I was reminded of a popular 70’s song by a Canadian rock group called the Five Man Electric Band last month while attending a local No Kings rally. If you’re a Baby Boomer you may recall the tune lead singer Les Emmerson penned while traveling Route 66 on a trek from Canada to Los Angeles. He noticed and noted the phrases written on billboards, posts, and signs along the way. Messages like “Long-haired freaky people need not apply”, “Anybody caught trespassin’ will be shot on sight,” and “You’ve got to have a membership card to get inside”. Written out of frustration because the natural beauty all around him was being obscured, Emmerson made a point in his lyrics of addressing what he read in a tongue-and-cheek sort of way. As a kid I remember thinking, wow, his wording was so clever especially as most of the posts he saw were about exclusion. In May of 1971, “Signs” was #8 on the Billboard Top 100 Hits.
From my journal: June 15, 2025, Newbury Park, California
“People carried flags, and signs – some very clever, some funny and humorous, some heartfelt, some poignant, some scary…”
Unlike the signs posted along that famed highway decades ago, the ones we encountered at the rally were not stationery, rather they were held, raised, and waved by people. People intent on having their voices heard. People feeling strongly about what was written on them. People concerned by recent changes in our administration.
Although apprehensive about going to the protest, I’m glad we did. Safety concerns and wondering if being there would really make a difference could have kept us home. But we showed up. For me it came down to thinking about what a privilege it is that we live in a country where each of us has the right to peacefully protest, to make our views known, to support what we believe. Besides, I wanted to do something about how frustrated I’d been feeling, and honestly, I was curious about the other like-minded people who live in our community. Who are they? Which issues are important to them? How many people would attend?
Unlike what Emmerson saw, the signs I saw did not annoy me or block my view, instead some humored me, others made me think. What I also found interesting was these signs were mostly about inclusion. Among them were these messages.
“When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty”
“Patriots Don’t Violate the Constitution, Fascists Do”
“Equality and Justice not for Some, but for All”
“You Will Never End Injustice in a World Where Criminals Make the Laws”
“Crush ICE”
“The Only Monarch I Want to See is a Butterfly”
“DOGE is Spying on You”
“No Dictators”
“Hands off: Women’s Rights, Social Security, Research, Medicine, NATO, EPA and Canada”
“No Sign is Big Enough to List All the Reasons Why I’m Here”
“Worried about Criminals but Made One Your President”
“ICE melts in California”
“Stop the Greedy Oligarchy”
“Nazis Were Also Just Following Orders”
“IKEA has a Better Cabinet”
“Families Belong Together”
“We are ALL immigrants”
“Hey MAGA Go Fact Check Yourself”
“No Kings”
“Hands off: Books, Education, Democracy, SSA”
“Imagine Being Scared of Diversity, but Not Dictatorship”
“Fund Education, Not Deportation”
“Democracy Doesn’t Kneel”
“Stop the Chaos and Insanity”
Over the two plus hours we were there, I was amazed by the feeling of peace, solidarity, and energy exuded by the crowds lining the streets. Not unrest, division, or fear. The highlights for me include seeing some of our neighbors there, meeting people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, and listening to the encouraging words of our U.S. Representative, California State Assembly Leader, as well as speakers from Indivisible, a grassroots movement whose mission it is to create change and rebuild our democracy. Our local paper estimated 3,000 people turned out to express themselves. I’m proud I was one of them. Protests and rallies can influence change and further social movements. They can bring wrong doings to light. They can force accountability. They can encourage people to keep the faith.
Regardless of political preference or party, it’s essential to keep informed about our Constitutional rights and how policy changes will affect not just one segment of our population, but us all. The ripple effect of decisions made here and now can be profound in both negative and positive ways. They can have a lasting impact. Not just in our country but in our world. What is happening, what we are witnessing, and what we are living in, is clearly a sign of the times.
A Journal Journey 
Good for you, for attending and sharing your experiences. I watched with interest to see what attendance was like and it was such a shame about the Senator shootings in Minnesota. It seemed a distraction. I hope the No Kings protests had more impact than my trip to London for the anti-Brexit march did in 2017. I was glad I was there and did the right thing, by me.
The UK tax payer has now got to pay for Vance’s security while he holidays in the Cotswolds. And Trump is coming over to Scotland to inspect his golf courses (aka lift up their profile so he can profit). Unfortunately, the (real*) King isn’t able to meet him. What a pity!
*subjective view 🙂
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Thanks Rachel! I always appreciate you sharing your experiences and comments! Yes, the Minnesota shootings were horrific. All in the name of politics? Shameful to say the least. It’s hard to know the impact an event like a march, rally, or protest has at the time. Maybe that’s a reason to stay engaged and informed and look for opportunities to keep expressing what we believe in peaceful ways with the hope that change will come.
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