The Middle Finger

The national call for impeachment protest was held yesterday, Saturday, June 15th, maybe in honor of the Dump's birthday.

"Happy Birthday, Asshole! 

You're FIRED!"

We had maybe 100 people at the one I attended. We marched with our signs and bullhorns up to a busy round-about intersection and waved and smiled at everyone.  Drivers honked, waved, gave thumbs up, and hung out their windows and cheered us on. It was such a happy event.

Well...for most. A very small percent of the drivers remained stone-faced, staring straight forward like they couldn't see us. I wondered if they were worried they'd get in a fender-bender from all the distraction, but I think more likely Trumptards. A smaller percentage gave us thumbs down or shook their heads. This only motivated us to cheer louder and wave harder. We ARE a happy bunch.

One person with signs on her car drove down the street, around the block, through the round-about again and again and again giving us the thumbs down with patriotic music blaring as an expression of her opposition. It was kind of funny.

"Oh, here she comes again!" And we'd all start cheering louder, waving harder, and smiling bigger.

One long-haired, white-headed, bushy-bearded, cowboy hat-wearing, old fart in a gigantic, gas-guzzling bright red pick up flipped us off and held it for the duration of his painful drive past the line of protesters. That was the highlight of my day. That made me feel like I made a difference, that all our noise was heard. I did worry he might have a gun. He looked like a brainless, gun-toting, single-minded conservative who mocks authority, discriminates against anyone not like him, and disrespects women, much like his leader. I shared with those around me if we see his bright red truck coming around again we should dive for cover. He didn't return.

It was a glorious day.

Oh, I got lots of complements on my signs. A couple people said, "Are you the one with the painted umbrellas?" I've made a name for myself in the protest community.

I am proud. I am Democrat. Hear me roar.

This sign wins the award for the day. I didn't quite understand it, but I liked her panache or just bold, flagrant use of the term "blow job" out in public. I laughed and then wondered, why would giving Dump a blow job allows us to impeach? Obviously others were as confused because she added the names Mitch and Lindsay to the side - ah ha! This is directed to the Republicans who continue to allow the bad behavior of this presidunce pig.

National School Walkout March 14th

A National School Walkout protesting lack of gun control and school safety was organized for March 14th. The reception was very interesting with some schools supporting it, some condemning it, and others trying to ignore it. I called the local high school in Rathole to get information. Some claimed they knew nothing about it. Some claimed the students knew nothing about it. It's always so surprising to me how isolated Ratholians think they are from the world.

I visualized the one, two, or three kids who would know about this event and who cared enough to take it upon themselves to walkout. I felt someone should meet them outside, support their desire to be involved, and to show them they are not alone.

I contacted the local "resistance group" in hopes of support. Members told me they thought people outside the school shouldn't get involved and if I wanted to support these students I should wear orange. AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A RESISTANCE GROUP? More like a senior citizens social. What a disappointment!

I felt like I failed the students of my area, but I didn't see the point in me, one person, standing outside a school like an idiot hoping one, two or three students would walk out. Then what? We all stand around looking at each other? I should have had more of a backbone, but instead of stressing myself out over the mindset of this horrible place where I've lived for the last thirteen years, knowing I can't fight the narrow-minded ignorance, I decided to accept and forget their backwards thinking. I headed to hippie land where I know people are politically savvy and passionate about ideas.

Even though I was pretty sure this town's high schools would walkout, finding information was nearly impossible. Finally I found a little online notice and emailed the contact name. I guessed this was a high school student who was attempting to organize, but when I asked her about the plan for off-campus adults, where do we go, can we bring signs, what is happening she said, "I'll have to check our student handbook on the rules." HAHAHAHAHA! I emailed back and assured her there were no guidelines on student protests or walkouts other than, "Don't you dare!" It was kind of sweet, if it wasn't so frustrating.

So on the morning of March 14th, with my friend and her two sons in tow, I headed to the nearby progressive town not knowing what to expect but hoping to support any students who might walkout of the their high school. I was reassured to see adults milling about. One approached us, asked if we were there to support the student walkout, and gave us the option of signing in at the front office for full access or standing on the sidewalk behind the property line of the school. We opted to stand behind the line.

There were about ten parent volunteers "guarding" the perimeter of the campus, one television/radio camera man, and a handful of adults from the community. As we watched the school clock hanging over the front entrance, adults gathered from every direction. Car horns honked and gave us thumbs up.

At 9:55am the bell rang and students flooded out the doors! My estimate was probably 400-500 students out of 1200 students. It was quite exciting!

We cheered and waved our signs. They had a sound system and students gave speeches, listed the latest school shooting victims, called out the senators who are taking copious amounts of money from the NRA for campaign support, and demanded change. Seventeen minutes later it was over. Most students went back into the school while a handful walked or drove to the local government building to continue the protest. Kudos to the high schools who instead of trying to control the protest, allowed a platform to address these concerns. Shame on the schools who threatened suspension to any student who attempted to walkout.

Later I read there were single students all over the country who walked out of their schools to be met by no one. That made me sad and I regretted I didn't make the hard choice to be there for the students of Rathole. Even for one student I should have been there cheering for their courage and passion to stand for something. Damn.

Women's March 2018

On January 20, 2018 was the second annual Women's March across the nation. It rained. Did I care?

HELL NO!!

I made myself a protest umbrella!

I bought an old yet large and sturdy umbrella at the Goodwill, selected some of my favorite sayings, and painted like a mad woman trying to get it finished by Saturday. I knew it would rain. It poured. Here it is in action:

My new protest umbrella got a lot of attention. Many people stopped me to ask if I painted it, wanted to know what kind of paint I used, how long it took, and if they could take a photo. I think in the future we might see a whole lot of painted umbrellas at protests! I admit, it wasn't my idea. There was an umbrella with painted slogans last year and I was incredibly inspired then. There were a few umbrellas with designs on them this year, too. I was also asked if I sold them but between the cost of paint and the time it takes to complete one, I can't imagine anyone would want to spend enough money to make it worth while. I had a lot of fun and if I can find another cheap umbrella, I might make another.

Protesters stood in the rain for a couple hours listening to speakers, many of them Native American, African American, women politicians, and choral groups. I was frozen and numb, but DRY, by the time we were ready to move, and so desperate to move and put circulation back in my body.

The organizers were far more prepared this year and instead of the two block loop that was way too short for 10,000 participants, we traversed down a hill of switchbacks:

Then around the lake located at the base of the capitol building culminating at a park filled with non-profit organizations and charity group tents. Lots of room to march and not be bottle-necked and crowded too close to stinky people. My umbrella helped with personal space - if anyone got too close they got stabbed by the umbrella points. HAHAHA!

Loved the variety of creative signs and the energy. Lots of motivation and cheerfulness even in the pouring rain!

50 Handmaids in 50 States

I participated in the 50 Handmaids in 50 States demonstration. This event was to protest gender inequality, gender identity, defunding of Planned Parenthood, along with Black Lives Matter, indigenous rights, healthcare and well, anything you wanted to protest with a women's rights theme. There would be an hour of silence, speakers, and a protest march down to Planned Parenthood.

They suggested we sew our own capes and caps although I didn't find out about it until late. OR one could rent the capes and caps. OR just dress in all black which is what we did. We were the chorus. Background performers. Unfortunately, they ran out of "handmaids" and asked if any of us black-clad participants would like to don a red cape and white cap. SURE! They waived the rental fee. My friend kept saying, "Hooray! We have a walk-on part!" LOL! "I'm ready for my close up!" Unfortunately, due to our roles of just standing in silence, I couldn't take photos of the actual silent protest, but you can find them online.

I didn't realize the hour of silence was more than just silent protest - it was a photo op. There were professional photographers and filmmakers snapping photos and filming us walking in twos and standing on the steps of the capitol in silence. One of the photographers was from the New York Times. Oddly enough, I've never seen this television show so I was at a loss for what it was about or what one was supposed to do to be in character. I acted shameful and submissive. After about five minutes of standing still I found out later most of us were thinking, "Has it been an hour yet??" LOL.

After we listened to speakers, we marched through town to Plan Parenthood to overtake the Pro-Life demonstrators. It must have been frightening for them. There were two of them and about 80 of us. LOL! More photos were taken and then it was over. So fun.

Protest season has finally returned. So glad.

March for Equality and Pride

The March for Equality and Pride was on Sunday. At 11am everyone gathered at the local park to listen to speakers and poets. The poetry was really excellent and featured winners of a "slam poetry" contest who were heading to the nationals. One Native American poet sang a song in Choctaw on equality. There was a black-trans-vampire comic who was hilarious. When she said only nerds wear New Balance I tried to cover my shoes. At least no one was looking at them and thinking "white supremacy."

At noon we headed to the main street, assembled behind banners, the disability trolley, and the percussion band and marched our way down an empty four lane street with police blockades. There was first aid, security, and a guy with a bullhorn leading chants like:

"What do we want?" 

("Equality!") 

"When do we want it?" 

("NOW!") 

"NOW" was what was supposed to have been the response, but most people were yelling, "YESTERDAY!" This march, although not the largest I've been to, was certainly the most organized.

It was fun. Lots of friendly people. Lots of stinky people. Hmmm....

And, of course, for me it was all about the signs. I took a hiatus from painting for a couple weeks since I got so sick last month so I was raring to go.

Initially my friend who is in charge of finding the protests told me it was for Equality. Equality? What kind? Gender equality? Racial equality? LGBTQ equality? She thought a sign saying "Love Not Hate Makes America Great" would cover everything and I thought that would be a good idea so it could be used at a number of protests:

It looks like one of those Valentine candies with the sayings on them. LOL.

Finally I found march information and confirmed was for LGBTQ equality or gay rights. However, during the march we did chant for every marginalized group in America so it did end up being all inclusive, as the world should be. I was inspired. I think some of the funniest signs are for gay rights. I saw one online that read, "Leviticus Also Said, 'No Hair Cuts', But I Guess We Are Skipping That One!" or "If God Hates Fags Why Am I So Cute?" My absolute favorite sign that had me laughing out loud was a painting of Jesus holding his head in frustration and saying "I said I hate FIGS!" HAHAHAHA! Gay people have a sense of humor. (They are gay...) I wish I could be so clever.

Anyway...I jumped into painting and it didn't take long before I became ill and my body hurt all over. Will I never learn? For some reason my mask and other protective gear didn't seem to matter. My body load hasn't recovered from May's overexposure, but does that stop me? Heck no. I decided just in case there were some religious nuts lining the march with "God Hates Fags" and "You Will Burn in Hell" signs, I wanted a protest sign that addressed religion. A counter-counter-protest sign.

Love was our theme for the day. The back of this sign is a rainbow.

Flags...I had no idea there were so many types of flags. Most people know the LGBTQ community uses the rainbow as a symbol. The various colors mean: red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight/vitality), green (nature), blue (harmony/serenity), purple (spirit), and some flags add a pink (sexuality) and turquoise (art/magic) with some variation.

Did you know there are flags for bisexuality (pink, purple, blue), transgender (blue, pink, white, pink, blue), genderqueer/androgyny (purple, white, green), pansexual (red, yellow, blue), and asexual (gray, white, purple)?

It amazes me how much I don't know sometimes....

These two ladies hand painted their overalls with every protest slogan and filled them with buttons and patches representing the causes they support. They said they wear them to all the protests and don't have to carry signs! Great idea.

What was really fun is when we got to the rally at the end, there were many really excellent speakers. One woman represented a Black Alliance group and was a minister at a church. She started talking about Jesus and what he stood for "Jesus was all about love...I saw a sign that was perfect. Where was that sign?" She searched the crowd. Whoa! It took a minute to realize she was talking about my sign. I was sitting with my sign laying down beside me so I grabbed it and held it high

She yelled, "There it is! 'Love Thy Neighbor. That's It. That's All. The End.' That says it all!"

LOL! Whoa! Call out!! Very cool. Sometimes I make these signs and I often don't feel like anyone is really noticing them. Fun.

But my sign production momentum wasn't over. I had this urge and vision of one more. I think it's my best one so far and I've decided if I can create a handful of designs I really like, I might make them into cards and give them away as Christmas presents or something. LOL I'm saving this sign for a Black Lives Matter or Immigration protest:

Love it!

Take That Monsanto!

After the MCS presentation we headed over to the Monsanto protest to join around fifty dedicated anti-chemical company people. I was hoping the beauty queen would show wearing her yellow dress and crown fitting right in looking like a queen bee, but she didn't. They had a few chemical-focused booths on GMOs, fracking, pesticides, herbicides, organic food, loud music, lots of people with signs or t-shirts expressing their opinions, and cute little girls dresses as bees carrying "Save the Bees" signs. This one sported a fine pair of tap shoes and her chanting, "HELL NO! GMOs HAVE GOT TO GO!" was far more passionate and energetic than all the adults put together. Ah! to be young and energetic!

We marched from the meeting place right down main street ten blocks to the community farmer's market. This made me a little nervous as blocking traffic on a busy Saturday afternoon is anything but safe, however, it guaranteed to get attention. This is how it's done. I love this town filled with passionate people who rally every weekend about something they feel strongly about and usually right down main street!

What I found a little contradictory was too many people stunk to high heaven of laundry detergent. Really? Are they that unenlightened to think toxic chemicals are bad, but toxic laundry chemicals are just fine? Needless to say, it became too much. Still, I did my part, marching to and fro with brain fog and nausea wafting over me like a bad flu. Stupid. Maybe my protesting days are over? I keep thinking if it's outside I can stay out of the toxic air stream, but I get hit too often and every little hit compounds into overexposure. I can only take so much....

Out of the Cage

On May 20th I attended the Out of the Cage MCS presentation and rally at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia.

My activist friend received the email announcement above, sent it to me, and exclaimed, "Bring the MCS signs!" So we did bring signs, although it wasn't so much a rally as just a presentation. Yes, we are determined to rally every weekend even when there isn't one! LOL.

The presenter was Mrs. Washington International 2017, Angelique Ashton, who campaigned the beauty pageant with the MCS platform!

She is not chemically sensitive, but her husband is. I was amazed at her dedication and devotion when so many spouses hit the road when it gets too hard. We arrived a little early so she spoke to us privately while she set up her equipment and signage. Very sweet and knowledgeable. She live streamed her presentation on Facebook. Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/angelique.ashton.3/videos/10154830298554132/ 

(I can't seem to get this link to link which is why I left the address. It could be because it's Facebook which doesn't always like to share outside its own site, but I don't know. Sorry. I'll try to fix this later.)

Only about nine people showed, but it was a fluke I heard about this so I think getting the word out is difficult. Also, the venue might have been a little too public for most and the unenlightened ignored the signs Mrs. Washington had posted requesting a fragrance-free zone. Anyone with severe chemical sensitivity would have been smart not to attend.  As we sat there, heavily perfumed women wearing dangerously high heels and incredibly high hair were modeling for their boyfriends' cameras and loads of school children were running up and down the capitol steps so the venue was a little risky. One masked woman had to leave early, unfortunately, as I would have liked to have connected with her. Mrs. Washington's mission is to spread the word and she intends to meet with state representatives later in the month to speak to them on behalf of the MCS population so the venue selection was strategic. Her audience is the unenlightened. We were just there for support.

I have to say she blew my theory that the flamboyant are the stinkiest. You'd think a beauty queen would stink to high heaven. Not this one! Hooray! Mrs. Washington's website is http://thenakedproject.org

At the close of her presentation she suggested if people have time to join the anti-Monsanto march happening at 2:00pm across the lawn! We can't refuse a good protest.

Climate Change March

April 29th was Climate Change Day across the country. Washington, D.C. had 200,000 marchers. Our normal protest venue had the annual Procession of the Species on the same day which conflicted not in terms of theme, but in RULES so the local march was held in a neighboring small coastal town that has been fighting for quite some time on the crude oil pollution problems besides various other environmental concerns involving timber, shellfish, and environmental protections of the rainforests.

Turn out was about 100. For this tiny town out in the middle of no where, that was actually kind of impressive.

The woman in the photo above is wearing a blue t-shirt that says "Think While It's Still Legal". That would make a good sign!

For the rally we were located in a park surrounded on one side with incoming tourist traffic and on the other side outgoing tourist traffic.

Although the Dump won this area, obviously not the popular vote! One idiot yelled, "Get a life!" One protester yelled back, "We have one and we want to keep it." LOL!

Love the brightness of my signs, but I'm getting too verbose. My favorite sign for the day was "Remember When Lying Was Wrong?". We marched through the tiny town, back to the park, and then my friend and I took a detour and left.

We had bigger plans...