At ‘No Kings’ rally all the way back in June last year, I stood at the corner of 6th and Washington holding a sign that read: “If you care more about someone’s legal status than his 34 felonies, you might want to check your humanity.” The truth behind those words is worth repeating. Simply being in this country without papers is a civil violation, and crossing the border without inspection is only a misdemeanor. What other misdemeanors are we reacting to with such fervor? Humanity should weigh heavily in our judgment. For the life of me, I don’t understand our nation’s rampant and infectious deficiency of compassion. We need to be reminded to love thy neighbor better.

Not long after I arrived and raised my sign, a man in a small and loud pickup pulled up beside me at the red light, and through his open passenger window asked “What are you gonna do about it?”

I was baffled by his question as the answer was right there in my hands. Knowing diplomacy works better than condescension, I told him I’d keep exercising my First Amendment right, that I’d take my protest of fascism from the sidewalk to the ballot box while teaching my children to do the same. I couldn’t hear his response as he shook his head and drove away, though I do wish we could’ve had an actual discussion, kind of.

More recently, when I told a friend about ‘No Kings’ rallies he rolled his eyes and said, “Good thing it’s working.” The sarcasm forced me to wonder: When we protest are we actually moving the needle, or are we just shouting into our own echo chamber?

That doubt is familiar to anyone who has ever stood up to power. It creeps in during the quiet moments, whispering ‘What’s the point? What good is it doing?’

Want to know the truth?: Protest is never futile. Never.

These rallies protest the authoritarian, unjust, and corrupt actions of president Trump and his disregard for the constitution and humanity. Here’s why we do it:

Protest drives change. Women didn’t win the right to vote by asking politely. Segregation didn’t end because people waited patiently. Workers didn’t gain protections because employers had a change of heart. Every freedom we enjoy was wrestled from the grip of power by ordinary determined folks who refused silence. What seemed powerless became unstoppable.

Protest breaks the illusion of consent. Authoritarians thrive on the notion that “everyone” accepts them. A rally doesn’t need to topple a government. Rather it needs only to make dissent visible. Silence suggests surrender. Protest announces resistance.

Protest builds community. (I’ve run into family members at rallies I don’t see much outside of holidays. Pro-democracy and anti-Trump gatherings have become my favorite kind of family reunions.) In the crowd one discovers others carrying the same outrage, the same hopes. One voice can waver, but joined with others it becomes a chorus that shakes all the bricks in the walls of power and moves mountains. To know I’m a small part of that, and to have shared all of this with my son, makes me feel a sense of pride that dwarfs the continual embarrassment this administration smears on us.

Protest accumulates. Each step marched, every dreaded and hard conversation with our Trump supporting loved ones, every sign adds water to our flood. Its a declaration of human dignity. We gather because we refuse inaction and complacency while cruelty reigns.

Protest promotes hope for change. In this way, I have found No-Kings protest to be invigorating to my national identity as well as motivational. Tyrants count on our fatigue. They need us feel exhausted and futile so that we give up the fight. Every time we show up, we declare the fight is far from over and we are far from tired. Our very presence says ‘You don’t get the luxury of our silence or tolerance.’

We protest because our kids are watching. They are watching and they are listening to the history we are making for them. They’ll remember what we stood for, not what we sat through. Protest models courage and teaches them that resistance gives us our freedoms. Personally I think we have made far too many failures for upcoming generations, and being unconcerned in the face of the current tyrannical administration would be yet another one that we don’t want to have to confess. Apathy is the new enemy.

With that said, I’d like to give a big big heartfelt thanks to Justin Hubbard and the Jamestown Justice Coalition for continually organizing successful, safe, and truly patriotic rallies.

Deep gratitude as well to all whom have spoken at these rallies for your inspiring words on patriotism, empowerment, courage, determination, and hope. Thank you to all the kids that bring your parents. To the many teachers I saw in attendance standing for their students’ futures, worlds of thanks. We owe you everything. To my fellow protesters who welcomed those of differing opinions, thank you for the continued peace and exemplifying tolerance to those who might need to see it the most.

And finally, thank you, Jamestown for coming together and showing the nation what democracy looks like, and with it a renewed sense of hometown pride.

Love is going to win. I swear it!

Mac Dawson is a Jamestown resident.