Dispatch from Daniel, a Refuse Fascism NYC volunteer
I attended Fascism is a Drag, a drag performance benefit for Refuse Fascism at the historic Stonewall Inn (Wed 2/25) in NYC, hosted by Brita Filter and headlined by a number of national and local drag stars, comedians, and performers. We ended up raising over $3,000 on the night. Folks, that money could be used to open organizing centers, launch creative digital ads, or host an event that gets stacks of the People’s Indictment of Donald Trump into the hands of millions. In short, this event is fueling removing the Trump Fascist Regime from power.
The performers themselves did not disappoint; throughout they directly and indirectly poked fun at the hate being spewed daily by this regime and its supporters. A comedian made light of and mocked a man who spewed a hateful anti-LGBTQ slur. One drag performer started their act by doing a brief impression of Donald Trump, which was roundly booed. Importantly, they also celebrated and elevated the activist… the protestor… with the goal of communicating what is needed to protect our families and our communities in this dire moment.
Then, none other than Refuse Fascism National organizer Jim Keady (former city councilman) delivered a barnburner of a speech that had this absolutely anti-Trump crowd hollering. He posits… “What would you do if I told you that Hitler had returned… and was now in the White House! And all we needed to do to remove him from power… is sustained mass non-violent protest in D.C.? How many people would say… Yes! Sign me up! What time? What place?”
People jolted to life in response to that line! Afterwards, some of those same folks texted the local number at Keady’s request to join our mass texting system.
But that was not the end of anti-Trump fervor. When Refuse Fascism NYC organizer Emma Kaplan led the group in a series of Trump Must Go Now chants, the people just went wild. It was almost as if the spirit of the historic Stonewall Inn had seized their souls. Everyone that I could see was chanting against this horrific regime. But it didn’t end there! Then, Emma led the crowd through the Refuse Fascism pledge. Again, everyone was raising their right fist in the air. Everyone was chanting: “We refuse to accept a Fascist America! TRUMP MUST GO NOW!” It was just… a touching and hopeful moment to witness. Yet, we still have work to do! I think some of our attendees didn’t fully… understand what they were pledging to do.
As other organizers have wisely noted, we need to find the places (like drag shows, pride parades, and punk concerts) where our demand and strategy will be well received, and get them out there! That’s a key portion of a broader path to finally exciting the masses needed to non-violently remove this MAGA fascist regime from power.