Dana R. Fisher (aka the Apocalyptic Optimist)
banner
fisherdanar.bsky.social
Dana R. Fisher (aka the Apocalyptic Optimist)
@fisherdanar.bsky.social

Director, Center for Environment Community, & Equity and Professor, AU | NonRes Sr Fellow, Brookings | IPCCWG3 AR6 | www.danarfisher.com | TED Talk on being an Apocalyptic Optimist : go.ted.com/danarfisher

Dana R. Fisher is an American sociologist, professor of sociology, public speaker, and author. She is the director of the Center for Environment, Community, and Equity and a professor in the School of International Service at American University. Her areas of research and expertise are activism, democracy, the climate crisis, and environmental policy. .. more

Political science 27%
Environmental science 23%
Pinned
My TED Talk on Saving Ourselves is OUT! Tune in to learn why we ALL need to be apocalyptic optimists: Prepared for the climate shocks that are coming and ready to rally as activists, disruptors, and bridge-builders to save ourselves from the climate crisis. go.ted.com/danarfisher

Thanks Weegie 😊

I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

The comical idea that the Trump regime is pulling back from mass deportation choked on tear gas in Oregon and at gunpoint in MN, and the worst is yet to come

A looming ICE storm for Springfield's Haitians would bring ethnic cleansing to the heartland

My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
A not-‘toned down’ Trump regime prepares for ethnic cleansing in Ohio
A plan for immigration raids this week on thousands of Haitians in Springfield, Ohio shows that nothing has changed.
www.inquirer.com

Reply with "PODCAST" or DM me to be notified when the episode is out!

Watch Tamika Middleton from @womensmarch.com discuss how to build a resilient movement to scale by leveraging dense local engagement in this teaser from the Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast. Stay tuned for the full episode out this week!
@piqueaction.bsky.social

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

This moment of resistance to the Trump regime opens up a window of opportunity for social change. — @fisherdanar.bsky.social
Resistance to Trump 2.0 is getting more confrontational | Dana R Fisher
In Trump’s first term, activists focused on lobbying and voting. Now tactics are shifting to nonviolent civil disobedience
www.theguardian.com
"The fact that Resistance 2.0 is expanding its tactics gives me hope. Americans are finding their voices and their power to push back against burgeoning autocracy." @fisherdanar.bsky.social
Resistance to Trump 2.0 is getting more confrontational | Dana R Fisher
In Trump’s first term, activists focused on lobbying and voting. Now tactics are shifting to nonviolent civil disobedience
www.theguardian.com

Thanks 😊

Thanks Stacy 🥰

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

Resistance to Trump 2.0 is getting more confrontational | Dana R Fisher
Resistance to Trump 2.0 is getting more confrontational | Dana R Fisher
In Trump’s first term, activists focused on lobbying and voting. Now tactics are shifting to nonviolent civil disobedience
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Stacy D. VanDeveer

My new piece about Resistance 2.0 is up at @theguardian.com! Give it a read to understand why we should expect much more confrontation and disruption this time around. Thanks for the suggestions @victorerikray.bsky.social @sociologistray.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Resistance to Trump 2.0 is getting more confrontational | Dana R Fisher
In Trump’s first term, activists focused on lobbying and voting. Now tactics are shifting to nonviolent civil disobedience
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

Democratic lawmakers have few options that wouldn’t trigger something like civil war.
Why Minnesota Can’t Do More to Stop ICE
Democratic lawmakers have few options that wouldn’t trigger something like civil war.
wrd.cm
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.

Super useful information for Resisters 👇
If you get pepper-sprayed, avoid rubbing your eyes. Instead, irrigate them with lots of water, says Dr. Trisha Pasricha, our Ask a Doctor columnist.
If you get pepper-sprayed, avoid rubbing your eyes. Instead, irrigate them with lots of water, says Dr. Trisha Pasricha, our Ask a Doctor columnist.

Happy to see my work included in 'Why "Wine Moms" Are Right-Wing Media's Newest Target" at Katie Couric Media. Let me know if you're interested in more recent data about the "Daughters of Joan Baez" and how they're doubling down in 2026 @katiecouric.bsky.social ! katiecouric.com/news/fox-new...
From Invisible to Influential: Why "Wine Moms" Are Right-Wing Media's Newest Target
How menopause, money, and a long history of erasure converged to turn midlife women into a visible — and formidable — civic force.
katiecouric.com

Thought you’d appreciate this clip @jessicacalarco.com 👇
Watch Women's March ED Rachel O'Leary Carmona talk about how women are on the frontline building an ecosystem against fascism in this teaser from The Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast. Full episode out soon!
@womensmarch.com @piqueaction.bsky.social
👀 Every Senate Democrat + Collins and Murkowski just voted for the Bernie Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion in additional ICE funding under Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The measure failed 49-51.

Protest in DC today

If you want to be notified when this episode of the Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast is out, reply “PODCAST” (or DM me)
FOUR journalists were arrested. Proving again that this administration isn’t “pivoting” or “turning down the temperature.” By targeting independent journalists instead of the murderers of Pretti and Good, this is ramping up. Not winding down. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Don Lemon arrested by federal authorities after protest at Minnesota church service
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a Friday post on X that Lemon was arrested alongside three others "in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota."
www.nbcnews.com

How does media consumption vary by demographic and political affiliation? Check out the results of our national survey of adults in the US from November 2025 and how media diets have shifted since March 2025 (comparing to data from @pewresearch.org).
cece.american.edu/assessing-pa...
Assessing Patterns of Changing Media Diets in the US - Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE)
CECE conducted a survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,500 adults in the US through YouGov during the two weeks leading up to the 2025 election. The survey included a question about the pu...
cece.american.edu

💯🎯💪

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

Old ladies mad 😡!

Just love the term "Daughters of Joan Baez"--why didn't I think of that?? @dlknowles.bsky.social

Watch Women's March ED Rachel O'Leary Carmona talk about how women are on the frontline building an ecosystem against fascism in this teaser from The Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast. Full episode out soon!
@womensmarch.com @piqueaction.bsky.social

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

SIS professor @fisherdanar.bsky.social is featured in a recent @economist.com article, using her data to shed light on Minneapolis activists challenging ICE.

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/01/29/inside-the-movement-challenging-and-disrupting-ice
Inside the movement challenging—and disrupting—ICE
A non-violent network of activists is forming across America
www.economist.com

Reposted by Dana R. Fisher

CA's Gubernatorial Candidates Focus on Affordability at Climate Forum

“If you’re not going to be bold in an EnviroVoters convo, where are you gonna be bold? It’s not enough to be singing in the shower, get out on stage.”

@kqednews.kqed.org @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
California’s Gubernatorial Candidates Focus on Affordability at Climate-Focused Forum | KQED
The candidates promised action as climate disasters mount across California, but were short on big ideas.
www.kqed.org

Alex Pretti’s Killing Has Upended the Right’s Narratives About Government Overreach talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/alex-pr...
Alex Pretti’s Killing Has Upended the Right’s Narratives About Government Overreach
This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and...
talkingpointsmemo.com