No Violence at No Kings Day

Saturday Night No Kings! demonstrations Tomorrow and I'll be on the march to San Francisco, screaming until I drop. As Barbara Ehrenreich said, it's nice to get together with other people and shout! So come on, everyone, come and do the same thing – if the spirit moves you that way. Jump up and down if you're angry. Join your hands and strike. If you don't want to scream until you drop, maybe you want to dance until you're exhausted. Or maybe you just want to stroll around, enjoying all the funny and sarcastic signs and, I guarantee, fascinating people-watching. You and your team can choose the best sign, chant, face paint or costume. Have fun! Or as we say in California: “Have a nice day!”

But just as important is what you do and what you don't do. Please, as the kindergarten teachers say, keep your hands to yourself. No violence! No shoving officers and no assaulting counter-protesters! Do not push or pull them off their bikes or curbs. Neither spitting, nor kicking, nor throwing signs, nor, needless to say, your sandwich. The slightest touch from a person or a thrown object can be considered an assault under the law. Control yourself! As much as you might want to punch a fascist, now is not the time.

Why? Well, friends, first, because the hard-working organizers have asked you to do it your way: Indivisible, for example, states that their commitment to nonviolence is “not just a moral position, it's a strategic position” and is fundamental to their organization. So, what part of the word “not” don’t you understand?

And their goal makes sense. Millions more will attend this and future demonstrations if they are not afraid of getting hurt or being drawn into hand-to-hand combat of any kind. Most of us don't want to be associated with rule breakers who ruin the atmosphere and attract attention. These marches must be safe, for example, for people on wheels… such as in wheelchairs or prams. So no, dear comrades, it is not normal to wait until it gets dark and then start spray painting and breaking windows. You'll ruin our reputation behind our backs while we're out getting drinks or going home to put the kids to bed. Thanks, but no thanks for your uncontrollable passion.

Trump has sought to characterize the protests as evidence of a widespread leftist conspiracy to commit political violence, even portraying protesters as “domestic terrorists” and lying about things like ICE protests and whether Portland is burning down. Speaker Mike Johnson speaks “They have a 'Hate America' rally scheduled for October 18th… It's all Hamas and Antifa supporters, they're all coming out.” And “I had it with these people.” They dream and plan for a pretext that would allow the Insurrection Act to deal harshly with us.

But tomorrow the whole world will be watching, and we will demonstrate that we are a legitimate and peaceful community, gaining the attention of the country and the world as fundamental Americans. We will create visuals for the world's media to show that most of us can clearly see what is happening to wannabe king Trump and his supporters, and we are going to vote out the scoundrels at the first opportunity – if we have a fair election. (If not, then this is a new situation, but let's cross that bridge if we come to it.)

We hope we never reach this bridge. Everyone has heard of the 3.5 percent rule, right? Research shows that if you just 3.5 percent The country's population is actively protesting, authoritarian regimes are falling. Numbers are critical. Some analysts Let's say we're almost at 2 percent in the latest No Kings demos. What will our numbers be tomorrow?

But any physical aggression on our part (as opposed to legitimate, lawful self-defense) can spoil the results. Even small incidents attract right-wing retaliation, and state forces can suppress them with extreme brutality. Don't forget they have most of the weapons, as well as the National Guard and prisons. It is unwise to rush into a firefight with a clenched fist.

So leave all the annoying counter-protesters and provocateurs alone. Don't pay any attention to them; they are so uncool and unfortunately brainwashed. Feel sorry for them if it helps. Cool it down. Chillax. Think about Dr. Martin Luther King and Gandhi and all that they and their followers endured. Be strong.

De-escalate the conflict if you see an ally getting heated. Seek assistance from designated, trained security personnel wearing colorful vests or if you encounter a troublemaker of any stripe. Stand up for your rights. We have the right to march together and unhindered. And as Robert Reich says, “Solidarity breeds courage.”

So get out there and enjoy the parade, the music, the unity, and the sassy spectacle! Collective joy, as Ehrenreich called it, is the best antidote to depression and cynicism. Humor and satire are the best weapons against any enemy, especially against free speech. That's why South Park and the late night comedians are so wonderful. I hope to see some Portlanders protest the inflatable frogs and other dancing animals. Use your posters, t-shirts and voices to ridicule, insult and laugh at our opponents to your heart's content. Be smart. Be loud. Just, can I say it again? Don't touch them. Wow, why do you need it?