Talked with a friend that went to be with the water protectors at Standing Rock
The thing about the water protectors at Standing Rock:
They didn't ask who you supported in the primaries or the general election. That wasn't what they were concerned with.
They didn't ask how long you would be staying. They were grateful that you were doing what you could.
They appreciated that people they didn't know donated money for supplies - and didn't inquire as to how much, but graciously accepted any gift as a blessing on their struggle.
They had no litmus test for supporting or joining them - they didn't reject all but (so-called) "true progressives," as allies. They didn't ask for anything but what you felt you could do, and were truly thankful for the support they had.
That is a huge reason that so many supported and got behind them - from all over the world, and across so many demographics. They didn't scold, they didn't judge.
We can learn a lot from them. That is how you resist successfully - no matter the outcome. That is how you get others to join you, by inspiring them, by embracing them. By understanding the goal, and not making the definition of ally so narrow more are turned away as heretics than accepted.
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