No Kings!
... Just us chickens
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Saturday, October 18, 2025 marked our second No Kings rally. 2700 rallies took place. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and eighteen other countries showed up to say, we love democracy, we do not want kings in the United States of America. Early counts say seven million of us in the USA showed up. The final count will come soon.
My friend Pam and I went to the smaller rally in Happy Valley, instead of the one in downtown Portland where 40,000 people showed up. Portland has become known for our showing up as frogs, chickens, dinosaurs, fairies, and a myriad of other creatures. My daughter happened to have two chicken suits, so Pam and I went as chickens. These are not the inflatable kind. They are comfy, and warm, much like onesies for sleeping in, but with hoods.
Under my costume, I wore the most colorful clothing I own. Just in case, I guess? Yellow jeans, orange tee shirt, yellow and black striped socks, yellow shoes. I removed the heavy yellow sweater before donning the chicken suit, because it was warmer out than I expected. Beautiful bright sunshine all day.
Later in the day, after the rains came, 400 protestors wandered down to the ICE facility. So many inflatables. So much joy, singing and dancing, and demanding our rights. It was ruined by the ICE men and federal agents dragging people across the line (they did not cross it willingly), and repeatedly using multiple round of pepper balls and tear gas. Even so, the crowd did not disperse, but maintained a vigil around the blue “no cross” line for hours. When the ICE men pitched two tents to shield themselves from the rain, the crowd razzed them. Portlanders know rain. It doesn’t stop us. When I first moved here in 1980, I was shocked to see people out mowing their lawns in the rain. We do everything in the rain. We do not melt like ice.
Were you able to go to a rally where you are? I know a lot of people were not able. I’m grateful I got to go myself. Please leave a comment.
Thank you for being there, Sandra! Wish I could have joined you.
Good to see you and Pam Sandra!! I’m glad you did not ‘ chicken out’ and did protest. I did also down here in Chula Vista. It was joyful and wonderful to raise our communal voices!