Another Beautiful Day Demonstrating for Democracy

As with any great parade, we could hear the No Kings march before we saw it.

50501 Eugene did an outstanding job collaborating with the Eugene Police Department for our local demonstration. Traffic control was well coordinated between drivers and demonstrators. At every intersection, demonstrators helped cars get through safely by repeating instructions if they hadn’t been heard over the singing and chanting. Everyone was happy to let backed-up cars through and even happier when the drivers friendly honked, flashed peace signs, thumbs up, fist pumps in the air, and hang loose waves.

Our cities are not on fire: our hearts are. An estimated 10,000 people joined together in a city of 150,000. That is almost 7% of our total population. The now-viral research of Harvard professor Erica Chenoweth1 showcases the overwhelming success of peaceful movements in which a mere 3.5% of the population participates.

You can be a part of the 3.5% that changes the world.

There is no destruction. There is no violence. There is no vandalism.

But there was goodwill, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose you could feel in every smile. It was uplifting and unifying to share our despair and our hope.

There were more American flags than at previous demonstrations, as peace-loving Americans are reclaiming it from MAGA and flying it patriotically alongside Mexican, Ukrainian, Palestinian, and Pride flags. Some American flags were flown upside down in distress.

More people wore face masks this time, after increased concerns about demonstrators being profiled, targeted, or doxxed.

But the unity of purpose buoyed strangers into a friendly familiarity. People happily posed for each other’s pictures and complimented the creativity of each other’s signs.

Many read: Grannies Against Fascism; This Fire Melts ICE; No Kings Only Queens; and No One Is Illegal on Stolen Land.

One woman walked around with a large bag full of granola bars and water bottles. “Snacks? Water?” She yelled out every few feet for passersby. Another young woman walked around smiling and gently waved burning sage over everyone who approached her for a cleansing, a wordless blessing. People walked up to her, paused like they were in the metal detector at TSA, arms up, and turned in place to let the smoke travel across their whole bodies. No words were needed. Strangers approached her, smiled, thanked her, and carried on their way.

One older gentleman slowly made circles in front of various flags of the world, staffed around the pond at Alton Baker Park. A sign on the back on the back of his electric wheelchair read “Radical Elder.” Several people wore monarch butterfly wing capes with signs saying “The Only Monarchs We Need”.

Some folks had brightly colored pinwheels spinning in the breeze. Many people were blowing bubbles.

This is community. This can be America. We share a conviction for peace and equality, and if that makes us woke liberals, we’ll wear that “insult” as a badge of honor. Each of us can be proud to stand and march as one of the more than five million people who broke the U.S. record for the largest demonstration in American history.

My friends, we are not alone. People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds came out to stand together against authoritarianism in 2,100 different cities. They brought their friends. They brought their dogs. And the tiniest dog there wore a tiny vest that read SECURITY.

With American democracy under unrelenting assault, it is immeasurably good for the soul to see how many brave, big-hearted people came together to say NO MORE.

We must keep this energy going. Check your local 50501 chapter to stay informed about upcoming events. See you at the next peaceful demonstration for democracy, the rule of law, due process, freedom of speech, and freedom of movement!