johnhatchard.bsky.social
Vancouver Canada citizen passionate about the future of global democracy
Dedicated father. Aspiring activist. Voracious learner. Court Jester.
⏬ Bite-sized article threads with added links 📖 🍿 🔊
Reddit.com/User/JohnnieRockiT
Substack.com/@JohnHatchard
49,313 posts
4,972 followers
223 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
comment in response to
post
These are frightening and depressing times. But remember: although it takes one authoritarian to establish a police state, it takes just 3.5% of a population to topple him and end it.
comment in response to
post
It is imperative that we remain peaceful, that we demonstrate our resolve to combat this tyranny but do so non-violently, and that we let America know about the emerging infrastructure of Trump’s police state and the importance of resisting it.
comment in response to
post
Right now, our major bulwarks against Trump’s police state are the federal courts and broad-based peaceful protests – such as the one that many of us will engage in this coming Saturday 14 June, on the No Kings Day of Action.
indivisible.org
comment in response to
post
As civilian control gives way to military control, the nation splits into those who are most vulnerable to it and those who support it. The dictatorship entrenches itself by fomenting fear and anger on both sides.
comment in response to
post
We are not at martial law yet, thankfully. But once in place, the infrastructure of a police state can build on itself. Those who are given authority over aspects of it – the internal militia, dragnets, detention camps, and martial law – seek other opportunities to invoke their authority.
comment in response to
post
(3) allowing those militarized agents to make dragnet abductions and warrantless arrests, and detain people without due process;
(4) creating additional prison space and detention camps for those detained, and
(5) eventually, as the situation escalates, declaring martial law.
comment in response to
post
(1) declaring an emergency on the basis of a so-called “rebellion”, “insurrection”, or “invasion”;
(2) using that “emergency” to justify bringing in federal agents with a monopoly on the use of force (Ice, the FBI, DEA, and the national guard) against civilians inside the country;
comment in response to
post
History shows that once an authoritarian ruler establishes the infrastructure of a police state, that same infrastructure can be turned on anyone.
Trump and his regime are rapidly creating such an infrastructure, in five steps:
comment in response to
post
Trump’s dragnet also includes federal courthouses. Ice officers are mobilizing outside courtrooms across the US and immediately arresting people – including migrants whose cases have been dismissed by judges. archive.is/vbV4o
comment in response to
post
Last week, raids in San Diego, in Martha’s Vineyard and in the Berkshires led to standoffs as bystanders angrily confronted federal agents who were taking workers into custody.
comment in response to
post
We are witnessing the first stages of a Trump police state.
comment in response to
post
A dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. Under President Trump, violence and destruction against federal agents and federal facilities will NOT be tolerated.”
comment in response to
post
On Saturday evening, the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, threatened to deploy active-duty marines, saying: “The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil.
comment in response to
post
He said that any demonstration that got in the way of immigration officials would be considered a “form of rebellion.” Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, called the protests an “insurrection”.
comment in response to
post
On Saturday, Trump escalated the confrontations, ordering at least 2,000 national guard troops to be deployed in Los Angeles county to help quell the protests.
comment in response to
post
They were met with protesters who chanted and threw eggs before being dispersed by police wearing riot gear, holding shields, and using batons, guns that shoot pepper balls, rubber bullets, teargas, and flash-bang grenades.
comment in response to
post
Though figures vary, they reportedly arrested 121 people.
comment in response to
post
Including at two Home Depots and a clothing wholesaler – in search of workers who they suspected of being undocumented immigrants. archive.is/E4Ndl
comment in response to
post
On Friday morning, federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted raids across Los Angeles;
comment in response to
post
Now that Donald Trump’s tariffs have been halted, his big, beautiful bill has been stymied, and his multi-billionaire tech bro has turned on him, how does he demonstrate his power?
comment in response to
post
comment in response to
post
comment in response to
post
Maple MAGA blows.
My whole thing is generational change. Reaganomics took 45 years and several new generations of kids while decimating their educational systems.
We'll never win back the majority of 30+ year old Maple MAGA. So focus on prioritizing education for their kids. And their kids kids.
comment in response to
post
Here's hoping that Traitor Smith gets what is coming to her sooner than later.
Thanks to people like you and your efforts in Alberta, I know it will happen. Go get 'er Jenny. 💯🍁
comment in response to
post
Know Your Rights: What To Do If You Encounter ICE
archive.is/OINHc
comment in response to
post
"Immigration rights experts and organizations tell Rolling Stone communities can keep each other safe by knowing these basic legal practices."
comment in response to
post
Bluesky is the only remaining mainstream social media haven structured for rebellion.
Use it. #StandUp
comment in response to
post
What all those evil assholes really care about is getting re-elected. Power and money is insanely addictive.
If enough people collectively holler, they always hear it. Pepper them.
comment in response to
post
I hope he's smart enough to know that history in a thousand years will still be talking about Gavin in this pivotal moment.
History has many stories where wise people leaned heavily on famous politicians egos and 'legacy'.
"Gavin how do you want the history books to express your legacy?"
comment in response to
post
What Americans don't need more of right now is enemies. They need allies.
Even if the left still finds MAGA repulsive, and will never have the trust or forgiveness in them for MAGA ever again, you need numbers to take down a tyrant.
History is littered with unlikely alliances during times of war.
comment in response to
post
Americans seriously need to stop 'waiting' for a 2028 election let alone 2026. Absolute fascists NEVER leave office without force.
Treat this situation like you've already LOST your democracy, which you clearly have, and that you now need to take back.
It's a fundamental mindset to topple tyranny.
comment in response to
post
Yet there's nothing 'original' about their plan at all.
While the descriptor monikers have changed over the years, tyrannical ideology over millennia have always ended up with a very similar foundational checklist.
Fascism is extremely effective.
comment in response to
post
Meanwhile in Trumpsville ...
archive.is/AM3ym
comment in response to
post
Always. Life is too short.
comment in response to
post
I only did because I thought you'd still want validation from when you asked if it was a legit event or not. I won't post anymore.