“Hands Off” Rally in Downtown Madison

[jesse_the_k]

Stepped out for a pro-democracy demonstration this noon at our highly photogenic state Capitol square.

Some signs I liked

• Donald & Elon — nobody paid us to be here
• The power of the people is greater than the people in power
• Without public health it doesn’t matter how cheap your eggs are
• MUSK = SKUM
• They’re eating the checks, they’re eating the balances
• This is my [protestor’s face appears through hole in cardboard] resisting bitch face
• Hate never made America great

The first slogan referenced Musk trying to buy votes for the Republican-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate who lost big to Susan Crawford. There were also many mental health slurs I’m not repeating. "Tax the rich" was a popular chant.

It was energizing and uplifting to be around many other like-minded folks, many my age. It was claustrophobic as all get-out to be in a crowd where my eye is at butt level, thanks to my wheelchair.

Comments

[sovay]

They’re eating the checks, they’re eating the balances

We saw that one, too!

[jesse_the_k]

...in DC! You made it all the way there.

Thanks for your service.

[otter]

Thank you for going! My alternative was to donate to a local urban farm/education program by and for mostly Black folk.

[jesse_the_k]

A very good choice.

[sonia]

Yay for getting out and protesting! Especially in a crowd with eyes at butt level. That does not sound fun.

Nice progressive flag on the pavement near your Capitol!

I love "resisting bitch face"! Interesting that I didn't see any mental health slurs that I remember. I certainly wince at plenty of them online in reference to politics.

[jesse_the_k]

Glad your crowd focused on policy!

Madison's Lesbian mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway, takes particular delight in inscribing the pavement that's within her control--the Capitol is technically not in the city.

[sonia]

Ooh, she sounds fabulous, as a person and as a mayor. Great article about her.

[celli]

Resisting bitch face, I love it.

[jesse_the_k]

It's a great meme--and it communicates even to folks who don't know the internet reference.

[jadelennox]

in boston they made a space for disabled people at the front of the march, and I could see they had an ASL terp, I was so proud. I did see multiple people using wheelchairs caught in the mob, though.

my sign (that temvald carried for me, because lol no) was very soggy by the end. It said "give back our neighbors, you ghouls." It was a fairly commonly stated sentiment, far as I could tell.

Ah, that's a lovely slogan.

[jesse_the_k]

In previous marches I've tied the picket portion to the back of my chair, but we took a bus downtown. 99% of riders were headed to the march--it was fun watching the under-7 set be amazed by all these strange adults with a common purpose.

[radiantfracture]

<3

[jesse_the_k]

<3

[chanter1944]

Oh hey, you were there too! I was in the scrum along with multiple family members, and no joke, I think we topped the 2011 snow rally for attendance. Holy *crud* that was a crowd!

Did you spot the 'the Turd Reich' sign? Or the 'Elon's not a cheesehead, he's an asshat' sign? I'm so very glad I had folks cluing me in to the excellent signage going around.

Thanks for those

[jesse_the_k]

which I missed.

We crush-loaded the D line downtown, and it was delightful watching the under-7 set be amazed by all these strange adults with a common purpose.

[ride_4ever]

There were about 200 at Hands Off in my small suburban village. Solidarity!

[jesse_the_k]

Wow! That's great news -- thanks for sharing.

[spiralsheep]

Thank you for representing!

I appreciate it

[jesse_the_k]

It was lovely seeing the age range, from 4 months to at least 98 (Reddit post of Fred Risser, formerly the longest-serving state senator in our weary nation).

Re: I appreciate it

[spiralsheep]

Gotta train the people in civil disobedience from a young age so it becomes a lifelong habit!

Senora Risser has an excellent hat too. Have to admire a woman with stylish and practical hats suitable for every occasion. ;-)

Re: I appreciate it

[jesse_the_k]

Amen.

[clevermanka]

The resisting bitch face one is genius.

It is great

[jesse_the_k]

The only drawback is I didn't want to ...take the protestor's picture without permission, and she was too far away to get it.

[runpunkrun]

Thanks for getting out there! That is one highly photogenic state capitol, and I love the idea of the resisting bitch face sign.

[jesse_the_k]

I wish I'd been close enough to get her permission to take a photo.

[seascribble]

Oh I like the face one very much. Glad you were able to go!

[jesse_the_k]

<3

[bibliofile]

Oh, I'm glad that you two were able to go! Sounds like a fine time, as these things go.

Other signs I've seen online: "Smoot Operator" and "I hate fascism more than I hate crowds."

[esteefee]

I attended the rally in SF, lots of great signs there as well. But I have to admit, except for some young gay and trans kids, there weren't a lot of young people there, and that dismayed me. There were tons of middle-aged folks and the older granola set, but how are we going to win in midterms if so many feel utterly powerless and don’t even vote when that’s the very thing they need to do?

[duskpeterson]

Glad you were able to attend!