After the March 28 No Kings rallies, demonstrations and marches, which took place all over the world and were estimated to have attracted eight million people, there were some internet activists online scoffing that the No Kings events (this was the third such series of demonstrations, each noticeably larger than the last) had no impact and didn’t change anything and that the organization should be doing … something different. They also sneered at the demographic makeup of many of the gatherings, which skewed white, female and older.
But they were wrong about the impact. Some claimed it was more important to get people out to vote. There were numerous voter registration and turnout groups there, and voter registration volunteers were circulating in the crowd with clipboards. Sue Dean, one of the event coordinators is the leader of one such group Mobilize the Vote NEO, and the other main coordinator, Cindy Demsey, is the chair of the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, a group which holds meetings and events throughout the year to familiarize votes with what is on the ballot, give people opportunities to meet the candidates, and keep them informed about activities they can take part in. Both of these women deserve recognition and praise for what they have done: they have been behind most of the demonstrations in the last year, including the impromptu event at Market Square Park following Renee Good’s murder.
In addition, these events bring people together to take part in activities such as sign-making (the Cuyahoga County Public Library hosted several such events in the two weeks before No Kings) and to talk to each other about issues that matter to them—which often leads to joining together to take action. And bringing people together to act is one of the most powerful outcomes of such events and far more likely to drive change than complaining online that you think such demonstrations are a waste of time.
You can join the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus and sign up with Mobilize the Vote NEO for opportunities to act. The CDWC sends out an excellent weekly newsletter that lists all sorts of events around NE Ohio; you can join here (men are welcome). Sign up to get Mobilize the Vote NEO’s action alert emails here.
One Response to “After No Kings, Join Other Activists and Keep Working for Change”
John McGrail
It makes a difference. It is good to gather with those who believe this administration is wrong. His approval ratings continue heading down… Don’t let anyone tell you it does not matter.