Ways To Fight Back

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I won't be able to update the blog for a few days, so I'm going to leave here my recent list of ways to approach the current distressing political situation and things you can consider doing as we keep up the fight. 

​Here is the list:

1. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Win elections? Build community? Protest? All these things have value. None are exclusive of the others. You can divide your efforts between these and other efforts. You have solid judgement and there is no clearly correct course. Do your best according to your skills, goals and the demands of the moment. 

2. We must fully understand the stakes so we can fight as needed. Musk does want to tank the economy. The goal of Trump/Musk is to destroy democracy. They are white supremacists and eugenicists. They do support dictators abroad. They are a direct threat our freedom and safety. Everything is on the line. 

3. Accept that this is a mental health crisis for millions of people. This includes you. Take time for yourself and the people in your life. 

4.  When an opportunity comes to act in solidarity with someone in your community--Take it. We did this in Houston not long ago when many people e-mailed Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare calling for charges to be dropped against activist Sarah Terrell after her wrongful arrest by the unelected HISD Board. In part thanks to these e-mails, charges were dropped. Let's have the backs of people here at home who stand up for us. Even if they are strangers or from a community you are not part of. 

5.  When an opportunity comes to act in solidarity with others across the country--Take it. This is why so many took part in the February 28th economic blackout. It did have some financial impact. Even more important than that, we saw we can work together across racial, class and geographical barriers. 

All our actions are a test run for the weeks and months ahead. 

6. Ask more of Democratic Party elected officials. They are our elected employees. Contact both local and national elected officials. Politicians from across the county send us fundraising e-mails. So we can contact them as well no matter where they are.

Here are some things you can ask/demand:

* Aggressively push back against attacks on our freedom.
* Work year-round to improve turnout in safe gerrymandered Democratic districts. Hold your fellow elected officials who don't  do this accountable. 
* Address the fact that even when we win elections, Republicans want a Viktor Orban-authoritarian state. What is a way forward other than lifetime of conflict?
* Given that we may be in for a lifetime of conflict, have our backs for strategies such as economic boycotts, general strikes and large-scale protest or whatever is a path forward. 

7. Support independent media or media you feel works to tell the truth. The Associated Press is a good general news service that has not allowed Trump to bully them to use the term "Gulf of America." It merits support. Here in Houston, the Egberto Willies' Politics Done Right program is fully independent and also merits support.

8. Municipal and local politics matter. Authoritarianism will require a local infrastructure to implement Trump/Musk policies.  Follow & become involved in local politics. Public comment time at Houston City Council is each Tuesday at 2 PM. Here is how you can speak at Council and here is how to contact your councilmember.  The earlier before the session you sign up, the higher up on the speaker's list you'll be. The agenda session to conduct Council business is each Wednesday at 9 AM. The agenda is posted in advance. Council can be watched live on HTV Houston Television and the most recent session available at any time on the HTV feed on Facebook. Here is the link to past sessions of Council.

The Houston Landing (RIP) recently wrote a good article about interacting with Houston City Council. It's a useful start to learning about Council 

9. I'm not aware of any centralized place for information about protest in Houston. There is a protest at Senator John Cornyn's office each Tuesday, 11:30-1, 5300 Memorial Dr.  We'll see how the movement grows & proceeds. Keep an active eye out for actions you can take part in. There is also a weekly protest from noon to one at the Social Security office at 13302 Westheimer at the very busy corner of Westheimer & Eldridge. 

I'm hopeful that the No Kings Day protests locally in the Houston-area and across the nation will be big. Look for one near you. 

​Protest is essential. People must see others like themselves willing to stand up no matter the aggression of the right. Voting is critical but it is not enough. We saw this not long ago in South Korea where protest was vital in fighting off martial law. 

The First Amendment is your permit to protest. The next protest will take place when organize it. 

10. Think about what self-defense looks like for you and the people in your life. You have a right to be as safe as you can be. 

11. If a Trump supporter wants to change his or her mind--Welcome them even if it is difficult. We need all the numbers we can get. 

12. Please support the Houston Democracy Project. The Houston Democracy Project is an independent source of action and information. This is just what is required as traditional institutions struggle to respond to current realities. Please read the Houston Democracy Project Blog often. 

13. Do your best. Hold on to your people. Admit to yourself and others you trust how painful this is. Enjoy life because life is good. Find the courage you can muster. Welcome anyone who wants to join us even if they did not grasp it already. Keep fighting.

14. Every act of opposition matters.

​Here is a fundraising pitch for the Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways.  Please help the effort. ​​

I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later Egberto's YouTube channel.

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