I’m reaching out to share something important. These are serious times, and I believe we can no longer afford to say, “I don’t know” or remain passive. We all wake up at different moments, but now more than ever, we need to hold ourselves, our friends, relatives, and associates accountable. Our democracy is at stake.
As part of aligning my actions with my values, I’m reducing my contacts and focusing on meaningful connections.
I’m reaching out to share something important. These are serious times, and I believe we can no longer afford to say, “I don’t know” or remain passive. We all wake up at different moments, but now more than ever, we need to hold ourselves, our friends, relatives, and associates accountable. Our democracy is at stake.
As part of aligning my actions with my values, I’m reducing my contacts and focusing on meaningful connections.
We are living in dark times. Armed conflicts, discrimination, hate crimes, political extremism, and the widening gap between the rich and poor are creating anger and unrest. Democracy is under attack in many countries, and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense suffering. On top of it all, the climate crisis threatens all life on Earth, with its devastating effects already being felt: melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and increasingly destructive fires – even in the Arctic.
You may wonder: How can we still talk about hope?
It’s true that some days feel hopeless, and the challenges we face – greed, corruption, hatred, and prejudice – seem insurmountable. But in these moments, we are reminded of the extraordinary courage and determination of people fighting for justice, equality, and the environment. Even when they lose their lives, their voices resonate, inspiring us to believe in the ultimate goodness of humanity.
As Doug Abrams writes in The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, many people – especially the young – feel angry, despairing, or apathetic because we’ve compromised their future by relentlessly exploiting our planet’s finite resources. Yet, it is not too late.There is still a window of time to heal the harm we’ve done, but that window is closing. We must act NOW.
True hope is not passive wishful thinking. Real hope requires action and engagement. Even the smallest ethical actions matter because their cumulative effect can create meaningful change. Why would we act if we didn’t believe it could make a difference?
This is why we sing, why we take action, and why we invite you to join us in choosing hope – for the planet, for our children, and for future generations. Together, we can still make a difference.
Grannies invite you to:
At events, start conversations with people outside your demographic—such as someone who is a person of color, disabled, or gay. Listen more than you talk and aim to make genuine connections. Invite them to your home to build friendships.
Sing. Music is magic. It touches a part of our brain and soul that is very basic and gentle. We hear the “beat” in the womb and it continues throughout our lives.
Donate to food programs like 2nd Harvest & El Mercadito to support families depending on SNAP and immigrant families coping with hardships due to targeting by ICE and loss of resources. For El Mercadito bring nonperishable foods and personal hygiene items to Latinos en Spokane at 1502 N. Monroe (M-F: 11am-3pm).
When you feel outraged, devastated, passionate, thankful, testify in a letter to the editor.
Support your neighbors in need, regardless of politics.
Act it out. Street theater at events, in malls, and politicians offices can be effective action. Join the Funeral for Democracy events!
Cultivate the habit of showing up. Show up for others, for calls for community action, for opportunities to learn and grow. Showing up becomes a way of life that leads to a meaningful life full of meaningful relationships and purpose and FUN!
Millions of people marching in the streets across the United States and 10,000 – 20,000 marching here in Spokane. The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?
It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?
This is a three part series. The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.
The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.
Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.
Read the first article in the Fighting Fear series:
SUBSCRIBE: If you want suggestions on what we must do in addition to protesting in the streets, subscribe to 4comculture.com. Go to the top of the sidebar and send us your email address.
October 18th millions marched. They said NO TRUMP! In order to stop tyranny now what do you want to do?
When the choice is tyranny or revolution, to keep your head in the sand is to choose tyranny. If you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.
The Scenario
A presidential candidate has won the election and gained control over all branches of government.
The new administration refuses to follow court rulings and historical norms.
Democratic processes and checks and balances have broken down.
The leadership style is modeled after authoritarian regimes like Russia, North Korea, and China.
This situation represents a significant threat to democratic institutions and the rule of law, which are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Can We Trust This Man?
Options for Grassroots Movements
In such a scenario, grassroots movements and civil society organizations face a critical decision: whether to accept the new regime or to resist. Based on historical examples and research on civil resistance, there are several potential courses of action:
Nonviolent revolutions have endured longer
Nonviolent Revolution
Historically, nonviolent revolutions have been more successful and led to more stable democratic outcomes than violent uprisings. Research by Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan has shown that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones.
Strategies for nonviolent revolution could include:
a) Mass Mobilization: Organizing large-scale protests, strikes, and boycotts to demonstrate widespread opposition to the regime. This was effectively used in the Philippines People Power Revolution (1986) and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s).
b) Civil Disobedience: Engaging in coordinated acts of nonviolent resistance, such as sit-ins, blockades, or refusal to pay taxes. The Indian Independence Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi successfully employed these tactics.
c) Alternative Institutions: Creating parallel governance structures or “shadow governments” to challenge the legitimacy of the regime and provide essential services to the population.
d) International Solidarity: Appealing to international organizations and foreign governments for support and sanctions against the regime. This strategy was crucial in the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing
Even in challenging political environments, there are legal and peaceful methods to resist authoritarianism:
a) Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and mobilizing key stakeholders who can influence the political process.
b) Effective Communication: Using clear, consistent messaging to articulate grievances and demands.
c) Technology and Social Media: Leveraging digital platforms for organizing, information sharing, and mobilizing support.
d) Educational Interventions: Implementing programs to promote civic engagement and democratic values.
e) Building Trust and Relationships: Establishing networks of trust within communities to strengthen resistance efforts.
Seeking International Support
Grassroots movements can appeal to international democratic support systems and diplomatic channels:
a) International Organizations: Engaging with bodies like the UN, OSCE, and International IDEA to highlight democratic backsliding and seek support.
b) Foreign Diplomatic Pressure: Encouraging democratic nations to exert diplomatic pressure on the regime, similar to Sweden’s “Drive for Democracy” initiative.
c) NGO Partnerships: Collaborating with international NGOs like Freedom House to document and publicize human rights violations and democratic erosion.
Violent Revolution as a Last Resort
While violent revolution might seem like an option, it’s important to note that:
Violent uprisings are statistically less likely to succeed than nonviolent movements.
They often lead to prolonged conflict and instability.
Violent revolutions can delegitimize the movement in the eyes of both domestic and international observers.
They may provide justification for increased repression by the regime.
Conclusion
In the face of democratic breakdown and the rise of authoritarianism, grassroots movements have historically been most successful when employing nonviolent strategies. These strategies, combined with effective civic engagement and international support, offer the best chance for restoring democratic norms and institutions.
The choice between accepting tyranny and forming a revolution is a complex one, with significant consequences. However, the historical record suggests that nonviolent revolutions, when well-organized and widely supported, can be effective in challenging even the most entrenched authoritarian regimes.
It’s crucial for grassroots movements to carefully consider their options, build broad coalitions, and maintain a commitment to nonviolent tactics to maximize their chances of success and minimize the risk of further destabilization or violence.
When tyranny and revolution appear to be the choices, which do you think we ought to choose? The choice should be made with deep thought. If you keep your head in the sand and refuse to recognize the current conditions, you have chosen tyranny. But if you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.
If you want suggestions on what we must do in addition to protesting in the streets, subscribe to 4comculture.com. Go to the top of the sidebar and send us your email address.
The psychological traits of true believers in mass movements can be observed in the followers of contemporary political figures like Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and Bernie Sanders.
Mobilizing Effective Political Power with Five Calls
How many of you actually have the Five Calls app? When was the last time you used it? Not enough of us, and that’s why I teach these classes. A lot of people say they want to use it, but then no one shows them how to make those phone calls. Get app at your app store.
Talk by Cynthia Hamilton, Indivisible Organizer for Eastern Washington State
Spokane County Democrats Donkey Club Luncheon 5/20/2025
Your voice, your power, our democracy
How many of you actually have the Five Calls app? When was the last time you used it? Not enough of us, and that’s why I teach these classes. A lot of people say they want to use it, but then no one shows them how to make those phone calls. Get app at your app store.
How many of you actually have the Five Calls app? When was the last time you used it? Not enough of us, and that’s why I teach these classes. A lot of people say they want to use it, but then no one shows them how to make those phone calls.
We all know that those phone calls are some of the most efficient and effective tools we have as constituents to influence decisions about budgets that could significantly impact our country. So we need to get on board with this now because they’re getting ready to vote on important issues.
If you know how to use it, are you teaching others? The usual call volume in D.C. is only about 40 calls per minute for 435 Congress members—that’s just one call for every ten Congress critters! With Five Calls, we once got that number up to 3,000 calls per minute; however, it’s fallen off recently at a time when it’s crucial for us to be making these calls.
When I was in Chewelah, WA, I showed everyone how easy it is to use Five Calls—65 people were making calls at once! It was awesome! When I asked them if they thought it was easy many raised their hands affirmatively while others seemed unsure or hadn’t used it yet.
So here’s what you need: download the Five Calls app from your Play Store or Apple Store right now—this is your most effective tool for reaching out to your Congress members! Changing my language has been key in my success when communicating with officials; it’s essential that we speak their language if we want our voices heard.
Now, have you downloaded the app onto your phone? Great! Are you looking at the issues? Is it helpful? Can I get an amen?! Remember that each phone call represents approximately 10,000 voters because people often feel too intimidated or unqualified to confront someone directly about their concerns.
Five Calls provides information about current issues being voted on—it cuts through unnecessary topics and helps focus on what truly matters right now. Once you’ve made a call through this tool, remember you’re representing thousands of other voters!
If you’re nervous about talking directly with someone call after hours—call after 2 PM PST (5 pm EST) when they’ve likely gone home and leave a message instead!
When using Five Calls again today or tomorrow—or whenever—you’ll see your representative and senators listed, 3 in Washington state – one Congressman and two Senators; don’t forget those Senators even if they seem aligned with our views—they still need feedback from us!
It’s vital that we communicate our preferences clearly before votes happen so Congress knows where constituents stand—otherwise they might assume there’s no clear majority opinion and vote accordingly based solely on assumptions rather than facts.
Emails hold less weight compared with phone calls since they’re valued at around 1,000 voters each simply because there’s little chance anyone will respond personally—and canned responses don’t help either!
An actual letter carries slightly more value but requires far more effort than simply picking up a phone—it may take days before anyone sees your thoughts by which time decisions may already be made!
So let’s commit today: teach someone else how easy using Five Calls can be within five days.
We cannot remain comfortable anymore—we must start doing things differently starting today—and tomorrow we’ll share knowledge further afield until everyone understands its importance!
To find out more about 5 Calls contact Cynthia Hamilton and I’ll help connect you to class sessions available soon: bugsmind@comcast.net
CORE’s (Congress of Racial Equality) Rules for Direct Action became a model for nonviolent resistance worldwide. Their emphasis on preparation, discipline, and moral clarity ensured that their actions were both effective and ethically grounded. These principles continue to influence modern social movements, from environmental activism to racial justice campaigns. By combining strategic planning with cultural tools, CORE and similar organizations demonstrated the power of nonviolence in achieving systemic change.
CORE’S Rules for Direct Action full article CLICK HERE
Social justice is a complex and multifaceted challenge, but solutions are possible through systemic reforms, grassroots activism, and cultural shifts. By addressing inequality, promoting equity, and fostering inclusivity, we can create a more just and equitable society for all. These solutions require collaboration across sectors, sustained advocacy, and a commitment to the principles of human rights and dignity.
