In response to the picture of the horrors being perpetrated against immigrants in the regime’s concentration camps, there have been welcome breaks in the deafening silence in this country. Refuse Fascism activists have been in the midst of these protests. They have the responsibility of bringing into these protests a pathway out of this nightmare. From the Refuse Fascism Call to Act: TRUMP/PENCE MUST GO! That speaks to the felt desires of millions, but is different than relying on the Democratic Party and institutions (like the courts) that are being stacked with fascists and dismantled by a fascist regime, or are collaborating with it. The following photos, videos, emails received at the Refuse Fascism National Office and vignettes give a sense of how that is taking shape. Send your photos, videos, signs, poems, experiences bringing the message of TRUMP/PENCE MUST GO into the swirl of events – send them to [email protected].
Los Angeles: At NeverAgainIsNow
I did a solo run as refusefascism.org out to the #neveragainisnow protest that took place in little Tokyo, Los Angeles. About 500 people of different nationalities participated in the event. With copies of the Refuse Fascism Call to Action and the definition of fascism from revcom.us I went among the crowd getting out a total of 450 Calls to Action and 200 what is fascism palm cards as things got started at this evening event which took place on the site where Japanese Americans waited and got on buses headed for the “internment camps.”
I set up more or less in the middle of the event. I brought along stickers to distribute and a Mylar blanket with markers. The Mylar Blanket had a big impact on the crowd. I would point out to people passing by what was on the ground and telling them to take a minute and look at it “This is what’s being used by the children sleeping in these concentration camps.” Everyone was affected by this. Holding back tears or not folks would touch the blanket hearing the sound it makes taking a minute as it consumed them mumbling things beneath their breath. Many took to writing something on it. I shared a few photos via Instagram of what people did.
Folks of all ages participated directly, and others watched. One woman drew symbols, flowers and happy faces. She shared with others around including myself why she did this. She thought that not everyone who may see this would be able to read, thinking particularly of children much like the ones that are in these camps. Flowers and happy faces could also speak to and of something words would not capture for children, a person’s humanity, having the capacity to touch someone’s heart. One child wrote “Trump your a dummy u r rude” while another wrote “THIS IS STRAT UP WRONG.”
The Mylar blankets and the material handed out got people talking about fascism. Among people around me I heard discussion of whether these camps functioning was or could be considered fascism. One person in a group of people argued that refusefascism.org is everywhere, “so annoying and aggressive.” Someone else in this group finishing up reading some of what they got from us responded to this by saying, “but they are right!” People argued that the economy would be the deciding factor. Hearing arguments like “this can’t go on for much longer it will fall apart because it’s to costly to maintain.” Or on the other hand the way we would achieve victory is by boycotting on a large scale companies that have profited from Trump’s regime much like the employees that walked out of work after hundreds signed a statement which included a demand to give profits of beds manufactured by them to immigrant right groups.
Many of the people I engaged with where heart broken and angry with the way their government was acting against these refugees. I got the sense from those I saw that they wanted to do more now… Even though speakers where making the connections drawing out the dark reality of this country’s history there was no solution that I heard that evening other than 2020. During one of the conversations I was having with a small group, it was raised that these politicians should have a debate outside one of these camps as they all inevitably argue Americas greatness to the world.
The cases of the #freeway9 and #ucla5 was shared and contributed to conversations on why and how we need to act now in order to stop this nightmare through non-violent sustain action in the streets. This was the first time many people found out there was an organization that has been trying to do this which I would add in many cases since 2017. There would be surprise and collective agreement that a least someone had it right from early on.
I would encourage others to use the mylar blankets on their outings. One thing I recall that artists did in Germany was make a refugee flag which was essentially a mylar blanket on PVC tubing. Having several of these is eye catching. 🙂
Street Fair in LA
CicLAvia is catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation and good health through car-free streets.
This year Refuse Fascism was at their event in LA with a massive banner.
Philly
Out at #CloseTheCamps protest in philly bringing the demand #TrumpPenceMustGo as necessary precondition to stopping this horror. 2020 is too late and on its own cannot end this fascist nightmare – take a listen! pic.twitter.com/8UO3lUE2IS
— Refuse Fascism Philly (@refusefascismPH) July 2, 2019
Sighted on a Car in Florida
Boston
On July 2nd, hundreds of protestors demonstrated throughout the day in downtown Boston, demanding the release of immigrants being held in concentration camps along the border and the closing of the camps. The day started at the “Close the Camps” rally called by the MoveOn organization. Hundreds came together outside the JFK Federal Bldg. Dozens donned the black and orange “Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!” stickers as Scott from Refuse Fascism addressed the crowd – calling on people to organize millions into the streets to drive this fascist regime out. Conversations about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong and Sudan ran through the, many of whom stayed after the official rally ended to struggle more over what was required.
Later in the afternoon a rally of close to 1000 gathered at the New England Holocaust Memorial at a protest called by “Jews Against the Camps”. Chanting “Never Again” several hundred protestors marched through the streets of downtown Boston, blocking traffic at several major intersections as they made their way to the Suffolk County Detention Center, that holds scores of ICE prisoners. Dozens of protestors were arrested as they linked arms and blocked the entrance to the Detention Center.
San Francisco