Protect Each Other North Carolina was founded to document incidents of state and personal violence, and respond with courage and love.  Below is a list of actions to catalyze a strong, collective response informed by nonviolence and interdependence.  To add to this list, please email suggestions to: info@protecteachothernc.org

phoneiconfinalREPORT:  Use a Range of Channels

Documentation of incidents has a big impact, as we’ve learned most recently from video of police brutality and provocations at Standing Rock.  In addition to offering those targeted support, resources and/or protection, it is important to make sure reporting happens on multiple levels:

  1. To PEONC so that we can add it to our list, as well as to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Report Hate,” a national campaign. The New York Times has also started “This Week in Hate,” another place for reporting.
  2. To the public through mainstream and social media; write a letter to the editor of your local paper, post updates on social media, and find other ways to call for support.
  3. To specific groups like the Anti-Defamation League (tracking anti-semitism and bigotry) and CAIR- Council on American-Islamic Relations (tracking Islamophobia)
  4. To law enforcement, as appropriate.
  5. To elected officials.
  6.  To leaders of the institution or businesses in which the incident of hate occurs; demand redress and that they issue a strong statement of condemnation of hate.

video-camera_318-124016.jpgCheck out this for more information on how to film hate incidents.

j5iRKaBca.jpgJOIN: Work for the Long Haul

North Carolina has a host of organizations working to protect the freedom and dignity of all people.  The fight for social and economic justice is a long-term endeavor. This moment of Trump’s election and the chaos of our GOP-controlled state legislature is particularly potent and will draw out larger numbers of supporters for justice work.  It’s key to help channel the energy of this moment into organizations that have been and will continue to lead the work for justice on numerous fronts.  Organize North Carolina has a great list of organizations across the state working on issues, identity and infrastructure.

Wallet-icon.pngRESOURCE: Provide Financial Support

In addition to people hours and power, the groups working against hate, violence and injustice need resources with which to operate.  Consider what percentage of your overall income you might want to contribute this year.  Becoming a member or monthly sustainer ensures a greater degree of ongoing support.

earth-between-hands_318-62292.jpgACCOMPANY:  Bring Your Presence and Attention

We know that many of us will be – and already have been – targeted because of our racial and ethnic identities, religious, sexual identity and more.  Accompaniment, which means showing up to physically stand with those under threat, is a vital aspect of nonviolence. It simultaneously provides a tangible show of solidarity and support with targeted individuals or groups while also signaling to others that a broader public is paying attention. Accompaniment can take a range of forms, usually based in standing up for or spending time with targeted individuals or organizations. It might mean organizing a phone tree that can serve a hotline and source of information in case of emergencies in your community. For more about accompaniment, see this overview from the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

advocate-iconADVOCATE: Hold Legislators Accountable

Public officials work for us and they need to hear from us. This is important everywhere, and especially outside of urban or traditionally more progressive areas of the state.  Use key statewide networks like Progress NC Action and [what else to add here?] to stay abreast of legislation and use the following outlets to communicate with your State House and Senate representatives:

  • Show up at Town Halls and other member events. Ask questions; plan these in advance and come with others to increase the odds of being heard.
  • Get an appointment, bring a small group to talk to your legislator or their aide. Be clear about what you’re requesting or advocating for, i.e., a stance on a specific piece of legislation.

For more specifics on these tactics and to build power at this level, see Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda.

HandsIcon.pngPLEDGE: Show Your Solidarity

Our goal is to 1,000,000 million North Carolinians to sign the pledge against hate.  In addition to signing the pledge, you can do a campaign locally to get your neighbors, colleagues and friends on board.  The pledge can also be publicized in local newspapers, on social media and at community events.

Next, consider the groups and networks you are a part of that could leverage power.  Durham City Council wrote this letter to the people of their city to denounce hate and discrimination, and reaffirm their support for the rights and equitable treatment of people.  110 college presidents wrote to Trump urging him to condemn acts of hate and violence.

CONNECT: Create Educational Forums and Spaces for Dialogue

Now more than ever we need to create spaces where people can come together to learn, connect and share across lines of difference.  Educational forums can be organized around films, a live panel, storytelling opportunities or combinations of all three.  Click here for examples.

SHOW: Make Your Values Visible

Symbols have power.  Think about how public spaces can be used to promote inclusion, either through signage or art.  The welcoming signs on bathrooms that began appearing with the passage of HB#2 (like these at UNC) are one great example.  This signage then made it possible for someone to map all the trans-friendly bathrooms in the state.  Schools and religious institutions can sponsor programs that invite people to illustrate the values that make North Carolina, which could culminate in an exhibit or contest. Not In Our Town, a movement to stop hate and build inclusive communities, has tons of great resources on how to do public visibility campaigns like this.

PRAY: Organize Interfaith Worship and Rituals

Think about the role religion and spirituality play in people’s individual lives, and the roles that houses of worship play in communities.  Joining across interfaith lines in various forms is a powerful response to actions aimed at division and demonization.  This can manifest in interfaith worship and rituals with numerous traditions represented or community meals where people share each other’s foods and stories.  Church leaders in particular have a leadership opportunity to help their congregations and communities speak out forcefully when members of other faith traditions or undocumented people are targeted.  Public statements of support and solidarity matter.