Dear Friend,
When Victor Hugo finished writing Les Misérables, he was living in political exile, having been an outspoken opponent of Louis Napoléon Bonaparte’s self-coup and the subsequent dissolution of France’s democratic republic.
Hugo’s novel was based on the Paris Uprising of 1832, an anti-monarchist rebellion against a newly enthroned king. His heroes were revolutionaries and protestors, the disenfranchised and downtrodden who dared resist a government singularly focused on “law and order,” no matter its human toll.
In a twist of poetic happenstance, Hugo’s indictment of anti-democratic rule played out onstage this week at the Kennedy Center in the midst of growing civil resistance to immigration raids across the U.S. It was the Center’s first production since President Trump’s February takeover, and he was there to see it. Though videos confirm the Trumps were met with a mixed reception of cheers and boos, the official White House record reflects only “thunderous applause.”
Today, the president will attend his multimillion-dollar military parade — something he’s wanted since attending the 2017 Bastille Day parade in Paris. And in just a couple of hours, millions of Americans are expected to gather at “No Kings” rallies across the country in defiance of Trump’s increasingly authoritarian rule.
Earlier this week, the president warned any protests of his parade “will be met with very big force.” Asked later whether peaceful demonstrations will be permitted, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt snapped, “Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question.”
Given recent events, it actually seemed a reasonable point of clarification from the free press. There was, for example, the administration’s recent decision to usurp state and local authorities to deploy military forces in Los Angeles. And after the President suggested California Governor Gavin Newsom be arrested, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forced to the ground and handcuffed for interrupting a press conference where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promised continued military presence to “liberate” L.A. from “the socialist [leadership].”
As longtime defenders of the First Amendment, American Atheists is deeply troubled by this rapid deterioration of fundamental rights, fueled by Christian Nationalists decrying “lawlessness” while showing open contempt for the Constitution.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Today, every liberty promised in the Bill of Rights’ remarkable opening line is under threat, even as the Founders were unequivocal that the government must never infringe upon the people’s rights, and even though the Supreme Court has ruled such protection is especially critical for political speech.
These civil and human rights are not optional; they are the cornerstones of our democracy. Protest isn’t unpatriotic. It’s paramount. Because our right to resist — even and especially when the stakes are high — is what makes and keeps us free.
Directing U.S. soldiers and law enforcement to train their weapons at Americans exercising these freedoms — rights the military is sworn to defend — betrays everything America is meant to stand for. And yet that speech-chilling intimidation is what we have witnessed this week in California, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas ahead of today’s “No Kings” rallies. In Florida, days before anything had happened, one county sheriff stood next to an “Anti-Riot State” sign and promised protesters who stand “in the way of law and order” that officers “will kill you, graveyard dead.” Very Javert.
Like Trump, Louis Napoleon (later Napoleon III, Emperor of the French), claimed he had a mandate from the people. He enforced it with repression and violence. The press was censored, and dissent was silenced. 26,000 were arrested. From literature and history books, we know how this story usually goes. But we still have a chance to write a different ending.
If you’re marching today, know your rights, and stay safe. And if you’re staying home, remember: Civil resistance and civil rights movements succeed because of a diversity of tactics. There are plenty of ways to join in the fight, and it’s going to require each and all of us doing our part.
Today, in light of these escalating attacks on our constitutional rights and this precarious and pivotal moment in American history, I need to ask you to dig a little deeper: Can you give $250 today to support American Atheists’ continued work?
I understand this week’s ask is a big one, but the task ahead of us is monumental. The simple truth is we need more resources to fight more repression. We need your help to defend democracy and boldly reaffirm: NO kings. NO theocracy. NO exception.
In solidarity,
Nick Fish
President
American Atheists is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit educational organization that relies on the support of members like you. Contributions are tax-deductible. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 74-2466507, and our Combined Federal Campaign number is 52217.
American Atheists
225 Cristiani Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
United States