Organizers across the USA convened on February 16, 2026 to discuss the potential of social strikes in combatting Trump’s authoritarian juggernaut. Join us to learn about the history of social strike resistance to tyranny around the world; the lessons of the Minneapolis “Day of Truth and Freedom”; the role of organized labor; and how to use social strikes to establish government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Donald Trump and his accomplices are conducting a creeping coup, which is seizing all the powers of the government and concentrating them in the personal will of the President. The consequence is armed attack abroad and armed assault against American cities. Popular opposition is growing and a powerful movement-based opposition is resisting. But what about a worst-case scenario where neither electoral nor non-electoral opposition forestalls a MAGA tyranny?
Experience from Poland to the Philippines to South Korea to Puerto Rico has shown that “social strikes” — including mass strikes, general strikes, and nonviolent popular uprisings — can overcome tyrannical dictatorships. The Minnesota “Day of Peace and Freedom”, has shown the power of a social strike right here in the US.
Speakers:
Jeremy Brecher: historian, author, and co-founder of the Labor Network for Sustainability
Coleen Rowley, former FBI whistleblower and Minneapolis resident
Jackson Potter, vice-president of Chicago Teachers Union and leading figure in MaydayStrong.
Initiated by the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security
Co-sponsors: Labor Network for Sustainability, MayDayStrong, ZNetwork.org, Indivisible Maynard Area, Massachusetts Peace Action
MORE RESOURCES:
Read the full report or download the free PDF here: “Social Strikes: Can General Strikes, Mass Strikes, and People Power Uprisings Provide a Last Defense Against MAGA Tyranny?“
Read an in-depth discussion with Jeremy Brecher, leading up to the Minnesota “Day of Truth and Freedom” here: “Social Strikes: Confronting ICE and Resisting Authoritarianism“
Ready to get involved and/or grow your organization? Check out AllofUSDirectory.org and find community near you.
This May Day, It’s Workers Over Billionaires: May 1st, 2026 we rally, march, and plan a day of no school, no work, no shopping. Join May Day Strong.
Jeremy Brecher is a historian, author, and co-founder of the Labor Network for Sustainability. He has been active in peace, labor, environmental, and other social movements for more than half a century. Brecher is the author of more than a dozen books on labor and social movements, including Strike! and Global Village or Global Pillage and the winner of five regional Emmy awards for his documentary movie work.
As a high school student in Chicago in 1995, Jackson Potter led a walk-out to push for equitable schools funding in Illinois. He taught at Englewood High School and was the union delegate there when the district slated the school for closure. He and Al Ramirez formed the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) in May 2008 and the Grassroots Education Movement, with community organizations, shortly thereafter. He and future Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis served together as the first co-chairs of CORE. After working as CTU’s staff coordinator for eight years, he went back to teaching for four years and now serves as CTU’s vice president.
ZNetwork is funded solely through the generosity of its readers.
Donate
