No Kings 2

I had to wrestle down my social anxiety  to do it, but we (my husband and I) went to the No Kings rally this weekend. 

I’m so glad we did it.  It wasn’t a protest as much as a hangout.  People gathering with costumes and signs to say, “We’re not okay with this. And we’re not afraid of you.”

CNBC was correct to name it a street party vibe. It certainly was in New Orleans.  Drums, music, crazy costumes.  Kind of a festival vibe, but a serious festival. Deep play.  Play for now, but it will turn serious if needed.

Almost seven million people turned out to say “No kings in America.” Ordinary people like me, you.  Us.  There were no serious incidents nationwide.  In New York City and Washington, DC, there were no injuries or arrests arising from the protest. There were no gun incidents. 

Old farts can rant about the “radical violent leftists” of their youth.  Half a century ago.  Things have changed. 

Progressives, leftists, Democrats are not the violent ones in this moment.  Not the gun nuts. Not the ones who spawn shooter after mass shooter.

Now, it’s the Christian Nationalists, the militant white supremacists.   Ultra-right and ultra dangerous. 

I rant.  The march made me —  us — feel good. Feel hopeful.  We’re not alone in seeing how crazy this all is.

Let’s hang onto that feeling and let it fuel our resistance until the next big action.  The next will be even bigger.

See you at the barricades. 😏