No Kings: What We—and You—Saw at the Rallies (w/ Jim Swift) | Bulwark on Sunday
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Large turnouts were observed in both Cincinnati (10,000+) and Waltham, MA, despite cold weather.
- ❖Signs reflected deep concern about election meddling (the SAVE Act) and potential ICE abuses.
- ❖Organizers intentionally avoided speeches and focused on local, community-led events to maintain unity.
- ❖Rallies were characterized by sobriety, good nature, and a sense of shared purpose for the 'public good'.
- ❖The movement successfully united people with diverse policy views under a common anti-authoritarian banner.
Insights
1Decentralized, Community-Focused Organization
The 'No Kings' movement strategically encouraged local communities to organize events, providing support without centralizing all activity in major cities. This fostered a community feel, with events ranging from 500 to over 100,000 participants, making it a national, rather than just big-city, phenomenon.
The organizers went out of their way to encourage local communities and helped them organize, putting people in touch with each other. Events were scheduled in places like Waltham and Cincinnati, not just major hubs, creating a 'community feel'.
2Emphasis on Unity Over Specific Policy
Organizers deliberately avoided speeches and the 'coalitions group trap' to prevent co-option by specific political agendas or candidates. This allowed people with diverse views on flashpoint issues to march together for a common cause against authoritarianism, fostering peace despite contradictory signs.
They didn't have speeches in smaller events like Waltham, understanding it changes the character to a more political event. In Cincinnati, despite some speeches, the organizers avoided the 'coalitions group trap', allowing people with different views to march in peace together.
3Sober and Patriotic Public Sentiment
Participants in both Cincinnati and Waltham were described as sane, sober, patriotic, and calm, contrasting with the 'crazy' or 'deranged' perception often attributed to political rallies. The mood was one of serious, long-term commitment to democratic principles rather than immediate gratification.
Bill Crystal was struck by 'how sane and sober' the crowd was in Waltham, noting 'very balanced, patriotic, and calm.' Jim Swift observed no arrests or bad behavior in Cincinnati, and people were 'very heartened by the turnout.'
4Key Concerns: Election Integrity and ICE
While anti-war sentiment was present, a dominant concern among attendees, particularly in Cincinnati, was the 'SAVE Act' and potential meddling in elections. Fears about ICE's expanded powers and the treatment of immigrant communities (e.g., Haitians in Springfield, OH) were also prominent, indicating a focus on domestic threats to democracy.
Jim Swift stated the 'big big fear really is the save act' and 'things that they're trying to do to meddle in the elections.' He also noted concerns about ICE, especially regarding the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio.
5'For the Public Good' Motivation
The rallies attracted individuals who were 'doing okay' financially, suggesting their participation was driven by a commitment to the common good and patriotism rather than immediate self-interest or economic grievance. This challenged narratives about cultural corruption and lack of civic engagement, indicating a deeper civic responsibility.
Bill Crystal observed that many attendees were 'doing okay,' had jobs, were retired, or had young families, concluding that 'people are coming out for the for the common good.'
Lessons
- For political organizers: Decentralize efforts and empower local communities to foster broader participation and a stronger sense of ownership.
- To build broad coalitions: Focus on overarching principles (e.g., democracy, anti-authoritarianism) and avoid specific policy debates or candidate endorsements in public demonstrations.
- To engage the public: Create spaces for peaceful, community-oriented expression that counter negative stereotypes of political activism.
Grassroots Anti-Authoritarian Rally Playbook
Decentralize Organization: Empower local communities to host events, providing resources and coordination support rather than centralizing all activity.
Avoid Speeches and Specific Policy Endorsements: Maintain a broad, unifying message by refraining from inviting political speakers or allowing the event to be co-opted by narrow interest groups.
Foster a Community-Oriented Atmosphere: Encourage informal interaction, patriotic music, and individual expression (e.g., homemade signs) to create a good-natured, sober, and inclusive environment.
Focus on Core Democratic Principles: Frame the protest around fundamental values like democracy and freedom, allowing diverse participants to find common ground against a perceived threat.
Facilitate High Visibility and Low Barrier to Entry: Make it easy for people to attend, show support (e.g., honking cars), and feel part of a larger movement without requiring extensive commitment or 'professional protester' behavior.
Notable Moments
Two signs that stood out to Jim Swift: 'I'm here for those who can't be here' and 'This all ends when enough of us say no,' reflecting a sense of collective responsibility and agency.
These signs encapsulate the core motivations and sentiments of the rally attendees, highlighting a commitment to civic duty and a belief in collective action against perceived threats to democracy.
Bill Crystal's observation that the public is leading the elites in turning against Trump, evidenced by rally turnout versus institutional accommodation.
This highlights a significant disconnect between public sentiment and the actions of established institutions, suggesting a potential shift in political power dynamics.
An anecdote about a man named Bob who brought 10 bamboo poles with flags from various nations (Greenland, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, US) and gave them out to friends.
This symbolizes a broad, inclusive patriotism and global solidarity, contrasting with narrow nationalistic sentiments and demonstrating the diverse motivations of attendees.
The widespread resentment among attendees towards 'astroturf' accusations, leading to signs like 'No one's paying me to be here. I hate you for free.'
This indicates a strong desire among participants to assert their genuine, uncompensated commitment to the cause, pushing back against attempts to delegitimize their activism.
Quotes
"The public is now leading the elites by quite a lot... the elitist institutions are still accommodating Trump to a somewhat shocking degree."
"It was people who had different views on flashpoint issues with signs that kind of contradicted each other. They're marching in peace together."
"No one's paying me to be here. I hate you for free."
"The country may be a little better than we think it is."
"You're not the crazy ones... One of the best things about the Bulwark is the community in realizing you're not alone."
Q&A
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