How To Begin Building Strategic Resistance Together

In our October Berea Democratic Club meeting, Georgian LaGuardia Indivisible Strongsville helped us explore the foundations of civil resistance, how we can meet the current authoritarian movement through collaboration, and 

This article summarizes key insights from that meeting and offers a roadmap for sustained, strategic defiance. 

🏛️ Why We Gather: The Motivation Behind Resistance

At the heart of our movement is a simple question: Why are we here at this meeting? Members shared personal motivations—defending democracy, protecting vulnerable communities, and refusing to normalize authoritarian behavior. For deeper context, we recommend visiting nokings.org, a resource hub for resistance strategy.

🚨 Understanding Authoritarian Breakthrough

Authoritarian regimes don’t rise overnight—they break through when institutions fail to resist. Common tactics include:

• Investigating critics to suppress dissent

• Licensing lawbreaking among loyalists

• Retaliating through regulation

• Deploying military force against civilians

These actions are designed to fracture opposition and consolidate control.

✊ Levels of Noncooperation

Resistance isn’t one-size-fits-all. It grows in stages:

• Individual & Small Group Noncooperation: Personal refusal to comply

• Collective Noncooperation: Coordinated action within communities

• Mass Noncooperation: Widespread defiance that disrupts regime stability

Our task is to build toward mass defiance. We are in a race against time—our people power versus the regime’s grip.

🧠 What Authoritarians Want Us to Do

Authoritarian leaders rely on division and disengagement. Their playbook includes:

• Discouraging gatherings

• Suppressing resistance

• Eroding trust between neighbors

• Justifying crackdowns

• Sowing infighting

We resist by doing the opposite: showing up, standing together, and refusing to be silenced.

🔥 What Defiance Looks Like

Defiance is creative, courageous, and community-driven. It includes:

• Protest & Persuasion: Marches, rallies, demonstrations

• Symbolic Resistance: Wearing symbols, educating neighbors

• Building Alternatives: Mutual aid, strike funds, accompaniment for targeted communities

• Vision Work: Creating local democratic economies and systems of care

🧱 The Regime’s Pillars of Support

Authoritarian regimes lean on institutional pillars:

• Business

• Labor

• Faith communities

• Media

• Education

Each pillar is vulnerable to noncooperation. For example, the Business Pillar depends on consumer dollars. Strategic boycotts can weaken its support.

Example boycott targets: Tesla, Starlink, Target, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot

We also discussed joining alumni letter campaigns and organizing consumer actions. Ask yourself: What pillars am I part of—and how can I withdraw support?

📞 Next Steps: Mobilizing Locally

We closed with practical actions:

• Call your representatives regularly

• Use 5calls.org to streamline outreach

• Share this article and invite others to join our next gathering

📌 Tips for Successful Civil Disobedience

• Make a sign that inspires strength, not fear. 

• Never take matters into your own hands if someone gets argumentative–police will be there to help, as well as several detectives in plain clothes

• Bring a noisemaker if your voice isn’t strong

• Click here for a list of safety and de-escalation resources from Indivisible

💬 Final Thought

Resistance is not just about protest—it’s about building a culture of defiance, care, and solidarity. Together, we can activate a movement that refuses to yield and insists on justice.