It was the day of the No Kings protest in Akron and I was on the fence.
On the one hand, supporting my community and adding my voice to oppose tyranny seems like the thing to do. On the other, I just didn’t want to.
Oh, I tried to rationalize why I didn’t want to go. Fearful of arrest or getting hurt. Consequences for my job in the still very red state of Ohio. The list went on, but I knew the risks of all of those were very very small.
So, did a quick bit of very Anthony-covers-all-the-bases prep work. I planned enough time to get lunch on the way. I put on comfortable shoes and the appropriate amount of layers of clothes for the weather. I added a neck gaiter in case I needed to cover my face quickly.
I headed out, got lunch, and planned my route into Akron to avoid traffic. I parked in the parking deck at work and left my powered-off phone in the car to limit tracking. I finished my lunch in the office and decorated the very silly paper crown I had made with the crossed out symbols. I didn’t have time to make a sign and if need be, it was something I could quickly ditch if I needed to bail out.
With about 20 minutes until start time, I left the office and used the bathroom. I dropped off my wallet in the car on the way – except for my ID. Again, assuming the worst.
I then walked down to the location and arrived right at the official start time. It’s me, of course.
There was already a huge crowd, booths set up, and a small stage with a poetry reading. So much for the start time. Nearly everyone had signs and I picked a small group that had cool signs and asked if my crown was appropriate. They thought it was subtle, but cool. So, I put it on.
Next time, though, I should make a sign.
I listened to the poetry and then walked around a bit. The protesters were careful to not block any traffic so I could have driven my usual route into the city.
I wandered around a bit until I saw someone I knew. We talked for a bit and she asked if we could take a selfie.
I told her that I had been a little hesitant about that, but I was over it. She took the picture and joked that when ICE came after her finally, I would be next. Gallows humor, I guess, but still humor since we’re both extremely white people – as were most of the protesters.
There goes all my paranoia preparation.
We both decided to walk around and said our goodbyes. I saw a couple of people that I thought I recognized, but not well enough to approach. Well, at least at my current levels of social interaction ability.
I did see a few people wearing hi-vis vests labeled “national lawyers guild legal observer program”. I guess they were there if things got out of hand, but I only saw a couple of police cars well back from the meeting up point. And a few volunteers directing traffic as needed.
It was, as everyone except me expected, a very peaceful event.
I wandered around for a bit, still wishing I had made a sign, and realized I didn’t really know what to do.
It was my first protest, after all. Though, I guess you could say that every Pride parade/fest is a protest of sorts.
So, after about an hour there – halfway through the official event – I folded up my crown and put it in my back pocket and then walked back to the parking deck and my car. I retrieved my phone and wallet and headed home.
I was there, I added myself to the numbers, and I guess that was it. One person in the crowds, with crowds in many cities.
Maybe it will make a difference.
Oh, and the selfie has already made it to Facebook.