What We Can Do

A conversation about traveling to the United States came up today on Micro.blog and @EddieHinkle wrote:

[@dgold][4] How rude and ignorant! Do you think we Americans are happy or excited about any of that? Is this how you would react to someone living under a dictatorship? There is literally nothing Americans can do until November 2020. Most of us didn’t choose this (according to majority of votes), and based on the legal system of our country there is nothing that we as citizens can do until the next election.

Claiming that there is nothing US citizens can do until 2020 is profoundly defeatist and Eddie’s words prompted me to reply with things we can do.¹ Upon reflection, I think it wise to share measures we can take. I would love if people would brainstorm with me too!

• Donate to and volunteer for progressive Democratic² candidates in the fall elections. Both at the national, state, and local level. State elections can be particularly important, as Republican control has enabled extreme gerrymandering and harsh restrictions on voting rights. Not to mention the attacks on reproductive, LGBT (especially Trans), medical, etc rights.

• Share your pronouns and learn others’.

• Join [Black Live Matters][5] protests.

• Volunteer to [help women outside Planned Parenthoods][5a].

• Participate in countermarches to the alt-right. [And mock them][6].

• Support Progressive DAs like [Larry Krasner][7] in Philadelphia. He’s been [fabulously aggressive][8] with criminal justice reform. Changing laws and enacting supervisory boards can only do so much. Moving the needle in police and district attorney offices is essential. While it will take (too) long to change the culture in the ranks, putting progressives in charge can make some changes now.

• Advocate for better mass transit where you live. This may seem like a small issue, but access to good mass transit provides a huge benefit to those living on the edge.

• Film abuses and help them go viral on social media.

• Support and volunteer with [Sex Worker Rights][8] groups. [SESTA][9] is a nightmare that has made life much more dangerous for them.

• Support and lobby for sanctuary cities. If you are a member of a religious group, push your congregation [to provide sanctuary][10]. Sadly it’s become less effective, but there is still blowback when ICE storms churches.

• Support and volunteer with [prisoner rights and prison reform groups][11]. [Alternatives to Violence][12] is also a powerful program. Become [a palpal][13] with a prisoner on death row.

• Support and volunteer for groups promoting [Black women going into politics][17].

• If your state hasn’t [accepted the Medicaid expansion][17a], write and call your state representatives, senators, and governor incessantly³.

• Donate to or volunteer in [Puerto Rico][17a].

• Support Teachers’ Unions and public schools

• Non-violent direct action. Some of these may get you arrested or worse. Not everyone is able to do that. If you can’t, support those who can. Bail them out, visit them in jail, help pay for their defense.

  • Occupy Congressional offices to demand action on DACA.

  • Protest outside and form human chains around immigrant detention centers. Especially those that house children.

  • Visit courthouses and call out ICE agents.

  • Remember [ACT UP][14] and get inspired.

  • [Mass Effect][15] for Border Control Checkpoints. Which can be miles from the actual border.

  • Join [the protests at the School of the Americas][18]. It might help the refugee crisis if we stopped training reactionaries in Central and South America.

I’ve probably gone on long enough.⁴ Please share and reply if you have any thoughts.

We must not let apathy stop us until 2020. Millions are suffering and being persecuted in the meantime.

ps: Remember to take care of yourself, spend time with friends, and laugh. Even in the crisis we’re in, this is important. Fighting authoritarianism and fascism takes tremendous fortitude, will, and energy. One will hit physical and mental limits if one neglects oneself entirely.

—–Need to fix!!!!!—-[^note2a]: Yes, there is a limit to this. I wouldn’t support a pedophile or other moral monster. But (let us fervently pray) those are edge cases.

[4]:

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