Weissman writes: "No surprise, I back the protesters and feel sad that
distance and a gammy lung keep me from joining in. Trump may - or may not -
have won an Electoral College majority fair and square. But belief in
democracy does not require us to endorse the decision of our fellow citizens
or the scapegoating of immigrants and Muslims. We need instead to find
nonviolent ways to resist Trump and the worldwide ultra-right he
encourages."
Anti-Trump protesters in front of the Trump International Hotel in downtown
Washington, D.C. (photo: Andrew Stefan/RSN)
A Call to the World: Boycott Trump's America
By Steve Weissman, Reader Supported News
19 November 16
"Give Trump a chance," urge the would-be peacemakers. "Bring the country
together."
Not my president," say tens of thousands protesting in the streets across
the country. "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!"
No surprise, I back the protesters and feel sad that distance and a gammy
lung keep me from joining in. Trump may - or may not - have won an Electoral
College majority fair and square. But belief in democracy does not require
us to endorse the decision of our fellow citizens or the scapegoating of
immigrants and Muslims. We need instead to find nonviolent ways to resist
Trump and the worldwide ultra-right he encourages.
Hundreds of ways to resist will emerge in the weeks and months ahead. One
extremely creative idea comes from my Ramparts colleague and sometimes
co-writer Frank Browning, author most recently of "The Fate of Gender." Like
so many of us, Frank is horrified. Why did so many Americans, whether
personally racist or not, vote for someone who expressed so much bigotry,
misogyny, and hate? And what can we do to force a clampdown on the
post-election surge in hate crimes?
A native of Kentucky now living in France, Frank has asked me and several
others to reach out to those beyond Trump's national borders and ask them a
simple question: Will you join us in fighting Trump's politics of hatred by
refusing to visit the United States? We call our campaign "Boycott Trump's
America."
The initial target will be the American travel and tourist industry, in
which Trump and his family play a leading role. International visitors to
the US spent $216.9 billion in 2015, creating a $61 billion trade surplus.
As with the historic boycott of apartheid in South Africa, this will
unfortunately hurt workers, many of whom are immigrants. But similar to the
tourist and business boycott of North Carolina following its notorious
bathroom law, a sharp, well-publicized kick in the pants has and can put
real pressure on the hatemongers behind Trump as well as on Trump himself.
It also could lead to an even more extensive boycott of American goods and
services.
How do we spread the word? Mostly though emails, social media, expat groups
and leading publications around the world, and - soon - a website. We are
not creating an organization. We are not asking for money. We are not
breaking any laws, though Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress could
soon change that.
Why should Europeans and others want to join us? Largely in their own
interest. Trump and his newly appointed chief strategist and senior
counselor ― Steve Bannon ― have been working closely with Britain's
anti-immigrant Brexiteers, especially Nigel Farage. A white nationalist and
former boss of the hate-filled Breitbart News, Bannon has just sought an
alliance with the "Le Pen women" and their neo-fascist Front National, while
Trump's victory has given an enormous boost to like-minded nasties across
Europe. Boycotting Trump's America will help Europeans and others fight
against their own hate-filled ultra-nationalists.
What can you do? Wherever you live, click on our Facebook page and friend us
to follow the boycott and the worldwide fight against the growing
ultra-right. If you live outside the US, please add your name to our public
declaration. Let the world know how you feel. Unless you need to care for a
loved one, attend a funeral, join an anti-racist protest, or something else
absolutely necessary, tell everyone that you will not visit Donald Trump's
America.
If you have suggestions or want to help in some specific way, please email
us at boycott@xxxxxxxxx .
________________________________________
A veteran of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement and the New Left monthly
Ramparts, Steve Weissman lived for many years in London, working as a
magazine writer and television producer. He now lives and works in France,
where he is researching a new book, "Big Money and the Corporate State: How
Global Banks, Corporations, and Speculators Rule and How to Nonviolently
Break Their Hold."
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission
to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader
Supported News.
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Anti-Trump protesters in front of the Trump International Hotel in downtown
Washington, D.C. (photo: Andrew Stefan/RSN)
http://readersupportednews.org/http://readersupportednews.org/
A Call to the World: Boycott Trump's America
By Steve Weissman, Reader Supported News
19 November 16
"Give Trump a chance," urge the would-be peacemakers. "Bring the country
together."
ot my president," say tens of thousands protesting in the streets across
the country. "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!"
No surprise, I back the protesters and feel sad that distance and a gammy
lung keep me from joining in. Trump may - or may not - have won an Electoral
College majority fair and square. But belief in democracy does not require
us to endorse the decision of our fellow citizens or the scapegoating of
immigrants and Muslims. We need instead to find nonviolent ways to resist
Trump and the worldwide ultra-right he encourages.
Hundreds of ways to resist will emerge in the weeks and months ahead. One
extremely creative idea comes from my Ramparts colleague and sometimes
co-writer Frank Browning, author most recently of "The Fate of Gender." Like
so many of us, Frank is horrified. Why did so many Americans, whether
personally racist or not, vote for someone who expressed so much bigotry,
misogyny, and hate? And what can we do to force a clampdown on the
post-election surge in hate crimes?
A native of Kentucky now living in France, Frank has asked me and several
others to reach out to those beyond Trump's national borders and ask them a
simple question: Will you join us in fighting Trump's politics of hatred by
refusing to visit the United States? We call our campaign "Boycott Trump's
America."
The initial target will be the American travel and tourist industry, in
which Trump and his family play a leading role. International visitors to
the US spent $216.9 billion in 2015, creating a $61 billion trade surplus.
As with the historic boycott of apartheid in South Africa, this will
unfortunately hurt workers, many of whom are immigrants. But similar to the
tourist and business boycott of North Carolina following its notorious
bathroom law, a sharp, well-publicized kick in the pants has and can put
real pressure on the hatemongers behind Trump as well as on Trump himself.
It also could lead to an even more extensive boycott of American goods and
services.
How do we spread the word? Mostly though emails, social media, expat groups
and leading publications around the world, and - soon - a website. We are
not creating an organization. We are not asking for money. We are not
breaking any laws, though Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress could
soon change that.
Why should Europeans and others want to join us? Largely in their own
interest. Trump and his newly appointed chief strategist and senior
counselor ― Steve Bannon ― have been working closely with Britain's
anti-immigrant Brexiteers, especially Nigel Farage. A white nationalist and
former boss of the hate-filled Breitbart News, Bannon has just sought an
alliance with the "Le Pen women" and their neo-fascist Front National, while
Trump's victory has given an enormous boost to like-minded nasties across
Europe. Boycotting Trump's America will help Europeans and others fight
against their own hate-filled ultra-nationalists.
What can you do? Wherever you live, click on our Facebook page and friend us
to follow the boycott and the worldwide fight against the growing
ultra-right. If you live outside the US, please add your name to our public
declaration. Let the world know how you feel. Unless you need to care for a
loved one, attend a funeral, join an anti-racist protest, or something else
absolutely necessary, tell everyone that you will not visit Donald Trump's
America.
If you have suggestions or want to help in some specific way, please email
us at boycott@xxxxxxxxx.
A veteran of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement and the New Left monthly
Ramparts, Steve Weissman lived for many years in London, working as a
magazine writer and television producer. He now lives and works in France,
where he is researching a new book, "Big Money and the Corporate State: How
Global Banks, Corporations, and Speculators Rule and How to Nonviolently
Break Their Hold."
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission
to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader
Supported News.
http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
http://e-max.it/posizionamento-siti-web/socialize
