There's Something Happening Here: The No Kings Protests, Part I

This week, we had this question from reader B.J. in Arlington, MA:

A few months ago, you wrote something to the effect that if the U.S. becomes a dictatorship you will stop publishing because Electoral-Vote.com is a political blog primarily about elections and there are no true politics or elections in a dictatorship. Or something like that.

So, what time is it on the Electoral Vote Doomsday Clock?

The short answer is: Not close to midnight.

For the longer answer, let us imagine that this site somehow existed 90 years ago (in alternate format, obviously), and was focused on French politics. There would come a time when France was no longer a democracy, falling instead under the leadership of a puppet government answerable to a fascist regime. Even under that circumstance, however, there would still be much to write about, as France wasn't really a dictatorship, it was a democracy temporarily under occupation, and there was hope and there was reason to believe the occupation would eventually end.

Yesterday's No Kings protests are a sign that the U.S. democracy is still functioning. Plenty of people on the right have said awful things about the protesters, slurring them as terrorists, violent thugs, antifa agitators, George Soros-funded operatives, etc. These people on the right, who include all three thirds of the people at the top of the line of succession to the presidency, should be ashamed of themselves. As long as the protests stay peaceful (and they did yesterday), they are part of a grand tradition of freedom of speech and of holding government accountable, a tradition that has helped keep the United States strong for more than two centuries. We suspect that many other people on the right, outside of the blabbermouths who have to preen and posture for the benefit of their base, respect No Kings in that way, whether or not they agree with the message of the protests.

For those on the left, the protests—which attracted over 7 million people (according to organizers)—are a vivid illustration that people aren't giving up, and that they are determined to keep pushing back against the worst impulses of the current administration. When protests are big enough, and loud enough, and frequent enough, they do work. Ask Dwight D. Eisenhower about that. Or Lyndon B. Johnson. Or George W. Bush. Reader F.J.H. in Las Cruces, NM, wrote in yesterday, and put it better than we can:

What a magical, joyous celebration it was. American flags waving (we must take back the flag from MAGA), positive signage again and again and again and again.

I have renewed commitment. I have renewed hope.

In this southwest New Mexican small town, I won't quit on us.

We discussed the matter, and decided that this is the most important story of the week. We also have a fair number of readers who could use a boost of the sort that F.J.H. in Las Cruces got. So, we have decided to turn over all of today's posting to No Kings reader reports (heavy on the photos). We can only share so many in one day, so we'll add a few more each day this week. The questions and answers, and the letters, will be back next weekend.

Oh, and if you are still working on this week's headline theme, you would do well to heed the Beastie Boys' advice and check your head. Especially if you are in the Navy. (Z & V)

No Kings

E.M. in Millersburg, PA, writes: The Harrisburg No Kings march back in June was the first protest rally I've ever attended. That is if you don't count a Black Lives Matter protest that I stumbled upon a few years earlier as I made my way to the Midtown Scholar's Book Store from my apartment (at the time) in the capital city. I heard the last of a good speech at that one, agreed with the general sentiments, than went on to buy a novel and have a coffee.

When I went to the June protest I was in a good mood. I took the old Buick Regal from my current home in Millersburg and kept time to B.B. King and Prince as I cruised into the city.

But these are more somber times. Things have gotten worse than I ever could have guessed. So I rev'ed up the Dodge Diplomat, popped Parliament into the 8-track player and grooved to (non-president) Clinton telling me about the "Chocolate City" of '70s DC. It brought back thoughts of Vietnam and Nixon... ah, the good old days.

I reached the Capitol steps around 11:00 a.m. The last time I went to see the Capitol Steps, it was much funnier than this. But these steps were different. There was no place for satire and jokes. Bizarre satire has become cold hard reality and there were no jokes to be told.

I was told that Diversity, Equality and Inclusion were good things. Which was confusing because... well... who needs to be told that? It's rather like being told that fascism is bad. Generally you take those kinds of things as givens. But, wouldn't you know it, that's the very next thing they told me. Fascism is bad! I'd driven all this way to be told things I'd learned as a child.

I was told that ICE was bad, so I threw away my slushy.

Oh well. The weather was nice. The crowd was large. Our voices were heard, if not heeded.

I drove home listening to The Dead Kennedys' "Bedtime for Democracy," and daydreaming of simpler times.

On a serious note: None of this will mean anything if we don't keep moving forward. Vote when you get a chance. Show up and stand up if you feel you can. To quote a cheesy old Tom Selleck movie "You ain't gotta stand tall in here... but you gotta stand up."

Who knows... I might even take my own advice someday.

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C.K. in Haymarket, VA, writes: Here are 510 people at an intersection in Haymarket. The town is very purple and I am only aware of one other very small march after George Floyd was murdered. In general, people just don't do rallies or protests here. It was an excellent turnout and there were a lot of cars going by that honked or waved or gave us a thumbs up, etc. Very affirming.

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J.P. in Glenside, PA, writes: Photos from No Kings Philly:

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B.B. in Westminster, MD, writes: Our family activity today was making signs for the No Kings rally:

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A.J. in Fargo, ND, writes: Fargo-Moorhead protest. Good turnout, a bit higher than earlier this year. Some good speakers, especially the new AFL-CIO President for North Dakota. No disruptions or problems other than a very sad motorcycle playing an AI-sounding pro-Trump ripoff of "Born in the USA," who disappeared after about 5 minutes of being aggressively ignored.

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K.H. in Maryville, TN, writes: We had around 850 in our small, red city of Maryville! And much more positive response than negative!

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A.S. Renton, WA, writes: Some of my favorites from the peaceful protest today:

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G.S. in Alpharetta, GA, writes: Great turnout in ruby-red Forsyth County, GA!

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A.P. in Bedford, NH, writes: Just a few protest signs from a very well attended No Kings protest in Manchester, NH. The mood was very positive and we got many supportive honks from passing cars. Just a handful of counter-protesters who tried to rile up the protesters but weren't successful.

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R.L. in Easton, CT, writes: Here is the scene from Bridgeport, CT, where I attended the No Kings protest. Great crowd. Enthusiastic folks in cars. Folks lined both sides of the street from about 2-3 city blocks.

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R.L.S. in Portland, ME, writes: On October 18, 1775, exactly 250 years ago today, the British Royal Navy attacked the town of Falmouth, MA (now Portland, ME), with incendiary cannonballs that destroyed most houses and buildings of the port, an act that led in part to the founding of the Continental Navy. The locals were asked by the British to swear an oath of allegiance to the King. Rather than doing so, they instead moved out of town. Today the people of Portland, ME, turned out in numbers (said to be more than 6,000) to once again say "No Kings!" This time we had a good time.

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D.B.G in Minneapolis, MN, writes: No Kings Minneapolis:

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M.S. in St. Albans, VT, writes: Greetings from St. Albans, where organizers estimated over 1,000 people over the course of 2 hours at our No Kings protest! We received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, with cars honking and people waving as they drove past. Of course we had a few folks flip us off or rev their engines to express displeasure, but only one person actually attempted to confront protesters, and he left quickly when he realized no one would engage with him. I counted at least three inflatable dinosaurs, two unicorns and one chicken, along with protesters in banana costumes, dressed as wizards, and one woman in colonial garb. A fantastic way to spend a Saturday morning.

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W.B. in Buda, TX, writes: Hello from Buda!

Well, actually from Kyle, TX, since there wasn't a No Kings event in Buda. Lots of us Budans went to the events in Kyle, San Marcos, Austin, etc.

Kyle has a small population between 45,000 and 50,000. We managed to field a crowd of maybe 400+ people, which is a better crowd than I expected. Even better was all the honks and waves of support from people driving by (a few "birds" and "thumbs down," but probably no more than 10—we waved back anyway.)

There was absolutely no violence, no profanity (other than someone who drove by with "explicit" on their music setting), and no counter-protesters. Everyone was civil to each other. The event went smoothly, volunteers in yellow vests made sure nobody blocked streets or empty parking spaces (per city ordinance). Afterwards, people either headed home, went to another event, or stopped by The Texas Pie Company for celebratory post-protest blueberry pie.

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J.E. in San Jose, CA, writes: This is my sister-in-law in Manhattan:

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D.L. in Boston, MA, writes: Strong turnout in Plymouth, MA:

Massasoit in the background.

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J.D.M. in Cottonwood Shores, TX, writes: No Kings report from Marble Falls, TX, a cluster of small towns (combined population about 20,000) on Lake Marble Falls in Burnet county (80% Republican). Around 400 happy protesters along both sides of the bridge over the lake. Lots of traffic, because that's the only way out of that side of town. About 60% pretended they couldn't see us or looked confused. About 1% shot us the finger. The rest honked and waved!

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D.G. in Ocala, FL, writes: Huge No Kings turnout in Ocala, FL:

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S.H. in Harlem, NY, writes: My view from the No Kings Protest in Harlem. We sang "America the Beautiful":

Final Words

A.B. in Atlanta, GA, writes: The final words of labor leader Samuel Gompers seem appropriate this week: "Nurse, this is the end. God bless our American institutions. May they grow better day by day."

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