How To Beat The Authoritarians At Their Own Game

The resistance is working, and all it takes is 3.5% of us showing up

There’s a famous political theory that says when just 3.5% of a population takes part in sustained, non-violent resistance, the chances of creating political and social change become “nearly inevitable.”

I like this theory because it means we don’t have to wait for the politicians to save us from authoritarianism. We can save ourselves.

Which we are

Whether it’s online or in the streets of LA, I feel like we’re finally taking power back into our hands by exposing the regime for what it is and refusing to stay silent.

And authoritarians hate that kind of dissent — because they lose control the moment public sentiment turns against them. (That’s why they crack down on free speech and tighten their grip on the media).

In my view

Every time you speak out about what’s happening — with friends, with family, or on social media — you're putting the 3.5% theory in motion.

And by the way, it’s working

A new YouGov poll this morning shows Trump’s approval rating is underwater over the gross actions he’s taken in LA (sending in the National Guard against peaceful protesters, raiding stores and businesses, deploying active-duty Marines against his own citizens).

Even the founder of ‘Latinas for Trump’ said this “isn’t what she voted for.”

Mind you: the only reason she’s condemning him now is because we showed the ugliness of what his “mass deportation” rhetoric actually looks like in practice.

Plus

I’ve been in New Orleans since the ICE raids began, and every time I’ve told a bartender or waiter I’m from LA, they’ve brought up the protests (the 3.5% theory in motion).

Real talk

These protests — and the online support behind them — are inspiring.

They’ve made me realize that we, the people, have a lot more power than we’ve been giving ourselves credit for.

Let’s be clear

This wave of resistance started from the bottom up. It wasn’t a political campaign. It was an organic movement led by a city that came together to stop an authoritarian regime.

And now

Not only are millions around the world witnessing an American president deploy the military against his own citizens — they’re also watching those citizens take a stand and push back, just like every successful resistance movement before them.

That’s the theory in motion, which says: “Those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.”

Let’s continue that trend.

Let’s be the 3.5%.

Stay fired up. Happy Tuesday, guys!

P.S. Give @threepointfivepercent a follow on social media. They’re pushing the 3.5% movement.