A few nights ago, I was on my knees, stomach swirling… praying for the first time in…months? Years? What triggered this mini panic attack, you might ask? Oh… just a phone conversation with a long-time friend of mine living in West Philly. I was trying (and failing) to convince him to join us in D.C., when he cut me off.
“I wouldn’t want to be out there,” he said, “You gotta watch out, man. You don’t know when one of those MAGA fools might try to stir up shit.”
He got me worried about what could happen in DC. After we hung up, I decided to pray… I guess? But prayer didn’t make me feel any better. So, I turned to some secular meditation… and I rediscovered why I decided to go in the first place. There’s one, at least for me, clear reason for going to DC: a desire to reverse Trump’s worst fascist acts by abolishing ICE, ending the war on diversity, equity and inclusion, protecting the freedom to protest, protecting LGTBQI individuals from discrimination, finally ending U.S. military aid
to Israel, among too many others. THE TRUMP FASCIST REGIME MUST GO NOW!
As for the other reason I’m heading to DC, in the past few months… I’ve come to an important conclusion. I’m a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion researcher in psychology at a local university. We’re collectively trying to create a more friendly, just, and peaceful world, which apparently sends shivers down Trumps’ cold spine. Anyone who knows their history understands that academic researchers (along with immigrants and racial/religious/ethnic minorities) were top targets for the Hitlers, Putins, and Stalins of the world.
I ultimately realized, given that history and the fascist rollercoaster the country is
currently on, that I had one real choice. Yes, if I help organize and go to DC Saturday, I could be arrested. But… if I stay home and do nothing, one day my whole research team may be deported to CECOT! One of my coworkers is an intelligent, compassionate Turkish immigrant applying for a green card, is devastated about the current situation, and is seriously considering returning to Turkey (which, given Turkey has an authoritarian leader of its own, is a “Holy Shit” moment regarding how much fascism has already strengthened in
America.).
I decided that I’d rather stand up against fascism, even if it was risky, rather than
wait and pray for a miracle. For me, that means heading to DC on June 14th, even with Trump publicly threatening any protestor who might ruin his “special day.” While local protests do matter, the June 14th military parade offers an excellent chance to build our movement and take action before the Trump Fascist regime gathers its’ full strength. The second Trump administration is moving quickly… because of this, we may not have another opportunity
like this!
To meet this moment, Refuse Fascism needs people like you and me to attend the DC rally. If you’re scared… so am I! But you can’t hide from fascism. This Trump-Vance fascist regime is gunning for our friends, family, coworkers, and us. It has already come for student activists, Muslims, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community. I’m attending the DC protest to join the struggle against fascism and stand up for the marginalized, my coworkers, friends and family!
And I’m asking anyone reading this to make that same commitment… to secure a better future for yourselves, your loved ones, and minorities in need.
In the Name of Humanity, We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America!