By Andrea Loewen
@ms.andreajoy
This is the week we’ve all been dreading: the US election. Even if you don’t live in Canada, even if you’ve been trying to avoid the news about what’s going on down there (because at some point, your anxiety can only take so much), you probably can’t help but hold a mental countdown. It’s time.
In honour of the original Resistance Roundup, inspired by this election four years ago, here’s a roundup for 2020.
This Month’s Action:
If you have the ability to vote, wherever you are, do that.
If you have the means to donate to a cause that protects voter rights, protects the right to protest in a democracy, or otherwise protects people, do that.
Then spend this week on some self-care because we will need to bring our whole selves to whatever fight is coming next. Here’s 7 Half-Assed and Effective Ways I’m Practicing Self-Care on Election Night to get you started.
This Month’s Reading:
WTF List (Keeping Up With the News):
Biden Event in Texas Cancelled as ‘Armed’ Trump Supporters Threaten Campaign Bus: A convoy of Trump supporters with weapons surrounded and intimidated (and allegedly tried to run off the road) the Biden-mobile. Trump says they did nothing wrong.
Philadelphia Cops Attack and Beat Woman, Steal Her 2-Year-Old, and Post Photo of Themselves “Protecting” the Child: The police are not helping themselves look like they care about our safety.
Standoff at 1492 Landback Lane Heats Up: The land defenders at 1492 Landback Lane are still there, asserting their rights, and they aren’t going anywhere.
Mi’kmaq Fishers Demand Stop to Alleged Federal Plan to Seize Lobster Traps: The Canadian government is finally intervening in the crisis with the Mi’kmaq fisheries, but they may be on the wrong side.
Action Inspo and Instructionals:
Let these alternate guides and examples of resistance inspire you!
The Lincoln Project: Gotta love the cash and tactics that arise when Republicans turn against their leader.
The Birth of an Extraordinary Modern Progressive Protest Movement: “The story of an awakening must begin with how many had been permitted to sleep in the first place.”
Despite Obstacles, Young Voters Are ‘Raising Hell’ with Historic Early Voting Turnout: Let’s hear it for the young voters!
So You’re Thinking About Becoming an Abolitionist: A get-started guide to abolishing the police.
Analysis, Opinion, and Enrichment:
These will help you better understand how what’s feeding the madness and expose you to perspectives different from your own.
7 Lives in Donald Trump’s America: See how living under 45 has impacted people living in America, from a young judge to Charlottesville survivors to meatpacking workers.
What Do Foreign Media Correspondents Think of the US?: A look at what has happened to the international reputation of America.
America is About to Choose How Bad the Pandemic Will Get: This election is about a lot of things, and how many of their people Americans are willing to see get sick and die is one of them.
This is What it Feels Like to Live Under Minority Rule: “The powerlessness is the point.”
Trump’s Voter-Suppression Strategy Is a Crisis (Even If It Backfires): Although it’s important to note that the Black vote has been suppressed since it was legalized.
