A Cause for Joy

​Commentary by Tina Tyler

Cartoon by Robert Reich. Reproduced with permission from Inequality Media.

It has been six months since I attended my first protest – ever. Like many people, I have experienced waves of shock and horror at what the Trump Administration is doing to our government, our country, and our people. Who among us has not felt despair and hopelessness and grief on a daily basis? Indeed, why even bother to make a sign and stand on a curb for several hours?

But last March, I did. I even dragged my husband along. “C’mon, let’s do SOMETHING,” I said. We made signs – very sturdy ones that could be reused! We parked and walked toward the fountain on 1st Street in Port Angeles. I could see people already there, giving me relief that I would not be all by myself. More people showed up. More signs. Soon, all four corners were filled with people. The crowd stretched up and down 1st Street. People were on the steps above the fountain. I stared around and noticed people smiling. As I talked to strangers around me, I sensed concern, fear, grief, anger, but, like frosting, there was a thick layer of grim determination that we were not going ‘gentle into that good night.’  And sprinkled like powdered sugar on that frosting were people smiling at each other with a renewed sense of community and appreciation that they, too, were not alone. “Welcome!” “Thank you for being here!” were the comments as the next person arrived with their sign.

That protest was my first. Others followed, and the people of Clallam County came out in small and large groups. They came in wheelchairs and walkers. They brought their water bottles and folding chairs. They brought their banjos and drums. They found their creativity in hundreds of clever signs representing the range of issues that have ignited our resistance. People that can’t be present drive by and wave or honk. The revved-up cars and middle fingers are outnumbered, and the protestor's responses to the hate is often a smile and wave. Freedom of speech, baby!

Now, the nationwide protests are even more organized, with local organizers ensuring we have people in yellow vests to protect pedestrians and ensure we are protesting safely and peacefully. Some people bring spare signs (loaners) for those who don’t have one. And when there isn’t a nationwide protest scheduled, you will still see people show up on a Saturday at the Clallam County Courthouse or on a corner in Sequim – maybe only a handful – but they show up. With colorful, creative signs and the determination to be there when others can’t. There is a growing sense of community, unity, empathy, and spirit in these protests. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we do agree we will resist alongside our friends and neighbors, loudly, colorfully, with spirit and community for all.