Who Will Save Us?
and what do we need saving from?
“Met so many good folks and people were so pumped we started early! We were setting up and getting situated when the honking began.”
“i needed to see other like minded people. and i hope i helped others by being visible”
“Well organized with lots of enthusiasm from both the crowd and motorists. It was great being with so many like-minded people.”
“it was so good to see so many people come out to participate. i ran into neighbors, friends, etc. felt like such a powerful experience. my first time ever attending a protest and everyone was so friendly!!”
“We went to fight for human rights, our children's future and fighting back against the oligarchy!”
“I was quite surprised at the size of the crowd in Loveland, Ohio, And even more surprised at how many cars honked and carried signs.”
“It was fun. I thought with no march and no speeches that it might be a bit boring but the cars driving through were so into it that it made it fun.”
“So encouraging to see so many people there and so much support from people in the cars.”
“We were there for about an hour and a half and it was good to see all the people who attended. We were impressed by the reception we received by all the car honking, etc. It strengthened our resolve to keep fighting.”
“everyone there was full of life and passion. hate was drowned out by love. i had a smile on my face the whole time. it was one of the best experiences of my life”
THANK YOU. Saturday in Loveland, Ohio. You did this. We did this. We showed up for ALL of us. 1000+ strong.
Community members gave out 200+ flags & 400+ bottles of water. People helped people cross the street. Adults helped care for children & for each other. Y’all made connections & new friends. You helped each other feel safe & seen, engaged & empowered - to help create the future we want to happen. A place where checks & balances still exist and we can all thrive.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
“Great crowd! Blocks and blocks of people and so many supporters by cars/trucks. Meaningful event!”
“it was awesome. more people than i expected. some very creative signs. great support from people driving by honking and waving with signs as well. except for the few trump idiots who drive by flipping us off, flying a trump flag or wearing maga hats.”
“i took action because i believe our representatives and senators have abdicated their duty to act as checks on the executive branch.”
“it was a great experience to see so many like-minded people who are sick of the way things are going right now.”
“Very boisterous—Lots of horns honking and cheering. Loved it!!!”
“people need to organize into an unstoppable movement that will put an end to this maga madness. and i am hoping we land just to the left of center, where most americans will be supportive.”
“this is democracy! save democracy! america can do better love not hate makes america great stop facisism freedom over facisism stand for due process no hate no crown we the people will not stand down ideas are not illegal”
“did my heart good to see so many out today in the heart of maga country”
“i was greatly heartened by the large attendance. i wasn't expecting it in loveland. you did a fantastic job organizing and implementing it. my sincerest thanks to all of you. we have to stop trump for the good of what was our democracy, imperfect as it is.”
“i am opposed to everything trump is doing!! we the people are stronger than the people in power!!”
“the was great! loud and enthusiastic, but peaceful. we need to stop this tyrant and his brown-shirted sidekicks from eroding our system of government any further!”
Thank you for leading with love. We showed up with a wide variety of beliefs & experiences, and we focused on our common goals… to protect democracy, humanity & freedom. As bell hooks said, “If we want a beloved community, we must stand for justice, have recognition for difference without attaching difference to privilege.”
The Boundless Love Project teaches that ‘the beloved community describes a global vision of humans cooperating together in sharing the earth's abundance so that all people thrive. The term was first coined by philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce (1855-1916) and popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968).’
I’m here for beloved community… where all people, all beings, and all life thrives.
While we joined millions of Americans speaking up for community on Saturday, Pope Leo addressed 30,000 people in Chicago, encouraging folks to ‘continue to build up community [and] friendship as brothers and sisters in your daily lives’.
In The Guardian, Moira Donegan describes Saturday’s military parade as ‘a great contrast to the large-scale protests that had exploded across the country earlier that day’ and Stephen Marche writes:
The Trump parade took place in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota state representative. While it was under way, security forces were firing teargas on protesters in Los Angeles.
Violence is coming to define American political life – spectacular violence including the parade and real violence like the assassination of Hortman. Political destabilization is arriving far too quickly to be perceived in its entirety. So much is happening so fast that it’s impossible to keep track of the decline. Increasingly, the question is becoming: when are we going to start calling this what it is?
Whatever you call it… I say again that no one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves. Beloved community.
Even if Jesus is saving your soul, he sure as heck isn’t saving America. We’re seeing that play out before our eyes every day - as the U.S. President does things both within & outside his power to the least of our brothers, sisters, children.
So yes, protests are important. And staying involved in between is important too. It’s all the things right? …here are some of my favorite sources of community, learning & action:
Motherful - motherful.org
IGNITE PEACE - ignitepeace.org
SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) - surj.org
Honesty for Ohio Education - honestyforohioeducation.org
DIA (Democracy In Action) - democracyinactionohio.com
Red, Wine & Blue - redwine.blue/troublenation
Matriots - matriotsohio.com
“it was awesome being with so many great people who were so nice compassionate and really great americans and all sharing a common cause”
“we are a nation. a society, that is founded in laws. we need to speak out when we see those laws disregarded. otherwise, we will cease to exist as a democracy.”
“I was proud of everyone that came out!”
“Surprised by the great turnout. More passing cars seemed to support us than oppose us.”
“Fantastic! It was so wonderful to see this many people who can’t stand what’s going on in the red state area I live in. I hope our presence shakes up those on the fence or oblivious to what’s going on! We can’t slip into a fascist state.”
“i want to register my dissatisfaction with this administration”
Speaking of dissatisfaction… Ohio SB1.
SB 1 is an attack on freedom of speech. Politicians should not dictate how to teach or decide what topics are “controversial.”
SB 1 is an attack on diversity. Colleges and universities should reflect the communities they serve and level the playing field for all.
SB 1 will hurt Ohio’s economy and stifle scientific discovery by driving away students, teachers, and staff. Ohio will lose talent to states that foster inclusive learning environments and don’t stifle academic freedom.
SB 1 hands politicians the power to dictate and design mandatory courses for all Ohio students. Educators, not politicians, should create the courses they teach.
SB 1 will intensify labor shortages, especially in health care. Without enough skilled professionals, Ohio risks facing a public health crisis.
SB 1 erodes the labor rights of unionized educators. It is an attempt to carry out 2011’s Senate Bill 5 piece-by-piece rather than all at once. Professors are first, but will not be the last.
Many of you already signed the SB1 petition, thanks! If you haven’t yet, find us soon:
“i can no longer sit idle while this dictator wannabe trashes our nation. that is why i joined today's protest. more to come. we are legion!”
“i took 2 like minded friends and we had a great time meeting other like minded people of all ages. it was great to meet so many people who support democracy and have a clear understanding of how dangerous donald trump is.”
“it was amazing. the people were so nice and diverse. it was nice seeing so many attention with pride flags too. no kings.”
“amazing people! i have 4 children of my own and i work in the education field and this breaks my heart the future these children are facing with this idiot.”
“Met lots of people. it was a positive experience. I loved seeing all the signs people made about how they feel.”
“the protesters were joyful and peaceful. we were there to show support for each other, and to show others that there are many who want to preserve our rights and our democracy. no kings!”
“to protect democracy and our country”
“happy patriotic group!... great people supporting each other!”
“great vibe, wonderful people, positive energy - filled my cup!”
Mmmmm…. filled my cup too.
And this is how we save ourselves… community, connection, action.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Related:
https://lovelandmagazine.com/loveland-ohios-no-kings-rally-w-video-and-interviews/
https://www.wlwt.com/.../no-kings-protests.../65066280
youtu.be/5mQF0UWSMTY?si=EwuTwBQMdTV-2uJg
https://chicago.suntimes.com/pope-leo-xiv/2025/06/14/pope-leo-xiv-rate-field-mass-religion