Defy Dystopia

THE MORE THEY HATE, THE HARDER I'LL LOVE!

This site is a work in progress. But it serves as a small collection of resources for people who don't quite know where to start in fighting fascism.

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING EBT/FOOD STAMPS/SNAP

Details

SNAP/EBT will end Oct 31st if the shut down continues. Each state seems to be grappling with the issue in their own way, so I can only speak for what I know about the Washington/Oregon responses.

Legal changes and additional work requirements are coming into effect for anyone deemed able bodied in order to continue to qualify for SNAP. Exemptions for Indigenous populations are also being rolled back. Non citizens will no longer qualify for food stamps at all (even if here legally, which most are). These changes will happen regardless if the shut down continues or not due to the "Big Beautiful" bill.

If the shut down continues past October, SNAP will likely stop completely due to lack of funds. If you or anyone you know may be affected by these changes, NOW is the time to stock up on essentials and look into alternative resources since local food pantries and orgs will likely be overwhelmed once the general population is aware of these nationwide cuts.

You can find your local foodbank here

What you can do to help

If you have the means to donate food, money, or time, now is a great time to sign up as a volunteer or start collecting food/money donations for your local orgs who will likely be slammed once November rolls around. You can start a donation box/bin at your work, in your neighborhood, club/sports/PTA/Rotary/church etc. meetings. Hyperlocal grassroots action will be a big help to local orgs in the coming months.

Find your local foodbank(s) here and contact them to see what kinds of donations they need/accept and if they need volunteers.

You might also call your local grocery store chains and ask if they have a food rescue or food donation program set up with local orgs instead of throwing extra food away.

Call your reps and let them know that they need to fight for the most marginalized groups, that they should not cave to fascist demand despite the added pressure, and that there should be a reconsideration of budgeting priorities given that federal levels of support are being undercut/stymied maliciously.

Keep being kind and vocal! Make sure your neighbors and colleagues are aware of this issue and why it is happening in the first place. Invite people over for dinner. Food is communion.

Your Existence is a protest.

Your joy a rebellion.

Your happiness is the cure.

Build community, stay kind, stay human(e).

This site does not have all the answers. You will have to do your own work and research in finding what path of resistance is best for you, whether that's investing capital into orgs, supporting local orgs by volunteering your time, Divesting from/boycotting corrupt companies and unethical technology, being a kind neighbor, documenting injustice when you witness it, or just continuing to exist for another day if you are struggling. But all of us can do something to fight back.

People want sexy answers, they want bricks and molotovs, they want blog posts and think pieces. But consistently the real answers to this form of darkness has always been BUILD COMMUNITY.

That's not sexy. It's hard work building and maintaining community. And it takes time and consistency. It's not fast. But this is what it will take to pull all of us out of this darkness.

Below are a few steps you can take and resources you can look into for beginning your own fight, for starting to build your own community of resistance, and for keeping you grounded when everything feels insane.

Take Steps To Defy Dystopia

🧠 Fight Fascism! 🧠

  • Fund Legal Battles!

    The ACLU and many other organizations are fighting the good fight on many different legal fronts across the nation. Help fund their fights against the violations of your rights and the rights of others! You can also look up local orgs to make a bigger impact near your home if you are able!

    The ACLU
  • Call Your Congresscritters!

    5 calls guides you in contacting your political representatives. Make your voice heard. It is not hopeless! It builds impact the more people call!

    5 Calls
  • 🔥🧊 Fight ICE – Protect & Love Your Neighbors!

    ICE are conducting ILLEGAL abductions across the nation. Everyone in this country has the right to a trial, regardless of their citizenship status or guilt. Everyone gets a trial. ICE is not abiding by this foundational rule and is instead kidnapping political dissidents, minorities, and anyone who is resisting this fascist regime. CALL THIS WHAT IT IS. DON'T LET THEM WATER DOWN THE DISAPPEARING AND TERRORIZING OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.

    How to Help Protect People From ICE 8 Things You Can Do To Stop ICE ICE Resistance Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Immigrant Defense Project

🌈 Defend The Rainbow! 🌈

💅🏽 PROTECT THE DOLLS 💪🏽

  • Fascists love picking a marginalized group to target as the core of all our societal ills. Targeting minorities and queer communities is not a new move, it is textbook fascism. Fight this absurdity by supporting LGBTQIA+ Organizations at the front lines of this fight!

    Speak up! Be an ally! You don't always have to understand, you just have to treat people with respect. Treat people like equal human beings. That is what fascism wants you to forget. Don't fall for it!

    Transgender Law Center Trans Equality Lambda Legal GLAAD Human Rights Campaign

💸 Divest From Tyranny 💸

  • Unfortunately, money is power in this country. And the more you have, the more say you get in how this country is run. Those in power want you to feel hopeless because they hold the majority of the wealth in this nation. But! There are way more of us than there are of them. They know this, and are terrified of our unity. Start voting with your money and get your friends/family/community to join in boycotting companies who use their power for destruction.

    BDS Boycott Guide Companies Profiting from the Gaza Genocide

💜 Build Community 💜

  • Take Care of Yourself & Your Neighbors!

    This is simultaneously the easiest and hardest advice to follow. Please remember that this fight is a marathon and not a sprint. You can burn out quickly and that's what fascists want. They want you hopeless, miserable, defeated. Don't let them win by running yourself ragged. Joy and rest are part of resistance too. Take care of yourself and check in with your neighbors.

  • How to Fight Fascism in Your Community

    Legally Fight Fascism in Your Community 20 Things You Can Do to Counter Fascism People For

STAY HUMAN(E)

There are many ways for fighting the darkness around us. These are just a few steps you can take. But please keep fighting in whatever way you're able to do. Use your privelege to speak up for those who can't speak or whose voices are ignored.

If you don't have money, donate time. If you don't have time, donate talent. If you don't have anything, you can still be kind.

Be kind. Fascism feeds on fabricated paranoia and hatred. Starve it by loving harder – yourself and your neighbors!