201,441 Reasons to Hope

Despite the deluge, there is hope.

57 days. He has been in office for 57 days.

And it has been exhausting.

His second term has reminded me of my first attempt at body surfing. I was seventeen.

On a school trip to San Diego, my friend convinced me to body surf. After watching her glide effortlessly across the waves, I felt prepared to give it a go. It did not go as planned.

The first wave tossed me head over heels. A mischievous second wave followed suit. Between it and the third, I tried to stand. The ocean had other ideas. It slammed me into the sand. It pummeled me again and again.

Eventually, I made it to shore, and because I was a teenager, I got up and dove-in again. Youth.

This is the Trump presidency—57 days of being slammed by wave after wave of hate. Each order, each tariff, each threat a swell intent on bombarding us into submission.

Tides—both physical and tyrannical—bow to few forces. A single stone will be carried away. Even a mound will succumb in a storm. A seawall, on the other hand, thousands of stones cemented together, will withstand even a tsunami.

Like each stone in a seawall, every act of resistance matters. On our own, we cannot withstand him. Together, he cannot overcome us.

Nowhere is this more evident than in our protests. While most people’s feed may populate with a dozen protests a day, mine is filled with hundreds. I scour social media, news sites, and calendars to discover them.

And let me tell you, there are thousands.

I’ve seen people march in the rain and snow. Huddles of protestors bundled in gloves and scarves have dissented despite freezing temperatures. On the steps of capitols and on the sidewalks of street corners, I have seen thousands standing against the tide of tyranny.

In Beaumont, Texas, Monica reflected, “It was so beautiful seeing everyone there, united against the actions of this administration. This isn't about being a Democrat or a Republican anymore. The actions of this administration affect us ALL. From small business owners to our farmers to every family in America. It no longer matters who each of us voted for. We need to stand together.”

There have been protests of 15,000, like in Los Angeles on March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day. On that same date and state, seventeen gathered in Stony Point. Despite the disparity of their size, both mattered.

For every protest of a thousand there is a protest of one or two. On March 1, one person protested at Brown v Board of Education National Historical Park.

One.

On the steps of Monroe Elementary School, one of the four segregated schools in Topeka, Kansas, they stood alone.

Image from the National Park Service

To date, I have recorded 16 protests of one, and forty-six of ten or less.

One such protest was led by eighty-year-old veteran Richard Hobcraft Allan III. He cuffed himself to a sign post to protest cuts to the VA. “We believe an unelected leader is killing our fellow veterans. And something must be done. All over our country, people are standing up, making noise in the streets, and stating, ‘We cannot go on as usual.’”

If you feel discouraged, if you feel hopeless, don’t be. We are rising.

In 57 days, we have built a movement. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have stood together.

Last Sunday, I began to catalog our efforts. To date, I have counted 670 demonstrations and 201,441 protestors. That number may represent half or even two-fifths of the total. And by the national protest on April 5, we may number millions.

So tomorrow, when another wave surges, take heart—together, we can stand.

ACT TODAY

There two action items you can take Monday to Friday of this week, as well as two ways you can help me expand my work. Read more below.

THE RESISTANCE LIST

ADD to the Resistance List HERE.
READ or SHARE the list HERE.
Spread the word with me to every organization and the press.

VOLUNTEER by messaging me.

WALK-INS TO PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS

“On Wednesday, March 19, our communities will walk into our schools together to show elected leaders that we are united in support for the programs and protections our communities need to thrive.”

The National Education Association is organizing walk ins on March, 19.

ORGANIZE one for your school.
ATTEND a walk in.

ATTEND A TOWNHALL

This week, our representatives are one recess. Attend a town hall and let your voice be heard. Indivisible has published tips and resources for making the most of this opportunity.

CONNECT with a town hall HERE.
ORGANIZE one HERE.

SUPPORT WE (THE PEOPLE) DISSENT

First, thank you. In a month and a half, this publication has grown to 15,000 subscribers. Thank you. Each of you inspire me to write and continue with this work.

A handful of people have asked how they can support We (the People) Dissent further. There are two ways:

1. Become a paid subscriber. This publication is free and always will be; however, paid subscription enable me to write more and travel to protests in the coming weeks.

2. Give. I have created a spot on my website for people to make a one time or monthly gift. I’m saving to purchase sound equipment to record audio I will transform into a podcast.

Whether you are a first-time reader or a paid subscriber, thank you. I appreciate each of you. Every message and comment brings me joy.