Authoritarian consolidation runs on a specific fuel: the appearance of inevitability. It requires that resistance look marginal, scattered, and temporary. What happened today in 3,100 locations — red states, blue states, rural counties, city centers — is that the appearance failed. Publicly. Simultaneously. On the record. 3,100 locations is not a mood. It is a measurement. And the country has now been measured.
But the day after the march is when movements either build or dissolve. The rally is the ignition, not the engine. The engine gets built starting Monday — in local offices, Indivisible chapters, and congressional districts where the margin last time was close enough that a few hundred organized people could flip it. Autocracies are not defeated by the day everyone shows up. They are defeated by the months that follow — by people who decided, on a specific afternoon, that they were not going anywhere. March 28, 2026 was a declaration. Now comes the hard part.
Am in Apache Junction, AZ. This is Paul Gosar’s district. The streets were packed with protesters and signs. There was a parade of elderly in their cars with signs driving up and down streets. We will not go quietly.
Exactly: "The rally is the ignition. Not the engine. The engine is what you build after you leave."
We need to suit-up for the long haul. It will take a decade to undo the mess, block its progress. Just because the RighWingNuts are no longer in office does not mean we are in the clear. They will NOT stop with implementation efforts in Project 2025. It will all continue on the down low.
Going to take a lot of proactive thought and action and new legislation to form a more perfect union, to bring the law-breakers to justice, and to smooth the path forward for ALL of us.
Elaine...I'm so happy to read your words: Winning an election doesn't end this. It begins the harder phase...the one where the machinery that was built in the dark has to be found, named...and DISMANTLED...piece by piece.
Project 2025 didn't need Trump in office to keep moving. It needed institutions...lawyers... local officials...and school boards. Those don't disappear with an election result.
The decade framing is spot on, Elaine. Maybe longer. And...the people who understand that...right now, today...are the ones who will still be standing when it matters most.
Unfortunately I have been out of commission with a severe case of diverticulitis. Hopefully I will be better in a week. The videos of all the different protests… it looked absolutely amazing. I would say we need more before November . Thank you to all that could go out and march. The signs were amazing!!!
I have a severe noise sensitivity from a mTBI so sadly, I could not attend the protest today. But I did convince a friend who wasn’t going to go and he took a friend. Seeng all the videos and photos from all over the country AND the world gives me hope. I’m proud to be an American today. It’s been a while since I could say that.
Momentum continuing after the excitement of the gatherings cool down is key and again you have nailed that essence of moving forward for us all, Jack. Steady as we go. Thank you.
Lots of great energy today in Astoria Oregon. One of my favorite signs was “flip me the bird if you voted for a pedophile” - also, “clean up on aisle 47” and “OMG GOP WTF”
My favorite signs were from the reluctant protesters who showed up: "It's so bad that even the Introverts are here" and a hand written one by a man walking into his house alone as if he had done his duty: "We march because we have to."
Authoritarian consolidation runs on a specific fuel: the appearance of inevitability. It requires that resistance look marginal, scattered, and temporary. What happened today in 3,100 locations — red states, blue states, rural counties, city centers — is that the appearance failed. Publicly. Simultaneously. On the record. 3,100 locations is not a mood. It is a measurement. And the country has now been measured.
But the day after the march is when movements either build or dissolve. The rally is the ignition, not the engine. The engine gets built starting Monday — in local offices, Indivisible chapters, and congressional districts where the margin last time was close enough that a few hundred organized people could flip it. Autocracies are not defeated by the day everyone shows up. They are defeated by the months that follow — by people who decided, on a specific afternoon, that they were not going anywhere. March 28, 2026 was a declaration. Now comes the hard part.
#HOLDFAST
Keep rocking, Jane!
#HOLDFAST
-Jack
Jack, Thanks for all you do. Restacking and forwarding on to a few folks.
#HoldFast ... we are winning.
William...you're welcome. Thank YOU...for what you're doing!
Yes...We ARE winning.
#HoldFast
-Jack
Am in Apache Junction, AZ. This is Paul Gosar’s district. The streets were packed with protesters and signs. There was a parade of elderly in their cars with signs driving up and down streets. We will not go quietly.
Nancy...that image just made my day!
They didn't go quietly. Neither will we. Not happening.
#HoldFast
-Jack
Exactly: "The rally is the ignition. Not the engine. The engine is what you build after you leave."
We need to suit-up for the long haul. It will take a decade to undo the mess, block its progress. Just because the RighWingNuts are no longer in office does not mean we are in the clear. They will NOT stop with implementation efforts in Project 2025. It will all continue on the down low.
Going to take a lot of proactive thought and action and new legislation to form a more perfect union, to bring the law-breakers to justice, and to smooth the path forward for ALL of us.
Elaine...I'm so happy to read your words: Winning an election doesn't end this. It begins the harder phase...the one where the machinery that was built in the dark has to be found, named...and DISMANTLED...piece by piece.
Project 2025 didn't need Trump in office to keep moving. It needed institutions...lawyers... local officials...and school boards. Those don't disappear with an election result.
The decade framing is spot on, Elaine. Maybe longer. And...the people who understand that...right now, today...are the ones who will still be standing when it matters most.
Suit up. Stay steady. We're just getting started!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Sharing these good ideas… let’s make the momentum of No Kings 3 unstoppable!!!
TV...that...sounds like a plan!
-Jack
💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Jamie...you're damn right!
-Jack
Unfortunately I have been out of commission with a severe case of diverticulitis. Hopefully I will be better in a week. The videos of all the different protests… it looked absolutely amazing. I would say we need more before November . Thank you to all that could go out and march. The signs were amazing!!!
Teri...diverticulitis is serious and healing isn't optional...it's the assignment right now.
Unfortunately, I know all too well...personally...about diverticulitis. YOU take care...and stay comfortable.
The rallies will keep coming. The fight will keep going. And...when you're back on your feet, there will be plenty of ways to step back in.
Today happened because people like YOU exist. Even from the couch...watching the videos...you're part of this.
Get well. We need you for the long haul!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Taking augmenten and clear liquids for now. Had not had it for over 2 years. I will get there can’t rush it for sure. Thanks Jack
https://drstaceypatton1865.substack.com/p/no-kings-no-risk-no-change-the-protest?triedRedirect=true
I have a severe noise sensitivity from a mTBI so sadly, I could not attend the protest today. But I did convince a friend who wasn’t going to go and he took a friend. Seeng all the videos and photos from all over the country AND the world gives me hope. I’m proud to be an American today. It’s been a while since I could say that.
Momentum continuing after the excitement of the gatherings cool down is key and again you have nailed that essence of moving forward for us all, Jack. Steady as we go. Thank you.
Lots of great energy today in Astoria Oregon. One of my favorite signs was “flip me the bird if you voted for a pedophile” - also, “clean up on aisle 47” and “OMG GOP WTF”
My favorite signs were from the reluctant protesters who showed up: "It's so bad that even the Introverts are here" and a hand written one by a man walking into his house alone as if he had done his duty: "We march because we have to."
Proud to report that my little burg of Princeton, Indiana had a turnout of 100+. Given ruby red state and last year's turnout was 10-15, we rocked it!