What to do when democracy is eroding?

It’s bad. It’s really bad. 
What are we to do when we are watching our democracy erode around us?

First, you ask your dog walking buddies. Second, you share the list we created walking the dogs. If you read further on, each suggestion is explained at length.

1. Remember joy is resistance. Seek out and create joy every chance you get. Make sure you have a steady stream of delight in each day from watching comedy, to sharing the company of a good friend, to enjoying a creative moment, to even starting a new hobby. If our lives are filled with doom and gloom we will never survive. That said, #2 is important too for the long haul. Read on… 
   
2. Rest & Drink plenty of water because this is a long fight. We’ve got to be ready to dig in. Seriously. This hellscape could continue for four more years. There will be more constitutional crises, economic uncertainty, and arrests. If we are tired, we will not be able to accomplish anything. Rest!  
   
3. Speak Up and Speak Out. Silence is no longer an option. Attend protests. Join an activist group. Learn how to use your voice, even if you are a shy person. That could be by writing postcards, signing petitions, telling your Aunt Wilda at the dinner table that actually, you are more concerned with a measel’s outbreak than trans athletes, leading protest chants at marches, recording ICE arrests on your phone. We cannot remain silent.
   
4. Know your rights! And make sure others, both citizens and undocumented neighbors know their rights. A crash course is below. Also, please share these cards with every undocumented person you know! Make sure to access the best language for the individual(s) you are helping. 
   
5. Be a Good Neighbor. It’s pretty simple, but it is also radical. Watch out for your neighbor. Help your neighbor. Protect your neighbor. Can you imagine if everyone was a good neighbor in every place torn apart by genocide and civil war? Imagine how different human history would be? 
   
6. Stay in your lane. Do the things that you are good at. Affect the change you can. Let the constitutional lawyers argue in court. Let the community organizers gather people together to protest. What are you good at? What are your expertise? Whatever it is, do it well. If we all shared our gifts with the greater community, our resistance could be nearly perfect. 
   
7. Believe in and harness the power of our Democracy. Our democracy is NOT broken. Our system has not failed for 250 years. It’s imperfect, but it is not broken. Take a quick YouTube crash course in the constitution and bill of rights. 
   
8. Focus. You cannot save the world or our country in one day. But you can make a difference in one person’s life. It is easy to become overwhelmed. Affect change and fight for our democracy in your corner of your community.
   
9. Harness your economic power and use it wisely. Do your research and boycott large corporations. And even small ones who fly Trump flags in their place of business.  Make sure your money is not used to support Trump’s economic agenda and war chest.
   
10. Be aware of your privilege. Privilege does not mean you have had an easy life. Privilege is being aware of the status you possess as a result of your gender, class, race, and many other societal norms. For example, if you are a white, straight, and rich woman (me), you could probably get arrested and be fine. You would have the resources for a legal defense. In all likelihood you would not be deported. In the same way, queer, BIPOC and or immigrant communities might not feel safe to march in a protest. What would happen to them if they were arrested?  Being aware of this privilege and lack of it will keep you safe and help you keep others safe.
    

CRASH COURSE IN CITIZEN RIGHTS
American Citizen’s Fundamental Freedoms: 
Freedom of Religion:
The right to practice or not practice any religion, or to have no religious beliefs at all. 
Freedom of Speech:
The right to express oneself freely without government interference, including the right to speak, write, and publish. 

• Freedom of the Press:
  The right to disseminate information and opinions without government censorship. 
  
• Freedom of Assembly:
  The right to gather peacefully with others to advocate for a cause or protest. 
  
• Freedom to Petition the Government:
  The right to seek redress of grievances from the government. 
  

We also have rights in the Legal System:

• Right to a Fair Trial: The right to a fair and impartial trial, including the right to a jury trial.
  
• Right to Due Process: The right to be treated fairly and justly by the legal system.
  
• Right to be Free from Unreasonable Search and Seizure: The right to have your property protected from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
  
• Right to Counsel: The right to have legal representation if accused of a crime. 
  

Finally, we have Political Rights:

• Right to Vote: The right to participate in elections for public officials. 
  
• Right to Run for Elected Office: The right to seek public office. 
  
• Right to Petition the Government: The right to advocate for your interests and seek changes in government policy. 
  
• Freedom from Discrimination: The right to be treated equally regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, or other protected characteristics. 
  

Non Citizens have the following Rights in our country:

• Right to due process of law: This means that non-citizens are entitled to fair treatment under the law, including the right to a fair hearing before being deported. 
  
• Right to legal counsel: Non-citizens have the right to legal representation in immigration proceedings. 
  
• Right to freedom of speech and religion: Non-citizens are protected by the First Amendment. 
  
• Right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures: The Fourth Amendment protects non-citizens from unwarranted searches. 
  
• Right to be with their family: Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm and other sources discuss the importance of family integrity for undocumented immigrants. 
  
• Right to education: While there's no constitutional right to education, undocumented children are generally allowed to attend public schools. 
  
• Right to a safe work environment: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) protects all workers, including non-citizens, from unsafe working conditions. 
  
• Right to be paid fairly: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prohibits discrimination based on immigration status, meaning non-citizens have the right to be paid the same wages for the same work as U.S. citizens. 
  

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