Scientists Must Act: Five Ways You Can Stand Up to Authoritarianism Today - SLRPNK
cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/33431921
[https://slrpnk.net/post/33431921] > > The killing of Alex Pretti, and the
immediate lies and propaganda about his death from President Trump and his
cronies, offer another dangerous example of how authoritarianism threatens our
democracy. The administration immediately blamed the victim—a nurse who worked
at a VA hospital—attempting to gaslight the public into not believing their own
eyes. This is a clear hallmark of authoritarianism
[https://blog.ucs.org/jennifer-jones/what-authoritarian-regimes-do/]. The
president and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have tried to wrongly
frame Pretti, prior shooting victim Renee Good, and others as domestic
terrorists, because they dared challenge the Trump administration’s illegal and
immoral actions. > > > > As I have written elsewhere, authoritarianism in
today’s world comes about by chipping away at democracy
[https://blog.ucs.org/jennifer-jones/divide-and-destroy-a-new-year-of-the-trump-administrations-authoritarianism/],
piece by piece. We are witnessing state-perpetuated violence and the rapid
erosion of democratic norms that put all of our families at risk. Consolidation
of executive power, with acquiescence of Congress and the highly partisan
Supreme Court, are serious warning
[https://tcf.org/content/report/centurys-new-democracy-meter-shows-america-took-an-authoritarian-turn-in-2025/]s
of authoritarianism in the United States. But we know we can defeat
authoritarianism
[https://commonslibrary.org/the-anti-autocracy-handbook-a-scholars-guide-to-navigating-democratic-backsliding/],
and history provides powerful lessons for the special role that scientists
[https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aea9328] can and must play to
defend democracy. > > > > ## Scientists play a part in civil society > > > > The
vast majority of Americans—77%—trust scientists to act in the public’s best
interests, according to a poll just released
[https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2026/01/15/americans-confidence-in-scientists/]
in January 2026. Scientists as a group have higher levels of public confidence
than many other groups, including business leaders and elected officials. We
must also recognize that democracy is an enabling environment for science, which
is premised on an unfettered search for truth. The attacks on science
[https://blog.ucs.org/jules-barbati-dajches/the-trump-administrations-assault-on-vaccines-endangers-us-all/]
in the past year under the administration’s funding cuts for lifesaving research
slashed tens of thousands of scientific jobs, used fear and intimidation to stop
scientists from speaking to the public, extorted universities, and ignored the
best available evidence for policy making. The Trump administration has even
ordered USDA scientists
[https://www.agriculture.com/partners-trump-administration-orders-usda-to-investigate-foreign-researchers-it-work-with-11889911]
to investigate their international collaborators. This is the chipping away that
threatens not only science, but democracy. Scientists cannot keep our heads
down. We must use the trust the public has placed in us to help protect our
neighbors, our communities, and our country. > > > > These tactics below are
simple, no-nonsense actions proven to defend against authoritarianism
[https://commonslibrary.org/resisting-authoritarianism/]. But to be effective,
you must start. Immediately. Apathy and despair are powerful weapons of
authoritarianism, because they allow silence, fear and resignation to thrive.
Courage—the triumph over fear—will help us defend democracy. > > > > ## 1. Speak
out, fight propaganda > > > > When democratic norms are threatened, we must
speak out. Challenge authoritarian rhetoric in your own social circles
[https://www.indivisiblemarin.org/personal-outreach]. Learn to speak out against
the dehumanization
[https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stop_dehumanization_before_it_goes_too_far]
used by President Trump and his cronies as they seek to divide “us” and “them.”
If you are able, write an op ed
[https://e1.nmcdn.io/assets/andrewgoodman/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/A-Toolkit-For-Writing-Op-Eds.pdf],
engage with media, make your voice public. Those of us opposing the Trump
administration’s authoritarianism are actually a majority
[https://sri.siena.edu/2026/01/22/new-york-times-siena-national-poll-special-survey-of-american-voters-after-first-year-of-trumps-second-term/].
Normalize speaking out against state-sponsored violence and propaganda. Do not
wait for them to come for you. > > > > ## 2. Show up, build community > > > >
For those of us able to do so, it’s time to use and protect the public square.
Learn how [https://www.ucs.org/resources/resources-federal-scientists] to
practice nonviolent resistance [https://nonviolencetoolkit.com/] and show up to
rallies, marches, vigils, meetings, and more. We are most powerful when we work
in coalition with others. Use a toolkit to find and work with others
[https://choosedemocracy.us/what-can-i-do/] or start a local rapid response
network [https://www.freewaproject.org/resources]. Build community by connecting
with groups already organizing, like faith groups
[https://protectdemocracy.org/work/organizing-and-training-for-collective-action/],
schools, local nonprofits, veterans groups, and unions. Push the scientific and
professional societies you’re part of to publicly challenge the rising
authoritarianism: urge conference organizers to include themes on
authoritarianism and democracy, support independent science initiatives
[https://www.ucs.org/resources/independent-science-initiative], and fight for
scientific integrity
[https://blog.ucs.org/guest-commentary/how-the-scientific-community-can-defend-itself-and-our-democracy/].
> > > > ## 3. Hold elected leaders accountable > > > > Holding elected leaders
accountable is a critical feature of democracy
[https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/holding-leaders-accountable-essential-feature-democracy].
Those leaders work for us, not for a party, president, or ideology. While
Congress has played a key role in allowing President Trump’s authoritarian
tactics, demanding accountability is the path back to democracy
[https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/democracy-governance/democracy-2025-harvard-professors-rising].
To stop further consolidation of power, we must fight for the rule of law. Call
your elected leaders, from local to state to federal, as it is proven to make an
impact
[https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/5oStggnYLGzomhvvn/talking-to-congress-can-constituents-contacting-their].
Use the Ballotpedia tool [https://ballotpedia.org/Who_represents_me] to identify
your elected leaders and their contact information. Use a toolkit to help you
advocate [https://www.aclusocal.org/legislative-advocacy-toolkit/] effectively.
Learn to write a sign-on letter
[https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2017/02/writing-a-sign-on-letter.pdf].
Share your story
[https://secure.ucs.org/a/2026-science-interrupted-evidence-harm] of how you
have been personally impacted. Attend a town hall or local meeting. Remind your
elected leaders that their power is derived from you, the public. > > > > ## 4.
Defend elections now > > > > Authoritarians seek to corrupt elections
[https://protectdemocracy.org/work/the-authoritarian-playbook/#corrupting-elections]
by undermining the norms, institutions and minority rights
[https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-democracies-defend-themselves-against-authoritarianism/]
critical to a true electoral democracy. They tilt the rules in their favor
through tactics like gerrymandering; they suppress votes through restrictive
voter laws
[https://blog.ucs.org/liza-gordon-rogers/voter-access-would-be-threatened-by-new-bills/];
and, historically, the worst regimes have tried to deter voting and civic
participation through fear and intimidation, including the use of military
forces on neighborhood streets. > > > > In the wake of the killing of Alex
Pretti, US Attorney General Pam Bondi demanded
[https://www.newsweek.com/pam-bondi-ice-minnesota-shooting-tim-walz-letter-voter-files-11413859]
the Governor of Minnesota turn over voter rolls, to which the federal government
has no Constitutional right
[https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/trump-administration-has-sued-more-20-states-refusing-turn-over-voter],
before the federal government would reduce the presence of immigration agents in
Minneapolis—directly connecting the intimidation of Minnesotans with the
administration’s effort to control and manipulate elections. > > > > To
safeguard elections you can volunteer to become a poll worker
[https://workelections.org/], engage your community
[https://www.nonprofitvote.org/resource/24-ideas-to-engage-voters-in-2024/] on
issues and candidates through events, or support get out the vote efforts. Learn
and train others to fight election disinformation
[https://citap.unc.edu/electoral-info-toolkit/]—deliberately false information
about voting, election security, election outcomes and more meant to change
voter behavior. States hold the key to protecting election
[https://votingrightslab.org/report/four-essential-steps-states-can-take-to-safeguard-our-elections/#h-states-hold-the-key-to-protecting-our-elections]
systems and structure, so hold your local leaders accountable. > > > > ## 5.
Provide mutual aid for others > > > > Mutual aid is an act of resistance
[https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/mutual-aid-act-resistance-and-community-support]
that fights fear and builds solidarity. Mutual aid is about neighbors helping
each other by exchanging material resources and services, such as delivering
groceries to folks who cannot safely leave their house. Mutual aid turns
networks of care into networks of power
[https://protectdemocracy.org/work/the-faithful-fight-toolkit-providing-and-advocating-for-mutual-aid/]
and reduces dependence on coercive institutions. Talk to neighbors, faith
groups, and schools to see if there are immediate needs. Use the mutual aid hub
[https://www.mutualaidhub.org/] or check local social media to find ways you can
support your own community. Learn more and share with others about the benefits
of mutual aid
[https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NO-LOGOS-Mutual-Aid-101_-Toolkit.pdf],
or go deeper and learn how to get involved with mutual aid organizing
[https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NO-LOGOS-Mutual-Aid-101_-Toolkit.pdf].
> > > > ## Resistance is an act of hope > > > > Scholars who have studied
authoritarianism around the world note the gravest danger is not repression but
complacency
[https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/american-authoritarianism-levitsky-way-ziblatt?check_logged_in=1].
President Trump and his cronies will continue to use fear and intimidation, and
we must guard against exhaustion and resignation. Now is the time for scientists
to step forward: to speak publicly against state-sponsored violence, to stand up
for evidence-based policy, to advocate for institutions and norms that protect
scientific integrity, and to engage your communities in the shared work of
defending democracy.
xekola
nasquamesse
*|FNAME|*
geneva_convenience
