If I just stand on a random corner with a sign that says "FUCK FASCISM," because there are no events near me for this, does it count as a protest or is the same as a homeless guy with a sign that says "aliens took my wife, pls help?"
Resist: It's Time
We are still in this together, but "this" is going to be real different in the very near future. This demands a different kind of "we."
The French Resistance during Nazi occupation played important roles delivering downed Allied airmen back to safety, supplying military intelligence, and acts of sabotage.
The Underground Railroad is estimated to have brought 100,000 freedom seekers to safety between 1810 and 1850.
It's time.
Rules
- Do not gatekeep resistance
- Do not organize specific subversive plans here.
- Do not identify yourself or anyone else here.
- Do brainstorm general ideas about how to support people who need it and stymie the efforts of fascists
- Do share thoughts on how to be personally prepared for subversive action
I know you are joking but the fact its at the same time as what is happening around the country. I would say yes.
Only semi-joking. I might actually do it since I took the day off anyway. Tho I am thinking "Honk if you Hate Fascism" would be better sign.
One person does a protest make.
Do it.
I wish I could actually be physically present,but I can't. What can I do to help?
Depends on how close or far away you are.
Anyone can keep an eye out for dire news and post it, so that people on the ground have easy access to that news to inform their own actions.
If shit really goes sideways, there are going to be a lot of people on the move. Some of those people will be going into the conflict, and some will be going away from it, possibly away from their own homes. They're going to need somewhere to go. If it makes sense for you, make a place in your home for people to stay. People may end up car camping in Walmart parking lots. Definitely talk to your neighbors, let them know that they're safe with you, invite them to come to you if they would feel safer there.
If you're close to a major metro area and can react if necessary, pack up cases of water, blankets, spare clothing. First aid materials might be nice, but the kinds of injuries are more likely to require transportation than what a simple first aid kit can do anything about. Those blankets can be makeshift stretchers.
Wherever you are, protect the people near you who need protecting. If there's serious trouble, it's probably going to happen in cities first, but it's anyone's guess after that. If this becomes a fight fight, we're going to need people everywhere who are able to offer support.
All efforts great and small.
This reminded me to dig up an old text with a friend where I said I'd nag him to come to the next big mainstream protest. Let's see what he says.
Any advice besides water and that a tennis racket is really good as a sign handle because its light and the wider attachment point (which is enough of a reason).
I threw down a comment below earlier that may help, but I'll add here for people who are going to be on the ground:
- Be aware of your phone
Turn it off until you neeed it. Have at least one offsite person's number memorized. Use local public wifi only if you can.
- Wear super generic clothing, black bloc if you have it.
Don't be identifiable.
- Shut the fuck up
Don't talk to police for any reason about anything.
- Pay attention
Keep your eyes up, scanning, don't look at your shoes, be ready to act (whether that means assist or escape or engage).
- If you are driving, park well away from the area
If you're parked too close, you may end up without access to your car to get you out of there.
- Bring snacks
Dense, high calorie things, for you and others.
- Know your surroundings
If you're going to be in an area that you're not familiar with, go check it out now so you can figure out where to park, and multiple ways to get out.
- Be loud and be angry
They want you to be meek and submissive and scared. Don't be. Be the opposite.
thanks. I prefer loud and cheerful though. if Im going to be out I might as well dance.
If that works for you, great! It takes all kinds.
Here's my prediction: In the grand scheme, nothing will happen.
The majority of the protests will be uneventful. In a few cities, police forces will crack back unnecessarily hard and a few protesters will be arrested, with most released after a day or two.
There will be a near media blackout of these events, eventful or otherwise. The administration will not feel any pressure, and within a month, everyone will forget it even happened.
This is what will happen every time a peaceful protest is planned on a weekend that inconveniences nobody.
Yeah, call it off, let's do nothing instead.
Imagine a house fire. Imagine that instead of directly fighting it, people are trying to organize a mass demonstration to show the fire that people really want it to just go out on its own.
And then when you point out that will accomplish nothing, that it's entirely performance just to make the participants feel better, that time should be spent fighting the fire instead of dancing around the issue and trying to combat it by wishing really really hard that it would just go away, people respond with "Fine, I guess we just do nothing then! Is that better?!"
Nations aren't houses, the rise of fascism isn't as simple as a fire, and the long-term solution isn't just "put the fire out."
If you want a real successful revolution (which I do), there needs to be a critical mass of people willing to act. That critical mass hasn't yet been reached, but I'd be willing to bet that putting a bunch of like-minded people in the same place, loud and angry, will help to build it. Especially if the fascists react to any of it with "impropriety."
All efforts great and small. Go do your part.
And be armed. Vance promised to consider everyone protesting as bad as Hamas.
Please make plenty of escape routes, never enclave yourselves, seize vantage points, have escape wear+bugout bags, take out cameras, and continue freeing people.
With my last blessing 😘🌿🏴🍚🎊.
Careful about being armed. It’s illegal to attend a protest while carrying any weapon in a whole lot of states.
Just know what you’re doing and what the consequences may be.
Under what Constitution?
The consequences already happened well before weapons were confiscated.
There’s also freedom of speech, alongside slander, defamation, terroristic threats, truth in advertising, and on and on.
The reality is that many states have laws that say it’s illegal to bring weapons to a protest. Failure to abide by those laws will carry consequences - whether you are ultimately successful in getting such laws ruled unconstitutional or not.
Know what you’re doing and what the consequences may be.
Ok Trump.
Because I've pointed out that the world that actually exists isn't what you want it to be? Check yourself.
The same world that has illegal abductions with masked individuals sending people to deathcamps, and ramming people with unmarked cars, the very same real world? Recheck your history on how fascism got eradicated.
You ought to be reading more closely.
Notice that I didn't disagree with your statement to "be armed," but rather offered relevant caution about what being armed at a protest may result in, twice closing with "Know what you're doing and what the consequences may be."
I'm leaving this whole exchange here, because I think it's useful, but I reserve the right to change my mind about that.
Useful is: when will deathcamps be demolish?
What tactics will you provide to abolish them?
What will you do, if you get Hamased?
Did you want to take anything back now, or no?
What do you mean?
You ought to be reading more closely.
I've repeated my own statements multiple times now. I'm not going to repeat yours.
Then you already have your answer on how effective this repeated protest will yield consequently.