The Repressive Tide: How to Resist Before it's Too Late
The Trump presidency has entered an openly repressive phase, deploying coercive force against civic organizations and their leaders. While the attacks may seem contained for now, research suggests that once coercion begins, escalation follows. It is essential for pro-democracy organizations, universities, law firms, community groups, labor unions, and advocacy groups to bravely speak out against abuses of power while building a broad coalition to stand up for fundamental rights.
The administration's campaign promise was to use coercion primarily on undocumented immigrants, but the targets have multiplied since January. The brazen assertions of executive power have cowed universities and law firms, with former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James facing indictment. The designation of "antifa" as a domestic terror organization has further escalated tensions.
The use of security forces to contain civil society is a clear sign of democratic backsliding and straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Most cases of democratic backsliding begin with extreme policy goals, threat inflation, and societal rejection, leading to power concentration by the executive branch and bullying of institutions.
President Trump's attempts to push extremist policies have led to protests, with his first administration cowed by party members who would otherwise resist these efforts. His second term has seen a bolder reform agenda and a fortified security apparatus, including ICE, which has been using helicopters and chemical agents to raid communities.
The escalation of repression is alarming, with the administration sending troops to American cities without flimsy justification. Empowering non-state violent actors, such as pardoning January 6 insurrectionists, further exacerbates the situation. In this context, pro-democracy forces must work doubly hard to remain above ground, avoid fragmentation, and mount an effective opposition.
Community groups, labor unions, and advocacy organizations must inoculate their members and the communities they represent for what's coming. Training in strategic nonviolence is crucial to resist provocations from the state and make repression backfire. Efforts like Free DC, which has trained thousands of residents in Washington D.C., and educators and parents in Chicago, who have organized to accompany children home when federal agents attacked right outside their school, are powerful examples.
The broad coalition must be complemented by widespread training in strategic nonviolence to effectively resist the provocations of the state. Pro-democracy forces will need to show courage by speaking out and defending institutions and rights. The many legal organizations and law firms using the courts to try to defend rights and curb executive branch overreach offer reassurance.
Ultimately, it is crucial for pro-democracy forces to recognize the escalating repressive tide and take action before it's too late. By building a broad coalition, training in strategic nonviolence, and defending institutions and rights, we can potentially reverse this trend and restore democracy.
The Trump presidency has entered an openly repressive phase, deploying coercive force against civic organizations and their leaders. While the attacks may seem contained for now, research suggests that once coercion begins, escalation follows. It is essential for pro-democracy organizations, universities, law firms, community groups, labor unions, and advocacy groups to bravely speak out against abuses of power while building a broad coalition to stand up for fundamental rights.
The administration's campaign promise was to use coercion primarily on undocumented immigrants, but the targets have multiplied since January. The brazen assertions of executive power have cowed universities and law firms, with former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James facing indictment. The designation of "antifa" as a domestic terror organization has further escalated tensions.
The use of security forces to contain civil society is a clear sign of democratic backsliding and straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Most cases of democratic backsliding begin with extreme policy goals, threat inflation, and societal rejection, leading to power concentration by the executive branch and bullying of institutions.
President Trump's attempts to push extremist policies have led to protests, with his first administration cowed by party members who would otherwise resist these efforts. His second term has seen a bolder reform agenda and a fortified security apparatus, including ICE, which has been using helicopters and chemical agents to raid communities.
The escalation of repression is alarming, with the administration sending troops to American cities without flimsy justification. Empowering non-state violent actors, such as pardoning January 6 insurrectionists, further exacerbates the situation. In this context, pro-democracy forces must work doubly hard to remain above ground, avoid fragmentation, and mount an effective opposition.
Community groups, labor unions, and advocacy organizations must inoculate their members and the communities they represent for what's coming. Training in strategic nonviolence is crucial to resist provocations from the state and make repression backfire. Efforts like Free DC, which has trained thousands of residents in Washington D.C., and educators and parents in Chicago, who have organized to accompany children home when federal agents attacked right outside their school, are powerful examples.
The broad coalition must be complemented by widespread training in strategic nonviolence to effectively resist the provocations of the state. Pro-democracy forces will need to show courage by speaking out and defending institutions and rights. The many legal organizations and law firms using the courts to try to defend rights and curb executive branch overreach offer reassurance.
Ultimately, it is crucial for pro-democracy forces to recognize the escalating repressive tide and take action before it's too late. By building a broad coalition, training in strategic nonviolence, and defending institutions and rights, we can potentially reverse this trend and restore democracy.
I'm really worried about where this is all headed. The way the administration is using "security forces" to silence anyone who's against them is just terrifying 
. They're basically saying that if you speak out, they'll come for you - and we've already seen what happens when they do, like with those January 6 insurrectionists getting a free pass 
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. We need to start training ourselves in strategic nonviolence and building those coalitions ASAP 
. It's scary to think that we might lose everything we've fought for in the past 
, but I believe we can make a difference if we work together 
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! We just need to be more vigilant and proactive in defending our democracy 
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it's like they're trying to create a dystopian nightmare from hollywood films. community groups, labor unions, and advocacy orgs need to step up their game and train in strategic nonviolence to resist the state's provocations... otherwise we might be staring at a totalitarian regime that's completely devoid of human rights 
. I mean, what happens when institutions like these start to fold under pressure? That just weakens our whole democratic foundation.
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these people are actually using chemicals on helicopter raids 
also can we talk about how he's pardoning january 6 insurrectionists?? 
that's just plain wrong.
Trump's getting real aggressive...like, for real! 
[GIF of a police helicopter above a city skyline]
"Democracy backsliding" 
[Image of a person with coffee stains on their shirt pointing at a dog]
the way i see it is that pro-democracy forces need to stay super organized and united if they wanna resist this repressive tide, training in strategic nonviolence is key 
what happened to all the brave pro-democracy people? it's crazy how quickly coercion and fear are spreading under trump's admin...i mean, using helicopters and chemical agents to raid communities is straight up insane 
we can't let the state bully us into silence...we gotta stand up for our rights and defend each other 
. Trump's tactics are becoming increasingly aggressive and it's like he's trying to break the spirit of resistance 
. The fact that universities and law firms are being targeted is really alarming 
. We need to stand up for what's right and defend our institutions before it's too late 
. Training in strategic nonviolence might be key here, it can't hurt to learn how to respond effectively when faced with provocations from the state 
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. We need more people like them and organizations like Free DC working together to resist this repressive tide 
. Can't let Trump get away with this authoritarian stuff 
. We gotta take action before it's too late 
This is getting really scary dude... I mean, I'm so worried about all the people who are going to get caught in the crossfire of this repressive tide. It's like, what if they start targeting us next? We have to speak out and stand up for what's right, even when it's hard. 
. It's scary to think that things could escalate quickly, so let's do something before it's too late 
& dont even get me started on james comey & letitia james facing indictment its like he thinks hes above the law too 
when you want them to, that is. 
Don't @ me when the dust settles. Stay safe, America! 
We're all in this together... unless you're an ICE agent, then you're on your own. 
[source: a meme of people holding hands]
#TruthHurts
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, and if we don't act now, it'll be too late 
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and show the world we won't back down 
!