No Kings

I spent Saturday trying to protect our system of government.  I started out before 8am on the side of a busy street, fifteen minutes before the official start, but well past the time that people had begun gathering.  It was Flag Day; I brought my giant American flag.  Waving it gave me great joy.

As always, there were safety marshals and free bottles of water  to go along with the sense of rueful camaraderie that permeated the event.  I did this in 1969 and I'm doing it again - some variation of that was on everyone's lips.  

We were older white women, the ones being teased on the interwebs for mobbing Michaels craft stores, buying up all the poster board and markers they could carry.  They did a really good job.  

My friend made this :

She lost one shoe, and had to hold one hand.

By 9:15 I was too hot.  I drove home, swam, ate, napped and then got back in the car for the No Kings! car parade; Tucson's triple digit temperatures answer to an afternoon march through the streets.  Much to my delight, besides the decorated cars

there were people on the street corners, cheering in solidarity.

They had signs, too.

How could I take so many photos?  This was a free form event.  It started in a park at one end of a long rectangle of right turns.  I decided to join closer to home.  Driving there with my decorated car felt exposed and a little bit vulnerable.  But as I got closer to the route, there were more cars decked out in No Kings red white and blue and it began to feel like a party.  

I tucked myself in behind a red minivan with American flags taped to the side mirrors.  We cruised down the road until we stopped.  I put on the automatic brake hold.  I watched as cars left a parking lot and pulled into the stream ahead of me.  I wasn't peeved.  I was glad that they were joining the fun.

At the light, I made the right turn, drove 100 yards, and stopped behind my red minivan.  And there we sat.  Every once in a great while we'd inch forward, a small car length covered before we sat again.  A Way With Words  started and finished.  We hadn't moved in a while.  This was a sit-in masquerading as a car parade. 

I put on my blinker and pulled out into the road.  Driving home felt stronger and safer and happier and satisfied.  We ordered pizza for dinner and watched the interwebs laugh at FFOTUS inviting people to his G.I. Joe themed birthday party only to have no one show up.

*****

This was my favorite sign, held by two delightful young women.  I can't believe it's blurry.