So in general I don't go to protests. I live a hermit lifestyle. I am super touchy about space and crowds and loud noises and it's all an around a sensory nightmare for me. I also think there are more effective protests like boycotts.
But there's a lot going on and even if I'm out of the legacy social media horror show, my friends aren't. It's important to me to show up and support the communities that support me. So even though I wasn't super into the idea of going, I made sure to show face for a little bit. It made my friend really happy, and it's important to me that she feel good. Also her man was literally strapping up with bear mace and more to go maintain security at the restaurant, which is a really cool welcoming place for nerds of all kinds. My thought was I'd go visit at the protest and pass out cold drinks, then swing by the restaurant and see what the vibe was if he needed any help. On my way home I could go get some tacos to give $$$ to our Mexican community.
I was told the plan was to just meet in an abandoned stores' parking lot. It's an incredibly small town in a deep red area and I was expecting maybe 30 people.
Idk what happened but the police had taped off the parking lot so the protestors took over the sidewalks of the town. It's also flag day, and the City puts these giant flags every few feet which has a super patriotic effect.
AND THERE MUST HAVE BEEN ABOUT 400 PEOPLE!
I was really shocked when I first drove by. I literally didn't know there were even this many people in this town, it is basically one intersection. Did the desert hill people come down to town for a protest? Then I realized... Didn't I, a desert hill person hermit also come down to town today for this reason?
I bought a bunch of cold water, sweet tea, and coconut water and made a lap around the whole protest giving it away to folks to show support. Then I just joined the spectacle and did a few laps up and down the block honking and hooting and hollering with everyone!
I found myself in an inadvertent parade surrounded by pickup trucks covered in American flags honking and heavily tattooed dudes in tank tops doing wheelies on their motorcycles. My little Vespa scooty-doo sounds like the roadrunner from Looney tunes when I honk it but I was meep-meeping my heart out! The sidewalks were overflowing with every sort of person those with pink hair and grey hair and military uniforms and veterans hats and rainbow shirts. Lots of the signs emphasized we're all in this together. The best part was the protests surrounded their restaurant completely, I couldn't really get near it. On my way home every taco spot had a line out the door!
With all the flags posted and fluttering in the bright sun and everyone shouting "It's America Day! All of us together!" Oh my goodness I haven't felt this patriotic since 4th grade 🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇲🥰🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
