As the authoritarian regime continues its march to undermine constitutional democracy, it is clear that only through solidarity and action can we have a hope of retaining the American way of life. We need to get off the sidelines and take action.

Writing in postwar Germany in 1951, poet Günter Eich wrote a 5-play cycle, Träume (Dreams), aimed at jolting people out of dangerous complacency. The final play, Wacht auf (Wake up) ends: “Be troublesome, be sand, not oil, in the gears of the world.”

This is our task, too.

Many of us naturally wonder: What can I do?  

Here are 20 things that everyday people can do to throw sand in the gears:

1. Go to community meetings — Show up so you can listen, learn, and speak up about what matters.
2. Film ICE and police abuse — If you see police brutality or threats, record it and share it so others know what happened.
3. Subscribe to independent journalism — Support reporters who tell the truth by paying for their work and passing it along.
4. Join peaceful protests — Add to the numbers at demonstrations that stand for justice.
5. Use encrypted secure apps — Use safer tools like Signal for your texts and emails.
6. Join a mutual aid group — Connect with neighbors who share information, food, money, or other help.
7. Boycott — Spend your money at places that do not help fund oppression.
8. Take part in civil disobedience — When you can, join actions that break unfair rules.
9. Learn and share your rights — Know the basics of what the law says you can do, and make sure your friends and family know too.
10. Demand transparency — Ask questions at town halls, write letters, and use public records requests to bring hidden actions into the open.
11. Share with your family — Let family members know why it matters to stand up.
12. Support whistleblowers — Stand with people who risk their jobs to tell the public about wrongdoing.
13. Fly a rainbow flag — Show that there is room for many voices and views.
14. Turn off propaganda — Refuse to give attention to media that spreads lies and hate.
15. Share satire — Use art, humor, and memes to expose what is happening.
16. Connect with neighbors offline — Build trust and community in small, personal ways that are harder to disrupt.
17. Use tools that block surveillance — Protect yourself online by stopping companies and governments from tracking what you do, like with a VPN.
18. Give to legal defense funds for activists — Contribute so people who resist do not face the courts alone.
19. Call out authoritarian enablers — Speak up and disrupt when you hear authoritarian talking points repeated.
20. Publicly support targeted communities — Show up for trans people, immigrants, and others.

Maybe some of these seem risky. Everyone is in a different situation, and no one should feel like they have to put themselves in danger. Only do what feels safe.

But we all need to do something. Maybe one of these speaks to you. Maybe they spark a new idea. What would you add?

Maybe it can start today.