Since President Trump’s second term, I have participated in all the national protests organized by 50501 and partners, as well as at least two pop-up protests sponsored by Cary Indivisible, our local organization. But the No Kings rally on October 18 was the biggest and the best of them all. This protest was derided by Republican leaders. President Trump claimed it was attended by very few people (really? 7 million active participants? That’s 14 times as many people as attended both his inaugurations combined). House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to rename it the “Hate America” protest.

But anyone even driving by one of these events or watching it on the news could tell those were lies. The energy was so good and so positive. People were holding signs, waving American flags, pulling children in wagons, and wearing costumes. It was a massive show of support for the US Constitution, which starts with the words “We the People of the United States.” It was a powerful reminder to an Adminstration that on a daily basis assaults the rights and principles promised in the Constitution that in this country, that it is the citizens, not the elected officials, who have the true power. Through 2,700 local rallies spread across the country, it was an inspiring demonstration of US citizens exercising the right guaranteed to them by the First Amendment: “…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.“

And peaceful it was. There were ZERO (0) arrests in Washington DC, in New York City, in Chicago, in LA, in the supposedly war-torn community of Portland, OR. It was festive celebration of local community and national unity in support of American Democracy.

But that was two weeks ago. And not to be ungrateful, but now Lady Liberty is asking, “What have you done for me lately?”

Don’t get me wrong. Having huge national protests every other month, as 50501 has been organizing, is important. But it is also important to continue to take committed action in-between. So here are some suggestion of ways to keep the spirit of the No Kings protests alive and moving forward right now.

1. VOTE if your state/community has local elections next Tuesday, November 4

Even more important than exercising our right to air grievances with national policies is ELECTING representatives that reflect our values. Here in my town of Cary, we are electing three people to our City Council. Traditionally, such municipal elections have a very low voter turn-out. Apparently many people think it’s not worth their time to vote for a City Councilor unless there is a federal Congressional or Presidential election attached.

But remember that it is these people who interpret and implement national laws and policies. While the federal government passes down a lot of money to the states and communities to enact legislative priorities (at least when there isn’t a government shut-down), it is your local elected officials who decide how to spend that money in your community. It’s not enough to carry a sign that says “No Kings.” You need to use the privilege of voting to put people who will NOT follow the proclamations of an authoritarian leader while running your local government. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have elections next week have an opportunity to put our protest chants into action. And since turnout tends to be low, each vote does truly matter.

2. Volunteer and/or give money

In North Carolina, many municipalities have elections, but others do not. Here in the Research Triangle area, the following have elections next week: Angier, Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Chatham, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. But our capitol city, Raleigh, does not.

But you don’t have to feel left out, guys. I know that Wake County Dems are desperate for volunteers to hand out information at voting sites (early voting as well as election day) or doing phone banking or other get out the vote campaigns. There are plenty of ways for our Raleigh sisters and brothers to support getting NO KINGS candidates elected.

If you can’t volunteer, you can always donate some money to the cause. It doesn’t have to be for North Carolina campaigns–Virginia and New Jersey have some important races as well, including electing new governors. I personally have given some money to people I support in all three states. Not much, but if lots of us give a little, it adds up to a lot.

3. Take action to support those in your community who are struggling

Yes, we want to change the laws or policies that are hurting us and our neighbors. But that takes time, and people are suffering now. So whenever possible, we need to walk the walk, not just chant the chants when we are at big rallies.

The national organization NoKings.org has an arm called the No Kings Alliance, which promotes “an attitude of defiance” through weekly calls for committed action between the big protests. Their suggestion this week is to support those facing food insecurity due to the government shutdown and the threat of discontinuing SNAP food benefits. They urge people to increase donations to local food banks or to run food drives through their businesses or other organizations.

Or join local groups tackling this issue. Long-time readers know that some of my favorite community assets are our local farmers markets. Western Wake Farmers Market announced today that anyone who shows up on Saturday with an EBT/SNAP card will be given $20 of tokens to spend at the WWFM, even if they don’t have vouchers. My market, the Cary Farmers Market, let us know last week that in the event of no November SNAP payments:

 …the CFM Board has made the decision that we will continue to provide a certain level of assistance to our SNAP patrons. Making sure hungry families are fed and have access to nutritionally dense local food is an important part of what we offer to our community. Regardless of what happens politically, our choice to make that a priority isn’t going to change. 

I know at our Farmers Market, patrons can donate money to the farmers or the CFM leadership to buy food that hasn’t been sold to give to the Dorcas Ministry Food Bank. So I will be contributing some money to that effort this Saturday.

But also, look around for friends in unusual places. I got an email from a small local arts and crafts store and coworking space in downtown Cary called Gather Goods. The owner said:

In an effort to help create more food security and contribute in a sustainable and joyful way I’ve decided to make and sell flower bouquets in the shop for $15. There are 5 at the shop now. 100% of the sales will go to the Dorcas Food Pantry here in Cary. If you’d like to make this a regular thing there are even weekly subscription options available. If you’d want your flowers arranged in a mason jar vs just the bouquet they would need to be pre-ordered online for $25. If I sold all 5 of the bouquets this week that would be $75 for the food pantry, just this week.

I will also be collecting non-perishable donations to take each week to the food pantry (so hopefully the box gets filled each week) through the end of the year so bring these items too when you come to the shop and I will deliver them for you. I put in $35 worth of items this morning that included powdered milk, a large bag of rice, a multi-pack of canned corn, a large bag of dried beans, a bulk container of apple sauce pouches and three boxes of pasta. Feminine hygiene products are also highly requested and needed.

Isn’t that lovely? Visit Gather Goods by clicking here.

Anyway, right now is a time to practice what GANDHI NEVER SAID, despite the many sources attributing it to him, of being the change you want to see in YOUR world. The Trump Adminstration is trying to make opponents feel overwhelmed and hopeless and resigned. But to use a phrase from a class I’m taking right now with Caroline Myss, that is an ILLUSION meant to steal your power. But truly, you are powerful beyond belief.

I’ll leave you with two perhaps trite, but nonetheless appropriate, popular sayings:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
(which John Wesley did NOT say, at least in that form)

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness
(which is NOT a Chinese proverb, although no one really knows who first said it)