#TalkRadio – June 17: Ain’t No Stopping Us Now! Congress & the Trump Agenda, NoKings Recap, July 17th John Lewis Day, and Next Steps!

SPEAKERS:

Congressman Jonathan Jackson: 12:00 PM – 12:57 PM Eastern Time
Represents Illinois’s 1st Congressional District since January 3, 2023; Born on January 7, 1966, in Chicago, he is the son of civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson, and the godson of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Before entering Congress, Jackson was a businessman, professor, and national spokesman for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; His activism spans decades, including involvement in international negotiations for the release of American captives and advocacy for victims of police misconduct; In Congress, he serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Foreign Affairs and is a member of several caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition

Betty Magness: 12:25 PM – 12:57 PM ET
Illinois Political Director, Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Denise Poloyac: 12:25 PM – 12:57 PM ET
Indivisible Chicago Board Member

Edward Ward: 12:25 PM – 12:57 PM ET
TJC Fellow; Millennial Leader; Restorative Justice Policy Advocate; a Youth Crisis Interventionist; and, Dean of Sherman School of Excellence 

INTRODUCTION:

Hi Igniters For Change! The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now! Congress & the Trump Agenda, NoKings Recap, July 17th John Lewis Day, and Next Steps!”, will be live with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and will feature special guests Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Betty Magness, Denise Poloyac, and Edward Ward.

On Saturday, June 14th, 5 million people took to the streets of the USA in 2100 events throughout the nation, in protest under the rubric of “NoKings” in opposition to the on-going unlawful and unconstitutional actions of the Trump Administration.  TJC was honored to be a cosponsor of these NoKings Day Protests. TJC Co-Leaders, Barbara Arnwine and Daryl Jones traveled to Chicago last weekend, where they were joined by TJC’s Executive Assistant Jonnita Dockens.  In Chicago, TJC’s leadership attended the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s (RPC) Annual Convention and that Saturday’s NoKings Rally and March. Betty Magness, RPC’s Illinois Voting Director, arranged for TJC’s Founder and President Barbara Arnwine to speak 3 times at the RPC Convention. At every event and opportunity, we promoted the upcoming July 17th John Lewis National Day of Action. 

The RPC Convention featured many prominent speakers.  Congressman Jonathan Jackson thrilled the conference attendees with his presence and inspiring remarks.  He connected the dots between everyone’s individual activism and the impact on Congress and the Executive Branch.  

On Saturday, June 14th,  as part of the National NoKings protests, over 50,000 people rallied at Daley Plaza for one hour and marched afterwards. TJC was honored to be 1 of 8 groups that spoke at the rally.  No article can capture the tremendous energy of the crowd that assembled. Congressman Jackson helped to lead the March alongside his father Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. 

Monday night, TJC Co-Leaders, Daryl Jones and Barbara Arnwine addressed 60,000 people on the NoKings Debrief Mass Mobilization Call to urge participation in the upcoming July 17th John Lewis “GoodTroubleLivesOn” National Day of Action.  In response, over 50 new events, a total of almost 90 events, have already been posted to the mobilize.com and we are officially one month away!! We hope to have 100s of events throughout the nation on July 17th. On Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, TJC, DFAD, Indivisible, Public Citizen, Black Voters Matter and all our partners will convene the next John Lewis National Mobilization Call. 

The first part of our show today will feature an exclusive interview with Congressman Jonathan Jackson.   The show will focus on Congressman Jackson’s perspectives on what is required of everyone in our nation at this time to address the unlawful actions of the current Administration, including the complicity of Congress.  We will discuss this past Saturday’s NoKings Mass Mobilization, the RPC Convention, opposition to the SAVE ACT and the Big Ugly Bill and more.   

Following this interview, our other guests, Betty Magness of RPC, Denise Poloyac, Indivisible Chicago Vice Chair,  and Edward Ward will join Congressman Jackson in conversation about the NoKings movement and the upcoming July 17th John Lewis “GoodTroubleLivesOn” National Day of Action. 

QUESTIONS:

12:00 PM – 12:25 PM Eastern Time- Congressman Jackson

• Thank you for joining our show.  You proudly represent the people of Chicago, Illinois. During your years in Congress what have been your goals for this nation?\
• How have you responded to these early months of the Trump Administration? 
• What does Congress need to do?  How do we address this GOP Congress and its acquiescence to the Trump Agenda? 
• How do we defeat the SAVE Act and other attacks on voting rights from this GOP House and Trump Administration?  
• What do people need to know about the “Big Ugly Bill” that passed the House and is now pending in the Senate?
• What are your thoughts about the Rainbow PUSH Coalition 2025 Convention?
• NoKings saw 5 million people turn out in 2100 events in every state and 20 nations. What did you think of this Day of Action?  Why is it important for people to take to the streets in protest?  
• Your interaction with your Dad, watching you March with him last Saturday during NoKings Day was particularly moving.  What keeps him moving? What is his message to this nation in this moment?
• What should we the people do in these times?

12:25 PM – 12:57 PM Eastern Time- Congressman Jackson, Betty Magness, Denise Poloyac, and Edward Ward

• Denise and Betty, What are your top thoughts that you want to share with our audience about Chicago’s amazing NoKings Rally and March? 
• Denise, Indivisible has become one of our nation‘s most prominent organizations, as a leader of the Chicago indivisible. What are your hopes for future mobilizations?
• Some people say that protests have no real impact. How do you respond?
• Edward, as a young millennial what did it mean to you to be at the no King‘s protest?
• Congressman Jackson, you met The Honorable John Lewis many times in your life, Why is it important that we, once again, return to the streets on July 17th for the John Lewis “GoodTroubleLivesOn” National Day of Action?
• Betty and Denise, you will be hosting our Flagship event in Chicago on the 17th, What do you hope will happen on that day?
• Edward, you will be organizing GenZ and Millennials to participate in John Lewis Day, what do you hope will happen that day?
• How can our listeners get involved?
• Congressman Jackson, what are your final thoughts?
• Thank you so much for joining us today. How do our listeners get in contact with you?

[ Arnwine will remind listeners when you make those daily calls to the Congress at 202-224-3121, be sure to tell your Senator at their home office to say NO to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and NO to the SAVE Act and remind people to stay in those streets! TJC will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all Americans and will fight the implementation of Project 2025 and our future shows will continue to cover any hate crimes and how we effectively protect ourselves while advancing our agenda for justice.]

[Daryl, Barbara, and guests may share their favorite books and encourage people to donate towards TJC’s giveaways of banned and affirming books.]