Today, I joined 7 million or so who love our country so much, that we are willing to show up, stand up and speak out in cities and towns throughout the nation. No Kings events were held (with no remuneration, despite persistent disinformation, other than the satisfaction of a job well done) in NYC and Chicago, in Philadelphia and DC and in my local town of Doylestown, PA. Elders such as myself joined small children and their parents in declaring that our country is not to be governed by a crowned sovereign to whom we bow down, but by a triad of Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. Even that is shaky, since the Conservative arm of SCOTUS has practically granted the current occupant of the Oval Office cart blanche to do as he pleases and the Republican legislative branch cowers and kisses the ring.
Mike Johnson referred to this massive outpouring of support for healing the country, as the ‘Hate America Rally’. It couldn’t be further from the truth and was meant as propaganda and a way of ginning up folks who see any desire to hold this administration accountable as hateful.
In advance of the event, I had read articles on line highlighting the stated reasons by marchers and attendees. I was shocked but not surprised at some of the comments. Many were mocking and demeaning. Others were denying the severity of the problems since, I imagine, they haven’t impacted them yet. I shook my head and gave my typical responses. “How does he represent your personal values?” and “If someone isn’t racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, if they haven’t raped, assaulted (and then bragged about it), cheated on their spouses, stole salaries from their employees and stiffed contractors, glorified enemies of the country and ridiculed allies, clamored for attention at all costs, blasphemed by weaponizing religion, why in the name of all that is holy, would someone vote for a person who is and has done all those things?” and “It shouldn’t have to happen to you for it to matter to you.”
Sadly, I have come to realize that these people are my neighbors, people with whom I could cross paths in stores and offices, and as I walk down the street. This week, I was in a Wawa which is a convenience store in the Philly region and saw an employee wearing a sparkly flag with you know who’s name on it. I was shocked since, according to someone I know who had been an employee many years ago, in a different location said that was against store policy. I decided it was the better part of valor not to address it with her, since I didn’t know how she would react, so I offered (in my head) my new mantra when I am confronted with Trumpism, “God bless the whole world, no exceptions.”
The day dawned brilliantly, after a night of tossing and turning and dreaming that I was in Chicago for an unknown reason. In my mind, I knew I had to be home since my role as an organizer of the Doylestown event and ‘captain’ of the peacekeeper/marshal group, made it a necessity that I leave the Windy City ASAP. The problem was, I didn’t have a ticket for the return flight, didn’t have a way to get to the airport and I found myself apprehensively walking across a concrete bridge without railings, carrying tote bags on both arms like the tv character Elsbeth Tascioni. Before I could be in full blown panic mode, I woke up. I love to process my dreams and this one was pretty darn clear. The Chicago connection relates to what is going on there with the threats of occupation by ICE and the military, although, in the dream, there was no such activity. I have a Facebook friend who also does FREE HUGS and lives in Chicago…and the fictional character Elsbeth lived there before moving to NYC. Her signature look involves carrying multiple colorful tote bags. The bridge seemed to represent the state of the nation, without the guardrails that protected us from the likes of this administration in the past.
In the walk up to the event, I have been praying for protection for all involved wherever they might be. I saw a bubble of safety around us and little, if any, counter protest. As far as I known, my vision came true. In Doylestown, I was simply blown away by the energy and sheer numbers of people who took to the grassy areas near the county courthouse and the sidewalks that surrounded the grounds. The estimate is that 4,000 people were there listening to speakers and singing along to music, as well as chanting “This is what democracy looks like!” and “No hate, no fear…immigrants are welcome here!” Added to it, the cars that passed by, honking their horns in approval, and giving us the thumbs up. The attendees brought non-perishable food and feminine hygiene products and personal care items that will be donated to various charities in the area.
As a peacekeeper, I was a bit nervous since I didn’t know what we would encounter. Donning an iridescent yellow vest and a walkie talkie, looking all kinds of official, I was grateful that, with a few minor exceptions, agitators stayed away and our local police had our backs. I also wasn’t sure that with some health challenges, I would have the stamina and freedom of movement to traverse the grounds keeping an eye out for anything that seemed suspicious and to keep people from walking into traffic. I surprised myself and now, hours later, I am fatigued but only in slight ouchiness.
I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I do know that the ripple effect of standing up to a wannabe king will reverb for generations. My hope is that those for whom he is falling out of favor will join us and vote for candidates in all capacities who will see the world through the lens of love, who will remember that they are to be servant leaders who work for us and not the other way around. I want to trust that justice will be done and truth will prevail.
