Our Social Contract
No Kings Day and What's Next
Week of June 23, 2025
By the time you read this essay, you have probably heard a great deal about the success of the No Kings Day protests held on June 14—also known as Flag Day. I had the joy attending one of the 2,100 protests held in this country and around the world. I brought a friend to the event and learned that this was the first protest/march/standout she had ever attended. I was surprised since I have been marching and protesting since 1968, when I was in 10th grade and heading off to marches for anti-Vietnam War actions, rights for women and civil rights.
Our time with more than 500 protesters who lined the main street of a small city in northern Connecticut was inspiring and uplifting. There were seniors who needed to sit on the seats of their walkers and young ones sitting in strollers. The dogs who joined with their own signs were calm and happy to meet and greet anyone willing to pet them.
When I asked my friend about her first experience standing up with others to protest the actions of this administration, she said: “It’s a scary time, but a hopeful time.”
My thoughts as well. It is frightening for us to wake up in the morning to learn that two Minnesota lawmakers had been gunned down: one dead and one wounded, along with their spouses. And then to have no one on the Republican side of the aisle stand up for democracy and condemn the acts of violence. Not One. Not a single Republican voice was heard to suggest that we have crossed a line of unthinkable behavior.
Each day brings a new level of unheard-of actions. Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller who is a mayoral candidate, was arrested while standing in the hallway of the immigration courthouse. The federal agents who conducted this arrest were wearing neither uniforms nor identification badges, and in some cases were masked and in their street clothes. The crime that Lander committed, according to these unidentifiable federal agents: he assaulted one of them. What does “an assault” mean at this point? It could be that he bumped up against one of them in the hallway. And viewing any of the videos and pictures provided, it is clear that Lander was the one who was actually assaulted. It is extremely difficult to trust the word of people who refuse to identify themselves by either wearing uniforms or badges while in a courthouse.
There is a full-throated resistance taking place
Resistance to the policies and behaviors taking place is happening. Estimates of the number of people who turned out on June 14th to express their unease, their discontent, their opposition to this administration is not fully complete as communities continue to file their counts with the organizers. But as of this moment, the estimate ranges from 5–11 million people, by far the largest demonstration of opposition in American history.
Although there aren’t good estimates of the composition of these crowds, the one I was in had a strong showing of baby boomers. Across the country, it appears that a growing number of protesters are 65 years old and older. Why?
“If you’re a baby boomer, you may remember the first Earth Day, the Civil Rights Movement, anti-war protests, and the first Pride parade. The list goes on, because the 1960s and 70s were packed with social revolutions.” (Science Friday)
When I speak to my baby boomer friends about why they are out there, they answer with simple resolve: “We’re not going back!”
June 14 is one day in a series of actions either happening now or will soon be taking place
June 14 didn’t happen in a vacuum. It is one of a string of actions taking place and a reminder that resistance will continue to build. Actions to date:
Tesla Take Down (Tesla Take Down): Protests have helped sink Musk’s wealth and the value of his major company. As of April, the sales of Tesla vehicles have continued to drop. (Tesla sales down by more than 50% over last year)
Boycott of Target after it rolled back its DEI initiatives: Target has told investors to continue to expect significant decreases in sales and store traffic because of boycotts. (Target loses half a billion dollars in first quarter of 2025)
Say No to Avelo: Protests and boycotts against this young airline began after it accepted contracts with the Department of Homeland Security to deport immigrants. (Avelo faces backlash from customers and employees)
April 5: Hands Off protests: There were approximately 1,400 protests around the country and about 3 million participants.
We know that one day of protests is not enough. What is happening is that the number of actions and protesters is building. From the 1,400 protest sites on April 5th to the 2,100 sites on June 14th and the doubling of protesters, these events are bringing out additional people and making increasing numbers of Americans aware of the issues.
More work needs to be done, especially on the economics. Of course, it’s all about financial gains for businesses. When their profits decrease, pressure mounts. For those companies that caved to this administration’s demands to ignore the diversity of our society, turn their backs on equity and inclusion of their employees and customers, their investors will continue to watch their profits drop.
We need to stay firm on these actions. There will be more boycotts planned to let corporations know that there are financial consequences to their decisions to ignore, or turn their back on, the progress of social justice.
There are plans for future protest events. Watch for information about the John Lewis Good Trouble Day which is scheduled around the country on July 17th, marking the anniversary of his death.
We know that when we act together, we make a difference. None of these actions has required much in the way of sacrifice for us individually. But collectively, we build a powerful movement that won’t escape the notice of the various pillars of society: government, businesses and the media.
Right now, I continue to enjoy the sense of hope that June 14th gave me. We can make a real difference if we come together and make it clear that there are NO KINGS in America.
Enjoy these great protest signs:
As my friend said of her protest: it’s a scary time. But she tells me that she will continue to join in these events because they give her inspiration and hope. We need that hope and motivation to help get through this period. All of the people I spoke with during No Kings Day benefit from our social contract. We have experienced these benefits first hand. We are not going back.
Being with friends and neighbors at the protest I attended helps renew my commitment to Our Social Contract. For more photos to provide you with encouragement and resolve, check out this photo essay in The Atlantic here. You will be inspired.
Question: What are you willing to do to help ensure Our Social Contract for everyone?
Of course, now he's started a war to distract us all from all the awful things he's been doing. Keep on fighting back! We went to a rally in Eastham---it was so uplifting to see so many others who share our values and our dismay.
So good of you to spread hope. Thank you.