Great event in Olympia WA. was with friends who went straight to the speeches. I preferred to mingle with the people, visit the organizations' booths. Everyone was open, friendly and polite. As an 80year old veteran of civil rights, anti nuclear and environmental activism, it was nice to reminisce with other old folks and to speak to the younger generation who politely listened to my tales and "war stories. ' It was a day of peace, love joy, and collateral effervescence.
It was a great to see all the participation yesterday to give voice to our concerns. I was reading a piece from The NY Times yesterday about creating breathing space, and the idea that Carrie brought up that you can't do everything, but can do something. The author of the article commented that a friend told her to "move the horizon closer", so you can focus on the now and be present and see what is in front of you today. That thought really dovetails nicely with Carrie's message.
Yesterday was an amazing experience here in Morgantown, West Virginia. My husband and I arrived a little early for the protest and joined about a dozen protestors already holding signs and waving to the passing cars. I looked across the street and suddenly there was a wave of fellow protestors moving across a parking lot and headed our way. I was overcome with emotion and a great sense of unity as I saw them approaching. I just kept thinking, we are in this together and together we can do this hard thing. In the end there were hundreds of us peacefully protesting and the response from passing cars was overwhelmingly supportive.
I marched against the Vietnam War in Indianapolis and Bloomington in the 1960’s. The music of Barry McGuire and Phil Ochs was our marching songs. Those songs, “Eve of Destruction” , “I’m Not Marching Anymore” and others have come back to me these past weeks. Thank you Carrie, for carrying the message of tolerance and love in these really troubled times. I had hoped those songs from the 1960’s would never be relevant again. Every time I engage someone with whom I disagree politically, I remember that “I can’t change the whole world, But I can change the world I know, What’s within three feet or so.” Those words inspire me to engage-not ignore.
On our way back home from traveling, and we knew we wouldn't make it there to protest, so we hauled our signs across the country and nearly back, and we joined a diverse, joyful, determined crowd in Madison, WI. Chanting, singing, marching peacefully with my best-friend and partner at my side, fed my soul and gave me hope and strength for the journey ahead. At the same time, I was deeply sad and grieving the political violence and senseless murders in our home-state, Minnesota.
But the true highlight of the day was our conversation with George. As we wandered the Farmers' Market on the streets around the Capitol, carrying our signs for later, I smiled at George as he peddled by on his adaptive bicycle. He stopped, greeted me back and asked if he could share some things about his life. As he put it, he's 'differently abled", but lives a full life. (I come from a family where 2 members of my family or origin were differently abled and the other 2 of us "typically abled" as George put it.). George shared about his work, real jobs with meaning and purpose, but those jobs don't pay him enough, so he gets some help from Medicaid. George shared about his friends, who call him up to go out and come pick him up so he can join them. He shared about his church, where sometimes he is a Greeter, and brings the Gifts to the Altar for the Eucharistic Prayer. George is a Reader/Lector sometimes, too.
George is able to live a full life at present with access to housing that is accessible for his physical needs, access to healthcare for the impact of his disabilities on his body, and a transportation system that enables him to get to and from work. These things matter, not just to George, but to countless others in our society. We are all richer for being part of a society that welcomes and enables all of us to participate. AND the services provided by Medicaid, SNAP, City busses with lifts, ramps on buildings and on and on, are those that GOVERNMENT MUST PAY FOR. I want my taxes to support these aspects of the Common Good for us all to live together in peace.
As I joined the 425 souls that stood on the streets of Pendleton, Indiana yesterday-this ageless soul of mine "rushed" full of deep love and deep solidarity. In this state that designates as "red"-who knew that in a community of 2500 or so-425 people took to the street corners.
I embrace the title we are not called to do everything-but we are called to do what we can...and must. Love means standing in solidarity to call out the senseless acts of violence and misuse of the power of government. We know historically that when this happens-when we refuse to bend the knee-that change happens. Maybe slower than what we had hoped.
I recalled John Lewis yesterday. And Dr. King. And AIM and Leonard Peltier-Russell Means-John Trudell. And Ella Baker. And the poets/artists-Marvin Gaye, Jr. -Mavis Stapes-Bruce Springsteen-Carrie Newcomer-Maya Angelou-bell hooks-Isabell Wilkerson-and so many more.
This community stands as a source of love for me. Reading your reflections Carrie, listening to your songs, reading those who choose to post,-love is one voice with many timbers. One heart beating in many chests.
My mother-ion law was from Pendleton and my wife spent time there with her grandparents. We were just there for my mother-in-law’s funeral. The thought that hundreds of people gathered there yesterday gives me hope.
Loving reading the comments and photos from the Contrarian and seeing the solidarity across the country of people standing for love and for decency and justice.
I’m in Canada on vacation with friends, a trip planned months ago. We’ve been telling Canadians that we love Canada NOT as the 51st state! Most have smiled and thanked us. I told one woman that we’re really sorry, and she said, “We forgive YOU.” Some have said they’re encouraged by the No Kings protests. So, we’re doing what we can from here.
We went to the rally and and signwaving in the our little rural county seat on the Eastern Shore of MD. I was so moved by the number of American flags, the people thanking veterans who turned out, the young man playing a Jimi Hendrix inspired National Anthem on electric guitar, the crowd fervently singing along complete with the loud shouted "O!" as is traditional for fans if the Baltimore Orioles, the inspiring speakers and the maybe 300-400 people who turned out in very rural, purple Chestertown, MD. There were a number of beautiful moving moments reminding us of all we are in danger of losing. I shed some tears but I saw friends and met some wonderful people and the signwaving out by the highway brought lots of horns sounding, thumbs up and waves. I did get the feeling we are building community.
My family partcipated in the No Kings rally at three different locations in Michigan. Those rallies were very well attended. I was at the state capitol in Lansing. The crowd was very large. It was really encouraging to see the significant number of young young people involved.
Great event in Olympia WA. was with friends who went straight to the speeches. I preferred to mingle with the people, visit the organizations' booths. Everyone was open, friendly and polite. As an 80year old veteran of civil rights, anti nuclear and environmental activism, it was nice to reminisce with other old folks and to speak to the younger generation who politely listened to my tales and "war stories. ' It was a day of peace, love joy, and collateral effervescence.
I am so glad‼️❤️
It was a great to see all the participation yesterday to give voice to our concerns. I was reading a piece from The NY Times yesterday about creating breathing space, and the idea that Carrie brought up that you can't do everything, but can do something. The author of the article commented that a friend told her to "move the horizon closer", so you can focus on the now and be present and see what is in front of you today. That thought really dovetails nicely with Carrie's message.
Yesterday was an amazing experience here in Morgantown, West Virginia. My husband and I arrived a little early for the protest and joined about a dozen protestors already holding signs and waving to the passing cars. I looked across the street and suddenly there was a wave of fellow protestors moving across a parking lot and headed our way. I was overcome with emotion and a great sense of unity as I saw them approaching. I just kept thinking, we are in this together and together we can do this hard thing. In the end there were hundreds of us peacefully protesting and the response from passing cars was overwhelmingly supportive.
Sending bountiful gratitude ❤️🎶
I marched against the Vietnam War in Indianapolis and Bloomington in the 1960’s. The music of Barry McGuire and Phil Ochs was our marching songs. Those songs, “Eve of Destruction” , “I’m Not Marching Anymore” and others have come back to me these past weeks. Thank you Carrie, for carrying the message of tolerance and love in these really troubled times. I had hoped those songs from the 1960’s would never be relevant again. Every time I engage someone with whom I disagree politically, I remember that “I can’t change the whole world, But I can change the world I know, What’s within three feet or so.” Those words inspire me to engage-not ignore.
On our way back home from traveling, and we knew we wouldn't make it there to protest, so we hauled our signs across the country and nearly back, and we joined a diverse, joyful, determined crowd in Madison, WI. Chanting, singing, marching peacefully with my best-friend and partner at my side, fed my soul and gave me hope and strength for the journey ahead. At the same time, I was deeply sad and grieving the political violence and senseless murders in our home-state, Minnesota.
But the true highlight of the day was our conversation with George. As we wandered the Farmers' Market on the streets around the Capitol, carrying our signs for later, I smiled at George as he peddled by on his adaptive bicycle. He stopped, greeted me back and asked if he could share some things about his life. As he put it, he's 'differently abled", but lives a full life. (I come from a family where 2 members of my family or origin were differently abled and the other 2 of us "typically abled" as George put it.). George shared about his work, real jobs with meaning and purpose, but those jobs don't pay him enough, so he gets some help from Medicaid. George shared about his friends, who call him up to go out and come pick him up so he can join them. He shared about his church, where sometimes he is a Greeter, and brings the Gifts to the Altar for the Eucharistic Prayer. George is a Reader/Lector sometimes, too.
George is able to live a full life at present with access to housing that is accessible for his physical needs, access to healthcare for the impact of his disabilities on his body, and a transportation system that enables him to get to and from work. These things matter, not just to George, but to countless others in our society. We are all richer for being part of a society that welcomes and enables all of us to participate. AND the services provided by Medicaid, SNAP, City busses with lifts, ramps on buildings and on and on, are those that GOVERNMENT MUST PAY FOR. I want my taxes to support these aspects of the Common Good for us all to live together in peace.
Yesterday was a beautiful gathering of conscious love. I am in Chicago and we were many thousands in solidarity and peace! Power to the people!
As I joined the 425 souls that stood on the streets of Pendleton, Indiana yesterday-this ageless soul of mine "rushed" full of deep love and deep solidarity. In this state that designates as "red"-who knew that in a community of 2500 or so-425 people took to the street corners.
I embrace the title we are not called to do everything-but we are called to do what we can...and must. Love means standing in solidarity to call out the senseless acts of violence and misuse of the power of government. We know historically that when this happens-when we refuse to bend the knee-that change happens. Maybe slower than what we had hoped.
I recalled John Lewis yesterday. And Dr. King. And AIM and Leonard Peltier-Russell Means-John Trudell. And Ella Baker. And the poets/artists-Marvin Gaye, Jr. -Mavis Stapes-Bruce Springsteen-Carrie Newcomer-Maya Angelou-bell hooks-Isabell Wilkerson-and so many more.
This community stands as a source of love for me. Reading your reflections Carrie, listening to your songs, reading those who choose to post,-love is one voice with many timbers. One heart beating in many chests.
My mother-ion law was from Pendleton and my wife spent time there with her grandparents. We were just there for my mother-in-law’s funeral. The thought that hundreds of people gathered there yesterday gives me hope.
Look at all this LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
Loving reading the comments and photos from the Contrarian and seeing the solidarity across the country of people standing for love and for decency and justice.
I’m in Canada on vacation with friends, a trip planned months ago. We’ve been telling Canadians that we love Canada NOT as the 51st state! Most have smiled and thanked us. I told one woman that we’re really sorry, and she said, “We forgive YOU.” Some have said they’re encouraged by the No Kings protests. So, we’re doing what we can from here.
We went to the rally and and signwaving in the our little rural county seat on the Eastern Shore of MD. I was so moved by the number of American flags, the people thanking veterans who turned out, the young man playing a Jimi Hendrix inspired National Anthem on electric guitar, the crowd fervently singing along complete with the loud shouted "O!" as is traditional for fans if the Baltimore Orioles, the inspiring speakers and the maybe 300-400 people who turned out in very rural, purple Chestertown, MD. There were a number of beautiful moving moments reminding us of all we are in danger of losing. I shed some tears but I saw friends and met some wonderful people and the signwaving out by the highway brought lots of horns sounding, thumbs up and waves. I did get the feeling we are building community.
Thanks for the reminder to smile. Smile to the driver of the pickup truck with a big Trump flag flying.
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Carrie. Canada stands with you.
My family partcipated in the No Kings rally at three different locations in Michigan. Those rallies were very well attended. I was at the state capitol in Lansing. The crowd was very large. It was really encouraging to see the significant number of young young people involved.