From left: Truthdig staff writer Emma Niles, Code Pink co-founder Jodie Evans, Truthdig Deputy Editor Kasia Anderson and Truthdig Publisher Zuade Kaufman.

The inauguration of President Trump was the catalyst for many Americans to join mass demonstrations for the first time. But activist Jodie Evans’ battle for justice has been going on for decades.

Evans, co-founder and co-director of the grass-roots organization Code Pink, sat down with the Truthdig team Thursday for a conversation streamed live on our Facebook page. Watch the full conversation below:

It’s been more than a week since the Women’s March on Washington and its sister marches made headlines, leading many to wonder: Where do we go from here? Evans offered ideas, drawing on her 40 years of experience fighting for environmental and social justice.

“Someone has to stand up to the insanity, to the war, to the violence, and the hate,” Evans said. “Being for something rather than being against something is a very powerful thing to have right now.”

Evans knows that change in political institutions can take time, and that creating the change doesn’t come without risk. Retired Army Col. Ann Wright, a former Truthdig contributor, was arrested earlier this week while nonviolently protesting Jeff Sessions’ Senate confirmation hearing. Jezebel reported:

Wright, now an activist with the group Code Pink, stood up after Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy finished a long tirade about the many ways that Sessions isn’t qualified.

“I say no to Jeff Sessions, no to hatred, [no] to racism, [no] to the ban on refugees,” she yelled, before being grabbed by police. “Oh, ow! I’ll go out but you don’t need to drag me. I’ve got a hip replacement. I’m 70 years old and I can make it out on my own.” She persisted as she was dragged from the room: “But no to racism, no to hate, no to Jeff Sessions, no to the ban on refugees!”

Paki Weiland, another Code Pink activist, was arrested at a Sessions’ hearing the day after Wright was arrested:

Code Pink is known for its peaceful, focused tactics when championing a cause, and the organization has had numerous successes throughout its 14-year history.

“Our job is to make people uncomfortable,” Evans says of Code Pink’s activism. “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

Watch past editions of “Live at Truthdig” here.

—Posted by Emma Niles

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