Something is Shifting
I found solidarity and strength at the #HandsOff protest in Ventura—and I’m not the only one. We are not going back and we are not going away. See my P.S.
I participated in Saturday’s #HandsOff protest at the Ventura County Government Center. It was just what I needed.
I arrived early. A large crowd was already gathered. People kept coming, all kinds of people, of all ages. I saw dozens and dozens of old friends—and made some new ones as I walked around the protest, asking people where they lived and why they were here. The range of concerns expressed mirrored my own. So many things that I value are under attack, and I know that so many others feel the same way.
The past couple of months have been challenging—emotionally, politically, spiritually. But being surrounded by others who see what’s happening and refuse to remain silent reminded me that I’m not alone. Something shifted last week (and I saw a lot of Cory Booker signs). Several people shared that Senator Booker’s filibuster speech inspired them to attend. It seems that people are really paying attention.
On Saturday, we stood together in my community under a warm sun and blue skies—holding bold signs, chanting, talking, listening, supporting, grieving, hoping, and gathering strength from one another.
This same kind of gathering was replicated in thousands of communities across the country. Friends from all over shared their photos on social media. We showed up for one another and for American democracy this weekend.
I left feeling steadier, with a renewed sense of commitment. Not because anything is fixed, but because solidarity helps us carry the weight. Something is shifting. The resistance is growing, emerging after a cold, hard winter.
In his filibuster last week, Senator Booker invoked civil rights leader John Lewis:
“I rise tonight to engage in some good trouble, necessary trouble, to help redeem the soul of America. When our nation was at a crossroads, leaders like John Lewis stood up. They didn’t wait for someone else to act—they became the change they sought. That is what we must do now. These are not normal times in America…”
If you’re familiar with my historical research, you know I’m all about the history of poster art and how it’s been used to accelerate political and cultural movements in our nation’s past. I’m sharing a few of the three dozen photos of poster art I took—all shared here with permission.
There’s talk of another national day of protest later in April. I’ll be there, and hope you will, too.
P.S. There were conservative voters at these events on Saturday—I met several. If I were a GOP member of the House, I’d be paying close attention to the unfolding situation. This movement—and its strength is rapidly intensifying—is only going to accelerate given the economic crisis Trump has created. It has the potential to be a Category 5 political storm, with the energy and scale to eclipse the Tea Party movement. If they’re thinking about their future, they’d be wise to take notice.
We are not going back and we are not going away.
