No Kings: Now That's Mostly Peaceful

No Kings march on Market Street (Orbegozo/Chronicle)

Hundreds of thousands of people joined "No Kings" rallies across the country to protest what they view as authoritarian behavior of the Trump Administration. The Bay Area, one of the centers of liberal politics, was no exception.

Protest organizers in San Francisco, Oakland, Marin County and other Bay Area communities said turnout surpassed their initial projections, in many cases exceeding the participation in the first No Kings protest. That event was held on June 14 to coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday and a parade he orchestrated for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.

Although your humble blogger doesn't see the President as a would be or actual monarch, it would be foolish to dismiss rally-goers as leftist extremists, i.e., Hamas members, gender reassignment advocates, and Socialists. The marchers seemed sincere, and demonstrations were peaceful. No Kings was a time for feelings to be let out, not lengthy policy discussions.

Republicans would be wise to respect the passions that were on display. Mocking or silencing the Tea Party movement arguably gave rise to Trumpism and the resurgence of modern conservatism. Conservatives shouldn't do the same to No Kings and give leftist opposition the oxygen that it needs.