What is Radical Resistance?

Group photo from our most recent Coralville Training! Small but mighty!

We are fortunate to be in community together. I am reminded of this all the time, and in particular, I am thinking of my friendships with loved ones who work for national progressive legislators or within cutting edge, progressive organizations. The people who have named Trump's administration for the authoritarian regime it is since day one, and are gaining momentum and support across the country.

We are part of a national movement to resist people obsessed with power and control. We see this at the national level with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent primary win and others like him who are not only winning elections, but then making change happen within local government to serve people more directly. And those like Senator Bernie Sanders who have been pushing radical progressive change for decades and are turning around to lift others up.

I am not saying Mandi and I are anywhere near the level of Mayor Mamdani, but we were elected in the same year, with similar values, and ideals that push the status quo. And you voted for us and pushed us past the primary election. So WE are part of this national resistance and re-imagining movement.

Which brings me to the Resistance trainings. Back this last winter, I was told I should check out Rep. Pramila Jayapal's Resistance Lab workshops. She was hosting virtual sessions that connected people across the country and provided information and organizing skills as a response to the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. This particular training was focused on shoring up the 4th Amendment protections for immigrants in our communities. This is where I was provided a template resolution to bring to our county. It had already been vetted by attorneys and was focused on immigrants in a way that felt less extractive. I was unable to get it passed at the county, but it did spark some much needed conversations and deepening of relationships with our immigrant-led organizations.

So here is what we offer in these trainings:

• A place to gather with people who are curious or believe in resisting authoritarianism

• Some skills for approaching neighbors/co-workers/family members to discuss the impacts of what is going on in the world, the harms we witness everyday, and how we can work together to support one another

• You will leave with an idea about an event or way you would like to engage a small group and an outline for how to carry it out

• Most of all you will have a space to ideate and gather with people who believe we are able to make this place we call home a better/safer place together

We have one more training coming up:

Thursday, September 17th

5:30-7:30pm

North Liberty Library, Meeting Rooms A,B,C & D

RSVP here

I hope you can make it!!

Maraming Salamat,

V