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assertspirituality.bsky.social

@assertspirituality.bsky.social
701 followers 349 following 150 posts

Assertive Spirituality is a public scholarship project that advocates toward healthier systems and communication and away from unhealthy systems and practices (such as Christian nationalism). Founder: DS Leiter

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assertspirituality.bsky.social @assertspirituality.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
This is great.
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The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 17/04/2025
It's bad. But it won't get better if we don't fight. Today's Morning Shots from @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social:
thebulwark.com
Harvard Is Fighting Back. So Can We.
The Trump administration wants a battle with civil society.
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Mirth @mirthdal.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
3/ Though regime change can occur w/as little as 3.5% of the population, these movements must also have... "momentum, organization, strategic leadership, and sustainability" --> Get out on the streets AGAIN & AGAIN, every weekend, every opportunity... www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/defaul...
Extract from the URL / PDF posted in the skeet:
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/Erica%20Chenoweth_2020-005.pdf

Summary

The “3.5% rule” refers to the claim that no government has withstood a challenge of 3.5% of their population mobilized against
it during a peak event. In this brief paper, I address some of the common questions I have received about the 3.5% rule, as well
as several updates from more recent work on this topic.

Four key takeaways are as follows:
• The 3.5% figure is a descriptive statistic based on a sample of historical movements. It is not necessarily a prescriptive one,
and no one can see the future. Trying to achieve the threshold without building a broader public constituency does not
guarantee success in the future.

• The 3.5% participation metric may be useful as a rule of thumb in most cases; however, other factors—momentum,
organization, strategic leadership, and sustainability—are likely as important as large-scale participation in achieving
movement success and are often precursors to achieving 3.5% participation.

• New research suggests that one nonviolent movement, Bahrain in 2011-2014, appears to have decisively failed despite
achieving over 6% popular participation at its peak. This suggests that there has been at least one exception to the 3.5%
rule, and that the rule is a tendency, rather than a law.

• Large peak participation size is associated with movement success. However, most mass nonviolent movements that have
succeeded have done so even without achieving 3.5% popular participation.
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Mirth @mirthdal.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
2/ Erica Chenoweth, who has studied regime change from 1900 to present, discovered that nonviolent protests are TWICE as likely to result in regime change compared to armed conflict - and the amazing power of everyday people, protesting together She's posted Q&A here: bsky.app/profile/chen...
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Mirth @mirthdal.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
1/ Reminder - research shows most effective way to cause regime change... persistent nonviolent public pressure - if as little as 3.5% of the population takes to streets AND STAYS THERE, unwanted regimes will often just leave (see @chenoweth.bsky.social) www.bbc.com/future/artic...
bbc.com
The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world
Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
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Ruth Goring @ruthgoring.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
The first is my joyful midchant face when I see my photographer friend Michael Bracey at Chicago's Hands Off march (April 5). The rest are favorite images of other marchers. #handsoff
White woman with shoulder-length platinum hair, carrying a "Hands Off Immigrants" sign, mouth wide open in surprise & joyPeople carrying "Christians for Ceasefire" banner & Hands Off Palestine / Stop Arming Israel" sognsPeople in large Chicago march carrying a "Protect RP" banner with a monarch butterfly on it. Protect RP is a neighborhood ICE watch group.Woman from the back wearing a red T-shirt that says "Jews Say Stop Arming Israel."
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Laurence H. Tribe @tribelaw.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
This!
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assertspirituality.bsky.social @assertspirituality.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Wow! GO TEAM!
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Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 05/04/2025
💙 DC never disappoints. #handsoff
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Aaron Parnas @aaronparnas.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Just a kid living out his dream
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𝙽𝚊𝚜𝚑 𝙸𝚜 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙸𝚝 @nashishereforit.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
She shouldn’t have to be out in the Kansas City cold, worried about her financial future. #HandsOff #KansasCity
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Christa Brown @christabrown.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Massive #HandsOff turn-out in Colorado. I was so overcome with emotion that I just spontaneously started crying... and then laughing. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the sense of solidarity -- here & throughout the nation. Here are just a few of my favorite signs.
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Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Louisville, Kentucky #3E #Handsoff #FiftyFiftyOne 📷 @bantaart.bsky.social
A crowd of protesters in raincoats gathers under umbrellas, holding signs advocating for democracy and civil rights in a rainy urban setting. Ukraine flag in the background.
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George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 @gtconway.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Absolutely.
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Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Portland, Oregon #3E #Handsoff #FiftyFiftyOne 📷 @climatebrad.hillheat.com
A massive crowd of protesters gathers in a public area, holding colorful signs advocating for democracy and social justice.
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assertspirituality.bsky.social @assertspirituality.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
This is great! 😂
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H. Bea O’Problem @voidbraun.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
My favorite sign today: “Old? Pissed off? Welcome to Grantifa!” held by an old guy
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
They want us to be silent. But we won’t be. Because we know there’s no cavalry coming. We are the cavalry. And we’ll fight in the courts, in the streets and in our communities—because our kids, our jobs and our futures are worth fighting for. #HandsOff
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Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
“Today’s topic could be about fury or madness, sadness or loss, stress & distress, but I’d like to lean into hope. Because even in the darkness, even as the evidence of destruction mounts…this insane chapter is neither monolithic nor will it be never-ending.” www.americaamerica.news/p/what-does-...
americaamerica.news
What Does Hope Look Like?
A Saturday Prompt
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Arkansas Advocate @arkansasadvocate.com · 04/04/2025
Unknown numbers of Ukrainians received emails by mistake from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security saying their humanitarian protected status was being revoked and they would have to leave the United States within days, the agency said Friday.
buff.ly
Trump administration says emails 'sent in error' ordering Ukrainians to leave the U.S. • Arkansas Advocate
Unknown numbers of Ukrainians received emails by mistake from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security saying their humanitarian protected status was being revoked and they would have to leave the…
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AltSpaceForce 🚀🇺🇲 @altspaceforce.altgov.info · 05/04/2025
If your NC vote has been challenged, the appeals court has triggered a 15-day "curing" period. It is imperative that you contact your local Board of Elections or legal representation for the next steps. The NC GOP is openly trying to steal their state's Supreme Court. Do not let them.
cnn.com
North Carolina judges side with Republican colleague in close Supreme Court race | CNN
A North Carolina appeals court sided Friday with the trailing Republican candidate in an extremely close state Supreme Court election, a ruling that could flip the result of the nation’s only 2024 rac...
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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Thanks @stevevladeck.bsky.social for the cite to Abu Ali c. Ashcroft…sounds familiar (the Bush admin brought this guy back)
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elsbeth tascioni @steadyhabits.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
if Kristin Noem can coordinate a media stunt at the prison he is at then they can get him released.
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 04/04/2025
DNC chair Ken Martin just announced he's creating a "People's Cabinet." Just happens to be 11 days after Michael Tomasky wrote a column suggesting that they do this! newrepublic.com/article/1930...
newrepublic.com
Democrats: Send in the Shadow Cabinet!
To fight Trump, the party needs unconventional thinking and a more aggressive footing in the information wars. Our friends across the pond have a good idea that they can steal.
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The Child Labor Coalition @childlaborclc.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Why cuts to @ILAB_DOL are a horrible idea....by Fairtrade America, the International Cocoa Initiative and The Rainforest Alliance.... #ChildLabor @alt-dol.altgov.info @theameilee.bsky.social cocoaradar.com/us-cuts-to-c...
cocoaradar.com
US cuts to child labor programmes a ‘blow to core values’ say NGOs
EXCLUSIVE: Fairtrade America, International Cocoa Initiative, and The Rainforest Alliance concerned by latest DOGE move to slash US government spending
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Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
I kind of want to go
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 04/04/2025
In an appearance on Fox Business Friday, Senator Ron Johnson said, "I’m getting all kinds of reactions from businesses, farmers in Wisconsin that are highly concerned about what’s happening."
newrepublic.com
Ron Johnson Panics on Air Over Trump’s Disastrous Tariffs
Republicans are wigging out about the consequences of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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CNBC @cnbc.com · 04/04/2025
Here’s a tally of the stock market damage: cnb.cx/3EgjVI4
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WIRED @wired.com · 04/04/2025
A DOGE operative at the Department of Veterans Affairs appears to be trying to use an AI tool to write code for the agency's systems, among other proposals.
wrd.cm
Inside DOGE’s AI Push at the Department of Veterans Affairs
A DOGE operative at the Department of Veterans Affairs appears to be trying to use an AI tool to write code for the agency’s systems, among other proposals.
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Alt U.S. Department of Labor @alt-dol.altgov.info · 05/04/2025
Tomorrow, #April5, we're taking to the streets nationwide to say #HandsOff! We will not let these billionaires illegally gut the federal government and take away the protections and benefits Americans have worked so hard for. Find an event near you: www.mobilize.us/handsoff
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assertspirituality.bsky.social @assertspirituality.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🤷‍♀️
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ProTip (AKA alt_localgov) @protip.altgov.info · 04/04/2025
He’s destroying your wealth and selling you junk. Does that sound like what a president is supposed to be doing? Even if this is *who* you voted for, this can’t possibly be *what* you vote for, can it?
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ProTip (AKA alt_localgov) @protip.altgov.info · 04/04/2025
Are we great again again yet?
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ProTip (AKA alt_localgov) @protip.altgov.info · 04/04/2025
Can anyone tell me what happened in March 2020?
media.tenor.com
a man wearing glasses is standing in front of a blackboard and saying `` anyone ? '' .
ALT: a man wearing glasses is standing in front of a blackboard and saying `` anyone ? '' .
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Fred Wellman @fpwellman.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
They really went through and emptied display cases of anything about womens achievements. Taking down Confederate statues and names led to the erasure of anyone who isn’t white, male, and straight being literally erased by Hegseth and his immoral collaborators. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Naval Academy Staff Removed Display on Female Jewish Graduates for Hegseth Visit
The U.S. Naval Academy has confirmed that officials there removed items commemorating female Jewish graduates from a historic display ahead of a visit to the school by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth o...
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
New: We win again vs. Musk, DOGE & the Trump admin! This time it is in our case over breaches of personal info The judge ruled the litigation can move forward in order to stop that ongoing disclosure & require any shared info be returned statedemocracydefenders.org/fund/judge-r...
statedemocracydefenders.org
Judge Rejects Government's Attempt to Dismiss EFF Lawsuit Against OPM, DOGE, and Musk - State Democracy Defenders Action
Press ReleaseApril 3, 2025 Court Confirms That, If Proven, DOGE’s Ongoing Access to Personnel Records Is Illegal NEW YORK, N.Y. — A lawsuit seeking to stop the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM...
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Kimmes @real-me.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
👇
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Dr. Jack Brown @drjackbrown.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
RFKjr is a Josef Mengele wannabe. He’s trying to cull people in large numbers. Every physician in the country and the world must speak out against him.
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NPR @npr.org · 03/04/2025
Although most abortions remain illegal in Alabama, the decision allows doctors and advocacy groups to tell patients about abortion options in other states, and help with travel and other costs.
npr.org
Judge rules Alabama can't prosecute groups helping patients get abortions elsewhere
Although most abortions remain illegal in Alabama, the decision allows doctors and advocacy groups to tell patients about abortion options in other states, and help with travel and other costs
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Kevin Milligan @kevinmilligan.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
New tariff rate for some big textile exporting countries: Vietnam: 46% Pakistan: 29% Sri Lanka: 44% Bangladesh: 37%. This is going to hit every-day working-class Americans very very hard and very noticably. That US$5.99 t-shirt is going to be much more expensive. bsky.app/profile/twse...
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Resistbot @resist.bot · 03/04/2025
🖋️ “Demand to know why Russia was excluded from Trump’s recent global tariffs” hit 250 signers! 💬 Text SIGN PYFIYU to 50409
resist.bot
Demand to know why Russia was excluded from Trump’s recent global tariffs
Text SIGN PYFIYU to 50409 — The exclusion of Russia from the sweeping global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration raises serious concerns. Trade between the U.S. and Russia has declined significantly in recent years due to sanctions imposed after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia still conducts more trade with the U.S. than certain smaller countries that were included in the tariff list. This inconsistency demands an explanation. While the White House claims sanctions already ensure negligible trade with Russia, Trump has simultaneously threatened additional tough measures and tariffs against Moscow if it does not agree to a peace deal over Ukraine. There appears to be a clear double standard in play, with Russia receiving preferential treatment compared to U.S. allies subjected to harsh tariffs. This decision undermines America's stance against Russian aggression and emboldens Putin's regime. It also reinforces concerns that Trump prioritizes his personal relationship with the Russian president over national interests and commitments to allies. The American people deserve transparency on why a hostile power like Russia has been exempted from measures impacting the entire global economy. A clear justification that serves U.S. strategic objectives must be provided, not empty rhetoric claiming negligible trade impact.
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DrDinD.bsky.social @drdind.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
I wanna highlight this and the reference from @jerrymcm.bsky.social - by Trump's reasoning he should have slapped a 41% tariff on Russia. He did not. Why? Just remember Speaker Pelosi's words right in Trump’s face.
Nancy Pelosi speaking to Trump

"With you,  all roads lead to Putin" -2019
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Lady4Freedom @sassylady4freedom.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
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assertspirituality.bsky.social @assertspirituality.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Sighhhhh.
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Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Maybe voting for guy who was a complete disaster last time was a mistake?
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Postcard @postcardlit.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Order your copy today! It’s national poetry month so why not get some poetry postcards and share the beauty?
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assertspirituality.bsky.social @assertspirituality.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Wow. So technically if you FOIA the FDA right now you can sue if they don’t reply on time. Fascinating. 🤔🤔🤔
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Neither has any human residents or, according to U.S. data, any trade with America last year — unless penguins have started exporting fish sticks. Still, a 10 percent tariff was slapped on them Wednesday, presumably just in case the wildlife starts getting entrepreneurial.
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Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
March saw the third-highest number of layoffs in U.S. history, and 80% of them were caused by DOGE This was before the tariffs It's just...unbelievable
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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
"But new year, new Trump admin, baby! Trump’s new trade course isn’t just the biggest U.S. tariff hike in more than a century. It’s an attempt to build a new trade regime on the bedrock of his two basic policy fantasies." www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-call...
thebulwark.com
Trump Calls It Liberation. It’s Destruction.
The only thing we’re being liberated from is our prosperity.
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