The unimaginable has happened.

We can no longer afford to be blissful unaware. Make sure to:

Join Advocacy Groups: Engage with organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or civil rights groups to stay informed and involved. (COMING SOON- links to groups).

Monitor Policy Developments: Keep up with changes to civil rights, privacy, healthcare, and education laws.

Understand Local vs. Federal Powers: Know your state's stance on various policies, as states may act to protect rights that federal policies attempt to limit.

Yep, this one is important.

Understand Healthcare Options: Explore local health clinics or private healthcare options to mitigate risks to healthcare access. Telemedicine options may be less affected by local policy. Understand how your pre-existing conditions may affect future coverage.

Secure Reproductive and Health Rights: Stock up on necessary healthcare items (e.g., contraception, Plan B, etc.). Consider alternate options like an IUD, and check out Plan C for more information and resources re: abortion pills.

Establish a Relationship with a Lawyer: Have a go-to lawyer for civil rights, family law, or other areas where legal representation might become necessary. Unfortunately, with the possibility of no-fault divorces being abolished, if you were remotely considering a divorce, the time to speak to an attorney is now.

Ensure Vital Legal Documents are Secure: Make sure your wills, power of attorney, passports, and health directives are updated, and store them in a secure but accessible place. Consider creating a small “go bag” with these documents.

Hard times may be ahead. If you haven’t already:

Save for Emergencies: Build a financial cushion to handle potential disruptions in healthcare access, job security, or other essential services.

Diversify Income Sources: Consider additional income sources or remote work opportunities to maintain flexibility if job markets or freedoms are affected. (COMING SOON- job board links).

Seek Financial Privacy Tools: Use banks that prioritize customer privacy, and consider keeping emergency funds in accounts that are less likely to be impacted by restrictive policies. (COMING SOON- list of tools).

Use Secure Communication Tools: Encrypt sensitive communication on platforms that protect privacy (e.g., Signal for messaging, ProtonMail for email).

Be Cautious with Personal Data: Avoid sharing private information online, and stay wary of policies that could require digital surveillance.

Consider VPNs and Encrypted Browsers: To protect online activity, consider tools like VPNs or encrypted browsers, especially if expressing dissenting views.

COMING SOON- specific tools and resources. Check out this guide for now: Privacy Protection Tips

Create a Contingency Plan for Civil Unrest: Have an emergency kit, a communication plan with family members, and a plan for safe places if demonstrations or civil unrest impact your area.

Engage with Community Networks: Develop relationships with neighbors or community groups who share similar values and concerns for mutual support in times of uncertainty. (COMING SOON- links to resources)

Familiarize Yourself with Your Rights at Protests: If you choose to engage in protests or activism, know your rights regarding assembly, search and seizure, and legal counsel. (COMING SOON- links to resources)

The ultimate brave back-up plan. Who would have ever thought this would be necessary :(

Identify Relocation-Friendly Areas: Look into other states or countries with stronger protections for individual rights, and consider whether moving might become necessary or advantageous for your family. (COMING SOON- list of relocation-friendly areas).

Keep Important Documents Accessible: Ensure passports, birth certificates, and essential paperwork are easily accessible and up-to-date.

Research Visa Options for International Relocation: If you’re considering relocating internationally, research visa requirements and understand the timelines and financial commitments required.

Immediate changes may not be coming, but especially in Red states, expect to be disappointed here.

Know Your Rights in Education: Research potential changes in curriculum or restrictions in education to ensure it aligns with your values. Look into supplemental educational resources or private schooling/tutoring options if necessary.

Prepare for Home Schooling as a Backup: Learn about homeschooling requirements in your state and consider it as a fallback option if public school curriculums or policies shift dramatically.

Teach Your Children Media Literacy: Help them develop critical thinking skills to recognize misinformation and understand different perspectives.

Educate Your Children on Civic Rights: Help your kids understand their rights, the importance of voting, and how to engage respectfully in activism.

Easier said than done. But take care of yourself always, and we will fight this together.

Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who support your values, and consider joining support groups to stay motivated and informed. If none exist in your area, find a virtual group. (COMING SOON- list of resources/groups).

Teach Coping Skills to Children: Help them understand how to manage uncertainty, anxiety, and stress in constructive ways.

Engage in Regular Self-Care: Practice mindfulness, exercise, or other activities to help manage stress and maintain resilience.

The coming weeks and months are going to be tough. As much as we’d like to ignore the state of our nation, now is not the time to shrink into despair without putting up a fight.

Participate in Peaceful Activism: Engage in protests, petitions, and organized activism to support and defend rights without putting yourself or others at undue risk.

Use Responsible Journalism: Share information from verified, reliable sources, and support independent journalism that may be vital if information access becomes restricted.

Document Injustices Where Safe: If you or others experience civil rights violations, document incidents as evidence, which can be critical for public awareness and accountability.