April 30, 2026 | Deeds Digest No. 257
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Denim Day is an act in the fight for reproductive justice, bodily autonomy, and to live without fear. 🖤👖 We show up in our denim and boots to raise awareness around Sexual Assault and Prevention. After a ruling in Italy that sparked controversy, Denim Day was started in an effort to combat patriarchal ruling and thought around finding ways to shame and blame people who experience sexual assault. What someone is wearing is never an invitation to consent, and no excuse will ever justify rape. ❌
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⭐ Last year, we worked with Democrasexy and URGE to gather at the Capitol to speak with lawmakers about what it takes to build and guide people through the laws centered on Gender and Reproductive Justice. With our Denim and Democracy: Ride for Reproductive Justice Advocacy Day gathering, we chose to show our solidarity by wearing our best denim pieces. Showing up wearing what you want, you pay taxes on the Capitol! Why not show up in your fav denim and boots! 👖👢 Join the movement here! Be kept up to date on our next Advocacy Day!
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Puro Oak Cliff: Del Barrio al Ballot Box is a Youth candidate forum event! RSVP Here! Event Details: 📅 May 11 ⏰ 5:00 PM (Doors open at 4:30) 📍 Mountain View College, Oak Cliff (Rm TBD) 🍕 Free pizza & drinks 🎁 Free student gift bags ⭐ RSVP here
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Join @texasyouthvoterproject, @fuerzastrategies, @somostejascommunity, @mttptexas, and US - @deedsnotwords as we build this space with young voters, for young voters! This is your moment to show up, ask questions, and connect with the candidates, making decisions that impact your future. Pull up, bring a friend, and be part of the conversation. Let’s show what young voters in Oak Cliff can do. ✊🏽 This election is shaping up to be one of the most important of our lifetime, and your vote has the power to decide what comes next! Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Join us. ✊🏽
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🔴 Texas is one of many states that has ICE Detention centers (aka Concentration Camps), but most notably and recognized are two that have been making national headlines. The centers/camps located in Dilley and San Benito have been reported for systemic patterns of cruelty and medical neglect toward pregnant people in ICE custody. 🫄 With current news clips going viral for their direct violation of DHS and ICE's policy prohibiting the detaining and restraining of pregnant individuals, we must end their terror. ❌ 🫱🏾🫲🏼That’s why Texans of all generations must join together to take on the authoritarian regime and the agents of chaos known as ICE. Whether we were born here or chose to make Texas our home, our freedom to live free from sexual and gender violence is inherently tied to the abolition of ICE. ➡️ H.R.7123, or the Abolish ICE Act, was introduced by Congressman Shri Thanedar in January and then pushed to three committees for a scheduled hearing. That hearing has yet to be scheduled. ✉️ You can email or call your congress representatives to let them know that they should co-sponsor the bill and move it forward. 📱 Check out our latest Substack to learn about DHS, ICE, and the for-profit companies committing serious constitutional violations by abducting, detaining, and abusing pregnant individuals, parents, and children. ❤️🩹
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we are in solidarity with every survivor. 💙
💜 Deeds Not Words is committed to reproductive justice and gender equity in Texas. Legislators in Texas are meant to work in the best interest of the people they serve, yet time and time again, they have restricted and punished Texans' rights to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedoms. We must hold our lawmakers accountable and demand they do what actually benefits the people: building infrastructure that protects us and provides sustainable futures. ✊🏽
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To do this, we must center: 💓 creating safe spaces and trusted relationships 💓 free and reliable access to sexual health education and resources 💓 community trainings for those interested in helping survivors and prevention education
Everyone has a shared responsibility to create environments that promote safety, accountability, and respect. Caring for each other is part of the journey! 🧑🏿🤝🧑🏻
You can get involved by following RAINN on Instagram, or if you need immediate help, call 800-656-4673 or text HOPE to 64673. They provide help in English and Spanish. ⬅️
Visit RAINN's website to learn more.
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From April 11-17, we had Black Maternal Health Week, which brings awareness to the disproportionate rates of pregnancy-related deaths of Black people.🤰🏿 🩺 Maternal health in the U.S. has, unfortunately, remained severely overlooked and dismissed, with structural racism being one of the main factors contributing to these horrific statistics. Black people who can give birth are more likely to experience providers who dismiss concerns, politicians who seek to control their bodies through legislation, and militant-like policing and criminalization of their right to bodily autonomy. 🏥
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Over the years, public reports have named Harris County the place where Black pregnant people experienced the highest pregnancy-related deaths in the nation. ⬅️ 💜 We believe everyone deserves the freedom to have safe and care-centered pregnancy experiences. ⭐ Follow these Instagram accounts: SisterSong, Black Mamas ATX, and National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda to learn more about how to join the effort to make safe maternal health non-negotiable. ⭐ Visit this link to like, share, and comment on our post.
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On Wednesday, April 29th, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) weakened protection under the Voting Rights Act. In a 6-3 decision, the Court argued that Louisiana’s second Black-majority congressional district had an unconstitutional racial basis and did not follow the standards for drawing a district. 😡 This impacts BIPOC voters and enables the continuation of the battle of redistricting. During the 89th Texas Legislative session, Governor Greg Abbott made it clear that in order for his party to win, they had to draw up new district lines, which SCOTUS approved.
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In response, California and other Democratic states are pushing back. Now, SCOTUS has entered the chat again. 🙄 Erasing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act removes the protections that Black people worked hard for to ensure their vote matters. The Black vote matters! Share our IG post to let your friends and family know what is happening!
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🪧 Boycotts have been around for a long time, ever since the first boycott was between tenants and a landlord. Boycotting started a housing issue! 🏘️WOW! Since then, people have been withholding their money from greedy corporations until a deal is made. A deal that benefits the consumer, NOT the corporation. How many times do we have to tell you: ✨People over profits. ✨ Companies like Target or Nestle have seen the power people have to stop their operations.
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🎨The art of boycotting has evolved to work within our daily lives. You don't have to be a full-time advocate to boycott a company. If you have the time to reach people digitally or in your community, you too can successfully boycott an organization. It's a collective effort! Get your friends and family in on it. 👫 We know that when we work together, we can make a difference! Especially with our money. 💲 Read our Substack 'Boycotts: Why and How to Boycott' to learn how to get started, or even learn the history of boycotting. 🪧
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Do you want to make an impact in your community like this? Join a chapter today and learn more about our Campus & Community Organizer Program! Apply here. ⬅️ or follow the chapters below.
Follow our student chapters here:
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Imagine the incredible impact a single dollar can have. It may seem insignificant on its own, but when multiplied by the collective goodwill of a community, it becomes a catalyst for monumental change. You are not just donating a dollar; you are investing in hope, progress, and a brighter future for Texans. 🤠 Join us in turning dollars into deeds, dreams into reality, and despair into hope. Together, we can make a world of difference. Thank you for your generosity, and let's begin this incredible journey today. Donate here! 💜
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At Deeds Not Words, we believe in galvanizing the power of young people to become agents of change, igniting cultural shifts through leader development, grassroots organizing, and the power of creative expression. We envision a future for young leaders of color where they have the autonomy to reach their full potential through freedom from violence, reproductive autonomy, economic opportunity, and equitable representation. We believe that, through building a strong foundation of empowered leaders, amplifying collective voices, and reshaping cultural norms, we aim to dismantle oppressive systems and cultivate a society where equity and justice thrive. Our changemakers are eager to collaborate with a diverse range of partners across Texas, and nationally — fellow non-profits, foundations, businesses, and more— to tackle critical issues facing young people. Together we can cultivate a society where equity and justice thrive. If this sounds like you or an ally, we’d love to connect! To explore partnership opportunities or learn more, please contact us at hello@deedstx.org.
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