Voice of Revolution

Inauguration 2017: Salute Resistance
Our Security Lies in Our Fight for the Rights of All

Voice of Revolution salutes the many people joining in actions, in DC and across the country to defend rights and say, Trump is Not Our President, This is Not Our Democracy! We also salute the immigrant rights actions, as well as those by African American organizers January 14, rejecting government attacks and contributing to the resistance. A variety of actions, including rallies and marches Friday and Saturday, direct actions of various kinds, a teach-in, summit, forum and concerts are all being organized. As well sister rallies are being organized both on Friday, the day of the inauguration, and Saturday, when the Women’s March on Washington takes place. Actions in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and cities worldwide are taking place Saturday as part of efforts to oppose government attacks on women’s rights and reject the Trump agenda attacking all.

All the many participants are contending with a situation where a government of police powers is being imposed and discussion on how to be effective in organizing resistance is taking place. An important factor to consider is the reality that with the rulers resorting to a government of police powers, they are no longer concerned with legitimacy. Police powers by their nature are arbitrary and implemented on the basis of broad impunity. It is not just a matter of police and military forces of various kinds taking action, but rather a means of governance in a situation where the rulers have no solutions and where they are compelled to block the striving of the people to modernize and broaden democracy. What we are seeing now is the elimination of a government of laws, with Trump positioned to do so even more blatantly and with greater impunity than previous presidents.

While a government of laws must at least have the appearance of legitimacy and concern for social needs, a government of police powers does not. Its concern is to punish all dissenters so as to preserve the state. The election showed that abroad and at home, the rulers are no longer concerned with maintaining even the appearance of a functioning political process, with functioning political parties, which are all part of legitimacy. Trump is the embodiment of this reality.
This issue of legitimacy is a very important one when considering tactics for resistance and advancing a pro-active program of fighting for politics of empowerment in the course of defending the rights of all. A government concerned about legitimacy appears to “listen” to the public and to uphold the constitution, with freedom of speech and assembly. A government of police powers has no such concern. It acts to criminalize protest and to make clear that, as individuals and collectives, all are to do as you are told or face the wrath of police powers. The many arbitrary checkpoints at actions, the police presence and live-exercise for policing agencies of all varieties for the weekend, decisions by these police as to allow or not allow particular actions, are indicative of the exercise of these police powers. Protesters are a police category, considered things, not human beings with rights. And all is done in the name of security.

In this situation, the old notion of organizing actions with the aim of pressuring politicians to respond has little place. Our security does not lie with relying on the politicians and the existing political process, which has shown itself to be completely dysfunctional and against the interests of the people. Our Security Lies in Our Fight for the Rights of All, with actions aimed at stepping up the organized character of this fight and quality of political discussion and analysis. This means putting forward our own anti-war, pro-social program and putting organizing for it to the fore. The pressure all are facing is to be reactive and fall into the many traps to remain stuck in the old. This includes focusing on reacting to Trump the individual, to individual cabinet members, to expecting politicians to be political when their whole role, and that of the existing set up is to depoliticize the people so as to keep them out of power. Organizing discussion to analyze developments and being pro-active in developing a political movement for empowerment, a democracy of our making, points the way forward.

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Inauguration Events January 19-21
CodePink

Thursday January 19

What: Peace Ball
When: 8 pm to 1 am
Where: National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW

The night before the inauguration, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the 2017 Peace Ball: Voices of Hope and Resistance takes place. It will celebrate the accomplishments and successes of the past four years and speak to continuing to be the change we want to see in the world. Speakers and hosts include Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans, Alice Walker, Angela Davis, Danny Glover, Eve Ensler, Van Jones, Amy Goodman, and many more. There will be food, open bar, live music, and dancing. All museum exhibits will be open during the Peace Ball.

What: Protest the “Deploraball”
When: 8-10pm
Where: National Press Club, 529 14th St NW.
A protest at the Deploraball, backing Trump, will take place outside the Press Club.

Friday, January 20: Inauguration Day

What: Protest Inaugural Prayer Breakfast
When: 7:00 am
Where: Trump Hotel, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW

The 2017 Inaugural Prayer Breakfast will include Donald Trump, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, Mike Pence, and others. A protest is organized outside the hotel, where participants will rise and resist the racism, occupation, and apartheid of Trump and Netanyahu.

What: Demonstration along inaugural parade route
When: 7am
Where: Freedom Plaza, 1355 Pennsylvania Ave NW at 14th St

Answer Coalition is organizing a protest along the Inaugural Parade route. https://www.facebook.com/AnswerCoalition/7am

Disrupt J20 Schedule of Events for January 20
disruptj20.org

Early Morning Blockade Actions (see webpage for locations and times)
Movement for Black Lives
Trade Justice
Climate Justice
Showing Up for Racial Justice
Labor Direct Action
The Future Is Feminist
Qockblockade Brigade: Queer Resistance on J20
Communities Under Attack Fight Back!

9am Outdoor Convergence Space @ McPherson Square opens
10am Anti-Capitalist Anti-Fascist Bloc @ Francis Scott Key Memorial
12pm Festival of Resistance, permitted march starting @ Columbus Circle (in front of Union Station) to McPherson Square, K Street and Vermont Ave. NW, near Lafayette Park
Permitted march that includes marching bands, drummers, puppets and displays of art and culture showing the diversity and power of resistance. Rally at McPherson Square, where various groups will converge.

#J20Resist:
What: Rally and March
When: 6am
Where: Union Station, at “Anti”Columbus Circle; march at 10 am to rally at McPherson Square

Occupy Inauguration Events for January 20

What: Occupy Inauguration
When: 9:30am Rally and March 12:30pm
Where: Malcolm X Park, 2400 15th St NW
2:00pm Rally at McPherson Square

From day one of the new administration, our movements will need to unite and fight to advance the revolution. We reject the domination of Wall Street and the billionaire class over our society, and oppose this rigged political and economic system. We stand against both the danger Trump represents and the corruption that backed Clinton. Neither party represents the interests of the 99%.

UnNaugural Event for January 20

What: UnNaugural Concert: Playing it Forward Voices for Social Justice
When: 7:30 pm
Where: Cultural Arts Center, Montgomery College, 7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland

The UnNaugural Concert will feature Grammy-nominated vocalists Sweet Honey in the Rock and musical duo Emma’s Revolution. Funds raised by the event will go to support the American Civil Liberties Union, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, League of Conservation Voters, National LGBTQ Task Force, and Planned Parenthood. Tickets are $100, limited income $60 and student $25. Get your tickets at unnaugural.org
Anti-Inauguration Event for January 20

What: The Anti-Inauguration at The Lincoln Theatre
When: 8-10:00 pm
Where: Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St NW.

This free event is organized by Haymarket Books, Jacobin Magazine, and Verso Books and features Naomi Klein, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and Anand Gopal. Doors open at 7:00 pm.

One Billion Rising

Throughout Inauguration day, and during the January 21 Women’s March on Washington, CodePink and others will participate in One Billion Rising Revolution Solidarity Against the Exploitation of Women flash mobs. Each Valentine’s Day CODEPINK joins groups across the world to rise against personal, systematic, and state-sponsored violence against women. This year we will also join One Billion Rising to dance and rise through Inauguration in a call to action for the coming four years. Start learning the Break the Chain dance choreography now!

Saturday, January 21:
Women’s March on Washington

What: March and Rally
When: 10 am:
Where: Independence and Third Ave.
The march begins at the intersection of Independence Ave and Third St SW, near the U.S. Capitol. Participants will march together with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families and in solidarity with those who were most insulted, marginalized, and threatened during the election cycle – immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQ, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault. We will send a bold message to the Trump administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that Women Say No to War and that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

WeRise Teach-In

What: #WeRise Teach-In
When: 2pm-8:30 pm
Where: All Souls Church Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St NW
J21 #WeRise Teach-In, organized by Public Citizen, will take place right after the women’s march. It will be a warm space for folks to come to gain a deeper understanding of the critical challenges facing our nation, find ways to plug into grassroots campaigns that tackle those challenges, and connect with people from an array of movements and acquire skills to become more effective organizers at home.

Panel discussions will focus on peace, democratic rights and the basic rights of women, immigrants, Muslims, people of color and the environment.
Food trucks will be present from 4-7pm for folks to be able to buy food of their choice as needed.

Program
1-1:30pm Doors open — Registration, Tea, Coffee & Snacks
1:30-2:10 Kickoff programming – building movements, protecting vulnerable communities
2:10-2:20 Break
2:20-4:20 Building Social Movements Across Race and Class (Training)

2:20-3:15 Workshops and Panels Session A
Protecting Women’s Rights (Panel)
Pushing the Envelope: Local Campaigns in D.C. (Panel)
Trumped Up Trade (Panel)
What’s Race Got to Do With It? (Training)
Tactics to Defend & Expand Democracy (Training)

3:15-3:25 Break

3:25-4:20 Workshops and Panels Session B
Standing Green & Strong (Panel)
Resist, Restore & Reimagine: The Fight for Democracy in 2017 (Panel)
Organizing on Safety Pins & Needles (Training)
Youth Advocacy & Organizing (Training)
Mini Unconference Space

4:20-4:30 Break (Food Trucks Outside All Souls Church)

4:30-5:30 Large Unity Panel: Fighting for Democracy
5:30-5:40 Break (Food Trucks Outside All Souls Church)
5:40-6:35 State Caucuses (Connect & plan engagement in state & local campaigns)

6:35-6:45 Break (head over to solidarity sing-in)

6:45-8:30 Solidarity Sing-in and Closing Speaker

What: Public Deliberation: The Multigenerational Resistance of Black Women
When: 2-5pm
Where: MLK Library Auditorium, 901 G. St NW (between 9th and G. St.)
From SNCC and Civil Rights to Black Power and the Women’s March. Dialogue with speakers and public deliberation.

What: Occupy Inaugural
When: 11-4pm Green News Network Live stream
5:30pm: Inaugurate the Resistance
Where: Hamilton Crown Plaza
Inaugurate the Resistance with Jill Stein, Kshama Sawant, Chris Hedges, and Chase IronEyes

Sunday, January 22

What: Occupy Inauguration Summit
When: 10am
Where: Contact CodePink for location
CodePink is proud to invite individuals, speakers, and organizers to the “Occupy Inauguration Summit” to ensure the momentum gained from protests of the inauguration of Donald Trump continues with conversations on uniting our causes forward. There will be a continental breakfast and light lunch on January 22 for the Summit discussions. The goal of these events is to build relationships amongst organizations, leaders, and activists and to discuss how we can work together moving forward.

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