Rep. Ayanna Pressley urges Oakland crowd to resist Trump

The Massachusetts Democrat joined Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Rep. Lateefah Simon for a screening of the documentary 'She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley'.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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At an event in Oakland, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), a member of the progressive 'Squad' in Congress, called on the crowd to resist the Trump administration through three key actions: 'raising good humans,' 'bringing your gift' to the resistance, and 'radically dreaming' of a better future. Pressley was joined by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Oakland) for a screening of the documentary 'She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley'.

Why it matters

As a prominent member of 'The Squad,' Pressley is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party's progressive wing. Her call to action in Oakland reflects the growing resistance movement against the Trump administration, particularly among young and diverse voters who are seeking bold, progressive solutions.

The details

The event was part of the Indie Night Film Festival and featured a spirited discussion moderated by comedian W. Kamau Bell. Lee, who previously represented the district, praised Pressley and Simon as leaders who are 'on the cutting edge of turning this world around.' Simon, the first Muslim member to represent California in Congress, spoke about the racism she has encountered in the 'horrific' halls of Congress. Pressley urged the crowd to stay positive by 'raising good humans,' 'bringing your gift' to the resistance, and 'radically dreaming' of a better future.

  • The event took place on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
  • Lee had just attended the memorial service of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in Chicago two days earlier.

The players

Rep. Ayanna Pressley

A Democratic member of Congress from Massachusetts and a co-founder of 'The Squad,' a progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee

A former member of Congress who represented the district before being succeeded by Rep. Lateefah Simon.

Rep. Lateefah Simon

The first Muslim member to represent California in Congress, serving on the House Oversight Committee with Rep. Pressley.

W. Kamau Bell

An Oakland-based comedian who moderated the discussion at the event.

Abby Ginzberg

The filmmaker who directed the documentary 'She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley'.

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What they’re saying

“Ayanna and Lateefah, both are women who are on the cutting edge of turning this world around back on its right side.”

— Barbara Lee, Oakland Mayor (San Francisco Chronicle)

“I want to be very clear, the halls of Congress are a horrific place. It is so racist, a place that was built by people from the African diaspora created to keep us in chains. And not much has changed. … I want you to hear this: We exist in the House of Representatives with the (Ku Klux) Klan.”

— Lateefah Simon, U.S. Representative (San Francisco Chronicle)

“As I move in and out of many spaces and places with people, from Illinois to Massachusetts to Texas to California, people want us to advance solutions that go far and deep. They want us to be bold and aspirational. They don't want us to shrink. And they want us to fight like hell. … There's a dictator in the White House, and the only way to beat him is with defiance.”

— Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Representative (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Pressley and Simon both voted for a measure to invoke the War Powers Act to restrict Trump's bombing campaign against Iran, but it failed to pass. They vowed to continue fighting the administration's actions through Congress.

The takeaway

Pressley's call to action in Oakland reflects the growing resistance movement against the Trump administration, particularly among young and diverse voters seeking bold, progressive solutions. Her three-point plan of 'raising good humans,' 'bringing your gift' to the resistance, and 'radically dreaming' of a better future resonated with the crowd and underscores the Democratic Party's shift toward a more progressive agenda.