I went to the protests 3 weeks ago and there were about 1/10 this many people. I don't know if we can count on that kind of growth for the 19th but all we have to do is a little more than double who showed up yesterday and we are at that 3.5%.
Yesss! and the protests are giving visibility to issues that some folks legitimately don't even know about yet!
I've lived in several rural red areas and some of these folks don't know about ~ANYTHING~ going on politically, or outside of their own house / work. Many don't even have the internet 😭
To that point, have you seen posts of people dropping tiny (like 1/16 of a page) flyers on floors in stores? Not just about events— but also about what’s going on….
idk about this specific place, though, they may be connected and informed! but just saying in general the small red towns/townships/villages I've been in have not been connected / informed, and protests are huuugely important there! ❤️🤍💙
It’s the people coming out in red states that are courageous. They will be the ones with the most impact on their red representatives. They are the ones we need the most. Red state reps will just ignore turnout if it doesn’t happen in their states. They will just say it’s only libtards opposing 🍊
My mom faced the sheriff of Talladega Alabama today in 1963 and was arrested over a dozen times for buying a coke. You are not like us in what is brave. I’m that brave every time I walk out the door of this racist pit.
I do not care what you do. Not in the slightest. I do care the weak shit you are doing is being described in terms I would want my grandchildren to copy. I want my grandchildren to understand bravery is not you it’s their great grand mother.
WV is making me really proud! As a teen went there to repair run down homes for people in need. the resources are low and their representatives don't tend to care about them but our host family was incredibly kind while we were there. It does me good to see that state standing up and demanding more!
This inspires the nation! America loves a David vs Goliath and it only takes one brave person to start! Bravo to all the ones who show up and be brave!
YES. Well done. Stand strong 💪 together!
I know how hard this is. Spent last 20 years in small town RED Nevada. Still have PTSD from a BLM event where 350 armed militia with AK 47showed up to counter protest the "35" locals who legally scheduled the event. Attached a photo of one group
Scary. Wonder why the women don’t cover their faces? And could not miss the one guy that was too big around the middle to be able to hold his gun perpendicular. But to have 350 of them? Nope.
Lived in same house 18 years in NV and only knew name of one neighbor. In Colorado we met everyone on the block before moving in. Couldn't wait to get out of NV.
Too ashamed to show their faces. But big bad men playing military. These well fed hogs look like bankers, lawyers, perhaps even a doctor or two. They definitely have not missed any meals!
lol. It was during Covid but that's not why they masked. So funny because they were anti mask during Covid.
You are right. Cowards. Bully's usually are 🤷♀️
Keyser, West Virginia, the average turnout for the whole country was 1% of the population, you fit that statistic. Thank you for your bravery. Keep up the "Good Trouble."
I live in rural UK. I'm a socialist.My representative in Parliament is an upper crust, dyed in the wool right winger tory in a safe seat. I have felt for most of my life, that I have no voice. My vote is irrelevant. So I truly sympathise with these protestors.
Small town/city protests are just as important as the big ones.
It takes 💪 to do this in small numbers/towns.
They are not anonymous people in a huge crowd.
Several small centre protests are posted in the comments.
❤️🇨🇦
Pls create the tweet anew with the hashtag.
It is the hashtags that are so powerful and group an issue all together under one hashgag. We need to see these smaller protests. Thank you.
#HandsOff
Kansas, a huge red state, had over 14 protests cities from small to large. Protest organizers were very happy about the response of people in Wichita,KS. We had people who drove by and had no plans to come to a protest. He said the protest was way more important than he was going to do that day.
This kind of things matters a lot, others need to see that it is social acceptable to not be a maga garbage human
Big cities matter because we can generate mass and if need be in the future put that mass into places that make those in power fear for the physical safety of themselves and loved ones
Nor at all. They think the protests are singular in their town only—and that it was about something that “doesn’t exist.” Incidentally—a common response was “why don’t these people have a job” …um, it’s Saturday
Part of this is an orchestrated media takeover that has been going on for decades. There are wide swaths of the country where all local news media is owned by ONE company that pushes conservative viewpoints (Sinclair media).
Higher participation in religion also drives a lot of this- social scare tactics and demonization of liberals as godless and out to destroy all we hold dear is a powerful force.
But an interesting thing you find is that if you talk to these folks about actual policy, and you don’t label it, they by and large agree with “liberal” ideas and policies. That gives us an inroad, I think. In a lot of these places no dems even bother to run for local office.
Not much will reach them. But no matter— not need to waste time. More people didn’t vote than voted— if “I’m not voting” were a candidate, they would love won by 9 million votes. Just need to get the people who don’t think about politics to engage a bit, and we become a country that cares again. 💙
Sure. That matters. It is always an issue.
I think listening to people's concerns matter too. Is it just bad education or do they feel their vote will not make their life better?
It's not a lack of newspapers or TV that makes MAGATs. IMO they're unhappy with their lives and it's easier to blame the boogeymen the far right creates than to make changes. From those I know personally, they completely lack critical thinking and make poor life choices.
Multi-generational. Once upon a time, West Virginian's lost their lives fighting for their rights and unions (research The Coal Mine Wars). My WVA ancestors are probably rolling in their graves😮💨
Yes! I was at one in a small red town in the country and the turn out was huge! They suspect over 1,000 showed up, it was amazing! People from all walks of life coming together, it was beautiful.
Please create this tweet anew which is an AWSOME Terrt.
And add the hashtag so more people will see it.
Hashtags are the mot powerful feature of social media, they group everything together in one spot.
#HandsOff
I absolutely agree. The news from small towns has been inspiring. Borrego Springs CA pop 2,800 in the desert in San Diego County has held demonstrations against Elon Trump every Sunday at noon for weeks. On 4/5 the main street thru town was lined for blocks with 300 protesters!
This is great! Not just yesterday’s 300ppl turnout but your sustained effort to show up regularly . That’s the key to really growing the public turnout we need. Keep it up!
I agree, to those in red states and red towns who protest that takes real courage and conviction knowing you're in the minority. There's nothing more patriotic than wanting your country to be better.
I feel the same here about McKinney, TEXAS! This is in Collin County, a VERY Republican county. County judge, County Clerk, D.A., Sheriff, Tax-Assessor, and all 4 J.P.'s are Republican. Angela Paxton (Ken Paxton's wife) is their TX Senator - Republican. Nothing short of amazing! #HandsOff #NoKings
Beautiful to see people standing up for what they believe in, no matter how small the town or crowd. It's the courage that matters, and it's inspiring to see Americans from all walks of life coming together to demand change.
Great action! Resistance must continue. But opposing must be linked to proposing what we want – real democracy ala the #WethePeopleAmendment promoted by @move2amend.bsky.social
I hear you. And I’m sorry about that. Phone banking for Wisconsin last week, every time I talked with someone I thought might be a POC, I wanted to apologize. You’ve been carrying the weigh far too long. 🤜🏿🤛🏻
We all have our own ways to contribute and do what we can! I applaud you protecting your health if going would be too dangerous or physically exhausting for you.
Please keep this getting stronger. US Customs Agents are now unnecessarily detaining Canadian travellers, seizing cell phones and computers and making them miss connecting flights. I may never visit USA ever again in my lifetime.
The black lives matter sign made me tear up. ✔️The black community is rightfully standing back right now. US whities need to be the first line of defense this time. ✌️🫶
It is courageous— we in other places across the nation are SO thankful that you did this! I hope you will know how much we are behind you. And perhaps your actions will have given courage to others.
Was anyone there who surprised you or did you meet anyone new? I lived in a red area in AZ and many people told me they and I were the only 2 Democrats in the district. I wished I could introduce them to each other but none wanted to stand out. Isolation helps Republicans sell their message.
Yes! It was really eye opening. It was nice to look around and see who I can feel safe around. The hecklers came out but they weren't as bad as their Facebook threats promised
Exactly. Us blue dots living in an ocean of blue only need values and commitment to stand up for what is right. Blue dots in a sea of red need all of that plus a heap of courage. These folk are an inspiration.
Rural Barton, VT, pop. 2872. Mostly cows. I moved the focus of the image so as to avoid most faces but there were about 300 on this tiny village green. Many older folks with signs like ' #handsOff #socialSecurity' rightfully concerned about MAGA plunder of OUR earnings. Hands off ALL #publicGoods.
This is the tiniest of blue dots in a sea of bloody red, up here. Villages of Northeastern Vermont — the Northeast Kingdom, or 'NEK' — are not at all like the Southwestern college towns and up into Burlington. There are however many tiny blue dots and many people of conscience absolutely everywhere.
Oh, that's in nearby Barnet. I've never been there but I buy lots of produce that comes from a farm, there. This was just a short way up the road from another lovely lake, Crystal Lake, which features at least two beaches, one a town park and the other a state park. Barton's a great little town.
“Do you hear the people sing, singing a song of angry men, it is the music of a people who will not be slaves again. When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums, there is a fight about to start when tomorrow comes.” Les Miserables
#ProtectTheConstitution! 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇨🇦 https://youtu.be/1q82twrdr0U
Way to go Keyser! I was at the capital in WV with hundreds of people, as far as I know we had no issues, but I’ m sure these brave people in Keyser faced a lot of negative responses.
My dad and sisters went out in 30 degree weather in Portales, NM with about 30 other folks. The cafe across from the courthouse opened up and gave them a place to use the bathroom and free hot chocolate. I was so glad to share this protest from Washington state with them.
Truth. There's discussion about how much more courageous protests are in Georgia, Turkey etc. where speech is less free, but the courage of US protests is on the grow.
My dad grew up in a small town, they’re extremely brave, but they also know Shane and Bobby down the street are all bark and no bite. Small towns know each other intimately and they know how to deal with the folk talking out the side of their neck.
Me too. And all the folks who live in places where they could not dare put up a Harris sign. Which was a lot of places, even in California people would come onto your property and destroy tear up your signs or egg your house, or troll you.
I have the utmost respect for the protesters in small towns. It's hard when everyone knows everyone else. I grew up in a town like that. Everyone knows your business.
I hear we had 2000 in Morgantown. I feel terrible, I didn't show up because i thought the nearest gathering was in Charleston hours away. Amazing how many people turned out in places that weren't even on the map ahead of time!
Don’t feel terrible —you are engaged here and there will be other protests soon. One of the goals is for these to get bigger, so you will be part of the increased attendance next time!!
honestly I've just been kind of afraid of the career implications of being too loud while I'm the new lawyer in a tiny town. i've been trying to minimize new enemies until my (positive) reputation precedes me. but, I'm really rethinking that.
It’s understandable while you’re still getting your bearings.
You’ll know when the time’s right
I spoke to a cyclist at our small suburban protest —he’d been fearful about facial recognition, etc. I understood his anxiety. But I pointed out there are now so many of us, we overpower their abilities.
It sounds like there's another one being planned for the 19th of this month, if you're hoping for another chance?
I joined my local chapter of Indivisible so I could stay on top of where they'll be at, and yeah if enough folks suggest another location they've just added them. Best of luck!
So true.Standing against the tide in a small town can mean isolation,gossip and hostility of one kind or another for the foreseeable future.
🎵everybody knows your name🎵 can be a cruel thing.
BUT it also can signal others to afraid to speak to come out of hiding.
Bravo to you brave souls.
Keep on.
Comments
I've lived in several rural red areas and some of these folks don't know about ~ANYTHING~ going on politically, or outside of their own house / work. Many don't even have the internet 😭
Yes
Yes
🙂↕️
This is what Democracy looks like💯💙
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Gotta meet people where they are at. e.g., I tell my 5-year-old she’s brave for taking her medicine.
They still believe in Trump and need time.
Are they like those in history who used to go around whipping themselves, thinking the plagues will be averted by it?
I know how hard this is. Spent last 20 years in small town RED Nevada. Still have PTSD from a BLM event where 350 armed militia with AK 47showed up to counter protest the "35" locals who legally scheduled the event. Attached a photo of one group
You are right. Cowards. Bully's usually are 🤷♀️
✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼
Take back the House & Senate !
We have it easy here in Massachusetts where normal people outnumber magas by 10:1.
It takes 💪 to do this in small numbers/towns.
They are not anonymous people in a huge crowd.
Several small centre protests are posted in the comments.
❤️🇨🇦
Resist!
Revolt!
Boise!
We can't forget we are giving them hope too!
#threepointfivepercent #resist
Yes, they are brave.
Thanks @chauvinpetz.bsky.social and @indivisible.org
OTOH, once West Virginians figure out that they’ve been cheated, look out.
It is the hashtags that are so powerful and group an issue all together under one hashgag. We need to see these smaller protests. Thank you.
#HandsOff
You filthy animals
Hats off to these folks!
Big cities matter because we can generate mass and if need be in the future put that mass into places that make those in power fear for the physical safety of themselves and loved ones
I think listening to people's concerns matter too. Is it just bad education or do they feel their vote will not make their life better?
Anyway..WE can make a difference.
Looks like this area has newspapers and TV
And add the hashtag so more people will see it.
Hashtags are the mot powerful feature of social media, they group everything together in one spot.
#HandsOff
These tiny town protests are what is giving me hope.
This is what will scare the GOP - small town America getting mad. It destroys the narrative.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen as much protect and serve in this country as I did yesterday.
I appreciate you for acknowledging the vastly unequal treatment in something as fundamental to the democratic process as protest.
Black folks have been protesting since we were dragged to these shores, even before the U.S. was formed. We’re tired.
Thank you for standing up!
I was at the Hartford CT event, safely blue, and I didn’t have to worry for even a second that I’d be in any danger at all!
It’s you folks doing this in red areas who deserve the credit for courage!
Kudos. 🫡
🇺🇸
#handsoff
The solution is in the doing. It has to start by someone, somewhere.
#ProtectTheConstitution! 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇨🇦
https://youtu.be/1q82twrdr0U
NO FEAR, All ahead full
You’ll know when the time’s right
I spoke to a cyclist at our small suburban protest —he’d been fearful about facial recognition, etc. I understood his anxiety. But I pointed out there are now so many of us, we overpower their abilities.
I joined my local chapter of Indivisible so I could stay on top of where they'll be at, and yeah if enough folks suggest another location they've just added them. Best of luck!
🎵everybody knows your name🎵 can be a cruel thing.
BUT it also can signal others to afraid to speak to come out of hiding.
Bravo to you brave souls.
Keep on.