Attending my local No Kings protest today made me feel something I haven't felt in months.

[Aristus]

Joy.

Sheer joy.

And hope.

And encouragement.

And camaraderie.

I needed today. I think a lot of us did.

[BOSSHOG]

1. Wonderful Day for America

[Irish_Dem]

2. I felt some of the same just reading the first hand accounts here on DU.

First glimpse of optimism since November.

[Ocelot II]

3. Hear, hear!

It was a good thing - and especially after the attack on our state legislators - we chanted, Do it for Melissa. So there was that on top of all the Trump shit. Had to be there and it felt good to be there.

[kimbutgar]

4. And we're not alone in our anger and fear!

And need to fight back asap!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. Indeed!! You nailed it... it's WAY past time to fight back!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. 100+... it was EXHILARATING!!! (That pretty much sums it up.)

[FirstLight]

6. I can't look at the photos of all the people

And believe that Kamala lost... No. She had the crowds, momentum and energy. It was computer hacking and deception...and it will be exposed...

[ailsagirl]

20. No way did she lose

[NJCher]

7. It's very encouraging

to see how many of our fellow Americans feel about this threat.

trump might have few temporary victories here and there, but the culture of freedom of speech will not be suppressed.

The very idea that an ignoramus like trump would take our freedoms away is insulting. I was reading about the Council for National Policy last night. Trump is the culmination of their big, decades long effort. All that planning and you go with a buffoon like trump?

It's far from over yet, but it's looking like they blew it.

[CrispyQ]

9. Ditto that, dude!!

[Aristus]

10. ...

[Silent Type]

11. Felt the same watching it all over the country. Been cheering the posts, photos, videos from everywhere.

Even little rube towns where I'm from had it going on.

[CrispyQ]

12. There's a pic somewhere, of deep red Idaho with a huge crowd!! -nt

[Chautauquas]

13. Same here

My wife and I attended an event in a small rural town and were amazed to see 500 people there. We were hoping there would be 100 or 200. It felt so good to be around like-minded people who shared our contempt for the orange menace and it was a welcome departure from online doom-scrolling.

[ananda]

14. Thank you. This was a good day for us!

Trump seemed deflated at his parade,
and our protests were many and
fantastically fun, with little or no response
from Magats.

[WmChris]

15. Rock Island, Illinois

Schweibert Riverfront Park large turnout, well prepared speakers on current pressing topics. Enthusiasm and positivity all around. No MAGAT interference so no unruly disturbance. The place was packed and exuberant. We were glad we went and were able to to witness and participate in a gathering of like minded progressive folks.

[llmart]

16. I just saw a video clip of downtown Philadelphia.

Wow! Just wow! I am very encouraged. What I hope for is that the GOP gets this albatross hanging around their necks also. We can't lose sight of the fact that without their lock step approval of everything Trump does, he doesn't do all this on his own. I just hope we don't lose momentum.

[mcar]

17. I felt hope

It felt good.

[Trueblue Texan]

18. Oh...it has been a very, very fine day, indeed, Aristus! Nt

[Demovictory9]

19. kick

[pioche4]

21. Bookmarking this 😍♥️

Exactly!!

[Initech]

22. Same! We will overcome the fascist fucks!

Flushing these fascist turds and kicking his ass is the right thing to do!

[Ohioboy]

23. I'm with you

This was the largest turnout I've seen for a protest in my town, and their have been two others since the "hands off" protest.

[Grim Chieftain]

24. I'll drink to that, Aristus

[dchill]

25. Thank you for the positive post!

A lot said in very few words.

[Quiet Em]

26. Yes. Especially the camaraderie.

So uplifting. I needed it too.

[Skittles]

27. seeing the turnout today for DEMOCRACY

vs the orange fascist fuck's sadsack parade - does a body (and mind) good

[cilla4progress]

28. Same, Aristus!

Here in red Chelan County!

[Ziggysmom]

29. I was amazed at the number of older people in their 70s & 80s who came out to protest. Chatted with many

several who spoke of past protests they attended in support of Civil Rights and against the Vietnam Nam War.

“This government was founded on protest.” — Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court justice

[HeartsCanHope]

30. Everyone I talked to at my local No Kings rally today also talked about being happy and feeling hopeful for our country.

We got caught in traffic as we neared where we were going to stand with our signs. My husband and son thought it was an accident slowing us down, but I excitedly said, "Oh, I'm so happy--the traffic jam is due to the crowd!! " I was so pleased to be right!! Where there were 2000 people on April 5, 2025, there were 7000 people crammed into a mile long stretch of road! Great signs, friendly people, and more honks and waves from motorists. The icing on the cake was Krasnov's military parade failure this evening. It was a very good day!

[Cha]

31. GMTA! Someone asked me

a little while ago on DU.. How was my Rally In Lihue Kauia and my first words were "Sheer Joy!" I do believe we aren't t the only ones...

I know the Feeling.. Mahalo, Aristus!

[Unwind Your Mind]

32. Yes, thank you

I had a really dark moment in the morning yesterday, after reading about what happened in Minneapolis where I wondered if they might win, possibly for the first time, tears even

But, everything that unfolded throughout the day was nearly perfect and so heartening

There are more of us, a lot more

I’m hearing 10k in our medium sized city, and no incidents, amazing

[Evolve Dammit]

33. Yes Indeed. The elated faces of those driving by was priceless!!! They know they are not alone

[et tu]

34. awesome day

makes me proud

[Tree Lady]

35. I felt that to

we were all so happy to be together with all the daily crap he flings out.