Can You Hear Me Now

The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.

Thomas Paine

Very early Saturday morning, a misguided MAGA follower assassinated a Minnesota state legislator and her husband and severely wound another legislator and his wife. Both legislators were Democrats. After a gunfight from which the killer escaped, the police found a manifesto in his car that targeted dozens of other Democrat lawmakers and women’s health care providers. As tragic as this horrific event was, it could have been so much worse if he was allowed to carry out his entire plan. The carnage would have been beyond unspeakable.

The shootings came a few days after the far-right hate group, the Proud Boys, circulated a meme that read, “Shoot a couple, the rest will go home.” This is the same organization whose members were pardoned for their part in the traitorous January 6th insurrection. If that wasn’t a green light for hate and violence, I don’t know what is.

With all this as a backdrop, tens of thousands of Minnesotans gathered at the State Capital to say “No” to authoritarianism and MAGA extremism. Despite our governor, Tim Walz, asking people to stay home, we needed to tell the world that although we may be afraid, we are not going to sit on our hands and let fascism win. Sorry, Tim.

Of course, it wasn’t just Minnesota that turned out for No Kings Day. Millions of like-minded people did the same across the country. I am sure that the thought of another crazed man with a gun crossed their minds, but they showed up nonetheless. They too understand the price of remaining silent.

Whose Street? Our Street!

As I wrote in my article, Still Marching After All These Years, I have been showing up at rallies and protests for decades. Some were just a few people standing around holding signs, singing songs, and shouting slogans, and some have been much more substantial. I can honestly say that Saturday’s No Kings Day was the largest gathering I have ever attended. It was big when I arrived and it kept growing. Minnesotans from across the Twin Cities, the state, and possibly neighboring Wisconsin put aside their fears of what might happen and came together as one. It truly made me proud to be a part of such brave and committed movement. We were honest, real, enthusiastic, and beautiful.

We have learned the hard way that politicians won’t save us, the Supreme Court has become a political tool of the right, the lower courts are wishy-washy, and mainstream media is too quick to cave. It’s up to the people to turn out and let our voices be heard. On Saturday we marched. Soon we will vote.

Mixed with the joy of marching, standing, chanting, and singing together, we were all grieving for Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman, and their families. I want to say “This is not who we are,” but sadly it is what we have become. It will take a lot of hard work to undo the hatred and division that has been sown throughout the country, but it’s a job that many of us are willing to undertake. Please make sure you are standing on the right side of history.

Scenes From the Resistance

Here are a few of the best photographs I took that day. The photos from behind the stage give you an idea of how many people were in attendance. The crowd stretched from the Saint Paul Capital to the Saint Paul Cathedral. The Minnesota Star Tribune newspaper estimated that there were 30,000 people at the rally and that feels right. This marks my fourth rally this year and the numbers keep building. Who knows how large it would have been if those fearful of more violence hadn’t stayed home.

Let the MAGA folks have their hate. We have love and love will always overcome hate.

Thank you for reading.

Even larger than a life of strength and courage
a heart bursting with love shared and love returned
free and often unexpected

This is the old growth oak
standing tall and sturdy
this is the evening star brightly shining
as kinetic as the universe and its ever expanding ways

All that bigness
all that wonder and awe

All day long