First, I want you to know that I see you. I am feeling guilty that I should be “doing” something, “doing” more. Doing. Doing. Doing. While my body is having a hard time with just being and I am stuck in bed. Ultimately, my guilt is not helpful and this is not about me. But I know I am not alone in my inability to do something I want to do and in my desire to participate in some way to protest Trump and all he stands for. However, there are things that we can do even if we are unable to join in the national or local marches on Saturday. (Or if we choose not to participate and/or have been excluded due to very valid concerns of racism and white supremacy in the national and local marches).

Most Importantly: Take Care of Yourself

There are many reasons that we may not be able to make it to our local marches: disabilities (including mental health disabilities like agoraphobia and others), lack of childcare and not wanting to bring children for a number of reasons, having to work, incarceration in jail or other facilities, fear due to immigration status or other reasons, and a million other reasons.

More Radical Reads: We The People: Trump is the Price We Pay for Obama

Being able to attend the march is a privilege, and if you are unable to march that likely means that you will be one of the people hit hardest under the Trump regime. That means that nothing is more important than surviving the next four years. So the first and most important thing is to keep yourself as safe and healthy as possible.  Even for people that are attending the march this means leaving if you need to and making sure that you have enough food, water, sunscreen, meds, etc.

Things You Can Do From Home if You Are Able:  

There are a lot of things we CAN do from home/bed/some institutions if we are able some ideas are:

1. Be an off-site point person. You can help by being someone who your friends who go to the march can connect with at different times during the day so that you know they are safe. Especially if folks may be arrested, having an offsite person who knows where everyone is and who can make sure everyone is safe can be really helpful.
2. Make phone calls to legislators and others. Call your representatives, including city council and others, and let them know that you are in opposition to Trump’s agenda. Save their numbers in your phone and call whenever you have a chance. Remember to thank folks when they do something good.
3. Write letters to the editor. Whether your local paper is print or online, a letter to the editor can be about any subject of public concern.
4. Have people over after the march. If you have the resources, you can hold a debriefing session or potluck or hang out after the march.
5. Help make signs before the event if you are able. If you can’t participate in making signs you can try to help people think of clever things for the sign to say.
6. Invite kids over. Some parents may want to go but are wary of taking their kids.
7. Donate money if you are able. If there are arrests, look to the National Lawyers Guild and see if they have a bail fund. There are also tons of other places that can use your money.
8. Plan. Things were shitty before this, and they will get even shittier. There are infinite ways to get involved and help make things better, not participating in this specific thing, or in specific kinds of activism (like protests) does not mean that you do not have important work that can you do. We need everyone.

More Radical Reads:  10 Ways to Love and Provide Safe Space for You & Your Partner in Intense Times

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In order to continue producing high quality content and expanding the message of radical, unapologetic self-love, we need to build a sustainable organization. To meet these efforts, we’re thrilled to share the launch of our #NoBodiesInvisible subscription service. This service will provide our community with access to additional content and rewards for your monthly investment in furthering our radical self-love work.

[Feature Image: A black and white photo of a group of people walking in the streets.  They are carrying signs.  One person is carrying a large bucket and a wooden spoon.  Source: Varin]