Freedom From Fear, pt. 3: What we can do here and now

""Freedom from fear" was the fourth of four freedoms defining democracy President Franklin D. Roosevelt framed in his rally cry to fight fascist conquest from without. It is openly debated whether America is now fighting a fascist takeover from within. It may be debated, but only because the would-be dictators of the world will always disguise their plays for power in the mock forms of democratic legality-by declaring a fake emergency, attacking political rivals through trumped-up legal charges or holding rigged elections."

"But there can be no disguising the fear. Fear is how authoritarians maintain control, how they keep the people head-down and silent-hardworking, obsequious, compliant. In any country in the world, the questions, "Do you fear the president?,' "Do you fear the government?,' and "Do you fear the police?,' cut through the political lies to the truth. Wherever one stands on the political spectrum running blue, purple, red, there can be no doubt that in America a great fear is rising."

""Power, not panic" is the slogan with which "immigrant defense coordinator" Gina Garibo signs off every email. I was always relieved to see it. In the process of my research I met a great many professionals, protesters and volunteers just like Gina, "Esteban" and "Marisol." Some work openly. And some work in the new underground resistance. They are part of a great mobilization of people gathering around a strategic arc of methods for confronting ICE terror. It is a thrilling thing to witness,"

Freedom from fear is presented as a fundamental democratic right under assault as fear rises in America. Would-be authoritarians disguise power grabs with faux democratic legality—declaring fake emergencies, attacking rivals with trumped-up charges, or rigging elections. Fear functions as the primary tool of authoritarian control, producing compliance and silence. A broad mobilization of professionals, protesters, volunteers, and underground resistance has formed to confront ICE terror, coalescing around strategies and the watchword 'expanded capacity.' Slogans such as 'Power, not panic' anchor activist morale while organizers work to build sufficient support and coordination to protect immigrant communities.

Read at East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda