My famous last words, as I began this blog, were that I would post weekly. Those words have quickly been replaced with a promise to post when I can. I have been pulled away with other professional commitments, and it is never a great idea to commit to doing something on a schedule, at least not for me. When I can post, though, will be more often going forward than it has been recently.

I think part of my hesitation to post has also been a sense of distress over the rapid deterioration of human rights and the rule of law in the U.S., my home country. The speed and quick shifts of direction that underpin those developments have been disorienting and depressing. That is, no doubt, the intention. It isn’t that the developments themselves are that surprising. What has been demoralizing, though, is the speed with which it has all happened, and the readiness to capitulate by the Democratic institutions that were designed to stop this type of attack. I posted, early on, that I had faith in U.S. courts. That faith remains in the lower courts, but the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) has not lived up to that hope. Congress has been passive, and the majority party in power does not really justify that passivity in this situation. Institutions such as universities and media organizations have been all too quick to capitulate.

Obviously, I write from a position of great privilege in relation to those events, on several levels, not the least of which is that I am observing them from greater safety (for now at least) in Canada. Too many people, who are the targets of horrors like the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) kidnappings on the streets, do not have the option of stepping back, and that means those of us, like me, in more privileged positions should not step back either.

It is interesting that I last posted not too long after the first No Kings Day protests, which were large and led to at least a momentary feeling of optimism. The second such protests are happening today, all over the U.S. and around the world. The protests are happening in spite of aggressive lies being told by some in the U.S. Government, accusing those protesting of being members of the largely fictitious “Antifa,” or of “hating America.” Those lies, and let us not sugar coat what they are, are coupled with other actions the U.S. Government has promised against “Antifa,” including criminally charging for “association” with this largely fictitious group. Threats of violence against protestors have appeared all over social media. In spite of those obvious threats, the organization behind the protests has said that the number of people signing up promises the largest protests in U.S. history. Apparently, the number of people signing up went up significantly after U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson repeated the lies about the protests being organized by “Antifa” and (or?) “pro-Hamas” people and by those hating America. The increase in signups is an obvious repudiation of that false narrative.

Protests around the country have occurred daily for some time. The courage it takes for people to stand up this way to a regime that is quick to violence or to smear (and even prosecute) its political opponents is impressive. In Portland, dishonest governmental statements about the city being a war zone led to a viral and amusing standoff between ICE agents and a protestor dressed up in an inflatable frog costume, as well as an “emergency” naked bike ride. It is difficult to paint a frog or a naked cyclist as violent members of “Antifa.” Humour has proven to be an effective tool. 

State governors, academics, comedians, journalists, and many others have spoken up against the abuses of this regime. In spite of depressing scenes playing out across the country, there is still hope in the courage of individuals, and in the collective power of the People, who will not be intimidated into silence. Peaceful protest is a core American value, regardless of the lies to the contrary told by the current U.S. regime. Nothing could be more patriotic. The First Amendment is still operating, in spite of aggressive attempts to suppress free speech, and I applaud those stepping up today and every day to exercise their First Amendment rights. 

I am inspired by that courage, and, today, I send a message to my fellow Americans of hope and solidarity. Stay peaceful, stay safe, and stay loud. In the end, the People, represented by courageous individuals and collective stances, are our best hope.