“The Power of the People is Always Greater than the People in Power.” Cory Booker

Chequamegon Bay really showed up! 4/5/25 Hands off Rally

The masses showed up in Ashland, Wisconsin for our first larger nationwide protest. The estimated counts were on the upside of 500 people! One of the things I noticed were the ages of some of the older protesters. They are in their 80’s and they know how to protest. They’ve been there done it; thought they didn’t need to again and again and again. But here we are. Our country is in a fascist state. People are angry. They aren’t just angry about one thing. It’s all the things! A few of the protest signs had all the things listed: Our bodies, our jobs, social security, public lands, MYOB, libraries, USPS, free speech, courts, Medicaid, Medicare, cancer research, unions, VA, civil rights, human rights. Another sign said, “Public Services, Not Corporations,” and listed the federal agencies. Another was very sobering: Sorry Folks, But Ignoring it is what the Germans did. That one got me in the gut!

This sign makes you think hard about how you will show up.

The United States is supposed to be a democracy. This sign tells us, “NO KINGS!”

It was a lovely crowd - peaceful, but also fierce. People greeted each other with hugs. Strangers posed together for pictures. We took the lessons with Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny, and marched with strangers. One sign said, “we won't comply.” I saw my children’s elementary school teacher that taught 2nd grade and hugged her. It felt good to be out there protesting together. We talked about how we can’t imagine what it’s like to be without empathy towards our fellow humans.

The drums and bells were out and gave the crowd a lively spirit. Our elected State Representative Angela Stroud gave a speech. I’ll leave you with some of her words:

Neighbors rallying together makes a difference!

Representative Stroud addresses the crowd at Pearson Plaza in Ashland, Wisconsin.

By being here, you're showing that you will stand up and fight back against this illegal, immoral, reckless dismantling of the government programs that you, your neighbors, and our entire state rely on.

It's time to fight for the public good over greed. It's time to fight for the world we long for, and I have a conviction, a deep faith in people--I love humans! I believe that if we show a better way, a way of living in society that enlivens our spirits, that will make us realize that there's a point to being alive, that our lives matter, and it's not in making money or buying things or sitting at home alone scrolling on our phones. People are shut down and shut off. But we can create a better world, where everyone has access to purpose and meaning, where we can care for each other, and be in real relationships. We can create a world worthy of our kids and our grandparents, and if we do, we will grow this movement well beyond partisan politics.

This isn't just about this moment; it's about committing our lives to something bigger, to our communities, to public service, to spending our days building our capacity to love each other more so that we all feel compelled to fight for freedom, justice, and opportunity for everyone. We do that by connecting, by having fun, by showing up and fighting for each other, and by growing genuine relationships rooted in mutual care and respect, no matter our differences. That's how we create the world we long for. One day at a time, every day of our lives.

Hand’s Off 4/5/25 Ashland, WI

Blog Post Two