While hiking in Scotland on the West Highland Way, I kept a distance from the world’s events. However, I could not help but notice, as I saw and listened to people speak and watched brief snippets of video, that the world had its attention on an event a few weeks ago called “No Kings Day.” It was promoted to media outlets in the UK as a protest where 3% of all American citizens would take a day to stand in solidarity against the fascist regime led by Donald Trump. They named it “No Kings Day” to emphasize that Trump is not a king and that the American people, as a whole, would not accept this kind of change in government without a fight.
I had a few acquaintances who shared that they were participating. I saw no reason to doubt the published number of expected protesters. It was deemed the largest protest in the United States of this generation, and it made sense that it garnered global news coverage. I sat and listened. When a coin flips, it lands. I could be “heads” or it could be “not tails.” I was interested to see how it was portrayed on the other side of the ocean.
The BBC affliate placed reporters in some of the protest locations. With cameras rolling and mics recording answers to questions, the men on the street took the time to let us observe what was happening. Here are a few samples of the questions that we heard
Reporter: What are you protesting?
Answer: Donald Trump is acting like some sovereign king.
The reporter then references some marketing material and asks the participants questions to hear about an alternative.
Reporter: “I see you disagree with his border enforcement policy. What do you think is a more proper response?”
Answer: “I don’t know. We just want to let everyone know we hate Donald Trump.”
A few people in the room began to laugh. This was meant to be news, but it was obvious that it had become a global parody.
The man with the camera and mic then moves to a different protester and asks another question.
Reporter: “It says you disagree with his defunding of federal-level guidance on education and the shift towards letting states and municipalities be self-guided and governed. What do you propose, instead?
Answer: “I don’t know. For now, we just want to let everyone know we hate Donald Trump.”
Reporter: “I hear that you oppose trade and tariff wars. What do you think American leadership should do if you hate tariffs?”
This repeats something like five more times until the Brits sitting next to me figure out that this is a sing-along game, and the answer is always, “I don’t know. I just want to let everyone know that I hate Donald Trump.” I watched as the beers flowed as fast as the jokes about America and Americans flowed.
The point the reporter was trying to make was painfully obvious. Those who oppose Donald Trump have no platform, and it becomes obvious that the opposition has taken “unorganized” to a new level. That prompted one final question.
Reporter: “Who do you think should run for President who best represents your values and is opposite to those of Donald Trump?”
Answer: “Gavin Newsom.” As you can imagine, the California jokes started as soon as he said that.
Reporter: “And that is because of how it is handling things in California?”
The camera then pans to several people who have glazed looks on their faces. Half of the screen is scenes of the destruction of public and private property that defined Los Angeles.
“Yes, he is doing a good job there.”
That one brought down the house with laughter. No sane person could conclude that Newsome’s guidance, which has led to California’s current condition, is what is best.
The question of who should lead the opposition repeats itself, and different names come out, some of them for jest. Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama, and a repeat run for Kamala Harris were all spoken of. However, Newsome came out most often.
And the reporter ended his piece with this (paraphrased) summary.
“And there you have it. We were told that 3% of Americans would participate in the protest. Reports indicate that 1.2% of the population attended, and I would like to thank those who shared their views on immigration, spending control, education, and related issues. We also appreciate their insight that domestic and foreign policy is centered on hating Donald Trump. Back to you.”
