In the midst of America grappling with the effects of COVID-19 and the corresponding government measures, a movement described by Sasha Abramsky of *The Nation* as a collection of “demagogues and political hustlers, snake-oil salesmen and proponents of violent confrontation” gained traction nationwide. In his well-researched book, *Chaos Comes Calling*, Abramsky delves into how this movement unfolded in Shasta County, California, and Sequim, Washington.
Abramsky vividly portrays the struggles faced by officials and activists embroiled in debates surrounding lockdown policies. His perspective is markedly critical of those opposing lockdown measures, which may limit the appeal of the book to audiences beyond Democrats seeking insight into the fervent disagreements witnessed at school board meetings. While acknowledging that some right-wing activists held unfounded beliefs about groups like antifa, Abramsky also acknowledges the genuine hardships endured by individuals, businesses, schools, religious communities, and families as a result of government interventions that were subject to debate in terms of their public health efficacy.
One interviewee in Abramsky’s book remarked that the pandemic exacerbated societal tensions due to increased government control, while another highlighted that the movement against lockdowns was sparked by the onset of COVID-19. *Chaos Comes Calling* offers a window into how anti-authoritarian sentiments found a home within the political right, a space traditionally associated with the left.
This examination of the rise of anti-lockdown activism provides valuable insights into the shifting dynamics of political dissent in contemporary society.
(Source: Reason.com)
