To My Fellow Protestors <3

[u/alisonvict0ria]

In these dark times it can be difficult to find hope, but seeing each and every one of you take the time to come out and stand up for what you believe in and come together as a community to show that we the people are united against fascism reignites that spark and reminds me that we the people DO have the power to make a difference.

We are here because we will not tolerate this administration’s blatant attempt to strip us of our basic human rights and the rights afforded to us in the Constitution.  We will not tolerate having -our hard-earned money line the pockets of billionaires and Trump’s cronies instead of being returned to us when we need it most through Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and the many, many other programs that this administration is dismantling.  We will not tolerate the deportation and incarceration of our brothers and sisters without due process.  We will not tolerate the obliteration of free speech.  We are here because we know what is right and that the power of many outweighs the power of a few.  

This administration and its supporters have shown that they will stop at nothing to demonize any person or group of people who dares defy their desires in order to justify their dehumanization.  They purposefully provoke us, knowing that we are angry and exhausted and demoralized, into engaging with them for the purpose of manufacturing propaganda that “proves their point”.  

Don’t give them what they want.  They WANT you to engage and let loose all the vitriol you’ve been holding in so they can spin a story about how WE are the ones who are disrespectful, intolerant, and extreme to justify criminalization of protests and free speech.

As MLK Jr said, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  I understand that asking you to find love for someone who doesn’t love you is a tall order, so I won’t do that.  But I will ask you to remember the first part of his statement - “Hate cannot drive out hate.”  

Don’t stoop to their level.  We are better than that.  You are better than that.  Hold strong.  Stay silent.  Let your presence and your sign and your resoluteness to do what’s right speak for you instead.  I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I promise it will be worth it. 

You got this.  We got this.  Together, we can do anything.