We can do so much better than not showing up for Trump's Inauguration

Silence is Complicity: Why We Must Show Up Against Authoritarianism

It’s tempting, isn’t it? The idea of not showing up to something you find abhorrent. The thought of turning your back, staying home, or simply refusing to participate in a spectacle you know is wrong. It feels righteous, even defiant—like a way to withhold respect from something that doesn’t deserve it.

But as Martin Luther King Jr. once said:

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

Not showing up is not the stand you think it is. In the face of authoritarianism, it isn’t defiance—it’s retreat. It’s silence. And silence, no matter how principled it may feel, is the very thing that empowers those who seek to dominate and deceive.

This is not a judgment of how you feel. It’s completely understandable to want to shut off from the chaos and refuse to give any acknowledgment to those who do harm. But when dealing with authoritarianism, retreat is the exact kind of response that fuels its power. If we want to stand for truth, for justice, for democracy itself, we need to confront the lies directly, not by avoiding them but by showing up—and refusing to let them go unchallenged.

The Comfort of Retreat—and Its Danger

Let’s be honest: retreat is comforting. It feels safe. And in today’s world, where the noise and chaos of political conflict can feel overwhelming, it’s natural to want to step away from it all. You might even feel that staying silent is a dignified form of resistance—that by refusing to show up, you’re denying legitimacy to something you know is wrong.

But here’s the problem: retreat doesn’t disrupt authoritarianism. It enables it. It creates a vacuum that the other side is all too eager to fill. When you stay silent, they tell their story unopposed. They own the narrative, the visuals, the history books. Your absence doesn’t deny them legitimacy—it amplifies their unchallenged dominance.

Authoritarianism thrives on silence. It counts on good people retreating into comfort zones, leaving the stage wide open for its lies to take root. And every time we let this happen, we make it that much harder to fight back the next time.

Why Not Showing Up is Worse Than Being Present

When you show up—even to something you loathe—you have power. You have the ability to disrupt, to challenge, to make the truth visible. Imagine a moment like Trump’s potential inauguration, where every camera and every photo captures not just his cheering supporters, but signs and symbols of defiance held by Democratic dignitaries, former presidents, and elected officials.

Imagine Hakeem Jeffries standing tall with a sign reading “Insurrectionist-in-Chief.” Picture Nancy Pelosi holding a bold sign saying “E. Jean Carroll Knows Who You Are.” Envision Barack Obama, one of the most respected figures in the world, silently raising a sign that reads “34-Time Felon.”

And more importantly, imagine Trump’s face as he realizes, in real-time, how his inauguration will be remembered—not as a moment of triumph, but as a moment defined by the stark, visible truth of his scandals, betrayals, and crimes.

Every video, every broadcast, every picture would tell a different story—one that reminds the world that not everyone stood by in silence. That there were people in power who saw the lies for what they were and refused to let them pass unchallenged.

But if no one shows up? The history books will see only unbroken applause. And that’s a gift we can’t afford to give.

The Myth of the “Boycott” Argument

Some will argue that not showing up is a form of protest—a kind of boycott. But let’s break this down. Boycotts are powerful when they have a tangible impact. A consumer boycott, for example, works because it hurts a corporation’s bottom line. A strike works because it disrupts production.

What does boycotting an authoritarian spectacle achieve? Nothing. The event will go on. The cameras will roll. The narrative will be crafted without your input. Your absence doesn’t hurt them; it helps them by leaving the opposition invisible.

To be clear, I understand why this feels like a valid argument. The idea of a boycott feels familiar, even righteous. But in this context, it’s a misapplied strategy—a comforting illusion that ultimately weakens the cause it’s meant to support.

What Needs to Be Done Instead

So, what should be done instead? Democratic leaders and dignitaries should show up—not to lend legitimacy to the spectacle, but to visibly protest it in ways that cannot be ignored.

1. Make the Truth Visible: Hold signs that remind the world of the truth—of Trump’s scandals, his lies, and his betrayals. Let those truths dominate every photo and video.

2. Be Symbolic: Coordinate colors or engage in peaceful acts of defiance. Imagine the visual impact of every Democratic dignitary wearing black and refusing to applaud.

3. Claim the Narrative: Ensure that history can’t whitewash the moment. Every act of resistance leaves a record—a mark that can’t be erased, no matter how much authoritarianism tries to rewrite the story.

A Call to Courage

I know showing up is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It feels risky. But courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the decision to act in spite of it. And if we’re serious about standing against authoritarianism, we can’t afford to stay home.

Retreat is tempting. It feels safe. But in the end, it only empowers the very forces we oppose. The fight for democracy demands visibility, presence, and a spine strong enough to stand in the face of lies.

And you, by being here and reading The American Manifesto, are already part of that fight. You’re part of a growing movement that refuses to retreat, that sees through the lies, and that knows we can be better and do better. Together, we have the power to turn this vision into reality—not just in our minds, but in the streets, in the halls of power, and on the pages of history.

This isn’t just about you or me. It’s about everyone who has a role to play, especially those who are supposed to be there—the Democratic dignitaries, former presidents, and elected officials who have the power to make this moment one for the history books.

You can help make this happen. Share this message. Post it. Send it to your representatives. Call their offices and use social media to encourage them to show up—not as passive participants, but as bold, visible protesters. Remind them that history is watching and that their courage can turn this moment into a defining act of resistance.

By sharing this vision, you’re helping us be heard. You’re helping us build momentum for a protest that will live on in every photograph, every video, and every memory of this event. Together, we can push back against authoritarianism with truth, courage, and an unshakable commitment to justice.

So let’s resist the comfort of retreat. Let’s show up—not as spectators, but as active, undeniable witnesses to the truth. When lies are met with silence, they win. But when they’re met with defiance, courage, and a unified voice, they crumble.

Thank you for being here, for being part of this team, and for standing on the side of history that refuses to stay silent. And if you believe in this mission, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support ensures this message stays free, accessible, and independent—untainted by corporate influence or paywalls. Together, we can make history—and ensure it’s remembered for the right reasons.