I’m the person who followed Marco Rubio around the Senate with a spine to protest his vote for Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Also, I spent yesterday at Dulles International Airport volunteering as a pro bono attorney for detainees...

did you make eye contact with him?

He made eye contact with me, and with the spine.

Did it send chills down his sp.......wait, he doesn't have one.

He looked confused, and then mildly alarmed.

What are your thoughts on Elon Musk supporting Rex?

I'd rather he didn't. I'm more concerned with US senators supporting Rex though. Elon Musk is looking out for Elon Musk - US senators are supposed to be looking out for the country.

ALSO: the Senate is about to hold a debate on confirming Rex Tillerson. Senate Democrats are trying to hold it up. Call your Senators and tell them to Reject Rex!

How many detainees did you personally speak with?

Customs and Border Patrol is refusing to allow attorneys to speak with detainees. In violation of the court order.

What do you do day to day in your job as an attorney?

I have a law degree but I am a campaigner here with a broad portfolio of responsibilities. Sometimes it's holding a spine behind a senator who needs one; sometimes it's analyzing policy.

Who would make a better chief diplomat than Rex T?

The plastic spine I held up.

Why is Rex Tillerson bad for the planet?

Rex Tillerson spent his entire career at ExxonMobil. His job was to find, extract, and burn carbon. Which, as everyone but this administration knows, causes climate change. Which is really bad for the planet. That's the short answer. There are many more reasons, ask away!

Why a spine?

Senator Rubio gave the indication he might have one, and stand up to Trump, when he put some hard questions to Rex Tillerson during his confirmation hearing. Including asking him about war crimes in Syria, which Tillerson didn't really answer. Seemed pretty damning! Rubio seemed like he might even vote against Tillerson, defying Trump. But then, Rubio's fossil fuel industry donors gave him his marching orders and told him to support Tillerson. Which he did. Pretty spineless! So we brought him one.

Was it really as chaotic as they say?

By last evening, things weren't chaotic because lawyers weren't allowed to see detainees and CBP still refused to speak to us or the elected officials that came to the airport. Not much lawyers could do while CBP is still violating the court order and information on those detained and deported is not yet available. We are working our hardest to get that information!

Can these CBP officers be arrested? If yes why haven't any been arrested?

They can (and should) be held in contempt of court. Lawyers are working on that. But if the entire force is going to defy the order, it's hard to see the entire CBP staff being arrested.

Are you thinking of following any other GOP politicians sans spine?

That's a popular question around here. We heard someone edited the invertebrates wikipedia page to include Paul Ryan (rightly so). Allegedly protestors also brought spines to Senator Schumer's apartment. So if your version of resisting is bringing spines to GOP politicians, go for it!

I live in Oz but the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull certainly lacks a spine.

You know what to do.

In your opinion, how effective is a viral photo/video in bringing about actual change? My worry is that this was a Buzzfeed laugh of the day and no more. But my hope is that Marco Rubio is stewing and plotting for the day when he will rise up and say, "Let's dispel with this fiction that Marco Rubio doesn't have a backbone..."

Us too. Trolling is fun but I think you effectively answered your question. Rest assured, carrying a spine around is not all we're doing.

Wow. Huge fan.

Two questions:

1) if you had to go on a date with a sitting republican member of either the house or senate, who would you choose?

2) would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses or 1 horse sized duck?

1) whoever speaks up first to either a) Reject Rex or b) overturn this executive order on immigration (so I'm probably safe)

2) getting this one out of the way early. I'm pretty short so, 100 duck sized horses, I might have a chance.

I'd give the odds to McCain.

Unfortunately, he is on record supporting Tillerson already. If he takes it back, I'll reconsider.

Hey there, fellow Greenpeacer! Loved the NVDA. You have some gut! And a spine! My question is: how did you think of it?

Thank you! It was not the worst reason to work late. I don't think we were the first ones to call Rubio (or any of the GOP senators) spineless, but we did have a spine and proximity to the Hill, so...

What's more effective right now: calls/emails or trolling? Also, does Marco know he's a lapdog for a petty tyrant with a size complex?

Trolling was certainly the most effective for my soul. So I would never discourage it. That said, 1 call or in-person visit is worth about 100 emails. So keep calling. Staff has to report it to their boss. And if their bosses don't listen, you vote them out next election.

Also, what was the airport like last night?

Answered in another thread:

By last evening, things weren't chaotic because lawyers weren't allowed to see detainees and CBP still refused to speak to us or the elected officials that came to the airport. Not lawyers could do while CBP is still violating the court order and information on those detained and deported is not yet available. We are working our hardest to get that information!

What can I do to help?

Thanks for asking! You should resist in the way that feels right to you. On Tillerson, I would say, call your senators and tell them to vote no. On policies/laws/action that you object to, call your senators and your congressman and explain that you oppose it. In general, you can get involved in your community on almost any issue important to you - environmental justice, racial justice, immigration, fracking, money in politics, etc. Here's a great way to plug in: https://greenwire.greenpeace.org/usa/en/

For those who are unaware, what are some things redditors can do to help their cause regarding Trump's executive order?

Call your senators and representatives right now! Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-312.1 Demand that they repeal the ban, demand that they publicly oppose the ban. Tell them to hold up every cabinet nominee vote until it's revoked. And then tell them to get the names of people who were detained and deported so the lawyers can help them.

I've been calling all day, but it continues to hang up on me.

Try district offices - people often try the DC offices but your senator will have one or more office around your state. Make sure you give the staffer your zip code!

Given the current state of affairs on Earth, would you say we are getting closer to fulfilling the plot depicted in the Matt Damon film Elysium?

I think we're looking at The Day After Tomorrow, considering it's climate change.

What was the best response you've gotten from your spine trolling?

Has to be this, which arrived in the mail: http://imgur.com/a/dX46u

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The Capitol Police who saw it go through the x-ray at the entrance asked me the same thing. I'm going to say to you the same thing I said to them: where would I get a real human spine?? /s (it's plastic. but very lifelike.)

Support your work. 2 questions :

1. How far do you think the US will go in ignoring international treaties in the coming 4 years? Can visitors still trust there'll be a rule of law?

2. Are you afraid this AMA might be hijacked by all the extreme right groups here on Reddit?

Thanks for the support!

1. I don't think we know the answer to that yet - it's been 10 days and there have been some unprecedented, dangerous, and illegal actions already.

2. Someone already asked me how much Soros paid me, so...

Just wanted to say you're my hero. How are you doing?

Thanks! Anyone with a spine can be a hero these days. The first 10 days of this administration have been tough, but I'm hanging in there. This is a good place to work right now.

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EDIT: "He said AMA" - I'm a woman.

In the spirit of dialogue with our critics, let me answer this. Just to be clear, George Soros doesn't pay me, our incredibly dedicated and generous supporters do.

Now, I volunteered at the airport last night, a weekend, on my own time. Not paid at all. Not for my job.

It is my job to hold government accountable for decisions that I think will harm people and the planet. But I would have done it for free.