This Democracy Now! interview with Naomi Klein is a must-see, particularly for activists. She lays out 5 key points. Crises provide the opportunity for more "toxic to-do lists" to be put into action.
"The worst is yet to come (with Trump) and we'd better be ready."
The administration is creating chaos daily.
"Savvy people surrounding Trump are using the daily shocks as cover to advance wildly pro-corporate policies that bear little resemblance to what Trump pledged on the campaign trail...this is likely just the warm up.
We need to focus on what this administration will do when it has a major external shock to exploit" such as an economic crash, terrorist attack or natural disaster. Such a crisis could allow them to "redraw the political map" and give the Trump administration the opportunity to slide extreme policies right through.
"These tactics can be resisted."
FIVE STEP PLAN TO FIGHT THE SHOCK DOCTRINE OF "DIVISION, WAR, FEAR" AND BE PREPARED TO RESIST AND DEFY
1. KNOW WHAT'S COMING.
- If a terrorist attack like Manchester happened on U.S. soil, Trump would likely impose a state of emergency and suppressing the rules of democracy.
- Protests and strikes that block roads and airports, "would likely be declared a threat to national security. Protest organizers would be targeted under anti-terror legislation with surveillance, threats and imprisonment" and journalists would be restricted or silenced.
- The greatest shock to prepare for is a "push for a full blown foreign war".
2. GET OUT OF YOUR HOME AND DEFY THE BANS
- Governments tell people to stay in their homes for public safety, suggesting that protests and rallies could become attack targets (fear tactics to keep people out of the streets).
- RESPONSE: Resist. Disobey. Defy curfews and bans. Get out into the streets.
3. KNOW YOUR HISTORY
- "Throughout U.S. history, national crises have been used to suspend constitutional protections and attack basic rights."
- "If an attack on U.S. soil were perpetrated by people who were not white and Christian, we can be pretty damn sure that racists would have a field day." Respond with love, peace, not violence.
4. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY
- "While everyone is focused on security and civil liberties, Trump's cabinet of billionaires will try to quietly push through even more extreme measures to enrich themselves and their class like dismantling social security or auctioning off major pieces of government for profit.
- When fear and chaos are distracting people, we have to stop and ask who is benefitting from the distraction? What's happening while we're looking the other way? "Who's getting richer and who's getting even poorer?" Who is taking advantage of the crisis?
5. ADVANCE A BOLD COUNTER PLAN
- Steps 1-4 can only "slow down attempts to exploit crises."
- To defeat shock doctrine, we need "to move quickly to put forward a credible alternate plan".
- "We have to talk about militarism, climate change and deregulated markets."
- "We need to advance and fight for different models, ones grounded in racial, economic and gender justice" promising a better and fairer life now, including life on this planet.
- "There has to be a different vision and it needs to be bold."
No is not enough.
RECOMMENDED
Direct Action training will help you to know how to respond to shock doctrine peacefully, because massive amounts of people will be needed, not just experienced activists. Contact the Sugar Shack Alliance for a one-day training. The next training is on July 22nd.
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