376 Comments
User's avatar
Sandra Godfrey's avatar

It was my first protest march ever, and I’m 82. So, so glad I was there!

Susan Stone's avatar

If the temps were cooler, I would consider doing my first ever - I'm 80. I remember watching sit-in protests at my college over the hassles with Cesar Chavez back in the 60s, and didn't understand them. I do understand now, and it might be fun to participate.

Coelle Baskel's avatar

Susan, My husband was a body guard for Cesar Chavez at Florida International University when he came to speak....(he's also a Purple Heart recipient - Vietnam war!)

Susan Stone's avatar

Coelle, your husband is impressive. As a body guard for Cesar Chavez, he was working for a good cause. I have to say that even though I didn't "get" the protests, I did learn about and come to understand the plight of the farmworkers back then. To see it happening all over again is disheartening, to say the least.

Coelle Baskel's avatar

It truly is disheartening to see it happening again....hopefully things will change for the better soon!!!

Linda Shindler's avatar

We seniors sit in our lawn chairs 💺 in front of the Tesla dealership for 2 hours 3 days a week. No shade so we either cover up or put on lots of sunscreen. And hats! I am 76 and it's my first time but I will be there as long as needed. I also stand, sit or walk for those who can't including my sis who is 88. I will walk for you.

Mike Current's avatar

Very proud of you!!!(from another 76 y.o. Protester)👏👏💙

Punkette's avatar

Bless you, Linda and Hugs from SoCal! 💖

Susan Stone's avatar

Thank you, Linda! That is very kind of you. I walk okay, but being out in triple digit temps is just too much.

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Well, LInda, BRAVO to you and your friends for making it a date, 3 days a week to protest! You are all making sure that Trump, Musk, and their regime feel the heat.

Erica Bersin, BCPA's avatar

You can participate online as well. It's what you do, not what you can't.

Susan Stone's avatar

How does one participate online? I know I comment, and try to support others. But I don't know about demonstrating online.

Jocelyn B's avatar

You can sign up with one of the organizations that do get-out-the-vote work. That's mostly what I do.

https://postcardstovoters.org/team/tony/ is one.

Susan Stone's avatar

Thank you Jocelyn. I'll check out that link.

Jocelyn B's avatar

You're welcome. If that doesn't work, I'll try to post another one that a friend sent me to recently.

Linda McCaughey's avatar

On another site, I read that bed ridden folks in nursing homes had signs taped to their beds! What a truly inspiring thing!! We all do what we can to feel like part of the solution. Take heart that even just saying you want to do more will inspire someone else!!

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Susan, go for it! The feeling of being with other people who care, and in such large numbers is remarkable!

Anne Hurley's avatar

Ruth - you said it! I felt so buoyed by bringing around focused and joyful people, in tiny Coupeville Washington. We really do lift each other up.

Beverly VanLandingham's avatar

It is a remarkable feeling, especially now, when it’s so important we speak up and speak out!!

Susan Stone's avatar

Ruth, I'm sure it would be a wonderful experience. My issue here has been the temperatures, because I don't do well in triple digit temps. That's what we've been having here, and they will probably continue for most of the summer. Thank you for the good advice.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Susan, I have not experienced tripple-digit temps often, but when I visited AZ, there were several days of it. I still went out and did things, but it was hard and I know I would have trouble rallying in that kind of heat. So, that means we need those millions who can't get out to the actual rallies make their frustration/anger/disgust known in so many other ways, like following and commenting on these Substack and other threads, sharing your wisdom. That is essential too.

Susan Stone's avatar

Thank you, Ruth. I will definitely keep commenting on Substacks. I don't do any of the social media - gave up on them several years ago. That said, I'm always full of opinions (as you know), and hopefully share some wisdom at times.

Beverly VanLandingham's avatar

Check out the app 5 Calls. Gives you all the issues , explains them in understandable detail, a suggested script and gives you the numbers and names of who to call. You can leave a voicemail as well as talk to a real person. Let’s stay in the fight and speak up!!

🇺🇸 🇺🇸

🇺🇸

Linda McCaughey's avatar

On another site, I read that bed ridden folks in nursing homes had signs taped to their beds! What a truly inspiring thing!! We all do what we can to feel like part of the solution. Take heart that even just saying you want to do more will inspire someone else!!

Mscreant's avatar

Bravo! Now tell all your friends who have never protested to get out there, too! We need you.

Sharon C Storm's avatar

I really wanted to be there, but it was raining too hard for safety on my electric mobility scooter. If it isn’t raining the next time, I will definitely be there.

MJAtlanta's avatar

You had a perfectly legitimate reason to stay home!

Sharon C Storm's avatar

Thank you, I’ve been feeling guilty for not being there.

MJAtlanta's avatar

Please don't feel that way! You are more important to your family than to a cause - even as important as it may be. You will have more opportunities (unfortunately)!

LYNN COOK's avatar

YOU NEVER FAIL TO CONTRIBUTE TO FREEDOM, SUSAN!

God Bless your staunch support....and your brothers & sisters in arms!🙏🇺🇸 No Kings !

Patty's avatar

No need to feel guilty, Sharon. We've had thunder and lightening at some of our Tesla protests in Portland, Oregon, and we knew it was too dangerous to stay, so we all left. It can't be helped sometimes.

LYNN COOK's avatar

Each of us do what we can...when we can, Susan !

Like others who ...for whatever reason...could not be there in the flesh...

Your ongoing fighting support for the preservation of Democracy is golden ...

more precious than all the ingots the ' ingrate in shame ' could ever hope to steal!

No Kings !

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Lynn, wow that was well-said. I know millions wanted to be with those who were able to make it in person, but couldn't. Knowing that makes a huge difference and supports everything we are all doing to stop this Trumpian toddlership.

LYNN COOK's avatar

Thank you for your kind words, Ruth.😊

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Lynn, I truly mean every word. I have a sister who could not attend due to issues with walking and I knew she was with us in spirit, the whole way!

Jocelyn B's avatar

Right! I needed to go to work - we need the money, and the fact that I like my job made it easier, but I still felt bad that I didn't attend. BUT, we all contribute in any way we can, right?

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Jocelyn, you are so right about doing whatever we can. A lot of folks were working yesterday which does not mean they were not present in spirit with those of us who were not working. We each do what we can and we all appreciate the others for what they can do and for their support and good thoughts sent from wherever they are. That's solidarity!

Jocelyn B's avatar

What you said! Thanks, Ruth!

LYNN COOK's avatar

You are still an important part of the whole team, Jocelyn!

Don't doubt that for a moment, please!

To borrow from Ruth Sheets..." That''s.solidarity! "

We're all in this together!"

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Sharon, but you were there in spirit and that counts too. Knowing there were millions who couldn't get to the rallies but wanted to means a lot.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Sharon, those who support from their homes and businesses count for a lot if not always recognized. My sister was unable to attend a rally with us due to issues she has with walking but we knew she was with us in spirit. She did attend a rally in April, but it aggravated her back issues and she had to stay home this time, but she was there in spirit because she knew what it would be like. The April rally was her first ever and she really was sad she couldn't be there yesterday. We who can actively participate need the support of those who can't for the many reasons people can't. They can post information, keep up with the truth, contact elected officials at all levels. That is critical!

Punkette's avatar

Yay, Sandra! So proud of you! Hugs from SoCal 💖

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Awwwww…So glad you went Sandra!

Megan Rothery's avatar

Thank you for sharing more photos! I love seeing them too!

Let’s flood news agencies with photos and videos of us out yesterday! We deserve the right, honest coverage across ALL news agencies.

Tell them and Congress 12.1 million Americans protested (current count by Alt National Park Service coalition via Facebook).

Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk

Ellen's avatar

Also recommend adding your federal representatives—plus John Thune and Mike Johnson—as contacts in your phone. Patty Murray is one of my Senators? So I mostly call to say thanks.

I also call Thune regularly to implore him to do his job. Mike Johnson’s rhetoric is dangerous and inflammatory, so I call his office to request that he act like an adult in the room and not a bully.

Megan Rothery's avatar

Yes! Very important too!

I’m not quite up for making a list for each state so don’t have that information to give out 😅

Betsy Brazy's avatar

Thank you, Megan, for starting and updating your spreadsheet

Megan Rothery's avatar

You’re welcome 💙 thanks for speaking up right now!

hcmBoston's avatar

When I see the protests, especially when people have brought their children, and the children have made their own signs, I take heart. In my town of 33,000 people, over 2,000 people lined the streets. The organizers placed American Flags along the street (with the town's permission). We live in a historic town, but the towns around us also had No Kings protests which were well attended and represented the diverse population in our area. Boston had a combines Pride and No Kings march. These should become a regular thing for as long as this rotten-to-the-core keeps pulling innocent people off the streets, arresting and incarcerating people without due process, ruining our economy and causing upheaval in the worst possible way.

Phyllis Logan's avatar

My husband, a retired government teacher, was thrilled to see children there, and he thanked all the parents. One day those kids will be able to say "I was there - I did my part."

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

We had young people at our rally too. Was so happy about that!

Susan Stone's avatar

I think you meant to say "without" due process. I agree with you completely.

Lise Matthews's avatar

I was in Santa Monica California. There were thousands of us, all peaceful. It felt joyful.

Carol Nachman's avatar

Great! Hope Stephen Miller's parents were there too.

John McBurney's avatar

5000-6000 thousand peaceful but passionate protesters in Greenville SC.

Brenda Pitts's avatar

It is amazing how many true patriot Americans got out there and marched, protested, and more on June 14,,, Seeing all the reports all over social media … and even tv news channels,,,, made me feel proud and also gave me hope. THANK YOU to everyone!!! And of course, again, thank YOU Professor for all of your work,,, you are a breath of fresh air in the middle of this insanity…. Oh how different our lives would be if we could have VP Kamala Harris as our President. Yes, we’re in this together.

Coelle Baskel's avatar

I saw a sign yesterday that stated, "If Kamala were President, we'd be at Brunch"!!!!!

Karen LL's avatar

Here in Paris, we had a very good turnout at the Place de Bastille! There were many young people and even some 'Frenchies' at our side. Very peaceful, there were 5 policemen just biding their time in the shade leaning against their van, smiling and chatting... When I talked to them afterwards, they were quite happy to have spent their day with us!

tgb09's avatar

In case anyone is wondering, this was Paris, France! Not from one of the 23 cities & towns in the U.S. that also have the name Paris.

Karen LL's avatar

Thanks tgb09… you are correct! But do you know if any of them have a ‘Place de Bastille’ 🤔 haha!

But I just received info that there were over 1000 Americans in 6 other French cities that were attending yesterday. If it was anything like here, they had support of French nationals too!!

tgb09's avatar

So true, none of the cities or towns with the name of Paris in the U.S. have a Place de Bastille! I'm very moved that you said there was also some support by French nationals. And I found what you said about the police smiling and chatting and saying they were happy having spent their day with you so refreshing, so sane. Thanks for sharing!

Abigail Norling's avatar

I am so proud of everyone who rallied! I had really lost hope, and now I think we can actually beat this hateful regime! Thank you everybody! <3

Phyllis Logan's avatar

Yes, we will! As a chant leader, I've been to more protests marches than I can count (since 2016). At 80, I teased with my husband, 'how much longer oh Lord', and we both agreed, for as long as it takes.

James Coyle's avatar

Let us hope the Lord keeps you around for a lot longer than it takes. :-)

James Coyle's avatar

And your email handle is great. :-)

Helen Felsing's avatar

How do you learn to be a chant leader? Here on Maui, we had a joyful turnout of 5000 yesterday, but chanting doesn't seem to be our strong suit at the protests. Our venue is lining a main thoroughfare, not marching anywhere, and chants fizzle out pretty quickly. But I'd love to learn and try to lead some good chants.

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Jun 16, 2025Edited
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Helen Felsing's avatar

Thank you so much for the supportive and thorough response. I will see what I can do!

Phyllis Logan's avatar

You'll do great - helping others along is the most fun you can have.

Abigail Norling's avatar

YES! Good for you! And thanks you so very much! <3

Patricia Bragdon's avatar

I live in northern Virginia, just outside Washington DC, and I attended a local demonstration. I have attended a lot of rallies here, but yesterday's was the first one that brought me to tears. So much passion, and so much pain in so many of the faces in the crowd, but also so much laughter. There were kids and dogs, honking horns (even a passing bus), seniors with rollators and in wheelchairs, languages and colors mingling, signs vulgar and literary, funny and deeply serious-- all the vast wonderful melange that makes up America.

Linda Voss's avatar

Patricia, I was stationed along Langston Blvd in Arlington. Your description sounds like my experience. Well put! A lot of the passing cars had flags and signs, too. Felt like they were part of the protest. And I have to say the significant police presence was reassuring here. It felt like they were there to protect US.

Meg Clark's avatar

Set up a web site! I would love to see the pics you collected. I didn't take enough pictures. I attended in Wedtport. CT with a friend and his wife and daughter. His 20-year-old daughter was up until 4 a.m. making our matching signs. I was so happy to see someone so young so motivated.

Sharon's avatar

We went with neighbors in their early 50s and they were overwhelmed and awed. This was their first ever rally/protest of any kind. They couldn’t believe the thousands of people. He was a paratrooper and I think the Israeli/Iran thing was the last straw. At brunch she asked if I’d ever protested before and I said “oh yes, in the 70s all the time”. Her strongly Republican family were hard to get any support from.

Carl Selfe's avatar

We need a common battle cry! Like…Remember Pearl Harbor!

Project 2026: VOTE’M OUT!

Here are hi-res placards. Yes, a new placard for your use, free.

https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/project-2026-votem-out?r=3m1bs

jane's avatar

Joyce, thank you for sharing your legal knowledge and your ever positive leadership and motivational commentary. We're in this together!

John Kick's avatar

Northampton MA, great turnout and speakers, very diverse. A memorable sign was -- Cannot spell HATRED without RED HAT.

Kathy C. Harris's avatar

As a former ACLU legal observer I was so impressed with Dallas TX No Kings Protest as our citizens and law enforcement always keep it respectful & peaceful! Huge crowd lots of people in the buildings & restaurants waving and cheering. As I told a relative, a lot of old hippies (me), young hippies, and in between coming together for a common good. 🇺🇸💙

Roberta's avatar

What I loved about the protest we went to (aside from my husband who has not been to a protest in his life and wore his "I am not a sucker or a loser" t-shirt from VoteVets and got a lot of comments) was that no matter what reason you were there for, you found common ground: climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, health care, education, funding for VA, care for our allies, voting rights, justice, and above all protecting our democracy. It was glorious!

Sandy S's avatar

Great points about the many things that we have worked so hard for and that are now being stolen from us!!! That is what I am protesting about!

David J. Sharp's avatar

Brave warriors protesting … but why are they all middle aged or older? Where’s the youth?

Brenda Pitts's avatar

I can see many youth and children in many of the photos and reports from all around the country….. People who are age 20 and up (through age 90s) are a massive percentage of the population, so at first glance it will appear as though they are the highest numbers in attendance. Take heart - the youth are there!

Naima  (NM)'s avatar

Agreed. It looked to me like every age, race, gender was well represented.

Joan Friedman (MA, from NY)'s avatar

In some cases, the teens and twenties are busy living their crowded lives. In some cases, you don't see them at the small local protests because they have the energy to travel to the huge city marches. Either way, the protests went from estimates of 3.5 - 5 million on April 5 to estimates of 5 - 11 million on June 14 (higher number from 50501).

At our local protest in a city outside Boston MA, we went from a thousand people 4/5 to at least triple that on 6/14. At one point my friend and I (ages 63 and 77) were next to a handful of mid-twenties, each group appreciating that the other was joining the same chants. NO KINGS! NO ICE! Some of the youth were right there, ready to lead.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Excellent response! I obviously was not out there - I am pretty much housebound - good to know (or hope) the young ‘uns will stand up.

Roberta's avatar

In Concord, NH a great mix of young, old, and dogs.

Mary Moore's avatar

I saw more young people yesterday (at No Kings protest in Annapolis, MD) than I saw in April rallies. They are waking up to the urgency of the situation, I think, after seeing the cruelty, disdain for the law and courts, unfairness, destruction of valuable functions of the government, and chaos of the present regime. We who are older are more aware of the similarities to Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Franco. However, one doesn’t even need the lessons of history to realize that what’s going on now is highly dangerous and calls for vigorous protest. The joy and solidarity at protest rallies will bring the young people back in greater and greater numbers, I also think.

Linda Voss's avatar

That's a good point, Mary. We oldsters do have a broader perspective from which to understand how aberrant and abnormal this is.

sandy's avatar

Where I was in Warrenville IL- I’d say 1/3-1/2 youth.

Barbara F's avatar

I suspect one reason there are so many of us older folks out there, is because we've lived through decades of democracy, with comparatively decent and competent governments. Or at least not having to worry about having the chance to vote them out when they weren't. So we're very aware of what we're losing now. Young people nowadays may have never known a time without Trumpet, and therefore not as clear on the danger he and his oligarchs represent.

David J. Sharp's avatar

You are absolutely right. I didn’t personally end the war … but I sure as hell tried.

Sharon's avatar

We had plenty of youth. Seems almost like it was an equal number to me. Two girls were at the edge of the road screaming “no kings” loudly and you could tell they’d been there for hours. We stopped to give them bottles of water and they were so grateful. There were thousands at our protest.

Andrew Joyce's avatar

Think of it as the Revenge of the Yuppies, who ditched 60s idealism for the dough. What role models of common cause do the youth have that’ll make them turn out for their country?

David J. Sharp's avatar

Hey! When I lived in the East Village - the Eighties - there was a popular t-shirt. “Die Yuppie Scum” and we all smiled knowingly.

lauriemcf's avatar

I lived in the East Village in the early 80s too!

lauriemcf's avatar

The Kiev! Vaselka! Odessa!

David J. Sharp's avatar

Second Avenue Deli! Trash & Vaudeville! Telephone Bar! King Tut’s Wah-wah Hut! Little Rickie’s!

Andrew Joyce's avatar

I remember those shirts! It was funny at the time but it turned out t be a harbinger of the partisan divide we see today.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Yes! Interesting … new viewpoints every day!

Rebecca Boren's avatar

The Los Angeles protests were packed with young people. So many told MSNBS's dynamic duo that they are citizens, but their parents or grandparents are undocumented. Hard-working folks who have lived and raised families for decades in California. Now thanks to Trump, they live in fear.

David J. Sharp's avatar

I live in San Francisco; I am old, poor, Jewish, live off Social Security and SNAP and Meals on Wheels … we are all afraid of that midnight knock on the door.

Jean Gunter's avatar

There was a good range of ages represented at our protest. Yes, many middle age or older, but there was a very good representation of people in their twenties. Especially our young Latino community. They especially see what is happening.

hcmBoston's avatar

We had a lot of young families, with and without children. Of course, there were a bunch of us old folks who protested the Vietnam war, but we were not in the majority. I'd say we had pretty even representation from all age groups. In Boston, there was a much younger crowd.

Linda Shindler's avatar

Many children, teens and adults at 4 Corners here in Lenexa, Kansas. We stand every Saturday and yesterday the estimate was 3000. It's heart warming.

James Coyle's avatar

There were a lot of young people at yesterday's rally in Honolulu. The crowd was also a lot more diverse than the one that assembled for the "Hands Off" rally on 19 Feb. It was very encouraging.

James Vander Poel's avatar

We had more young folks in Worcester, MA this time than in April.

NanceeM's avatar

In my area, many of the organizers are young, mostly women.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Of course! Always women lead the way.

Erica Bersin, BCPA's avatar

That's the question isn't it? Over 50% of people 18 to 24 didn't bother to show up in November, or really ever, to vote. Yet they bitch all over social.

David J. Sharp's avatar

From Me Too back to Me Generation … I am saddened.