June 14, 2025 Citizen Action
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
A small group of southwest Iowa concerned citizens have been organizing rallies throughout our western part of the state for the past few months. The latest one in Atlantic provided a space for people to peacefully express their anxiety or angst publicly; also to show solidarity with like-minded people around the nation. The first one was held in Red Oak in April with Greenfield a couple of weeks later. A shout out to Panora; these folks are on the street corner in this town of 1800 every Thursday night! Taking turns making good trouble around rural communities is truly grassroots organizing. The rallies have been locally organized (mostly by women) peaceful events that have given people an opportunity to gather together.
Yesterday June 14th, “No Kings Day” citizens gathered along Hwy 6 between Chestnut and Poplar Streets holding up signs, expressing their opinion and generally calling attention to what they feel are injustices endangering our democracy. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right and protesting is a freedom.
Standing on the street in the small rural town one grew up in can be very difficult. It takes courage; the danger of losing business or social status is real. Many Iowans are reticent to share their political views openly and prefer not to display their personal opinion on a street corner. Peer pressure is fierce in small towns, staying away from public gatherings is more comfortable. Perhaps the problem will just go away, vanish. Those who are out on the street are reminding you that what is happening will not go away unless we stand strong together.
According to the “No Kings” website Iowa had over 30 organized rallies. Rumors flew that people attending protests are funded by “dark” money and that they were paid. Stop anyone on the street at the rally and ask them if they are paid to show up. The answer will invariably be “Are you kidding?!”or an emphatic “NO!” Rumors spread that protesters will burn down the town. Sure.
The people on the street are your neighbors, attend church with you, eat at the same restaurants, you probably went to school with them. People exercising their right of free speech are not enemies of this country; they love this country, are patriotic and are concerned citizens.
An issue that many protesters drew attention to was the $45M military parade in Washington D.C. for the president’s birthday while Congress is cutting off funding that our Armed Forces depend on for medical and other services; people who have served our country and are now being denied programs that help them.
The local planning group found guidance from Indivisible and Beautiful Trouble. Indivisible is a non-profit organization founded in 2016. It is a non-partisan group that encourages local grassroots organizing. Beginning in 2014, Beautiful Trouble partnered with ActionAid International and frontline social movement activists across the Global South to develop a toolkit of social movement resources by and for global changemakers.
Over the past two weeks there have been zoom meetings with thousands of people across the United States who took to the streets. The latest count was approximately 2000 organized rallies or protests with some being conducted in foreign countries. The protests were not riots or insurrections like the January 6th event where people stormed the capitol in D.C. Most were, as Holly Near sang, “ we are a peaceful, loving people singing for our lives.”
The foundation of these gatherings was peaceful and non-violent. The violence that is shown on our screens is often a minority of people who show up just to bash and plunder. There is a lot of video coming out of L.A. that documents the whole city isn’t burning down.
The basic, common sense training the local planning committee received looked like this – 1) create a safety team 2) inform local law enforcement 3) conduct protest in a public space 4) be respectful with signage and words 5) de-escalate volatile situations 6) have first aid available 7) be prepared for varied weather conditions 8) know your rights and 9) to have fun. Training also emphasized if one is not comfortable being on the street protesting then one can be a support person who can work invisibly behind the scenes.
Our country has a history of protest and more than likely good changes have come from people raising their voices - think Boston Tea Party; ironic that it was about tariffs. Think of Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, the Poor People’s March and others. Many of these brought about fundamental change.
People speaking with one voice is a powerful experience and is an important part of living in a democracy. Voting is a freedom that 89 million people did not participate in during the 2024 election – a powerful threat to preserving a democracy.
Citizen action is necessary to live in a thriving, healthy United States of America. Please respect those who peacefully raise their voices. It’s what democracy looks like.
Strength of character and conviction, demonstrated by these small groups, in small towns, roars louder than the tank treads on the streets of Washington. Thanks for reminding me of that, Denise.
It was a great, looking-forward gathering. Thanks, Denise.