Coming resistance events in 2017

Information about events or other actions is provided as unverified information only. Please do your own research before deciding to participate.

Looking ahead into 2017

There is a list of upcoming resistance events here in our South Bay Progressives blog.

We must move forward

We Must Resist!

Opinion by Steve Sloan

Moving forward we must look forward. We cannot move forward looking back at what should of been, or looking down fearing what might be, no, instead we can only move forward by looking forward. We need to be seizing the opportunity to hold fast onto our values and to build a world that works for everyone.
Some people think that if one side wins the other side has got to lose. But that's not the way this is going to work. We are all on the spaceship Earth together and the only way for this to work is going to be for everyone to win. This is a win-win opportunity.
Building a world that works for everyone means just that. We need to stand by our principles of love and inclusion, including people we disagree with. Everyone has a right to live a healthy life with respect and dignity. We either all stand together or we all will fall apart.
We can't look back. We can only move forward. The best way to do that is to see this as an opportunity to make fundamental change in the world. Shrinking back in fear and/or anger is not going to change anything. We must stand our ground for our principles, but that does not mean we fight hate by becoming hate.

Exercising our First Amendment rights today

Love Trumps Hate March Today at 3 PM - 5 PM Weather: 54° Mostly Sunny Start Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts 255 Almaden Blvd. San Jose, California 95113

Commitment to non-violence

As we enter a period of public protest, and counter protest, both sides need to both show restraint not to let tempers get to them and to be committed to non-violence. Protest is not disloyalty. Protest is part of the process of American democracy. That is why our constitution includes a bill of rights. Take the right to peacefully assemble and protest away and you have killed everything this country stands for. For America to be America the right of citizens to protest has to remain and be respected – by both sides.

This is far from over! There are going to be a lot of protests ahead. There already has been violence and hate speech on both sides. If we do not condemn hate speech and violence on BOTH sides there is a real danger that this could evolve from passionate conversation to civil war.

One trend I have been seeing is a process of dehumanizing those we disagree with on these issues. There are bullies on both sides. That does not mean everyone from one side or the other are bullies. If you look at history, when people dehumanize the people they disagree with, the outcome often is not pretty.

It's okay to grieve

Click on image above to view video

It's okay to grieve the tragedy that Trump's election as President of the United States represents to many millions of Americans. How I felt when I woke up on the morning of 11/9 (the day after the election) can best be compared to how I felt on the morning of 9/11.

Before 11/9 Racism, misogyny, intolerance of sexual minorities and xenophobia seemed to be on the decline in America. It was like this dangerous monster was being chained up in the corner, still dangerous but chained. After 11/9 it is like the monster has been set free.

It is like waking up and finding the America you loved and believed in, was overnight occupied by a malevolent army – supported by a minority of the American people.

Take Time For Self Care

It's okay... Cry, wallow, watch garbage TV, eat pot brownies, do what you have to do. Remember you have a right to feel whatever you feel. Anger, sorrow, depression, fear... The whole range! Getting it out is good. If we bottle our feelings up they will just come out anyway, perhaps in inappropriate ways.

Do what you need to do to be ready. The time will come to set aside our grief. We are going to have to have the mental space for what comes next, forming the resistance.

The Political Tragedy of 2016

The Great American Political Tragedy of 2016

Like many progressives I think we have had a huge political tragedy in this country. I believe a lot of people are going to be victims of that. In my opinion it was very undemocratic and yes, I feel anger – among other emotions.

This is democracy?

In any other democratic country this would not be an issue. The majority should select the leader. That's the way "We the People" is supposed to work in a democracy. The American presidential election process is different. The process is broken. It is broken when twice in 16 years a president, chosen by a minority, is forced on a majority, because of the electoral college, a process created to protect slavery. In my opinion that is not democracy.

But, Trump won!!!

Yes, he did. He was lawfully selected. But, that "victory" is nowhere near fair and square. Trump used dirty tricks that would have made Nixon blush!

Those liberal are just "crybabies"

Crybabies, for protesting? Protest is part of the process of American democracy. That is why our constitution includes a bill of rights. This is far from over! "They" may soon control the presidency, the senate, the house and maybe even the supreme court but the right to peacefully assemble, speak and protest is still protected by the constitution.

Take that right away and you have killed everything this country stands for. For America to be America the right of citizens to protest has to remain and be respected.

Review, The Price of Salt

This was one of the best books I have ever read. The quality of writing is rich and layered like a glass of fine red wine. It is intelligent and full of passion in and of the story.

Salt, as I read it, is a metaphor for passion, love and companionship - the kind person who we often call "the one." This book is an important book on so many levels. 

The Price of Salt (later republished under the title Carol) is a 1952 romance novel by Patricia Highsmith, first published under the pseudonym "Claire Morgan". At the time homosexuality was a crime and just being a lesbian could be enough to cost a woman custody of her child. The topic was so sensitive the author had to use a pseudonym.

In the book Carol Aird and another woman named Therese become lovers. Carol and her estranged husband Harge are going through a divorce. They have a daughter, Rindy. The book is about Carol's relationship with Therese and how that romance is used as a weapon by Harge, in their divorce, to take away Rindy.

The Price of Salt is a wonderful love story, and so much more. In terms of same sex relationships, it also tells the story of how bad things were for same sex couples, how far we have come and how cultural values can destroy, instead of reinforce, loving families that are not culturally normative.

We can look back on history and say shame on them then. But, these kinds of attacks still go on on people who love differently. My polyamorous friend Gracie (an excellent mom) went through a similar court battle not long ago. One of her partner's ex-wife went after him and tried to block his custody rights because of his relationship with Gracie. This kind of stuff still happens.

Knowing what she went through and knowing that this story is not just history, but in other contexts is political science, made this story especially poignant for me.