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    • Fight Back: Human Rights Resources

      For those seeking support, you are not alone. Together, we are stronger.

      From sociologist Jennifer Walter about what is happening in this country right now and what to do about it:

      As a sociologist, I need to tell you: Your overwhelm is the goal. The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine"—using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to ...read more

      As a sociologist, I need to tell you: Your overwhelm is the goal. The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine"—using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to effectively resist. This isn't just politics as usual; it's a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.

      Media theorist McLuhan predicted this: When humans face information overload, they become passive and disengaged. The rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck, making it nearly impossible for citizens and media to thoroughly analyze any single policy.

      Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention simultaneously, it fragments public discourse. Traditional media can't keep up with the pace, leading to superficial coverage.

      The result? Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement.
      What now?

      1. Set boundaries: Pick 2-3 key issues you deeply care about and focus your attention there. You can't track everything – that's by design. Impact comes from sustained focus, not scattered awareness.
      2. Use aggregators and experts. Find trusted analysts who do the heavy lifting of synthesis. Look for those explaining patterns, not just events.
      3. Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. When you recognize this, you regain some power. Take breaks. Process. This is a marathon.
      4. Practice going slow: Wait 48hrs before reacting to new policies. The urgent clouds the important. Initial reporting often misses context.
      5. Build community. Share the cognitive load. Different people track different issues. Network intelligence beats individual overload.

      Remember: They want you scattered. Your focus is resistance.

      ~ Jennifer Walter


      Your every day small actions matter.

      1. Support the effort. Encourage, applaud and support those who are fighting and give them incentive to continue. Do not share your pessimism, doubt or weariness in the fight that must take place to save democracy. Even if you choose not to act, or you cannot safely fight, don't be the reason that causes someone else to doubt or feel discouraged. Do not show them your fear, apathy and nihilism; they want you in a state of paralysis.
      2. Educate yourself. Read about what is happening and why, and what you can expect based on that knowledge. We also have a growing list of recommended books (see book list below, including "On Tyranny", "Autocracy, Inc." and "How To Stand Up To A Dictator") that will help you to gain a much deeper understanding. Read these books and share them with others. Join our Pop-up Book Club Discussions (see below #5) and gain more insight still. An educated society is a benefit to all.
      3. Withhold financial support of the US economy. The economy and reelection are the two top concerns of congress members supporting the current leadership. Putting either of these two issues at risk could be key to motivating them to break rank. For US citizens, this might mean decreasing spending as much as that is possible. For international citizens, not only Canadians, boycotting US goods and services. Cancel plans to travel to the USA and plan ahead to vacation elsewhere.
      4. Silence is approval. Here are a number of ways to get involved and actively resist. Fascists depend on convincing us to give our power away and fall in line, that the fight is over and we lost. Fascists that fail to repress the opposition are susceptible to collapse. Organized opposition is a threat to the stability of a regime, which requires public support to maintain power.
      5. Join us here on BCF to stay connected. BCF is our 100% Canadian safe space online. Visit daily, participate, post, comment and interact to show support for fellow members. There is strength and comfort in being a part of a supportive community. You are not alone and together we are stronger. We will be adding to this list with more details and action items that are small, but mighty.

      Our shared future depends on everyday citizens choosing to fight back.

      Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage.

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    • 4 days, 22 hours ago

      Katherine Ann Mark

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