Hate Never Makes Us Great

What’s your current state of mind about your country?

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Abraham Lincoln)

I’ve been reading about the planned military parade in Washington D.C. happening on our current President’s birthday for several months with alternating reactions of anger and apprehension happening to me daily.  So it seemed right to join my wife Ruth as we exercised our constitutional right to protest on the morning of June 14 with two large signs  at the “No – Kings “ rally at Fort Lauderdale, Beach.

Leaving shortly after 7:30 am, we realized parking on this narrow beachfront area would be difficult to find. Making matters worse, I wondered why so many signs were conspicuously placed along this vicinity, warning people that off street parking lots were closed for special events happening on this day. An eerie tone also ensued as I noticed a heavy police presence already parked around the perimeter of the event in these now vacated lots. Fortunately, in arriving early, we were able to find safe refuge for parking for our vehicle at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. A short walk then led us to the rally meeting point at East Sunrise Blvd. and A1A along the ocean. 

We next claimed our seating spot along a sea wall and found this a convenient way to display our signs. With each passing minute, the crowd grew larger in waves in what seemed like an organized fashion. Bullhorns chanted for people to be beware of unauthorized places to congregate while water bottles seemed easy to find. One might also have interpreted the polite decorum of human interaction with singing, dancing, and chanting going on as suitably casual. Yet most protest signs I saw  as protesters passed by  displayed graphic calls for action to current issues and the obvious character flaws  of our current President. 

So what seemed missing from today’s rally? With a hodgepodge of country concerns clearly the focus of the rally today, it would have seemed right for some charismatic state and local government leaders be in attendance to fire up the crowd further. Perhaps music, art, or other displays demonstrating South Florida’s regional diversity would have also made this gathering more effective. As for me, I just did my duty today to support my democracy in these anxious times. I sincerely hope you will too. Enjoy the photos.