Author: rayela

Brazil 18years + Chicago 20yrs + Paducah since 2005 These have shaped my path and interests. I spent many years as an active artist (ceramics and textiles) but have focused on promoting the creative community online since 2010. My current projects are Artizan Made and this site, Creative PlaceMakers.

June 14 was a rainy day in Paducah, Kentucky.  Even so, almost 900 people showed up to express their opposition to the authoritarian track the United States has embarked on since Trump became President.  Four Rivers Indivisible, the organizers, had projected that about 200 people would show up!  I got all weepy as drove past on my way to join them….  Every day has been so stressful, with one horror after another as Trump and his Administration pooh pooh the Constitution and inflict so much pain and chaos on our country.

some photos:

good to see veterans represented!

The mood was festive and peaceful.  Cars drove by, honking their support. It was exciting to see that people care about what is going on, that they are willing to take the time and make the effort to lift up their voices.

Across the street, the Trump supporters waved their flags. All TWELVE of them!

I was there with my walker…  I wore something from several places: Nepal, African beads, Mexico….  So much of what is precious to me is under attack, especially diversity, equity, inclusiveness and sustainability.

My keffiyeh is from my college days, St. Olaf in Minnesota.  Probably 1982, making it 43 Years Old!!!  The shah of Iran came to speak on our campus and we protested. The Palestinian cause was dire even then.  I was arrested at a protest against Honeywell because of the components they were making for nuclear weapons.  We demonstrated against South Africa and called for boycotts. The CIA was all over Central America…

How can it be that so much time has passed and we are still making a mess out of everything?

I look back on my life and feel like I am exactly the same person as I was when I was 15 years old.  What happened to all of the dreamers of the 1960’s and 1970’s?  Why are we choosing to cause so much damage to the world and to each other?  I don’t know the answers, but my hope is that there is a great awakening happening and that we will reject this path, choosing peace and empathy instead.

“Nice people made the best Nazis. My mom grew up next to them. They got along, refused to make waves, looked the other way when things got ugly and focused on happier things than “politics.” They were lovely people who turned their heads as their neighbors were dragged away. You know who weren’t nice people? Resisters.”
― Naomi Shulman

If you were in a No Kings protest and would like to share a photo or video, send it to me with a description of the photo, the location, and your name (optional if you don’t want to be found…)

Sign up with Four Rivers Indivisible for further actions:  fourriversindivisible.org

Are you a creative who supports DEI and the environment?  Take a stand with us!  Click around the site a bit to see if you like where it’s going (still very new…) and if it you like it, join us!  Membership is only $25/year. Please share with your friends!

Instructions for joining are here.