Hey everyone!
The Refuse Fascism National Tour embarked on our month-long journey early this morning, making our first stop in Washington, D.C. this afternoon. We had a great fundraiser and lively discussion at a café downtown. The six of us and our awesome service dog met with a group of Refuse Fascism supporters—including people who had met us when we were in D.C. for the inauguration protests, an LGBT activist, a Latino group affiliated with the Democratic Party, and students—and shared our message with others in the café. After speaking one-on-one with people and explaining our Call to Action, we gathered together to speak about why we each joined the tour, what our motivations and goals are, how our supporters can help, and we responded to several questions.
We began the conversation with an explanation by a Tour volunteer about why the Trump-Pence regime is fascist, how fascism is on the rise in America, and why it is so urgent to act now, followed by an excellent statement from another describing our mission to show support to people living in fear in the South and to inspire them to become organizers themselves. We encouraged our new D.C. friends to become part of the thousands who will mobilize millions. One of the key questions asked by a member of our group discussion was whether we knew what would replace this fascist Trump/Pence administration once we drive them out. A Refuse Fascism volunteer replied that the new leadership will come directly from the people, and another noted that our message helps in building a broader and stronger left movement. The vital importance of NO!, she argued, was in its power as a uniting force.
Tour Volunteers emphasized one of the most central components of our movement: we must protect humanity: from the very quick movements of fascism, from the Trump administration’s dangerous trajectory, and from the reality that, if we do not stop this immediately, millions of people will not survive this. In organizing to drive out the new American fascist regime, the only effective action will be nothing other than mass, defiant resistance. Millions must reject business as usual, and this refusal to cooperate will build our collective power. Our enlightening meeting closed with further information about our tour, and some amazing supporters told us they plan to host a fundraiser in D.C. to raise money for us after we leave. We got contact information and several donations, and we were able to distribute a lot of NO! posters, stickers, and Calls to Action, in both English and Spanish, to new supporters who will go on to share them with their own activist organizations. An empowering thought was articulated well by one D.C. supporter, who told us, “I don’t have to be attacked to join the movement now. Our history is our responsibility. I’m ready to begin working with everybody.”