Madison’s anti-Trump rally may well be … – Blaska Policy Werkes
what Democracy looks like.
Just returned from the “No Kings” march down State Street to the Capitol in Madison WI today. Found a (bum-proof) city bench outside the Overture performing arts center. The fellow across the street had a better idea, observing the festivities from the open window wall of a whisky bar. (Madison really is great that way.) After an hour the anti-Trump marchers were still coming strong six blocks away from their rendezvous at the University of Wisconsin Library Mall.
It was festive, with its own marching band and even a bagpiper, who was cheered when he fired up the pipes. And HUUUGE!
We’ll do our best to emulate Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and comment on the variety of signage and plumage. One tee-shirt read, “Political Prisoner in Training.” Another, “This is a Protest; Not an Insurrection,” and ”So Much Wrong, so Little Cardboard.” And this play on a certain disgraced former FBI Agent’s possible threat, “86 #47.”
Immigration and what have you
The round-up of illegal immigrants was the main course. “Immigrants are welcome here,” was one chant. For all that, maybe one Mexican flag. More American flags, but upside down (indicating distress, of course). “No Kings,” like many a partisan demonstration, was a BYO punch bowl of Leftist causes: End the War on Drugs. No Public Land Sales. Trans rights. My Body, My Choice. And, unforgivably “Free Gaza.” No outward support for the Ayatollah, at least.
Our favorite placard: “Local Unpaid Agitator.”
Note this well: at least nine of 10 signs were home made. My fellow Republicans will dismiss this as the work of George Soros and his checkbook at their peril. Perhaps the Third Internationale paid for the Magic Markers. But there are not this many Hollywood extras. If it’s Antifa, the Madison chapter has many a gray beard.
The canary isn’t just coughing, fellow Republicans, it’s dialing 9-1-1.
Hard the usual Leftist chants: “No Justice, No Peace.” It was another that jarred loose a chip from our memory bank, “This is What Democracy Looks Like.” Ah yes, the 2011 intifada against Scott Walker’s Act 10 government employee union reforms. Was today’s No Kings demonstration bigger? If not, it was close.
We are veterans of several Marches on Washington during Vietnam, a Father Groppi march for civil rights in Milwaukee, among too many others. Enquired of the lady sitting outside on this beautiful mid-June Saturday whether these demonstrations do any good. “Maybe not,” she allowed. “But it makes us feel better.”
Blaska’s Bottom Line: is not as dismissive. No Kings/Madison WI was impressive. It’s the bandwagon effect. Says, Hey! We could prevail! We doubt any anti-Trump demonstration anywhere in the country showed stronger, per capita. These people vote! Trump took 23.6% of the vote in Dane County (aka metro Madison) in 2024. Three months into his term, the state supreme court candidate he endorsed took 18.3%. Wisconsin elects a governor next year. Our candidate will need to walk a tightrope more slender than the filament in a light bulb — making inroads in Madison/Dane County without alienating MAGA nation.
Can Republicans prevail
like they did after Act 10?
