Many people are asking what they can do to support our democracy and counter the push toward authoritarianism of our current national government. Many of us who are active with Indivisible are undertaking a training called “One Million Rising,” a program of strategic non-cooperation to fight authoritarianism.

The theory behind this program is that a repressive regime depends on compliance from the institutions and people it seeks to subjugate. If enough people refuse to go along with their demands the regime’s support will crumble and fall—democracy will prevail. When Governor Scott rejected the government’s request for Vermont National Guard to support ICE, that was an example of non-compliance. When he turned over personal data of SNAP recipients that the government had no business asking for, that was compliance.

When the Burlington Airport Authority allows ICE to use the airport facility to deport people, that is compliance. When a major law firm or university refuses to cut a deal with the government, that is noncompliance.

Many of us aren’t in a position right now to take direct action in defiance of government orders. What we can do is make a lot of noise through letters and demonstrations to support those who refuse to go along with illegal and immoral policies. We can make public statements, attend meetings, offer financial support, and so on.

Indivisible, through One Million Rising, seeks to train tens of thousands of citizens to prepare for the time when we need to organize massive acts of noncompliance. These trainees in turn will work to rally millions of people to work to save our democracy.

Research by Erica Chenowith, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School who studies nonviolent civil resistance against authoritarianism, shows that getting 3.5% of the population (about 12 million people) committed to this cause is enough to defeat authoritarianism. Mass demonstrations so far this year have involved as many as 5 million people. We need to keep up the momentum and build the movement to save our democracy. This is totally achievable if we stay active and give support as we can.

Anyone interested in getting involved with One Million Rising should feel free to explore indivisible.org/.

Spence Putnam

Weybridge