The article emphasizes the urgency of resisting authoritarianism in America, as conveyed by journalist Maria Ressa, who parallels the U.S. situation with her experiences in the Philippines under Duterte. Ressa highlights that the dismantling of democratic institutions can happen swiftly, urging Americans not to underestimate the speed at which authoritarian leaders can consolidate power. Her insights stress the importance of immediate action and vigilance in safeguarding democracy, warning that complacency could lead to irreversible loss of freedoms.
Maria Ressa, the journalist who earned the Nobel Peace Prize for her attempts to save freedom of expression in the Philippines, told me that what she experienced during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte is now, with startling speed and remarkable similarity, playing out in the United States under Donald Trump. Her country's democratic struggles are highly instructive. And her message to me was this: Authoritarian leaders topple democracy faster than you can imagine.
She knew that the speed of the destruction of institutions—one of the first steps an authoritarian takes to solidify and centralize power—would surprise people here, even those paying the closest attention. Ressa splits her time between Manila and New York, and she repeatedly warned me to be ready for everything to happen quickly.
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