Thousands Attend Nashville's “No Kings” Protest

Buffoonery, De Damned

Just back from DC, where the Women's March brought out more than a half million people to assert their determination to maintain a constitutional democracy and the civil and human rights that our predecessors over many generations have fought and died for.  If it comes down to it, the millions that gathered around the country this past weekend have declared that they are no less willing to make sure that we continue to protect our Constitution and work toward "a more perfect union."  I feel confident that this Republic will not be usurped by a band of neo-fascists led by a narcissistic buffoon who lied and cheated his way to the highest office of the land.

What impressed me most about this demonstration, besides its sheer size and its peaceful and determined exercise of free speech, was the united front that came together, comprised of so many different pressing concerns and peoples:  immigrants, black and brown citizens, women both too young to walk and too old to walk and every age in between, the LGBT communities, students, retired people, Christian, Islamic, and Jewish, unions, white, Asian, American Indian, and yes, even old white, privileged white guys like myself who reject Trump's false characterizations and racist lies.

The sociologists call it intersectionality.  Whatever you call it, it is the first step in the emergent renewal of our democratic aspirations here and abroad.  Trump has, in effect, brought us all together, around the world, which is something Hillary and the neoliberals never could have done.

I'm hoping to get Matt Taibbi's new book this week:

High School Walkouts to Protest Trump

From Teen Vogue, no less:

Since Donald Trump was elected president last week, there have been protests around the country. Students held protests and rallies at the University of Connecticut, University of Texas, and Yale University, among many others, and high-schoolers staged walkouts in Arizona, Washington, and Iowa. And today, high school students in Los Angeles staged a massive walkout in protest of the president-elect, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Hundreds of students from high schools across east L.A. left their classes and marched to L.A. City Hall, a mile and a half away. Activist Nancy Meza told the LA Times that “Many of [the students] are immigrants or their families are immigrants. They are just really scared about those campaign promises coming to fruition.” Donald Trump wants to build a border wall, has promised to deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants who are "gang members, drug dealers" (though as FiveThirtyEight points out, there aren't even that many who meet that criteria for him to deport), and called for a ban on Muslim immigration.