No Kings 2.0 - the Next Nationwide Peaceful Protest is Saturday October 18 Get Ready
Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. This week, we’re covering clean energy investment and attacks on voting rights.
Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok.
“You’re damn right that it’s a Democratic priority to keep people from getting poisoned from dangerous chemicals. You’re damn right that it’s a Democratic priority to bring down the cost of housing. If they want to say that that’s a Democratic priority, they’re right.”
— Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) on Trump and congressional Republicans’ targeting of federal programs and agencies they deem to be aligned with the Democratic Party.
“The companies might be getting a handout, but the miners ain’t getting none.”
— Gary Hairston, President of the National Black Lung Association on the Trump administration’s failure to enact silica regulations to protect coal workers from black lung disease.
“‘Hate America?’ It’s ‘No Kings!’ America does not like kings!”
— Stephen Colbert on Republican leaders referring to the upcoming No Kings rallies as “Hate America” rallies.
SENATOR WHITEHOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE ROSS, AND NORTH CAROLINA LCV HOST ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ROUNDTABLE: North Carolina League of Conservation Voters and Partners for Environmental Justice held a roundtable with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02). Attendees discussed environmental challenges facing North Carolina and Rhode Island, including flooding, sea level rise, and erosion from natural disasters driving up insurance costs in communities across the country.
NCLCV TAKE: North Carolina LCV Senior Director of Public Affairs Dan Crawford said, “The message is clear: You can’t solve the insurance crisis without also addressing the climate crisis. Rising risk means rising cost, and unless we take action to make our communities more resilient and reduce the pollution driving these disasters, North Carolinians will continue to pay that price.”
ILLINOISANS RALLY FOR RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY AND PUBLIC TRANSIT: Illinois Environmental Council and partners in the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition turned out more than 100 people for a “People Over Polluters” rally inside the state capitol to urge lawmakers to pass climate legislation during the fall veto session. Among the bills still under consideration are the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, a major energy reform omnibus bill that would protect consumers from utility bill price spikes while accelerating Illinois’ clean energy progress, and legislation to invest $1.7 billion in cleaner and more reliable public transit.
IEC TAKE: Illinois Environmental Council Legislative Relations Director Dany Robles said, “People are the heart of the campaign for public transit, and people are calling for these reforms and funding NOW. While transit agencies may want to kick the can down the road, the people who use our systems every day know that transit can’t wait. It’s time to build a world-class transit system for the people of Illinois – not just in Chicago, but in the suburbs and across downstate Illinois as well.”
NEW YORK EXPANDS CLEAN TRANSIT: Governor Kathy Hochul announced $80 million in funding for transit agencies to purchase zero-emission vehicles and build electric vehicle charging stations. These initiatives will help reduce climate pollution, increase access to cleaner transportation, and improve public health across New York.
CALIFORNIA SOLAR POWER GENERATION EXCEEDS FOSSIL FUELS: Solar power generated 39% of California’s electricity from January to July of this year, exceeding power generated from fossil fuels. The state also increased its battery energy storage capacity by 75%. This is a significant milestone for state clean energy generation and emissions reduction, and can serve as a blueprint for solar and battery systems across the nation.
ARIZONA SPARKS CONVERSATION ON FAIR ENERGY RATES: Chispa Arizona brought community members together for their “Let’s Taco ’Bout Energy Bills” event to share stories about the rising cost of power and its impact on families. They created space to connect, exchange resources, and discuss solutions—reminding everyone that together, Arizonans can demand fair, affordable energy for all.
ARIZONA STANDS FOR ENERGY JUSTICE: Chispa Arizona stood alongside families and neighbors to call out Arizona Public Service’s (APS) proposed rate hikes that would drive already unaffordable power bills even higher. They reminded the public that while communities face record-breaking heat and rising costs, APS continues to profit. They’re uniting voices across Arizona to demand energy justice and accountability from utilities putting profit over people.
LCVAF ANNOUNCES NEW ENDORSEMENTS FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: LCV Action Fund (LCVAF) announced 15 endorsements for candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. The endorsements include Representatives Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), George Whitesides (CA-27), and candidates Christina Bohannan (IA-01), Paige Cognetti (PA-08), Rebecca Cooke (WI-03), and JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06).
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Instead of addressing the affordability crisis–from the rising costs of energy to groceries to health care– extreme Republicans in Congress are forcing Trump’s government shutdown to continue handouts to billionaires and corporate polluters, and relentlessly gut the services that lower costs and protect our health and safety. In contrast, our climate champions are fighting for people and the planet. We need to elect a majority in Congress next November that will stand up for our democracy and invest in affordable clean energy to bring down energy costs for everyone, protect our air, water and public lands, and stop Trump from continuing to give away handouts to his Big Polluter and corporate billionaire friends. LCV Action Fund is with our endorsed climate champions all the way to help them win and flip the House in 2026.”
SUPREME COURT WEIGHS IN ON VOTING RIGHTS CASE: In oral arguments held on Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court indicated they may be prepared to further roll back what is left of the Voting Rights Act, removing even more protections for voters while the Trump administration threatens our democracy nationwide. LCV joined civil rights groups in calling for retaining the protections at a rally outside the Court.
OUR TAKE: LCV Senior Director of Judiciary and Democracy Doug Linder said, “Far-right Supreme Court Justices have worked to gut the Voting Rights Act for over a decade. Today, those same justices indicated they may be ready to gut what’s left of the bedrock Voting Rights Act, as well as the right of Black voters in Louisiana to have fair maps and equal representation in elections. Our rights to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and fight for climate action go hand in hand with a healthy, inclusive democracy.
“After years of extreme justices attacking voting rights, protecting gerrymandering, enabling polluter money in politics, and letting Donald Trump act like a king, the stakes for our fundamental freedoms are higher than ever. It is critical we protect every voter’s freedom to choose their own leaders— no matter their race, income, or zip code. Congress must pass long-overdue voting rights legislation to ensure a free and fair democracy for all, starting with the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and D.C. Statehood.”
ON THE BLOG: With No Kings 2 right around the corner, we’re bringing you the 5 things you need to know about the biggest nonviolent protest happening across the country, and some inspiration for your protest sign!
ON OUR SOCIALS: Hey, are you busy from 12-2pm tomorrow? Do you want to come out and support democracy with your fellow patriots at a No Kings protest near you? As Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to wreak havoc on democracy and the climate (here, here, and here), we’ll be advocating for a healthy democracy and a healthy planet, and you won’t want to miss out.
OCTOBER 18: No Kings October Mobilization.
OCTOBER 18: Clean Water Act 53rd anniversary.
NOVEMBER 4: Election Day.
©2025 League of Conservation Voters