Amanda Prestigiacomo

What's particularly notable about the rally was how organically it happened. It appears the rally popped up after three residents who were angry with Mills' refusal to back down on these transgender policies, they created a Facebook event for a protest. That gained traction with thousands, and then those residents harnessed a Change.org petition initiating a recall of Governor Mills.

That petition has garnered more than 24,000 signatures, and they included a link to the March Against Mills event. By contrast, reports say only dozens showed up at a protest in support for Mills following her spat with Trump. Now, nationally, polling clearly shows that Americans are on Trump's side and very strongly opposed to Mills and Maine Democrats' position here.

That petition has garnered more than 24,000 signatures, and they included a link to the March Against Mills event. By contrast, reports say only dozens showed up at a protest in support for Mills following her spat with Trump. Now, nationally, polling clearly shows that Americans are on Trump's side and very strongly opposed to Mills and Maine Democrats' position here.

A New York Times poll from January found that only 18% of Americans believe that trans-identifying male athletes should be allowed in female sports.

A New York Times poll from January found that only 18% of Americans believe that trans-identifying male athletes should be allowed in female sports.

You're welcome.

You're welcome.

The bill defines sex based on anatomy at birth. If Kim Reynolds signs the measure, Iowa would become the first state to remove what activists deem necessary protections from people who believe they are transgender. Opponents of the bill warn of discrimination, while supporters argue that it upholds traditional gender norms.

The bill defines sex based on anatomy at birth. If Kim Reynolds signs the measure, Iowa would become the first state to remove what activists deem necessary protections from people who believe they are transgender. Opponents of the bill warn of discrimination, while supporters argue that it upholds traditional gender norms.

Federally, the Trump administration has vowed to cut funding for hospitals offering gender transition treatments to minors, keep men out of female sports, bar men from women's prisons, and remove gender identity from passports.

Federally, the Trump administration has vowed to cut funding for hospitals offering gender transition treatments to minors, keep men out of female sports, bar men from women's prisons, and remove gender identity from passports.

So the strike started on the 17th with officers from two New York prisons striking over unsafe conditions. The movement quickly swelled in support and now nine out of 10 officers, about 15,000 total, from 38 of the state's 42 prisons are now participating in the strike.

So the strike started on the 17th with officers from two New York prisons striking over unsafe conditions. The movement quickly swelled in support and now nine out of 10 officers, about 15,000 total, from 38 of the state's 42 prisons are now participating in the strike.

Notably, the strike has not been sanctioned by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, which is the government-affiliated union for corrections officers. That makes this a so-called wildcat strike. Governor Hochul has repeatedly called the strike illegal, citing violation of the Taylor Law.

Notably, the strike has not been sanctioned by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, which is the government-affiliated union for corrections officers. That makes this a so-called wildcat strike. Governor Hochul has repeatedly called the strike illegal, citing violation of the Taylor Law.

Now, as for the timing of all of this, officers say it's a long overdue response to Hochul and her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, ignoring their complaints about safety and mandated work shifts that, according to officers, can exceed 72 hours at times. Additionally, just days before the strike, officials locked down the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County due to an inmate uprising.

Now, as for the timing of all of this, officers say it's a long overdue response to Hochul and her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, ignoring their complaints about safety and mandated work shifts that, according to officers, can exceed 72 hours at times. Additionally, just days before the strike, officials locked down the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County due to an inmate uprising.

There was also a memo circulated by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the DOCCS, advising prison superintendents to effectively cut 30 percent of staff by the end of the month, though the DOCCS has since said that that would mostly apply to vacant positions.

There was also a memo circulated by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the DOCCS, advising prison superintendents to effectively cut 30 percent of staff by the end of the month, though the DOCCS has since said that that would mostly apply to vacant positions.

Well, first and foremost, they want prison reform legislation called the HALT Act to be repealed. That went into effect in 2022, and it mandates what proponents say are more humane alternatives to solitary confinement, while also limiting which inmates can be placed in solitary at all. Officers and their supporters say the legislation has not worked and it's made prisons less safe for everyone.