It was the day of the No Kings protest in Akron and I was on the fence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t want to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, I tried to rationalize why I didn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t have time to make a sign and if need be, it was something I could quickly ditch if I needed to bail out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I then walked down to the location and arrived right at the official start time. It\u2019s me, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was already a huge crowd, booths set up, and a small stage with a poetry reading.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 So, I put it on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next time, though, I should make a sign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019re both extremely white people – as were most of the protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There goes all my paranoia preparation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I did see a few people wearing hi-vis vests labeled \u201cnational lawyers guild legal observer program\u201d. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was, as everyone except me expected, a very peaceful event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wandered around for a bit, still wishing I had made a sign, and realized I didn\u2019t really know what to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was my first protest, after all.\u00a0 Though, I guess you could say that every Pride parade\/fest is a protest of sorts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was there, I added myself to the numbers, and I guess that was it. \u00a0 One person in the crowds, with crowds in many cities.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe it will make a difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, and the selfie has already made it to Facebook. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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