In the CLDC KYRR trainings, one of the most important lessons we try to impart is that state repression originates from both formal government (agents, agencies, elected representatives, etc.) and big corporations and industry. Because of the revolving door of CEOs and corporate lap dogs going to and from their executive board rooms to government positions, corporate interests became government priorities—including the targeting of their perceived enemies—environmental and social change organizations, campaigns, activists, funders and other supporters. For years we have defended activists and organizations targeted by SLAPP suits—those frivolous “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation” where corporations spend millions to sue activists and organizations to try and destroy their advocacy and action that detracts from the corporation’s profits and control of the public narrative. Tobacco–good for you; fossil fuels—no such thing as climate change; oxycodone—just keep prescribing it and profit from addiction.

SLAPP suits statistically speaking are not all that prevalent in the U.S. and we win the majority of the ones that are actually filed. For corporations and industries, whether they win a SLAPP suit is irrelevant—the 2 main priorities of these lawsuits are (1) to scare the rest of the movement (organizations, activists, funders) into submission and shrink their influence over the general public and (2) intelligence operations via the thin veneer of litigation discovery practices such as demands for documents and records, subpoenas, depositions. If they can deter future campaigns and campaigners from boldly going after their evildoing, or cause hesitation from funders to support this work, they win. And if they can attempt to figure out how effective campaigns harness the power of the people to undermine their multi-million-dollar marketing and advertising strategies; if corps can find key individuals or organizations to string up and flagellate while attempting to isolate/marginalize great activists from the environmental and social justice movements—then that too is a major win for the corporate/capitalist evildoers.

But in this current (hopefully brief) moment in history, those corporations do not need to use the quaint SLAPP suit. The shadows that hid the revolving door of corporate and government actors from the people is no longer needed in this new authoritarian corporate coup. The current regime in the US (and many other countries) is unabashed—corporations and billionaires control the government and they will attempt to control you as a result. I mean, look at Trumps cabinet—look at DOGE for chrissake—look at the dismantling of government that actually served the people. Why bother with a SLAPP suit against an activist without assets when you can legislate crimes that serve the corporate/industry interests and result in criminal convictions and imprisonment (which corporations also profit from). Those convictions (if felonies) result in loss/lack of employment, housing, financial stability—much more serious and scary then a SLAPP suit that could result in a temporary injunction (e.g. near a pipeline) or even some financial penalty—but not incarceration within the prison industrial system.

In fighting a corporate government there are a few things to remember at our core: the people are many, these evildoers are few. Behemoth entities like big corporations and the corporate government in power right now are not nimble or smart—don’t give them more credit or power over you than they actually deserve or have. Strategy, strength, solidarity, and being in service of the greater good can still win the day. The chilling effect of state repression is real but we can also counteract it in a myriad of ways when we put our minds to it.

Gray Panther Maggie Kuhn may have said it best: “Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants. And do your homework.”

We have no other choice than to keep fighting for the better world we believe in. Defending forests, immigrants, trans folk, stopping insane fossil fuel extraction, protecting our communities from fascist attacks—all of it and more must double in effort and resistance. Know your risks and consent to the spectrum of potential outcomes (good to very bad); create safety plans and harm reduction strategies; know and practice digital security and document hygiene every moment of every day. Show up and support those that will be harmed during this regime and take care of each other. Let’s take ourselves seriously because our adversaries certainly are taking us seriously and they have a plan…But we also have a loooonng history of successfully fucking with their plans >> and this moment is no different.

Be smart. Be serious and be strategic in your efforts. Know that CLDC has your back.