Organize Locally: How Antifascist Book Clubs Can Build Power

Why small, local actions matter more than ever in the fight for democracy.

Today, Donald Trump was sworn in as president. And while it might be tempting to focus on things like his buddy Musk performing a Nazi salute at Trump’s inauguration rally, I’m practicing discipline to focus on actionable plans for resistance (more on this below).

Already, the warning signs are clear: Trump’s first words to the nation as the 47th president were about the weaponization of the legal system against political enemies. As we know well, every accusation from Trump is a confession.

Trump has announced executive orders to militarize the southern border and use actual forces of war with criminal cartels. He took time during his historic speech to indicate how he’ll instruct the state to target and dehumanize the trans community. He announced a new department of “External Revenue Services,” still seeming to truly not understand that the tariffs he plans are effectively taxes on American consumers. This may feel like the start of a dark chapter. Because it is.

Trump has far more experience than last time. He has more tools and knowledge at his disposal, and the sycophants around him are far more dangerous. With these elevated threats, resistance at every level becomes crucial.

As we face these challenges, it’s easy to feel powerless. But history has shown us time and again that collective action—starting small, in our own communities—can build movements that change the world. One of the simplest and most effective ways to get started is to organize an antifascist book club.

Why Book Clubs Matter

Book clubs may seem small, but they are foundational to building grassroots resistance and fostering resilience against authoritarianism. By gathering in libraries, bookstores, or even living rooms, we create spaces to:

• Educate Ourselves: Learn the history of fascism, authoritarianism, and resistance movements so we can recognize the patterns and respond effectively.

• Build Community: Connect with like-minded people in your area who are ready to take action.

• Foster Dialogue: Share perspectives and ideas, laying the foundation for broader coalitions.

By coming together to discuss ideas, people build the groundwork for organizing and action. Book clubs start small but create ripples that can inspire larger change.

Getting Started

Ready to organize? Here’s how:

1. Find a Venue: Reach out to local libraries or independent bookstores. Many are eager to support community-building initiatives.

2. Start with the Basics: Invite a few friends or post on community boards to spread the word.

3. Use My Reading List: Here’s a list of books to get you started. These works provide the tools and knowledge to understand and counter fascism. (We’ll be adding more reading recommendations to the list this week.)

4. Keep It Consistent: Aim to meet regularly—whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly—and set a schedule that works for your group.

5. Document Your Work: Share your experiences online to inspire others to do the same.

When I took to TikTok to share my initial antifascist reading list, it was a one-off. I didn’t have any idea that it would get so much attention. But the video quickly went viral, racking up over a million views. People I had never met before started reaching out telling me that they were starting book clubs both in-person and online. A bunch of TikTok users who hadn’t really ever posted content consistently before started posting daily, sharing the things they had learned, and encouraging others to join them. I received hundreds of messages from strangers asking me to create the Antifascist Book Club — so, on a whim, I did.

Lessons from the Antifascist Reading List

Here’s how the books on my recommended reading list apply to today’s challenges:

• On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder: This book reminds us of the importance of defending democratic institutions and staying vigilant against authoritarian creep. As Trump reclaims power, its lessons on resisting small erosions of rights are critical. I always recommend that people start with this book because it’s short enough you might finish it in a single sitting. The dopamine hit that you’ll get from consuming a book cover-to-cover so quickly will make you thirsty for more.

• Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat: This work highlights how leaders like Trump manipulate fear and grievances to consolidate power. Understanding these tactics can help us anticipate his moves and counter them effectively. He will try to fracture coalitions — pit community against community — so that we spend more time policing each other than organizing against him and the MAGA movement.

• Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen: Gessen’s insights into the gradual normalization of authoritarianism provide a roadmap for resisting complacency in the face of escalating threats. Gessen reminds us not to take the bait — what they call “the Tweet Trap” — that during the first Trump presidency had the press constantly focusing on the new fires he was starting. Those latest insults and absurdities had the American people and our representatives in Congress distracted from other important work.

• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi: Trump’s policies disproportionately harm marginalized communities. Kendi’s book offers tools for understanding systemic racism and organizing against it. As Trump promises to remove “DEI” from the entire federal government, it’s all that more important that we focus on the changes that we can make locally.

• Gangsters of Capitalism by Jonathan Katz: This book connects historical U.S. imperialism to modern struggles against fascism, reminding us that economic power and authoritarianism often go hand in hand. Trump’s recent obsession with Canada, Greenland, and Panama aren’t just a distraction. He’s trying to turn back the clock on the world, and use our military and commercial might to begin colonizing our allies.

Why Now?

The age of performative, online “#resistance” is over. Trump’s promises of retribution and his attacks on democratic norms demand real action, not just tweets and hashtags. Local organizing, like antifascist book clubs, is one of the most effective ways to push back.

By starting an antifascist book club, you’re equipping yourself with knowledge while establishing the kind of “third place” our society has been missing for decades. These small acts of resistance sow the seeds for larger actions and broader coalitions.

With every book club comes opportunities for you to recognize the leadership potential in your peers. By meeting regularly, these leaders are going to have infinite opportunities to develop the kind of confidence, skills, and personal networks necessary to become elected leaders in your local community organizations and even government.

Trump and MAGA have benefited from the far-right’s leadership pipeline funded by the likes of Leonard Leo and the Koch brothers for decades. We need to start working now to create a similar leadership development pipeline that doesn’t rely on investments by fickle left-leaning oligarchs. (Remember Mark Zuckerberg, anyone?)

Join the Movement

If you’re organizing a book club, let me know in the comments or by replying to this post. Share what you’re reading, what you’re learning, and how it’s bringing people together. Let’s build a network of antifascist book clubs across the country.

Together, we can build a future brighter than the darkness Trump seeks to impose—a future grounded in justice, equity, and community-powered action.

Let’s go on offense.

— Kris