On Saturday, I put on my John Lewis “Good Trouble” sweatshirt and joined the crowd causing good trouble. Carol and I marched in New York’s “Hands Off!” demonstration with millions around the world protesting Donald Trump’s policies.
The call was for the administration to take its “Hands Off!” Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, seniors, immigrants, LGBTQ people, veterans, farmers, educators, doctors, the CDC, law firms, universities, the environment and a long list of other issues. The sentiment was that everybody who isn’t part of the 1% (and a few who are) is being targeted. One sign said, “Keep your tiny hands off me.”
Carol and Brett Younger at the Hands Off! protest in New York City April 5.
The crowd was diverse, equitable and inclusive — lots of babies in strollers. We were accompanied by drummers, cowbell enthusiasts and a guy with a harmonica who played really loud. We waved American, Canadian, Mexican, Ukrainian and what might have been a Greenlandic flag.
Civil rights organizations, veterans, women’s rights groups, labor unions, and LGBTQ advocates chanted together, “Hey ho, Trump’s gotta go” and “What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like.” One group sang, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” off-key.
The homemade signs were the show:
- “We told you so.”
- “Who knew being great would be so embarrassing?”
- “Make America Think Again.”
- “This is not normal.”
- “Beware of the doge.”
We were sarcastic:
- “IKEA has better cabinets.”
- “He doesn’t even have a dog.”
- “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
- “This episode of The Handmaid’s Tale sucks.”
- “I can’t believe I’m still protesting this shit.”
This one took me a second: “Vaccines cause adults.”
This guy’s wife hopes his picture doesn’t end up in the paper: “Gut Social Security = Mother-in-law as a roommate.”
Elon Musk got some attention:
- “You can’t spell felon without Elon.”
- “Elon Musk cheats at video games.”
- “Anyone want to buy my Tesla?”
One senior citizen didn’t let her feelings keep her from being clever: “I couldn’t think of anything funny to say because I’m effin terrified.”
(I think she was a grandmother because she actually wrote “effin.”)
Policy wonks had to fit their theories on posters: “Tariffs cause depression.”
The uber rich were not popular:
- “Deport billionaires, not immigrants.”
- “The only minority destroying the country is the fascist billionaires.”
- “Tax wealth, not work.”
- “No time for silence, NYC Quakers.” (If the Quakers are being loud, we need to listen.)
Some of the signs could appear on a church bulletin:
- “Repair this broken world.”
- “Fight truth decay.”
- “Make empathy great again.”
This is my favorite: “To lead the people you have to love the people (all the people).”
When we got to the end of the route, some were looking for a podium, microphones or a big screen. A woman who thought she was in charge shouted: “That’s it. You have spoken. You don’t need someone else to speak for you.”
Police officers danced with the crowd. We were drenched from the rain but smiling.
Why was it fun? In a world where unelected billionaires destroy lives without consequences, where our leaders threaten our friends, and where aid that used to feed some of the world’s most desperate people has been canceled because oligarchs think they need more money, we need to be with people who see what we see. We need to know we are not the only ones whose hopes have suffered a hostile takeover.
Something like this happens on Sunday morning when we go to church. We gather with those who believe we should take care of our neighbors, look after the poor, and value God’s children. We understand that no follower of Christ can say, “America First.” We go to church to be with others who believe in peace, love and hope. We go to church to remember God will have the last word.
Brett Younger serves as senior minister at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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