We have no kings here
It’s time to show up in even greater numbers.
If you’re in Ventura County, I hope you’ll join me—and a few thousand of my BFFs—this Saturday, April 19, from 10am to 12pm at the Ventura County Government Center for a peaceful protest. It’s organized by Hands Off, Indivisible, 50501, and other groups to stand against the alarming events unfolding in our country. Wear sunscreen. Bring water. Make a sign that calls for justice. (Find the gathering in your community here.)
We’re hoping to see an even larger turnout than we had on April 5.
I’m showing up for many reasons—including the example of my ancestors. At the time of the American Revolution, they made it clear: there would be no kings here. I’m proud of my grandparents, who sacrificed in the fight against fascism during World War II. I’m proud of my father and brother, veterans both.
One of my favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln, shared that conviction. The war for independence wasn’t distant history for him. Lincoln saw kings as the antithesis of democracy, equality, and the rights of ordinary people.
There’s a lot in our nation’s history that I hold with immense pride. It’s one of the main reasons I became a U.S. historian.
But this chapter of our story? Not so much.
It's not only my identity as an American that compels me to raise my voice. It's also my identity as a Christian and a member of my beloved Episcopal church. Holy Week is hitting hard this year. I'm not a theologian, but here's what I perceive:
Jesus was himself a victim of state violence. He was arrested without just cause, subjected to a sham trial, and handed over to a brutal execution by authorities.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these... you did for me.” The way I see it, immigrants like Kilmar Abrego Garcia are not distant abstractions. They are the very presence of Christ among us.
When state-sponsored cruelty is carried out under the banners of protection, deterrence, or policy, we are implicated. We are witnesses—just like the crowds in Jerusalem.
Will we walk away? Stay silent? Or stand at the foot of the cross and speak up?
The issue of all those sent to El Salvador weighs heavily on me right now—but it’s not the only thing I’m concerned about. I have my own growing list of grievances. And hauntingly, many echo those from our Declaration of Independence.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has…destroyed the lives of our people.*
* This grievance lists items that in today’s context might include the administration’s attacks on our environment, crippling FEMA, and destroying our economic livelihood.
Anyway:
WE HAVE NO KINGS HERE.
As a historian, I didn't think I'd actually have to live through the kind of coups I learned about in books. BUT HERE WE ARE.
This slide into authoritarianism is not inevitable. Together, we can stop this. Use every lever you have: where and how you spend you money, your privilege, and how you show up for other people. Write postcards. Call your electeds, again and again. Thank a federal worker. Support immigrant and voting rights organizations, and the thousands of other kinds of organizations doing vital work out there. Use your voice. We are stronger together.
See you Saturday.
P.S. Here’s a photo of me in my “America Needs Historians” tee shirt with my new BFF Offred. Salty poster language edited out, although TBH, I’ve been dropping a lot of F-bombs myself lately.
