From a Refuse Fascism activist in LA |
On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019, a small team of RefuseFascism.org members went to the Rose Bowl Parade Float Viewing scene in Pasadena, CA. This is where thousands of people come to view the floral and animated showcase of floats millions see on TV. RefuseFascism.org members unveiled a 50 foot banner: Trump/Pence Must Go! There was a noteworthy response. We told people that “the Trump/Pence regime had to go, that they are fascists, that they need to be driven from power by the people, in the streets, and “from below” – no savior from the Democratic Party was coming to save us, its up to us and the world’s people are counting on us.” Hundreds got the RefuseFascism.org Spring 2018 Call to Action.
A noteworthy section of people responded by saying they agree, some said “I agree but no thank you right now,” some said “I agree and I’m with you and I work with Indivisible and we need to vote them out…” and there were scores who said they agreed and they also wanted to sign the banner, make a statement on the banner, which is being taken to the U.S./Mexico border Jan 12, by Refuse Fascism in So Cal.
The scene also had its share of people who did not agree. Some were vocal, or demonstrative in their opposition: spitting on the banner, throwing a cigarette butt on the banner (burning a hole in it), or physically coming up and trying to intimidate, saying “you can find fascism in China not here…” and another saying “If Obama was in front of me right now, I’d shoot him.” So, that was part of the picture, as were people who said “don’t bring politics here…” which was briefly responded to by asking the person if they had the same reaction when U.S. Military high tech bombers fly over the Rose Bowl game? And if not, why not?
But an even more pronounced thing were the significant numbers of people who took the time, and were headstrong enough on their agreement with what the banner is saying – Trump/Pence Must Go! – to get down on the ground and make sure they were counted, by signing their name or making a short statement on the banner, which, they were told, was going to the U.S. border on Jan 12 along with the banner: To The World’s Migrants and All of Humanity: We REFUSE To Accept A Fascist America. Some gave dollars as part of their contribution. Here are some pictures: