So let’s talk about the (small, astroturfed) protests against the #COVID19 closures/quarantines/etc for a minute. It’s tempting to point at these people and mock them or condemn them for seemingly threatening public health.

Hold your fire for a minute and hear me out. 1/

I think the first thing we need to consider is: What is upsetting about the protests?

Is it the act of protesting #COVID19 containment measures that we’re upset about? Or the lack of social distancing at those protests? Is it ok for people to protest if they stay 6 ft apart? 2/

If these protesters maintained a distance of 6 feet, would that be ok? Or do you think it’s inherently bad that they’re protesting public health measures, regardless of whether they’re abiding by social distancing rules?

If it’s inherently dangerous, should they be stopped? 3/

Yes, it’s ridiculous to protest public health measures. But I don’t think the act of protesting itself is the problem; I think the act of violating social distancing guidelines is the problem. And that’s an important difference, if you value your fundamental civil rights. 4/

If we say the act of protesting is the problem — regardless of whether it’s done lawfully/safely — we’re opening the door to criminalizing dissent. That may even seem reasonable in this instance. But what happens next?

Do you trust that Trump won’t abuse that power? 5/

Do you trust that Trump won’t use the cover of public health to punish Democratic opponents in states with sanctuary city laws? He’s already done it — and New York was among his major targets.

What happens when he does it again? Are you ok with criminalizing dissent then? 6/

Scientists expect a 2nd wave of the pandemic, and it may hit around November. We should obviously be working overtime to get mail-in voting established nationwide. But Trump is rejecting a bailout for the USPS — so how do we mail in our ballots if he sabotages postal services? 7/

If Trump sabotages mail-in voting and imposes laws criminalizing public demonstrations, what will you do? Will you stay inside, trust the Trump admin, & wait it out?

Do you trust them to act in your best interest when they’ve lied to you all along? 8/ https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/03/13/analysis/truth-about-coronavirus-scary-global-war-truth-even-scarier

The protests taking place right now are ridiculous, stupid, and dangerous. But they’re also small & astroturfed. They appear larger & more widespread because of the media/social media frenzy, which is driving people to call for crackdowns like bringing in the National Guard. 9/

Yes, we are fighting a deadly virus. But we're also still fighting a power-hungry fascist regime that is salivating at the idea of imposing draconian restrictions in the name of "public health."

The rights we give up willingly now won't be given back willingly in the future. 10/

Right now, the measures being imposed to control #coronavirus are justified. But it's a slippery slope. We should never just hand over our freedoms without considering where it could lead — and without recognizing that if we go too far down that road, there's no turning back. 11/

The DOJ is already citing #coronavirus to try to suspend parts of the Constitution & force through inhumane immigration laws grounded in xenophobia & nationalism, not science.

This is how authoritarians gain public support for consolidating power. 12/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-department-coronavirus-laws/2020/03/23/6b860018-6d01-11ea-b148-e4ce3fbd85b5_story.html

Is this the tipping point where we descend into full-blown fascism? I don't know. But it's absolutely a test to see how easily we'll give up our rights to an administration that has tried to seize those rights for 3+ yrs.

So will you "Resist"? Or will you quietly surrender? 13/

"An atmosphere of panic and terror followed the [Reichstag fire]. ...The Nazi Party used the atmosphere of panic to their advantage."

Within a day, Hindenburg signed a decree giving Hitler emergency powers "for the protection of the German people."

We know how that ended... 14/

Right now, public health is a compelling reason to restrict some of our basic rights. But that won't always be the case. It would be a grave mistake to become so accustomed to these restrictions that we surrender our right to object to future crackdowns based on today's fear. 15/

Also: The protesters want you to be outraged. There’s a theatrical element to public protest — & you’re part of it. So instead of raging about random people with signs, rage about the politicians who let this happen. Then, use your vote to make sure your protest is heard. 16/

(And I’ll add one caveat: There are a handful of violent people & groups involved in some of these protests. They’re not the driving force, but they’re present. Anyone who incites or promotes premeditated attacks should face charges — not for protesting, but for violence). 17/