Facing the Fascist Power Grab
by Liz Moore, Executive Director
Protesters blocking the rear exit of Spokane ICE Facility on June 11, 2025
In our PJALS community we hold a shared vision of a just and nonviolent world.
Whether we are Black or white, Native or newcomer, no matter how much is in our pocket or whether we live on a city block or a country road—we believe everyday people can accomplish extraordinary things together.
Right now in 2025, we are facing strategic racism, bold-faced abuse of power, and dehumanizing divide-and-conquer brutality designed to demoralize and dismantle our protections and freedoms. We are pushing back against a hostile takeover of our government by a fascist wannabe tyrant and attacks by fascist bullies for the billionaires, using racism and misogyny to turn government power against immigrants, trans and queer people, communities of color, women, workers, and our planet.
This power grab continues to worsen conditions for immigrants, people of color, and all working people. Many feel hopeless, afraid, and isolated. At the same time, it creates potential to galvanize both longtime and new activists. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen mass mobilization in Spokane and across the country. Local organizing is critical—and we know we’re not done.
On June 11, I stood with hundreds of Spokanites to say no to ICE’s racist cruelty and violations of due process. While we didn’t stop two young asylum-seekers from being taken to Geogroup’s for-profit immigration prison in Tacoma, we brought widespread attention to Joswar and Cesar and to the thuggery of our immigration system. And we know we’re not done.
Mass activation is key. That means good trouble: individual actions, mass mobilization, non-compliance, mass noncooperation. It builds grassroots democratic experience and fosters new leadership. When we mobilize together, we create “social proof” of widespread resistance to and rejection of the Trump regime. Mass activation undermines support for the regime and erodes whatever legitimacy it may claim. It pressures soft supporters to limit or withdraw their support and weakens key pillars like the business community.
Activation means talking to family or friends, calling and emailing Congress, attending protests, joining strikes, and directly blocking or refusing to obey unjust policies. It means sharing resources and taking risks. Those of us with privilege as men or white people must do what we CAN, not just what is comfortable—this is a time to take risks.
We must take risks to live our values. Our opponents will intensify divide-and-conquer strategies, splitting the multiracial working class. White people are the foundation of the Trump coalition. That coalition will keep targeting white people to uphold power, while scapegoating and harming immigrants and trans people.
That’s why our PJALS community brings new people into the movement. Our region is contested; we’re in struggle over who belongs and who deserves safety and protection. We must assert our values, recruit, and support each other to be as effective as possible.
As the poet Marge Piercy wrote:
“It starts when you do it again after they said no. It starts when you say ‘We’ and you know who you mean, And each day you mean one more.”
This is not a simple time. It’s OK to feel overwhelm, grief, and rage. But we can lean into our history: when we stay together and focused, we can push back. This fight matters. Our visions of justice and liberation are worthy of our commitment. We’re in this together, and I’m grateful for you.