Karin Powell, a French -speaking co -president of Democrats Abroad Switzerland, talks with us the fact that the American flag was “kidnapped” by the Trumpists.images: dr, getty, montage: watson
The Swiss Democrats will demonstrate against Trump’s policy in the streets of Lausanne and Zurich, on Saturday, the day after the Independence Day. The opportunity to cause patriotism (in english) With Karin Powell, French -speaking co -chair of Democrats Abroad Switzerland: “We are less gifted than the Republicans to say that we are proud of our country, we have to change that”.
05.07.2025, 08:0305.07.2025, 08:04
The Swiss Democrats take advantage of the American national holiday to signify their dissatisfaction with the policy of Donald Trump. Why is it important to be heard in our country?
Karin Powell: The most important thing is in priority to support our families, friends, compatriots who live in the United States. Then it is a sincerely patriotic gesture. And the time in which we live sometimes makes it difficult to remember what it really means.
And what does it mean to be a patriot, for a Swiss democrat like you?
As a lover abroad, we still consider the United States as our homeland. We are very attached to our country. Being a patriot is first of all the love of your country. But, you know, it can mean many things for many different people. But for us, it means that everything we can undertake to support democracy, a true and fair democracy, we will.
Do you have the impression that your president, Donald Trump, has changed or forcibly appropriated the definition of patriotism?
No, I believe that he has not yet succeeded. What Trump does is nationalism. What we really focus on is patriotism, which comes from a place of love, support and equality. We must succeed in distinguishing between the shame of our politicians and the current government and the love we have in our country.
“On the other hand, I know that many Americans can no longer resolve to brandish flags, because they are ashamed of their country at the moment”
Precisely: the extreme right seems to have “kidnapped” national flags all over the world. I myself have a cap sporting American colors and, despite the mention “California”, a democratic bastion, we often consider it support for Trump …
Yes and it’s a shame. I think, if more people did what you do, the problem would not be so serious. It is a strange oscillation between primary nationalism and what patriotism really means. This notion was drowned in favor of a brutal and excluding definition.
So there will be American flags proudly brandished in Lausanne and Zurich, this weekend, to try to tear them off from the claws of Trumpism?
I think that, if a large part of the people manifested and proudly associated the American flag with our messages, then we could take it back to the far right. Republicans are excellent in this area and we should be better! Despite everything, I don’t think there will be many this weekend. At least not officially, because, as an organization, we must remain cautious.
Really? It is downright contradictory not to officially display its colors to defend your country, you do not find?
I agree with you, but it is the security of our members and we do not want to create confusion.
“As our emblem has an extreme right connotation and Trumpist today, we do not know what type of tensions of American flags could arouse in the streets of Switzerland”
Finally, we will not benefit from the same reinforced security as the events organized in the United States at the moment.
At the same time, it is dangerous to abandon an American Blase who still sits in front of each house in your country.
Exactly. If we stay back and let it take control of our greatest symbol, it would be a serious mistake. But I think we also forget that noisily oppose the authoritarian decisions of Donald Trump and the government in general is very good for democracy. It is a strong and patriotic gesture. And we will be proud to assert this this weekend.
In general, do you think that Democrats are less comfortable than republicans at the idea of assuming their pride of being American?
Quite. And, you know, it starts to pull us down.
“Democrats are not very good at shouting and saying” I am proud of my country! “. We absolutely have to manage to change this story, because people associate Trump with patriotism, which is not at all reality ”
Just as important, I think that the United States should more teach the meaning and importance of the American constitution to children. It’s an old story …
By walking in Lausanne and Zurich, you benefit from the anti-Trump demonstrations stamped “No Kings”, which swept over the United States recently?
In our country, as in the rest of the world, there is indeed a real anti-Trump frenzy in the streets and it is very delightful. A large part of the population is angry and expresses it. In Switzerland, we will be in the same spirit, even if the extent will be logically less.
Trump has dropped the popularity of your country. Travel to the United States is no longer popular, especially with the Swiss. Do you understand that?
Airlines actually announce that people hesitate or do not want to go to the United States. Flights have been canceled and tourism takes a serious blow. But I like to think that it gives above all a bad image of Trump and the republican party, and not of the people or the country in general. Trump creates fear and the Americans are just as afraid as the Swiss or the rest of the world.
Retrospectively, how do you analyze the presidential campaign and defeat of Kamala Harris?
Many say that we were really not prepared for the way Donald Trump approached the minorities. How he held out to the armed communities, in particular, of religion. It must be admitted that he succeeded has created a feeling of belonging even if all this is hypocritical and full of manipulation.
Do you say that the Democrats were too weak where Trump struck hard?
Yes, that’s it. I think we lacked the mark on this point. We did not understand quickly enough that the American working class is no longer really the original working class.
The fault of Kamala Harris?
No not at all. Kamala Harris did an excellent job, but she probably appeared too late in the process.
Anyway, the United States has chosen Trump for four years. And the cliché of the American citizen “stupid” is more present than ever in the spirits, especially in Switzerland, where many wonder how you could elect such a character …
Stupid is a pretty rude word, but, yes, I also heard it. This impression has always existed, it is just that it ignited with the election of Donald Trump. Maybe we have deserved it since the November election! (She laughs).
It must be said that it is often difficult to understand the United States and the Americans from Switzerland …
I believe it is a country unique in the world, which has done great things in not even a few hundred years. But it is also a gigantic, complicated, plural country and where hundreds of millions of inhabitants are born without having the same chances at the start, especially because of a system of public education which is really not excellent. From Switzerland, I understand that our operation can question.
Besides, what are the main differences between the United States and Switzerland, do you think?
“Well … I would say the guns!”
Of course, the army uses weapons and most Swiss citizens must learn to use it, but everything is controlled and very secure. Here, we do not read every day in the press that citizens get down in the street. There is also the notion of neutrality, which I really like, even if it is increasingly questioned at the moment. I really like your country, part of my family lives with me, it is a peaceful and beautiful place.
And a little boringtoo, right?
No not at all! When a people is fortunate to be able to vote on so many political subjects, it will never be boring.
How many Americans Democrats, like you, live in Switzerland currently?
Ah, if I told you, I would have to kill you! No, I’m kidding. Let’s just say it is in the thousands, but I can’t tell you with precision. The most important thing is that with what is going on in my country with the ravages of Donald Trump, we have more members than ever!
The demonstration will take place on Saturday, at 11 a.m. in Lausanne and from 11:30 am in Zurich. More info ici.
