In Episode 56 [10] of the CounterVortex podcast [11], Bill Weinberg takes stock of the evident reality that Trump is getting ready to steal the November election—whether by undermining the Postal Service [12], suspending the election entirely [13] under pretext of the pandemic, or simply refusing to recognize the result [14] and sparking a constitutional crisis [15] that could potentially involve the military [16]. The Transition Integrity Project [17], recently established to assess the looming dilemma, warns [18]: "A show of numbers in the streets—and actions in the streets—may be decisive factors in determining what the public perceives as a just and legitimate outcome." As the RNC delegates openly call for making Trump president for life [19], Weinberg examines examples from around the world where people are currently filling the streets to resist an illegitimate power-grab by a would-be dictator—from Belarus [20] to Bolivia [21], from Hong Kong [28] to Mali [23], from Thailand [24] to Lebanon [25].
The question of whether the populace of the US can similarly rise to the occasion has been posed before [29]. But this year's nationwide protests over racial justice [30] may bring us closer than ever before to the critical capacity to stop Trump's impending putsch.
Weinberg emphasizes that such a movement in the United States must have no illusions about Joe Biden and the Democrats—noting that their platform (just for example) for the first time embraces nuclear power [31]. On the contrary, a popular movement powerful enough to prevent a Trump power-grab must maintain the momentum to keep a Biden White House on the defensive, push for long-overdue reforms such as abolition of the Electoral College [32], or even a more truly revolutionary agenda. But the most critical task at this dangerous moment is to avoid a fascist take-over of the country.
Listen on SoundCloud [10] or via Patreon [26].
Production by Chris Rywalt [33]
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