Civil Rights Leaders Launch Counter-Programming Initiative During Trump’s Congressional Address
Washington, D.C. – A diverse coalition comprised of prominent civil rights figures, Democratic party leaders, and grassroots activists is spearheading a bold initiative aimed at diverting public attention from President Donald Trump’s scheduled address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. Instead, the group is urging communities nationwide to tune into a comprehensive 24-hour livestream event designed to highlight what they characterize as the harmful actions undertaken by the Trump administration since its return to office in January.
The ambitious project, spearheaded by leading voices within the Democratic and civil rights spheres, seeks to provide an alternative narrative to the president’s address, offering a platform for community members and experts to share their perspectives and concerns.
"It’s about turning the television off and hearing from people within our communities, people that we know, people that we trust, people who are fighting for us," explained Jaime Harrison, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a key organizer of the program. Harrison emphasized the importance of prioritizing community voices over what he anticipates will be a series of misleading statements from the president. "We know we’re going to get a bunch of lies from Trump," he stated.
President Trump’s address, slated to take place Tuesday evening at the U.S. Capitol, marks his first appearance before a joint session of Congress since returning to the White House. It is widely anticipated that he will use the platform to promote his administration’s accomplishments during its initial months, including the controversial effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal programs nationwide.
Organizers of the counter-programming livestream have made it clear that the initiative is primarily geared toward an African American audience but are hopeful that it will resonate with a broad spectrum of individuals. The program will feature a series of panel discussions and presentations aimed at showcasing the perceived negative impacts of the Trump administration’s policies, including the purported dismissal of tens of thousands of federal employees.
The impressive lineup of participants includes members of the Congressional Black Caucus, faith leaders, voting rights activists, state lawmakers, and union organizers, all of whom are poised to lend their voices to the alternative narrative.
The "marathon" livestream commenced at midnight on Monday and will continue uninterrupted until midnight on Tuesday, ensuring that it runs concurrently with President Trump’s address to Congress. The program’s agenda will encompass a wide range of issues, including the potential ramifications of Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda, and the widespread opposition to President Trump’s executive order to roll back DEI initiatives across the federal government.
Angela Rye, a prominent political strategist and one of the organizers of the initiative, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We know when the country is catching hell, Black people will be the first to pay." Rye articulated the organizers’ intent to alert and mobilize the African American community, transcending past disagreements and divisions. "We wanted to sound the alarm for our people and say, ‘Regardless of if weve ever had a disagreement, if weve ever had seeds of discord, it is time for us to come together, to unite for a common purpose and a common cause, and that is for our survival."
The Trump administration has defended its policies, asserting that the reductions are crucial to streamlining government services, reducing bureaucracy, and saving taxpayer money. Trump supporters also argue that DEI programs are often based on factors other than merit and should be eliminated.
In response to the counter-programming initiative, Harrison Fields, special assistant to the president and principal deputy press secretary, issued a statement saying, "It’s good to hear these individuals are dedicating so much time to what the President has to say, they won’t want to miss this historic speech."
The organizers of the livestream have also incorporated a call to action, encouraging viewers to sign up for local community programs and share credible information with their families and friends.
"Our people have always been able to respond to crisises," stated Rye, who also co-hosts the weekly "Native Land Podcast." "This is no different. We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors … We are resilient people. We are not giving up."
As of 4 p.m. Monday, approximately 15,000 individuals had registered to attend the livestream event, according to organizers.
The program kicked off with a panel discussion moderated by Joy Reid, whose show on MSNBC was recently canceled. Tens of thousands of people tuned into a recent "emergency call" hosted by #WinWithBlackWomen to rally behind Reid.
The final three hours of the program will feature a town hall with dozens of speakers, including faith leaders and Black women activists, some of whom led voting rights campaigns and others who headed the Democratic National Convention. "We hope to give viewers an option and an opportunity, an option for a different point of view and some truth and context as the nation readies itself – or steels itself — for Mr. Trump’s version of the state of union," stated Rev. Leah Daughtry, one of the organizers, in an email. "This is especially important since history has shown that Mr. Trump’s speeches are often long on rhetoric and short on facts."
Harrison will host a panel from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday focused on what’s happening in the states. The panel will feature lieutenant governors and Black state Democratic party chairs.
"They’re on the front lines right now in terms of pushing back," Harrison said. "Where the rubber meets the road is in our states."
The counter-programming initiative represents a significant effort to challenge the Trump administration’s narrative and provide a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. Its success will depend on its ability to attract a substantial audience and resonate with communities across the country.
