Generally I stay away from politics in these posts as there are many other places where political commentary can be found. Today I am going to make an exception.
On April 5th I attended one of the Hands Off rallies that took place across America. Mine was in Decorah. Here are a few photos and some thoughts about the event and the reasons for attending.
I have been sending emails to my Federal representatives and getting very unsatisfying answers, mostly form replies thanking me for my contact and little else. It was time to take stronger actions such as appearing in person at a rally.
Pam found a “Hands Off” rally scheduled for Decorah, one of around 1,500 such rallies organized across the country, and I decided to attend. These were organized for people to come out and express displeasure at what is going on with this administration on many levels, concerns Pam and I share.
Pam decided to make a sign for me to carry.
The Decorah organizers announced attendance of around 500 people, this in a state that has been solidly Republican for decades. Other news outlets report that thousands of people took part in other Iowa rallies and tens of thousands did so nation wide.
These rallies are in opposition to cuts in Social Security and other large programs (CDC, VA Affairs, EPA, NIH, USAIDS) but also to a range of smaller programs, many of them grants to cities and towns to help promote clean water, air, and energy diversification. In all, this administration is seen as incompetent, anti-science, and just plain stupid. The actions being taken will hurt us.
The First Amendment states, in part: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble…”
People are social animals and have been gathering for various reasons, including political ones, since well back in history. That is why the right to assemble is the first right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
As for the Deborah rally, it was interesting. Only one of the speakers was an elected official; other officials opted to skip the rally. (The elected official attending was a member of the Decorah City Council.) The other speakers were locals, including a couple teachers, a farmer, a small business owner, and a guy that writes editorials. Quite the cross section of people.
There were songs as well, three in fact. I was standing next to a pair of younger girls, possible local Luther College students, who had very good voices. The music went down well. Selections including the first chorus of “America the Beautiful” and a couple other protest songs. The lady leading the singing had an excellent voice.
What are my takeaways?
First, I was reminded of how public gatherings are such a part of our American culture and how they are integrated into our political system. Alexis de Tocqueville once wrote “…the only guarantee of liberty is for everyone to combine forces…” in his 1835 two-book volume titled Democracy in America.
Second, it is good to be among people who share a common interest. This observation may seem to be self-evident, but in our modern post-Covid world, face to face meetings are getting lost. As one speaker said, “you can’t make changes with a comment” left on a YouTube video. In-person gatherings for a common cause are a powerful motivator.
Third, such gatherings reinforce the idea that you are not alone and are part of a larger movement. It is easy to stay at home and wonder if anyone else in your community feels the way you do. National reports are not the same as seeing your local neighbors standing up for the same causes. The feeling gives you motivation for doing more than sitting at home.
Lastly, non-violent rallies are kind of fun. You are standing with other people, holding up signs and singing, and being led in responses by the organizers. New information comes to light from people who follow specific parts of the government. Rallies are part of the American experience.
I have several photos from the event, and a couple sent from friends who attended other rallies, in my Gallery page. I encourage you to take a look. Some are funny, most are serious, and all express a point of view that may be different (or enhance) your own.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
Prolonged walking and standing are no longer in the comfort range of my superpowers. However, sign making is in my wheelhouse.
My childhood girlfriend, Janean (Hurd) Lang texted me re: our plans to locate an Iowa event on “Hands Off” day. This motivated me to search for the Decorah rally, which motivated Himself to be in attendance. Janean attended the LaCrosse rally, where about 1,000 people gathered.
Rock on.
Today’s Humor:
