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As the present government intensifies restrictions on not only climate regulations and activist movements, the Sunrise Movement, known for popularizing the sweeping climate legislation, is broadening its mission to resist authoritarianism.

Day by day, the administration is seizing power and undermining the Constitution,” stated the group's executive director in a public message. “What ordinary people do in the coming months will determine whether current leaders can cement their grip and turn this country into a playground for the wealthy elite.”

In contrast to the majority of the group's previous work, its recent projects will not always focus on the environmental emergency. But, a co-founder explained that these efforts aim to create a world where environmental progress is possible.

“To win the bold action required to avert environmental disaster, we’re going to need a nation where we have the freedom to dissent and protest,” they noted. “How can we succeed in climate under autocratic rule?”

Key Focus Areas

• Campus organizing to urge universities to resist efforts to influence their curricula and rules around free expression.
• Rapid responses to government use of military forces and immigration policies in cities, and efforts to “restrict our first amendment rights”.
• Educating youth organizers to “identify authoritarianism” and oppose it using non-violent tactics.

This missive formalizes work already in progress at the organization. Last month, the organization supported student walkouts at multiple capital colleges to protest the deployment of the military reserves and harassment of activists and migrant communities.

Additionally, regional groups have been engaging in localized struggles for free speech and immigrant rights. For example, at one university, organizers have focused on protecting a respected campus bus driver whose immigration status was canceled by the administration, causing the loss of his job after two decades.

“To win a Green New Deal, environmental equity, workers' rights, racial justice, etc … we’re gonna need to overcome autocratic governance,” stated a youth organizer participating with the university chapter, who described the current political climate as an “unmatched expression of authoritarian rule”.

Upcoming Plans

Future efforts could include nationwide movements to stop immigration enforcement, back local leaders resisting federal pressure, and actions to oppose cuts to medical services. The movement will also build toward a large-scale youth action on 1 May 2028, aligning with a appeal for a national work stoppage.

The shift arrives years after the movement captured national headlines when its members occupied the office of a leading elected official, demanding the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, the creation of good jobs, and the strengthening of public services nationwide.

“The Green New Deal is essential for laying out an different vision from the one that the administration is promoting,” she said. “We’re going to continue discussing about that, keep fighting for that vision, but in the immediate future, we need to address ongoing attacks on our neighborhoods and on our rights.”

This shift also comes as environmental issues decline somewhat down the list of voter priorities in compared to financial matters, although evidence shows most people still want to reduce carbon output.

“My guess you’re not going to see a lot of politicians using the word ‘environment,’ because people see that as a secondary [concern], not a must-have, and right now they’re in the must-have mode,” remarked a former energy secretary.

Communication Strategy

In contrast to past electoral efforts that centered on abstract ideas of democracy, the organization will focus on the necessity for major changes, including the removal of corporate interests such as the fossil fuel industry from government.

“We’re being very clear that yes, we need to protect rights to free speech, [but] we also need to be serious about overhauling our political system so that we are not in a position where a leader like the current leader can amass control in this manner ever again,” said the spokesperson.

This expansion occurs amid an all-out assault from the federal government on not only environmental safeguards and activist movements. Since recently, the executive has reversed hundreds of environmental rules and removed incentives for clean energy.

Moreover, in recent measures have designated specific social movements as “terrorist organizations” and issued a memorandum aimed at reining in what the administration calls a radical domestic “terror network”.

Last week, the leader also suggested that a prominent philanthropist could face legal action for unspecified allegations. The organization had previously obtained financial support from foundations linked with the individual.

“We will raise our voices against this authoritarian overreach,” affirmed the lead organizer.

The situation is additionally emphasized by recent actions indicating plans in a possible, unconstitutional extended tenure.

“We are simply seeing blatant disrespect for our constitutional rights, and we must oppose that,” stated the co-founder.