Donald Trump welcomed an estimated 250,000 fans to hear a primitive, jingoistic opening speech as US president at his formal inauguration on Friday. The next day, at least double that many protested in the same place at the Women’s March on Washington, while in nearly 700 cities globally — including Cape Town and Durban — another 2-million to 4-million people hit the streets in solidarity against Trump. This unprecedented turnout may slow the rise of a neo-fascist movement in the US. Resistance from below will continue rising as progressive activists move out of their single-issue silos and unite. The ground is fertile, for Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 32%; in 2009, Barack Obama had an 84% approval rating as he entered the White House. Critics will soon encompass most of the world once Trump’s climate change threats are carried out. Could this resistance draw lessons from the victory against apartheid SA? In addition to ongoing protest, a global sanctions strategy may soon ...

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