As announced in the Exedra last week, the League of Women Voters of Piedmont is sponsoring a “No Kings 3” rally in Piedmont Park on March 28 from 10 am to 12 pm. This will be one of hundreds of No Kings 3 rallies taking place across the country. Millions of people are expected to attend nationally.
Why a rally in Piedmont when nearby rallies are available to attend? First, it enables older people and people with disabilities to attend who otherwise might not be able to. Second, it encourages community camaraderie since it is likely to be attended mostly by Piedmont residents. And finally, we are hoping for substantial participation by students in the Piedmont schools and other young people. We believe this will be best facilitated by conducting the rally in Piedmont. Whatever our age, we have never experienced a threat to the democratic form of government in this country during our lifetime. We believe there is power in gathering people of all ages in protest.
We aspire to have attendance of at least four hundred people. Why 400? Political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan analyzed data from hundreds of resistance campaigns and showed that 3.5% of the population actively participating in sustained, nonviolent resistance is enough to make major political change highly likely. For Piedmont, 3.5% represents approximately 400 people. The need to resist is now, given the rapid rate at which our federal government is moving us away from a democracy in which the Constitution provides the foundation for our legal system, and towards an autocracy in which a dictator, king, or queen has absolute power and makes all laws according to his or her whims.
We are currently planning brief speeches and a few songs. After these activities, we will walk along Highland Avenue, many with signs showing their support of democracy and opposition to autocracy.
NO MORE KINGS! We hope to see you at the rally.