always been about the local. Small gatherings, bold acts of love, everyday resistance—this is how transformation begins. And from these local seeds, a broader movement can grow. One community at a time. One act of love at a time.

So, wherever you are on your faith journey, I want to encourage you: connect with a local progressive faith community. Not just for worship, but for organizing. Even if religion isn’t your thing, these spaces offer something deeply needed right now—places of connection, resilience, and hope. They’re where diverse people come together, week after week, to care for one another and imagine new ways forward.

As I catch my breath back home in New York, I’m holding deep gratitude. From Birmingham to the Bay Area, I’ve met hundreds of people doing real work—building beloved community and holding sacred space in a time of chaos. I’m more convinced than ever that we have the power to change things. When we create small glimpses of God’s justice and love here and now, we’re helping usher in a more just and compassionate world.

Thank you for being part of this movement.

With gratitude and hope,
Brandan