June 14, 2025, marked a day in United States history with the  NO KINGS Nationwide Day of Defiance aimed to "peacefully protest" to redirect attention to the values of democracy, community strength, and resistance to authoritarianism across the country. Over 2,100 scheduled "No Kings Day" events occurred in each of the 50 states, which included over 12.1 million participants. In addition, "No Kings Day" peaceful protests included international solidarity participation and support on a global scale, including events in the United States Territories and 20 foreign countries, in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Europe.

On Thursday, June 26, 2025​, Disappeared in America, a National Day of Action, will include:

• Showing up at courthouses and town squares across the country to say, "In America, we don't let the government disappear people. That's not who we are".
• Launching a National Photo Petition Day, where people will take photos with posters of those who have been disappeared and flood social media with the truth.

A primary objective of this campaign is to call on local sheriffs and police to refuse to cooperate with ICE directives - for example, renting jail beds to ICE, participating in immigration raids, or transferring individuals to ICE detention centers (concentration camps). Sheriffs, state and highway patrol, and other local law enforcement have broad discretion in how much they cooperate with ICE, and exercising that discretion can help protect our communities. Having local law enforcement, and even the U.S. military participate with federal immigration puts an unnecessary burden on resources, but also erodes trust within our communities. It's time for law enforcement and the U.S. military to stand up to justice, human rights, and community integrity. 

Overcrowding and Inhumane Conditions: 
​Detainees are crammed into tiny cells—sometimes as many as 27 women in a space meant for far fewer—creating unsanitary, unsafe environments that violate basic human decency.

Overcrowding and Inhumane Conditions: Prisoners were packed into overcrowded barracks—often with hundreds of men, women, and children crammed into spaces meant for far fewer. The cells were filthy, dark, and unsanitary, with little ventilation or space to move. This overcrowding led to the rapid spread of disease, exacerbating suffering and death.

Starvation and Deprivation: 
​Women are chained at the wrists, waist, and chest for hours on end during transportation—without access to food, water, or toilets. Such treatment is barbaric and unacceptable under any circumstances.

Starvation and Deprivation:
​Victims were subjected to forced starvation, often receiving meager rations that left them emaciated and weak. Food was scarce, and nutritional neglect contributed to physical decline and prolonged suffering.

Neglect of Basic Needs:
​Basic necessities like clean water and sanitary facilities were virtually nonexistent. Prisoners were often denied access to water, forcing them to endure dehydration. When sanitation was available, it was grossly inadequate—prisoners had no choice but to urinate and defecate on the floors of their overcrowded bunks or communal areas, leading to filth and disease.

Psychological Torture:
The prisoners faced constant humiliation, violence, and dehumanization. Guards subjected them to physical abuse, torture, and psychological torment. The environment was designed to break their spirits, instilling fear, hopelessness, and profound trauma that would haunt survivors for life.

​Political Repression and Surveillance: The Nazi government established a totalitarian state where the police, including the Gestapo (secret state police), played a central role in political repression. The Gestapo was notorious for its brutal tactics, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and suppression of dissent (Kershaw, 2000).

Erosion of Judicial Independence: The police and judiciary became instruments of Nazi ideology, often acting on political motives rather than justice. This compromised their legitimacy in the eyes of the public (Burleigh & Wippermann, 1991).

Public Perception of Police as Enforcers of Oppression: The police were seen as tools of oppression rather than protectors of citizens. Their involvement in rounding up Jews, political opponents, and other marginalized groups further alienated the populace (Friedländer, 1997).

Propaganda and Fear: Nazi propaganda promoted the idea that the police were loyal servants of the state, but in practice, their actions often caused fear and suspicion among ordinary citizens. The widespread use of informants and surveillance meant that neighbors and even family members could be reporting on one another, leading to mistrust (Welch, 2010).

Fear and Anxiety: When police were perceived as oppressive or untrustworthy, individuals experienced heightened fear, anxiety, and a sense of vulnerability. In Nazi Germany, the pervasive surveillance and threat of arrest created an atmosphere of constant fear (Friedländer, 1997). The Nazi regime established an extensive network of secret police (Gestapo) and informants, which infiltrated almost every aspect of society. Ordinary Germans lived in constant fear of being watched or reported for expressing dissenting opinions or engaging in non-conforming behaviors (Burleigh & Wippermann, 1991). This climate of suspicion led many to self-censor or withdraw from social interactions, fearing repercussions.

Social Isolation and Mistrust: Trust in institutions and neighbors diminished, leading to social fragmentation. People became suspicious of one another, impacting community cohesion and mental well-being (Putnam, 2000). People became wary of socializing freely, fearing that anyone could be an informant. This led to social withdrawal, as community bonds weakened under the weight of suspicion and fear (Welch, 2010).

Impact on Shopping and Public Life: The atmosphere of suspicion made routine activities like shopping stressful. People often avoided crowded places out of fear of espionage or violence, as public spaces were often associated with danger, discouraging social activities like shopping or gathering (Kershaw, 2000). Individuals felt compelled to conform publicly, suppressing personal beliefs or emotional responses (Friedländer, 1997).

Loss of Agency and Powerlessness: When authorities act unjustly, individuals may feel helpless and lose confidence in their ability to protect themselves or seek justice, which can lead to feelings of despair and alienation (Seligman, 1975).
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Disruption of Education and Work: Educational institutions were manipulated to serve Nazi propaganda, and curricula emphasized loyalty and conformity. Many students and teachers experienced anxiety about political loyalty, as the regime purged dissenters from positions of influence. In workplaces, fear of denunciation or job loss led to increased stress and conformity, reducing genuine social interactions and personal expression (Kershaw, 2000). The Nazi regime implemented policies that targeted Jews, political opponents, and other marginalized groups, disrupting their education and employment. Even for the general population, fear of denunciation or suspicion of dissent led to heightened stress and caution in workplaces and schools (Friedländer, 1997).

Elevated Psychological Distress: The constant threat of persecution, loss of personal freedoms, and exposure to violence created widespread anxiety and trauma. Many individuals experienced feelings of helplessness, moral conflict, and despair, which are risk factors for mental health deterioration (Friedländer, 1997). Victims of police brutality, distrust, and political repression resulted in long-term psychological consequences, including trauma, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Litz & Kerig, 2019).

Rise in Suicide Rates: Historical studies indicate that suicide rates in Germany increased during the Nazi years. For example, Sander and Kock (2016) documented a significant rise in suicides during the late 1930s and early 1940s, correlating with societal stressors, wartime trauma, and oppressive policies. The fear of deportation, loss of loved ones, and moral despair contributed to this trend.
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Personal and Collective Trauma: The psychological toll extended beyond individual suicides, affecting entire communities and families. The pervasive atmosphere of fear, combined with the moral trauma of participating in or witnessing atrocities, had long-lasting mental health consequences (Friedländer, 1990).

Survivors and their descendants frequently carried the weight of guilt, loss, and moral conflict, shaping their lives and worldview for decades. These enduring psychological scars contributed to a collective memory of trauma that influenced not only individual lives but also the social and cultural fabric of post-war generations.
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Supporters of Hitler, however, often experienced a different psychological trajectory. Many believed they were acting in the interest of national pride, security, or ideological conviction. Some supporters felt a sense of purpose or belonging through their participation in the regime’s activities, which could temporarily bolster self-esteem and social cohesion. Yet, as the atrocities became undeniable, some supporters experienced feelings of guilt, cognitive dissonance, or moral conflict, especially after the regime's collapse and the exposure of its crimes (Kershaw, 1998). The psychological impact on supporters varied widely, with many enduring long-term shame, denial, or trauma, while others maintained their beliefs, influencing post-war societal divisions and narratives.

SILENCED - People are already afraid to speak how they feel in public, workplace, meetings, school, social medial, etc. in fear of governmental retaliation. Even how we write on social media or work reports, we are already changing terminology to prevent the federal government, the new oppression, from flagging. Sound familiar? During Hitler's regime, people changed or disguised their language and terminology to avoid detection and censorship, using coded words or euphemisms to secretly communicate opposition or express dissent without alerting authorities. This clever adaptation helped them evade surveillance and continue resisting in silence. We are already doing this in our workplaces and on social media. ​

6 - Years Later and the Same