The East Bay resistance A guide to local activism

On October 5, hundreds of East Bay residents gathered at Oakland Tech for a training session on resisting authoritarianism, organized by activists Karla Zombro and Jane Martin. Zombro highlighted that traditional expectations of government functionality are diminishing, advocating for new strategies to confront perceived authoritarian threats. She presented a list of authoritarian regime hallmarks, with most attendees acknowledging that the U. S. fits this description.

Martin discussed effective resistance strategies from global examples, such as mass protests in South Korea against martial law. The activists stressed that engagement from diverse community members is crucial, encouraging participants to form local pods for future actions. They also shared creative resistance tactics, including joyful protests and acts of noncompliance. The event is part of a growing movement in the Bay Area, where organizers have seen significant participation in campaigns against authoritarianism. Upcoming events, like the No Kings Day march, are expected to draw even larger crowds.