Get Ready to Protest AGAIN!
I spent much of the last week sooooo angry. There is so much to be mad about: ICE terrorizing Chicago, inadequate sentences in not one but two SA cases (Diddy and Robert Morris), the government shutdown, Hatch Act violations left and right… But then Taylor dropped The Life of a Showgirl, and I was able to shut out the noise, at least for a little while. My brain needed a break!
All that said: it’s time for a good protest, don’t you think!
The next NO Kings Rally is set for October 18. You can find your local protest:
It’s time to clear your calendars and to make a thoughtful plan for your protest.
If you want tshirts or yard signs for this event, I have you covered! I just added a bunch of protest designs to my store. They are available in men’s and women’s sizes, a big range of colors, and several different designs. Here’s a sampling:
A few of the designs in my shop!
And once you have your gear, here’s my guide on how to Protest Safely. I wrote this for the last No Kings rally, but the tips and ideas are all still current.
How to Protest Safely
A brief guide to the basics of protesting and keeping yourself and your family safe.
I know meeting up with a group of protesters, large or small, may not feel safe for some people. That is ok! I have friends who feel the same. Here’s what we have discussed:
Look for a Smaller Gathering: If you are in a large metropolitan area and the BIG protest feels like too much, check the map at the link above. See if there is a smaller gathering scheduled near you. I don’t go to Denver — I protest in my small town which in June was one of dozens of protests within 30 minutes of my house.
Make a plan with a friend! Protests are actually a lot of fun — and do a LOT to lift your spirits. There ARE millions of other people who feel and think like you do. And getting together with a few can make a big difference.
Declare a Spend-Nothing Weekend. Whether you are going somewhere or not, dropping out of the economy for a few days can be part of your protest. And every time we do this, we are sharpening our skills for national shut downs — which may be the only way to move the needle significantly. There is conversation about that as the next step. So we need to be ready to mobilize when the time comes.
Call in sick to work. If you don’t have the 18th off, and you can spare the day off, do it. Take a day. This is another way to protest — and to drop out of the economy.
Plant Native North American Plants. I mean — we are all gardeners, right? So spend your weekend supporting our native wildlife and making your part of the world just a little happier. Fall is a great time for planting — while the soil is warm.
Volunteer in your Community. If protesting isn’t a possibility for you, spend your day doing something positive in your community. There’s nothing this administration abhors more than helping our neighbors.
Volunteer for your Local Democratic Candidates. There will be an election next month and there are LOTS of offices which will be decided. In my community our entire city council and mayor are up for election. Volunteer to walk your neighborhood and pass out literature for your local Democratic candidates. Your kids and dogs can go with you! It’s easy and fun!
We have two weeks to make a plan for an even bigger No Kings Day than in June! Make a plan and get yourself ready to make our voices heard. It’s time to get LOUD. Our democracy is worth saving — but there isn’t a hero out there to do it. We have to be our own heroes!
So glad to be in this with you all! Share this widely — get your friends, your family, and your community ready and involved!
Hugs!
Angela