We live in a time where basic human rights are under attack. Silence only aids those in power, and never the oppressed, so now is the time to voice your dissent. Whether you’re a moderate, liberal, leftist, or just pissed off, here are some chants to take with you to protests.
Immigration
Say it loud, say it clear: refugees are welcome here!
It's an easy start, and a popular one lately, but no less important.
Muslim rights are human rights!
Similarly cut and dry, but exposes the important fact of dehumanization for a person of color or non-majority religion. This is versatile chant as well, as the first word can be supplanted for women’s rights, queer rights, et cetera.
Power to the people, no one is illegal!
I’m sure by now you’ve heard the language of undocumented immigrants being referred to as ‘illegals’. This chant puts personhood above the idea that any human could be such a thing as illegal.
No papers, no fear!
It should be self-explanatory, but too often does this idea face opposition. We need immigration reform, and we need it now.
Police
Who do you protect? Who do you serve?
No matter what kind of protest you attend, there will no doubt be police presence. This chant can be directed right at the officers, reminding them they aren’t present to intimidate, but to protect and serve.
Whose streets? Our streets!
Another potent reminder to the police, they are for the people, and America is a popular sovereignty.
The police state will fall; you can’t arrest us all!
This is one of my personal favorites. In a time of ever militarizing police and power being centralized into a violent institution, this is a rallying call to action.
Police Brutality
Protect and serve, that’s a lie, you don’t care when Black kids die!
This one should hit home, and bring light to the police’s and the establishment’s institutionalized racism.
Same story every time; being Black is not a crime!
A more eloquent iteration of the last chant, but no less poignant.
The Environment
The pipeline will fail! Our planet’s not for sale!
The recent executive order and climate change denial under this administration has no doubt exacerbated the issue of the pipeline, a project that disregards the voices American Indians and environmentalists to prioritize financial gain. But remember who owns this planet, the people, not profit.
No more coal, no more oil; keep your carbon in the soil!
Let’s be honest, this one is just straight clever.
Racism
Don’t give in to racist fear, Muslims always welcome here!
This election cycle was in many ways a reaction to the Obama administration, a presidency that scared many Americans with the idea that a person of color can occupy a place of power. This diatribe language that tries to make non-whites, Muslims as we’ve seen most obviously, is simply racist manipulation.
Hey alt-right, get off our streets; KKK without the sheets!
Yours truly made this one up. If you see a frail white guy wearing a suit with a Pepe pin, chant this at him.
Capitalism
How do we fix the deficit? End the wars, tax the rich!
This one is great, as it gives a solution within the criticism. Too often do we hear the only solution to fixing the deficit will be to cut social spending. But how about instead, we cut the true parasites off from the system: imperialists and capitalists.
The enemy is profit! Together we will stop it!
The one hundred richest people in the world have enough money to end poverty four times over. If you want to alleviate human suffering, it starts with ending this system of economic exploitation.
Unity
Show me what democracy looks like; This is what democracy looks like!
You might have heard this one before, but that’s because it’s a great one. It’s call and response, rhyming, a little melodic, and just plain satisfying.
Resistance is justified - when people are occupied!
Occupation could mean Palestine, it could mean American Imperialism, it could mean Crimea, or it could mean poverty. Whatever the context, the statement will always ring true.
Brick by brick, wall by wall, free the people, free them all!
Another statement on occupation, but also, and maybe more importantly, on the nature of nationality and borders.
Join together, free our lives; no one will be victimized!
This is a great one, as it stresses an ability for change, and a mission for salvation.
The people are rising; no more compromising!
To cap off this list, this chant serves as a prompt for action. The power to change the system is within us all, and like I said before, silence will only oppress. Now is the time to rise up and let your voice be heard. It’s easy to feel powerless, in your home, on campus, or in the ballot-box. But remember, revolution is within our means.
