Very short transcript but of course worth reading!
Hey, it's Tim Snyder. Why do we protest? Number one, constitutionally. It's our right. Number two, morally. We have the right to show what we think is right. Number three, socially. By showing up, we show those around us that we don't think this is normal. Number four, practically. Nonviolent resistance, nonviolent opposition works to hold off the worst.
And number five, politically. Because by being at a protest, you're cooperating with others, taking a step towards more cooperation, towards finding a way out to something better. That's October 18th. I'll be in Cincinnati. Hope to see you there. Hope you'll be out. Thank you.
Nightfall in England, and excellent live coverage on the BBC. There is a green frog (I think) in New York City, with a pink megaphone, dressed in a large placard reading "Do Not Obey In Advance".
It takes courage for some to show up but like you Professor, we must always try to lead by example. BTW, huge turnout today in my sleepy little town in Maine. Twice the turnout from No Kings 1.0, and that was impressive.
I'm a member of the US Supreme Court Bar, constitutional educator and author, depressed over our surprisingly easy slide into authoritarian rule by a vulgarian and his ethics-deprived fellow grifters. I live in heavy RED area where houses sell for $1 million to $6 million but within a BLUE state. My family feels isolated, so when we joined a blocks-long NO KINGS protest along with my grandson, we felt uplifted for a while. There is a community outside that might now see their neighbors alongside them and realize we are still the national majority. I've taught Tim Snyder's work but am cautious as to how many of my students let it seep into their core. Bless the US and may we keep this glorious experiment alive and evolving.
Keep it up, Prof. We can't have too much of this. In my mountain CA town of some 4500, I am guessing that 1,000 were standing on the main intersection for 2 hours. Lots of horns, flag-waving, and I don't know how many signs. Next month, again - - and again, until they get it. Good things take time...
I thought my neighbors were installing a large in-ground swimming pool but after 28 days they put a concrete roof on top and covered that with sod. They installed some unusual equipment and an array of room air conditioners in their garage, too. At first I thought they had built a drug lab, but then I discovered that the extraterrestrial species which has invaded Earth doesn't like the percentage of oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere.
When their kids were younger, the neighbors rented a bounce house for every birthday party. Today I'm certain that each bounce house had been filled with the extraterrestrials' preferred atmosphere. This may have been important for maturation.
More recently I got the message that humans who survive the coming MAGA onslaught will need oxygen concentrating equipment and possibly our own sealed underground chambers with hydroponics.
I just got back from our thing here in Venice, Florida. It's a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. I think there were about 50% more folk at this one than made it to the first one. People are so cool to be around when they know they're doing something really righteous. Lots of smart, moving and funny signs. Wonderful spirit of solidarity. We got a few middle fingers but I find that sort of like a cherry on top. I felt ok about helping those people too. I had warming conversations and camaraderie with my fellow Americans. For me it wasn't really a protest. It was an affirmation that I'm a citizen and will not be a subject.
My brother-in-law went to Sarasota and texted me that there were thousands. I'm sure it was bigger than the first one too. I'm sorry about whatever your funeral situation was. Please accept my condolences.
This is eerie. 2015-2023 here in Poland I participated in dozens of this type of protests, tens of thousand people each. It was different from other protests of the post-communist (free-democratic) era, as it was not about this or that policy, but about the very foundation of the system. We had a Trump-style creeping autocracy back then, also democratically elected, also busy disassembling the rule-of-law society framework.
I remember the alarm and despair.
Hard to recognize that the same thing could happen in the US. "Maturity of democracy" discussions proved now as totally missing the point, irrelevant. I do not gloat here, I despair, as now we do not even have any consolation along the lines "if we mature a little bit more, everything will be fine". Uncharted waters.
I wrote "despair", but this can be transcended. A huge part of despair, my case, came from feeling entitled before. "We Poles would always stand for democracy". Turns out, nope. No divine right of having a democracy for us.
But "the Golden Age of democracy" did not arrive by itself in the past. So, if it was possible before, to work to have it established, it is possible to reestablish it today as well. Should be actually easier.
There's no logical reason that re-establishing democracy in the future might be easier. US needs a law which says that only a human being may be a US citizen; otherwise, the extraterrestrial MAGA species will continue to vote their candidates into political office and then those political leaders will craft sadistic, inhumane policies.
Eventually the MAGA will replace all human beings. Because the MAGA males and females live apart, the MAGA killed and replaced about 7.5 million human women who identified as lesbian. They were part of the 12 million voters who cast a ballot for Joe Biden in 2020 but did not vote at all in 2024. Their replacements, the MAGA females, voted for the MAGA candidates of course. That meant 7.5 million more votes for Trump and 7.5 million fewer votes for Harris. Also, it's clear that many and maybe most of the female MAGA were registered to vote in two states, just like Steve Bannon was registered in Florida and in DC in 2016. They are killing more millions this year in preparation for the midterms.
IMO we should be dropping nuclear depth charges on their spaceships hiding in Earth's oceans. And testing voters, politicians, and military personnel for human DNA.
Let's ask Timothy Snyder to comment on the OBSCENE COURT -- (It surely doesnt seem to be the SUPREME Court to me). Seems it is doing an awful lot of damage. What might be a way to fix this.
The Dicktraitor Donald has a perfect foil: Whatever horrible unconstitutional undemocratic thing he does, his buddy John Roberts and his tiny band of thugs and crooks in The Obscene Court will give Donald a free pass, for egregious affronts to democracy, with far reaching implications. -- Kate Delano-Condax Decker
Thank you, Professor Snyder, for the reminder of why and how to protest. The five points you are speaking of are essential... besides the reason to protest is to hold on to this Democracy. There are too many people, men and women, who would like to destroy this democratic republic.
ICE is wielding its weapons...which is a reminder of what the Gestapo did more than 80 years ago... then it was the destruction of the Jewish people, now it is brown and black people! It is most shameful, disgusting!
Here’s a poster from DC today sent by a friend captioned “ lots of terrorists and haters out today “ May you have a really good recovery Kate from your knee replacement ! file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/ba/10/0A666DCC-7D96-4E20-902F-A659B341EF1D/IMG_7138.heic
Very short transcript but of course worth reading!
Hey, it's Tim Snyder. Why do we protest? Number one, constitutionally. It's our right. Number two, morally. We have the right to show what we think is right. Number three, socially. By showing up, we show those around us that we don't think this is normal. Number four, practically. Nonviolent resistance, nonviolent opposition works to hold off the worst.
And number five, politically. Because by being at a protest, you're cooperating with others, taking a step towards more cooperation, towards finding a way out to something better. That's October 18th. I'll be in Cincinnati. Hope to see you there. Hope you'll be out. Thank you.
Nightfall in England, and excellent live coverage on the BBC. There is a green frog (I think) in New York City, with a pink megaphone, dressed in a large placard reading "Do Not Obey In Advance".
Will be out in Austin, TX where the Governor is so scared that he has called out the National Guard as well as the State Troopers.
Gads! I hope everyone was safe at the rally!
It takes courage for some to show up but like you Professor, we must always try to lead by example. BTW, huge turnout today in my sleepy little town in Maine. Twice the turnout from No Kings 1.0, and that was impressive.
I'm a member of the US Supreme Court Bar, constitutional educator and author, depressed over our surprisingly easy slide into authoritarian rule by a vulgarian and his ethics-deprived fellow grifters. I live in heavy RED area where houses sell for $1 million to $6 million but within a BLUE state. My family feels isolated, so when we joined a blocks-long NO KINGS protest along with my grandson, we felt uplifted for a while. There is a community outside that might now see their neighbors alongside them and realize we are still the national majority. I've taught Tim Snyder's work but am cautious as to how many of my students let it seep into their core. Bless the US and may we keep this glorious experiment alive and evolving.
Keep it up, Prof. We can't have too much of this. In my mountain CA town of some 4500, I am guessing that 1,000 were standing on the main intersection for 2 hours. Lots of horns, flag-waving, and I don't know how many signs. Next month, again - - and again, until they get it. Good things take time...
I agree!!!
Nice houses in MAGA neighborhoods.
I thought my neighbors were installing a large in-ground swimming pool but after 28 days they put a concrete roof on top and covered that with sod. They installed some unusual equipment and an array of room air conditioners in their garage, too. At first I thought they had built a drug lab, but then I discovered that the extraterrestrial species which has invaded Earth doesn't like the percentage of oxygen in Earth's present atmosphere.
When their kids were younger, the neighbors rented a bounce house for every birthday party. Today I'm certain that each bounce house had been filled with the extraterrestrials' preferred atmosphere. This may have been important for maturation.
More recently I got the message that humans who survive the coming MAGA onslaught will need oxygen concentrating equipment and possibly our own sealed underground chambers with hydroponics.
I just got back from our thing here in Venice, Florida. It's a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. I think there were about 50% more folk at this one than made it to the first one. People are so cool to be around when they know they're doing something really righteous. Lots of smart, moving and funny signs. Wonderful spirit of solidarity. We got a few middle fingers but I find that sort of like a cherry on top. I felt ok about helping those people too. I had warming conversations and camaraderie with my fellow Americans. For me it wasn't really a protest. It was an affirmation that I'm a citizen and will not be a subject.
Steve, do you know how it went in Sarasota? I was at a funeral (sadly) and could not attend. Glad Venice folks showed up.
My brother-in-law went to Sarasota and texted me that there were thousands. I'm sure it was bigger than the first one too. I'm sorry about whatever your funeral situation was. Please accept my condolences.
Thank you for the update and your condolences.
Wow -- your experience down in Florida sounded just like my experience up here in 'red' upstate NY! That is SO heartwarming!
We have friends everywhere.
Albany was awesome!
Will be out in Oregon.
This is eerie. 2015-2023 here in Poland I participated in dozens of this type of protests, tens of thousand people each. It was different from other protests of the post-communist (free-democratic) era, as it was not about this or that policy, but about the very foundation of the system. We had a Trump-style creeping autocracy back then, also democratically elected, also busy disassembling the rule-of-law society framework.
I remember the alarm and despair.
Hard to recognize that the same thing could happen in the US. "Maturity of democracy" discussions proved now as totally missing the point, irrelevant. I do not gloat here, I despair, as now we do not even have any consolation along the lines "if we mature a little bit more, everything will be fine". Uncharted waters.
I wrote "despair", but this can be transcended. A huge part of despair, my case, came from feeling entitled before. "We Poles would always stand for democracy". Turns out, nope. No divine right of having a democracy for us.
But "the Golden Age of democracy" did not arrive by itself in the past. So, if it was possible before, to work to have it established, it is possible to reestablish it today as well. Should be actually easier.
Beautifully written, Piotr!
There's no logical reason that re-establishing democracy in the future might be easier. US needs a law which says that only a human being may be a US citizen; otherwise, the extraterrestrial MAGA species will continue to vote their candidates into political office and then those political leaders will craft sadistic, inhumane policies.
Eventually the MAGA will replace all human beings. Because the MAGA males and females live apart, the MAGA killed and replaced about 7.5 million human women who identified as lesbian. They were part of the 12 million voters who cast a ballot for Joe Biden in 2020 but did not vote at all in 2024. Their replacements, the MAGA females, voted for the MAGA candidates of course. That meant 7.5 million more votes for Trump and 7.5 million fewer votes for Harris. Also, it's clear that many and maybe most of the female MAGA were registered to vote in two states, just like Steve Bannon was registered in Florida and in DC in 2016. They are killing more millions this year in preparation for the midterms.
IMO we should be dropping nuclear depth charges on their spaceships hiding in Earth's oceans. And testing voters, politicians, and military personnel for human DNA.
Thank you, Tim Snyder. You're the best!
We're headed to Leesburg for rally at 2pm Eastern Time.
We are heading out soon. CT We will protest to defend democracy and say no to fascism.
I'm ON it from Washington State.
Pasadena,CA City Hall wearing DODGER BLUE!!!!!
It is fun and hopefully it will encourage others. Vote them out.
Excellent!
Constitutionally. Morally. Socially. Practically. Politically.
I am memorizing this concept. I will carry it with me, to judge ALL the chaotic events we are faced with.
Thank you, Timothy Snyder!
Let's ask Timothy Snyder to comment on the OBSCENE COURT -- (It surely doesnt seem to be the SUPREME Court to me). Seems it is doing an awful lot of damage. What might be a way to fix this.
The Dicktraitor Donald has a perfect foil: Whatever horrible unconstitutional undemocratic thing he does, his buddy John Roberts and his tiny band of thugs and crooks in The Obscene Court will give Donald a free pass, for egregious affronts to democracy, with far reaching implications. -- Kate Delano-Condax Decker
Thank you, Professor Snyder, for the reminder of why and how to protest. The five points you are speaking of are essential... besides the reason to protest is to hold on to this Democracy. There are too many people, men and women, who would like to destroy this democratic republic.
ICE is wielding its weapons...which is a reminder of what the Gestapo did more than 80 years ago... then it was the destruction of the Jewish people, now it is brown and black people! It is most shameful, disgusting!
With hope for better tomorrow, get up, stand up & peacefully resist the fraudster authoritarians.
“The enemy within”? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkFxD-CMlZM&t=263s A “war zone”? https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3m3gm244bkc2z
Call Me Antifa – A Patriotic Anthem for Freedom, Justice and Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLo5BgzXWtc
Recent knee replacement kept me from marching downtown today (DC area).
I found a small-but-mighty protest in Arlington; a hundred or so seniors, people with dogs, and families with small children. Absolutely restoring.
Here’s a poster from DC today sent by a friend captioned “ lots of terrorists and haters out today “ May you have a really good recovery Kate from your knee replacement ! file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/ba/10/0A666DCC-7D96-4E20-902F-A659B341EF1D/IMG_7138.heic