Proactive, sensible ways to organize, dissent, stay safe

[Anonymous]

I wasn’t sure where to put this.

I’m one person with no power. I have both tried to keep aware of the world with quality writing and broadcasting of the PBS NewsHour type, and to otherwise engage with real books, ideas, and my real life and family; I’m sure many of us have. I can’t mainline MSNow anymore, it’s not good for me, and most of the broadcasters aren’t that great. I have chronic illness and need to actually care about my stress.

That said, the one two three hits of Maduro’s kidnapping, the Greenland fever dream moving forward, and the ICE murder of Renee Good have me despairing. I do not work as an attorney or organizer, or in public office.

What concrete steps can we do? Can we also discuss the risks of protest? I’m terrified of the surveillance state, and I don’t know how seriously to take advice I see on Reddit in re masking, burner phones, and avoiding even reading about advertised upcoming protests.

We have obligations to our children and to each other. What can we do, that is legal and yet effective, without risking our lives, let alone traumatizing those who depend upon us?

Mods: if there’s a master or pinned “what we can do” thread please of course merge.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for posting! I have the exact same feelings and concerns that you do so eager to hear the responses.

[Anonymous]

Buy nothing except food and medicine.
No travel, unless to stay with friends/ family.

We are doing a "low spend" year this year: buying groceries, health expenses, and fixing / replacing appliances and house stuff only if it fails.

No spending for travel, no shopping online or otherwise, no new clothes, we are lucky enough to be able to try to use up everything we already have. No fast food, maybe get takeout from a local restaurant once a month. Emphasizing free activities locally.

Asking for things on our local buy nothing or neighborhood group if we do think we need something.

If the people in charge stop being able to profit from Americans they will be more open to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy nothing except food and medicine.
No travel, unless to stay with friends/ family.

We are doing a "low spend" year this year: buying groceries, health expenses, and fixing / replacing appliances and house stuff only if it fails.

No spending for travel, no shopping online or otherwise, no new clothes, we are lucky enough to be able to try to use up everything we already have. No fast food, maybe get takeout from a local restaurant once a month. Emphasizing free activities locally.

Asking for things on our local buy nothing or neighborhood group if we do think we need something.

If the people in charge stop being able to profit from Americans they will be more open to change.

I have read about Buy Nothing campaigns but they don’t seem to be getting off the ground. It’s a good idea.

It’s depressing AF that political power is more consumer power in our nation. I don’t want my or anyone’s life to be reducible to what they can buy.

To the first reply: grow up, please. Anyone reading likely voted. We don’t go to the polls often. What can we do more often without incurring literal bodily harm? We are currently in a violent land where anyone under the LEO or fed agent mantle can effectively hurt anyone not under that aegis with literally no adverse consequences.

[Anonymous]

That's why an economic protest is the way to go.

It's not violent, it hurts the people with the most money, you can actually use the money you are saving for mutual aid to give food and housing assistance to anyone financially hurt by the economic protests.

[Anonymous]

I feel really disheartened this week. We've definitely turned a corner and I suspect things will get much, much worse this year. I lived in an authoritarian country as an expat, and it was unrecognizable in 4 years.

That said, I will won't fear covering my face for a protest. I went to a bunch last year and didn't carry burner phones. They were lovely, uplifting events. I wish there was another one scheduled.

I don't know what else to do, but if I stay silent, I will fail my future grandchildren. As things change, I'll have to re-decide. I like the posters responses on another thread that they're willing to risk death to vote.

[Anonymous]

HOW TO PUSH BACK ON ICE
Join tonight's call on how concrete next steps on how you can take action.
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/881...m_source=indivisible

Join Indivisible's weekly What's the Plan calls
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/773746/

Or watch replay on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@indivisibleteam/videos
Today's was very good and you can glean more insights from this.

LONGTERM CHANGE
Focus on flipping Red & Purple state governments and holding Blue! State governments hold so much power and Democrats have ignored them to our peril. Learn about Project Red Map, read book "Labortories of Autocracy" to learn how GOP took over state governments and turned them into fascists states that we see now at the federal level. How to do that?

Volunteer with Run for Something.
They support young (40 and under) progressives running for local and state govs. And don't let the "progressive" label scare you. RFS defines it as believing all people should be treated the same, people who work for a living ought to earn a living, women must be able to control their own bodies. https://runforsomething.net/

Volunteer with your local Democratic party.
We get the party we fight for. If your local party sucks, get involved and change that!

Run for Office!
Sign up for free training with Run for Something. (you don't have to be under 40 to access their FREE trainings and resources)
https://www.mobilize.us/runforsomething/event/877853/

Get involved in Democratic federal primary.
We need a younger and more aggressive Democratic party. No more sternly worded letters. No one over 70 should be running for reelection! We cannot afford to lose seats because someone's hubris.

[Anonymous]

Jeff thank you for responding and restoring. I appreciate that very much.

[Anonymous]

Are there things that make sense beyond the strict political point of running for office? Things that go beyond election cycles?

[Anonymous]

I think with the advent of AI and the nature of authoritarian governments to censor information, I would say preserve information. Support libraries. Support organizations working on archives. Read from a variety of sources. Connect with local community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think with the advent of AI and the nature of authoritarian governments to censor information, I would say preserve information. Support libraries. Support organizations working on archives. Read from a variety of sources. Connect with local community.

I do this and it’s good for the soul; I work at a museum, and I joined an in-person book club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there things that make sense beyond the strict political point of running for office? Things that go beyond election cycles?

Money makes the world go round. Make an effort to starve the fascists of funding.

[Anonymous]

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights

[Anonymous]

Right now, the Democratic opposition to Trump is Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Clearly they are inadequate for this moment in time.

The best thing people can do is to get quality candidates running for office. And remove the current Democratic leadership entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy nothing except food and medicine.
No travel, unless to stay with friends/ family.

We are doing a "low spend" year this year: buying groceries, health expenses, and fixing / replacing appliances and house stuff only if it fails.

No spending for travel, no shopping online or otherwise, no new clothes, we are lucky enough to be able to try to use up everything we already have. No fast food, maybe get takeout from a local restaurant once a month. Emphasizing free activities locally.

Asking for things on our local buy nothing or neighborhood group if we do think we need something.

If the people in charge stop being able to profit from Americans they will be more open to change.

I have read about Buy Nothing campaigns but they don’t seem to be getting off the ground. It’s a good idea.

It’s depressing AF that political power is more consumer power in our nation. I don’t want my or anyone’s life to be reducible to what they can buy.

To the first reply: grow up, please. Anyone reading likely voted. We don’t go to the polls often. What can we do more often without incurring literal bodily harm? We are currently in a violent land where anyone under the LEO or fed agent mantle can effectively hurt anyone not under that aegis with literally no adverse consequences.

Buy Nothing is a rich man’s game. Plenty of people are at that point involuntarily.