We went to a No Kings rally today. The crowd was enormous – much bigger than last time. I might be wrong, but it also seemed like there were a lot more young people, and that’s gratifying. It will take all of us to successfully defend our Democratic principles.
I was afraid to go. While I try to stay chill about all this, the republican rhetoric about the rallies has been particularly despicable. To suggest peaceful protesters hate America is an outrage. They know that’s not true, yet they say it and look at themselves in the mirror. What happened to these people?
Not only that, but I believe it’s an incitement to violence, to demonize us and get the other side fired up, and that’s why I didn’t want to attend. They almost scared me into not going, but it didn’t work.
While there were lots of options, we went to the mall, where the parking is easy. Plenty of escape routes in the event of a violent encounter or a zombie apocalypse. I wore shoes I can run in, I’ll tell you that.
We used our sign from last time – No Cons, No Clowns, No Kings. On the opposite side, I wrote, “Two veterans who LOVE America.” I just wanted to say it loud and clear in the face of these politicians because their words infuriated me.
Not that there’s a shortage of loathsome misguided republican operatives, but I’m looking at you Mike Johnson. His remarks about the rallies was deeply offensive to me and millions of other honorable citizens exercising their constitutional rights. No one paid us to have a backbone, buddy.
Additionally, his refusal to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is beyond troubling. She’s the last vote they need to release files from the Justice Department’s investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Who knows what that might mean for boatloads of people of all political persuasions. When you die, maybe you finally get to know what’s up with the Epstein files, but I will say this. Whatever it is, it’s big, and they are afraid.
But not me, not anymore. Mike and his pals can shake in their boots, but we are strong. Stronger than we thought. Stronger than they thought.
Now I know why they’re scared.
Good on you for staying with your first instinct. Crowd was big here too. Republican fear mongering isn’t working anymore…if it ever really was. It may be inching along, but the tide is turning.
I’m so happy to hear about big crowds. Fear mongering is a perfect description for what they are doing. I hope you are right about the tide turning. It does feel that way.
Yes, yes and YES! Excellent. So well put!
Thank you. Let’s add another yes to the pile! Yes!
“What happened to these people?” That’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot these last couple of weeks. What happened for people like JD Vance who were formerly anti-Trumpers to go so far to the dark side? What were the thought processes that got them to where they are now? And I’ve been wondering what it would be like to be married to one of these people – (the constant smirk on Mike Johnson’s face comes to mind) -they lie so easily. How can anyone trust them? How can they even trust one another at this point.
I attended an event today too and talked to people who hadn’t officially registered. I think that’s too bad because it’s one of the best ways to verify counts and to show the opposition that we’re not too scared to put our names behind what we believe.
Finally the media is banding together somewhat based on the mass turning-in of Pentagon press badges. And some universities are refusing to sign Trump’s compact. Small signs of hope.
It is hard to understand. JD is a great example. You could speculate he was bought out by Peter Thiel, but even that’s hard to imagine.
I RSVPd online and only did so as an afterthought. Now I will do it for the reasons you outlined.
The press badge reistance was great!
I appreciate every person who attends these peaceful protests. I’ll admit that my mobility issues stop me although I read about people attending with walkers and in wheelchairs. And with my Swedish Veloped, I can move pretty darn fast. I would probably be more prone to go if my husband or a friend went with me. Meanwhile I try to do my protesting in other ways.
My best friend, from my teen years, attended the rally with her daughter in Reno, NV. She wasn’t going to go (she lives an hour south in a small, very Republican town) but like you, she was so enraged at Speaker Johnson’s words, she called her daughter and said “I’m joining you.” She called me during her drive home to tell me how exhilarating it was, and at how the Republicans should be very scared of all the white, voting aged people who are out there protesting, particularly the elders who turn out to vote. The Republicans’ rhetoric shows that they’re afraid of all of us freedom loving people who love our country and don’t want to watch democracy go down the tubes nor return to the Middle Ages. I fear that my grandchildren and their children will have to do the heavy lifting to undo what is being done. I don’t see it happening in my lifetime.
I salute you and Dale for participating in today’s protest. 🩷
Everyone has a part to play, but not everyone needs to be there in person. You are still part of the resistance, and your words of solidarity are important.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one enraged by Speaker Johnson’s rhetoric. How can he even face himself after spinning those lies? The good news is he fired up a lot of people. A bit of a backfire for him but good for us.
Thank you for doing this, from a person living abroad (or I would have been there).
And I absolutely do get the fear part.
We are honored to do our part. I’m such a chicken but less so every day.
Living in a very red state, it’s always kind of terrifying to protest at our state capital. But that didn’t stop thousands from coming out yesterday, including me. Our protest made the NYT. What’s even more gratifying was the number of small towns in my state that held rallies.
There were so many great signs and costumes–it was a festive gathering of real patriots who love America.
Thank you for sharing your experience in a red state. So promising. I saw Greenville, SC had a big turnout. I was shocked but pleased.
It truly was a festival of patriots. And we can’t let anyone tell us otherwise.
It was a wonderful day! We protested her in Raleigh NC.
I was worried the whole time. Usually we protest downtown near the state legislature, but the organizers feel like a long line of protestors along a major route is more effective. Maybe, but I kept imagining how many people a MAGA could hit just by driving too far on one side. YIKES!
But I’m so thankful there were NO problems with protestors. NOT ONE ARREST!! There were MAGA people arrested . Sigh… they are so crazy.
Anyway, glad you went. The woman sitting next to me had emigrated from Germany 64 years ago. She is appalled that it is happening all over again here.
We saw nothing but peaceful demonstrators. No nasty signs inciting violence. Only one guy driving by gave us a hard time.
My wife and I are not afraid, either! We attended our protest on the town common along with several hundred others in our small Massachusetts town and it was exhilarating. Even our 15 month old granddaughter got into the action by holding her very own No Kings sign. I’m too old and too angry to be frightened away. We’ve GOT to stop this craziness,
I was scared but not anymore. You are so right. We’ve got to stop this craziness. I can’t believe the things Republican politicians are saying about the protests. Lies, lies and more lies.
I take my hat off to you Donna. I can’t imagine what it must be like living in the US at the moment, so I do admire all those who are out there making their feelings clear. It’s quite something to behold, and a source of uplift during the most distressing of times.
Thanks for your support!