Monday, November 10, 2025
I’ve always thought gardening promotes peace of mind and genuine happiness. At last Saturday’s "No Kings" rally, I was surprised to find that protesting can too.
All those thousands of people filling up the grounds of our state capitol were overflowing with joy, humor and creativity. It was delightful to meet “Aunt Tifa,” decked out in her sparkling best. It was impossible not to smile at signs declaring “Ikea has better cabinets,” or “Honk if you’ve never drunk texted war plans.”
For the Francophones, there was this twist on a purported quote from French King Louis XIV, “L’etat, c’est moi” (I am the state), transformed to “L’etat cest nous, pas Trump” — “the state is us, not Trump.” I wonder how many people got her joke.
There was a zoo’s worth of inflatable costumes containing animals ranging from dinosaurs to orcas to chickens in an homage to pure silliness. This was no geriatric gathering.
There were far more young people in attendance than there had been at the first "No Kings" rally in June, though there were still few people of color. It was no surprise that anyone with brown skin — even the lightest brown — might choose to stay home rather than risk an encounter with U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement.
The rally began with an hour or so of surprisingly good speakers, ranging from a super smart middle school student to an eloquent Black minister. They roused the crowd not to anger but to action — to do what we can to defend immigrants from careless and cruel law enforcement, to honor the precious democratic heritage so many Americans fought and died to protect, and to redirect our nation’s leaders toward advancing our founding ideals instead of retreating from them.
Once the speeches were over, the event became a gigantic pro-democracy street fair. There were nods to protests past, with live music and singalongs of classic songs from the civil rights and union movements. Throngs threaded their way through a zillion tables for nonprofits, civic and political organizations, unions, ballot measures and candidates. A lot of people were signing up for a lot of email lists and other avenues for activism.
Along the sidewalk facing Capitol Way, the festival spirit was shared loudly by waving drivers honking horns to show support of the show they were witnessing.
It was all both exhilarating and exhausting. Later, when the adrenaline wore off, it was also puzzling: Why was this protest so fun?
The answers are not simple.
First and foremost, there was joy in being part of such a big flock. It was heartening to see thousands of people show up to try to preserve American democracy.
There was also all that witty, 99% family friendly humor, including heaps of Trump-mockery that failed all tests of civility, but made people laugh. Like watching South Park, the mockery also reminded us that at least most of the time, we do still live with enough freedom of speech to make fun of our leaders.
But there was also what a friend referred to as “intentional joyousness,” — that is, purposeful joyousness aimed partly at being as nonthreatening as humanly possible, so that everyone feels safe and news photos reflect civility and patriotism.
All this joyousness seemed like a startling novelty in the long and varied American traditions of protest. In the past, the signs people carried opposed slavery and lynching, demanded voting rights, women’s rights, tribal sovereignty, and an end to invasions of a long list of previously colonized countries. The people who participated in these protests were serious, focused, and often endured tear gas and worse.
This time, it isn’t just about what our government is doing, but what it is becoming. It’s not about invading another country; it’s about transforming this one into an oligarchy ruled by a white male elite, led by an aging authoritarian. This time, it isn’t just left versus right; it’s a struggle to find and restore our country’s moral core.
Our president has already emasculated Congress and kneecapped the federal courts, and is now working on bending the military to his will. We are not even sure he can be trusted to preside over a fair mid-term election in 2026.
You would think all that would wipe a smile off of anyone’s face, but there we were — thousands of us — smiling at each other and feeling upbeat about restoring American democracy.
That was the biggest victory of the day. We went away stronger than we came, because we gave each other hope.
We can do this.
Jill Severn writes from her home in Olympia, where she grows vegetables, flowers, and a small flock of chickens. She loves conversation among gardeners. Start one by emailing her at jill@theJOLTnews.com.
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SusanF
I believe the power of community is what moved me the most. I talk to friends and family, but being in a huge crowd, listening to inspiring speeches, and, as you said, laughing at the creative signs lifted my spirits. We have power!
Friday, October 24 Report this
Vanessagnagel
I agree that the sense of hope among our community. However, what needs to be done to stop what is happening to our country still seems unstoppable. How do we translate a march into something more concrete while we wait - hopefully - to vote?
Friday, October 24 Report this
CommonSenseSenior
Jill, thank you for your REFRESHING outlook and common sense. I grew up in postwar Germany (but was American) and it gave me a clear outlook on what Hitler did, the stormtroopers, everything..and I've been seeing it now here with this administration escalating daily. Afraid to turn on news anymore. Why have so many Americans lost sight of the point of the book 'The Emperors New Clothes' where the Emperor parades around naked and the people pretend they don't see it?
Saturday, October 25 Report this
CommonSenseSenior
PS to earlier comment: Yours is the column I most enjoy reading, whether its about birds, plants, gardens or whatever. I think you could rename it A Day with Jill and I'd still love it, it's like talking with a down-to-earth neighbor.
Saturday, October 25 Report this
JustSaying
Total waste of time, but you do you, boo.
Saturday, October 25 Report this
wellnow77
Just reading this article a week after the event. Your article was spot on! Thank you.
Saturday, October 25 Report this
Snevets
I wish I would have worn a shirt that said I am Antifa. I Am Antifascist. Shouldn't we all be?
Saturday, October 25 Report this
Wesley
Please always capitalize White.
Sunday, October 26 Report this
franiazgorski
Wesley; Capitalize white or black when referring to race, ethnicity, or cultural identity. Lowercase, when referring to skin color or using the word descriptively.
Monday, November 3 Report this