Indivisibles,

No Kings III now has a date: March 28. It’s going to be the largest protest in American history, and the flagship event will be the largest in Twin Cities history. 

But what’s the point of a protest, even an historically huge one? Last week, we had our friend and social movement expert Erica Chenoweth of “3.5%” fame on What’s the Plan to discuss the logic of No Kings (you should check out the new WTP podcast here -- like, share, etc, thanks). 

It’s easy to overplay or underplay the role of mass mobilizations. So let’s review two strawman sides of the debate:

Argument A: Protests are the sole answer. Some folks think the “3.5% rule” means all we need is to get 11-12 million people to show up, and suddenly fascism loses. Already with last year’s mobilization, Trump has seen a string of electoral defeats, his poll numbers are in the toilet, and his congressional coalition is fracturing. But as Chenoweth counsels: That 3.5% has to be actively engaged in the work of opposition, before and after national actions. One-day protests aren’t a magic solution to fascism.

Argument B: Protests don’t work. Others discount protest entirely. Sure, we saw protests hit historic levels last year. But then what have we seen this year? Venezuela. Greenland. An amped-up secret police force murdering people in the streets. If anything, the regime is escalating. As we discussed with Chenoweth, while the regime is undeniably weakened, weakened authoritarians lash out. We should expect more of that as the walls close in on Trump -- it’s a sign of weakness, not strength.

Where does that leave us? 

Reality: Protests are a tactic. Think of organizing like this: goal, strategy, tactics.  A campaign that starts with tactics is never gonna accomplish much. A goal with no strategies or tactics is never gonna get us where we want to go. So think in this order: goal, strategy, tactics.

• Our goal: Stop the fascist regime from consolidating its grip on power.
• Our strategy: Organize overwhelming, nonviolent people power and foster a culture of mass defiance.
• Our tactics: No Kings is one tactic, that fits into our strategy, and aims to achieve our goal. Specifically, No Kings is designed to do three things: 

1. Model defiance on a national scale. Optimism in the face of fascism is one of the most accessible forms of defiance. The regime’s plan is to scare everyone into submission. But millions of people taking to the streets calls the regime's bluff, and is a powerful display of optimistic noncompliance.
2. Create social proof that opposition is widespread. Humans are social animals. We follow each other. A massive demonstration of popular opposition helps reinforce that wherever you are, you’re not alone. Courage is contagious, but it only spreads if people see it.
3. Recruit folks who were not previously active. People-powered movements depend on new people flooding into their local organizing home. From ICE watch to mutual aid to advocacy to electoral work, everyone starts somewhere, and each No Kings is the entry point for millions to get involved beyond one day of protest. 

This is all important enough that Indivisible's throwing everything we have into making No Kings III historically huge. I think that’s a good investment of time, energy, and money. 

And I also know it's not enough. 

Where we’re headed. The people of the Twin Cities are showing us our future. The deep, daily neighborhood-by-neighborhood organizing is breathtaking. It’s what it looks like when contagious courage becomes endemic. 

There’s a big lesson there, and in the regime’s sadistic response. This regime doesn't intend to deescalate. It's going to ramp up attacks on our communities while doing everything possible to subvert elections and hold onto power. To defeat fascism, we're going to have to marry the breadth of No Kings mobilizations with the depth of organizing we’re seeing in the Twin Cities. 

Which is why I got downright emotional seeing the massive response to the Eyes on ICE training Indivisible hosted with our No Kings Coalition partners last week when 200,000 people showed up to learn how to observe and record ICE. Two days after Alex Pretti’s murder, and in historic numbers, our neighbors are training to stand up for their rights, just as Alex did, and just as Renee did, and just as countless Minnesotans are doing now. 

We’re going to win. It’s going to take a lot more mobilizing and a lot more training and a lot more organizing. But we’re going to win.

In solidarity,
Ezra Levin
Co-Executive Director, Indivisible

Your weekly to-dos

1. Tell your Members of Congress: The DHS budget must halt ICE's terror, and not hand it more money. Last week, the Senate blocked the House’s Homeland Security appropriations bill that shoveled more money into ICE and CBP while doing very little to stop these agencies’ abuses. Now, we have to keep up the pressure and demand that any bill that replaces it enact ironclad policy accountability measures, and doesn't add one penny more to ICE’s budget.
2. DC Indivisibles: Defend autonomy over our own budget: Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced bills in the House and Senate to block DC from using our own local money to support children and families here in the district. The Senate will be discussing the bill this week, so now’s the time to make some noise. Visit the Free DC link above for info on a planning call taking place tonight (Monday) and an in-person action on Wednesday.
3. Join Tuesday's ICE OUT For Good Indivisible Phone Bank (3-5pm ET): Senate Democrats met our first demand of no new DHS funding without real restraints on ICE and CBP; now we need Republicans to listen to their own constituents who are just as fed up with this brutal lawlessness. Join us to call voters in key states and encourage them to call their Republican senators about reining in ICE.
4. Join (and/or invite friends to join) Thursday's No Kings Coalition Mass Call: Eyes on ICE (Feb. 5 8pm ET / 5pm PT): Learn how to participate in ICE Watch efforts and nonviolently protect your community from ICE and CBP thugs. If you attended the first training last week -- the largest ICE Watch training ever -- invite two friends to join this one. Let’s make it the new largest ICE Watch training ever.

P.S. The Trump regime continues to escalate against our communities and trample our rights, but Indivisibles remain on the frontlines of the fight to defend our neighbors and our democracy. From nationwide nonviolent mobilizations against ICE to gearing up for No Kings in March, our defiance is everywhere, all the time. If you can, please consider chipping in to continue fueling our work.

Haitian immigrants could be targeted by ICE this week

As of tomorrow, February 3, some 45,000 Haitian immigrants in central Ohio, along with half a million across the country, will lose the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that's allowed them to live and work in the US legally. TPS is granted to people arriving from crisis-affected countries but the regime decided to pull the plug for several maliciously targeted immigrant communities. And without TPS, every one of them will instantly be at risk of deportation. 

The difference between Haitians in Ohio and those elsewhere is, of course, that JD Vance and Trump himself spread a series of grotesque lies about them in 2024, claims that – when asked if he'd "created" the story -- Vance said "Yes!", based on "accounts from constituents."

Now that community, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and officials across the state are bracing for a massive ICE and Border Patrol incursion. Organizers have asked that we share ideas for how Indivisibles can support the Haitian community in Ohio and elsewhere across the US. Here's what you can do to help:

• Support immigrant-led groups: Donate to and amplify organizations like Haitian Bridge Alliance, a leader defending TPS.
• Show up locally: Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court, providing support, presence, and safety (After signing up, Haitian Bridge Alliance will reach out if there are opportunities in your area).
• Raise your voice publicly: Write an op-ed or letter to the editor (LTE) to local media highlighting the urgency of protecting TPS and the people it affects.  

IndivisiWIN of the week

On Wednesday January 28, six Indivisible groups from across Virginia united for an ICE Out for Good Senate Day of Action to demand their senators to vote no on any bill providing additional funding for DHS unless it included key demands to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.

"[Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner] say they're going to hold the line on all of these things and try to negotiate for these measures," a participant reported back. "They're right with us."

The groups then visited other senators' offices to deliver the ICE Out for Good demands -- as well as a tally of just how many Indivisible chapters and members each senator represents. Making sure they know we've got our eyes on them – this is the way!

Upcoming Events for you

These nationwide events, calls, and training sessions are coming up soon. For even more Indivisible happenings, check our national calendar and get in touch with Indivisible groups near you!

Follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads to keep up on the latest information, and text “INDIVISIBLE” to 59798 to opt-in to our text messaging program, where we send rapid response actions a few times a month.