June 13 Friday roundup

For this week’s episode of “Next Comes What,” I looked at opposition to government overreach this month in LA and at NIH in DC. I had a chance to interview one of the signers of the Bethesda Declaration on the record (and on camera). You can watch it on YouTube or listen to it via Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. If you want to read instead of watching or listening, or if you’d like to explore links to people and events mentioned in the episode, you can find them in this week’s Tuesday post.

I started this newsletter a month before the election, to try to make sure I would already be on the ground in the event that Trump won and attempts at repression increased. Beginning with the first essays I wrote here after the election, I’ve talked about the importance of protest.

This weekend, for those who aren’t restricted by disability, danger, or obligation, it’s so important to show up at a protest near you. You may already be part of a community in motion that has something planned—in which case, I’m cheering you on.

For those still looking around, No Kings has now posted more than 2,000 events around the country for you to choose from. And there’s such variety. Some are very low-key; others are celebratory.

My favorite one today came to fruition because 50501 and Indivisible organizers and Boston Pride for the People coordinators realized that they were counterprogramming each other on June 14. So they’ve joined forces for a “No Kings but Yaaas Queen!” gathering on Boston Common at 11am.

If all this is new to you, before you hit the streets, be sure to brush up on safety skills and knowledge. You can look at the advice and tip sheets from Wired, Scientific American, and Indivisible to make sure you’re aware of some of the basics.

The vast majority of these events are likely to be fun and even celebratory! It’s exciting to be around other people concerned about the dismantling of democracy who are standing up to say it’s wrong. But particularly where ICE has heavily ramped up operations, or where authorities are enthusiastically collaborating with them, there may be places where law enforcement will target demonstrators, or where Proud Boy–style groups may go looking for provocation. It never hurts to be prepared.

People have been critical of what is seen as performative protesting. And it can be true that random, unfocused protests without specific, actionable demands don’t always lead to change. I want to say a few things related to that idea and emphasize why you should still show up Saturday.

1) Especially if you’re new to demonstrating, it’s okay to take small steps. You’ll be adding to the scene just by showing up. The right to protest has come under attack many times, and we’re moving toward another crisis point of this chronic issue for our country, potentially a turning point.

There are instances where having a lot of people can help sway public opinion at critical moments, and my sense is this is one of them (I’ll write more about this another day). Think of this weekend as a stepping stone to more focused and strategic protests, where specific demands will be made of specific powerholders.

2) One critical problem in the US is that so many people are entirely cut off from any community with shared values, whether those relate to civic life, religious affiliation, or other common principles. In that state, they’re much more vulnerable to propaganda that appeals to loneliness and fear. And they’re much less prone to act because they have no peers with whom to join in constructive change.

Even if you’re not in that situation, you may still not be connected to people who want to take actions to counter presidential overreach and targeting of vulnerable groups (along with what seems like the whole country these days). Showing up is also a chance for a lot of people to plug into groups that are already active. And it may help connect you with organizations where your skills and interests can have real impact.

3) Demonstrating this weekend is one of the clearest ways to offer immediate and visible solidarity to the most vulnerable US residents—especially immigrants and trans folks—the ones being targeted for illegal actions and assaulted right now. There are reports that morale is low for the troops Trump sent to California to back up ICE raids and attempts to block protest. Let’s help them see that the community isn’t with them when they act illegitimately, while lifting targeted communities up.

4) Remember that even protests in deep-red regions have effects you might not predict. Most of us are planting seeds here, not developing schematics for brain surgery. Everyone can help.

I could go for hours! But then it would be Saturday, and you might not get this post in time.

I’ll be close to home in Falls Church, Virginia, for its No Kings Day events—one at 11am, and one at 4pm. I hope to see you there, or to hear next week about where else across America you wound up…

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