supporting this Ted talk

Will Potter: The shocking move to criminalize nonviolent protest

This is not new news but it is something we don't deal with directly because of the difficulties involved, ie: time, threats of loss and unknown consequences, but it reminds me of Martin Niemoller's words:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

Next it reminds me of Margaret Mead's words: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." 

and then it reminds me of the Lisa technique - where we once had a boss who wrote flaming emails, telling the crew how we were all lousy and doing such a bad job and not working hard enough or fast enough, the emails were so bad none of us wanted to open them and actually stressed about them - so I decided to see what would happen if I said, over and over, "Lisa writes the nicest emails." 2 weeks was all it took, everyone in the crew received the email praising our work up and down and the job changed after that. I think we can use that same technique for the world as well.