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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/17/trump-inauguration-walkouts-explainer>
"On 20 January, the anniversary of Donald Trump’s inauguration, grassroots
organizers are calling on people across the United States to walk out of their
offices, schools and businesses to protest the administration and call for “a
free America”.
In the wake of escalating ICE raids, attacks on gender-affirming care, cuts to
healthcare and the deployment of national guard troops in US cities, the
organizers behind the Women’s March are asking Americans to participate in the
“Free America Walkout”.
As opposed to the large-scale weekend rallies that the Women’s March became
known for following Trump’s first inauguration, organizers have planned a
weekday walkout this year. The group says its aim is to show the administration
that as it escalates its attacks “on our rights, our bodies, and our
livelihoods”, that Americans can escalate in response.
“We really felt like it was important for us to have a mobilization that tested
some additional tools in the toolbox,” said Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive
director of the Women’s March. “What will it look like if we do an action on a
weekday? Where we are withdrawing our labor. Where we’re refusing no shopping,
no working, no commerce.”
Although the Women’s March put out the call-to-action, local groups are
organizing “walkout” events across their communities. So far, the group has
tallied more than 600 events scheduled across the United States to take place
at 2pm local time on 20 January.
“We are seeing people walk out and walk in – and what they’re walking into are
very different,” said Carmona.
In Houston, she said, people are planning to walk out of school and work, and
walk into their elected representatives’ offices instead. Other cities are
planning mutual aid events, rallies, craft and conversation circles and talks
with groups like Leaving Maga. Carmon said it’s important that each community
assess its own needs.
“The movement can only get so big if organizations are always at the center of
it,” she said. “Our goal is always putting the people at the center of it.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
