I was afraid to hope, really. It was bucketing down the rain. The DAR had scheduled at competing event at General Warren Park to commemorate the 250th anniversary of his courageous death at Bunker Hill.
(Ironic, innit? People who proudly trace their lineage back to a Revolutionary war soldier and their triumph over a king, trying to mute the voices of people speaking up against a man who fancies himself the king...)
But we put on our rain jackets and grabbed our umbrella. Tim took his giant taco and I took my "Ain't no faux king way!" sign, and we went to the courthouse. We were a few minutes early, but people were already starting to gather, which was encouraging.
It continued to pour even as people continued to show up. There were 130-140 people who showed up.
Some funny signs:
'Don't make me repeat myself --- (signed) History'
'Keep it down over there. We're trying to hold a riot here.'
'I'm here because I love my grand children.'
A woman wore a taco costume.
One fellow marched right in the street waving a 'F--- Trump flag', which got a large truck excited. He did a burn out in front of the protesters, smoking his tires, his rear end sliding sideways on the rain slicked roads. License plate ZTR 6509 is probably regaling anyone who will listen about how the libtards jumped out of his way in terror. No one was terrorized. Everyone held their ground. It was a lot of noise but no real danger.
The thing that I loved the very most was all the cars going by. We got a lot of honking horns. Some people were not brave enough to honk, but they gave surreptitious clenched fists or thumbs up. A car full of elderly ladies circled the block 3 times to honk and wave and cheer us on. People driving business vehicles who could not honk sat quietly at the light watching and smiling and giving approving signals. The MAGA truck did not show up with his big flags and his outrage.
We are home now. Dry now.
News of the day:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5350734-trump-ice-hotel-agriculture-restaurant-raids/
Despite the change, ICE has not changed anything.
There's this:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/14/us/minnesota-shootings
One of the pardoned proud boys posted that people should shoot at the protesters. "If you take a couple out, the rest will leave quickly, I guarantee it."
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/shoot-a-couple-the-rest-will-flee-far-right-extremists-stoke-fear-as-no-kings-protest-gains-momentum/articleshow/121848923.cms?from=mdr
There you have it, people. 'Merica.
I am reading HCR's letter this morning - this stood out - General Charles Lee's resignation letter to the British Army
ReplyDelete“[W]henever it shall please his Majesty to call me forth to any honourable service against the natural hereditary enemies of our country, or in defence of his just rights and dignity, no man will obey the righteous summons with more zeal and alacrity than myself,” he wrote, “but the present measures seem to me so absolutely subversive of the rights and liberties of every individual subject, so destructive to the whole empire at large, and ultimately so ruinous to his Majesty's own person, dignity and family, that I think myself obliged in conscience as a Citizen, Englishman, and Soldier of a free state, to exert my utmost to defeat them.”
Seems rather apt for the times. Shocking news this morning from Minnesota.
Yeah, shooting people does tend to thin a crowd. Shrewd observation by a MAGAt.
ReplyDeleteGlad you went and glad you're home safe and dry! Thank you
ReplyDeleteWe had a huge crowd in Naperville, IL and we had perfect weather, too. No troubles at all and everyone seemed to be having a good time - reading signs, chanting, marching and waving at the cars going by - honking and waving back to support us. Great day!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really big crowd here in western Wisconsin, across the river from Minnesota, where the other third of this city is. People were stunned by the shootings there. It's appalling what this country is turning onto. But the turnout at the demonstrations is heartening, so maybe there's hope afterall. Even trucks with business names or logos were honking in support.
ReplyDeleteGlad you went and are home okay.
ReplyDeleteShocking about the assassinations in Minnesota!!! My home town is Minneapolis.
This is not my country. This is not my beautiful Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteGrieving.
Bonnie in Minneapolis
I thought of you as soon as I heard it, Bonnie. Hugs!
DeleteThank you, Dear One.
DeleteSo proud of you for standing up for good values. Well done
ReplyDeleteGlad you and your town showed up in the rain. We had a great showing here in W. Lebanon, NH and across the Connecticut River into White River Jct, VT. The honking was really loud and some of the commercial vehicles did participate. One large semi truck went by with a very loud honk. Up lifting. Only one sour note as we headed to our car was a guy with angry words mostly unintelligible. We ignored him.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys got to protest. It might not feel like it makes a difference, but I think it does.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to feel that you've done your part. I'm afraid there will have to be many more demonstrations.
ReplyDeleteThis TACO backdown was predictable as businesses and elsewhere lose workers. I'm pleased you made the effort to attend the demonstration, which sounds successful.
ReplyDeleteThe irony you pointed out about the DAR event was sharp and spot-on. Loved the clever signs, and your detailed account gave me goosebumps.
ReplyDeleteThank you for going to your protest!! We had some light rain (of course, it always rains) but we had an overwhelming turnout! You will have to read my account of the idiot we had visit us. I am so excited over 11 million nationwide showed up! We ARE history.
ReplyDeleteThese gatherings are the real news. The People standing up for themselves.
ReplyDeleteLet us hope that more people will now feel encouraged to take part in future demonstrations, despite that cretinous Proud Boy's comments.
ReplyDeletePeaceful protest can make a difference, they do take longer to be heard, they tend to grow in numbers, the orange one won't like it, but then that's the point.
ReplyDeleteThe people of America definitely made their feelings felt, some of the crowds were enormous.
ReplyDelete'Ain't no faux king way!' Love it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd it rained on Cheeto’s parade as very few people showed up. The faces of trump and his co-horts said it all. One even yawned. I had a good laugh as they all were wishing they were somewhere else. Wonder what Cheeto will say about his crowds. The only huge crowds were at the fuck trump rallies. Lol gigi
ReplyDeleteWell done, you and Tim! And all the millions who braved everything from weather to loonies to step up and testify to the idea of Democracy!
ReplyDeleteI watched our King Charles birthday parade on youtube, very impressive. And more people in audience. Gigi
ReplyDeleteBravo to you and Tim for turning out despite the miserable weather. I'm glad it was a positive experience!
ReplyDeleteIt's heartening that ordinary Americans are taking the time and effort to make a stand against the orange tyrant. Remember the story of the emperor's new clothes? These things snowball...
ReplyDeleteSorry, didn't mean to post as anonymous.
DeleteI participated too. Hopefully it will send a message; I would like to hope for more. What has happened to our country? Violence, white supremacists, authoritarians, and Nazis used to be bad. :(
ReplyDelete