Author: Emersen Panigrahi

Emersen is a student at Columbia University, where she studies Philosophy and Political Science. She is deeply committed to social justice and is a passionate activist, advocating for causes that challenge systemic inequalities and amplify marginalized voices.

Texas A&M’s Women’s and Gender Studies Closure Signals a Wider Crackdown on Academic Freedom

Texas A&M University’s decision to eliminate its women’s and gender studies program is not happening in a vacuum. For years, the university has steadily rolled back programs, courses and resources tied to gender and LGBTQ+ studies, leaving students and faculty with fewer spaces to learn, teach and engage with these subjects.

Now, with the program gone and new classroom restrictions in place, the impact is being felt directly by the people who rely on these courses to study, teach and understand the world around them.

For many students and educators, this moment feels like part of a much larger shift unfolding across the country. As universities scale back programs and limit discussions around race, gender and sexuality, what can be taught—and who feels supported in the classroom—is rapidly changing. The closure at Texas A&M reflects a growing national pattern: one that raises urgent questions about the future of academic freedom in public higher education.

When Is the Next No Kings Protest? And How to Find a Demonstration Near You

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On Saturday, March 28, the third round of No Kings will take place in cities and towns across the United States. The protest comes in response to the Trump administration’s recent crackdowns on immigration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s systemic violations of proper law enforcement procedures. The organizers are optimistic that millions of Americans will take part in demonstrations, marches and rallies, and predict it will be the largest nonviolent protest in American history. 

To find a protest close to you, No Kings has created a map to locate a nearby protest site.

The protest’s flagship event will be hosted in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Our Favorite Protest Signs From No Kings 2.0

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On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, millions of Americans poured into the streets for the second No Kings protest this year. Organizers from hundreds of national and local progressive groups say nearly 7 million people participated in about 2,700 different No Kings events. In every state, in cities big and small, protesters used signs, costumes and chants to double down on democracy and accuse President Donald Trump of behaving more like a monarch than an elected official during his first 10 months back in office.

Marchers carried “We the People” signs and references to the U.S. Constitution, including: “The Constitution is not optional,” “Democracy not monarchy” and “No kings since 1776.” Signs and chants varied by region: In New York City, protesters dressed up as the Statue of Liberty; in Florida, signs said the Florida heat would melt ICE; in Texas, marchers called for Gov. Abbott and Sen. Cruz to stand up to the Trump administration’s abuses of power.

Here are some of our favorite signs from Saturday’s No Kings protests.

Floods, Fear and Family Crisis: The Impact of Texas’ Natural Disasters on Domestic Violence

Devastating floods began sweeping across Central Texas on July 4, causing the Guadalupe River to surge at an alarming rate: 20 feet in the first three hours. The disaster ranks among the deadliest and most catastrophic in the state, claiming at least 136 lives, with four individuals still missing.

The floods captured national attention and served as yet another chilling reminder of the real and rising consequences of climate change. And as climate-driven disasters only grow more frequent and intense, Texans continue to suffer the fallout—both seen and unseen.

Among these unseen and overlooked consequences: increased risk of domestic violence.

Extreme weather events—floods, heatwaves and hurricanes—not only displace families and destroy homes, but they also strain financial resources and fracture essential support systems. These stressors can intensify existing inequalities and create volatile conditions increasing the risk of violence, particularly against women and girls. 

Virginia’s ‘Momnibus’ Is More Than a Set of Laws—It’s a Call to America to Protect Mothers Now

The United States has long failed to adequately support its expecting mothers. Across the country, pregnant women face increasing barriers to essential care, resources and mental health support. Rates of postpartum depression are on the rise, maternal mental health is plummeting, childbirth-related death rates are climbing and women of color continue to suffer disproportionately due to entrenched racial disparities. The maternal health crisis is urgent—and long overdue for meaningful change.

Virginia took a significant step forward late last month, signing into effect a bundle of new laws and precautions created to improve maternal healthcare and offer support to pregnant women statewide. The legislation, dubbed the Virginia Momnibus, was championed by Democratic government officials, including Virginia state Delegates Don Scott and Destiny LeVere Bolling, and signals a historic step forward in Virginia’s approach to maternal health. 

We take a closer look at some of these measures.