Birthday #76
This is a short blog. I had a great, big, wonderful birthday party yesterday that was all about community, celebration, and protest.
Since I was a little kid, I have always loved my birthday. It’s in June—the end of the school year, a wonderful time to have a picnic in the park, and my family always made a big deal out of birthdays. My dad told me when I was little that people put their flags out for me because it was my birthday. As I grew older, I realized, of course, that people put their flags out because June 14 is Flag Day.
About 1500 of us gathered from around our island to protest at our county seat in Coupeville, WA—population 2,000, though the entire county has about 80,000 people. Below are photographs from that protest. There were about 2,000 “No Kings” protests in big and small cities in all 50 states. And that was the genius of it all—the emphasis was not just big, huge protests (though cities like Seattle had 70,000 demonstrators) but to spread them out in rural places in both red and blue states.
People’s signs were creative. The atmosphere was festive, friendly, and uplifting. It was democracy in action at its very best. Bad things are happening in my country because of an administration determined to destroy the fabric of civility and care for all people and the earth that sustains us. But millions and millions of us are rising up to stop that onslaught. It won’t be easy and it won’t be quick, but a threatened democracy is regaining strength from its only real source of power—ordinary people of all ages.
My neighbor and friend, Sarah and I, carrying flags. (Photo by Christina Baldwin)
Crowd at corner of highway and Main Street in Coupeville (photo by Ann Linnea)
Lineup along Highway 525 (Photo by Ann Linnea)
So many clever posters! (Photo by Ann Linnea)
Handmade poster by friend, Deb Lund (photo by Ann Linnea)
Granddaughter Sasha holding her handmade sign in Culver City, CA parade (photo by Sally Schimpf)
Our grandson Jaden and son-in-law Joe with their signs for the Culver City CA parade. (Photo by Sally Schimpf)
Happy Birthday, Ann!
Thank you! Ann
Oh Ann, I thought of you yesterday and was feeling badly that your birthday landed on such a charged day for our country. I lit a candle for you to at least claim a special space just for you. It warms my heart that instead of my thoughts about your birthday, you embraced all that was going on and even took your birth-day to participate in such an important event! What a party of so many islanders you had joining you1. You know how to have a birthday – haha.
Chicago, too, had massive attendance and was fun and friendly and completely safe. And many more protest gatherings in neighborhoods and suburbs! AND, yes, so many great creative signs. Thoughtful too. Still much to accomplish in the name of democracy, but I am bolstered by the multitudes who showed up – so important! Thanks for sharing your birthday adventures and thanks for your deep commitment to our country. Even on the day of celebrating your birth! Grateful to you and glad that you were born, of course.
Thank you, Jeanne! Glad to get an update from Chicago. All of us who participated did so with courage and faith that we would be safe, yet willing to take a big risk for the future of our country. Ann
Happy birthday, Ann! There were about 500 in Centralia, a conservative county! It was heartening. And an accident on I-5, brought a steady line of cars into town past the protesters. Lots of honking and thumbs up (very many more the other finger). We’ve got this. xoxo
Thanks for the report from Centralia. Sorry for the accident on I-5 and what that meant for some people, but glad for the opportunity of more folks to swing through your parade. Uplifting, wasn’t it?!? Ann
Happy birthday from
Australia!!!
Thank you, dear Lynette! Greetings back to you. Ann
Happy Birthday Ann!🥳❤️ Thanks for sharing the photos—it’s great to see so many turned out to protest.
Thanks, Barbara. Yes, it was a good turnout all over America. Ann
Happy birthday dear Ann. May the year ahead surprise you with many moments of joy, wonder, and ease. May it surprise us all 🙏💜
Ah, Laura, that is a wonderful wish for all of us. Ann
Happy birthday! Thought of you and Marge. What a day to celebrate two amazing women.
My community gathered, too along US 2.
Yup, there are lots of us who have Flag Day birthdays! Glad to hear where you all gathered. Ann
Happy Birthday Ann! I’m to know it was your special day because I couldn’t help but think it felt much more like a celebration than a protest Saturday. Auburn was upbeat and lively. And it was all the things I associate with you: action, community, neighbors, friends and activism. I hope it’s a very good year for you, my friend ♡
Hello Bonnie Rae! Appreciate your kind words. Been off camping as part of my ongoing celebration, so it has taken time to respond. Be well, Ann
Belated Happy 76th Birthday my dear friend. I was hosting a 4-day intuitive creativity retreat at Tipi Village in Marcola, OR that day. We took a moment of silence and gratitude for all those who showed up to protest on No Kings Day. Thank you for showing up and for your commitment to love and life!
You are welcome, Glenda. More protests coming, for sure. And hopefully many more birthdays. Ann
Hello Ann, Belated birthday wishes! This is my #78 in a few days. I so miss being out in Skalitude. We had THREE No Kings rallies here in Pierce County! Estimated to be about 4,000 or more that turned out. I have been singing with the Resistance Choir and we were invited to sing a few songs. It was really amazing to lead a crowd in song! Joy IS resistance! Much love, DT