As we were walking to the Auto Show today from the parking garage, we could see all the protesters at the No Kings protest. Hezekiah and Zeke were asking about protests — what do that mean, what were they protesting, etc. I explained to them that in America, one of the rights we have is that we are able to peacefully protest in public spaces – basically we can share how we feel about an issue with signs or speaking. We had a little conversation about it and then went to the show.
After we left the show, Hezekiah wanted to see what was going on at the No Kings protest, so we walked down the block and down thee sidewalks lined with folks holding signs. Lots of cars were driving past, honking in support, shouting and raising their fists in solidarity. They took it all in and as we walked back to the garage, they asked, so what are people protesting? I explained how that in our country, we have three branches of government — executive, judicial, and legislative and right now, under this administration, there is a lot of concern that instead of all three branches being balanced like our constitution was written, one of the branches is becoming more powerful and out of balance. Long ago we were ruled from afar by a king, and people decided they did not wanted to be ruled by a king, so wars were fought, and a document was written to ensure that would not happen. That’s why people are protesting today.
Zeke said, “So it’s like when people were protesting about Civil Rights?” I said yes — they were making their voices heard in those days, because the issue of fair treatment for all is very important. Black people are not less than. Women are not less than. Zeke brought up Abraham Lincoln. Robert said that he was the president who fought against slavery being legal in the United States. Hezekiah said, “Like the story of Ruby Bridges. She was the first black girl to go to a white school. And she was very brave.” Then the boys started talking about Martin Luther King Jr. when he said, “I have a dream…”
As we walked down the alley next to the garage, we saw the Statue of Liberty in front of the St. Joseph Country Courthouse. Hezekiah wanted to see it, and then I said, “Oh guys, you know what, check this out.” I pointed and we looked to the our left. There, in a little plaza, across from the Statue of Liberty, is a sculpture of MLK Jr. and Father Hesburgh from Notre Dame. On June 21, 1964, they joined their hands and sang “We Shall Overcome” at the Walk for Freedom Civil Rights March at Soldier Field in Chicago. 11 days later, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, on July 2, 1964. The boys said, “Can we hold their hands and take a picture?” Of course! I love that they were so aware and invested in the conversation!
So it was really cool to be able to have conversations like this. For kids to be able to visually see the first amendment happening in a peaceful display is awesome. Over 8.1 million people showed up today in over 3,000 cities and small towns all over America to do one of the most American things granted to us in our Bill of Rights — the freedom to peaceably assemble. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree, having the ability to do this is significant — because there are many places around the world who do not have this right. Men and women for 250 years have fought for each of us today to have that right.