Protests Won't Be Enough to Stop a Coup

[OneBlueSky]

Resistance requires a lot more strategy
by Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10/31/2020

(just a little something I ran across . . . interesting, possibly even helpful if push comes to shove)

Casting a ballot by Election Day is just the first thing Americans have to worry about. What if President Donald Trump and his allies stop the counting of ballots, or delay vote certification until Republican state legislatures can play hanky-panky with the electors? What if civil war breaks out? “We’ll take to the streets,” Joe Biden supporters tell one another. Isn’t that what people do?

(snip)

I’m not sure that amassing on Fifth Avenue the day after the election will be the right call—at least if votes are still being counted and Trump hasn’t falsely claimed victory. Protests alone won’t be enough to stop what might be coming, and to be effective, they should be timed just right. . . . If you want to prevent a power grab, he (George Lakey) explained, you don’t just take to the streets. That’s one tactic among many, and not always the best one. . . . Over the past week, I’ve spent hours talking to Lakey, other experts, and activists, and have distilled their insights into three principles of successful coup prevention.

(several snips, here and between these items)

Practice Nonviolence
The first imperative of civil resistance is nonviolence—that is, maintaining the discipline not to strike out or strike back.

Aim for the Center
Nonviolence undergirds the second rule of a winning protest strategy: It must pull in the mainstream. A robust movement will be “diverse and multi-generational.”

Hit Them Where It Hurts
Whatever the movement looks like, it will have to cause economic pain. If worst comes to worst, victory will hinge on consumer boycotts and strikes.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/election-protests-alone-wont-stop-coup/616895/

[Bob Munck]

1. The White House is Becoming a Fort

Trump is having an "unclimbable" fence built around the White House. He's anticipating massive protests. (China is being billed for the fence.)

Are the electrical, water, sewer, and Internet feeds to the White House hardened in any way? Can they be turned off?

[BigmanPigman]

2. Worth the read! Thanks.

[denbot]

3. Two words will stop the bullshit if put into action.

General Strike!

My country before my job!

[UCmeNdc]

4. Boycott the economy! Work stoppage! Peaceful Demonstrations that bring the country to a stop

If Donald Trump stops counting the ballots and makes himself King!

[niyad]

5. Well worth the read.