The Majority Report with Sam Seder 3563 - Canadian Labor Victory; Resisting Trump's Invasion of DC w/ Lisa Gilbert
Aug 19, 2025
Lisa Gilbert, Co-president of Public Citizen and founder of the Not Above the Law Coalition, shares her insights on resisting federal overreach in Washington D.C. She discusses Trump's controversial actions and the implications of the Home Rule Act on local governance. The conversation also touches on the struggle for labor rights highlighted by the recent Air Canada strike, showcasing how solidarity can lead to success against government pressure. Listeners will be engaged by the blend of current events and the fight for democratic accountability.
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Union Defiance Forced A Deal
- Mark Hancock of CUPE publicly defied an order to end the Air Canada strike and vowed members would not return until a fair collective agreement was reached.
- The union's defiance forced Air Canada back to the table and produced a tentative deal within days, energizing broader labor momentum.
Small Acts Can Trigger Bigger Movements
- Sam Seder frames acts of defiance as catalytic, creating political momentum beyond immediate material gains.
- He argues small, high-visibility resistance can empower other movements and shift broader power dynamics.
Federalizing D.C. Is A 30-Day Power Grab
- Lisa Gilbert calls the federal takeover of D.C. a manufactured crisis lacking empirical support and labels it an 'invasion.'
- She explains the Home Rule Act lets the president federalize D.C. police for 30 days, but Congress must affirm extensions.