Resources

Make Ready (Short Guide): Safeguarding Our Movements Against Repression

2025-09-26
latenightafa

This abridged guide draws from the CrimethInc. piece and the Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff recording of it.  “The point of preparedness is to not worry.” Are you ready?

 

How to Respond to Donald Trump’s Threats

It’s always difficult to tell how seriously to take Trump’s declarations, but this time his administration is pretty closely following the fascist playbook: after immigrants, comes political opposition. Here are some steps to take to protect yourself and your community. Solidarity is power.

  • Don’t be intimidated; make the most of your strengths. Fascists rely on fear and the illusion of strength. Don’t feed it. They want enemies like themselves—rigid and centralized—but decentralized resistance can come from anywhere.
  • Everyone who is against fascism is an anti-fascist. By seeking to target everyone who opposes fascism, Trump is biting off more than he can chew—provided we don’t roll over and let him win.

 

Prepare for federal visits and raids.

  • Review what to do in the event of a visit from police or federal agents. Consider putting a copy of this poster at the doors of your residence and familiarize yourself with the info.
  • Back up and secure your electronics.
  • Remove sensitive items from your home.
  • Have legal support ready.
  • Document raids on others; visibility is protection.
  • Make plans in advance for childcare, pets, and contacts. 
  • Make your preferences known in advance.

 

Be transparent about repression.

They want to isolate you. If you’re targeted, be open about it. Don’t reveal new connections or details that aren’t already clear to see, but double down on your public connections.

 

Redundancy means resilience.

Make sure others know how to do what you do. Duplicate skills, passwords, and roles. Help others start projects like yours. Make information about counter repression as widely available as possible, and actively educate others.

 

Coordinate to support each other.

Reach out to others in a similar situation and coordinate. “If I’m arrested, [group] holds a press conference, [person] runs publicity, [other person] starts fundraising.”

 

Discredit the police and courts.

Trump’s team weakens the courts by bending them to their will. Undermine that legitimacy: refuse grand jury indictments, popularize jury nullification, and challenge their authority. Apply continuous, low-level pressure against Trump’s local lackeys who betray their communities.

 

Pressure politicians and institutions.

Push so-called “opposition” politicians to act. Pressure local officials to refuse cooperation with federal crackdowns. Create fractures between Trump and those who surround him.

 

Take the offensive and refuse to divide

Be proactive, act with integrity, and refuse division. Present criticism in good faith, keeping the door open for current rivals to become future allies—if they learn to act responsibly. Those spreading divisiveness and toxicity are doing the work of the state.

 

Further Reading