At this moment in our history, I’ve been reflecting on Alice Walker’s famous words: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
Since taking office ten months ago, the second Trump regime has sought to intimidate and coerce people into giving up their power, and in some instances it has succeeded.
And yet, the collective power of individuals and communities to show up for one another, assert our rights, and resist authoritarianism remains—and our efforts are making an impact every day, in courthouses, state houses, and local communities across the country.
The Trump administration was always going to face strong resistance in the courts, given its extreme disregard for the rule of law, and much of that litigation has been successful.
True, the current Supreme Court in some cases has rubber stamped Trump’s abuse of power. But groups like the ACLU and Democracy Forward, as well as state attorneys general have stalled and defeated many of the worst excesses through hundreds of lawsuits.
Those wins are piling up, and the fact remains most judges have a deep understanding of and respect for constitutional law. The First Amendment is alive and well, as reflected in a fiery decision out of Massachusetts rejecting the Trump regime’s assault on academic freedom. The courts alone will not save us, but they offer an important check on the executive branch and can defend the constitutional foundations that exist to guard against autocracy.
In Vermont and nationwide, there are many examples of other leaders and institutions who have stood up to federal overreach and abuse of power with the backing of their local communities.
In February, following a series of threatening executive orders, the Vermont School Board Association briefly removed its policy on the rights of trans students. Community members mobilized in protest, and the policy was quickly reinstated—with an apology. Educational leaders reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fostering inclusive classrooms and protecting the rights of all LGBTQ students.
In August, the Scott administration refused federal requests to send National Guard troops to Washington, asserting that the governor “does not view enforcement of domestic law as a proper use of the National Guard.”
And in September, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas refused to share Vermonters’ voting information with the federal government, citing state law protections that prohibit such disclosure. “[B]y fifth grade, it had become very clear to me that when there’s a bully on the playground, you are not going to win by trying to duck.”
Faced with a hostile federal government, Vermont leaders have mostly—if not always—risen to the occasion in resisting empty threats and legally dubious demands.
In the legislature, the ACLU and our partners are working to strengthen our defenses—including “shield laws” to defend Vermonters’ bodily autonomy, funding for immigration services, and more—though there is still far more to be done to meet the moment. The ACLU’s Firewall for Freedom provides a roadmap for state policymakers to enhance legal protections for vulnerable communities in the coming year.
Most significantly, however, people are not waiting for elected leaders to act – they are showing up for one another every day. More than seven million people in 2,700 communities mobilized for historic No Kings rallies last month. Federal government incursions have consistently been met with creative, peaceful protest nationwide.
In Vermont, nearly 170 civil society organizations, including small businesses, faith groups, libraries, and nonprofits, have signed on to a statement of solidarity, demanding bold leadership and commitment to our shared values of Freedom and Unity. More than 3,000 national groups have joined a similar initiative.
For all the chaos and damage caused by the Trump regime, we must not lose sight of these actions and our many victories big and small. We must continue to urge leaders not to reflexively obey unlawful federal demands and to always assert Vermont’s laws and values to the fullest extent.
And, we must continue to recognize our collective strength, as well as the tactics and strategies that have served resistance movements worldwide:
Be proactive and prepared. Share information and resources. Seek unity and solidarity with diverse people and organizations. Do not comply prematurely or obey unlawful commands. Protest, peacefully. Remain nonviolent, always.
And perhaps most importantly, demand solutions that work for all of us: instead of attacking our communities, our government should be ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met.
None of this is easy. The obstacles we face are daunting and the outcomes are uncertain, but to prevail, we must continually remember our collective power—and use it.