Lighthouse Collective

Small group of concerned friends and neighbors in Santa Cruz working to defend democracy. Nonpartisan.

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

What would a nonreactive democratic vision look like in the wake of the current threats and recent attack on the capital? What can we struggle toward together, beyond only demanding more arrests or Silicon Valley interventions?

#DefendDemocracy #SantaCruz

[choosedemocracy @choosedemo]

There is a severe breakdown of our country afoot. It's not going to get better without effort. We certainly can't fix it by staying in reaction mode to each act of violence — which may grow dramatically. We have to handle our fear so we can keep working on the big issues.

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

We are grateful for the leadership and support of folks at @choosedemo as we prepared to respond to the possibility of a coup. We hope that others step into doing work to address other current threats to democracy, such as far-right violence. #StillWorkToBeDone

[choosedemocracy @choosedemo]

We are honored to be included in @SZunes analysis about how Choose Democracy and other groups did our parts to oppose Donald Trump's coup.

https://t.co/tZg2gmTDYn

[isthisacoup @isthisacoup]

The way the three branches of the US government deal with the aftermath of this coup attempt and how seriously Republicans and Democrats deal with those involved will be part of what determines whether or not another coup attempt happens in the coming years. (6/7)

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

Here's some suggestions about ways to improve democracy. There is so much we can do locally to increase democratic engagement & decrease severe polarization. Practically solving problems with people who are different than us is the bread & butter of democracy. #StillWorkToBeDone

[choosedemocracy @choosedemo]

We encourage folks to find local groups where you can make a meaningful difference.

This includes the fight for greater voter access, work to transform the media landscape, & pressuring politicians to reform the electoral system, ending gerrymandering, and more.

[Ryan Grim @ryangrim]

If you use this moment to pass new laws criminalizing protest, expanding the definition of what counts as terrorism, you’ll make pipeline companies and Tom Cotton very very happy https://t.co/K4cgNsCp8v

[DC Peace Team @DCPeaceTeam]

There's still time to sign up for our UCP training with special focus on situations with dangerous weapons! Join us for an engaging session this Saturday 1/16. Use the link below to register: https://t.co/2NllZ3tgHA

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

Thank you @MariaJStephan for thoughts about responding to ongoing threats of far-right violence & "toxic polarization."

#SantaCruz, what local responses can we take part in that take these threats seriously, without giving up on our principles?

[Waging Nonviolence @wagingnv]

We need to prepare for ongoing insurrectionary violence and address its root causes https://t.co/ZNK8arT0wM by @MariaJStephan #ShutDownDC

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

What can communities do to prepare to protect each other, while also moving toward a nonreactive democratic vision? Let's get creative about responding to the gravity of these threats without abandoning our principles. @choosedemo @TheRedLineGuide

[Scott Myers-Lipton @smlipton]

Key line from @RepConorLamb: "They must be stopped".
He goes on: "They were talking about 4,000 armed 'patriots' to surround the Capitol & prevent any Democrat from going in. They've published rules of engagement, meaning when you shoot & when you don't." https://t.co/QTnRb7xhi7

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

If you haven't already been making connections and plans to protect communities and take nonviolent action to defend democracy, then touch base with your networks, neighbors, and friends and let's be ready just in case. #DefendDemocracy

[isthisacoup @isthisacoup]

We remain concerned about the continued denial of basic facts by a significant number of Republican elected officials that could provide justification for further coup attempts in the coming weeks. (2/4)

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

@isthisacoup Is there any guidance for coordinated action to defend democracy that we may want to prepare for? We're listening.

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

We can all participate in shifting extreme political polarization, building solidarity for protecting our communities, and working to improve our democracy. We can't expect this to just "go away." Let us act as if what we do actually matters, because it does. #StillWorkToBeDone

[. @GregTSargent]

Let's be clear: For the far-right groups that carried out Trump's insurrection, the siege of the Capitol was a huge success, a major propaganda coup. I talked to experts in right-wing extremism about what this event really meant to them. Alarming stuff:
https://t.co/EzjeGsTlZK

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

We'll be listening to folks from @choosedemo, @isthisacoup, @TheRedLineGuide, and others, while also assessing conditions locally and regionally. At the moment, we don't think mass mobilization will be helpful for protecting democracy, but #SantaCruz is ready in case.

[choosedemocracy @choosedemo]

As disturbing and dangerous as yesterday’s coup attempt was, the pillars of our society largely stood and supported democracy.

Read the latest from our team https://t.co/J2dxo5DsqF

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

One reason we need to be prepared to act to defend democracy, is because we can't count on existing institutions to always act with integrity. So far, there's not enough collaboration to overturn the election results. If that changes, we act.

[Van Jones @VanJones68]

THIS is what it looks like when you don't have a peaceful transfer of power. This is treason. This is insurrection. This is rebellion. This is lawlessness. This is unacceptable. PERIOD.

[choosedemocracy @choosedemo]

The danger now is if a violent, grassroots conflict breaks out and adds more fuel to the fire of this coup attempt.

Right now, the pillars of support for democracy are holding.

[isthisacoup @isthisacoup]

We have entered new territory and have moved the Coup-o-meter into Attempted Coup territory to reflect this. Trump has directly incited violence in an attempt to stop the transition of power. (1/1)

[Lighthouse Collective @lighthouse_sc]

We are watching. If it starts to appear that there is enough collaboration or enough force for election results to actually be in jeopardy, we will act.

Don't stop paying attention. We got ready for a reason. Spread the word.

#HoldTheLine2020