RefuseFascism.org was initiated on an emergency basis in the wake of the election of Trump and Pence in 2016. Our founding mission called on all who recognized the catastrophic danger of the Trump/Pence regime to unite and organize to drive the regime out of power through sustained, non-violent mass protest.
We pledged to the world that we would not stand aside while there was still a chance to stop a regime that imperiled humanity and the earth itself.
With our slogan:
In the Name of Humanity, We REFUSE to Accept a Fascist America!
And our single unifying demand:
The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!
…our actions over the last four years reflected our respect for all of humanity and the world we want – in stark contrast to the hate and bigotry of the Trump/Pence regime.
Trump’s “Make America Great Again” was a 21st century fascist program of white supremacy, misogyny, and xenophobia – “America First” – wrapped in the flag and Mike Pence’s Bible taken literally. A theocratic Christian fascist movement formed its most organized base, their hatred of science fused with Trump’s pathological lying to allow the most outlandish and dangerous conspiracy theories to flourish. The destruction of truth and the outright denial of objective reality is one of the core characteristics of fascism, paving the way for its consolidation.
Meanwhile, an unrelenting barrage of outrages normalized white supremacist murders, children in cages, concentration camps at the border, threats of fire and fury on whole countries and hundreds of thousands of COVID deaths in this country alone. A second Trump term would have set us on an accelerated course to consolidated fascist rule and an existential nightmare for humanity. This was narrowly averted through an election that was nothing less than a showdown over the form of rule in this country – an election that Trump and his goons fought to overturn. That we narrowly averted this nightmare is a relief.
The emergency that prompted the founding of Refuse Fascism is over, for now. Taking the time to sum up the experience of the last four years, while recognizing that the need to prevent a fascist regime from coming to power may reassert itself again, is a necessary part of charting a course forward. This virulent fascist movement, with its millions of followers, is regrouping on the lie of a stolen election and the toxic stew of Trumpism, and the conditions that gave rise to this fascism still exist and will continue to fuel this movement. If millions had taken to and stayed in the streets to drive out the regime during the four years that Trump was in power, it would have strengthened the people in our struggle to truly repudiate the whole fascist movement and program. That such a mass movement did not materialize is something everyone who cares about humanity needs to confront – even as it is good that the Trump/Pence regime no longer holds executive power.
Refuse Fascism is beginning this process of summation. In the meantime, we urge everyone to deepen their understanding of this fascist movement, where it came from, and how to stop it. Dig into the wealth of articles and important forums at RefuseFascism.org, and tune into our weekly podcast for commentary on the latest events and interviews with major thinkers, from many different perspectives, who are sounding the alarm on the continuing danger of American fascism. Donate so that we can continue to bring these critical questions and analyses into the public discourse with our podcast, website, and forums.
And take to heart our founding slogan, which remains as relevant and powerful as ever.
In the Name of Humanity, We REFUSE to Accept a Fascist America!