Thread by @SangyeH

Every day Trump & Republicans are moving us deeper into an authoritarian state.

Every day more vulnerable people become targets.

Every day we're losing ground on progress we've made in human rights, women's rights, civil rights.

Every day the hatred increases.
1/

Things that shocked us last year are not as shocking today.

We're becoming accustomed to the constant chaos & negativity.

We're used to the nonstop fighting & bickering.

We're forgetting what it was like before the horror show began.
2/

We keep waiting for things to bottom out, but it doesn't happen.

We keep waiting for a big uprising, but it doesn't happen.

We keep waiting for our leaders to take action to stop it, but it doesn't happen.

We keep waiting for SOMEONE to end this, but it doesn't happen
3/

Almost every day I see a few voices in the chaos ask, "Why aren't Americans marching in the streets?"

Some are protestors. Some protested in past years, some still do. Most are just asking & waiting. Some day they'll join in. Maybe, if the weather's good & they're not busy.
4/

Most are waiting for someone to organize a massive protest. One big protest that won't take too much time or energy. And it's gotta be fun. Maybe a catchy name. And you have to like the organizers or it's off.

One big protest, that'll do it. A few hours on a Saturday.
5/

Meanwhile it's all slipping away.

Meanwhile we're descending further into an authoritarian state by the hour.

Can it really happen here? Could we really lose it all? Ask the Germans if it seemed possible.
6/

Here is how every fascist has risen to power:

Create nonstop, exhausting chaos
Terrorize the most vulnerable
Divide people against each other
Take away rights
Spread lies & propaganda

and the greatest weapon of all,

Convince the people they're powerless to stop any of it

7/

I don't remember where I read it, but someone who'd studied how fascists rise to power said (paraphrasing),

"In every single case it occurred because the people waited too long to protest."

THE PEOPLE WAITED TOO LONG TO PROTEST

8/

Puerto Ricans just forced their corrupt governor to step down by marching in the streets day after day. They wore him down. They took their power back.

No one organized the protests. People just got out & marched. Relentlessly!
9/

We have to do this, folks. We have to get ourselves out in the streets. We have to stop waiting for others or better weather or a good time or for things to get worse.

There won't be one alarm that goes off that says, "Now is the time!"

NO ONE WILL SAVE US BUT US.

10/end

Even with a serious illness that affects how long I can stand or walk & that makes my ability to function completely unpredictable, I protest.

I join organized protests, or friends & I just stand or sit with our signs. Weekdays, weekends, hot, cold, whatever!

(You can, too)