Strategies for Resistance: Community Protection

The November 2016 U.S. Presidential election brought to power a government that is openly hostile to the human rights of Muslims, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQI folks, people living with disabilities, and many other criminalized communities. While the new administration did not invent the systems of mass incarceration and mass deportation that have long targeted these communities, it has carried them to new extremes.

With the people in charge of the U.S. federal government displaying contempt for the rights, wellbeing, and safety of members of our communities, activists are talking about the growing need to act at the local and interpersonal level to resist criminalization and discrimination. Fortunately, there are strategies that city, county, and town governments can implement that make it much harder for the federal administration to carry out an agenda of mass deportation and mass incarceration.

Moreover, there are steps we can take as individuals to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community members from deportation and criminalization. Activists are calling these local and interpersonal strategies Community Protection. The following readings and activities were selected or designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of what is at stake and how to implement community protection.

Photo thanks to Rev. Amy Freedman, used with permission.

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Heather Vickery is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with UU congregations, State Action Networks, past UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) program participants, and regional staff in order to expand engagement in UUSC and UUCSJ’s work. As the Coordinator for Congregational Activism, she manages the workshop offerings and group visits to the UUSC/UUCSJ office and assists with communications for the Activism and Justice Education Team. Heather is an active member of the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network and a dedicated dog-mom to her rescue puppy Nova.

Heather may be contacted at hvickery@uucsj.org and 617-301-4303