Imagine if armed militia and Patriot groups from across the country descended on your community to occupy nearby public lands and claimed that they were protecting you. Well, that’s exactly what happened in Burns, Oregon, a town of 2,700 people, for 41 days in the winter of 2016.  Just like many rural communities across the US, Harney County residents were fed up with these attempts at using intimidation and violence to gain political influence, and decided to say enough is enough.

Whitefish, Montana, a town of about 8000 people, is known for its natural beauty and occasional celebrity sightings. In 2017, it received national news coverage when neo-Nazis were planning an armed march on Martin Luther King Day to promote white supremacy. A community group called “Love Lives Here” took a stand. 

When white supremacists tried to spread fear in Springfield, Ohio, the Haitian community and its allies refused to back down. Through public rallies, economic support, and legal action, they countered racist disinformation with solidarity and truth. The fight isn’t over, but Springfield’s resistance has sent a clear message—intimidation won’t work here.