Don’t Despair, Organize
First, let’s get this out of the way: this sucks. Very few anticapitalists apart from contrarian, accelerationist kooks wanted Donald Trump to get the Grover Cleveland treatment. Life is likely to be more dangerous, maybe even deadly, for undocumented people, trans adults and kids, anyone who’s capable of getting pregnant or giving birth, antifascists, antizionists, the working class, and whoever is next targeted by right wing and centrist reactionaries.
But Trump’s 2nd presidency does not and cannot prevent us from fighting for better material conditions, where and when we can. When we hyperfocus on the unfortunate results of elections that only happen every four years, we give power to the same people who want a “democracy” that is barely representative or participatory. We briefly participate, gloat or stew for a while depending on the results, then return to our regular, boss-dominated lives. Fuck that.
Let’s be clear: organizing with your friends, neighbors, and comrades is always an option. You are free to feel sad, to despair, to rant online, etc. But if you refuse to seek out opportunities to build something better, collectively, what are you doing beyond giving more power to the people you hate?
We understand that collective organizing work isn’t for everyone, and we all have our limitations. Don’t feel bad if you can’t bring yourself to participate due to physical, psychological, or practical reasons. But we encourage you to try, even if it’s hard (and it will be, at times.)
That said, here are some local projects that Milwaukee Beagle thinks are good, meaningful, and worth your time/participation (this list will be updated on an ongoing basis and you may always submit new items at milwaukeebeagle@gmail.com):
WHO: Comité Sin Fronteras
WHEN: November 23, 2024 from 1:00-3:00pm
WHERE: Clark Square Pavilion at 2330 W. Vieau Place Milwaukee, WI 53204
WHAT: Call to Action: Future without Fear
To all dreamers, DACA recipients, undocumented immigrants, and allies: Join us this Saturday as we come together to strategize and organize in preparation to face and resist Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
WHO: Cooperation Milwaukee, Water is Life Autonomous Campaign, other anti-authoritarian leftist groups
WHEN: November 24, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Zao MKE Church at 2319 E Kenwood Blvd Milwaukee, WI 53211
WHAT: Planning a United, Anti-Authoritarian Front
The current moment needs to be a time to shore up our organizing efforts to combat the actions that will come from the Trump administration and an emboldened Republican state government out of Madison.
We feel an urgent need to form a united front as an activist community. Instead of siloed work around the city, we could do our work in a relational network advocating and agitating for racial justice, immigrant rights, indigenous sovereignty, class struggle, housing rights, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, women's rights, disability rights, etc. It was said once that ,”No matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, something stronger pushes right back”, and that is due to the love we all have for justice.
We explicitly value non-authoritarian and non-hierarchical models of relating. If you and/or your organization also value such forms of interconnected struggle we hope you will join us for discussion of forming a coalition, or network.
We plan to gather on 11/24/24 from 1-4 PM at Zao; if things seem to progress at this initial gathering, we could draft a community agreement and discuss the next steps. Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be able to attend this meeting. A virtual option will be offered for those who wish to attend but cannot do so in person.
WHO: LIAT 'TZVI' MAYER
WHEN: Sunday Dec. 8th from 10:30am -12pm
WHERE: Nice Hair Salon at 920 South 2nd Street Milwaukee, WI 53204
WHAT: INTRO TO SELF DEFENSE with LIAT 'TZVI' MAYER (for WOMEN & LGBTQIA+)
sliding scale fee $20-40
TRAUMA INFORMED AND MINDFULNESS BASED
We will practice communicating (verbal self defense!), upholding and defending our boundaries (wrist escapes! blocks! pressure points! strikes!), as well as practice regulating ourselves (grounding! humming! breathing!)
"I have over 15 years experience supporting people of all ages explore and strengthen a caring relationship with their boundaries. Training both in martial arts and embodiment psychotherapy practices I bring a nuanced approach to the world of self defense. I create a space that welcomes and affirms the deep wisdom each participant already brings to workshops around navigating boundaries and defending themselves, building safety and empowerment together."