Fighting Autocracy from Hungary to No Kings: Ezra Levin & Laszlo Upor -
laura flanders & friends

If you care about resisting autocracy and building democracy, the U.S. has much to learn from Hungary. While Donald Trump rails against Europe, he and Hungary's strongman leader, Viktor Orban, have praised each other for years. Anti-democratic, anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-queer -- Orban and Trump came to power on parallel tracks with similar values. In their first interview together, Ezra Levin, the co-founder of Indivisible (the group behind No Kings!) and Laszlo Upor, a leader in one of Hungary's most creative and visible resistance efforts, share their experiences of resisting authoritarianism. Upor is former Vice Rector and Acting Rector of the University of Theatre and Film Arts in Budapest - the one university that fought back when the Orban administration began taking control of Hungary's universities. Levin is the co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible, the grassroots movement behind such historic protests as the historic Hands Off and No Kings rallies. From the principles of their organizing to frog suits and caution tape, today's episode is a masterclass in creative resistance. Plus a commentary from Laura. "Our enemy in this isn't Trump, it's not the Republicans. It's not the broader regime. Our enemy is this sense of cynicism or fatalism or nihilism . . . I do think a core principle in our communication philosophy is convincing people, you have power, you just gotta use it. The best way to use it is in concert with a lot of other people in your community." - Ezra Levin. "You have to laugh at them, not be afraid of them . . . They don't understand mirth. They don't understand the derision. They think they are invincible. And when we don't give in, they don't understand what's going on." - Laszlo Upor. Guests: Ezra Levin: Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Indivisible; Laszlo Upor: Former Vice Rector & Acting Rector, University of Theatre and Film Arts (SzFE), Budapest, Hungary.

Duration: 26 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 237

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