Check for web archive captures
Keeping Everyone Safe in Trump's America
By maudeaster on 2017-01-13 11:24:42
As Trump’s America is about to unfold, these are the fears on my mind: Will a Trump Muslim Registry bring back the terror
to Muslim families that 2001-style deportations are close behind? Will restraints |».immigration-raidbe rolled-back on police
harassment and violence, leaving African Americans with increased fear of driving-while-Black, living-while-Black? Will
immigrant families be forced out of schools and jobs and live in fear of deportations? Will the LGBTQ community face
increased hate crimes? Will repealed Obamacare leave low income families terrified of no health care access when illness or
injury strikes? Will bullying Presidential tweets be a signal call for increased attacks on all vulnerable groups? Whether all
or just some of my fears are |».trump-mulsim-reigistryrealized, I’ve been thinking about ways I want to prepare myself to
help preserve safety—and peace — at home. Since I was young I have heard stories of the courageous acts by people during
the Nazi round-ups of Jews, gay people and others: families opening their home to hide Jewish neighbors, the king of
Denmark and many other Christians donning yellow stars when the Nazis ordered Jews to wear them, people organizing
smuggling routes to rescue endangered children. I have always wondered whether I would have the courage needed to help
other people to safety and to organize the resistance needed. I hope we are not all tested in the worst of these ways, but I
think we need to be prepared. To me it’s partly a matter of making pledges now to be there when needed and strengthening
my skills to intervene when someone is threatened. I’m white, straight, US-born, a Quaker and have good health insurance.
So, what I’ve been thinking about is how to be a good and persistent ally. I think being public about our beliefs is critical
to impact the social climate on what behavior is acceptable in our community. I believe demonstrations demanding
protection and tolerance do make a difference:
¢ Citizen Action has coordinated the creation of large coalition of Capital District organizations which will hold an
Inaugurate Resistance event_ starting with workshops at noon at 155 Washington Ave, Albany, with a march and rally
at4PM. Attending will be a great way to get connected with others and to learn about both the threats and ways to
resist them. Going to DC or New York City that day to join the marches of women and their allies are good options,
too.
¢ Crowds of community members attending the Albany Common Council were successful in securing a Council
renunciation of|®.:sanctuary-city-albany Trump's "divisive and destructive rhetoric" and a reaffirmation of 2009
legislation that called on city officials to refrain from “unnecessary measures concerning an individual’s immigration
status”.
¢ Multiple vigils across the Capital District supporting refugees, Muslims and targets of racism and homophobia have
already |»image038rallied faith groups, students and other to speak up against already occurring and potential hate
crimes.
e Across the country: faith communities are considering becoming sanctuaries for endangered people; students are
talking about creating sanctuary campuses; non-Muslims are pledging to sign if a Muslim Registry is implemented.
There are also great ways to decorate ourselves and our neighborhoods to affirm tolerance: —_ [caption
id="attachment_9355" align="aligncenter" width="357"]
lw..We Stand Against Racism and Islamophobia. Poster and Decal from Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia We
Stand Against Racism and Islamophobia. Poster and Decal from Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia[/caption]
¢ Decal from the Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia for our own front doors and local stores:
¢ Coexist Tolerance Flags, like those that hang on the porches of multiple houses in my neighborhood.
° |» .coexistence-flag
Language.
We can also practice in advance how to intervene in a threatening or bullying situation. My sister-in-law shared these
wonderfully practical and creative resources:
e The 4D’: Bystander Intervention Tactics: Direct, Distract, Delegate & Delay
¢ Say Something Superhero Field Guide: A Manual for Eliminating Interpersonal Violence.
If you have other good strategies for how we can wage peace and provide security for all in the coming times, please do
send write a comment below to share them. Thanks.
