WHAT WE CAN DO by Rob Brezsny

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How can we regular people help resist and nullify the ugly toxic creep of bigoted oligarchic misogynist fascism?

1. Understand that we are living in an historically pivotal moment — a red-alert emergency crisis — that resembles the run-up to the American Civil War and the rise of Nazism in 1930s Germany

2. Talk about the details of the fascists’ activities and complain about them to smart and caring people who are our allies.

3. Get news from reliable progressive sources. A list: tinyurl.com/AlternateMediaUrge your people to avoid Trump propaganda outlets like Fox News, Newsmax, and X.

4. Support the leaders and journalists who are exposing and protesting the fascist activities. Give them our strength and moral support, as well as money, if we can afford it.

5. Attend demonstrations. The Mass Mobilization on April 5 was very successful. More than 1,200 events took place across all 50 states, as well as in international cities such as London, Paris and Berlin. The protests were organized by a coalition of over 150 groups. The next one is April 14. See you there!More info on the April 19 Mass Mobilization: https://tinyurl.com/HandsOffNow

6. Tell your Congressional representatives we want them to resist, fight, and interfere with the sickos. Use this excellent service: https://5calls.org/

7. Keep in mind that the more widely known the government's fascist activities become and the more relentless we are about bringing their evil to light, the greater will be the uproar and pressure to shut it down.

That's subtle and incremental in the short run, but potentially powerful in the longer run. We must keep up the pressure. It’s hard work, I know.

8. Participate in boycotts of companies that enable the Trump gang, starting with Elon Musk’s X and Tesla, and any companies that advertise on X or on Fox News. Below in this newsletter is more detailed info on how to vote with your wallet.

9. To the extent you can, donate to groups that are litigating against Trump. Much of the action in the coming months and years will be in the federal courts. Here are organizations I love:

https://democracydocket.com

https://aclu.org/

https://citizensforethics.org/

https://commoncause.org/

10. Praise and publicize the people and institutions who are resisting the fascist activities. Contribute financially to legal teams that support our allies against punishment by the fascists.

11. Communicate kindly with people who might be uninformed and/or having mixed feelings about the fascists’ activities. Invite them to join us in resisting.

Please note: I am not advising you or me to try to persuade hard-core MAGA people. I personally never engage with any of these cultists, and I certainly don’t waste my time arguing with them.

But there are millions who voted for Trump who are now very sorry that they did. There are also millions who didn't vote at all that are not Forever Trump Cultists. I personally know a few. Some of them can be persuaded.

12. In every way you know how, protect the immigrant members of your communities who are undocumented or whose parents are undocumented.

13. In every way you know how, protect LGBTQ+ members of your community. Be vigilant against prejudice and bigotry, wherever it breaks out. If you see or hear it, call it out. Join with others to stop it.

14. Help protect officials in your community or state whom Trump and his administration are targeting for vengeance

15. Push for progressive actions in your community and state. Join groups that are moving your city or state forward, in contrast to regressive moves at the federal level. Lobby, instigate, organize and fund-raise for progressive legislators. Support progressive leaders.

16. Take heart and direction from guides that help us decide how to proceed, Here are three great ones:

Indivisible: Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink: indivisible.org/resource/guide

What you can do to fight this coup: choosedemocracy.us/what-can-i-do/

Fighting Back: A Citizen's Guide to Resistance: archive.ph/FzAyY

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WHAT WE CAN DO, Part 2 by Rob Brezsny

Want to align your spending with your values? Here's a quick guide.

Choosing where to spend our money is one of the most powerful votes we cast every day. If you want to support companies that align with progressive values — fair labor, racial and gender equity, environmental responsibility, and pro-democracy politics — here are tips:

✅ 1. Check Political Donations:
Use Progressive Shopper or Goods Unite Us to see where a company's political donations go. Support businesses that fund democracy, equality, and environmental causes — not corporations backing regressive agendas.

✅ 2. Check Labor and Environmental Practices:
If you're shopping for clothes, shoes, or accessories, Good On You rates brands on their treatment of workers, environmental care, and animal welfare. It also suggests better alternatives when a company falls short.

✅ 3. Dive Deeper if You Want:
If you want a broader picture — covering human rights, supply chains, tax ethics, and more — visit Ethical Consumer. They offer detailed company profiles across many industries (food, banking, tech, and more).

✅ 4. Look for Certified Ethical Businesses:
The B Corp Directory lists companies certified to meet high standards for workers, community, and the planet.

🌟 Remember: No company is perfect. Aim to choose “better” over “perfect.” Every choice matters. Every dollar is a seed you plant for the future you believe in.

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📚 For those who want to dive deeper into the data and standards behind these recommendations, here are some trusted resources.

· OpenSecrets.org – Tracking political donations in the U.S.

· KnowTheChain – Research on forced labor in global supply chains

· Fashion Revolution's Transparency Index – Annual report ranking fashion brands on human rights and environmental impact

· B Lab's B Corporation Standards – The criteria for becoming a certified B Corp

· Ethical Consumer Research Association – Detailed ethical company profiles

· Good On You Ethical Ratings – How companies are rated on labor and environment

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When you want to buy something, here’s a quick 3-step method:

• Step 1: Search the company on Progressive Shopper to check political donations.

• Step 2: If it's clothing/accessories, check Good On You for labor and environmental grades.

• Step 3: Search the company on Ethical Consumer for broader info (e.g., tax avoidance, supply chain transparency).

If they pass → Feel good supporting them.

If they don't → Look for better alternatives (Good On You and Ethical Consumer suggest some!).​​​​

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