Thursday's two (generous!) things

Julia Smith

03 Apr 2025 — 2 min read

Free downloadable posters (for your personal use this weekend at rallies) from Meenal Patel!

Item 1. Free poster template

Building on yesterday's theme: Going to a protest this weekend, or just want to display solidarity on a window or bulletin board?

➡️ Meenal Patel shared the design above in her always-lovely monthly email today.

➡️ I also saw this zine about the funding cuts to libraries and museums in a Libraries for the People email today. My local Hands Off! rally happens to be right outside our local library, and I love the idea of getting there early to print some of these out, fold 'em up, and share with fellow protesters. Meta! If you are able, you could also consider printing zines about mutual aid (like this one from artist Dorky Dino) or – broken record – Know Your Rights information. At the risk of stating the obvious, this might be something you could do with a friend or neighbor even if you aren't attending a rally/protest in person yourself.

Item 2. A way to zoom out

Bear with me here: via this super generous note from Ananda Valenzuela, I was reminded of this longer Waging Nonviolence post from November: 10 Things to Do If Trump Wins. Daniel Hunter spent time before the election writing scenarios "of how a Trump presidency might play out...The initial weeks look chaotic no matter what. But over time some differentiated resistance pathways begin to emerge."

Four pathways are illustrated: Protect People, Disrupt and Disobey, Defend Civic Institutions, Build Alternatives. — Read Daniel Hunter's explanations of each pathway.

I like this framework a lot and I would LOVE to hear:

Do you find it easiest to plug into one of these pathways? If so, which one? And why?
Do you wish you were more active on a different pathway? If so, which?
Do you have a favorite person or group that exemplifies one of these pathways?

➡️ If you're comfortable sharing, please hit reply and let me know!

Under a blue sky, protesters hold up signs with anti-ICE logos, such as NJ SAYS NO DICE TO ICE!

Friday's two things: Protective steps, collective glimmers

Item 1. Weekend wish That in our gatherings–in-person, virtual, whatever they may be–we access glimmers like this. (J. Wortham's newsletter) Item 2. Safety at protests If you're taking your phone ➡️ consider these tips from Electronic Frontier Foundation or this guide via @imperfectactivista on Instagram.

Thursday's two things we love

Item 1. We love a checklist Here's a new list with some key ways to care for yourself and others, from Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg and Zack Teutsch: Care for yourself and others!Checklist 2.0Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg Item 2. We love situating ourselves in

It's a sign! Wednesday's three things

Here's this week's art fix, since I was out canvassing yesterday and didn't make it. Item 1. Suggestion Are you making a protest sign this week? Monica Trinidad has advice (starting around the 14:15 mark in How to Make Art for Social Change

Monday's things

Item 1: What do we mean by "mutual aid"? Here is a chart from Dean Spade (and he expands on the concept a lot in this book), and here is a quick explainer from Moms Clean Air Force. It might mean starting or joining an ICE Watch program