Though I have always taken seriously the right to vote, I have never aligned myself with one particular political party.  Instead, it has been my practice to remain informed on issues and on individuals running for office, and then to lend my support regardless of political affiliation.  Sometimes the outcome of an election has turned in favor of my choice, and sometimes it has not.  Regardless of the outcome, though, I always had faith in the system.

But as Bob Dylan put it: “… I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”  In other words, like Dylan, I have begun to doubt some of the things in which I once had inalterable faith.

Things, for example, like the orderly and civil conduct of government business, and strict adherence to the United States Constitution without regard to political affiliation … and … the guarantee of due process in criminal proceedings … and … the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, prohibiting deployment of the military in American cities.  In this Orwellian environment, it is no surprise that a Florida Sheriff felt justified in announcing, recently, a return to law and order “Old West” style, declaring that stepping out of line at protests could “land ‘ya graveyard dead.”

For all these reasons, the June 14, 2025, “No Kings” rallies across the United States came just in time.  

In Fort Worth, Texas, the rally took place in a shaded park near downtown and, never having participated in an event of this sort, two octogenarians (Bonnie and me) approached the gathering crowd with some trepidation.  What could we expect?  Would we fit in?  Was there going to be violence?  Would extremists hijack the day?  And most important … would there be restrooms nearby?

I am pleased to report that our experience at the rally was both uplifting and confirming … especially since we found ourselves in the midst of so many folks our age.  Those in attendance spoke to a range of causes, with the central notion being that of a common striving for government accountability and adherence to the rule of law.  And while it was hot there in the park, event organizers provided water and made sure to pick up any trash and … thankfully … the line for the restrooms was relatively short!

Home-made signs were in abundance … many very creative … some obscene … but all connected in one way or another to the theme of the day.  One sign, in particular, stood out, for it captured … perfectly … the reason why we were there:

My Grandkids Know I Did Not Remain Silent!  No Kings!!

If there were something I would want our seven grandchildren to grasp from our attendance at this rally, it would be that each of them should take, seriously, what the sign suggests … do not remain silent!  They do not have to agree with us on issues … we know some of them do not … but we love them all, and we encourage them to be heard on matters of importance to them and to our nation.

Incidentally, John Spitzberg of Gainesville, FL, is my newest hero.  At a rally outside the Supreme Court, Spitzberg … age 87 and  a veteran … was arrested for crossing a police line.  Taken into custody after refusing attempts to get him to move back, he said he wanted to be with other veterans who had already been arrested.  Notably, it took two officers to move Spitzberg to a police van … one to zip tie his hands behind his back and lead him by the elbow, and the other to push his walker.  When asked how he felt about having been arrested, Spitzberg said: “I’m just beginning, my friend.  I’m gonna just get a little sleep, and I’m starting again.”

One of the most powerful moments at the Fort Worth rally occurred when 60 women in silent formation and dressed as Handmaids, marched into the park carrying with them a banner reading: We The People Were Not Meant to Kneel.  Their breathtaking appearance was a vivid reminder of the way in which Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, warns of the ease with which a democracy can fail:

That was when they suspended the Constitution.  They said it would be temporary.  There wasn’t even any rioting in the streets.  People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction.  There wasn’t even an enemy you could put your finger on.