As a citizen of the United States – a collection of isolated individuals who have unconditionally surrendered to The Fascist States of MAGA, I am inspired by the nation of Iran. The Iranian administration, whatever its flaws, have fought a brutal and seemingly victorious battle against the most well funded military in history. I propose that we, the newly inspired and formerly bedraggled victims of our fascist rulers take a similar approach and agree to a set of ten points, ten proposals, ten requests…..no, ten demands. Here are Iran’s demands, as a matter of exquisite role modelling:

1. Complete cessation of the war on Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen
2. Complete and permanent cessation of the war on Iran with no time limit
3. Ending all conflicts in the region in their entirety
4. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
5. Establishing a protocol and conditions to ensure freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz
6. Full payment of compensation for reconstruction costs to Iran
7. Full commitment to lifting sanctions on Iran
8. Release of Iranian funds and frozen assets held by the United States
9. Iran fully commits to not seeking possession of any nuclear weapons
10. Immediate ceasefire takes effect on all fronts immediately upon approval of the above conditions

And here are my hasty suggestions for a citizens’ (and residents’) set of demands, sculpted to fit the local suffering inflicted by the empire upon hundreds of millions of us stuck in the homeland.

1. An end to war in the Middle East, and a closing down of all US military bases in this area (I apologize for copying Iran, but US citizens have to pay for US military support for corporate extraction.)

2. An end to all US military bases globally and an end to US funding for Israeli expansion (US military spending is simultaneously a war against the global community, and a war against the citizens at home.)

3. An end to all US sanctions, blockades and threats against other nations, especially against Cuba

4. The payment of reparations to those nations for lives and income lost due to US sanctions

5. Complete access to US asylum for all people fleeing oppressive threats in their homelands

6. The abolition of ICE and the end to harassment of migrants, this includes a clear path to US citizenship

7. Immediate restoration of US participation in The Climate Accords (This is premised on the repeal of Citizens United, and the chronic corporate interference in environmental policy. The US must be a full participant in global efforts to avert or mitigate the worst aspects of the ongoing environmental catastrophe.)

8. The restoration and normalization of elections, with no attempts to expand voter ID restrictions and the reestablishment of voter rolls as they existed prior to Trump’s election (A “Citizen’s Assembly” chosen by lot will oversee free and fair elections.)

9. Medicare for all (overseen by a citizen’s assembly chosen by lot.)

10. The arrest, investigation and trial of Donald Trump and all cabinet members for the crimes of ordering unconstitutional roundups, arrests, deportations, and for committing horrific war crimes and proxy war crimes (Members of previous administrations should also be included in these investigations.)

One could go on and on. Each demand causes its own cascading effects. Of course, ten demands lead to even more demands. What about Taxing the wealthy? What about tenants rights? What about government support for renewables? Perhaps 10 demands are not enough.

Many people have complained that “No Kings” fails to make demands. The “Occupy” movement made no demands, nor did the George Floyd protests raise demands. Iran has helped to set US movements straight. Demands work. They mobilize the members of a movement and put real pressure on the hostile US government.

Iran has blessed us with an easy template going forward. Let’s do it!

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