Photos from November 4th March & Rally

March beginning at Ala Moana and Pi`ikoi and ending at Thomas Square
-Lead Banner-

 

 

"Sound carts" beat out a rhythm to the chants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christine Ahn, Ann Wright, Gwen Kim, and Christine's daughter, Jeju, demanding an end to Trump's calls for war on North Korea. 

Josh Kim with Alyssa, speaking of  the UH Rainbow Alliance, on attacks on LGBTQ 

 

State Representative Kaniela Ing



Noel Kent, on his experiences on the march from Charlottesville to D.C.

Hector Valenzuela, on the effects of Trump's environmental policies on the people of the world.

Liz Rees, delivering the Refuse Fascism keynote speech.

Poet Jesse Lipmann

Marti Townsend, on the Trump's attacks on the environment and impacts on Hawai`i

November 4 it Begins:

On November 4, 2017 we will take to the streets across the country - and stay there - day after day, night after night - not stopping until our demand is met:   THIS NIGHTMARE MUST END!  THE TRUMP/PENCE REGIME MUST GO!

World Can't Wait-Hawai`i is working with RefuseFascism.org to bring an end to the nightmare of the Trump/Pence Regime.     We've held signs, distributed leaflets, made announcements, and held actions.  During October this is intensifying, all leading up to November 4th!  

 

Following is a sampling of what we've been doing.. 

 On September 2^nd  supporters of Amnesty International  made a peace symbol with small cloth signs reading “Love Sacred Life”, “Dance with the Sun – Light on Earth”, Peace & Love is You”, “Inhale Love – Exhale Gratitude”  some distance from the Okinawa Festival (against the fence behind the Waikiki Shell).  They were threatened with arrest by police.  In another area of the park Refuse Fascism supporters who were distributing the Nov 4 Call were also threatened with arrest.  (Leafleting at any City & County Park is legal, including at permitted events.)

 

On September 3rd the Trump/Pence regime acted to end DACA, which would enable the deportation of more than 800,000 young immigrants whose parents had brought to the U.S. at an early age.  In response, thousands across the country hit the streets and court cases were filed to prevent the implementation of the order.  Hawai`i's attorney general, Doug Chin, was among those filing suit.  The above photo was taken at a press conference with Doug Chin, Mazie Hirono,Clare Hunusz, and more than 30 immigration supporters.  

More than 100 opponents of the attack on DACA lined Ala Moana Blvd to with their signs, drums and banners, responding to call to protest within 24 hrs. 

A few days later, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos  announced plans to revoke or rescind Title IX and already has begun the process to do so. Any change that weakens Title IX protections will diminish efforts in addressing and preventing sexual assault in our schools.

In response ,several University organizations, joined by members of  Women's March, Amnesty Int'l, Planned Parenthood, J20, and Refuse Fascism held a press conference on the steps of Hawai`i Hall on the University of Hawai`i Manoa Campus. 

During the month of September Refuse Fascism supporters had a weekly table at the UH-

Manoa Campus Center, postered, and distributed leaflets on campus to promote Nov4th.   

Hundreds of students have signed up to get information, debate, and find out how they can be part of a movement.   More than 60 students have asked to be included on the RefuseFascism e-list. 

Supporters have also been doing broad leafleting in the Campus Center Courtyard.   When a right-wing Christian Fascist holding a big Jesus sign began shouting disgusting anti-gay, anti-science, and anti-women accusations at the students passing by a leafleter stood in front of him with a "Refuse Fascism" sign   She was quickly joined by UH students who  scrawled their own home-made signs. 

For several hours new groups of students joined the small group between their classes.  Some Christian students tried to engage the reactionary around the teachings of Christianity they believed in and were shocked at the hatred and vitriol this self-described "Christian" spewed.   Some were especially shocked to hear him attributing the recent hurricanes to the "sins of LGBTQs" while praising Donald Trump as being  "appointed by God". 

On September 22nd a Refuse Fascism team of "Handmaids" and leafleters went to the

corner of Seaside & Kalakaua, one of the busiest corners in Waikiki, for a "performance".  Dressed as "handmaids" to oppose the Trump/Pence Regime's attacks on women, three "handmaids" stood silently on the corner holding their signs while others leafleted and spoke with passers-by.  Many people, including people from other countries, recognized the symbolism and took leaflets.  Some asked questions.  Many took photos.  Some residents signed up to help make Nov 4th a success.   

One of the ways Refuse Fascism is building for November 4th is through banner drops over freeways during evening rush hours.  Some drivers honk; some give the thumbs up or shaka sign; far fewer flash the middle finger.  Hanging banners over the freeways is a quick, easy, and legal way to get the word out to thousands.  You just have to hang onto the banners and signs tightly! 

There have been banner drops above the Pali Highway and above H-1 near University Avenue.  More are being planned.  If you want to join this or any other event, e-mail refusefascismhonolulu@gmail.com.

Last week the Trump Administration announced a new policy that would enable companies to deny women  insurance coverage for birth control and issued sweeping guidance on religious freedom that can be used to roll back civil rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. 

 

 In response, a team again donned the "Handmaid" costumes and went on a stroll through Ala Moana Shopping Center, accompanied by an accomplice wearing a "NO Fascism" T-shirt. .  The "Handmaids", taken from "The Handmaid's Tale", a dystopic novel (and recently an Emmy-award winning TV series), depicts a hellish and repressive future time when the role of women is reduced to breeders.   

Customers and workers stopped to stare as the group strolled through he Apple Store, the Food Court, the Shirokiya Food Court, Bloomingdale's, and the mall. 

Security guard ordered the group to leave and threatened to call HPD.  When Handmaids asked on what charges the guards were confused.  They were asked if it was because of "attire" or their "appearance", the guards kept saying they "just knew" that this was a "silent protest" and protests weren't allowed in the Mall.  When they were told that they'd look really silly if a lawsuit was filed against them and asked them to call management before arresting us and risking such a suit, they backed off and the Handmaids proceeded.   Who said protesters couldn't have fun?

Throughout  September supporters distributed thousands of leaflets with the November 4th Call, the pamphlet with the 7 Indictments, a beautiful new palm card, put up posters, chalked messages and carried signs.  

To help build for a great beginning on July 4th contact refusefascismhonolulu@gmail.com.  Go to the Refuse Fascism website.   Are you part of a religious community, connect with the Faith Task Force.  Are you a student?   Connect with the Student Task Force.   "Like" the local Refuse Fascism facebook page. 

Donate today to Refuse Fascism.  Thousands of dollars are needed to maintain the national offices, provide living expenses for volunteers who have left their jobs or universities to volunteer full time, for publicity, and more!   To find out more about donations and what they'll support click here. 

Be on the streets on November 4th!   The march will begin at Ala Moana Park.  Gather at 9:30am; the march begins promptly at 10am and will end at Thomas Square, where there will be a rally with speakers, musicians, and poets.  Together we MUST end this NIGHTMARE!

 

 

 

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On Saturday, September 26th, more than 100 people joined a "Women's March" through Waikiki.  The march was originally called by Indivisible Hawai`i to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the day women won the right to vote but was quickly eclipsed by events of today:  the escalation of attacks on women's rights by the fascist Trump/Pence regime, the resurgence of racism, immigration rights and more.   People came with signs and drums; some came in costume. 

Refuse Fascism brought Handmaid cloaks and bonnets (if you aren't familiar, this is taken from Margaret Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale", a novel about a "not to distant future" when women are reduced to breeders).  J20 brought stunning placards with faces of women of color who made extra-ordinary sacrifices to win the right to vote but were excluded from the Suffragette movement because of their race.  The "Windward Resisters" came dressed as Suffragettes   Many brought creative signs of their own. 

 

 

The march began at the front of Honolulu Zoo and proceeded down Kalakaua to Trump Tower on

Saratoga.  Protesters drummed while chants rang out through Waikiki:  "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA"     They were loud, visible and fast-moving.  People in shops and restaurants came to windows.  Tourists on hotel lanais towering above Kalakaua came came to the railings.  Many snapped photos, clapped or made approving gestures; a few scowled.    Hundreds of the Call to November 4th were distributed along the route. 

For more than half an hour protesters lined the front of Trump Tower, keeping up the drumming and chanting, before returning to Honolulu Zoo. 

Six months ago people coming to protests were very reluctant to recognize that the Trump/Pence Regime was fascist.  That has changed dramatically.   Now many come with their own signs denouncing fascism.  They initiate anti-fascist chants, and many pick Refuse Fascism's big "NO!  In the name of humanity, we REFUSE to accept a Fascist America."

 

 

 

 

 

Actions Against Racism & Fascism!

This past week, in the aftermath of the Klan-Nazi rally, the murder of Heather Heyer, and assaults on dozens of counter-protesters, Donald Trump took a clear stand on the side of  the murdering racist thugs.  In response, thousands of people took to the streets in cities across the U.S. in anger and disgust with a president and regime that would side with Klan members, Nazis, and other white supremacists who marched with torches, were armed to the teeth, and chanted slogans against Black people and Jews.  In Hawai`i several hundred gathered for a vigil at Magic Island (see previous blog post). 

Then on Tuesday, Trump doubled-down on his support for white supremacy.  World Can't Wait-Hawai`i immediately initiated a protest at the Federal Building on Wednesday.  30 people came out with less than 24 hrs notice.   Several hundred demonstrated at  New York's Trump Tower.  This Saturday, August 19th, Amnesty Int'l-Hawai`i is calling for another action in Waikiki.  Meet at Kapiolani Park, just outside of the Shell, at 6pm.  Bring signs!


Following are some photos from Wednesday's protest at the Federal Building in Honolulu:

 

Taking Out RefuseFascism.org

During the past month we've introduced thousands of people to RefuseFascism.org in Hawai`i.  We've distributed leaflets at events, displayed signs and posters, and have given talks at rallies.   Here are just a few of the events we've attended:

On August 24th we joined about 20 people who came out to hold signs for Health Care for All in

front of the Federal Building.  The action was just days before the vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act in Congress.  There were lots of honks and thumbs up and only a few loud Trump supporters.

On August 28 about 40 people came to a gathering at Magic Island  to protest the ban against transgenders in the military. While we are against U.S. military actions anywhere, oppose the military presence in Hawaii, and do not think anyone should join the U.S. military, we also firmly believe  bigotry anywhere is wrong and intolerable!  

 On August 4th we brought our big posters listing the Trump/Pence Regime's crimes against the people to the sold-out Jack Johnson Concert Friday evening. While some of us leafleted the almost 3-hour line, the posters were held near the front of the line where everyone going to the concert could see them. Many thanked us and we got out hundreds of copies of the Call to Refuse Fascism but we were really surprised to find a lot of pro-Trump supporters in the line (maybe 25%!). Some said they thought climate change was "fake news"! What were they doing at a Jack Johnson concert? As several said, "We just listen to the music and not the words!"

On August 5th our big posters made an appearance at the fundraiser for the water protectors arrested at Standing Rock.   The fundraiser, organized by 350.org, featured a new film on the resistance at Standing Rock, as well as talks by Andre Perez, Kalama Niheu, and an activist from Standing Rock.  One attendee, reading the poster on the Regime's attacks on the environment commented:  "I had no idea....I thought the buffoon wasn't getting anything done!"  

On August 8th people entering Hanabusa's Town Hall meeting couldn't miss our signs at the entrance. We were there to speak out against warmonger Hanabusa's support of the anti-BDS Act (which would represent a further attack on the Palestinian people, as well as on protest in the U.S) and against launching a war against North Korea (she told us not to worry about nuclear war!?!). She lied on single payer health questions,, obfuscated on most issues, and used delay tactics to make sure she couldn't respond to most of the questions people brought. The evening ended with a chant: "No attacks on BDS!".

On Sunday, August 13, two days after the murder of a counter-protester in Charlottesville, several hundred gathered at Magic Island to show their solidarity with counter-protesters and mourn the victims. Many applauded when the World Can't Wait spokesperson called on people to find the courage to stand up and fight against the Nazi thugs and white supremacists. What happened in Charlottesville must be a clarion call to everyone to fight fascism, racism, and bigotry, wherever it exists -- including in Hawai`i.

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and go to the website regularly for the latest news of actions, materials, and more.   

This Nightmare Must End:
The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!

In the Name of Humanity, We REFUSE to Accept
a Fascist America!