We Are the Frontline

Dispatches from the Elbows Up Resistance Tour

Elbows Up Rally for Canada - London, Ontario

These are disorienting and frightening times. There are days when we feel consumed by rage, and other days we just don't want to get out of bed. Each day brings a new outrage, a new sacrilege, a shocking slap in the face to decency and the rule of law.

They want it this way.

There would be no other way for an extremist coup to succeed other than by keeping us in a case of constant disorientation.

That was the battle plan to gain control of North America. But then Trump pissed off the Canadian people, and things began to go sideways.

I will admit that I was frightened and unsure at the beginning of this fight. But then I began to recognize that powerful Juno Beach gene in each of us. Canadians have a proud history of fighting against fascism, and now the duty of taking up the quarrel with the foe has fallen to us.

Charlie Angus at Juno Beach on the 75th anniversary of D-Day

I am inspired by the resistance. And I am not the only one.

People from all over the world are reaching out. They have watched the determined resistance in Canada and are sensing that they, too, can play their role in opposing the fascist takeover of American democracy.

At a recent Elbows Up rally in London, Ontario, I spoke candidly about the threats we face—but I also highlighted the incredible strength and determination of the people.

It has become clear that the front line of defence against the Trump administration isn't the courts. Or the democratic opposition.

Ordinary Canadians are inspiring other people worldwide to do their part to bring the fight to the MAGA mob.

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The Seeds of Resistance

Let's be honest: the Trump gang saw Canada as an easy mark. They believed they could push us around.

At first, the resistance to Trump was organic. A family decided to cancel a trip to Disneyland. Another refused to purchase greens and fruit made in the USA.

It was a series of individual acts by everyday people who couldn't stomach a bully. No one led the campaign. But as people began sharing their stories, individual acts morphed into a broad movement — one that has only grown in power and confidence.

And now?

The Canadian resistance, through the boycott, is having a massive economic impact on key sectors of the American economy.

And there isn't a damn thing Trump can do about it.

Florida orange juice sales have plummeted. Canadian grocers are scrambling to fill the shelves with produce from Peru, Mexico and Spain. In a single month, the United States lost 500,000 expected tourist visits from Canada. The drop is as dramatic as the darkest days of COVID.

American products are no longer marketable.

The boycott comes on top of the tariff chaos. Under the "very stable genius" from Mar-a-Lago, the American economy is hyper-ventilating and careening towards recession.

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Where Do You Stand?

I won’t sugarcoat the fight ahead. But watching my speech, will remind you of one thing: there is no sitting on the sidelines.

No one is coming to save us. Each of us will need to make a choice – do we stand for freedom and rights or do we become complicit with the fascist oligarchs?

I know where I stand.

And I know where so many brave but ordinary people stand. And more are joining the resistance every day.

I love the recent statement by American actor Billy Baldwin:

"What Trump doesn't realize is that he's not only fighting against 40 million Canadians. He's fighting against 40 million Canadians and half of America. Elbows Up."

Hell ya. I'll take those odds any day.

We are in the fight of our lives. But Canadians don't break.

We don't bend.

We will not give an inch.

Keep kicking at the darkness until it bleeds daylight.

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