Given fascist, authoritarian takeovers in the US and heightened action against the people by the fascist-in-chief, I offer ways to resist. This is an update of what I sent in a recent newsletter.
Do you, like me, have strong feelings about the technofascist coup that’s in progress? (While this is largely a US-centric post, fascists are rising globally, so this can be broadly relevant.)
My anger competes with grief over what and who we continue to lose. Immigrants to the US and trans people are in the crosshairs. As are forests and natural areas. And anyone who speaks Truth to power.
Back in April, Daniel Hunter offered a good analysis and strategies for action. The analysis in short: they’d love our street actions to turn violent, a good excuse to declare emergency controls. Don’t take the bait. And watch for fascist instigators.
The strategies?
Refuse, Resist, Ridicule
Daniel mentions three strategies:
In states where the National Guard haven’t yet been federalized, we the people can lobby our state governors to call up the Guard to protect people—or for any justice-oriented reason. For instance, to address housing and affordability crises. They cannot be activated twice, so this would prevent Rump from doing so.
We can also lobby the military to refuse unlawful commands. Search #DoNotTurnOnUs for resources and action how-to’s.
Street actions can be fun
Giant puppets, inflatables, skits, making music, dancing—there are so many ways to bring play into it and engage more people.
Let’s add Play to the graphic!
Here’s an inspiring post by Anne-christine d’Adesky with examples of creative ways to take control of the message. Giant ducks! Guerilla projections! Disco raves!
Much more on the Beautiful Trouble site.
Keep creating!
Simultaneously, it’s important to keep fun and creativity in our lives as much as possible. Not only is this inspirational and restorative for us, the more art we create—all forms of art—the more we inspire others.
Find ways to add Beauty and Hope to the world!
Yes, this is a coup
An enlightening TED talk by journalist Carole Cadwalladr states: a coup has already been in progress. A digital coup.
And it’s right out of authoritarian playbooks: what she calls the broligarchy are tech bros who are allowed (by the regime) to stow away massive profits in exchange for total loyalty. Carole says, “It’s always the data.”
Data is power
Data amassing and control yields a state of total surveillance where we are all profiled. “Politics is technology now.” AI controls it, heralding the collapse of factual information. “Data rights are human rights.”
Thus, privacy is power
So an important thing to do: take back our privacy. For a long time, writer and activist Cory Doctorow (@pluralistic) has named the strangulation of democracy and control by corporations as enshittification—of products, of the internet, of most aspects of mainstream life.
It’s beyond enshittification now: remember, it’s a coup. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (that Doctorow is part of) has excellent resources for taking back your privacy—see their Tools menu.
Ridicule
Don’t forget that ridicule is an effective tactic, especially of Rump. And can be fun. Hunter says that if the military are called up against the people, ridicule may well be the best tactic. Create skits, puppets, and graphics. Make them playful.
June 14 and beyond
Have fun in the streets on June 14 (and beyond). And stay as safe as you wish, noting that safety is a loaded word—different for each of us. Know your boundaries.
Look for others to gather with. There will be so many out on the streets in the days to come. Make some new friends. Remember, there’s power and resilience in community. And fun!