What Now?

A Reflection

Millions turned out for No Kings 3 just two short weeks ago.

With the events of recent days, and the intense news cycle that seems to follow this unhinged regime, let’s not lose sight of the fact that No Kings 3 was the largest peaceful protest in U.S. history to date. We delivered a simple but direct message: our leaders must answer to the people. We demand justice, truth, and accountability from those who abuse their power.

Because We the People hold the true power.

What we want is also clear. This nightmare regime must end: their thuggish incompetence has made our world a far more dangerous place and our lives far more difficult. The wanna-be authoritarian must be removed. This was made even more urgent with his insane communications over Easter weekend.

With all that has happened recently, I’ve heard people ask: Do our protests matter?

I believe they matter far more than most people realize. Here is why:

1. The world is watching. As this regime trashes our alliances around the globe, aggressively attacks resource-rich countries, threatens the genocide of an entire civilization—our (former?) allies ask: will we, the American people, take back our country? Protests, especially as they grow larger and larger signal to the world that we will hold this regime accountable for its misdeeds and illegal actions, that we still care about peace, justice, human rights, our constitution, and our allies.

2. We give congressional leaders a reason to do the right thing and to hold firm. Maybe we can even give them courage to stand for what is right in the face of tyranny.

3. We show our vulnerable neighbors that we will not abandon them. This matters more than you might imagine.

4. We show those in power that we are not afraid of them.

5. We protect our first amendment rights by exercising them.

6. We demand the truth from our media --and show them, that despite their complicity and cowardice, and the takeover of our media, our social media and even the levers of our government, we are paying attention, we seek real information, and we reject their lies.

7. We make major corporations calculate us into their costs of complicity. Mass mobilization is impossible to ignore.

We protest as a way of maintaining our own agency and fortifying our connection with one another. We do this because we can and we must—for ourselves, for our kids and grandkids, for our fragile planet, and for our fellow human beings.

We do it because it is something we can do to exercise our power. Is it enough? Obviously not. I see it as necessary but not sufficient.

So What Now?

• We must keep up the pressure on officials and institutions to hold this regime accountable. We cannot let up.

• A general strike has been called for May 1. This marks a move from a mobilization-only phase into more economic demonstrations of people-power.

• Primaries are coming, stay informed and get involved as you are able.

If you feel called to do more, you’ll find links at Indivisible Lake County’s action page: https://www.indivisiblelakecountyca.com/action. Check it out and see what actions draw you. You don’t have to do everything, but I encourage you to do something. Anything helps. Rest when you need to, and engage in what brings you peace and joy.

To those who attended No Kings: billions of dollars were spent trying to dissuade you, to con you, and to distract you. Armies of social media bots and trolls were unleashed with the intention of discouraging you and making you cynical. Yet, none of this has worked on you! You are awesome.

Thank you for showing up.

Thank you for caring.

Thank you for bringing your peaceful energies even when you are angry! As Holly Near sings: we are a peaceful angry people, and we are singing for our lives.

Now we sing not only for our own lives, but also for the lives of our neighbors, for those in communities across the U.S., and for those around the world who are under attack. When we prevail it will be because you did not give up.

Keep on singing with love,