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Shout out to all the #NoKings protesters today in small towns and cities.

Sometimes it feels like there’s not much that can be done from the periphery. But flexing these muscles is vital to the movement.

Power to the small massive!

youtu.be/hj07Sh4XBIQ

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in reply to Alexander Karn

We had 3 people total in our protest. I bet 300 people saw our messaging, and about half of them gave us thumbs up, honked and waved, or shouted encouragement. Only 5 people openly supported Trump, and I think I changed one of their minds when he came back and parked to debate me. This is in a small town in a red state in the deep south. We made a difference today, and it felt awesome! I hope others take encouragement from this. If you're sitting on the fence, go for it! SHOW UP! Even that tiny contribution can have a huge impact. You encourage and draw attention to those who are more vocal with your mere presence. This was my first protest ever, and I am so glad I went!

#NoKings

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in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 This is encouraging. It’s easy for me to slip into a protest of tens of thousands of people in a big city and be anonymous. What you’re doing takes courage and I really appreciate it

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to Sy Hoekstra

@SyHoekstra I won't lie, it was nerve-wracking on the way there, because I had no idea what to expect. But it stopped being scary as soon as I was actually standing there with my sign. I had turned it into this complicated picture in my head, but the reality of it is simple and direct: Hold a sign for people to read. Speak truth. Chant if you want. Smile and wave if you want. All you really have to do is just *be there* and make it clear *why*, in whatever way you prefer. And even one or two people standing with you eases nerves, so just standing next to people holding the signs and chanting can really, really help.

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in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 @SyHoekstra being brave is infectious! So thank you for your courage.

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 @SyHoekstra It's good to go outside your comfort zone sometimes, as long as it's on your own terms. I go on protests but always feel like an outsider (#Autism for the win) but I still go because being there, being counted, it's the important thing for me. Also very tiring, but so worth it.

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to cybervegan

@cybervegan @SyHoekstra I feel like, being autistic, we are way more likely to end up at things like this. So many of our common traits predispose us to it. Strong sense of social justice, refusal to conform based on mere popularity, always being the outsider so we are used to it... Honestly, we are probably way more likely to run into other autistic people when we protest than at other times.

I am 100% certain that at *least* one of the other 2 protesters with me yesterday was neurodivergent. One of them was so blatantly so that I was genuinely surprised he didn't pipe up after I mentioned I'm autistic.

in reply to Aaron

@hosford42

Thank you for you and your fellow protestors! We need your voices as well. You probably showed multiple people that they are actually not alone and others sharebtheir disgust with this regime!

@xankarn

in reply to Brad Rosenheim

@Brad_Rosenheim I made a point of it! I told anyone who stopped to chat with us just how many thumbs ups we got, and just how few Trumpsters there were. 😀
in reply to Aaron

@hosford42
3 people? I’ve been getting excited seeing photos of big crowds, but 3 brave people is absolutely awesome! You rock!

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to Looking for explanations…

I'm excited about those big crowds, too! But in these small towns is where they most need to hear about it.

I am so fucking proud of my nation today, regardless. Turning out, standing in solidarity, saying no to tyranny. I have hope again! And wow, do I have goosebumps when I look at all the pictures under the #NoKings hashtag.

This entry was edited (4 weeks ago)
in reply to Aaron

@hosford42
Exactly, and I admire your bravery I doing so.

I’m in Australia and just scrolling through the stuff boosted by people on my favourites list has taken ages , and given me such a lift.

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in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 @Susan60
Glad you had a good time out and about with others today as well Arron !
You are so right.
I also keep seeing the same people at similar places I think my county only has about 120,000 people. I think half the population will be affected by this big beautiful bullshit.
Have a good night! 💤
Take care!
in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️proud of you. Glad you’re showing up.
in reply to Aaron

Friend lives in rural NC, went out to the nearest town with a No Kings sign. Haven't heard back from him yet. [Edit]: His report: I only had one person screaming at me giving me the finger. Two other men white old men just screamed at me. Three large diesel pick ups blew their smoke in my face but almost every single woman under 60 honked and waved and everybody with long hair and almost every service truck anything with a brown person in it honked and waved and smiled
This entry was edited (4 weeks ago)
in reply to Aaron

@hosford42
You know Aaron, your experience today was very similar to what I experienced in the 1960s when we first started demonstrating against Nixon. And it gradually grows. Some of the people who saw you today and agreed with you will come the next time. You did a courageous thing my friend. This is how we preserve our democracy and our country. Well done.

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to oldfartjmb says FREE PALESTINE

@johnb48

It also means a lot to those of us in countries under threat from your President. (I'm in Canada).

It's much easier for me to tell people "not all Americans", when we see the numbers on the street.

@hosford42 @xankarn @Szescstopni

in reply to Aaron

@hosford42
Aaron, I'm so proud of you!! You're my today hero! ;)
Yes, I'm sure a lot of people saw you and made them think, and made them proud!
in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 The small town action I saw was so heartening - thank you for showing up. It means as much or more as the 'big' events.

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 That's wonderful! Thanks for protesting and thanks for sharing how it went for you. ❤️

Aaron reshared this.

in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 thank you. It's impossible to measure the comfort and support those who stand up give to those afraid to do so. Even in the reddest place you could imagine, there may be people who agree with you, but fear horrible things might happen to them if they speak out. One such person lives across the street from us.

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in reply to Aaron

@hosford42
This is the power of local protests. Locals see their fellow locals protesting. People they know and trust. It isn't a protest far away by some far off other people. I's by people they know and trust.
techhub.social/@hosford42/1146…


We had 3 people total in our protest. I bet 300 people saw our messaging, and about half of them gave us thumbs up, honked and waved, or shouted encouragement. Only 5 people openly supported Trump, and I think I changed one of their minds when he came back and parked to debate me. This is in a small town in a red state in the deep south. We made a difference today, and it felt awesome! I hope others take encouragement from this. If you're sitting on the fence, go for it! SHOW UP! Even that tiny contribution can have a huge impact. You encourage and draw attention to those who are more vocal with your mere presence. This was my first protest ever, and I am so glad I went!

#NoKings


Aaron reshared this.

in reply to Aaron

@hosford42 I've organised one of those three-person protests. It's harder than it looks. Nice job.
in reply to Solarbird

@moira Thanks! We were not organized in any way, though. lol We were just the stragglers who missed the big event, and decided screw it, we're doing this anyway.