October 18, 2025 "No Kings" Protests

Politics & Elections
61

Yes. To counter the entirely false claims from Trump and cronies that the rallies are Hate America events and that the organizers are terrorists, organizers are working to make Oct. 18 events more festive and fun-filled. In Boston, we are not marching, as we did at previous rallies, but gathering on Boston Common with speakers, music, booths for community groups, and other fun activities.

The Portland Frogs and other inflatables have done wonders to show how un-threatening this movement is and not the dangerous boogeyman Trump is trying to make it.

Also they’re not merely hoping for more people. In the first Trump term, the largest national protest had about 700 separate events around the country. Oct. 18 has more than 2,600. This event will probably be the largest protest in either Trump term, and perhaps the largest in US history.

62

I suggested to my wife that for something yellow, we should go to a Halloween store and buy a couple of chicken costumes. On the backs we can put the names “Marshall” and “Moran” (our two senators), because they’re a couple of chickens.

63

I would worry that “festive and fun-filled” is going to negate the seriousness of the issue at hand. Like, you can’t imagine a hypothetical 1930s anti-Nazi protest in Germany being “festive and fun-filled.” The Velvet Revolution, Orange Revolution, Arab Spring, Hong Kong protests, weren’t “fun” at all. Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron if fascism and human rights abuses are at stake…a rather weird vibe.

64

There are two events at Ocean Beach that day, but the main rally is at Embarcadero with easy BART and Muni access.

65

Awww. Hey, everyone, we have to change our tone to prove we’re serious! Velocity says so!

Thanks, I was trusting the map linked to by Indivisible, and I didn’t understand what the star in the circle meant at that location. That looks like the one for me.

66

I was told by my boss (who supports these protests) that I need to do things like put my phone in airplane mode and wear sunglasses to avoid facial recognition (which I doubt would work) and check for other things to protect myself since, almost certainly, ICE agents or whoever will be doing their best to identify those who attend.

Is there something I should be doing in this regard? Or is it just worry over nothing?

67

As I said above, this is not a Sunday picnic in the park, BUT the idea is along these lines:

That is, not meeting aggression with more aggression, but with steely commitment and not with violence. The protestors will want to make it clear that they aren’t a physical threat to the soldiers, cops, or anyone in authority. If that means some music, dancing, and funny costumes, then okay. These are supposed to be peaceful protests by UNARMED individuals.

Some of were alive (adults, even) during the civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s. If the police bring out water hoses, attack dogs, and tear gas on Saturday, then yeah, the protestors would instantly become more serious, but they still cannot fight back with physical violence.

You asked above about the focus of this weekend. First of all, NUMBERS. MASSIVE turnout-- more than the six million that turned out in June.

And whatever nuances might be added to this massive demonstration, the single, unwavering message is that WE DON’T ACCEPT TRUMP AS KING AND HE MUST GO! That’s the bottom line.

I don’t think you’re worrying over nothing. I’m no expert, but I’d be tempted to leave my cell phone at home and buy a disposable phone in case you need to call someone. Alert your friends/family to answer an unknown number if they get a call. Can’t hurt, might help, better to be safe, and other similar platitudes.

These are uncharted waters, at least in the USA. Other countries have been here before…

68

I know a lot of people have implied otherwise, but this is not 1930s Germany or any other situation that has already happened or is happening somewhere else. This is its own unique moment in history and thus demands its own unique response. As someone who thinks a lot about this kind of thing - about what actually makes social change happen - I find a lot to recommend this particular tactic at this moment in time. It has echos of the Civil Rights movement and passive resistance techniques. It also seems well-equipped to improve the morale of those of us facing these troubling times. And morale is not a trivial thing when you are fighting for the soul of your country.

Will it work? Maybe so. Maybe not. But even if it doesn’t I think I will feel good to have been a part of it. I think I will sleep better at night having gone.

69

When the Gov’t is telling the American people that the protestors are terrorists like "MS-13, as [Tren de Aragua], as ISIS, as Hezbollah, as Hamas, as all of them. They are just as dangerous.”

Honestly, the best way to counteract that narrative is with a frog costume. The best way to get seen is a live public protest.

70

I too will be taking the T. The Salem commuter rail line might be uh… extra chaotic. In both directions. All day.

I don’t know if my closest T stop lot will fill up fast or if I have to go a little further to a bigger lot. I’m packing a couple water bottles and a few small snacks.

As to the posts about incognito mode: it doesn’t hurt. I always wear a hat and sunglasses.

71

This is the reason to go, IMHO. I go because it’s the right thing to do. No need to be a tall poppy, you don’t even need to carry a sign. Just be there to add your heft to the numbers. It matters.

72

Agreed. Just show up and be seen. That is infinitely more effective than not showing up.

I personally think sprinkling in costumes, music, “light” stuff helps people who actually believe all the protestors are terrorists is obviously not true. I didn’t mean to imply millions of people show up in frog costumes, ha. That would be biblical.

73

Here is a guide (of sorts) to help stay safe although it mostly seems common sense to me.

But, FWIW:

74

Part of what made the last two events so special was the signs – – many of them were really creative and really funny. All the smart and clever people are on our side, so let’s lean into that.

75

I’ve often thought this. You see very few conservative comedians for instance (and the ones that do exist mostly suck). Not to mention almost all the arts.

There are, of course, exceptions to this. And sometimes conservatives can be accidentally funny (like misspelling a protest sign).

76

To not precisely quote Emma Goldman :

“If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”

And then there’s Bread and Roses.

And we’re trying to present alternatives to terror. What better alternative than laughter?

If these people fully take over, nobody’s safe, sunglasses or no sunglasses.

And they’re more likely to do so the more that people are afraid of them.

There’s a lot to be afraid of. But it’s important not to show it. People laughing at them decreases their power. People visibly afraid of them increases it.

I think I’d like to live in that universe. I’m still laughing at the image. And I don’t think they’d know what to do about it.

Although, having said that, I don’t expect to wear a frog costume.

77

I bought some American flags to wave. I guess I’ll have some to hand out at the protest.

I’m really stressed about the parking situation. I’m guessing this is going to be all down Woodward Ave.

I know I just need to go and do it.

78

I wholeheartedly agree. If we (general “we”) do not act now it will only get harder later.

Now is the time. It has to be done.

79

The reason I suggested buying a disposable phone, is because if for some reason the police get involved, they can seize your phone. And as I understand it they can force you to give them access to it. It’s a pretty cheap security measure.

And even if they can’t legally seize your phone, they might do it anyway. Things being what they are.

80

IIRC if you ONLY have a passcode they cannot force you to divulge that code (since it is in your head you cannot be forced to incriminate yourself). BUT, if they can unlock it with your finger or they point it at your face and it unlocks then that is allowed.

I think the trick there is to turn off your phone. Not sure about all phones but mine at least (Android) demands the code on power-up. No fingerprint or face unlock on power-up.

While I do care about the illegal search aspect there honestly is nothing on my phone that would be of interest to anyone, least of all law enforcement. Worst it gets is me complaining about Trump with my GF which puts me in the company of a hundred million people in this country. That said, I don’t want to lose my phone (expensive to replace, lost contacts and photos all that).