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The CNY Solidarity Coalition hosted a discussion Monday advocating for direct action in response to restrictive federal actions taken by President Donald Trump.

Titled “Nonviolent Direct Action: Learning from Past Struggles to Stop MAGA,” panelists shared insights from their personal experiences in social-political activism, highlighting the importance of recognizing democracy as a responsibility and calling for collaboration among communities in protecting it.

“We started right after Trump got elected the first time with the intention of saving the world from Trump,” Peter McCarthy, a coalition committee member, said. “Here we are again, suddenly with a great deal of interest now in what we can do.”

McCarthy said there are two ways to peacefully resist the new administration’s actions; first, he suggested active resistance to repressive legal policies, similar to the nonviolent demonstrations used in the fight for women’s suffrage and the Civil Rights movement, such as sit-ins and blockades.

He also encouraged advocates to participate in marches and rallies that aim to state their case without “blocking” — a protest tactic used to prevent an event from taking place by physically obstructing entrances. While these actions may provoke opposition, McCarthy said remaining peaceful is key to preventing escalation.

Jonathan Brenneman, a Palestinian American and member of Syracuse Peace Council Justice for Palestine, referenced a list of 365 tactics for non-violent direct action, created by Michael Beer, a non-violence theorist. Most of them were developed by marginalized communities, Brenneman said.

Direct action is received differently when employed by minority groups in place of white Americans, Brenneman said. In many instances, he said the oppressed are treated worse by politicians and law enforcement.

“It’s easy to go after people of color first, and to go after marginalized communities first, to go after unpopular campaigns first,” Brennenman said. “That’s what we see happening in the US right now.”

Ellen Grady, an activist with Ithaca Catholic Worker, said civil obedience – instead of disobedience — has fostered widespread acceptance of damaging systems for many Americans. She emphasized the importance of supporting these groups, saying that building community is crucial in today’s political climate, where activism is key to challenging growing division and injustice.

“I consider what I do as part of a faith-based, non-violent direct action,” Grady said. “I’m very informed by the gospel of love and the feeling of loving our neighbor.”

Sean Sterling | Staff Photographer

The CNY Solidarity Coalition panel emphasized the importance of nonviolent resistance, drawing lessons from movements like Women’s Suffrage and Civil Rights. Activists encouraged strategic, peaceful actions.

Grady also encouraged people to enter political conversations they’re passionate about, stressing the importance of dividing the work and working efficiently. If these movements were better organized, they would be much further along and wouldn’t feel “so fragmented,” Grady said.

For many in attendance, this fragmentation and ensuing isolation has been difficult. Nancy Fasoldt, an attendee from Baldwinsville, voiced her concern about the lack of a unified voice, citing the overwhelming number of social and economic issues facing the country.

“It just seems to me, we could have a louder voice if we are all singing out of the same ‘we got to protect our Constitution’ songbook,” Fasoldt said.

In the past two weeks, the Trump administration has dismissed tens of thousands of federal workers, carrying out what appears to be a purge of probationary employees in their first or second year. The administration also laid off hundreds of FAA employees just weeks after the Jan. 29 collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane.

As of Feb. 20, Trump has signed more than 70 executive orders, including measures to crack down on illegal immigration and ban transgender people from serving in the military. He continues to expand the Department of Government Efficiency’s power, including by limiting federal agencies’ ability to hire new staff.

Aly Wane, an undocumented human rights organizer, noted Trump’s approval rating is decreasing after his first month in office, reflecting “a crack in the Trump administration.” A poll conducted by Reuters earlier this month found that 44% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance as president — down three points from its Inauguration Day poll.

Wane said growing disapproval of Trump shows his policies don’t reflect the interests of the American people, and as rights are eroded and institutions dismantled, it can lead to widespread destruction.

“It’s hard to know what’s going to happen, but we need to stand up and be bold and think together, because it’s not just about taking action,” Andy Mager, a community organizer with the Syracuse Peace Council, said. “It’s about taking action that’s well thought out and strategic to make a difference.”

Mager also emphasized the shared responsibility of protecting democracy for all Americans, encouraging action instead of complacency.

Wane connected this to the policies of both Obama and Trump, which claimed to target only undocumented immigrants who were criminals, not law-abiding immigrants. However, Wane said, this was not the reality of what occurred.

“One of the ways that Trump will succeed is if we cede our power to him, if we don’t assert our rights and say, ‘No, we have the right to this’,” Mager said. “Doing that in all kinds of situations is good sort of practice.”

Published on February 25, 2025 at 1:27 am

Contact Madeline: mmgoodhe@syr.edu