Hey, U.S. Citizens!
Unhappy that your government is:
- Sending U.S. troops and the National Guard into U.S. cities to bolster mass deportations?
- Handcuffing and arresting opposition politicians?
-
Threatening to drag Is dragging the U.S. into another mid-east forever war?
- Spending 10s of millions of taxpayer dollars on a military parade in an effort to project menacing force on the leader's birthday?
- Planning on massive cuts in Billionaire's taxes paid for by cutting healthcare for poor and working families?
- Lot's more?
It's time for People Power!
A small but intrepid group of about 20 protesters braved the rain in Shibuya on Saturday, June 14th, to kick off a day of "No Kings/No Tyrants" demonstrations, topping 5 million in the U.S. and around the world. In the U.S., the protests counter-programming the military parade in Washington DC, were organized by a consortium of NPOs, including unions, and public interest organizations. Overseas, Democrats Abroad chapters organized events in major cities in Europe, North America, and Japan. In Japan, we were joined by new members and even some travelers and tourists, and got a press mention in the South China Morning Post Together we build community. Together we build power.
The Crooked Media Pod Save America podcast of June 15th, 2025, interviewed political scientist Erica Chenoweth, who along with her colleagues came up with the "3.5% Rule", which says that, based on an analysis of popular movements between 1900 and 2006, that those that mobilized more than 3.5% of the population were successful in achieving their goals, and that non-violent movements were twice as likely to be successful as violent ones. Chenoweth says that the key appears to be that for non-violent movements above that threshold, members of the coalition supporting the strongman start to defect to the opposition, or at least withhold their fire (sometimes literally, as with the fall of the Berlin Wall, where the East German soldiers guarding the gates to West Berlin just stopped shooting at the people trying to cross.)
Chenoweth also discussed tactics beyond demonstrating in the streets, which can become increasingly dangerous as the regime intensifies its violence against the opposition. Strikes, boycotts, and international pressure can all be effective tools. The members of the government or armed forces don't have to defect if the business leaders supporting them start reacting to the economic pain that mass action can provoke put pressure on the regime.
June 14th was just the start of the real resistance movement. Successful movement need organizational capacity. That means a network of activists ready to participate. Your Democrats Abroad Japan and its chapters are the ready-made vehicle for activism by U.S. citizens in Japan. We have established a liaison with the Metropolitan Police in Tokyo, and will make sure all our events are orderly and have the proper permissions. If you are planning any outdoor demonstrations, marches, etc., make sure we know at [email protected], and we will make sure everything is in order.
Next Events in Kanto: We are planning an event in Odaiba on July 4th, and more events through the summer.
See you out on the protest line!
Dave Brauer
Interim DAJ National Secretary, Kanto Chapter Secretary