I live in the most most populous red county in Maryland and my longtime newspaper editor friend and I agreed on a crowd estimate of 500-1,000. Enthusiastic but peaceful, held in front of the county office building alongside a busy street.
Heading out in roughly 45 minutes to my local rally, NOT bringing the flag, but will be wearing a neck gaiter that’s a stained, tattered flag print, which will show my feelings.
We’ll be in downtown Reno today in front of our rep’s office (Amodei, R-NV).
The best graphic I’ve seen is from artist Mary Engelbreicht: “No Kings…No Idiots, Either”
I am somewhat embarrassed, as the OP of this thread, to acknowledge that my current physical condition prevents me after all from participating in today’s rally. It is galling, really, but my recovery efforts have not progressed as much as I had hoped they would by now. I simply am unable today to walk even a block.
On a related note, I was reading the Wikipedia entry on today’s events, and according to them today is also being called by some “No Kings Day.” I think that is a perfect additional official designation for this date from now on, in addition to Flag Day, not only during Trump’s tenure (short may it be) but into the future, to remind us that democracy and free elections are a great gift, which we should not squander nor allow to be taken from us. (Yes, I know I am being an optimist, thinking that there will be such a future back from which we will be able to look on these days and shudder in memory.)
I tried to walk to mine, braving the simultaneous heat and rain, but right as I could see the people on the sidewalks, the Fire Sauce I had yesterday kicked in, so I walked all the way back. It’s only Fire Sauce, damn! Ironically I had just made the decision to give up any hotter sauce than that because of that same effect.
I did drive by later for some supportive tooting (no pun intended!) There was one police car, who knows if it was actually manned. It probably wasn’t bait because it was a city block or so away from the nearest protestor. If I wanted it to be bait, I would have placed it halfway closer, so I’d still have plausible deniability but where it would be more clearly seen.
It had about the same number of people as the last one, somewhat north of 100, but they had more signs and they were more on point. I had been expecting some Palestine or Mexican flags but didn’t see any. Several blocks past them, though, there were people standing on a corner waving non-political religious signs. Not sure if they had meant to get people confused with the protest to get more visibility or if they would have done it anyway, since that happens occasionally even on normal days.
Thanks for giving me a laugh, I really needed that. Though I will also admit I made a similar choice, so last night was a perfectly balanced medium fiber, no heat dinner, rather than my normal southern NM influenced “Of -course- every entree is served with roasted chiles or hot sauce!”.
Huge turnout in Durango, population 20k:
Thousands here in Santa Barbara. Maybe more than 10,000. It’s hard to judge because they chose to not have one central meeting point, but to have a continuous line along the waterfront. I did a count of my block and it was easily 1000 and as far as I can tell, this goes 10 or 15 blocks.
Just back from the Nassau County NY protest. It’s a purple area but the turnout was good, several thousand, considering constant light rain. Hundreds of cars buses and delivery trucks honked in support, and just a few showed opposition.
There were loads of American flags, 2 or 3 Palestinian ones, no others. And loads of creative signs as well as short, powerful ones. The ones I liked best were “Nonagenarian for No Kings” (held by an elderly man being driven by) and "Courage is Contagious ".
Just got back from the rally in Holland “Hometown of Betsy DeVos” Michigan. Pretty great turnout. Most cars passing by we’re supportive, only saw three or four drivers shaking their heads at us, and there was one shithead with a “Trump: fuck your feelings” flag on his truck that kept circling the block.
I’d say there were several thousand there and very lively. Great signs. Mine said “Real Americans fight fascism” and “Bill Huizenga: Coward” (he’s my worthless congressman).
Just returned from the rally in Dover Delaware at Legislative Hall. It was a good turnout with a nice variety of speakers.
Favorite sign: A terrible pic of tRump in a pointy birthday hat with “Happy birthday Loser. Hope it’s your last.”
Turns out they were right. They shot a couple and all protests in Minneapolis have been cancelled. The wife is busy writing “no kings” on the window.
A few more photos:
I went to the nearest one, next village over, 1700 population. About 250 people were there lining the state highway. In the bigger towns and cities, many thousands of people. There were over 100 protests in Massachusetts, including an enormous one in Boston.
While we were gathered, a woman shushed the little crowd and announced the news of the assassination, in Minnesota, of a state representative and her husband. A state senator and his wife were also shot but are alive. The assassin impersonated a police officer – had a police vehicle or visual equivalent, and uniform. Still at large. Left a rightwing manifesto at the scene, with a hit list.
Are we real enough yet?
Just got back from the Nashville one. Holy moly, there were a lot of people.
Back from the protest in McKinney Texas. Over 3000 folks along University and US-75 intersection. It was glorious.
Thousands are here in Studio City, CA! It’s awesome!
Village of about 5000, Finger Lakes New York, in a heavily red area. Something over 130 people more or less lined up just off the street along the main route through town, in front of the county courthouse complex (which isn’t open Saturdays.) No visible police, and no sign that any were needed. Lots of American flags (I didn’t see any others) and a whole lot of signs, mostly along the themes of No Kings, defend the Constitution, and anti-Trump; one about Ukraine. At least two dogs. Occasional thumbs down or middle fingers up from passing traffic, but a lot more honking in approval; including most of the big rigs that went by.
I think, though, that the majority was still of the Stare Straight Ahead And Pretend Nothing’s Happening persuasion. Which is a large part of what got us into this mess in the first place. I’m considering, next demo I go to, bringing a sign with an old quote from Bob Dylan: “How many times can a man turn his head And pretend that he just doesn’t see?” – though I’m afraid that’s really too long for a sign.
Thousands in Lansing, MI as well. The only cops I saw were leaning against their car looking bored. Festive atmosphere, much enthusiasm, no issues or counter-protesters whatsoever that I saw.