During the most recent “No Kings” protest held in Oak Park, one of the most frequent chants from participants of all ages was “This is what democracy looks like.” Actually, it would have been more accurate to chant, “This is what democracy still is allowed to look like.” The current administration (often referred to as 2.0) is an extremist attack on various rights accorded by our Constitution with a wrecking ball. My guess is the First Amendment rights for peaceful protest in any context may be in jeopardy as well. The President has legal backup in this disgusting dystopic time.
Our Supreme Court essentially nullified in totality the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a SCOTUS dominated by six radical conservative justices. How did we get such an anti-democratic-dominant court? Every decision they make affects everyone in the country.
Women’s reproductive rights have been taken away by this court. They have granted criminal immunity for a president’s criminal (criminal!) acts. Citizens United, when the conservative advantage was just one, not three, decided that money was “free speech” and corporations are “people.” And other shredding of societal norms.
I have often asserted that whatever kind of government we get is the government we deserve. We being, you know, The People. The People elected a Democratic administration in 2020. The popular vote had the Democrat winning by 7 million. The electoral vote was one-sided as well. It was a record-high turnout of voters, the majority of whom were motivated (according to polls) by the previous four years being a showcase of incompetence, disruptiveness, divisiveness, corruption, and authoritarian intents.
Fool me once, same on you; fool me twice, shame on me. But 90 million eligible voters didn’t bother to vote at all in 2024, following that record turnout in 2020. That is an indictment against both established parties more than an indifferent electorate, in my humble opinion. Most of the 90 million no-shows probably felt they had nothing for which to vote. After all, did not The People elect that Democrat to get rid of the Other Guy? By “get rid of,” I am inclined to believe the 81 million who voted for the Democrat wanted that Other Guy to be held to account. Legally! Recall, he unarguably aided in an attempted insurrection.
But here we are. With more cruel, callous and contemptible governance, aided and abetted by an anti-democratic SCOTUS. Polls show how unpopular all of this is. But staging No Kings or Hands Off protests numbering in the millions clearly has had no meaningful impact. Things keep getting worse. By the day, week, month.
This is what Project 2025 and its Fascist playbook looks like. This is what “democracy” now looks like.
This is what a crumbling U.S. looks like.
Seems like we need more than chants and signs. Much more.
Joseph Harrington
Oak Park