Like millions of other Americans I have been spending an hour each week lifting a sign of protest against the tyrannical actions of the Trump administration. Locally, this takes the form of a weekly gathering in front of our old Haywood County Courthouse. Our local group is called Hands Off Haywood. It is associated with Indivisible, the national organization that arose in the first Trump administration. About every month there has been a national coordination of a themed action, such as “No Kings” Day on June 14.
On July 17 we had a silent vigil walking up and down Main Street in memory of John Lewis, culminating in a candle ceremony in front of the Courthouse.Over the past twenty-five years I have spent a lot of time in front of this venerable Courthouse. It started in 2003 when I showed up weekly to protest the US invasion of Iraq. But our gatherings are not only political. Street fairs are anchored at the Courthouse lawn and in the summer we have attended bi-weekly street dances there led by our long-time friend Joe Sam Queen, whose grandparents even performed some of our local folk dances at the White House for FDR. It is a genuine public square, the communal ground of genuine democratic politics. Our local police department watches carefully over every event to safeguard our freedom to lift
up our “petition of grievances” as well as celebrations of community. Who knows? Maybe signs of protest might even lead to earnest conversation. This is, of course, only one part of seeking to change not only public opinion but actual votes to defend our Constitutional order and the government’s capacity to serve the common good both here and beyond our borders. I’ve gotten too old to show up on really hot days and I’ve gotten a little stool to rest on as if I was watching a golf match rather than the passing cars of curious and often appreciative motorists.
We are led on most days by a retired woman who was a Major in the Air Force. Her oath to defend the Constitution (and not a person) led her into this unexpected role. But these are unexpected times and we need to do something unexpected, each in our own special way, to help repair our nation and restore our planet. Let me know what’s calling out to you in these difficult days.
thanks!!! wonderful as usual !!