Paul Cantrell
You’re all making plans to attend a demonstration tomorrow, right?
Protests nationwide in the US, and around the world. There’s probably something near you: https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/
We’ve spent all week reading the news in horror, but now we actually get to •do• something. And after this week of news, well…a visible, vigorous “NO” is going to hit extra hard.
Paul Cantrell
I’ll be at the Minnesota state capitol tomorrow at noon. MN folks, see you there?
LJ
@inthehands Yup. No matter that cold rain is expected. I'm a hearty New Englander. And a 60-something silver haired post menopausal woman with absolutely no fucks left to give.
Paul Cantrell
By the way, if you’re new to protesting and nervous because you don’t know what to expect, or because you’re thinking of the news from the summer of 2020, some things you should know:
- It’s OK to show up when you can and leave when you need there. You don’t need a clever sign. Bringing yourself is the most important thing.
- What •do• you need? Dress for the weather. •Overdress• for the weather.
- You •will• feel better for having gone. Getting out the door is the hardest part. You’ll thank yourself.
- These protests are unlikely to be dangerous. Unlike the ones making the news in 2020:
(1) They’re large. Counterintuitively, larger protests tend to be safer: the crowd keeps itself in line. When you see a big crowd full of kids and grandparents, you know people are keeping each other safe.
(2) They’re not confronting the police. Police turn protests violent when they feel personally threatened and provoked. These protests are against politicians, and the police get to stand there and feel like they’re in charge. (They’re not, but they get to feel like it, and that generally keeps them from flying off the handle.)
Paul Cantrell
If you’re looking on in horror at the march of fascism and wondering why nobody’s doing anything, well, tomorrow is a day that somebody can do something. That someone is you. That something is showing up.
Bruce MacDonald
@inthehands Ears Up!
Andy Lee
@inthehands Thank you, Paul. I am indeed new to protesting and I was indeed nervous. This helps a lot.
Side note: big fan of your use of "•", which has been one of my favorite characters for many years.
Paul Cantrell
@cocoadog
I’m glad it helped! And yeah, I don’t remember where I got my “bullet bold,” but it just seems to work well on social media.
Paul Cantrell
This from @StefanEJones matches my experience at protests this year so far as well.
Paul Cantrell
@the_turtle
Yes, I did do my best to be clear-eyed about that in the text above (see item 2).
The Turtle
@inthehands worth pointing out is that in recent years, "violent protests" have been a result of the cops doing the violence.
Paul Cantrell
This from @carstenfranke is accurate as well.
Truly, if you’re put off the idea of protesting by what you heard on the news, relax a little. It can be useful and important for protestors to directly confront police — but this is not one of those protests. These events, especially the major ones, are likely going to be filled with grannies and strollers.
(But also turn off or don’t bring your phone, and don’t talk to police. If the police talk to you, politely say •absolutely nothing about anything•. Repeatedly ask if you’re free to go, and walk away. This is just basic protest personal information hygiene.)
Paul Cantrell
@stargazersmith
Oh, best wishes to your spouse! Caring for each other is the most important thing of all, so I’m glad you’ll be there for them.
Stargeezer Smith
@inthehands
Alas, I can't attend, I'll be visiting my spouse in the hospital. But during traverses to and from the hospital, I can definitely do some drive bys and honk support.
Paul Cantrell
@DEDGirl
Kids should just be fine at any of these events that are well organized and have experienced sponsors.
I wish you could be out there with us!! There are all kinds of ways of showing up, and I hope that you find ones that you can do and that feel satisfying for you to do. In the meantime I’ll raise a cheer in your honor tomorrow.
DEDGirl
@inthehands I took my 4 year old to a Monsanto protest march in NOLA years ago & I’m still glad I did. Of course it’s a bit riskier & i wouldn’t take a child to these, but it is empowering! It does feel good! It is motivating! 💪 Now I’m a disabled single mom stranded on a maga property & cant even get groceries much less anywhere to protest. Please give some extra shout outs for us that cant!! I want to so badly!! It should be powerful! 🤞
Paul Cantrell
This from @run_atalanta paints a good picture of the scene I’d expect at the smaller protests tomorrow.
C.B.Leslie
@inthehands yes
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