On Saturday, there were five different No Kings rallies in my county. Between them, at least 12,000 people protested and marched. I attended one of them, and it was joyful. I saw so many signs that named the injustices currently underway — signs that take those seriously, too — but the people holding them were defiant in their solidarity and jubilation. Like many places elsewhere, there were people in inflatable costumes, and there was a great deal of humor.
In the midst of difficult realities, these events are fun. But they aren’t designed that way for their own sake. There is tremendous wisdom in this approach.
Before these events even took place, the Speaker of the House said that these would be “Hate America” rallies. Additionally, a few days ago, the White House Press Secretary said, “the Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.” They seek to paint narratives of resistors as dangerous criminals.
But…
It’s pretty hard for that narrative to land when major cities have no arrests, and people are parading with costumes, music, and humor as they engage in vital truth telling. Also, they’re not all Democrats.
Sometimes, resistance involves busting the narratives.
Then there’s another narrative floating around, too: We don’t have Kings. These people are such whiners.
Last night, the President of the United States himself shared an AI generated video of him flying a plane and dumping excrement on protesting crowds — dressed as a king.
So which is it?
It’s pretty hard to say these rallies aren’t well-titled. Not because of AI slop but because of the self-perception of the one being protested. And most of all, because of his rollback of constitutional rights.
Sometimes, resistance involves busting the narratives.
Smuggling Grace 