Just Show Up

I used to discount these types of efforts...I don't believe that anymore."

I attended a demonstration in front of a Tesla dealership in Milwaukee recently.  This particular demonstration is scheduled for every Saturday from noon to 12:45. There were 30 of us, standing on the median strip of a busy street with three lanes of traffic going each way.  We all held up signs.  One of my favorite said “My grandpa fought the Nazis and I will too.” 

We would cheer when cars honked to show support and pretty much just ignore those who raised a middle finger or pretended to video us with their phones.  We counted 80 honked horns during the 45 minute adventure and far less fingers raised; although no one was keeping track of the obscene gestures.  I was told by one seasoned participant that “only 35 cars honked at us last week.”

I used to discount these types of efforts; thinking that organizing people to confront a specific person who can make the change needed to bring justice was a far better use of time then standing on the street just waving signs at passing cars.

I don’t believe that anymore.  This particular weekly demonstration began three weeks ago when two nurses and one attorney stood on the median strip with signs.  The next week there were six people and today, there were 30.   I asked the fellow standing next to me with his sign what brought him out.  He said he was just looking for a way he could contribute and found about this demonstration online.

In my imagination my new friend was someone who just drove by three weeks ago when three women were out there waving signs.  And last week – maybe he honked his horn at the six sign wavers to lend his support.  And now this week - like me - he just showed up.

People are beginning to wake up and to fight back against the obscene power grab to destroy our democracy.  If you feel like many of us do; that we are in a speeding car heading towards a cement wall called autocracy – then it is the time to act.  Call your elected official, write a letter, or attend a community meeting.  Now is the time.

Just show up.