“We have had our own version of Trump for decades.” – Arthur Larok
For many in the world, what is happening in the United States is eerily familiar. Countless people who have lived through repressive and authoritarian regimes know all too well how the rule of law can be dismantled. As civil society leaders who grew up in authoritarian states, we witnessed dictators using government apparatuses to attack political opponents and dissidents, disregarding judicial accountability and destroying social programs while propping up wealthy elites and corporations. Though the specific drivers that result in leaders like this coming into power vary from country to country and understanding those drivers is important, there is one tactic they all use to bring people into line – fear.
Fear is powerful. We can already see how, in the United States, many universities, law firms, and others threatened by the administration are falling silent or cutting deals in a shortsighted attempt to stay afloat. These kinds of choices are made in rational self-interest, but history shows us that collectively, they lead straight to authoritarianism.
We’re here to tell you that anticipatory compliance is not the answer. Bullies like to test the limits of their power – and the more you give, the more they will take. Do we need to prepare? Yes. Must we adapt to protect the values we all hold dear? Of course. But what we cannot do is give in to fear. We must not censor ourselves.
So how do we tackle this abuse of power and lack of humanity? It’s a question that comes up a lot at ActionAid – a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. We work with communities in some of the most challenging contexts imaginable. We know that together, people have power. In an era of repressive regimes, movement organizing is essential. Where traditional advocacy has failed or fallen out of touch with the struggles of people, movements give us a source of hope.
Stories of Resistance
Uganda – Power Grabs Cast Long Shadows
In 1986, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni captured political power and became president of Uganda. At first, his ascension to power was considered by some – including Europe and the United States – a welcome departure from the “typical” authoritarian and military dictatorship. He was described as a new kind of African leader. Now, 38 years later, President Museveni is not only one of the longest-serving presidents in the world, but his reign has turned out to be as authoritarian, if not more than, those of his predecessors.
His long reign was made possible by two amendments to Uganda’s constitution: the removal of presidential term limits in 2005 and the removal of an age cap for presidential candidates in 2017. Together, these changes mean that Museveni can run for president as many times as he wants, and he can rule till he dies.
Herein lies the lesson for the United States: To protect your institutions from President Trump’s authoritarian instincts, you must rise and defend your constitution, Congress, and judicial branch before they become too weak to defend you. Once a dictator has a firm grasp on power, it becomes much more difficult and costlier to remove them.
Bangladesh – Movements Can Bring Change
“Every person who is fighting against oppression … must believe that the power of oppression can be overcome.” Manzur Al Matin
For years, the idea of moving beyond the dictatorship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to a meaningful multi-party democracy felt out of reach. But in the summer of 2024, a wave of massive street demonstrations – dubbed Bangladesh 2.0 – swept across the country, sparked by deep public frustration with corruption, economic instability, and escalating restrictions on democratic freedoms. The protests, led primarily by young people, students, and grassroots organizers, were unique in their scale as well as their decentralized leadership and coordination.
Despite brutal and lethal crackdowns by the government, young people stood strong. In a matter of weeks, Prime Minister Hasina, widely criticized for her increasingly authoritarian rule over the course of 15 years, fled the country. Rather than trying to be safe by remaining silent, our youth demonstrated the courage – and took the risks – that were needed in order to win a new chance at freedom.
During the height of the protests, members of ActionAid’s youth network acted as mediators on the ground, helped keep demonstrations aligned with their core demands, fostered inclusive participation, and promoted unity across diverse activist groups. Today, activists are shaping what comes next and choosing a former Nobel laureate to lead an interim government. At ActionAid, we keep working to anticipate risks, safeguard activists under pressure, and ensure that the momentum and impact of movements like Bangladesh 2.0 can be sustained in the long term.
Haiti – Continuing to Speak Out for a Future Free from Violence
Across the Americas and the Caribbean, a growing wave of authoritarianism has deeply challenged democratic values, civic freedoms, and the rights of marginalized communities. In Haiti, the collapse of the state has led to gangs effectively ruling the country while silencing journalists and civil society.
ActionAid works with communities, women, and youth centers on reclaiming democratic space. At the heart of this work lies a deep belief in the power of people speaking up – especially when equipped with resources, political education, and international solidarity – and even if that can sometimes come with deep personal risk.
“The women and girls we work with do not hide.” Angeline Annesteus, ActionAid Country Director, Haiti
Recently, 200 displaced women and girls held a sit-in to demand the protection of their rights after we held an awareness-raising day with them and partners. These women are mobilizing their communities and offering hope for a future free from violence. They are the backbone of Haiti and need our collective support to do their work.
So many people across the globe are living under authoritarian regimes. The courage demonstrated by youth activists, feminist networks, and movement organizers cannot be overstated. Movements are showing us the way in places like Myanmar – with its unyielding struggle for democracy, Zimbabwe and Kenya – through unapologetic demands for economic justice, and Georgia – with a fight for rights. The United States is by no means exceptional in what it is facing today, but as a major global power, the fallout is felt by us all.
U.S. Funders Must Not Back Down
“Your endowments mean nothing if our society collapses.” Vu Le
Funders must recognize that this moment is an existential crisis for democracy and freedom in the United States. But we are neither exceptional nor alone. The lessons we have learned from others who have faced authoritarianism tell us clearly that this is not the time to “wait and see,” develop a new strategy, hold back funds in the hopes of being able to support future efforts, or avoid funding specific kinds of work because the administration is threatening to shut down that work. Civil society organizations will run out of money from the combined effects of funder caution, the need to double down on organizing and campaigning work, the unforeseen expenses associated with shoring up digital and physical security, and the potentially crippling costs of defending against legal challenges. Soon enough, there will be nothing left to fund.
Such times call for partnership, for trust, and for money. Now is the moment to dig into reserves and endowments. It’s great that foundations are increasing flexibility for existing grantees, but that is not enough. When an organization comes to you with a plan for supporting a vulnerable community, fighting the latest executive power grab, or engaging more people in the movement, fund it! Even if it doesn’t fit squarely in the 5-year strategy, fund it anyway! That strategy will likely be meaningless in 5 years if you don’t. If said social justice organization is under direct threat from the administration, fund it! That’s a sure sign the work it is doing is effective and needed.
Leaving those who are pushing back without sufficient funding to do so effectively is counterproductive, irresponsible, and dangerous. There is inherent risk for everyone involved in resistance – both for those on the frontlines and those funding them – but the self-censorship of progressive actors, inspired by fear, is precisely the instrument that authoritarians rely on. The administration is waiting for just the right opportunity to crush our movements. But if we resist, if we stand together, it is hard for even the most powerful authoritarian to reach everyone.
Courage is Contagious, Action is Necessary
Ultimately, the task of defending democracy requires a completely different risk appetite than many institutions and individuals are accustomed to. As we’ve seen from the examples of other countries that have struggled with authoritarianism, this moment in U.S. history must be met with a new level of courage and solidarity. Our international colleagues have emphasized how a willingness to take risks is absolutely necessary to break the hold of a fear-based regime. They have also taught us that breaking through fear is much easier before a dictatorship really settles in and firms up its grasp on power.
In other words, now is the time to stand together and stand strong. Many movement organizations, leaders, and individuals are beginning to do so. They urgently need the support of the progressive funding community.
Courage is contagious. We stand with those who dare to resist – and those who dare to dream of a more just, inclusive, and democratic world. Will you?
Arthur Larok is the Secretary General of ActionAid International, a global federation working to achieve social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication. Arthur was born and lived in Uganda all his life. He is currently in Johannesburg, the Head Office of ActionAid. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Sociology from Makerere University and a master’s in governance and development from the University of Sussex.
Niranjali Amerasinghe is the Executive Director of ActionAid USA. She is an expert in climate justice, economic justice, and human rights. Niranjali previously worked at the World Resources Institute and the Center for International Environmental Law. She holds an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from The George Washington University Law School and an LL.B from the University of Bristol. She is a classically trained musician and avid gardener, born and raised in Sri Lanka.