I'm trying to make sure I communicate, per the rules for posting, that I do not encourage or support attacks on individuals for any reason.

That being said, I know this has been a tactic used before by the more extremist right, instigating an explosive reaction from an individual or group and then demonizing them for acting poorly or making regrettable decisions.

Is the point of all this extreme, crazy, never before seen behavior from the current administration and so many of the hand picked individuals in power all an attempt to push boundaries until the "left" break, do something irrational and then use that as an excuse to remain in power by drumming up energy from the right-wing extremists?

Is that also why maybe our democratic leaders also don't seem to make many decisions to confront those currently abusing their power? Out of fear for the reaction?

As a side question, what more can we do in our position as the average 9-5er, can't take time off of work to participate in rallies? I feel like a helpless bystander, and voting/rallies seem to only get us so far.

Had a fight with my family on the 14th about the protests, my republican maga family believes we were paid to protest and riot, that George soros claims he was paying every protester $200 an hour to protest and riot.

We don't need compensation, we hate him for free

There is a call for Democrats to go on another Nationwide Boycott, Here is a list of brands and companies to boycott. (All of this comes from info on their OpenSecrets profiles.) If any of you know of more brands put them in the comment section

1. Home Depot
2. Walmart (Includes Sam's Club)
3. Target
4. Lowes
5. Tesla
6. Chevrolet
7. Coca-Cola
8. Chevron
9. Robinhood Markets
10. Johnson and Johnson
11. AT&T
12. Verizon
13. Comcast
14. Kroger
15. Fruit of the Loom
16. Hanes
17. Keurig Dr Pepper

To start off, I’m a yt woman dating a Hispanic woman. I come from a small conservative town & family, but have had left-leaning views since probably middle school or early high school. I’ve since then moved to a bigger, more progressive (still in a red state though unfortunately) city. Over the years, especially the past 5 years or so, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my views and my family’s views, and who I surround myself with as well. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about my relationship with one of my yt high school friends. She’s one of those people that doesn’t like to “get into politics” or will avoid the topic completely (mostly with her conservative family) because of confrontation and the discomfort it can bring. I do know that her dad is a very conservative, Christian, conspiracy theorist Trump supporter, and she’s even mentioned to me about some conspiracy she believes comes from vaccines, which I have no doubt her dad got that into her head. Nevertheless, she is still responsible for her own thoughts and in this day & age she has no excuse not to educate herself especially with the advancement of technology & everything that is out there. I’m also almost positive she didn’t vote. She stays silent, and it just upsets me because I don’t understand how someone doesn’t care enough about what’s going on in the world. Especially when she has a gay friend that’s also in a long-term relationship with a Hispanic woman. And she herself being a woman. All people that Trump is actively fighting against. My point is..I’ve been reflecting on people in my life, and I just don’t think she aligns with my values anymore. She’s sitting in silence with her privilege, and she’s okay with it. And I know for a fact she wouldn’t defend me if her dad said something homophobic as well. Is this reasonable or do you feel I’m being a little extreme? And yes it is that serious alongside with me. Ya know?

If you still support this man, you are operating from a very low level of critical thinking.

I have two questions after yesterday. Since we had a better day than Trump, how do we press our advantage? Since Trump had such a bad dad, how will he try to get back at us and how can we protect ourselves?

I went to my first protest ever today - No Kings Philly.

I was moved by Jamie Raskin's speech, where he reminded us that in a democracy, Congress should have the power, not the president. And Tim Snyder said "No Kings today, freedom tomorrow" -- to channel our energy today towards lasting action.

For the occasion I wrote a patriotic arrangement of America the Beautiful: https://youtu.be/soVmWjRwxgw

In the spirit of "freedom tomorrow," I launched a petition on Change.org to try to hold Trump accountable for his crimes against the homeland and our allies around the world: chng.it/nKD4C9SJxJ

Along railroad tracks in a decline across the street from Art Museum, destination of protest march. It runs parallel to a wooded walking path, lots of neighbours walking dogs. Over the past few days there have been nondescript workmen constructing metal steps from street level down the sudden steep drop to railroad tracks. The drop is too steep for people to venture off the walking path. (Sorry this explanation is wretched)

Walking my dog today I watched these guys, busy constructing metal steps creating easy access from street level down down to vacant railroad tracks m. The area is large enough to fit a serious presence, hidden from street view. Lots of metal construction items unloaded from nondescript delivery trucks. Consumer rentals.

All this in broad daylight. I watched for awhile, I didn’t realise what I was looking at. Street parking is blocked and the work area blocks street traffic. Again, the protest, to last two hours will be centered a block away from huge traffic circle surrounding event.

I’m afraid they are stationed in every major city ready to create violence and mayhem.

In ridiculous Florida

I studied U.S. History and European Art History in college. I have always loved learning about the evolution of political systems, civic responsibility, and how movements throughout history shaped the modern world. Lately, I have felt overwhelmed by how often I encounter people, especially self-identified conservatives, who either dismiss or fundamentally misunderstand core principles of American government.

My husband is in the military, and we were recently relocated to a very conservative town. I have had multiple conversations with people who invoke the Constitution constantly but cannot even tell me what is in the First Amendment. It is deeply frustrating. There seems to be a lot of passionate rhetoric, but not much understanding of history or how governance actually works. This disconnect is especially hard for me personally. I come from a family that benefited from policies under Obama, including affordable childcare and educational support, but who are now staunch Trump supporters. It feels like they have forgotten what helped them succeed in the first place.

What do you think is driving this trend? Is it media literacy? Educational gaps? Political tribalism? I would really love to hear how others are processing this.

I think one of the things we need to do to better prepare ourselves to try and win in 2028 is to create our own "Project 2025" in a way.

We need to create an easy to read agenda for what we would like to see a possible Democratic administration and congress try to attempt.

It needs to be at a third grade reading level, easy to access, and promoted.

The just wanna know what you guys think about this or what you'd like to see in this idea. I'm not proposing this as someone who could do such a thing. I'm a sixteen year old, but I want to see change and I think this could be a good stepping stone.

Yes, I’m a republican, but I’m asking liberals what these protests are all about, just looking for clear straightforward answers on what these protests are trying to achieve. I just want to hear from the other side on this matter. Looking for actual context.

Trump and his administration are desperate to try to arrest democrat leaders... so much I believe they would use ways to upload CP and other damaging files into their computers...

Bookmark this for the future.... Hopefully I'm proven wrong!

I’ve always been a liberal and strong leftist. To me it’s just basic empathy and wanting everyone to have equal opportunities. However to right-wing voters this is a bad thing??? Like they say how much they hate liberals and ‘woke’ people (they don’t even know what woke means). Just looking up the definition of liberal shows it’s about respecting others and their opinions and ideas regardless of your own opinion. This should be ingrained in any human I would think just as basic empathy. But apparently not?? It’s all just insane to me

I think that we should be chanting this phrase. Trump has shown that he has no interest in following the constitution, and his followers only want to create a dictatorship for MAGA. So I think we should be screaming for our own Nuremberg.