LETTER: Take your signs to No Kings and beyond
March 24, 2026To the Community:
Good citizens. This weekend, many of you will be taking a stand for democracy, for human decency, for truth, for the preservation of American values. You will be protesting against DJ Trump – all that he does, plans to do, and all that he stands for. YOU (we) are on the right side of history. This is an important time to stand up and share your voice.
While we all know this in our souls, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure just how to make an impact. It seems that the authoritarian character of his administration and his enablers are pretty good at suppressing any form of dissent. Yet we must do something to ensure that NO KINGS rule this land – a land that we have all always known to be much different than Trump's narcissistic vision. Surprisingly, we have learned from Trump that in order for freedom to be sustained, we must embrace freedom.
And so, your participation in the NO KINGS protests might be one of the most important – and American – things you can do this year. And yet...
Is this enough? Forgive the clumsy wordplay here, but if a protest happens in the woods, does it make a sound? What if people don't see the protest at the time or place it happens? Surely, the signs and chants and all are more than just a feel-good exercise among us, right?
Some of you may know that I have stood against Trump. I stood with my sign every day from November 9, 2016, through December 20, 2019 (when he was justifiably impeached). That's 1,190 days (minus five days that I was physically unable to do so). I stood in the rain, cold, heat, wind, whatever, to show what one person can do. I received a lot of colorful feedback during those days – thank you to those who supported my effort. But I always saw my sign as a mirror. The language said, “American Values Are the Loser Under Trump.” And what I wanted folks to consider is, “why is that guy standing here?" And then hopefully to look up and consider what was going on. I believe that human decency wins out when it pays attention.
You should know I do not think of this effort as more important than you coming to NO KINGS this Saturday. Our solidarity in moving together is enormously important. I only want to pass on that in addition to attending mass protests, I know I was noticed by also showing my beliefs in a non-violent manner at a place/time where I could be seen.
So I urge you to take your sign to a new corner – before or after the rally. Better yet, show that truth on some other day in some other place. Instead of a single day (that may or may not get noticed), let's widen the awareness. At the very least, I urge you to walk to your NO KINGS gathering with signs held high (not just once at the gathering of like minds). Show them to every car and person you can- not just other protesters.
See you on the street!
Rick Boyle
Waterbury
P.S. Carol Baitz recently posted on the Roundabout and Front Porch Forum some helpful information, which I am copying here.
There will be a training at Crossett Brook Middle School on Know Your Rights and De-escalation with the ACLU of Vermont on Tuesday, March 24, from 5:30-7 p.m. Register here.
Please remember that these rallies are intended to be opportunities to exercise your freedom of speech in a non-violent, community-based forum. Bring your signs, your whistles and your costumes. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.