First law firm to refuse to cave to Trump is Perkins & Coie. Thankfully, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale followed suit. Also, kudos to William & Connelly for stepping up and representing Perkins & Coie in their suit. So many other large firms lacked the courage to do so. History will record these firms as having been brave foot soldiers of the Constitution.
Yes. It's really important to spotlight people and institutions standing up to this intimidation. Resisting. Takes practice... needs positive examples.
Very well described Peter. Wilmer Hale is also fighting these threats and not backing down. When the arguably most powerful among us (big law firms and large universities, so far) can't find a way to not capitulate, it's a very dangerous and sad day. Thank you Peter.
Thank you for this validating post. I have been late to this story, too, caught up in other pressing matters (like Israel/Gaza) and perhaps also in denial, re the looming threat of authoritarian rule under Trump. I have just read an illuminating book, On Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the 20th Century, by Timothy Snyder, which will be my handbook for this moment. I recommend to all. And I just made my sign for the April 5 protest:
Peter - Even though I'm a Canadian (living in Canada), I felt enormously heartened by the fact that there are still 'Davids' out there, in this case embodied by Jenner and Block, who possess the integrity and courage to stand up to a Goliath like your authoritarian president and his band of obsequious enablers. Perhaps this is just the kind of revolutionary spark your country needs to save its democracy. It's my fervent hope that whoever will be Canada's next prime minister come April 28th (i.e., the date of our upcoming federal election) will show the same integrity and courage when dealing with Mr. Trump et al.
As for any shame you're feeling about not having done more to protest the dangerous, disturbing course your current president and his administration have set your country on, as far as I'm concerned you needn't. Given your most recent excellent book, Being Jewish After The Destruction Of Gaza (which is NOT unrelated to what's being discussed here), coupled with all your other thoughtful, incisive, educational writing and podcasts on such critically important topics, I would say you are doing plenty. Stay the course.
Thank you for this and for your comments about your book tour. Hopefully, in as many of these appearances as possible, you can nudge/noodj your hosts to have you in conversation with a Palestinian and/or Arab author, gets paid for their time and thought, and has the opportunity to present their own work. Coates did this with The Message, for instance, by speaking with Omar El-Akkad, before El-Akkad’s essential One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. The intellectual frisson that would be created if you spoke with El-Akkad or Mohammed El-Kurd (co-headlining for Perfect Victims) might be even more productive than a fully ‘sympathetic’ engagement.
Also, watching some of those with the most resources (college administrators, white shoe law firm partners, newsroom heads) to resist are folding.
Looking forward to Friday's guest though I personally don't think Hamas has anything to atone for...in line with Peter's eloquent arguments about dignity being more important even than winning. Palestinian voices of objection are those we need to hear as well as supporters of armed resistance. It's supporters of armed Zionism who are uselessly beyond the ethical and intellectual pale.
MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” comes to mind. Where MLK very proudly sat in jail because he protested the segregation laws of Alabama. He called to all his readers to similarly take action. I look at those who stand up to Trump similarly.
You know, Peter, by issuing this clarion call for resistance, you have fulfilled your role and inspired the rest of us. You might have added that demonstrating in the streets is something we can all do (e.g. April5) that matters. Sometimes just showing up...
My take is that a lot of Universities caved to Trump because deep down many of their presidents and trustees agree with his critiques of humanities departments of their respective schools. They wanted to crack down but suffered from a collective action problem. They obviously disagree with funding being withheld but Garber and co. have spoken publicly about the need to reform their to regain public trust. Now they can ‘reluctantly’ make changes to their universities.
Many of us ordinary ppl are standing up in every way we know how. By protesting, writing letters, making phone calls, etc. All of us must say no. We can’t wait for the rich and powerful to grow a spine.
With your heads held high, and your dignity.
How I agree with you Peter.
With much respect…
First law firm to refuse to cave to Trump is Perkins & Coie. Thankfully, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale followed suit. Also, kudos to William & Connelly for stepping up and representing Perkins & Coie in their suit. So many other large firms lacked the courage to do so. History will record these firms as having been brave foot soldiers of the Constitution.
Yes. It's really important to spotlight people and institutions standing up to this intimidation. Resisting. Takes practice... needs positive examples.
Very well described Peter. Wilmer Hale is also fighting these threats and not backing down. When the arguably most powerful among us (big law firms and large universities, so far) can't find a way to not capitulate, it's a very dangerous and sad day. Thank you Peter.
Dear Peter and all,
Thank you for this validating post. I have been late to this story, too, caught up in other pressing matters (like Israel/Gaza) and perhaps also in denial, re the looming threat of authoritarian rule under Trump. I have just read an illuminating book, On Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the 20th Century, by Timothy Snyder, which will be my handbook for this moment. I recommend to all. And I just made my sign for the April 5 protest:
I STAND FIRM
Best,
Rachel M.
Marc Elias has been at the forefront of the legal fight against Trump and his minions. A constant presence on MSNBC, he has publicly announced he would not back down from this fight. https://elias.law/newsroom/press-releases/statement-from-elias-law-group-chair-marc-elias
Perhaps a good guest for a Friday call!
I needed to hear this. Thank you.
Peter - Even though I'm a Canadian (living in Canada), I felt enormously heartened by the fact that there are still 'Davids' out there, in this case embodied by Jenner and Block, who possess the integrity and courage to stand up to a Goliath like your authoritarian president and his band of obsequious enablers. Perhaps this is just the kind of revolutionary spark your country needs to save its democracy. It's my fervent hope that whoever will be Canada's next prime minister come April 28th (i.e., the date of our upcoming federal election) will show the same integrity and courage when dealing with Mr. Trump et al.
As for any shame you're feeling about not having done more to protest the dangerous, disturbing course your current president and his administration have set your country on, as far as I'm concerned you needn't. Given your most recent excellent book, Being Jewish After The Destruction Of Gaza (which is NOT unrelated to what's being discussed here), coupled with all your other thoughtful, incisive, educational writing and podcasts on such critically important topics, I would say you are doing plenty. Stay the course.
Shalom. GW
Thank you for this and for your comments about your book tour. Hopefully, in as many of these appearances as possible, you can nudge/noodj your hosts to have you in conversation with a Palestinian and/or Arab author, gets paid for their time and thought, and has the opportunity to present their own work. Coates did this with The Message, for instance, by speaking with Omar El-Akkad, before El-Akkad’s essential One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. The intellectual frisson that would be created if you spoke with El-Akkad or Mohammed El-Kurd (co-headlining for Perfect Victims) might be even more productive than a fully ‘sympathetic’ engagement.
Also, watching some of those with the most resources (college administrators, white shoe law firm partners, newsroom heads) to resist are folding.
Looking forward to Friday's guest though I personally don't think Hamas has anything to atone for...in line with Peter's eloquent arguments about dignity being more important even than winning. Palestinian voices of objection are those we need to hear as well as supporters of armed resistance. It's supporters of armed Zionism who are uselessly beyond the ethical and intellectual pale.
MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” comes to mind. Where MLK very proudly sat in jail because he protested the segregation laws of Alabama. He called to all his readers to similarly take action. I look at those who stand up to Trump similarly.
You know, Peter, by issuing this clarion call for resistance, you have fulfilled your role and inspired the rest of us. You might have added that demonstrating in the streets is something we can all do (e.g. April5) that matters. Sometimes just showing up...
Thanks.
Thank you for this truth to power encouragement !
My take is that a lot of Universities caved to Trump because deep down many of their presidents and trustees agree with his critiques of humanities departments of their respective schools. They wanted to crack down but suffered from a collective action problem. They obviously disagree with funding being withheld but Garber and co. have spoken publicly about the need to reform their to regain public trust. Now they can ‘reluctantly’ make changes to their universities.
Peter, you nailed it. Thank you
Many of us ordinary ppl are standing up in every way we know how. By protesting, writing letters, making phone calls, etc. All of us must say no. We can’t wait for the rich and powerful to grow a spine.