The Hungry Artist

This is what democracy looks like!

This is what community looks like!

This is what unity looks like.

NO KINGS

NO TYRANTS

I admit, we were a bit nervous when we received a message through the governor to expect the likelihood of ICE and agitators, but there was no way in hell we’d let that scare us into submission. There were two protests in Vancouver, one at the Waterfront and one in east Vancouver. We joined the latter.

After all, isn’t the right to peacefully protest the American way? This NO KINGS protest in Vancouver, WA ended up much larger and stronger than I expected. There were more than 3,000 who showed up and down on Mill Plain where we marched, the majority of drivers honked in solidarity. Yes, there was the one dude on a motorcycle who flipped us off, and there was a car that drove by geared up in all MAGA. News is coming in that millions protested across the country and in all 50 states.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/14/us/protests-news?unlocked_article_code=1.O08.xFpa.xR8yV9a98s8C&smid=url-share

So much terribleness is happening all at once and so now more than ever we must fight as if Democracy and liberality depended on it. And it does!

Below are just a few photos and one video I was able to take. Right now, Democracy is upside down, but there is still hope and strength in numbers.

We formed this nation in opposition to a king. No room for would-be kings!

If you care about the slide into authoritarianism in this country, please join the over 2000 protests planned for this Saturday NO KINGS DAY!

Here in Vancouver, WA, the governor warned that ICE and agitators will likely be present. They want to stir up a violent response from us, and likely want to instill fear so that we won’t exercise our right to free speech. We won’t be bullied or suppressed.

Let’s save our Democracy, in solidarity!

A busy roadway here in Vancouver WA is besmirched by a confederate flag hoisted onto a chimney for everyone to see. That’s something I’d expect to see in Texas or somewhere in the south, but alas, evidence that in the Trump era, the far right is ever more emboldened to let loose all their worst instincts. I’d take Portland’s weirdness any day over racist hate.