Actually, I got my numbers a little early--it's more accurate to say that it was between 3 and 5 million--and some say 5.2 million! That is an incredible turnout for the first real nationally organized protest!
I love this post! My sisters and my hubby attended our local city's Hands Off protest. I think we had around 1,200-1,500 at one point, unheard of for this red state. We were disappointed to see very little turnout from the youth and from communities of color, it was mostly us middle-aged to older folks, and mostly left-leaning. But it felt good to have a voice. My sign was popular: "Hands Off My Jesus" here in the heartland -- people got it, that it was my message FOR love, compassion, and kindness, and a protest against the christian nationalist movement's misuse and abuse of the christian message. I too was awakened to the insidious discounting and ignoring of this grassroots protest turnout by the media. I am now looking for alternative news sources, the NY Times disappointing me way beyond my expectations. I would welcome any suggestions. I am trying out this week to see how I feel about keeping my NPR, and stepping in to TRUTHOUT, and the raw AP online sites. Maybe the Guardian. I'd be interested in any feedback or recommendation on media sources. It's sad that the only reason I am still on the NYT site is because they dropped subscription price by 86% last time I threatened to quit, and of course: the NYT crossword puzzle. A sad commentary on this elitist-oriented publication, I am dumping them after one last Sunday crossword this weekend.. I expected them to have screaming headlines daily about the fascist oligarch take-over, ain't happenin'. I am very encouraged by the work Bernie Sanders is doing, and the work The Poor People's Campaign is doing, and the work Indivisible is doing, and Common Cause. And as others have mentioned, Cory Booker came to the table to shine: I welcomed his request for money, splitting it with the black caucus. I am attending the event Monday night on Project 2025 with Heather Cox Richardson.
Love hearing about places in Indiana having a good turnout--and what an amazing sign! And I've been in your exact boat with the NYT--extremely disappointed and simultaneously addicted to my puzzles. I also got the great annual deal when I unsubscribed back in November and thought, why not. I still like being able to see what they are saying, just not relying on them as I might have in the past. I think listening to Democracy Now is a good alternative to NPR, but I am still searching for a comprehensive news outlet that has the breadth of the Times but is less confused about "bothsidesism" than the Times currently seems to be. I tried the Guardian but it hasn't been that great--but take a look at Carol Cadwalladr's substack--she worked for the Guardian for like 20 years, she coined the term broligarchy--just came out with a great TED talk and writes about her heartbreak with how the Guardian has recently changed. Here's her substack link: https://broligarchy.substack.com/
I also think Judd Legum who has a substack called Popular Information that does some groundbreaking journalism. Here is his link: https://popular.info/
Mother Jones is another good magazine. And you are already reading Heather Cox Richardson. I guess the media is in flux right now like everything else, but there are good people writing everywhere--even for a sellout paper like WaPo.
I too am very heartened by Bernie's work, Indivisible and Common Cause. Cory Booker was my senator for a long time--I'm proud of him--but also know that NJ Indivisible really pushed him hard at the beginning of this administration when he was okaying cabinet appointments etc. And thanks for the heads up about the event on Monday night about Project 2025.
My favorite thing about the protests is that they reminded me that we who love democracy, the rule of law, due process, social security and federal workers are the majority in this country. xo
I love how you easily and creatively combine art and politics. We are social and creative beings and self-expression is key to having agency.
The protests were amazing to see, and I did see quite a bit on social media. I was bummed to not be able to attend because of a surgery but I supported behind the scenes and am up for more of your creative gatherings.
Well, surgery is an awfully good reason to not be able to attend. And energetic support from behind the scenes is real! Also, so glad you are up for more creative gatherings--i am thinking about what could be next! It was great to see you live in class. :)
I wasn't able to attend in Denver, but I heard there were about 9,000 people. I'll be there next time! And I saw a lot of coverage on MSNBC - photos of cities and towns across the country!
love your beautiful sign! I've also been very heartened by the decentralized nature of protests. My friend in a small town on the west coast of Michigan was shocked and excited by 200 people in his tiny very red town. We had an empty chair town hall ( rep was invited but didn't show) in the most republican district in Michigan and had to take it outside to the street because the room, in a small, beautiful, old town hall was over capacity. The young Indivisible organizer had thought maybe 20 would show up. There were 150, I counted. People spoke movingly and I know they felt heard. This is powerful.
Wow Miriam, that is wonderfully heartening indeed! I even got a little chill when the organizer thought there'd be 20 and 150 showed up. We are the majority!
Sarah, A great post—I did not get to attend so thank you for a rich perspective. yes, one step of many—no band-aid will cover this. Powerful activism. These images always make me cry. Thank you!
Actually, I got my numbers a little early--it's more accurate to say that it was between 3 and 5 million--and some say 5.2 million! That is an incredible turnout for the first real nationally organized protest!
Hopeful take on the power of decentralized protests… Passing this along to some friends. Also, you win for most beautiful, eye-catching sign!
Thanks—and thanks for sharing!!
I love this post! My sisters and my hubby attended our local city's Hands Off protest. I think we had around 1,200-1,500 at one point, unheard of for this red state. We were disappointed to see very little turnout from the youth and from communities of color, it was mostly us middle-aged to older folks, and mostly left-leaning. But it felt good to have a voice. My sign was popular: "Hands Off My Jesus" here in the heartland -- people got it, that it was my message FOR love, compassion, and kindness, and a protest against the christian nationalist movement's misuse and abuse of the christian message. I too was awakened to the insidious discounting and ignoring of this grassroots protest turnout by the media. I am now looking for alternative news sources, the NY Times disappointing me way beyond my expectations. I would welcome any suggestions. I am trying out this week to see how I feel about keeping my NPR, and stepping in to TRUTHOUT, and the raw AP online sites. Maybe the Guardian. I'd be interested in any feedback or recommendation on media sources. It's sad that the only reason I am still on the NYT site is because they dropped subscription price by 86% last time I threatened to quit, and of course: the NYT crossword puzzle. A sad commentary on this elitist-oriented publication, I am dumping them after one last Sunday crossword this weekend.. I expected them to have screaming headlines daily about the fascist oligarch take-over, ain't happenin'. I am very encouraged by the work Bernie Sanders is doing, and the work The Poor People's Campaign is doing, and the work Indivisible is doing, and Common Cause. And as others have mentioned, Cory Booker came to the table to shine: I welcomed his request for money, splitting it with the black caucus. I am attending the event Monday night on Project 2025 with Heather Cox Richardson.
Love hearing about places in Indiana having a good turnout--and what an amazing sign! And I've been in your exact boat with the NYT--extremely disappointed and simultaneously addicted to my puzzles. I also got the great annual deal when I unsubscribed back in November and thought, why not. I still like being able to see what they are saying, just not relying on them as I might have in the past. I think listening to Democracy Now is a good alternative to NPR, but I am still searching for a comprehensive news outlet that has the breadth of the Times but is less confused about "bothsidesism" than the Times currently seems to be. I tried the Guardian but it hasn't been that great--but take a look at Carol Cadwalladr's substack--she worked for the Guardian for like 20 years, she coined the term broligarchy--just came out with a great TED talk and writes about her heartbreak with how the Guardian has recently changed. Here's her substack link: https://broligarchy.substack.com/
I also think Judd Legum who has a substack called Popular Information that does some groundbreaking journalism. Here is his link: https://popular.info/
Mother Jones is another good magazine. And you are already reading Heather Cox Richardson. I guess the media is in flux right now like everything else, but there are good people writing everywhere--even for a sellout paper like WaPo.
I too am very heartened by Bernie's work, Indivisible and Common Cause. Cory Booker was my senator for a long time--I'm proud of him--but also know that NJ Indivisible really pushed him hard at the beginning of this administration when he was okaying cabinet appointments etc. And thanks for the heads up about the event on Monday night about Project 2025.
My favorite thing about the protests is that they reminded me that we who love democracy, the rule of law, due process, social security and federal workers are the majority in this country. xo
I love how you easily and creatively combine art and politics. We are social and creative beings and self-expression is key to having agency.
The protests were amazing to see, and I did see quite a bit on social media. I was bummed to not be able to attend because of a surgery but I supported behind the scenes and am up for more of your creative gatherings.
Thank you!
Well, surgery is an awfully good reason to not be able to attend. And energetic support from behind the scenes is real! Also, so glad you are up for more creative gatherings--i am thinking about what could be next! It was great to see you live in class. :)
I'm definitely up for it! Any event that raises the energetic vibrations heals collectively!
Yay--I agree! :)
I wasn't able to attend in Denver, but I heard there were about 9,000 people. I'll be there next time! And I saw a lot of coverage on MSNBC - photos of cities and towns across the country!
Yes!! That is great Nancy!
love your beautiful sign! I've also been very heartened by the decentralized nature of protests. My friend in a small town on the west coast of Michigan was shocked and excited by 200 people in his tiny very red town. We had an empty chair town hall ( rep was invited but didn't show) in the most republican district in Michigan and had to take it outside to the street because the room, in a small, beautiful, old town hall was over capacity. The young Indivisible organizer had thought maybe 20 would show up. There were 150, I counted. People spoke movingly and I know they felt heard. This is powerful.
Wow Miriam, that is wonderfully heartening indeed! I even got a little chill when the organizer thought there'd be 20 and 150 showed up. We are the majority!
I feel with Booker's 25 hour long speech and this past weekends protests we are waking up to our voices again. Hope is here. Thank you
Me too Claudia! Also, lots of signs about Cory all over this past weekend--he inspired a lot of people!
I saw a posts showing Cory Booker as Captain America. I love that.
I saw one of those too--so great! His sincerity really touched people in a big way--I hope other dems are taking note of that!
Sarah, A great post—I did not get to attend so thank you for a rich perspective. yes, one step of many—no band-aid will cover this. Powerful activism. These images always make me cry. Thank you!
Thank you Prajna--we feel your support! And I'm like you--I well up at these kinds of images too.