General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Reminder
“The more real you get, the more unreal everything else is.” – John Lennon
On Saturday, millions of Americans got together to make one thing real: what this administration is attempting is unreal, and has to be stopped. They gathered peacefully exercising their constitutional rights. They are the people that we need.
A close friend who loves to argue said rallies and demonstrations don't work any more. I disagreed, pointing out that while we all remember King and Gandhi, it was the crowds of people who followed them that were the source of their power. Those people also put themselves on the line. Some of King's most important work was on expanding voting rights and getting people registered.
It was the crowds that accomplished that by coordinating with sympathetic elected officials. It was the crowds that filled the jails. Any and everyone who has been incarcerated knows the true definition of “lonely.” A significant number of those at Saturday's rallies say that since November, they felt alone. That's what out opposition want us to think and feel.
But we are not alone. We are among the people this country needs to step up now. I read that there were over five million people at the rallies across the country. I don't know if that is accurate, or if there were more. But I know that five million people standing up and stepping forward is powerful. Registering voters. Campaigning door to door. That is the most powerful force that we have available today.

Morbius
(434 posts)...the only thing that has ever caused meaningful change in America is when people raise hell.
If you're not happy, make some noise. Make lots and lots of noise. They will hear it, and when they can no longer ignore it, change will come.
Easterncedar
(4,257 posts)The snow is piling up and I am falling down. I will engage properly tomorrow. Good night, all.
H2O Man
(76,664 posts)Easterncedar
(4,257 posts)The sun is shining on lots of beautiful fluffy snow, the kind that lines every twig and makes everything extraordinary. It won’t last, but I may run out for a symbolic shovelling. (I wasn’t feeling bad last night, just sleepy.)
On topic: I totally agree. The need to keep up the pressure is absolute. We can’t let the rally be used as a pressure release valve, but very much the contrary. And we do that, I think, by engaging the whole community around us in every way we can.
I am heartsick about all the deportations, but the kidnappings of people, ANY people, to send them to Salvadoran hellholes is a wound to my conscience.
Like the deaths in Gaza.
I don’t want to be complicit by my silence in these crimes.
I always feel better after a good night's sleep.
I think there is another rally on the 19th in Oneonta. If not, I think there is one every weekend near me. Little by little, my friends and I are reaching out to old friends who are interested in joining us.
Easterncedar
(4,257 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(54,808 posts)H2O Man
(76,664 posts)I've seen people organizing for the 19th. My friends & I will be back where we were on Saturday.
moniss
(7,090 posts)the demonstrations need to not just be an occasional thing but need to be unrelenting. In other words we need days of discontent and not just a day of discontent. Civil disobedience needs to make it's presence known and felt consistently and repeatedly and afflict the comfortable.
Events will unfold as spring turns to summer. The felon will continue to do damage to the country. Those people who felt alone will continue to turn out, and those numbers will grow. In time, non-violent civil disobedience will happen.
If last weekend was the beginning of people in the streets, one can imagine what the future portends.
if we try!
Thanks!
EmmaLee E
(229 posts)and do not be led into violence.
There is a possibility that our masses are infiltrated by MAGA, not as counter-protesters, but encouraging us to any type of violence. This could cause a cry of "Domestic Terrorism" which would enable T*ump to involve the military.
H2O Man
(76,664 posts)A week or two ago, I posted an essay on ways to identify infiltrators. From decades of experience, I recognize them.
Prairie_Seagull
(4,092 posts)H2O Man
(76,664 posts)Prairie_Seagull
(4,092 posts)malaise
(283,219 posts)Rec
warming up!!!!!!!