Yesterday evening, after loading up on ibuprofen for sore muscles even as my spirit soared to learn history had been made with more than eight million protesting across the nation, I saw this post on Bluesky:
One thing you learn by going to No Kings protests is that there are waaaaay more old white ladies who hate Trump and fascism than you might have guessed.
This old white lady, fixing to turn 65 in a few days, agrees. I got my ageing butt out there in dauntingly (and deplorably) red Otero County, specifically the city of Alamogordo, for my second No Kings protest in ten months of living in New Mexico. And it was glorious.
But I was by far not the oldest woman or man filling sidewalks along several blocks of White Sands Blvd to exercise my First Amendment right to reject a sociopathic administration hellbent on tyranny and terror.
My favorites were a woman dressed like Betsy Ross carrying a Revolutionary War flag, and another in a blowup pink pig costume brandishing a “Quiet, Piggy!” sign—in addition to several frogs, one of whom I know was an “old lady” from a past protest.
Then are the very endearing elderly veterans who always show up with handmade signs, bringing their chairs and their patriotism in full force. One of them thanked me for being there, and I very nearly teared up.
But when this ole gal finds herself on a street corner with an even older gal singing “God Bless America” like we’re channeling Kate Smith, plus my favorite “America The Beautiful” as the protest was winding down, you know it was a good day.
Not only that, but it was distinctly evident that there were more cars (many with Texas plates) honking and waving in support of the protest than there were ignoramuses flipping us off, gunning their engines, illegally coal-rolling or speeding dangerously to demonstrate their ignorant ire at our presence, otherwise proving that stupid is as stupid MAGA does.
And as I perused Bluesky yesterday evening, I learned the very same thing was happening in other red towns to the delighted surprise of No Kings attendees. That this ratio of supporters outnumbering detractors was notable in places like Florida, Idaho, Montana, and Utah means the tide is turning. And it’s turning blue for democracy’s sake.
My handmade sign carried yesterday appears in the photo accompanying this post, but I wish I’d added “Since 1776” like one clever protester in Alamogordo. There were also, not surprisingly, many signs protesting war, ICE, and pedophiles.
My favorites from across the country as seen on social media included dogs wearing signs saying: “I can poop a better president” and “I pee on fascists.”
Other excellent signs included (probably in Florida but who knows) a cartoon of the Rump saying, “See you later, alligator,” with a crocodile responding, “At your trial, pedophile.”
Then there was, “They found the Antifa handbook. It’s the Constitution.”
But my most favorite? “If you want to see a true patriot, go to a No Kings rally.”
Boy howdy. Democracy requires action, and Americans are finally waking up and hitting their stride to dethrone a despicable wannabe king. We the People are proud, patriotic, and not putting up with the fascist party of greedy, warmongering pedophile protectors anymore.