Trump, Betsy Peratrovich’s “Nightmare”
Betsy Peratrovich during an anti-ICE protest on June 9 outside the Anchorage Jail (photo by Ivan Hodes).
Can you go back more than eighty years in less than a hundred days? When it comes to democracy and civil rights, Trump proves he can. Betsy Peratrovich, granddaughter of Alaska Native activist Elizabeth Peratrovich says, “I never expected to experience a threat to American democracy in my lifetime, and honestly, it feels like a nightmare.”February 16 marked the 80th anniversary of the first anti-discrimination law in the United States, passed in Alaska after years of activism by Elizabeth Peratrovich, her husband Roy, and others who fought for the rights of Alaska Natives. On that same date, Donald Trump had been in the Oval Office for 27 days and had already signed an avalanche of executive orders to bypass the separation of powers, the Constitution, and defy the justice system.
In the months that followed, Trump has continued this “hard line” against media outlets and journalists who do not share his views; countries that compete with the US for economic power (which he is jeopardizing); and immigrants, Black people, Latinos, and Native Americans, who have forged the greatness of this country but are seen by him and his MAGA followers as “obstacles” to their white supremacist dreams. For this reason, the legacy of Elizabeth Peratrovich (Petersburg, July 4, 1911 – Seattle, December 1, 1958) is more necessary than ever. “Civil rights are an integral part of democracy,” says Betsy Peratrovich, who continues the activism led by her grandmother. “Most Americans support democracy but don’t know what to do. Trump’s attacks on democracy are continuous and overwhelming.” Betsy speaks about social media, “because one of the factors in Hitler’s rise to power was the use of fear and intimidation to suppress dissent and the exchange of information. The Trump administration is using those tactics illegally. It’s scary. But even more frightening is where things could end up. The treatment of immigrants is absolutely disgusting. It’s horrific.” “Most Americans want Congress to take action against Trump’s outrageous activities. Congress needs to know that we are paying attention, that we care, and that we are not going away,” says Betsy. “The First Amendment grants the right to protest, and Americans have been showing up in droves to exercise this privilege. Of the many nationwide protests against the Trump administration, many have even grown to include international protesters. I attended multiple protests in Anchorage. Each protest was larger than the last. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the massive turnout of citizens who are unhappy with the illegal and inhumane actions of the Trump administration.” The June 14 national “No Kings” protest was called to coincide with the military parade Trump organized for himself on his birthday. A show of force with soldiers, tanks, and military aircraft, at a cost of $45 million. The protest in Anchorage is called for 11:30 a.m. that Saturday at 510 L Street. |