On April 5, 2025, I was one of over 5.2 million participants in a nation-wide protest against anti-American, undemocratic policies and unlawful behavior from the Trump/Musk regime.

Though I knew many punks and protesters while I was growing up, this was the first protest that I ever attended. I was made aware of the event by staying clued in enough to the happenings in Washington to maintain care for myself, my family, my home and my business enough to not get too caught up in the circus of it all.

I wanted to head out that way, but didn’t know with who or how, until someone reached out and asked me about my interest. I checked if my partner could man the household for the weekend & was planning to book a (costly) train to join the other person for a weekend before I learned that there were buses being rallied for the event. If there were enough bookings for a bus, I’d be able to take one for a quarter of the cost of train travel, meet some organizer friends along the way, and not even need to stay the night in D.C. I told a few people , did what I could, and the bus was rallied!

The week leading up to the protest, I felt very nervous. The 47th president has been undermining The Constitution left and right, including making claims including the phrase “illegal protests”–when we all know good and well that protesting is listed within #1 of our list of rights in America. Ya know, in the Bill of Rights?

I worried what could happen. Could I be arrested for doing something that wasn’t illegal? Could the police enforce violence though our assembly was peaceful? Then I remembered rule #1 from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny (a one-sitting read! can’t recommend it enough!)

Despite my fears, I knew it was my duty as a proponent of democracy to go forth. I would risk it all for this country, for freedom, for peace. I never felt that way before, but I also never felt threat from the inside like we’re experiencing now. I want my children to live in a just society, in a democracy for We the People.

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

writing prompt 1903

I had a great time exercising my rights as an American. In fact, I’ve never felt more proud to be American and express American ideals. I’ve been reading a lot of literature about activism lately, including Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown. This book emphasizes the necessity of finding joy in the process of organizing, not just to shun the “angry activist” stereotype, but to reduce burnout through engaging fully with the process rather than becoming impatient with the results.

In deciding what I wanted my sign to say, I had the idea cross my mind of dressing like the patina of The Statue of Liberty, which I visited recently. I do have fun with fashion. I thought I’d check out my local thrift shop to see what was in store for me. What was in store, in that one trip, you ask? A skirt with built-in shorts, two shirts, a sweater, and shoes in my size, all in copper patina color. It was preordained!! What other explanation is there?

I hand painted my sign using only materials I already had lying around–my stick is a bamboo yard stake!

I’m going to keep showing up in ways I can, using the skills I have. I will make diagrams like the one listed above to explain oft-forgotten lessons about government and how it is supposed to behave in contrast to what we have been seeing. I will use my skills in art and writing, I will have fun with it. Because standing up for yourself, having boundaries regarding how you and your countrymen will be treated, and not letting others stop you is fun. Lean into it.