Hi, Mary. I went to the No Kings demo here in Chicago. While I have questions myself about how effective these are, riding down in a packed El train and then joining reportedly 250K other people—the largest demonstration I've been in by far—hearing literally the roar of the crowd, it reassured me. Not that it's stopped ICE, which it hasn't, but what if nobody showed up? What would that say about this city, this country? There are no mass demonstrations in 1984, or Brave New World, or Fahrenheit 451. And it's not just us rabble. The mayor and governor both spoke against Trump and ICE. The police were cordial, if not friendly. This is not the 60s. We'll have to wait and see what it is, but here in the hellhole, there's a spirit of defiance and solidarity, as clichéd as that might be to some.
I agree with you, that was my basic idea. And a friend of mine who is French, where mass protest is practically a tradition (descending from French Revolution), very much believes that ultimately protest can be effective, psychologically and finally with practical effect.
I attended the No Kings protest in suburban Buffalo NY this weekend with my 75-year-old father. I went as his compatriot and chaperone. I wouldn't have attended otherwise. As person who feels the futility of the "resistance," I'm glad I went! Even if a handful of people were dressed in silly inflatable outfits--cow, piggy, and crab--so what ... it was still sort of inspiring? Or reassuring? Or at least some collective scream against the buffoonery and campaigns of brutality.
My dad had bought a huge American flag. He wondered if we should hang it right side up or upside. I opted for the regular way, if we wanted to refute Trump's claim that those protesting him were unpatriotic. My dad was disappointed, however, with the wooden dowel he had on hand--too short. So on the way to the protest we bought a 12-foot PVC pipe and he drilled holes into it in the Lowe's parking lot. There we were, on a nice day, waving the big flag and getting honked at by those driving by. Sure, there was the occasional middle finger. But the sidewalks of Main Street were crowded. There was something enlivening about the experience I didn't expect.
So glad to have you back, Mary, and weighing in on this. It was good for my "vital" inner being, which is feeling more assault than usual from the outer world...I could not attend the No Kings event because of a family medical situation, but I was cheered to see images and reports of so many people out there. The No Kings demonstrations I have been to have all been peaceful, and even joyous, good for the "vital" soul..... PS: Eager to see what you're doing with the bar fight research.
Like Tom, I was also at the immense Chicago rally. I went with my 17-year-old, a friend, and, apparently, the entire city of Chicago. Or so it felt. There were so many people it took us an hour to begin moving after the speeches ended and the march began. One aspect of this event I did not expect was the powerful sense of community. Speaker after speaker spoke about their love of Chicago. In a lakeside park, surrounded by skyscrapers, trees turning orange, red and yellow, our art museum across the street, Buckingham Fountain shooting water into the sky, surrounded by people from all over the city, we chanted I LOVE CHICAGO! WE LOVE CHICAGO! And I felt it. I felt an intense sense of community with the people who also call Chicago home. I felt a pride in this place, and a sense of protectiveness. I have lived here for 25 years, and have never felt such a sense of pride and belonging as I did at the rally. My son and I have signed up to volunteer to help protect neighborhoods being targeted by ICE and DHS, we are looking for ways to help. So I think these big rallies, in addition to giving people ways to resist, also build community and spur folks into action.
Thanks for the personal story that perfectly illustrates the principle and for giving me an angle on my own (occasional to sometimes) feelings of futility . . .
I didn't attend this most recent demonstration but marched in Los Angeles when ICE first moved in (I think the first No Kings rally happened the following week and I went to that one as well). It felt great to walk down the street yelling out the slogans - very cathartic, and I liked the sense of solidarity with the crowd. But ultimately, I felt as though it was more performative than transformative and so I stayed home this last time. But my sister went to a No Kings march in my hometown of Fort Wayne, in deep red (and heavily gerrymandered) Indiana and there were a few thousand people there, which is truly remarkable in a city / state where dems traditionally keep their mouths shut and their opinions to themselves. I still don't think this current administration cares, but your point about being able to hold onto your essential self, to not be manipulated into believing 2+2 = 5, makes me realize that is the greatest value of marching - keeping the inner flame alive and connecting to others who are doing the same. BTW, I'm pretty sure the picture you shared of the police on horseback is, sadly, from Los Angeles.
It's so interesting to me to see how absolutely sure you and your readers are that you know the "truth" and the rest of us have been brainwashed. I live in the PNW and leftist policies have destroyed this city. The excesses of ICE are real, but when the right wing points to crime committed by unvetted illegal immigrants, that's real, too. The costs of high levels of immigration to housing, low wage workers, education, all of these are real, as well. Do I want ICE to kill protesters or to arrest citizens? No. But I also don't want open borders. The idea that we are on the brink of totalitarianism is absurd overreaction and you only hear it from people who are steeped in left wing media. I know that I am influenced by biased media bubbles. The difference is, I have been on both sides of the political divide, so I don't think I have all the answers and I am deeply skeptical of folks who quote Orwell. That's a sign that they are unable to engage with opposing views. Just calling everyone a fascist that cannot see reality is juvenile.
Hi, Mary. I went to the No Kings demo here in Chicago. While I have questions myself about how effective these are, riding down in a packed El train and then joining reportedly 250K other people—the largest demonstration I've been in by far—hearing literally the roar of the crowd, it reassured me. Not that it's stopped ICE, which it hasn't, but what if nobody showed up? What would that say about this city, this country? There are no mass demonstrations in 1984, or Brave New World, or Fahrenheit 451. And it's not just us rabble. The mayor and governor both spoke against Trump and ICE. The police were cordial, if not friendly. This is not the 60s. We'll have to wait and see what it is, but here in the hellhole, there's a spirit of defiance and solidarity, as clichéd as that might be to some.
I agree with you, that was my basic idea. And a friend of mine who is French, where mass protest is practically a tradition (descending from French Revolution), very much believes that ultimately protest can be effective, psychologically and finally with practical effect.
Oh, and there was a sign that said "No monarchs except the butterflies" and I thought Nabokov might've enjoyed that.
I attended the No Kings protest in suburban Buffalo NY this weekend with my 75-year-old father. I went as his compatriot and chaperone. I wouldn't have attended otherwise. As person who feels the futility of the "resistance," I'm glad I went! Even if a handful of people were dressed in silly inflatable outfits--cow, piggy, and crab--so what ... it was still sort of inspiring? Or reassuring? Or at least some collective scream against the buffoonery and campaigns of brutality.
My dad had bought a huge American flag. He wondered if we should hang it right side up or upside. I opted for the regular way, if we wanted to refute Trump's claim that those protesting him were unpatriotic. My dad was disappointed, however, with the wooden dowel he had on hand--too short. So on the way to the protest we bought a 12-foot PVC pipe and he drilled holes into it in the Lowe's parking lot. There we were, on a nice day, waving the big flag and getting honked at by those driving by. Sure, there was the occasional middle finger. But the sidewalks of Main Street were crowded. There was something enlivening about the experience I didn't expect.
So glad to have you back, Mary, and weighing in on this. It was good for my "vital" inner being, which is feeling more assault than usual from the outer world...I could not attend the No Kings event because of a family medical situation, but I was cheered to see images and reports of so many people out there. The No Kings demonstrations I have been to have all been peaceful, and even joyous, good for the "vital" soul..... PS: Eager to see what you're doing with the bar fight research.
Like Tom, I was also at the immense Chicago rally. I went with my 17-year-old, a friend, and, apparently, the entire city of Chicago. Or so it felt. There were so many people it took us an hour to begin moving after the speeches ended and the march began. One aspect of this event I did not expect was the powerful sense of community. Speaker after speaker spoke about their love of Chicago. In a lakeside park, surrounded by skyscrapers, trees turning orange, red and yellow, our art museum across the street, Buckingham Fountain shooting water into the sky, surrounded by people from all over the city, we chanted I LOVE CHICAGO! WE LOVE CHICAGO! And I felt it. I felt an intense sense of community with the people who also call Chicago home. I felt a pride in this place, and a sense of protectiveness. I have lived here for 25 years, and have never felt such a sense of pride and belonging as I did at the rally. My son and I have signed up to volunteer to help protect neighborhoods being targeted by ICE and DHS, we are looking for ways to help. So I think these big rallies, in addition to giving people ways to resist, also build community and spur folks into action.
This is great, thanks for posting!
Thanks for the personal story that perfectly illustrates the principle and for giving me an angle on my own (occasional to sometimes) feelings of futility . . .
I didn't attend this most recent demonstration but marched in Los Angeles when ICE first moved in (I think the first No Kings rally happened the following week and I went to that one as well). It felt great to walk down the street yelling out the slogans - very cathartic, and I liked the sense of solidarity with the crowd. But ultimately, I felt as though it was more performative than transformative and so I stayed home this last time. But my sister went to a No Kings march in my hometown of Fort Wayne, in deep red (and heavily gerrymandered) Indiana and there were a few thousand people there, which is truly remarkable in a city / state where dems traditionally keep their mouths shut and their opinions to themselves. I still don't think this current administration cares, but your point about being able to hold onto your essential self, to not be manipulated into believing 2+2 = 5, makes me realize that is the greatest value of marching - keeping the inner flame alive and connecting to others who are doing the same. BTW, I'm pretty sure the picture you shared of the police on horseback is, sadly, from Los Angeles.
It's so interesting to me to see how absolutely sure you and your readers are that you know the "truth" and the rest of us have been brainwashed. I live in the PNW and leftist policies have destroyed this city. The excesses of ICE are real, but when the right wing points to crime committed by unvetted illegal immigrants, that's real, too. The costs of high levels of immigration to housing, low wage workers, education, all of these are real, as well. Do I want ICE to kill protesters or to arrest citizens? No. But I also don't want open borders. The idea that we are on the brink of totalitarianism is absurd overreaction and you only hear it from people who are steeped in left wing media. I know that I am influenced by biased media bubbles. The difference is, I have been on both sides of the political divide, so I don't think I have all the answers and I am deeply skeptical of folks who quote Orwell. That's a sign that they are unable to engage with opposing views. Just calling everyone a fascist that cannot see reality is juvenile.