This week, Oregon joined the protests against Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Tesla with a bold red sign proclaiming “Heil to the Thief.” Paired with images of the Tesla CEO and American oligarch performing a Nazi salute, the meaning is clear. Many people in Portland and across the U.S. are demanding an end to the fascism of Trump and Musk. The administration is abducting and silencing people for using free speech to protest genocide and oppression. That, paired with Trump’s tariffs and the DOGE takeover of the Treasury, is more than enough reason to take to the streets before it’s too late to do so.
Portland Locals Protest Musk With ‘Heil’ Sign
From punching Pro-Life instigators to rallying for free speech, many in America are no longer being silent. The majority of Congressional Republicans and Democrats have fallen in line behind Trump, either supporting him or offering only symbolic resistance. It’s the people who matter more. Neither elected representatives nor their corporate backers are going to swoop in and fight for the people of Portland. If free speech and justice are to be achieved for Palestinians, Americans, or anyone else, it must be by the people.
A Reddit post by CorleoneBaloney about the Portland protest and “Heil to the Thief” banner received over 11k upvotes. “That big banner is fantastic!!” said one commenter. Another praised those who’d taken the time to attend and make their voices heard, saying, “Love you Portland!” If nothing else, public protests are a definite sign of solidarity and support. One person in the comments took the opportunity to call others to action, saying,
Now we need to protest with our money. Seriously it’s the only thing these people understand. Money is the only thing that is important to them . Please use your currency to gain a foothold, buy small buy local or buy nothing. Who is with me? [Sic]
It’s precisely because money and power matter so much to oligarchs like Musk that many have proposed a general strike. As the cops stationed outside Tesla showrooms have demonstrated, the priority of the American government is property over people. Fascists and their allies aren’t going to stop exploiting people and persecuting others. It must be the people of Oregon and elsewhere who save themselves.
