Nicole, I read your entry with interest. Thanks for sharing it. There are many people who feel as you do. I have felt that way since my teens. Keep up the peaceful protest.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I love hearing from protest newbies! (I've been doing this stuff for decades, but things definitely feel different these days!) I can't help but think that love has to win over hate.
One of the reasons so many older people are protesting is that we recognize what's going on is not normal. People aren't supposed to be swept away by people in black masks and hauled off to barbaric prisons without Due Process in America. The federal government is not supposed to be a weapon used against the free press. NATO isn't the enemy. Russia isn't our friend. And when did we start taunting and hating Canada? We don't invade countries like Greenland and steal their resources. Corruption is not an attribute we value in a President. Lying to the American people would get you impeached and forced out of office by BOTH parties. We know how hard fought and painful the fight was for diversity and inclusion. We heard Strom Thurmond say there isn't an army strong enough to make the people of the South allow Negroes to swim in their swimming pools. We remember when women had virtually no role in politics or business. We are stunned that diversity is now a bad thing and that the struggles to build a nation are being stamped out of history books and schools. It hurts to know that we are no longer the leader of the free world.
What is going on now IS NOT NORMAL. Many older people recognize that. Our parents and grandparents lived through the Great Depression. We knew people who fought for our freedom in WWII. Democracy is something to be cherished and it isn't free. You have to work to keep it. And once it is gone, it is a long time before you get it back.
And that is why older people show up to protest. There are those of us who want you to have what so many created for you and all of us. We see it disappearing as the nation slips into authoritarian rule and mediocracy.
Ray, that was a sermon in a comment. Preach, my friend. Thank you for summarizing it so powerfully and succinctly. I felt your words in my bones. I’m in my 40s, but I remember the stories my grandparents told, and I am the keeper of my grandmother’s journals from WWII. It feels like every good thing the generations before us fought for is being destroyed. I’m grateful for your witness. Thanks for being here.
thank you for your report on this Nicole. I protested at the farm. There were two of us. We protested by doing our best to prepare for another season where we grow good food for local consumption. Like you (prior to this event), I have not participated in an actual live protest event. The introvert would rather write or do the speaking part, I guess. Keep going, you're encouraging many with your writing.
Nicole, your description of the Sioux Falls event is a 99% duplicate of my own in Des Moines. I went alone, was nervous about it, partly because I don't like crowds. (The only other time I have demonstrated was the Women's March in 2021.) I was among the gray-haired folks in the street, but there were a fair number of families with kids in strollers. Very few people of color, but who can blame a vulnerable population? I saw not a single policeman and did not realize that until afterwards. The organizers had volunteer Marshalls in yellow vests looking out for everyone's safety. Like you, I will demonstrate again, answering the call to "do something!"
I didn’t realize the yellow vests were law enforcement! They seemed to be as engaged in the protest as the rest of us! I also heard that people of color were encouraged to stay home and let the white folk take their turn. The onus for cultural and political change has too often fallen on the shoulders of our black and brown neighbors…
The yellow vest folks in DSM were not law enforcement, though the organizers referred to them as "marshals." They were volunteers organized by the organizers. One of the best parts of my experience was meeting IWC columnist Bob Leonard in person for the first time and getting acquainted as we walked together those many blocks.
Thanks for this excellent summary of the protest at Sioux Falls this past weekend! My wife and I also were there and were impressed by the same things that you were. We’re way over 40 and did some minimal protesting in the 1960s and 1970s but this was clearly a completely different experience. It seemed more grounded in hope and strength….maybe because it was more “normal” (whatever that means!) people than in the old days? At any rate we encountered more than half a dozen friends near our age that we had not coordinated with. Just a bunch of grandparents (mostly) who were equally angry about the assault on democracy. And that’s from the perspective of folks who experienced some strange times back in the day!
Thank you for sharing your experience! It warmed my heart to see so many "grandparents” (or at least that age) in the crowd. It made me feel safe and seen by those who have gone before. Instead of “this is a problem for the youth” it felt like “we’re in this together and we’ll fight for you.” I loved it. Thank you for your advocacy.
Brian and I were also at the Sioux Falls protest and were encouraged by the turnout and respectful, peaceful, and enthusiastic mood of the crowd. We never encountered any counter-protesters either and it really felt great to be with others who passionately care about the same issues that we do.
Nicole, I read your entry with interest. Thanks for sharing it. There are many people who feel as you do. I have felt that way since my teens. Keep up the peaceful protest.
Thanks, Pam! I wanted to let people know what it was like so that maybe they’ll feel empowered to join next time. Together we are strong!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I love hearing from protest newbies! (I've been doing this stuff for decades, but things definitely feel different these days!) I can't help but think that love has to win over hate.
I agree! Love has to win over hate.
One of the reasons so many older people are protesting is that we recognize what's going on is not normal. People aren't supposed to be swept away by people in black masks and hauled off to barbaric prisons without Due Process in America. The federal government is not supposed to be a weapon used against the free press. NATO isn't the enemy. Russia isn't our friend. And when did we start taunting and hating Canada? We don't invade countries like Greenland and steal their resources. Corruption is not an attribute we value in a President. Lying to the American people would get you impeached and forced out of office by BOTH parties. We know how hard fought and painful the fight was for diversity and inclusion. We heard Strom Thurmond say there isn't an army strong enough to make the people of the South allow Negroes to swim in their swimming pools. We remember when women had virtually no role in politics or business. We are stunned that diversity is now a bad thing and that the struggles to build a nation are being stamped out of history books and schools. It hurts to know that we are no longer the leader of the free world.
What is going on now IS NOT NORMAL. Many older people recognize that. Our parents and grandparents lived through the Great Depression. We knew people who fought for our freedom in WWII. Democracy is something to be cherished and it isn't free. You have to work to keep it. And once it is gone, it is a long time before you get it back.
And that is why older people show up to protest. There are those of us who want you to have what so many created for you and all of us. We see it disappearing as the nation slips into authoritarian rule and mediocracy.
Ray, that was a sermon in a comment. Preach, my friend. Thank you for summarizing it so powerfully and succinctly. I felt your words in my bones. I’m in my 40s, but I remember the stories my grandparents told, and I am the keeper of my grandmother’s journals from WWII. It feels like every good thing the generations before us fought for is being destroyed. I’m grateful for your witness. Thanks for being here.
thank you for your report on this Nicole. I protested at the farm. There were two of us. We protested by doing our best to prepare for another season where we grow good food for local consumption. Like you (prior to this event), I have not participated in an actual live protest event. The introvert would rather write or do the speaking part, I guess. Keep going, you're encouraging many with your writing.
I love your form of protest! Your farm sounds like a wonderful place.
Nicole, your description of the Sioux Falls event is a 99% duplicate of my own in Des Moines. I went alone, was nervous about it, partly because I don't like crowds. (The only other time I have demonstrated was the Women's March in 2021.) I was among the gray-haired folks in the street, but there were a fair number of families with kids in strollers. Very few people of color, but who can blame a vulnerable population? I saw not a single policeman and did not realize that until afterwards. The organizers had volunteer Marshalls in yellow vests looking out for everyone's safety. Like you, I will demonstrate again, answering the call to "do something!"
I didn’t realize the yellow vests were law enforcement! They seemed to be as engaged in the protest as the rest of us! I also heard that people of color were encouraged to stay home and let the white folk take their turn. The onus for cultural and political change has too often fallen on the shoulders of our black and brown neighbors…
The yellow vest folks in DSM were not law enforcement, though the organizers referred to them as "marshals." They were volunteers organized by the organizers. One of the best parts of my experience was meeting IWC columnist Bob Leonard in person for the first time and getting acquainted as we walked together those many blocks.
Bob is the best! So glad you were able to connect.
Thanks for this excellent summary of the protest at Sioux Falls this past weekend! My wife and I also were there and were impressed by the same things that you were. We’re way over 40 and did some minimal protesting in the 1960s and 1970s but this was clearly a completely different experience. It seemed more grounded in hope and strength….maybe because it was more “normal” (whatever that means!) people than in the old days? At any rate we encountered more than half a dozen friends near our age that we had not coordinated with. Just a bunch of grandparents (mostly) who were equally angry about the assault on democracy. And that’s from the perspective of folks who experienced some strange times back in the day!
Thank you for sharing your experience! It warmed my heart to see so many "grandparents” (or at least that age) in the crowd. It made me feel safe and seen by those who have gone before. Instead of “this is a problem for the youth” it felt like “we’re in this together and we’ll fight for you.” I loved it. Thank you for your advocacy.
Brian and I were also at the Sioux Falls protest and were encouraged by the turnout and respectful, peaceful, and enthusiastic mood of the crowd. We never encountered any counter-protesters either and it really felt great to be with others who passionately care about the same issues that we do.
I'm sorry I didn't see you there! But yes, it felt really good to be with like-minded people!
My husband and I participated in the Des Moines protest. Our experience was similar, but within a larger crowd. It gave me hope.
I heard Des Moines turned out! How exciting!
Thank you for spending your Saturday making a difference!! I'll definitely
We do what we can. ♥️