Since the mid 1960s I’ve participated in demos, protests, riots and marches in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Berkeley, Seattle and probably a few I’ve forgotten about. Some peaceful, some definitely not. Some very large, some just in the 100s. Some with permits to march on the street, some without. Most with flags and signs and chants, serious, clever, funny and pointed. Many of the protests included people trained to provide first aid support and sometimes distribution centers handed out free water bottles along a march route, as if we were running a marathon.

Through it all, two things that haven’t changed:  the weaponry and militarization of local police have become increasingly lethal, and the people’s demands for freedom of speech and the basic rights of American democracy have become more insistent.

June 14, 2025 in Seattle: The “No Kings” protest appeared more “adult” in the sense that the crowd seemed to recognize the need for digging in. Speakers, in my opinion, were unusually articulate in their recognition of the struggle being a long haul as well as an emergency. Besides presenting strong opposition to Trump’s shredding of our democracy, speakers and signs emphasized that our job was to remain peaceful but firm and smart. We all seemed to understand that violence would only undercut our demand for democracy. I was interested to look around and see not one uniformed policeman, National Guard troop or Marine in sight. I’m sure they were there, hidden in nearby buildings as they usually are, but it is remarkable that they never appeared. Kudos to all. It would be a miracle of rational humanity if democracy could be restored without more bloodshed, but the evidence is not in.

Rest in Peace, Rest in Power, Melissa Hortman, 1970-2025, Minnesota state legislator.