Big groups of people can be unruly. There have been plenty of riots after sports games. To protect yourself and present peaceful resistance, learn new skills.
The ACLU, Indivisible, No Kings and others have online trainings about your rights at a protest, how to de-escalate, and more.
Zoom in or Zoom out on the news. Pick a story you’ve seen on social media and read two news articles that are either extremely local, or international.
Buy lunch for a friend who is demographically (age, race, class, etc.) different from you. Ask them how they’re doing, and really listen to what they say.
Don’t dive directly into politics or point out your differences. Just build the relationship naturally.
Are you all-in on Halloween? Plan a party or yard display around a political theme like “Death of Democracy.” Plan a political costume that expresses your hopes or fears.
If you live in a conservative area, turn up the volume on a caricature of Trump. Then play it perfectly straight.
Click through for inspiration.
Cards and postcards are harder to ignore than phone calls or emails. There are a number of well-developed active campaigns. (Click through for details.)
Buy stamps, paper and pens, and go to town!
Postcard Protest Find Out How »
Staying informed but calm is a trick these days. To avoid disconnecting or shutting down with overwhelm, curate your news sources regularly. Do you have reliable, steady voices that use rational, calm language? Raise the volume on those, while minimizing ones that leave you feeling so panicked you can’t act.
Are you in a profession that gets a TON of Starbucks gift cards? Teachers, daycare, even students are given small Starbucks gift cards as though it’s the national currency.
Regift them to people living on the street. Even a small purchase provides WiFi, charging and bathroom access.
Regift Starbucks Find Out How »
Buy tickets for yourself (and a friend?) and attend a local entertainment event, especially if it’s a benefit for a cause you value! Musicians, spoken word poets, theatre — get out and have some fun saving the world!
On October 1st, 2025 our public media went without public funding for the first time in their history. We fix that by funding them directly. Donate, volunteer, or buy merchandise.
Support Public Media Find Out How »
