The Authoritarian Playbook: From “Rioters” to Military Deployment in 48 Hours

In less than 48 hours, we went from ICE raids in Los Angeles to the federal government announcing plans to deploy 2,000 soldiers against American citizens. This wasn’t random—it followed a deliberate four-step strategy: conduct potentially unconstitutional raids, wait for people to protest (as the Constitution protects), label peaceful demonstrators as “rioters,” then use that false narrative to justify military force.

The piece shows how this playbook works and why it matters beyond immigration or California. Once you normalize sending soldiers against Americans exercising their First Amendment rights, that precedent applies to any future protest about any issue. The article breaks down what’s really happening and provides concrete steps for disrupting this pattern before military responses to peaceful dissent become the new normal.
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Peaceful Protest in Los Angeles: Legal and Constitutional Issues

In less than 48 hours, we went from ICE raids to military deployment against citizens exercising their Constitutional rights. For further reading and action steps see “The Authoritarian Playbook: Action Steps.”

Peaceful Protest is a Protected Right

The June 6-7, 2025, ICE raids and subsequent protests in Los Angeles have reignited debate over the legal status of protest and the constitutional limits on government action. Contrary to administration claims, peaceful protest is a protected right—rooted in the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments—and recent government responses raise serious legal and constitutional concerns.

Read the article.