A People’s Town Hall: Social Proof That The People Are Not Okay
It is becoming clear that any sustained opposition to the wrecking ball that the Trump regime is taking to our democratic form of governance and cruel hearted attacks on our hard-won freedoms is going to come from the people. The same is true here in Indiana where white Christian nationalism has captured the Governor’s office and most of the Statehouse. There are egregious bills moving through this legislative session including (but not limited to) a push toward privatizing public education, the social profiling of immigrants regardless of their citizenship status, increasing voter suppression, dismantling Medicaid, and making pregnancy an ‘at risk’ medical event for Hoosier women.
Did you Know:
H4D is hosting a People’s Town Hall on Saturday, March 22, from Noon-2:00. When strongmen take over a free people, they try desperately to separate the people and isolate them from others in their community. Our town hall will be an experience of community building and connection. What unites us will be our common stories of how abuses of the Trump/Braun administrations are impacting all of us. We will be emboldened to be part of the people’s opposition in creative and simple everyday ways. We will be social proof that the people are not okay and none of this is normal.
What It Matters:
Our state and federal governments are attacking our personal freedoms and trying to break our democracy. Cruelty is the point. Oligarchy is the goal.
What you Can Do:
Come to the People’s Town Hall and experience what it looks like to be part of the people’s opposition. Lean on each other and encourage one another. Give voice to your story and join us as we take these testimonies back to Governor Braun, Senator Young, and Senator Banks.
Yours in obvious opposition,
H4D Team
I support the efforts of H4D, Indivisible, 50501, Live Free Indiana, and all other legitimate organizations that are leading the way of protest and opposition. I have two comments:
First, I hope everyone realizes that these efforts by themselves will have no effect on the current situation. This will not change Todd Young’s mind; in fact it may harden it even more. If the protests do not result in voter turnout in the mid-terms nothing will change. That is the hard reality, but that does not mean that it is without merit. Protest is important, and in fact it is an act of patriotism because we are petitioning our government for redress of a problem, and that is supported by the Constitution.
Second is a warning. There will be provocateurs who will infiltrate the protests and will advocate violence for the purpose of de-legitimizing the movement. I am not sure but I may have been talking to one Wednesday night. Do not fall for it, do not take that bait. We must commit to non-violent opposition because as soon as someone commits an act of vandalism or violence against persons or property that gives legitimacy to the use of force by the government. And, as problematic as this fact is, the government has the monopoly on the legitimate use of force.
The reason that the Civil Rights Movement was so successful is because of the commitment to non-violence. Maybe we should have some training in non-violence before we actually take to the streets. But I guarantee that the other side will try to de-legitimize our movement by provoking violence. Something to be aware of and be watchful for.
I believe it's important to get educated about effective non-violent resistance methods.
Hoosiers 4 Democracy could partner with Indivisible to provide free screenings of films, and host discussions led by experts.
There is free content available.
International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/
This film shows how Otpor, a student led organization, successfully catalyzed a peaceful resistance movement that brought down Milosevic in Serbia 2000.
Some key lessons- it took a long time, they had help from experts outside of Serbia, eventually all the people came together (coal miners and others went on strike), there was mass mobilization that made clear to military and law enforcement that it was the people against the government- not just one political party against Milosevic. Then they switched sides and joined the people.
Bringing Down a Dictator
https://youtu.be/r7dNLt5mC1A?feature=shared
Next Comes What
Andrea Pitzer
https://youtube.com/@degenerateartnewsletter?feature=shared
In this episode, at 24 minutes in- she explains why mass mobilization is harder in the geographically vast United States.
https://youtu.be/-v7W57Gq9qg?feature=shared
In smaller European countries, most of the population is concentrated in a few cities. There is also foot freedom. It is not necessary to drive a car and park to reach a protest.
I would add that our screen addictions are having an impact on our ability to focus and act.