No Kings

 It's hard to remember 2025 without touching on politics. I'm sure we do not all agree on the merits of the current administration but I think we can agree that we don't want a King or dictator. No wonder the "No Kings" demonstrations have attracted such enormous crowds. 

The photo above is from the park outside the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids where 10,000 people gathered on Flag Day. I also attended the "Hands Off" gathering in April  and an even larger "No Kings" demonstration in October. Each of these events has been more impressive than the last.Attendees work together to make sure litter is picked up. But they are getting more pushy. In April they told us to stay on the sidewalk and obey the police. By October they announced we had a right to walk on the streets downtown and if confronted by police say "am I under arrest?" To my surprise the police stayed away from the crowd and didn't try to prevent them from marching in the street. And the traffic seemed patient with the hour-long march. They honked and cheered.

Although these events are protests and the people attending are all unhappy with the current administration, these are basically happy events. These frustrated folks can talk about their fears and anger with like-minded folks.  Protestors are singing, chanting and applauding speakers whose ideas make sense. They are constantly waving American flags. It really makes you proud to be an American in the land of free speech.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend Sue Ford Marschall joined me and two of the events.