We are not alone. We can learn from people who have fought authoritarianism, past and present — inside the US and outside.
Feeling powerless doesn’t mean you are powerless
It is easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of so much wrong. But the growing chorus of dissent over Disney censoring Jimmy Kimmel shows people are finding courage.
Article by Daniel Hunter published in Waging Nonviolence
THE NO KINGS PLAYBOOK TO CONFRONT TRUMP’S ‘AUTHORITARIAN BREAKTHROUGH’
130,000 activists attend “strategic non-cooperation” training for resisting Trump’s dictatorial ambitions
Article by Tim Dickinson published in the Rolling Stone (behind paywall)
Timely lessons for keeping people safe in the streets
As Trump looks to increase repression, a new training guide explains how peacekeepers reduce fear and build solidarity.
Article by Eileen Flanagan published in Waging Nonviolence
Free DC models effective resistance to National Guard takeover
Washington, D.C. residents’ rapid response to Trump’s National Guard deployment is a masterclass in how to prepare for crises and fight authoritarianism.
Article by Daniel Hunter published in Waging Nonviolence
What to do if the Insurrection Act is invoked
With the Insurrection Act looming, now is the time to learn how it might unfold and the strategic ways to respond — including the power of ridicule.
Article by Daniel Hunter published in Waging Nonviolence
The economic boycott caught fire. What’s next?
The economic blackout on Feb. 28 was an important first step. But to have a greater impact, future boycotts will require more organizing grounded in real strategy.
Article by Daniel Hunter published in Waging Nonviolence, adapted from a Boycott Central newsletter email
We’re seeing the beginnings of mass noncompliance
Over a million federal workers refused to comply with Musk’s email ultimatum last week, offering a glimpse of what mass noncooperation can look like.
Article by Daniel Hunter published in Waging Nonviolence
Tactical Disobedience with Daniel Hunter
Daniel sits down with Autumn and adrienne marie brown to discuss resistance strategies in the face of authoritarianism.
This episode was published on the ‘How To Survive the End of the World’ podcast
Collections
Democracy is a Verb: International lessons on fighting full-blown authoritarianism
We are partnering with Waging Nonviolence to provide resources on how to stem the rising authoritarian tide. George Lakey and other researchers have gathered together a collection of those resources, divided into sections highlighting: conversations with experienced organizers and movement thinkers and original reporting and analysis from the frontlines of the democracy struggle.
We have lessons from activists who have battled authoritarianism Hungary, helped overthrow apartheid in South Africa, rebounded against political violence in the US, and overthrew their dictator in Serbia. This week they just released a great interview with Scot Nakagawa talking about what US folks need to do now to learn from other movements. We have more interviews from Brazil and more being added soon…
Explore the interviews at: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/07/democracy-is-a-verb/
Anti-Authoritarian Podcast: Lessons from fighters in the US by 22CI
Our ally organizations, the 22nd Century Initiative, is exploring the US assault on democracy already taking place.
Their first podcast is with Suzanne Pharr reflecting on the historic No on 9 Campaign thirty years ago in Oregon, and what democracy defenders must do in this moment to block a total authoritarian takeover.
Their second podcast, with Hardy Merriman and Naomi Washington-Leapheart , explores how we respond to the growing threat of political violence and how our new initiative with the Horizons Project, HOPE PV, can help make it backfire.
You can explore their podcast at: https://convergencemag.com/podcast-shows/anti-authoritarian-podcast/
The Authoritarian Playbook for 2025
How an authoritarian president will dismantle our democracy. This is the guidebook to understand Trump’s plans and those of Project 2025 if Trump wins the Presidential Election.
by Protect Democracy
Additional Resources
I Watched Orbán Destroy Hungary’s Democracy. Here’s My Advice for the Trump Era.
To dismantle the machinery of autocracy, you first need to understand how it works.
by Gábor Scheiring is a former member of the Hungarian parliament and an assistant professor of comparative politics at Georgetown University Qatar
What has Trump been saying? A tracker that’s kept up-to-date of his thinking.
by Norman L. Eisen, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Siven Watt, Andrew Warren, Jacob Kovacs-Goodman and Francois Barrilleaux
“Donald Trump thinks he’s identified a crucial mistake of his first term: He was too nice…”
by Eric Cortellessa
No. Seriously. What if Trump Wins Again?
We had a fantastic conversation with the folks over at Convergence Magazine. They asked brilliant questions about the psychology of strategy in what we’re doing. We don’t post all our media hits — but we recommend this: listen to the full interview via their podcast. Or, read their excerpts of the interview.
Combatting Authoritarianism: The Skills and Infrastructure Needed to Organize Across Difference
A helpful short article about some of the different skills needed for building an anti-authority movement.
by Maria J. Stephan and Julia Roig
Is Democracy at Risk? A Lesson Plan for U.S. and Global History Classes
This lesson from 2018 can be adapted for use in social studies, history and civics classes. A good starting pointing for teachers — mix and match activities and resources depending on what you’re teaching and why.
by Michael Gonchar, New York Times (2018)