Next Steps: Blackouts/General Strikes, Redistricting and States Withhold Taxes from Fed

America is thrilled with the success of the No Kings rallies across this great nation this past Saturday. Wow — 7 million people were out there declaring their love of country and their enthusiasm to protect it from fascism.

By Sunday morning, about half of the folks rightly asked: “What’s next?”
As I speak with movement leaders, labor leaders, and activists, it is clear that the trajectory is strong. However, we need a set of next steps that continue building momentum and drive results.

The question: What is the general consensus on next steps?

The blunt answer: Stop the money flow.

Historically, when the U.S. and European countries have been most successful in creating social and economic change, they begin by organizing the team, ambassadors, and supporters. The Hands Off and NO Kings rallies have started this movement and will continue: Everyday people of all political stripes are joining national and local groups to protest this fascist administration. We are growing quickly.

What are the next steps:

• Keep protesting, calling, emailing, finding community/common cause with neighbors and sending opposition messages
• Nationwide blackouts/general strikes
• Soft Secession steps
• Redistricting

Next Actions: Economic boycotts, consumer blackouts, and a general strike.

While we have had some success boycotting individual companies (Amazon, Target, Starbucks. etc.) to date, we also need to start rolling out full industry and nationwide efforts to demonstrate our collective economic power as rank and file Americans.
Based on historical records, successful mass boycotts, non-cooperation campaigns, and general strikes have achieved outcomes ranging from economic concessions to the toppling of authoritarian regimes—often succeeding where conventional tactics failed. Key examples of successful international general strikes include:
Egypt (1919):A nationwide general strike was central to the 1919 Egyptian Revolution against British colonial rule. Tactics included strikes, mass demonstrations, boycotts, and civil disobedience. The sustained pressure led Britain to issue a declaration of limited independence for Egypt in 1922.
Germany (1920):In March 1920, German workers launched a general strike to defend democracy against the right-wing Kapp Putsch. Millions of workers and civil servants withheld labor, paralyzing public services. The coup leaders resigned and fled within four days, restoring the legitimate government without military force—demonstrating the power of nonviolent mass action.
Poland (1980):The 1980 strikes ignited the Solidarity movement, which challenged communist rule. Workers occupied shipyards and factories, leading to demands for independent trade unions and political reform. Ultimately, the government allowed the formation of Solidarity, the first independent labor union in the Eastern Bloc. This movement helped bring about a peaceful end to communist rule in Poland by 1989.
Czechoslovakia (1989):A well-timed, two-hour general strike marked a decisive moment in the Velvet Revolution, leading to a peaceful transfer of power. Widespread demonstrations culminated in negotiations with opposition leaders, breaking the communist monopoly on power within weeks.
Honduras (1954):Tens of thousands of workers mobilized against oppressive working conditions and U.S. corporate exploitation. Starting with banana workers, the strike spread across industries, resulting in wage increases, improved conditions, and new labor legislation. It compelled American-owned companies like United Fruit to sign collective agreements for the first time.
Other notable examples:

• Russia (1905): A massive strike wave pressured Tsar Nicholas II into issuing the October Manifesto, creating a Duma and instituting reforms.
• France (1968): Over 9 million workers staged a general strike in solidarity with student protests, leading to wage increases and social changes.
• Sudan (1964, 1985): Political strikes contributed to overthrowing military dictatorships.
• United States (1902): The Anthracite Coal Strike, brokered by Theodore Roosevelt, resulted in wage hikes and shorter workdays, shifting federal intervention in labor disputes.

We Also Need To Support States’ Soft Secession Steps

In cases of extreme strife, soft secession has proven effective against authoritarian governments across the globe and stopped fascism. Soft secession involves structural steps that lead to the current working relationships with the federal government becoming less binding, more favorable for states or in grave cases, severed.
In the case of the U.S., states could create their own social service, tax and governmental systems to replace reliance on the federal government. In this instance, states would replicate and replace, but not sever completely.

To be clear: This IS NOT FULL SECESSION, but steps that protect inhabitants of states.
Soft secession is a process where a region gains significant autonomy—often through devolution—without formally seceding. Currently our blue state governors are pursuing the ability and legality of withholding tax revenue from the federal government.
Successful international examples include:

• Quebec:The Quebec sovereignty movement uses political and legal challenges—like referendums and laws protecting French language and culture—to push for greater autonomy. Failed constitutional reforms and international pursuits have kept Quebec striving for self-governance within Canada.
• Scotland:Since 1999, devolution created a Scottish Parliament, and the 2014 independence referendum was a major step in asserting self-determination. Brexit further fueled independence debates, with renewed calls for a second referendum.
• Kosovo:After 1999 NATO intervention and UN administration, Kosovo declared independence in 2008, recognized by many Western countries, though key disputes remain. Its process highlights how international intervention can facilitate de facto independence.

What should we be doing and watching for as next steps?
Immediate actions include:

• Supporting the movement:Continue opposing fascism by joining groups like Indivisible, Project 50501, and MoveOn. Participate in rallies, calls, emails and social media campaigns to oppose fascism. Your job is to keep up the good work and keep recruiting others who are negatively affected by Trump’s chaos. Equally important: communicating your love for and need to protect America.
• Participate in Blackouts: Currently several groups are calling for two blackouts, where consumers and Americans are asked to buy nothing and we do mean nothing = no commerce. There will be more and will likely lead to a general strike:
  • Black Friday 2025: Friday, November 28
  • Cyber Monday 2025: Monday, December 1
• Support redistricting IN BLUE STATES ONLY: While not ideal, we are in difficult times and we must find more seat for sane candidates.
• Support Governors who are implementing soft secession which may include a. creating parallel or shadow government social service systems to replicate or replace federal systems b. restrict or stop providing federal taxes collected to the federal government c. litigating the federal government based on illegal federal administration actions.
• General Strike: This takes time to build toward a dramatic step. In order to be successful at a general strike it takes time, commitment and lots of work. Stay tuned for instructions forthcoming.

The wind is at our back, we are strong and we will win this.