Signs in Action

Art Everywhere

The turnout at today’s protest was promising. Last time, maybe a couple hundred people showed up. Today? Over 1,000. And despite the miserable weather—cold rain, snow on the ground—people still showed up.

It seemed to me that there were about equal numbers of men and women, possibly even more men. It wasn’t just activists I was there with people from my community. My friends who are doctors, lawyers and engineers were there.

Many people held signs. There were an incredible amount of anti-Elon signs. And a fair amount of “fuck donald trump” signs which I always appreciate. One woman set up a booth as a sign-making station, quickly creating custom signs and handing them out. She also provided oranges and water—a small but thoughtful act of care.

I wouldn’t say that women were represented at this protest very well. There was one female speaker and she started off by saying that she was the mother of 5 children and was married “to a smoke show”, ummmm ok. The only part where she referenced women’s lack of representation was in reference to a little girl who was being abused. I am starting to think that little girls and transsexuals are very attractive to men. Is this why they keep trying to make them the forefront of the movement for women? I do not appreciate it.

This protest in particular was in regards to the top versus the bottom in terms of wealth inequity. Considering that I did not hear nearly enough people chanting “eat the rich”. I heard a lot of “do your job” chanting which is ok. But obviously these people are confused about what exactly their job is and I am certain that this phrase isn’t going to teach them the lesson they deserve. I know that “eat the rich” is much more terrifying.

Rally the howling Basset Hound. He really livened up the crowd.

As we were leaving. A young boy, maybe five years old, held up his handmade sign. It featured a giant poop emoji and the words “Boo Donald.” He stomped down the street, chanting with all the confidence in the world: “Boo Donald! Boo!”. I agree kid.

This event lasted about an hour. The speakers were okay to decent, but the energy could have been much stronger. We need more amplification, more powerful rallying cries, and less lecturing from the podium—save the history lessons for another time. We came to make noise, to demand change, and to be heard. The momentum is here; we just need to push it further. Next time, let’s be louder.