The Smile: 7/14

 

Hi friend, Happy Monday! A federal judge just issued a powerful order protecting journalists from police violence during protests. This ruling sends a clear message: our rights matter! ✍️ Add your name to applaud Judge Vera’s stand for press freedom!  SUBSCRIBE TO JOIN CIVIC SHOUT & SHARE SINGLE CLICK PETITIONS! And in more good news: Jon Ossoff’s Senate campaign is surging with over $10M raised, Maine’s Supreme Court shut down a right-wing attempt to gut voting rights, and Baltimore’s mayor is working to keep kids safe this summer! Let’s dive into the good news! 💛 Federal judge orders stop to indiscriminate immigration raids in Los Angeles Ossoff rakes in more than $10M in latest Georgia Senate fundraising haul  TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED!! SEN. JON OSSOFF IS A FIGHTER! excerpts:  Sen. Jon Ossoff’s (D-Ga.) campaign announced Thursday it raised more than $10 million in the second quarter of fundraising this cycle, ending the quarter with $15.5 million cash on hand.  Ossoff is vying for a second term in the Senate and is considered one of the Republicans’ best pickup opportunities next year, but his fundraising underscores picking off the first-term Georgia Democrat will be no easy feat.  His campaign touted that his average campaign donation this quarter was $32, with close to 98 percent of donations received being $100 or less. His campaign received contributions from all but three of Georgia’s 159 counties.   “The Ossoff campaign is building unstoppable momentum to win next November, and the small-dollar, grassroots movement is the backbone of our victorious coalition. We’re grateful for the overwhelming support,” Ossoff campaign manager Ellen Foster said in a statement.  Ossoff’s second quarter fundraising is slightly lower than the more than $11 million his campaign touted in the first fundraising quarter of this year, though both fundraising quarter underscore a steady cash stream and an increasing war chest.  Ossoff ended the second quarter with $15.5 million in the bank, compared to the $11 million he ended the bank with in the first quarter. His campaign has also touted enthusiastic grassroots energy and excitement around his reelection, pointing out on Thursday that more than 1,700 people have indicated they want to volunteer for his campaign.  While Republicans see Ossoff as one of their best shots of flipping a Senate seat next year, the GOP has yet to rally around a clear candidate. State Insurance Commissioner John King and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) have launched bids, but the others could enter the race, too, like Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley.  Watch: Baltimore mayor continues ‘Safe Summer’ program Trump loses appeal of $5 million E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse, defamation verdict Democrat Ro Khanna Demands Vote To Release Full Jeffrey Epstein Files Maine Supreme Court Shuts Down Right-Wing Rewrite of Anti-Voting Initiative US judge stands by move to block cutting off of Planned Parenthood's Medicaid funding Downtown Denver farm feeds families, and a nonprofit's budget Trump Gets 'Ratioed' on Truth Social for First Time Amid Epstein Backlash Judge rules Los Angeles police can't use nonlethal weapons against journalists Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Karen, who shared this cute photo of her dog Ziggy on the Oregon coast! If you want the chance to have your photo featured, reply to this email 😄 Thank you for reading, and we hope these articles shine a light on your day. In solidarity, Emily from The Smile P.S. Know someone who could use a dose of good news? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to The Smile. Let’s spread the positivity together. 🌟

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