Episode 12

full
Published on:

30th Apr 2025

Breaking Trust: The Oklahoma Raid as a Warning to All Americans

Take Action

If this concerns you, take action with those in this situation showing courage. Here's how you can make sure your elected officials and the public hear from you — and can't say they didn't know. 

📧 Email Template 

Subject: Stop Dangerous Federal Abuses of Power Now

Dear [Elected Official’s Name],

As your constituent, I am writing to express my outrage over the federal raid in Oklahoma City on April 27, 2025—a shocking breach of constitutional rights that threatens the fundamental principles of our democracy.

Federal agents from ICE, FBI, and allegedly the U.S. Marshals forcibly entered the home of Marisa, a U.S. citizen, and her three young daughters. Agents did not identify themselves clearly, lacked a valid warrant naming anyone in the home, and forced the family outside, humiliating them in the rain and confiscating property without proper documentation. Marisa’s husband, still in Maryland, was left helpless as his family was traumatized.

This shocking incident isn't just a tragic mistake; it represents an unacceptable erosion of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. Such aggressive, paramilitary tactics against innocent civilians threaten the very foundations of our democracy, signaling that no American is safe from government overreach.

This matters deeply because unchecked federal abuses erode public trust and normalize authoritarian practices. If constitutional rights can be ignored without accountability, democracy itself is at risk.

I urge you to demand immediate transparency and accountability from ICE, FBI, and the U.S. Marshals. Insist these agencies publicly acknowledge wrongdoing and commit to concrete reforms to prevent future abuses.

Your swift action is crucial—not only for this family, but for protecting the democratic rights of all Americans.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]


☎️ Phone Script

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I'm a constituent from [Your City]. I'm calling to express my outrage over the unconstitutional federal raid in Oklahoma City on April 27, 2025, where heavily armed federal agents terrorized an innocent mother and her three young daughters, blatantly violating their Fourth Amendment rights. I'm urging [Elected Official’s Name] to publicly demand full transparency, accountability, and immediate reform from ICE, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service. This abuse threatens our democracy and must be addressed urgently. Thank you.


📣 Sample Social Media Post 

🚨  Federal agents raided a family's home, violating their rights with no accountability. If we allow this, democracy erodes for all. Demand accountability now. Our rights depend on it. #DefendDemocracy #AccountabilityNow #OklahomaRaid #BiggerThanMe

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/113515f5-8564-46c7-be30-b8198b3b751a/


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About the Podcast

Bigger Than Me Democracy Project
Where headlines meet history—and we stand united.
Bigger Than Me is a rapid-response audio blog from the Bigger Than Me Democracy Project.

Hosted by Bonnie Ross, this blog helps listeners make sense of the moments that don’t just make news — they challenge democratic norms. Each episode breaks down what happened, why it matters, and how it fits into the authoritarian playbook described in On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

Here are the 20 lessons we return to again and again:
1. Do not obey in advance.
Authoritarianism thrives when people preemptively conform. Refuse to teach power what it can get away with.

2. Defend institutions.
Institutions don’t protect themselves. Pick one you care about — a court, a library, a newsroom — and take its side.

3. Beware the one-party state.
Support multiparty democracy and fair elections while you still can. Vote in every election. Consider running for office.

4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
Symbols matter. Hate spreads when we get used to seeing it. Don’t look away. Don’t let it stand.

5. Remember professional ethics.
When leaders set bad examples, ethical commitments matter more. Rule of law needs defenders in every field.

6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
When the men with guns claim to protect the nation, watch who they march with. The merging of unofficial militias and official forces signals real danger.

7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
If you serve in uniform, be ready to say no when something isn't right.

8. Stand out.
The moment you do, others will follow. Nothing breaks the spell of the status quo like someone brave enough to go first.

9. Be kind to our language.
Avoid political clichés and empty slogans. Speak clearly. Read deeply. Think for yourself.

10. Believe in truth.
If nothing is true, power wins. Reality matters. Truth is the foundation of freedom.

11. Investigate.
Don’t just consume headlines. Subscribe to trustworthy journalism. Learn how propaganda works.

12. Make eye contact and small talk.
It’s more than polite — it’s civic glue. In times of fear and distrust, human connection is resistance.

13. Practice corporeal politics.
Get off the screen. Show up in person. Join others in physical, public acts of civic life.

14. Establish a private life.
Protect your digital life. Keep some conversations offline. Tyrants exploit what they learn about you.

15. Contribute to good causes.
Support organizations that reflect your values. Help sustain civil society with your time and money.

16. Learn from peers in other countries.
Authoritarianism is a global trend. Stay connected beyond borders. Have a passport. Use it.

17. Listen for dangerous words.
“Emergency.” “Terrorism.” “Extremism.” Authoritarians exploit these words to justify taking power.

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
Crises are used to break democracy. Don’t trade freedom for false promises of safety.

19. Be a patriot.
Model the kind of America you want future generations to inherit.

20. Be as courageous as you can.
No one wants to be a hero. But if we’re not willing to risk for freedom, we all risk losing it.

About your host

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Bonnie Ross