First Step to Get Involved

Resilience is key to effective resistance, as is maintaining hope. Dissenters play a long game. This can be dispiriting to people who see their liberties disappearing now, but the lesson of anti-authoritarian action around the world is: use the freedoms you have when you have them, and expect setbacks. Do what you can in the spaces you have, and perhaps those spaces for democratic action will become bigger as more people come aboard. Collective action and solidarity are key to feeling you can continue and your efforts have a larger meaning.

- Ruth Ben-Ghiat

What is Happening and How to Take Action

Recap of AOC's live stream on how to take action and respond as an everyday citizen.

Synopsis

• Do not get overwhelmed. Divide and Conquer.
• Follow the money. These iniatives are less about the culture war and more about profit. “They like to brand themselves as “tech” and all this other stuff but all of them- they get their money through defense contracts”
• Know your rights. Print out your rights.
• Do not give consent in advance. Slow their agenda down.
• Your everyday small actions matter. Don’t be apathetic or fearfully paralyzed.
• Call your representatives.

Main takeaway Do what you can - be a small grain of sand in the machine and together we can stop it.

My voice does nothing

One of the top responses I get when trying to get people involved is a remark about futility. "My vote gets cancled." "My rep won't listen." "Government is corrupt." These things can all be true without being a death sentance on your democratic participation.