What Effective Protest Could Look Like

Perspective from the right on Trump’s political challenge for the left Fourteen years ago, I found myself an unexpected micro-target of a left-liberal protest demonstration. I had visited London to watch the debate and subsequent vote in the House of Commons over the Iraq war resolution.

A field guide to protesting in the Trump era: Lessons from the redwoods protectors

Protests have erupted across the United States and the world since the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States. To date the protests have been largely spontaneous and decentralized. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., nicely articulated the broad sentiments of many protesters when she told the Women’s March on Washington: “Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as president.

Lady Liberty Crying

I do not consider myself a conspiracy theorist but I find something missing when watching news reports of the phone calls national security advisor, Michael Flynn, made to the Russian Ambassador. Flynn is the second Trump official that is chummy with the Russians. If you recall, Paul Manafort, who was a lobbyist for Russia was Trump’s campaign manager and had to resign over suspicious activities with his involvement with the Russian government.

Both VP Pence and Trump indicate they had no idea Flynn held a discussion on the sanctions with the Russian ambassador. Flynn himself, at first denied that sanctions were discussed with the ambassador. But phone surveillance indicates otherwise. It’s difficult to believe that Flynn made several phone calls to the Russian ambassador on the same day Mr. Obama, issued further sanctions on Russia without a specific purpose. Flynn stated the phone calls were simply to set up a time for additional phone conversations in the future. I’m not buying that crap. The ties to the Russian government are too frequent and commonplace within the Trump administration. I believe Donald Trump and others in the administration instructed Flynn to tell the Russian Ambassador, sanctions would be reduced or lifted after Trump took office.

I also believe Donald Trump is corrupt and so is his administration. What is most discerning about the situation is that no one in Congress is taking any actions to investigate Trump, Flynn and others in the administration. If this was Hillary Clinton, the Congressional oversight committee would have been meeting from inauguration day.

This is why Democrats, independents and willing Republicans, need to resist. We need to show up at town hall meetings and every event where a Trump administration official is speaking, especially Trump himself.. We should protest selected cabinet officials mainly focusing on Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos. DeVos bought her way into the cabinet position by donating millions of dollars to Republicans, including too most of the Republican Senators currently serving in Congress. Florida Sen. Marco “The Con Rubio ,” received $100,000 from her. If these circumstances do not anger everyone reading this and stir their emotions, then I cannot think of anything that will.  The home page of the Randolph Review includes a tab for, Resist Trump. Click on this tab and you will find numerous articles regarding how to resist Trump.

Lastly, please notify our Facebook page if your Indivisible group is not listed on our state listing. And if you do not have a website, it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to communicate your message to others. If you need help, let us know and we will provide assistance. We are volunteers and willing to expend all of our energy to beat the current tyranny occurring in our democracy.

R.J. Intindola

Barney Frank: Here’s how to successfully lobby your congressperson

After 32 years in the House of Representatives, here is my advice on how people opposed to President Donald Trump ‘s assault on our basic values – a majority of those who voted last November – can best influence members of Congress.Done the right way, communications from citizens can have a significant impact on legislators, even when they claim to be immune to “pressure.”

Anger erupts at Republican town halls

And the fury is flaring up in some of most conservative corners of the country. On Thursday night, two Republican members of Congress — Reps. Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Diane Black of Tennessee — were each confronted with impassioned constituents during simultaneous events.

Indivisible Lynchburg group hoping to keep open dialogue with elected officials

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — A group of citizens presented a letter to Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Lynchburg office on Thursday about his stance on different issues.The group calls itself Indivisible Lynchburg.By taking a page from the activism of the Tea Part

Noisy town hall protests show how the left is trying out tea party tactics to fight Trump

There has been no shortage of opportunities for the anti-Trump left to vent their angst since the president took office: Women’s marches , airport protests and impromptu rallies have become a near-daily feature of life in cities across California and the nation.

Trump Protesters Borrow From Tea Party to Put Pressure on Lawmakers

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – For weeks, a swelling group has been showing up every Friday here at the local office of Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen to demand that he hold a town-hall meeting to answer its concerns about his fellow Republicans’ plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

How to Flex Your Rights at Protests

How to Protect Your Rights (if you don’t plan to get arrested)

If you didn’t come to the protest intending to get arrested, then staying out of the way of police is a good plan. But if police can’t be avoided, remember that your rights apply just as they would any other time.

Like most police encounters, some officers will be more professional than others. But inside a loud chaotic crowd, misunderstandings can quickly turn ugly. So remember these rules:

Always be calm & cool. A bad attitude guarantees a bad outcome. If you keep your cool, chances are the officer will too.
Don’t confess to wrongdoing. Police aren’t looking for an explanation; they’re looking for evidence. Remain silent instead.
Don’t lie to cops. Cops may lie to you, but you can’t lie to them. Remain silent instead.
Cops can lie; don’t get tricked. Don’t let false threats or promises trick you into waiving your rights.
You can refuse searches. Saying “no” to searches is your constitutional right and probably your best move. Agreeing to searches hurts your case, even if police find something that isn’t yours.
Ask if you’re being detained or are free to go. Doing this shows that you’re not agreeing to the police stop. This will protect you later if you end up in court.
Don’t expose yourself. Vandalizing property or doing illegal drugs in public are easy ways to find yourself in jail. “Safety in numbers” won’t protect you.
Never touch a cop. Keep your hands to yourself. Aggressive actions will only earn you a more aggressive response.
Don’t argue; report misconduct later. If you plan to sue or complain, don’t tell the officer.

How to Flex Your Rights at Protests