"When you have people sleepwalking into an authoritarian regime, it's up to us to sound the alarm. People feel isolated, helpless and hopeless. And when you hear about other people who are just like you taking a stand and representing something that you believe, that gives you not only hope, but it gives you power."
"Local resolutions are a uniquely effective tactic, activists and experts say, and they're being used increasingly around New England and beyond, especially as national politics have become so polarized."
New England towns traditionally use direct democracy Town Meetings to decide local matters like school funding and road maintenance. Recently, these gatherings have expanded to address national and international issues, including demands to defund ICE and resolutions condemning military actions against Iran. Activists argue local resolutions are effective tactics for political engagement, helping isolated citizens feel empowered and hopeful. Vermont towns are considering resolutions on presidential removal, Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, and divestment policies. This trend reflects broader polarization in national politics and represents a growing strategy for grassroots activism beyond traditional local governance.
Read at www.npr.org
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