Some 7,000,000 people took part in over 2,700 “No Kings” rallies Saturday.
Millions and millions more were there in spirit and participating remotely by
watching coverage on television or online.
It was the largest single day of protest in American history.
Together, the American people showed that resistance to the Trump regime’s
authoritarianism is coming from every corner of this great country.
We demonstrated our commitment to nonviolence, our patriotism, our anger at the
needless harm Trump is inflicting on the nation, our rejection of his
dictatorial ambitions, and — not least — our sense of humor.
Each of us spoke to a lot of media outlets about the “No Kings” rallies. Here
are a few examples:
Robert on PBS.
[[link removed]]
Lisa on NPR.
[[link removed]]
Lisa on Fox News. [[link removed]]
Robert on CNN. [[link removed]]
Lisa in USA Today.
[[link removed]]
Robert on Fox News. [[link removed]]
In these conversations, we made three essential points:
FIRST
Americans are outraged about Trump’s authoritarianism and what it is doing to
our country.
They are furious about ICE kidnappings on our streets, the illegal deployment of
National Guard troops, illegal firings of federal workers who protect our
health, the illegal shutdown of agencies like the consumer bureau that protects
us from financial fraud, the weaponization of the Justice Department, attacks on
free speech, the effort to whitewash American history, and more.
SECOND
It was shameful and ridiculous for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and other
Republican figures to say these were “Hate America” rallies, to disparage
participants, and to denigrate protest itself.
As was evidenced by anyone who attended or watched any footage from the rallies,
these were patriotic rallies that sought to defend our democracy and the best of
our values. Given the out-of-control rhetoric from the Trump regime, Johnson
used coded language that suggested the rallies verged on domestic terrorism.
That was a disgraceful attack on First Amendment expression.
As we said over and over, “No Kings” takes its place in the long and honorable
tradition of American protest. Every single major social advance in American
history has come as the result of protest. Our nation’s very independence
originated in protest.
THIRD
This was protest with purpose. Donald Trump and his cronies have spread the lie
that they have overwhelming support and their policies are inevitable. “No
Kings” proved those claims untrue. The Trump regime wants to intimidate
opponents and chill dissent. They want people to be scared and isolated. With
“No Kings,” we joined together to feel, and feed, our power — in overwhelming
numbers.
Politicians were watching. Just as the prior large nationwide demonstrations
this year — “Hands Off!” and the first “No Kings” — stiffened their spines just
a bit, what they witnessed this weekend will make them stronger in the very
difficult fights ahead.
NEXT
“No Kings” is also a launching pad for more actions to follow, including:
* Call-in days to demand Democrats continue to stand up for health care in the
current government shutdown fight.
* Actions to support immigrant families against ICE raids.
* Email campaigns to block schemes that would make voter suppression even
worse.
* State initiatives against Trump-demanded mid-term gerrymanders.
* Campaigns against corporations preparing to fund Trump’s White House
ballroom.
* Campus projects to ensure universities reject Trump’s proposed “racist”
compact.
* And so much more.
Ultimately, mass mobilizations remind us of the power of solidarity and love. We
have great challenges ahead to defeat Trump’s authoritarianism. But — animated
by the spirit and energy of “No Kings” — we will prevail.
For democracy,
- Robert Weissman & Lisa Gilbert, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen
Donate [[link removed]] | Public Citizen | 1600 20th Street NW | Washington DC 20009 | Unsubscribe
[[link removed]]
