Walt Rubel Commentary: No Kings protests a small victory

It almost seemed too festive.

Prior to the “No Kings” rallies held throughout the country Saturday, the president had warned that protesters would be, “met with very big force.” That threat came after his defense secretary had deployed active-duty Marines onto the streets of Los Angeles to quell the burning of Waymos and the flying of Mexican flags.

As I was walking into Albert Johnson Park. I met an acquaintance who said she had heard rumors that the Proud Boys might be there to cause trouble. What I encountered instead was a young girl making chalk drawings on the sidewalk.

The turnout was impressive. Protesters lined Main Street and filled the park. Many were carrying creative handmade signs. My favorite was, “They’re eating the checks; They’re eating the balances.”

There was no law enforcement presence that I was aware of. Two motorcycle officers rode by on Main Street fairly early in the event, but there was no need for them to stop.

And, because this is Las Cruces, the protest also included a food donation dropbox. That’s why I love this city, even when it is 106 in the shade. Along with making their voices heard, the protesters also used the event to help others.

As protesters lined Main Street, a steady stream of cars drove by honking their horns and showing signs of support.

I tried to soak it all in, walking up and down the line of protesters, talking to as many as I could, all the while with a big, old smile on my face and a feeling of satisfaction.

It wasn’t until later that it occurred to me the event felt more like a victory party than a protest. If not for the desperation in the voices of marchers chanting, “In a stolen land nobody is illegal,” it would have been easy to lose sight of what the event was about.

The protests didn’t change anything. The mass deportations are continuing with just as much cruelty as before. The Marines are still killing time in LA. And the economy is still on the brink of a trade war.

But the protests did represent a small victory.

The pace and recklessness with which this administration has attempted to remake the government into something far less democratic has been staggering. And, the inability of a defeated opposition party to thwart the onslaught of change has been demoralizing. It has created a sense of helplessness and inevitability.

If nothing else, Saturday’s events in big cities and small towns throughout the country showed that we aren’t helpless and we aren’t alone.

It’s estimated that more than 5 million people participated in more than 2,000 protests throughout the country. There were a few isolated incidents of violence, mostly in the big cities. But the vast majority were peaceful.

Some, like ours, even seemed cheerful. I don’t think that reflects a lack of passion or urgency, but relief in finally joining the battle.

The president is six months into a term that will last four years. Nearly everything he has done thus far has been through executive orders, which means it can all be reversed by the next president.

The political contest is just beginning, and it looks like the opposing team has finally suited up.


Walter Rubel can be reached at [email protected]. 

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