Editor’s note: This post by Jane Knox was inadvertently not run.
Congress shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
~ First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
When I first heard there was going to be a No Kings Rally held on Oct. 18 near me, I decided I would be sure to go. Listening to the news about Trump’s attacks on our democracy often leaves me feeling angry and helpless. My big fear is that Trump and his followers will undo our precious democracy and we will be left with an authoritarian government. So, I was delighted to have a chance to do something to take a stand for democracy.
Even though I currently am using a cane for walking and have trouble breathing, I would have gone by myself, if necessary. Fortunately, my nephew, Ryan, and his wife, Susie, invited me to go with them to the rally in Ridgefield, Connecticut. What so pleased me about the two of them was how much they cared about attending the rally, and making sure it was possible for me to attend comfortably. They even brought along a chair for me to sit in. Other members of our extended family made similar plans in surrounding towns.
Around seven hundred people attended the rally. Although I couldn’t hear the speakers, I was so happy to be there adding my presence to the protest. It was held on a large field belonging to one of the elementary schools. Adults, students, children and dogs all came out on a Saturday to make a statement about the belief in democracy and our constitution. For me it was very heartwarming.
People came with signs they had made, and there were even people who wore costumes. I saw adults in costumes like a dinosaur, a frog, a pig and more. One husband and wife were wearing shirts with a crown and an X through the crown. Others had shirts with the word “constitution.” Then, there were different phrases that people wore that said, “Stand up for what you believe,” or “All people are created equal under the law,” or, “No kings here,” and “Take responsibility and vote.” I didn’t wear a costume. I wore black and a yellow scarf and a festive, multi-colored coat. Susie wore an MIT sweatshirt because she was proud to celebrate a university that refused to go along with Trump’s mandates––and where Ryan proudly received his Ph.D.
The rally lasted two hours and there were many speakers. I felt encouraged to see how many people from the Ridgefield area alone cared enough to give up a Saturday to come out and express their support for democracy. Other towns all around Connecticut also had rallies and drew crowds of people in costumes with signs. Connecticut was turning out to support democracy and the constitution!
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This is cross-posted from Jane Knox’s blog The Ageless Goddess.
