I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
-
I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
Public protests are essential to building community, awareness and momentum.
They are not enough, in themselves, but they are essential. Those who dismiss them are not engaging in good faith.
-
I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
Trump to Big Oil Execs: Give Me $1 Billion and I'll Help You Wreck the Planet | Common Dreams
"You won't read a more important story today," said one commentator. "Trump is willing to literally destroy the planet for $1 billion."
Common Dreams (www.commondreams.org)
Big oil spent $445m in last election cycle to influence Trump and Congress, report says
Investments ‘likely to pay dividends’, analysis says, as Trump unleashes dozens of pro-fossil fuel executive actions
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
Remember the 3.5% rule.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/17/what-is-the-3-5-percent-protest-rule
The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world
Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
(www.bbc.com)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3.5%25_rule
3.5% — A Small Number With Huge Implications
Just 3.5% of a population engaged in nonviolent resistance can change everything. 150 yrs worth of data show it would take, say, 12 million Americans committed to civil resistance to create real and lasting change—even the change of government. The data are real. This is doable.
Nicola Griffith (nicolagriffith.com)
The billionaires funding fascist movements globally get very nervous about that 3.5%.
The fossil fuel industry is preparing to do anything, literally anything, to keep its power & wealth.
Frying the planet & democracy.
1/
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@HollieK72 @Remittancegirl gathering support is important, but most of people already agree that genocide should be stopped, rich should get taxed and environment should be protected. What more popular support do you need?
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I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
@Remittancegirl At the end of the day, even when the framework of democracy has been completely erased, getting out into the streets still works.
There are definitely situations where voting no longer works - but no situation where bodily protest stops working.
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Trump to Big Oil Execs: Give Me $1 Billion and I'll Help You Wreck the Planet | Common Dreams
"You won't read a more important story today," said one commentator. "Trump is willing to literally destroy the planet for $1 billion."
Common Dreams (www.commondreams.org)
Big oil spent $445m in last election cycle to influence Trump and Congress, report says
Investments ‘likely to pay dividends’, analysis says, as Trump unleashes dozens of pro-fossil fuel executive actions
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
Remember the 3.5% rule.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/17/what-is-the-3-5-percent-protest-rule
The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world
Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
(www.bbc.com)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3.5%25_rule
3.5% — A Small Number With Huge Implications
Just 3.5% of a population engaged in nonviolent resistance can change everything. 150 yrs worth of data show it would take, say, 12 million Americans committed to civil resistance to create real and lasting change—even the change of government. The data are real. This is doable.
Nicola Griffith (nicolagriffith.com)
The billionaires funding fascist movements globally get very nervous about that 3.5%.
The fossil fuel industry is preparing to do anything, literally anything, to keep its power & wealth.
Frying the planet & democracy.
1/
2/
Project 2025 has six dynasties funding it, in alliance with petrostate despots like Putin & #PrinceBonesaw
6 Billionaire Fortunes Bankrolling Project 2025
More than $120 million from a few ultra-wealthy families who have spent years working to promote climate change denial has powered the Heritage Foundation and other groups that created the plan to remake American government.
DeSmog (www.desmog.com)
Bradley, Koch, Coors, Scaife Mellon, Seid, Uihlein
Mapped: How 6 Billionaire Family Fortunes Fund Project 2025
Unraveling a $130 million web of climate denial, political extremism, and Trump campaign ties.
DeSmog (www.desmog.com)
These are the top GOP donors in 2024.
They're the ones funding the fascism.1. Elon Musk $291,482,587
2. Timothy Mellon $197,047,200
3. Miriam Adelson $148,304,900
4. Richard Uihlein $143,498,936
5. Ken Griffin $108,402,284
6. Jeff Yass $101,128,680
7. Paul E. Singer $66,800,800 -
2/
Project 2025 has six dynasties funding it, in alliance with petrostate despots like Putin & #PrinceBonesaw
6 Billionaire Fortunes Bankrolling Project 2025
More than $120 million from a few ultra-wealthy families who have spent years working to promote climate change denial has powered the Heritage Foundation and other groups that created the plan to remake American government.
DeSmog (www.desmog.com)
Bradley, Koch, Coors, Scaife Mellon, Seid, Uihlein
Mapped: How 6 Billionaire Family Fortunes Fund Project 2025
Unraveling a $130 million web of climate denial, political extremism, and Trump campaign ties.
DeSmog (www.desmog.com)
These are the top GOP donors in 2024.
They're the ones funding the fascism.1. Elon Musk $291,482,587
2. Timothy Mellon $197,047,200
3. Miriam Adelson $148,304,900
4. Richard Uihlein $143,498,936
5. Ken Griffin $108,402,284
6. Jeff Yass $101,128,680
7. Paul E. Singer $66,800,8003/
Marc Andreessen’s Manifesto for Rule by the Few
Drawing on a century-old theory about the inevitability of elite control, billionaire venture capitalist Marc Andreessen champions Silicon Valley as a new ruling class. His worldview revives the reactionary dream of greatness unencumbered by the masses.
(jacobin.com)
The rise of end times fascism | Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
The governing ideology of the far right has become a monstrous, supremacist survivalism. Our task is to build a movement strong enough to stop them
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
8. Marc Andreessen $42,365,113
9. Stephen Schwarzman $40,202,039
10. Timothy Dunn $35,780,200
11. Rob Bigelow $34,991,500
12. Diane Hendricks $33,165,417
13. JJ Ricketts $32,273,650
14. Shirley W. Ryan $32,198,116
15. Warren A. Stephens $25,895,650
16. Isaac & Laura Perlmutter $25,344,890
17. Vince & Linda McMahon $23,961,659
18. Ronnie & Nina Cameron $21,372,500
19. Jan Koum $20,855,091
20. Thomas Klingenstein $17,410,263 -
I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
@Remittancegirl I always want to ask the people that slag off peaceful protest how many molotov cocktails they've thrown. Like, put up or shut up
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3/
Marc Andreessen’s Manifesto for Rule by the Few
Drawing on a century-old theory about the inevitability of elite control, billionaire venture capitalist Marc Andreessen champions Silicon Valley as a new ruling class. His worldview revives the reactionary dream of greatness unencumbered by the masses.
(jacobin.com)
The rise of end times fascism | Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
The governing ideology of the far right has become a monstrous, supremacist survivalism. Our task is to build a movement strong enough to stop them
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
8. Marc Andreessen $42,365,113
9. Stephen Schwarzman $40,202,039
10. Timothy Dunn $35,780,200
11. Rob Bigelow $34,991,500
12. Diane Hendricks $33,165,417
13. JJ Ricketts $32,273,650
14. Shirley W. Ryan $32,198,116
15. Warren A. Stephens $25,895,650
16. Isaac & Laura Perlmutter $25,344,890
17. Vince & Linda McMahon $23,961,659
18. Ronnie & Nina Cameron $21,372,500
19. Jan Koum $20,855,091
20. Thomas Klingenstein $17,410,2634/
Why Was Walmart Selling White Nationalist T-Shirts?
T-shirts for the infamous white-power band Skrewdriver were briefly being sold on the Walmart website by third-party retailers.
Rolling Stone (www.rollingstone.com)
Prison labour tied to Walmart and McDonald’s, investigation finds
Two out of three prisoners are likely to be forced labourers
The Independent (www.independent.co.uk)
21. Rob Walton $17,572,601
22. Janet J. Duchossois $16,306,033
23. Howard W. Lutnick $16,503,667
24. Kelcy L. Warren $16,151,105
25. Walter W. Buckley Jr. $15,522,500
26. Thomas Peterffy $14,305,900
27. Anthony Pratt $14,000,000
28. Sherrilyn Fisher $13,299,894
29. David Millstone $13,413,486
30. Lynne Walton $13,037,750
31. Charles Schwab $12,801,600
32. Stephen Wynn $12,518,750
33. Anthony Lomangino $9,529,705 -
I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
Thats purely plotted planned propaganda,
because
PROTEST is literally the only tool (we the) people have to combat corruption at the highest level.
Period.Wish id seen such ridiculous commentary, because id have to object & explain why that in itself is: compliance/complicity/permission.
Protest, 24/7, with ample enough #’s of people, is doable & effective.
And while we succumb to the extravagance of white collar crime & allow it to continue, is acceptance & approval.
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4/
Why Was Walmart Selling White Nationalist T-Shirts?
T-shirts for the infamous white-power band Skrewdriver were briefly being sold on the Walmart website by third-party retailers.
Rolling Stone (www.rollingstone.com)
Prison labour tied to Walmart and McDonald’s, investigation finds
Two out of three prisoners are likely to be forced labourers
The Independent (www.independent.co.uk)
21. Rob Walton $17,572,601
22. Janet J. Duchossois $16,306,033
23. Howard W. Lutnick $16,503,667
24. Kelcy L. Warren $16,151,105
25. Walter W. Buckley Jr. $15,522,500
26. Thomas Peterffy $14,305,900
27. Anthony Pratt $14,000,000
28. Sherrilyn Fisher $13,299,894
29. David Millstone $13,413,486
30. Lynne Walton $13,037,750
31. Charles Schwab $12,801,600
32. Stephen Wynn $12,518,750
33. Anthony Lomangino $9,529,7055/
Trump met with Chris Reyes, leader of giant Rosemont food company
Chris Reyes, co-chairman of Reyes Holdings, is a major Chicago philanthropist and is a big donor to the Republican National Committee.
Chicago Sun-Times (chicago.suntimes.com)
They funded a coup attempt.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2021/02/19/here-are-the-billionaires-who-donated-to-donald-trumps-2020-presidential-campaign/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing/how-reyes-holdings-became-biggest-beer-distributor-us/
https://archive.is/U5N6ohttps://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/biggest-campaign-donors-election-2024/
https://archive.is/f9wGP34. J. Christopher Reyes $9,536,425
35. Jay Winters Faison $9,084,324
36. James Davis $8,497,854
37. John W. Childs $8,694,286
38. Patricia Duggan $8,446,099
39. Richard G. Haworth $7,500,800
40. Marc J. Rowan $8,721,299
41. Jeffrey Specher, Kelly Loeffler $7,052,013
42. John L. Nau III $7,030,556 -
@Remittancegirl I love seeing those interviews where there is some 65 year old white guy who is like “This is my first protest. I’ve never done anything like this before.” because it gives me some hope that more and more people are fed up with things.
@rasterweb Me too. Exactly this!
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5/
Trump met with Chris Reyes, leader of giant Rosemont food company
Chris Reyes, co-chairman of Reyes Holdings, is a major Chicago philanthropist and is a big donor to the Republican National Committee.
Chicago Sun-Times (chicago.suntimes.com)
They funded a coup attempt.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2021/02/19/here-are-the-billionaires-who-donated-to-donald-trumps-2020-presidential-campaign/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing/how-reyes-holdings-became-biggest-beer-distributor-us/
https://archive.is/U5N6ohttps://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/biggest-campaign-donors-election-2024/
https://archive.is/f9wGP34. J. Christopher Reyes $9,536,425
35. Jay Winters Faison $9,084,324
36. James Davis $8,497,854
37. John W. Childs $8,694,286
38. Patricia Duggan $8,446,099
39. Richard G. Haworth $7,500,800
40. Marc J. Rowan $8,721,299
41. Jeffrey Specher, Kelly Loeffler $7,052,013
42. John L. Nau III $7,030,5566/
Keeping gas prices high for their corruption & greed.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-hands-first-sale-of-swiped-oil-to-his-megadonors-company/
'Unchecked Corruption': First US Sale of Venezuelan Oil Goes to Company of Trump Megadonor | Common Dreams
"Trump took Venezuela's oil at gunpoint, and gave it to one of his biggest campaign donors," wrote one US senator.
Common Dreams (www.commondreams.org)
First US Sale of Seized Venezuelan Oil Goes to Company of Trump Megadonor
Proceeds from the oil sale are being stashed in Qatar, an arrangement critics say opens the door to more corruption.
Truthout (truthout.org)
43. John & Shannon V. Addison $6,757,065
44. Robert H. Book $6,986,387
45. Susan Fox $6,687,414
46. Patricia Perkins-Leone $6,606,600
47. Jeffrey Hildebrand $6,508,389
48. Bernard Marcus $9,397,150
49. Steve Brodie $6,481,298
50. Daniel Newlin $6,063,928
51. Trevor D. Rees-Jones $5,765,124
52. Ross & Sarah Perot $5,643,416 -
I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
@Remittancegirl the world is broken not because bad people's actions, but because of good people not doing anything
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6/
Keeping gas prices high for their corruption & greed.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-hands-first-sale-of-swiped-oil-to-his-megadonors-company/
'Unchecked Corruption': First US Sale of Venezuelan Oil Goes to Company of Trump Megadonor | Common Dreams
"Trump took Venezuela's oil at gunpoint, and gave it to one of his biggest campaign donors," wrote one US senator.
Common Dreams (www.commondreams.org)
First US Sale of Seized Venezuelan Oil Goes to Company of Trump Megadonor
Proceeds from the oil sale are being stashed in Qatar, an arrangement critics say opens the door to more corruption.
Truthout (truthout.org)
43. John & Shannon V. Addison $6,757,065
44. Robert H. Book $6,986,387
45. Susan Fox $6,687,414
46. Patricia Perkins-Leone $6,606,600
47. Jeffrey Hildebrand $6,508,389
48. Bernard Marcus $9,397,150
49. Steve Brodie $6,481,298
50. Daniel Newlin $6,063,928
51. Trevor D. Rees-Jones $5,765,124
52. Ross & Sarah Perot $5,643,4167/
Dead billionaire bigots fund Trump's corrupt regime.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2013/12/30/texas-billionaire-harold-simmons-dies-called-obama-most-dangerous-man-in-america/
Harold Simmons, GOP Mega-Donor, Dead at 82
Harold Simmons, a Dallas businessman and billionaire, philanthropist and Republican mega-donor, died Saturday at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. He was 82.
The Texas Tribune (www.texastribune.org)
Tax cheat & polluter
https://publicintegrity.org/politics/top-gop-donor-harold-simmons-dead-at-82/
The GOP's nuke-dump donor - Salon.com
Harold Simmons has given the most money to Republicans this election. Could his nuclear-waste dump be the reason?
Salon.com (www.salon.com)
53. Harold C. Simmons $5,596,530
54. Kelly Navarro $5,373,100
55. Alice Walton $10,248,000
56. Rob Granieri $5,587,899 -
@Remittancegirl the world is broken not because bad people's actions, but because of good people not doing anything
@geliga Eh... I think it's probably both.
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I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
@Remittancegirl there was a brilliant take on this from Nato Green on the Bugle podcast recently. Basically saying mass protest movements have no chance and are never going to win until they do.
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I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
@Remittancegirl Those cynics seem not to know that the Solidarity Movement and the Velvet Revolution accomplished their aims without violence
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I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
@Remittancegirl So true. If peaceful protest was "useless," peaceful protestors wouldn't be frequently beaten up by police for it.
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@HollieK72 @Remittancegirl gathering support is important, but most of people already agree that genocide should be stopped, rich should get taxed and environment should be protected. What more popular support do you need?
@JoannaCanFixIT @HollieK72 @Remittancegirl
"Gathering support" isn't just popular support.If you want direct action (including even simple action like encouraging people to vote), you need a situation where people who agree on things have each others' contact information and know and trust each other. The connections that enable direct action and support for direct action are more easily formed at protests. Dropping into conversation with the people around you and getting to know them is easier because you already have at least one thing in common. If you regularly see the same people at your local protests, you are building a community that didn't exist before.
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I need to warn you that I have very little patience for people who insinuate that getting out onto the streets and protesting is useless and not worth the effort.
It is terribly fashionable to be cynical about civil, peaceful protest. But it is deeply demoralising and often people can be easily dissuaded from making the effort by that cynicism.
No act that joins people together in protest for a better society is useless, even if only because it makes you feel less alone.
