REFUSE FASCISM

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REFUSE FASCISM is a project of the Revolutionary Communist Party initiated to remove President Donald Trump from office. REFUSE FASCISM accepts tax-exempt donations through the Alliance for Global Justice.[1]

Initiators

Initiators include (list in formation):

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Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights

REFUSE FASCISM was a signatory on a May 2022 statement issued by Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights, another Revolutionary Communist Party front group.[3] The statement called for "abortion on demand and without apology" and was issued in the wake of a leak of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which forced states to accommodate the killing of unborn children.

Open Letter to Democracy NOW!

In October 2017, members of REFUSE FASCISM wrote an open letter to Democracy Now!, asking for coverage.[4]

November 4 2017

November 4, 2017

A speech delivered at the “Refuse Fascism National Meeting” by Refuse Fascism co-initiator and member of the Advisory Board[5] Andy Zee on August 5, 2017[6] "affirmed the decision to issue the Call for November 4 and developed plans for Regional Conferences on August 19 to build and organize for November 4." Zee was quoted as saying in part: "[W]e will gather in the streets and public squares of cities and towns across this country, at first many thousands declaring that this whole regime is illegitimate and that we will not stop until our single demand is met: This Nightmare Must End: the Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!" Zee also said that "Refuse Fascism is the hope and the way to drive the Trump/Pence Regime from power."

News media reported in September 2017 that Refuse Fascism was organizing a series of nonviolent protests against the Trump administration, which began on November 4, 2017.[7] Conferences were held in Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in August 2017 in preparation for the protests.[8][9] In an article posted on September 29, 2017, Refuse Fascism claimed[10] that "[E]very branch of government has been taken over by fascists, and their base has been mobilized to enforce their ideology on the streets. White supremacists. Christian theocrats. Violent misogynists" and called for the November 4, 2017 protests to "grow day after day and night after night—thousands becoming hundreds of thousands, and then millions—determined to act to put a stop to the grave danger that the Trump/Pence Regime poses to the world by demanding that this whole regime be removed from power."

Protestors carrying signs reading "NOV 4 IT BEGINS" blocked traffic on U.S. Route 101, near Alameda Street in Los Angeles, on September 26, 2017.[11] The road blockade and the planned protests became the subject of a conspiracy theory alleging that anti-fascist groups were planning to foment a civil war in the United States.[12][13][14][15][16] In an article posted on September 29, 2017, Refuse Fascism claimed[17] that "[E]very branch of government has been taken over by fascists, and their base has been mobilized to enforce their ideology on the streets. White supremacists. Christian theocrats. Violent misogynists..." and called for the November 4, 2017 protests to "grow day after day and night after night—thousands becoming hundreds of thousands, and then millions—determined to act to put a stop to the grave danger that the Trump/Pence Regime poses to the world by demanding that this whole regime be removed from power."

On November 1, 2017, Refuse Fascism placed a full page advertisement[18] in the New York Times titled: "We Will NOT Be Intimidated, In the Name of Humanity, On November 4 We Demand: This Nightmare Must End: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!" A press release announced in part: "Protests demanding the ouster of the Trump/Pence Regime planned for November 4thin New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and more than a dozen other cities are going forward and gathering momentum in the face of a virulent deluge of lies and vicious threats of violence, rape and even death spread by alt-right groups." "Spokespeople" for the press release were listed as Andy Zee, Carl Dix, Sunsara Taylor, Perry Hoberman, and Isabel Cardenas.

In September and October 2017 the claims were reported in multiple articles and broadcasts by InfoWars, by the John Birch Society's publication The New American, and by Richard Spencer's Altright.com website.[13] In October 2017, Executive Chairman, Center for Security Policy, Frank Gaffney and author and activist Trevor Loudon claimed that Refuse Fascism, as a front group for the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, was a maoist organization that emerged from the Students for a Democratic Society known for flag burning and recruiting felons through Global Exchange,[19] a program that has since been discontinued.[20] Later in October, the conservative blog The Gateway Pundit published an article by Lucian Wintrich claiming an "antifa leader" had pledged to "behead white parents" on November 4.[21][12][22] The now-deleted tweet used as the source of the article stated "can't wait for November 4th when millions of antifa supersoldiers [sic] will behead all white parents and small business owners in the town square" was later claimed to be a "joke." The article was shared on Facebook more than 40,000 times.[22] Wintrich "...did not back away from the story, presenting it as a critique of leftist rhetoric".[12] Also in October 2017, rumors circulated claiming that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) had scheduled a power outage for November 4; in fact, the DOD intends to conduct a training exercise alongside the American Radio Relay League, an event that has been held quarterly since 2013, in which the electrical grid will not be turned off.[23][24][25][26] As of October 25, 2017, YouTube videos warning of plans for a civil war had been viewed millions of times;[27] and as of November 2 a viral video entitled "Officer Warns: Antifa To Declare Civil War On Whites Before Year End" had been shared over 55,000 times on Facebook.[28] The conspiracy theory has led to threats to attack the demonstrations and to murder anti-fascists.[13]

Sunsara Taylor said of the claims: "What they're saying is completely false. They're blatant lies, and they're creating and intending to intimidate people who want to stand up to the Trump/Pence regime. It's concerning that these lies are being spread and that they're unleashing threats."[27] Taylor also said that the response "lets us know we've struck a chord, and they recognize the strength of what we are doing."[29] Spencer Sunshine of Political Research Associates argued in October 2017 that "the conspiracy is being used to encourage Far Right activists to harm non-violent Leftist protestors" and that "The organizing function of these 'looming war' narratives serves to motivate the Far Right base, rather than function as actual predictions."[13] Adi Robertson of The Verge wrote on November 3 that "It doesn't necessarily matter how much anyone believes tomorrow's nationwide protest is a civil war—the point is that some people are hoping it will become one."[30]

Manifesto

Refuse Fascism

Based on a Facebook Post by Cornel West:

"Donald Trump, the President-elect, is assembling a regime of grave danger. Millions of people in the US and around the world are filled with deep anxiety, fear, and disgust. Our anguish is right and just. Our anger must now become massive resistance –before Donald Trump is inaugurated and has the full reins of power in his hands.
Should we fail to rise with determination and daring in our millions now to stop this, the consequences for humanity will be disastrous. We, the undersigned, know in the depths of our beings, the catastrophe that will befall the people of the world should the Trump/Pence regime assume full power.
We therefore CALL FOR A MONTH OF RESISTANCE beginning on December 19th, reaching a crescendo by the January 20th 2017 Inauguration.
Our resistance must spread rapidly to every sphere and every corner of the country. Because we refuse to accept a fascist America, millions must rise up in a resistance with a deep determination such that we create a political crisis that prevents the Trump/Pence fascist regime from consolidating its hold on the governance of society.
The Presidency of Donald Trump is illegitimate.
Donald Trump did not win the popular vote. Not even close, he lost by 2.5 million votes. He won the Electoral College – an institution set up in 1787 to protect slavery. This legacy of the most brutal oppression of Black people has become the means that enabled the election of Trump and Pence.
More fundamentally, it is the fascist character of the Trump/Pence regime and what they are planning to do which renders it illegitimate and an immoral peril to the future of humanity and the earth itself.
Under the slogan “Make America Great Again,” Donald Trump has viciously attacked Mexicans and Muslims, threatening to register and deport millions, closing borders. He incites fear and hate of all who are “different” – nationalities, religions, or gender. He crudely demeans and degrades women, openly boasting about molesting them. He champions white supremacy and whips up a racist lynch-mob mentality. Trump has mocked the disabled. He is a bellicose militarist, who threatens to use nuclear weapons. He openly advocates war crimes — including torture. He vows to pack the Supreme Court with justices who will take away the right to abortion and gay rights. He denies science – calling climate change a hoax and will wreak devastation on the environment. He has attacked and threatened the press and stirred up his supporters to do the same. He has threatened to strip citizenship for constitutionally protected dissent. Trump has utter contempt for facts and the truth, and consistently lies to advance his agenda. As for the rule of law, Trump went so far as to openly threaten his opponent, Hillary Clinton, not only with jail, but even assassination. By any definition, Donald Trump is a fascist. He has put together a regime that will carry out this program, and worse.
This is fascism and it is a very serious thing. It has direction and momentum that must be stopped before it becomes too late.
Fascism foments and relies on xenophobic nationalism, racism, misogyny, and the aggressive re-institution of oppressive “traditional values.” Fascism feeds on and encourages the threat and use of violence to build a movement and come to power. Fascism, once in power, essentially eliminates traditional democratic rights. Fascism attacks, jails, even executes its opponents, and launches violent mob attacks on “minorities.” In Nazi Germany in the 1930s and ’40s, fascism did all these things. This is where this can go. And yes, Hitler himself could “talk graciously” when he felt it would serve his interests and lull his opponents.
In the world today, shockwaves reverberate. Over decades in the U.S. virulent movements of white supremacy and anti-immigrant hysteria have gained momentum. A narrow, intolerant, and political form of Christian fundamentalism has been brought into government and policy at all levels. The Trump/Pence cabinet and judiciary will coalesce all of this and worse at the highest level of power, with horrific consequences. No election, whether fair or fraudulent, should legitimize this. “Reaching across the aisle” only legitimizes that which is illegitimate.
If you work with fascists you normalize the road to horror. You cannot try to “wait things out.” Those who lived through Nazi Germany and sat on the sidelines, looking on as Hitler demonized, criminalized, and eventually rounded up one group after another, became shameful collaborators with monstrous crimes. Don’t Conciliate… Don’t Accommodate… Don’t Collaborate!
The Trump Regime Must and Can Be Stopped Before It Starts!
This is not wishful thinking but could be made a reality if all who hate what is represented by this fascist regime translate our outrage into massive mobilization to create the political conditions which make this possible. We are millions. Our only recourse now is to act together outside normal channels. Every faction within the established power structure must be forced to respond to what we do – creating a situation where the Trump/Pence regime is prevented from ruling.
We call on each and every one who opposes what this regime stands for, and what it will do, to take part in and actively build, this resistance and refusal. Organize. Plan. Act.
The Month of Resistance must grow to millions—becoming protests that don’t stop—where people refuse to leave, occupying public space, and more and more people stand up with conviction and courage demanding:
NO! We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America!
Imam Aiyub Abdul-Baki, Ed Asner, Bill Ayers, Fr. Bob Bossie SCJ, Herb Boyd, Charles Burnett, Isabel Cardenas, Margaret Cho, Kia Corthron, Joe Dante, Chuck D, Carl Dix, Alex Ebert, Niles Eldredge, Kurt Elling, Eve Ensler, Charles Gaines, Merrill Garbus, Pastor Gregg L. Greer, David Gunn Jr., Lalah Hathaway, Marc Lamont Hill, Chase Iron Eyes, Everett Iron Eyes Sr., Henry Giroux, Evelyn Fox Keller, Robin D. G. Kelley, Wayne Kramer, John Landis, Julie Mehretu, Vic Mensa, Debra Messing, Jessica Care Moore, Thurston Moore, PZ Myers, Arturo O’Farrill, Michelle Phillips, Milton Saier, Yusef Salaam, Dread Scott, Michael Shannon, Danny Simmons, David Strathairn, Alice Walker, Naomi Wallace, Cornel West, Saul Williams, and thousands more.[31],[32]

The Month of Resistance

Starting 12/19/16, it begins – the day the Electoral College meets to vote in each state: hold a press conference or a protest. Starting now, distribute this Call everywhere and on social media, host house meetings, fundraising events concerts and forums. Everywhere step up the resistance: walkouts from schools and work, protests against attacks and threats on Muslims, women, people of color, LGBT people – all linked to the objective of Stopping the Trump/Pence regime. The struggle must grow.
On MLK weekend, there needs to be massive demonstrations of many thousands in key cities, including Washington. D.C., that grow to millions over the next week, protests that don’t stop . . . where people refuse to leave and more and more people stand up with conviction and courage demanding:
NO! We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America!It’s not enough just to sign this Call – millions, tens of millions of people need to become aware of it in the days and weeks ahead. Print it and distribute it everywhere you go, leave it on buses and trains, in schools, in stores, places of worship, coffee shops … make it go viral on social media … use it as a basis for participating in or organizing activities where you live.[33]

The Plan:

Right now: wave of publishing the Call to Action as a sign-on ad in major newspapers. Initial funds needed as signatories are garnered.
Sat – Mon Jan 14-16: Martin Luther King Weekend actions around which highlight & raise determined opposition to the white supremacist, American chauvinist, religiously bigoted character of this fascist movement and regime which draw forward everything thus far built and build further. People begin coming to DC.
Tues-Thurs Jan 17-18-19: fill the streets of DC with millions, millions more demonstrate in every major city and small town all over US and the world, demanding that Trump-Pence be prevented from taking office before January 20.[34]

REFUSE FASCISM petition

A REFUSE FASCISM petition "RefuseFascism.org Calls for Mass Defiance of Fascist Trolls" "Calls for Mass Defiance of Fascist Trolls In the Name of Humanity – We REFUSE to Accept a Fascist America!"[35]

Signatories

References

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  1. ↑ accessed February 7 2018
  2. ↑ [1]
  3. ↑ https://riseup4abortionrights.org/we-refuse-to-let-the-u-s-supreme-court-deny-womens-humanity-and-decimate-their-rights/ WE REFUSE TO LET THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DENY WOMEN’S HUMANITY AND DECIMATE THEIR RIGHTS! JOIN US IN FIGHTING FOR: ABORTION ON DEMAND AND WITHOUT APOLOGY! (Accessed on June 25 2022)]
  4. ↑ To Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now Team (accessed July 7 2018)
  5. ↑ Template:Cite web
  6. ↑ Template:Cite web
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  12. ↑ Jump up to: 12.0 12.1 12.2 Template:Cite web
  13. ↑ Jump up to: 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Template:Cite web
  14. ↑ Template:Cite web
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  16. ↑ Template:Cite web
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  18. ↑ Template:Cite web
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  22. ↑ Jump up to: 22.0 22.1 Template:Cite web
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  27. ↑ Jump up to: 27.0 27.1 Template:Cite web
  28. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named smith
  29. ↑ Template:Cite web
  30. ↑ Template:Cite web
  31. ↑ [2]
  32. ↑ Cornel West Facebook Post January 5 2017, accessed June 3 2017
  33. ↑ [3]
  34. ↑ [4]
  35. ↑ RefuseFascism.org Calls for Mass Defiance of Fascist Trolls, accessed June 3 2017
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