Rescue the Republic—Join the Resistance
It's almost here!
Rescue the Republic: Join the Resistance will run from 12pm-7pm on Sunday, September 29th.
The stage will be located northeast of the WWII Memorial (east of 17th Street) and open viewing will extend all the way to the Washington Monument. The program will consist of a mix of musical artists, comedians and thought leaders who alternate in a fast-paced program.
I have too much going on to sit glued to the livestream tomorrow, but I hope to check in now and then, and then listen later when I can.
Why am I a bit nervous? Because this is so important to me, and I know that (1) large events, especially ones about which people may have strong feelings, attract bad actors and false flag operations; (2) petty thugs without any political feelings whatsoever are tempted by crowds of any sort to engage in unpleasant activities; and (3) even the best of audiences can sometimes be swept along by irrational action. (I believe that when President Trump stood up after the Pennsylvania assassination attempt, showing himself alive and well to the crowd, that action was a major factor in keeping both fear and anger—and likely more injury—to a minimum in the crowd.)
Why am I so excited about this? Excited enough that despite my intense dislike of crowds, I wish I could be a part of it? Because for the first time in many years I am feeling the unity in diversity I experienced so many times in my younger days, when I was a part of several minority movements that attracted people of a wide variety of political, social, religious, and demographic backgrounds. People who enjoyed and learned from each other as we worked together for a good cause that was more important to us than our differences. I miss that, a lot. And among the people who are participating in this rally—many of whom I would never have thought I would have rubbed shoulders with, even metaphorically—I'm finding the same joy.
In the following clip, if you listen from 1:09:10 to 1:24:25 (15 minutes) you will hear Bret Weinstein, one of the organizers, acknowledging the risks of holding such a rally, and expounding on the critical importance of the potential benefits. Please listen, especially if you are feeling fed up with the whole political process and are tempted to sit this election out.
Took a lot of clicking to discover what this is all about, but I have to agree the protest makes sense, even if, sadly, it is likely voices crying in the wilderness.
Thanks for the uplifting comment, Grace. We need voices crying in the wilderness. Of course when you used that phrase I thought immediately of John the Baptist, "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." He did what he had to do, and made a difference. (The imprisonment and decapitation part of the story is less encouraging.)
Thanks to the wireless headphones that our grandson recommended, I was able to listen to some of the rally while accomplishing more urgent tasks around the house. Everything I heard was encouraging. Did I agree with it all? Of course not. That's part of what was so encouraging about it: This is a "big tent" of diverse and amazing people.
I hope to post clips of individual speakers after someone else has done the editing. :)
