Joining the NoKings rally in Manassas, Virginia

Yesterday I joined millions of people in America by participating in the local #NoKings rally.  Today I’ll document my experience.

There had been some significant preparation ahead of time. For weeks before I received emails giving us information about the event, with logistical details and advice about what to do. There was a phone/Zoom call as well.

On Saturday the thing was scheduled to start at 11 am, so I had time to raid the local farmers’ market and grocery store, first, which was part of my usual Saturday routine. I also had the chance to perform the essential duty of hosting the cats on catio time.  Then I biked across town to the community center where the event was supposed to start.

The crowd was already large when I pedaled within range.  People lined Sudley Road (a main drag here) for blocks, holding signs, wearing costumes, sometimes chanting.

The mood was genial and positive. Folks were smiling and hollering, chatting with each other. Rally marshals strode along, sharing water bottles, checking on people.

A steady flow of traffic pushed along the road.  Often drivers honked in presumed support, and the crowd cheered.  Some passengers and even drivers waved signs, which also elicited praise.

There was no violence at all.  Some religious protestors told us to find Jesus and also complained about LGBQT+ people, but they were marginal. There was some shouting, was all.

Participants were quite diverse.  All ages appeared, from babies and teens to elders. A good mix of races: while mostly white, there were also blacks and Hispanics. Some disabled people did their part, holding signs and making noises.

Some of the signs emphasized Hispanic culture and ICE:

A state legislator addressed the crowd for a time:

I was impressed by people riffing on the excellent Andor tv series:

Signs were often creative and/or historical in nature:

This one had a double sided sign:

This sign moved me, but I couldn’t find its creator:

At just after 1 pm the crowd started to wind down and dissipate, as per the event’s schedule. It has also become very hot and humid, so people were generally glad to seek air conditioning. Yet the mood remained positive right through the end.

I’m not sure where this goes next.  If millions of people did turn out yesterday for political action, as it seems, then maybe we’re talking about 1-2% of the American population.  Perhaps there’s room for serious organizing.