The White House Lawn: A Billboard for Fear

Bigger Than Me Democracy Project

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If this concerns you, take action with those in this situation showing courage. Here's how you can make sure your elected officials and the public hear from you — and can't say they didn't know.

📧 Email Template

Subject: Defending Due Process and Human Dignity Must Remain Non-Negotiable

Dear [Representative/Senator Name],

I am writing to you because I believe that defending the core principles of due process, human dignity, and equal protection under the law must remain non-negotiable, especially in times of political pressure.

Recently, the White House displayed nearly 100 mugshot-style posters of undocumented immigrants across the front lawn, highlighting arrests but no convictions. These individuals are legally presumed innocent, yet they have been publicly shamed by the most powerful office in the country without trial or defense. This public spectacle undermines the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a fair trial and the Eighth Amendment’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

Regardless of political affiliation or immigration stance, weaponizing the People's House to single out, humiliate, and incite fear against vulnerable individuals is not leadership. It is an authoritarian tactic. Public shaming is not justice, and fear is not a substitute for law.

I urge you to publicly oppose this action, defend the rule of law, and affirm that our government must never use its power to humiliate or pre-judge anyone. A government that respects democracy does not need to stage cruelty to make its case. It relies on facts, fairness, and the equal dignity of every person under its protection.

History teaches us that democracy does not collapse overnight; it erodes moment by moment, when injustice is tolerated because it feels politically convenient. I ask you to stand on the side of democratic values while it still matters.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent concern. I look forward to seeing you speak out for the dignity and rights that define us.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

☎️ Phone Script

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City]. I’m calling because I am deeply disturbed by the White House’s public display of mugshot-style posters of undocumented immigrants — people who have been arrested, not convicted. This public shaming is a violation of due process, a betrayal of human dignity, and an attack on the idea that everyone deserves a fair trial. It would be cruel even if they had been convicted. It is even more horrific because they have not. I’m asking [Official’s Name] to publicly oppose this action and to reaffirm that fear and humiliation should never replace justice in a democracy. Thank you for your time.

📣 Sample Social Media Post

🚨 The White House lawn is now a billboard for fear — and a warning about how democracy erodes when cruelty and public shaming replace justice. Read why this moment matters and why we must not look away. #DemocracyMatters #RuleOfLaw

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f21a932d-347e-4259-8ab0-af1a01cfa859/

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