On Saturday, June 14, a ƵNo Kings DayƵ (NKD) protest was held here in Huntington. This protest had two main themes: the Trump provocation in Los Angeles and the presidentƵs birthday/Army anniversary parade in Washington, D.C. The California ICE raids have been perceived as more of an attempt to frighten and intimidate than a sincere effort to round up criminal undocumented workers. The latter theme is seen as an attempt at stolen valor by a president who stayed out of Vietnam Ƶ and thereby never served in the U.S. military Ƶ by racking up five bogus draft deferrals.
But while these two were the themes de jour, there were, happily milling around in Heritage Station, representatives of other marginalized groups. Women who have understandably felt that they are being pressured out of professional life and back into the kitchen and nursery, were certainly a presence. In addition, LGBT folks who have perceived a somewhat similar movement to force them back into the closet were also there.
Alas for the Trumpish minority, time marches on; the 1950s have been over for more than 60 years.
It has to said, however, that it was ICE that was the most popular target of outrage. Ironically it was announced that an ICE raid had just taken place at a restaurant a few blocks away. I donƵt suppose too many Huntington residents have been much concerned about the document status of folks who work in our local ethnic restaurants, but if the announcement was accurate, we were nevertheless getting the ƵbenefitƵ of some local ICE services.
On a national scale the same focus was evident: NKD protests were held in all states, with larger numbers in the bigger cities, and it was apparently the aggressive ICE raids attracted the most ire.
Sadly, it seems as if the Trump regime is about to double down and continue its cruel program of intimidation under the guise of public safety. One apparent potential opponent coming into view is the new pope, Leo XIV, who celebrated a mass the same day as the military parade.
I am not privy to the timing and thematic decisions of the wonderful nonprofits who sponsor these peaceful protests, but my guess is that they will come in the fall and focus on the economy. The inflation that so exercised Trump before he re-assumed the presidency is still with us.
Given that the Republicans have passed a stimulative budget with unnecessary tax breaks for the wealthy, it may be necessary to maintain fairly high interest rates. It seems, however, that Trump would prefer even more stimulation by having the Federal Reserve lower their rates. This may bring him into contention with yet another old white male: the chairman of the Federal Reserve. Since the Fed must on occasion dole out some bitter medicine it has been heretofore an independent agency. Now though, there is talk of replacing this experienced central banker Ƶ letƵs hope that it is only talk.
In any case Huntington and most U.S. cities will probably have the pleasure of further protest in spite of any other gestures of intimidation. See you in September.
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