Portraits of Courage — Emma & Mark's Story of Resistance

“We Struck Out on Our Path of Protest”

“The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.” - Antonio Gramsci

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Writing from a fascist prison, Antonio Gramsci scribbled into his hidden notebook the concept of interregnum. It was an ancient Roman term for a breach in the ruling order, an “in-between” time when the rule of law could be suspended.

Interregnum is a time of uncertainty and discontinuity.

Since the election of November 5th, we have been living in the interregnum — between the certainty of democracy and the threat of authoritarianism, between the rule of law and arbitrary abuses by the powerful.

What the future holds, no one knows. Gangster leaders like Trump, Putin and Netanyahu are laying out the darker path.

But ordinary people are resisting — everywhere.

Through Charlie Angus / The Resistance, I’ve connected with people doing their part across the continent and the world. My team felt it was important to begin sharing the stories we are receiving.

They are profiles in courage. Because standing up to the power structure is not an easy thing to do. Sometimes, you feel terribly alone. But when you take a stand, you find that so many others have been waiting for someone like you, someone like them, to speak out.

These stories remind us how much we have in common.

We, the people, and we, the north, can hold the line. And as Gramsci reminds us, it is much easier to stand up to fascists before they get established than waiting for them to lock in their power.

Here is a powerful story from a resistance team in Elmhurst, Illinois.

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“We Struck Out on Our Path of Protest” — Emma & Mark’s Story of Resistance

In the first week after the inauguration of Donald Trump, my wife Emma mentioned she had seen and talked to a few protesters in front of our city hall here in Elmhurst, Illinois. She said they were protesting Trump's policies and the unconstitutional orders he is issuing. She suggested we join the protest.

I was unsure about [the] protest but also knew something had to be done to right the wrongs taking place.

That following week we struck out on our current path of protest and resistance against Trump's illegal executives orders.

The past few months has seen our numbers grow from the 5 or so people protesting on our first day to 100 plus participants.

At this point our protesting has taken us from Elmhurst, to Springfield, to the streets of Chicago. We are planning a future trip to our nation's capital of Washington D.C., later this summer.

I soon realized that corporate news is not covering the actions taken by Trump and his administration. Additionally, the corporate media has only just now started covering the multiple protests that are being held against Trump and his minions.

I ventured out on the web to find alternative news outlets that have been covering what this administration is doing on a day to day basis, including our protests.

Fortunately, I found Ben Meiselas of MeidasTouch Network and that's where I was first introduced to you Charlie Angus.

Charlie, you have been such a great source of motivation and limitless hope to us that I now follow you through multiple media platforms. I can not thank you enough for the hope and support that you and the Canadian people have given to many of us.

Mark & Emma P.

Emma and Mark’s story shows what can happen when courage outweighs fear and is just one example of the determination and resistance rising across the United States.

Portraits of Courage is an ongoing series highlighting everyday people who are standing up to fascism, tyranny, disinformation and fear. If you or someone you know is resisting in your community, workplace, or family, we want to hear from you.

These stories matter. They remind us that we are not alone and that the smallest spark of resistance can ignite real change. Email your story to info@charlieangus.ca

Keep kicking at the darkness — it is beginning to bleed daylight.

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