The Power of People
Speaking truth. Sparking action. Building a just Nebraska for all.
The Power of People is my space to speak directly, openly, and unapologetically about the issues shaping Nebraska and our nation. Here you’ll find my reflections on policy, politics, and the work we must do together—work rooted in truth, accountability, and the belief that real change starts with us. These aren’t just commentaries; they’re calls to action to build a more just, equitable, and people-powered future.
Nebraska Must Say No to a New Internment Camp
When Governor Jim Pillen announced that Nebraska would convert the Work Ethic Camp in McCook into a 300-bed internment camp for immigrants, he did so without consultation, transparency, or respect for the Nebraska Legislature—the people’s branch of government.
This secretive decision raises urgent questions about legality, safety, cost, and Nebraska’s values:
Legal authority: Our Constitution gives the Legislature—not the Governor—control over state prisons. One man cannot unilaterally repurpose a Nebraska prison into an internment camp for the federal government.
State resources: The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services exists to house Nebraskans convicted of crimes—not to carry out ICE’s federal agenda. By stepping outside its role, the state risks serious liability and undermines its duty to Nebraskans.
Overcrowding crisis: Our prisons are already dangerously overcrowded and understaffed. If the Governor says Nebraska has “space to give away,” why are taxpayers footing the bill for a $370 million new prison?
Impact on Nebraskans: Where will Nebraskans currently housed at McCook be moved? How will this affect parole, programming, and already exhausted staff?
Truthfulness: The Governor cannot keep his story straight—first saying the internment camp would hold “low-risk individuals,” then claiming it would house “terrorists” and “the worst of the worst.” Nebraskans deserve honesty, not political spin.
Most disturbing of all, when asked if families or children would be held at this new internment camp, the Governor admitted he “hadn’t thought about that.”
We’ve Been Here Before
This is not the first time America has built internment camps. During World War II, our government forcibly removed and imprisoned over 120,000 Japanese Americans—including families, children, and U.S. citizens—based only on fear and prejudice. Decades later, we look back on that dark chapter with regret and shame.
Nebraska should not repeat this mistake. Converting McCook into an internment camp doesn’t make our communities safer—it abandons our values of fairness, due process, and dignity.
That’s why my colleagues and I have requested the Chair of Judiciary, Senator Carolyn Bosn, to hold an interim study hearing so Nebraskans can ask questions and get answers on the record. The Governor should not make these decisions behind closed doors.
How You Can Take Action
Contact your senator. Contact your state senator by phone or email and urge them to support an interim study hearing on the McCook internment camp. Phone numbers and email addresses are available at nebraskalegislature.gov/senators.
Attend community events. Watch for town halls, rallies, and forums on this issue. Showing up matters—it tells leaders this isn’t happening quietly.
Support immigrant families directly. Donate or volunteer with organizations like Nebraska Appleseed, Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA), Heartland Workers Center, and others that provide legal aid, housing support, and advocacy.
Share the truth online. Post articles (not just memes) from outlets like Nebraska Examiner, Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraska Public Media, and local TV outlet that explain what’s happening in McCook. Use hashtags like #NoInternmentCamps to spread awareness.
Talk with your neighbors. Many Nebraskans are still unaware of this plan. Bring it up at church, school events, or coffee with friends. Word of mouth is powerful.
Write a letter to the editor. Local papers still shape opinion. Share why you oppose Nebraska becoming home to an internment camp.
Nebraska belongs to the people. We should not allow a new internment camp in our name.
The Power of People
By Senator Machaela Cavanaugh
Last week, Nebraska made national news as hundreds packed a town hall to face down Congressman Mike Flood. Nebraskans are rejecting cuts to our healthcare so the wealthy can prosper. The shouts. The boos. That unyielding presence. It was a vivid reminder: real change only happens when the people stand and demand it.
Around the same time, Beto O’Rourke brought that same charge to Omaha, telling a packed room, “Fighting through this instead of fighting back. Fighting forward instead of fighting back.” He urged us to stop merely sounding the alarm and instead build a democracy worth saving. He called for Democrats to be “just as relentless” in seeking the power to dismantle authoritarian moves and systems rooted in racism and poverty.
Our town hall energy and Beto’s words intersect in a profound truth: we can’t only resist—we must also build. Showing up is powerful. But turning that energy into sustained, inclusive organizing—not just for better outcomes, but for deeper justice—that’s how we create lasting change.
So here’s our test: Are we reaching beyond our comfort zones—not just showing up where it’s safe, but stepping into rooms, neighborhoods, and conversations that challenge us? Are we truly elevating the voices of people most impacted by poverty, systemic racism, and generational injustice—not just giving them a platform, but letting them shape the agenda?
Are we fighting for higher wages, universal healthcare, fair maps, and voting rights with the urgency they demand—knowing these aren’t abstract policy goals, but lifelines for our neighbors? Are we naming and dismantling the structural barriers that keep Nebraskans from thriving, even when doing so disrupts our political alliances or exposes uncomfortable truths about our movements?
And—perhaps most importantly—are we willing to hold ourselves to the same standard of accountability we demand from those in power? That means owning our missteps, correcting course when we fall short, and refusing to settle for incremental change that leaves the most vulnerable behind. Our credibility depends not on how loudly we call out injustice in others, but on how consistently we confront it in ourselves.
If the answer to any of these questions is “not yet,” then that’s where we begin. Not tomorrow. Not after the next election. Now. We have the power, the urgency, and—after this week—the proof that Nebraskans are ready to stand up and be heard.
Let’s use this moment to build something bold enough to outlast a news cycle, resilient enough to weather the backlash, and just enough to transform not only who holds power, but also how they use power.
Because the point is not simply to win—it’s to make winning matter for every person who has ever been told their voice, their vote, or their life doesn’t count. And that work starts with us.
Three Simple Actions You Can Take Right Now
Bring two people with you next time. Whether it’s a town hall, a rally, or a meeting—invite friends and make our movement grow.
Share the story. Post, text, or talk about what happened at the Flood town hall and why it matters.
Register one voter. Help a neighbor, friend, or family member get ready to vote in the next election.
