The scenes last weekend in the major cities of the United States \u2014 New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta,\u2014left eloquent images of the reactivation of modern democracy.<\/p>\n\n
Unlike some major mobilizations of recent years in the country, such as Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter, or the recent protests from Hispanic communities, what we witnessed last weekend was, fundamentally, a demonstration against autocracy.<\/p>\n\n
The slogan \u201cNo Kings\u201d refers directly to the DNA of the 1776 War of Independence and the subsequent federal institutionalization of that democracy. These core principles have shown enormous resilience for more than two centuries, as evidenced by their adoption by civil rights movements across diverse communities. <\/p>\n\n
Donald Trump\u2019s decision to organize a military parade on June 14, taking advantage of the 250th anniversary of the formation of the Continental Army in 1775, led by George Washington, created a perfect contrast with the people\u2019s outcry. In the manner of the world\u2019s great autocracies\u2014China, Russia, or North Korea\u2014we saw in Washington a display of military force, very much in line with the warlike atmosphere spreading globally. <\/p>\n\n
Just as important as the growing discontent among Hispanic communities over the racism and xenophobia of the current administration\u2014which we\u2019ve seen in recent weeks\u2014is this explicitly anti-monarchic mobilization of last weekend. The reaffirmation of foundational democratic values is a mechanism that can strengthen opposition to the far right, which both accompanies and fuels the phenomenon of Trumpism in the United States. <\/p>\n\n
As Michelle Goldberg recently explained in The New York Times, the best and most unexpected news of Trumpism is the \u201cawakening of a popular resistance\u201d that goes beyond sectoral interests or demands. The reclaiming of the common good, so often invoked as a way to transcend narrow focuses, is now underway in the United States. <\/p>\n\n
This movement\u2019s evolution should be followed closely, as it could have a discernible impact on the grassroots and leadership of the Democratic Party. If, as all signs indicate, Donald Trump\u2019s government decides to align itself more explicitly with Israel\u2019s war against Iran, the movement will have to take a stand against this extremely dangerous escalation. <\/p>\n\n
It won\u2019t be easy, given the strong pro-Israel lobby within the Democratic Party, but there seems to be no other way to stop Trump. The Trump base, organized around the Make America Great Again (MAGA) project, will firmly support Israel\u2019s war against Iran\u2014just as the followers of both Bush presidencies did within the Republican Party during the first two Gulf Wars. <\/p>\n\n