How to do it:

Part of the reason the 3.5% rule works is that people military or police are more likely to refuse orders to fire on civilians if they feel empathy for people in the crowd. Military defection is almost always fatal to regimes. We want to rebuild human connections now.

If you have friends or family in service, reinforce those relationships. If you’re estranged, start small and avoid politics. Send a postcard or chatty email. Ask how they’re doing. If they’re far from home, consider sending a care package. (How about locally made foods, like honey and jam from the farmer’s market?)

Cultural sensitivity is the first step in alliance, and most Americans hold misconceptions about military protocols and culture. Remember that asking someone to educate you about their culture is labor: they are doing you the favor. If you have a trusted veteran friend, ask if they’d be willing to talk with you about some of the things happening. Listen more than you talk. Be respectful, even when you disagree or think they’re wrong.